2016 Ram 1500: fire, smoke or burning smell

Filed Nov 5, 2026 · Engine, Fuel system · CA

In Nov 2020, we had a Ram recall repair for the EGR Cooler/VB1. This was a safety issue that could potentially cause the truck to catch on fire. Nov 2026, we are getting a code for the same issue with our VB1 egr cooler valve. We've contacted Ram and have an email stating that our repair is out of warranty since it's been over 2 years since the repair was completed. Since this was a safety recall and not a standard recall, there is no 2 year warranty time frame. Ram is refusing to repair at their expense.

Filed Oct 15, 2026 · Engine · 14,700 miles · IA

The contact owns a 2016 Ram 1500. The contact stated that upon starting the vehicle and attempting to drive, the vehicle failed to accelerate, and multiple warning lights, including the check engine warning light, illuminated. The contact stated that the vehicle felt sluggish while driving and failed to accelerate beyond 60 MPH. The contact also stated that a burning smell was noticed coming from the rear filter of the vehicle. The vehicle was taken to an independent mechanic, where it was diagnosed that the diesel particulate filter (DPF) and emissions system failed and required replacement. A dealer was notified of the failure. The contact stated that the failure was previously associated with a recall. The failure mileage was approximately 147,000.

Filed Sep 5, 2026 · Fuel system · TX · fire

It appears to be a fuel leak. The incident happened less than 200 miles after having a dealer perform the federal safety agency recall 22V‑406, FCA recall Z46. The truck caught fire while pulling a travel trailer. The only way we were aware of it was a passing motorist saw flames shooting out from under the right side. As soon as we pulled over the truck immediately filled with smoke and the fire spread as the fuel puddled below the truck. Chrysler sent an inspector to look at the truck, not enough of the engine, passenger cabin, or front of the truck was left to make a conclusive cause. There was no indication we had an issue and if not for the fortunate timing of the passing motorist this could have turned out much worse. I was relating this story in a restaurant to my nephew when a passing waiter asked if it was a ECO diesel and I said yes, he related his story which was identical including the recall. I attempted to put out the fire with a fire extinguisher we kept in the truck but it was too big by the time we pulled over. We were traveling at less than 50MPH stop and go traffic which had just started moving.

Filed Aug 6, 2025 · Engine · IN

In September 2016 I purchased a new RAM 1500 echo diesel. On [XXX], I driving along [XXX] in southern Indiana. I lost all power, smoke started coming thru the dash vents, I get off the road, shut the engine off, raise the hood, a little smoke was coming from under the engine cover, popped it off didn't really see anything burning, I opened the air filter lid and and there was smoke, I blew the smoke out of it and replaced it. I got back in the truck, it started but still had no power. It idled fine. I called and towed it to John Jones Auto Group in Corydon, IN, this was all on [XXX]. I was contacted 30 June 2025 that the Intake Manifold had failed and needed to be replaced. I gave them the go ahead to replace it. They called me and told me it was ready. the following week and told the Intake Manifold failed and needed to be replaced. I gave them go ahead to repair it. They told me the Intake manifold replaced and ready for pick-up. When I went to pick it up, on 22 July 2025. The Tech showed me the intake manifold; it looked like it had melted. He also said the water pump was leaking and should be replaced. I paid for the repair for the intake manifold, left the truck and drove my car home, intending to have someone run me there and I would drive the RAM home. After thinking about a day or 2 I called John Johns and told them to go ahead and replace the water pump and took the key back to them. I didn't want it to fail when I was least expecting it. AT this point I've spent $4,750.20. They called I went and picked the truck up on 23 Jul 25, drove it home (20 miles) on [XXX] I just pulled out of my driveway, check the rearview mirror and saw all this white smoke coming out of the exhaust. I pulled over smelled the fumes it wasn’t diesel fumes, but it smell sweet. I turned around took the RAM back home and drove my car to work. I call John Jones Auto. After the advisor talked to the mechanic he told me it was normal and it was okay to drive INFORMATION REDACTED PURSUANT TO THE FREEDOM OF INFORMATION ACT (FOIA),

Filed Apr 23, 2024 · Engine · 156,000 miles · MO · fire

The contact owns a 2016 RAM 1500. The contact discovered the federal safety agency Campaign Number: 19V757000 (Engine and Engine Cooling) and the contact was informed that the recall was repaired, however, the failure recurred. The contact stated that while driving at approximately 70 MPH, the vehicle lost acceleration and there was smoke coming from the engine. The low oil pressure and service throttle control warning lights illuminated. The contact pulled the vehicle to the side of the road and when the hood was lifted the engine was on fire. The contact extinguished the fire with a fire extinguisher at the scene. No fire department was contacted. No police report was filed. No injuries were sustained. The vehicle was towed to the contact's residence. The contact was a certified mechanic and diagnosed the vehicle with ERG failure and a melted hole through the intake manifold. The manufacturer was made aware of the failure. The failure mileage was approximately 156,000.

