I am reporting a transmission safety problem with my 2016 Ram 2500 Cummins that began shortly after FCA campaign U29 was performed. Before the recall work, the transmission and original solenoid were functioning normally. I had no transmission symptoms, warning lights, or transmission codes. The dealership performed U29 and replaced the transmission solenoid May 4-6, 2026. I picked the truck up May 6 at 149,091 miles. About 79 miles later, the check-engine light came on and transmission problems began. While driving, including on the interstate, the truck would suddenly jerk, the RPMs would rise quickly, and the truck would lose speed. On several occasions, traffic behind me had to react quickly to avoid hitting me. The dealership told me the solenoid installed during the U29 repair was defective and replaced it with another solenoid. The same problems continued. The truck later developed code P0871, became undriveable, and was towed back June 1. The original transmission ultimately failed. The dealership then installed a Mopar remanufactured transmission. I picked it up June 13. Within roughly 600 miles, it developed substantially identical symptoms and failure patterns, including P0870 and P0871, limp mode, and another major transmission failure. It was towed back June 24. The dealership later found the overdrive clutch had disintegrated and metal was present in the transmission fluid. The failed remanufactured transmission is now being handled under its Mopar warranty, and the dealership is looking to install a third transmission without identifying a clear reason for the repeated failures. I am concerned the same problem could happen again and believe the U29 repair, replacement parts, or another related transmission problem should be investigated.
2016 Ram 2500: check engine light
13 of the 260 complaints about the 2016 Ram 2500 describe check engine light.
- owner complaints
- 13
- of this car's complaints
- 5%
- typical mileage
- 28,248
- recalls
- 2
Check engine light by model year
What owners say
The contact owns a 2016 Ram 2500. The contact stated that while driving at various speeds, the check engine warning light illuminated, and the vehicle lost motive power and went into LIMP Mode. The contact stated that the failure was intermittent but also occurred while towing a 30-foot trailer or a 24-foot trailer. Occasionally, after pulling over, turning off, and restarting the vehicle, the vehicle returned to normal functionality. On other occasions, the vehicle was towed back to the residence after the failure. The vehicle was taken to an Auto Parts Store and diagnosed using a handheld scanner, and a fault code associated with the turbo actuator for the diesel engine was retrieved. The contact was informed that the engine needed to be replaced. The vehicle was not repaired. The contact called a local dealer and was notified of Technical Service Bulletin Number: 09-005-22; however, the vehicle was not included. The manufacturer was informed of the failure and referred the contact to the federal safety agency Hotline for assistance. The failure mileage was approximately 113,000.
Towing my trailer with my 2016 Ram 2500, at 48,000 miles I experienced complete turbo failure in heavy traffic at highway speeds. Power was reduced to minimums causing hazardous conditions. The "check engine" light illuminated. I maintained control and eventually had the codes scanned at both a local auto parts store and Larry Miller Dodge/Ram in Sandy, Utah. The codes identified were for the turbo actuator/turbo. Larry Miller said they could replace the actuator, but I'd be back in three weeks for the turbo replacement as well. They were three weeks out for labor. I contacted a local diesel repair shop who purchased the turbo and actuator from Larry Miller Dodge Ram and had it installed in a day. Subsequent to these repairs ($5,400.00) I have learned that MOPAR issued Warranty Bulletin D-22-06, dated March 16, 2022, for the same make and model as mine, only for the year 2015. My truck was built in 2015 and the parts and computer codes for failure are identical. This published warranty bulletin issued relief of a new extended warranty of 15 years /150,000 miles for the installed turbo actuator/turbo. Since mine failed at 48,000 miles, this could be a continuation of the aforementioned issue with the stated 2015 year failures. I was lucky I didn't create a traffic accident when this turbo system failed since it was sudden and violent when the loss of power occurred without warning. I'm asking you to probe or look at the facts that the issue with these Garrett turbos are still outstanding whether Doge/Ram/Fiat/Mopar wants to include them in their campaign. The danger is real. The costs to retired people, such as myself, is consequential and devastating. It is unfair there is no way of sending queries to the manufacturers to alert them of this condition. The only way to communicate is to talk to a person in India and the communication barrier is tremendously difficult as is the chance of getting any return on the days and weeks of attempts for resolution.
