2016 Ram 1500: won't start

Filed Dec 5, 2025 · Electrical, Transmission · KS

Went to start my truck and it wouldnt start. Connected a jumper box to it to start it and started right up. Check engine light came on and showed "Code P1DF3". My safety was at risk due to not being able to get back home due to this issue. This fault has been reported by others with the ram 1500.

Filed Aug 28, 2025 · Engine, Fuel system · FL

I own a 2016 Ram 1500 EcoDiesel (VIN: [XXX] ). This vehicle is covered under the EcoDiesel Approved Emissions Modification (AEM) Settlement extended warranty. Since the update in January 2025, the truck has suffered repeated EGR system failures and related warranty failures. The EcoDiesel lawsuit itself was based on EGR cooler defects that could leak coolant and cause fires. My truck has experienced the same failure pattern, with coolant leaks, overheating, and unsafe breakdowns. On [XXX], the vehicle shut off in the middle of the road while I was driving, creating a serious hazard. The cause was traced to a covered emissions component. This was not an isolated incident. The vehicle has been in dealerships for over 60 cumulative days since January 2025, mostly for repeated EGR codes and fuel system issues, but the root problem has never been properly repaired. On [XXX], the low-pressure fuel pump failed after it had already been replaced. The premature failure left me stranded and required a $500 tow. This failure also presented a risk of sudden power loss in traffic. Despite repeated visits to authorized dealers, repairs are incomplete or improperly billed, including installation of non-OEM parts that failed again. The repeated stalling, coolant leaks, overheating, and sudden no-start conditions show that this truck remains unsafe to operate on public roads. I am reporting this as a safety defect because the emissions system failures and improper repairs have caused the vehicle to shut off while driving and continue to present a risk of fire, engine damage, and sudden loss of power. INFORMATION REDACTED PURSUANT TO THE FREEDOM OF INFORMATION ACT (FOIA), 5 U.S.C. 552(B)(6)

Filed Jan 1, 2024 · Transmission · NY

While driving at 70 MPH down I-90 in upstate New York, during rush hour traffic, my 2016 Ram 1500 eco diesel lost power (engine stopped). The truck lost power, including a loss in power steering. I was able to navigate the truck to the side of the road and a state trooper pull behind me while waiting for the tow truck. The truck would not start after this. There was no advanced warning for this failure. There were no warning lights, and before the engine stall, the truck was driving and behaving as it should. The truck was towed to a mechanic off the highway and later towed to Castilone Dodge in Batavia NY. The dealer found the magnetic perimeter of the tone wheel was flaking, which caused an issue with the driveshaft sensor, causing the truck to stall. Castilone found there is an existing recall on this for 2014-2019 RAM eco diesel trucks. The recall is for "Risk of delamination of crankshaft position sensor tone wheels". However, upon looking into this and calling RAM directly, RAM stated the recall only affects some VINs, and mine was not included. I spoke to two different people at RAM, who reiterated this. RAM claims that my truck received a good tone wheel, which was not included in the recall, and because of this, they refused to cover the repair and towing bill. The truck was taken to West Herr RAM in Lockport, NY, where they replaced the tone wheel for $1,760.65. I find it curious, that my truck experienced the same issue that was covered under recall warranty for other 2014-2018 RAM EcoDiesels. But my truck VIN was not captured in the recall. I asked RAM to investigate whether there are additional VINs that should be captured under the recall. They refused to escalate my request or do any additional research. I'm asking for help form the federal safety agency to hold RAM accountable to at least determine if this issue impacts additional trucks.

Filed Aug 10, 2023 · Engine · OR

I bought a 2016 Ram 1500 Ecodiesel brand new from a Dodge, Ram, Jeep dealership. November 2021 I taking my son, who was 11 years old at the time, to a friends house. The route to the friend's house was through a farm area and the roads were hilly with moderate traffic. I remember driving down one of the hills and starting hearing an odd sound coming from the engine. The sound was sort of like a light thud or rocking sound. It started off quiet and soft at first but start getting louder and louder. We weren't very far from our destination so we continued on. We came to a stop at a stop sign at an intersection then proceeded through it when traffic was clear. We got up to about 35 MPH and the sound from the engine became extremely loud then all of the sudden the engine seized/shut off and all the electronic shut down. The power steering and power brakes were not receiving and any power so it became really hard to control the vehicle. I struggled to turn the steering wheel to the side of the narrow county road and was eventually able to stop the vehicle. I tried to restart the vehicle multiple times and each time was unsuccessful. Since the vehicle would not start, I had to order a tow truck to tow the vehicle to the dealership. The dealership looked at my truck and told me the crankshaft failed and they metal from the crank in my oil pan. When they told me this I started doing research to see if anybody else had this problem. I found a recall for 2014-2018 Ram ecodiesel trucks (W58/the federal safety agency 20V‑475) that came out in February 2021. I brought this up the the service tech at the dealership and said it didn't matter me since my VIN was not included in the recall. Service tech recommended engine gets replaced since the metal found in the oil pan broke off from the crankshaft and traveled through the engine. The truck was towed back to my residence and has yet to be repaired. 6/8/23 - FCA Recall #66A/the federal safety agency Recall #23V‑411 announced and my VIN is included.

