Diagsheet

2016 Ram 3500 · symptom sheet

Wheel bearing, tires or wheels

  • 25owner reports
  • 20,000median miles
  • 2involved a crash

Newest report Aug 18, 2026 · checked Sep 9, 2026

25 of the 134 complaints on this car describe wheels, which makes it the most reported problem on the 2016 3500.

Tick what matches of 25 reports

2
5
3

What got replaced

Owners who name the part that was replaced mention the tires (24 reports) and the wheel (8 reports).

Recalls and investigations

3 recalls on the wheels cover the 2016 model year. A recall on the same system isn't always the same failure, so read the defect text.

21V-398May 27, 2021
Wheels:Lugs/Nuts/Bolts/Studs

Chrysler (FCA US, LLC) is recalling certain 2012-2021 RAM 3500, 3500 Cab Chassis, 4500 Cab Chassis, and 5500 Cab Chassis vehicles. Incorrect information in the Service and Owner's Manuals may cause the flanged lug nuts to be over-tightened, which could result in a broken wheel stud and possible wheel separation.

Risk and remedy
Risk: Wheel separation can cause a vehicle crash.
Remedy: Dealers will update the torque specification in the owner's manual and other published service documents. Dealers will also inspect the vehicle's wheel studs, replacing them if necessary, free of charge. Owner notification letters were mailed on November 30, 2021. Campaign Y36 owner notification letters were mailed on November 30, 2021. Campaign Y26 owner notification letters were mailed on December 1, 2021. Owners may contact FCA US customer service at 1-800-853-1403. FCA US's numbers for this recall are Y26 and Y36.
17V-499Aug 10, 2017
Wheels

Streetcar ORV LLC, dba American Expedition Vehicles (AEV) is recalling certain 2013-2017 RAM 2500 and 3500 heavy duty trucks, modified by AEV to be equipped with cast aluminum Katla 8.5" road wheels. The outer surface of the wheel may fracture, resulting in rapid air loss.

Risk and remedy
Risk: If the wheel fractures, a loss of vehicle control can occur, increasing the risk of a crash.
Remedy: AEV will notify owners, and dealers will replace the wheels with wheels of similar value, free of charge. The recall began on August 30, 2017. Owners may contact AEV customer service at 1-248-926-0256 extension 500.
16V-495Jul 1, 2016
Power Train:Transfer Case (4-Wheel Drive)

Chrysler (FCA US LLC) is recalling certain model year 2016 Ram 3500 trucks manufactured July 24, 2015, through January 7, 2016, and 2016 Ram 4500/5500 trucks manufactured July 24, 2015, through October 8, 2015. The transfer case may have been manufactured with a misshapen main output shaft, creating voids that may cause a shaft fracture.

Risk and remedy
Risk: If the main output shaft fractures, the vehicle may lose motive power, increasing the risk of a crash. Additionally, the driver may be unable to place the vehicle in PARK, increasing the risk of a vehicle rollaway.
Remedy: Chrysler will notify owners, and dealers will replace the transfer case, free of charge. The recall began on August 11, 2016. Owners may contact Chrysler customer service at 1-800-853-1403. Chrysler's number for this recall is S48.

When it happens

The middle half of failures fell between 12,400 and 42,000 miles, from the 16 reports that gave a mileage.

216
517
318
819
320
121
222
126

What owners wrote

“The Government Owned Vehicle (GOV) was traveling North on 31E in Nashville, when truck shuttered then truck passenger side wheel fell off. Tire/wheel pinned to truck and caught fire. Drive pulled truck off to side of roadway and called 911.”

Filed Dec 7, 2022

Should you keep driving it?

This page can't tell you that. 2 of 25 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.