2016 Ram 2500 · symptom sheet
Brakes grind, pulse or wear early
- 35owner reports
- 50,000median miles
- 1involved a crash
Newest report May 2, 2026 · checked Oct 2, 2026
35 of the 258 complaints on this car describe brake wear, which makes it the most reported problem on the 2016 2500.
Tick what matches of 35 reports
Brake wear on other 2500 years
Report counts are for each model year on its own, so a newer car has had less time to collect them. Model years with too few reports of it for a sheet: 2014, 2015, 2019, 2020, 2021, 2022, 2026.
What this problem usually is
Brake reports cover a wide spread of symptoms. Grinding or squealing is common, and so is a pulsing pedal or a shake through the car when stopping. Others describe pads and rotors worn out long before they expected, a brake warning light, or a pedal that goes soft or sinks toward the floor. The most serious ones say the car didn't stop in time.
What got replaced
Owners who name the part that was replaced mention the ABS module (18 reports).
Recalls and investigations
No recall on the brakes covers the 2016 model year as of Oct 2, 2026.
NHTSA investigations into the brakes on the 2500
Loss of brake performance. Closed mar 3, 2025.
None of these investigations covers the 2016 model year.
When it happens
The middle half of failures fell between 23,000 and 90,000 miles, from the 12 reports that gave a mileage.
Is this a known problem?
The manufacturer has sent NHTSA 2 service bulletins or notices for the 2016 Ram 2500 that deal with this problem. Newest first.
Federal rules make a manufacturer send NHTSA a copy of any notice about a defect that goes to more than one dealer or owner. Most of these are service bulletins, the repair instructions manufacturers send to dealers. NHTSA generally leaves safety recall bulletins out of this file, and recalls are listed separately.
Trac-Rite Operation Diagnosis, Chatter, Shudder, Moving From A Stop And Turning
Brake Pedal Sensor For vehicles with DTC's P0572 or C0042, or complaints of brake lights staying on or cruise control not setting, please use wiTech to check the Brake Pedal Home Position setting and actual pedal resting position under brake pedal status in ...
What owners wrote
“ITBM Integrated Trailer Brake Module not outputting correct breaking voltage to trailer.”
Filed Feb 9, 2026
“ABS FAILURE, WHICH TURNS OFF TRACTION CONTROL AND CRUISE CONTROL. This is a known issue for the HCU to fail. How is this not a recall on 2016 but it is on 17 and 18. Same parts.... have replace front hubs with new ABS sensors and rear ABS sensors, still on. It has to be the HCU or the module.”
Filed Dec 30, 2025
“Def system failed ABS, track,tire pressure. Service 4 wheel drive system. 4 wheel drive system temporarily unavailable.”
Filed Apr 18, 2025
“Some time as i apply the brakes i get a pulse pushing back on the brake pedal , it results in a slower braking action . Also i have a power steering fluid leak coming from the brake booster system . The brakes and the power steering go through the same system . The brake problem has been happening about a year and the power steering leak at the booster about 2 months”
Filed Jul 16, 2024
Should you keep driving it?
This page can't tell you that. 1 of 35 reports involved a crash. Owners who file are the ones who had a bad experience, and nobody checks their reports. If the problem affects steering, braking, power or a fire risk, treat it as a safety fault and have it inspected before a long or high-speed drive.
File your own report with NHTSA. Complaint counts are how a problem gets an investigation. How reports land on this sheet.
Guide Taking it to a shop? How to describe this problem so it gets found