Filed Oct 11, 2022 · Engine, Fuel system · MA

My truck has a recall the federal safety agency CAMPAIGN ID: 22V406000. The truck will randomly die while on the highway forcing me to pull over 3 lanes with no power at all, then the truck will not start for 5 minutes. I brought the truck to the dealer and they will not fix the problem and told me they don’t have a fix yet and it’s expected late 2023. I use my truck for work to pick up equipment and need it almost on a daily basis. I called Chrysler and they said the same thing. I asked if they would buy it back butthey told me it doesn’t qualify for a buyback. It’s not safe to drive.

Filed Feb 16, 2022 · Electrical, Engine · TX

I was exiting the freeway, sped up from about 55mph to pass a semi before the exit narrowed and my '16 RAM 1500 Ecodiesel just stopped working. I got warning lights one after another, "engine oil low pressure", "electric system" "brake system" basically the whole christmas tree lit up. I was almost hit and probably killed by the 18 wheeler I just passed, coasted to a stop and pulled over. Engine would not start back up. Got towed to a shop. Mechanic found that the "crankshaft tone ring/wheel" had lost some of it's magnetic material and that caused the almost catastrophic shut down. Mechanic found Chrysler safety recall W58 and W68 that are for this exact issue for my exact make, model, year and engine type- so I call RAM/Chrysler and they say it's my problem because my VIN is not subject to these recalls. I asked them if the recall is for this exact issue, for the exact make, model, year, and engine then how do can they refuse to even escalate the issue or look into it. This is a known issue, I almost died and am out a couple thousand dollars. The contact is requesting to be reimbursed $1700 for the repairs.

Filed Feb 10, 2022 · Steering · WA

My power steering failed. It stopped working while I was driving on a straight road at approximately 45MPH. The wheel was very hard to turn. The power steering did not start working again until I was able to stop the vehicle, shut it off and re-start it. I had the dealer look at it and they can not replicate it, and can not find any coded to tell what has happened. The dealer and FCA have said there is nothing they can do at this time. This is not a problem that I want to wait to happen again as it is extremely dangerous.

Filed Dec 1, 2021 · Electrical, Engine · 80,000 miles · ID

The contact owns a 2016 Ram 1500. The contact stated that his wife informed him that the vehicle would not start after driving approximately 200 miles. The contact then drove the vehicle to the dealer and within 125 miles of reaching the dealer, the "contact your local dealer, the problem with the DEF system" warning message appeared on the instrument panel. Once in the possession of the dealer, the contact was informed that three bolts that connected the exhaust to the manifold had broken off causing the failure. The manufacturer was notified and informed him that there were no recalls on the vehicle. The vehicle had been repaired. The failure mileage was approximately 80,000.

Filed Nov 19, 2021 · Electrical, Transmission · FL

I was driving 50 mph down the road, when I started to accelerate (pass) around another vehicle when it just died. Got the check engine light along with oil pressure low warning. Coasted to a stop a ways down the road trying to get off on the side of the road. My 2016 Ram 1500 would not start after that. I put my Bosch code reader on the truck and it flashed P0366 which called out for the Crank Shaft sensor. Had truck towed to local dealer. This looks like it falls under the same recall as W58. In the process of getting the dealership to take responsibility of the situation and file a claim with their corporate office, because my particular VIN doesn't match their records of having this issue.

Filed Oct 26, 2020 · Electrical · 100,000 miles · LA

Our truck started giving us cranking issues. It would turn over crank and immediately die. We would keep trying and eventually start. At times it wouldnt start. We would call a wrecker to get it towed to mechanic. After it would sit waiting on wrecker it would crank. Finally after fighting with this for 1 year it has been dead for the past 3 months. I have brought it to dealer and they could not diagnose it. It has been at another mechanic and he has not been able to diagnose either.

Filed Sep 30, 2020 · Electrical · 64,000 miles · FL

Vehicle stopped starting. Battery got drained and no lights were left on. I drove it in the morning and in the afternoon it would not start

Filed Sep 21, 2020 · Engine · 98,385 miles · CA

Took my truck in for engine light 12/18/19 particulate sensor problem. Sensor code cleared returned 12/19/19. 6/29/20 recall csn 1, egr cooler. With this work had to replace manifold and then damaged head engine cylinder due to damage by technician and had to replace, returned 7/24/20. 7/30/20 engine overheated, check engine light on. Fault of loose hose clamp and system not bled of air, returned7/31/20. 8/4/20 check engine light on.egr cooler by pass acutotur valve not working. Returned 8/6/20. 8/10.20 check engine light on. Egr bypass solonide high resistance and not actuating, replace actuator, returned 8/11/20. 8/17/20 check engine light on. Removed cam driven vacuum pump, returned 8/21/20. 8/28/20 engine light on and black smoke and oil spraying out the back. Truck towed back to dealer since it would not start. Main engine gasket blew and totalled engine. Dealer still has truck as of today 9/21/20 to replace engine. All issue happened when driving the truck. I have all work invoices if needed. I applied for buy back but was refused due to state guidelines for lemon law.