Filed Mar 7, 2023 · Brakes · 107,000 miles · UT · fire

The contact owns a 2016 Ram 1500. The contact was driving at approximately 60 MPH, the contact stated he saw white smoke and thought it was his exhaust and another driver notified that the tire was on fire. The contact stated he had to drive the vehicle into a snow bank to stop the fire. The contact stated the fire started in the wheel compartment. The contact stated the ABS sensor illuminated the instrument panel. The vehicle was towed to the dealer, where the failure was diagnosed as the half shaft being fractured and the wheel bearing breaking. The vehicle was not repaired. The contact received an unknown the federal safety agency Campaign Number, however, the VIN was not associated with the recall. The manufacturer was notified of the failure. The manufacturer stated that due to the recall remedy not being performed on the vehicle they were not going to repair her vehicle. The failure mileage was approximately 107,000

Filed Nov 1, 2021 · Engine · CA · fire

Engine caught on fire, been trying to get recalls replaced since 4/18/21 when all other recalls were taken care of

Filed Feb 22, 2021 · Engine · 74,000 miles · TX

Oil cooler developed a massive leak dumping at least half the oil on the ground and on the undercarriage of the truck. Oil is on the exhaust which cause a smell of burning oil which cannot be safe. Multiple people have the same issues with this engine and parts are nowhere to be found.

Filed Dec 8, 2020 · Engine · 90,000 miles · OK · fire

Tl* the contact owns a 2016 ram 1500. The contact received the federal safety agency campaign number: 19v757000 (engine and engine cooling) and the federal safety agency campaign number: 20v475000 (engine and engine cooling). The contact stated while driving 40 MPH, the vehicle loss power. The check engine warning light illuminated. The contact pulled into a parking lot where the engine reeved up and stalled. The contact opened the hood and detected a fire and within five minutes the vehicle was engulfed in flames. The contact called the fire department who extinguished the fire. There were no reported injuries or police report filed. The vehicle was towed to an independent mechanic. The contact called mcconnell chrysler dodge jeep ram 1405 healdsburg ave, healdsburg, ca 95448 (888) 392-4082 who referred contact to manufacturer the vehicle was not diagnosed or repaired. The manufacturer was contacted however no further assistance was provided. The insurance company took possession of the vehicle. The failure mileage was 90,000.

Filed Oct 24, 2020 · Engine, Transmission · 88,000 miles · AZ · fire

I was driving at highway speed and lost all power, noticed some steam/smoke coming from under the hood, opened the hood and saw flames. I did not have an extinguisher so I called 911. Vehicle is a total loss. It was part of the egr cooler recall for the ram ecodiesel, part was on order but had not been replaced yet. I had been adding coolant to the truck every few weeks , told the dealership this but their response was to not let the coolant level get too low. * (recall related incident) ts

Filed Jul 8, 2020 · Engine · 92,000 miles · CA · fire

Tl* the contact owned 2016 ram 1500. The contact stated while driving 60 MPH, abnormal sounds were coming from the engine which caused the vehicle to stall, the contact was able to pull over to the side of the road and the engine compartment was on fire. The contact stated no warning light was illuminated. The contact stated the fire was extinguished by the fire department and a fire department report was filed. The contact stated the vehicle was towed to a salvage yard. The contact stated a local dealer was not contacted. The manufacturer had been informed of the failure and a case was filed. The failure mileage was approximately 92,000

Filed May 26, 2020 · Body, Electrical · 85,000 miles · TN · fire

While driving the truck back fire pouring smoke pulled over open hood saw flames move to safety filed complaint with fca they sent an arm chair investigator who said investigating he found nothing that shows no responsibility for fca they stated even though there is recall that warns of fire hazard does not mean it is there fault. So far they do not have repair parts to fix and for me it is to late truck was destroyed by the fire fire fca needs to be held accountable.