I have a 2016 Ram 2500 Power Wagon that i have turned into a show truck. The truck has never been off-road or in the mud, it is driven to and from the shows. Last [XXX] as i was driving to Hickory, NC for a car show on Saturday August 31st my truck instantly lost power and turned on the engine light. The transmission felt like it was stuck in second or third gear, so i pulled over and scanned the PCM to see what the DTC code and it came back as P0870. Went online to research the code and see what it had to say about it and it stated to clear the code to see if it comes back on which i didn't. The light has not returned as of yet but when the truck hits overdrive it has a high pitch squeal coming from it meaning the transmission. I brought it in to my local dealership on Wednesday September 4th to have it looked at they performed DIAG and CVI inspection to find the transmission is starting to fail internally recommend replacing the transmission. Now want me to pay out of pocket for a new transmission even though i have max care warranty on the truck when i bought it new. i don't have $6000.00 to pay for a new transmission that's on back order. If it comes down to it and i have to get my neighbor to help me get the transmission out of this truck cause I'm [XXX] then i will rebuild it my [XXX] thing myself before i pay them $6000.00. INFORMATION REDACTED PURSUANT TO THE FREEDOM OF INFORMATION ACT (FOIA), 5 U.S.C. 552(B)(6)
We were driving our 2016 Ram in July 20, 2023 to Yakima, WA which is 200 miles away from our home. About 50 miles north of town, our check engine light came on and our power was reduced to a minimal speed. We cautiously drove to the next rest area and turned the engine off. We waited about 30 minutes, restarted the engine and continued to Yakima. We had the code checked and turned off at an Oreily's parts store. We drove it to an Independant diesel service center since the Ram dealership's schedule was 2 months out to look at it. After several hours and troubleshooting, the diesel technician determined that the Cumins Actuator and Turbo were failing. Each time they cleared the code and drove the truck, they could recreate the problem. They told us that it was the same problem that the 2015 Cumins Turbos & actuators were having. They said there is a chance that our truck was manufactured with the same parts as a 2015 Cumins. They were able to repair our truck and said that we should notify the federal safety agency, Mopar and our local Ram dealer of the problem. Mopar told me there is no recall for this issue, so they cannot help. The local Ram dealer told me that since they did not do the repair, they cannot report the issue. Please help us as this was an expensive repair, not including the cost of being standed out of town for days. Our Ram only has 39,000 miles and is like new, always garaged and drove for pleasure. How can we get this investigated or reimbursed?
When vehicles comes to a stop or a slow roll. It makes a loud humming sound and cuts off in drive. The lights starts flickering ans The check engine flashes on at that time. Received a ecm code.I have to place in park and restart. Happens 70% of the time in drive and other times in reverse or park. Cruise control would not turn on. If on will not turn off with buttons
Engine running rough. I drive daily on the freeway and pull a trailer, it is not safe to drive on a busy freeway or any road ( I am a self-employed contractor who now has to rent a truck). Both I took to an independent service center and authorized Crysler Dealer. Check engine light came on November 30th. P219A - Bank 1 Air-Fuel Ratio Imbalance PERMANENT. It was starting on and off. The truck was purchased from Holz Dealership in 2019 and financed for $35,967.63. Nothing was disclosed about engine issues.
The contact owns a 2016 Ram 2500. The contact stated while driving 35 mph, the brake pedal was depressed but failed to respond. The contact depressed the parking brake pedal and the vehicle stopped. The warning messages "Brake Fluid Low" and "Service Electronic Braking System" appeared on the instrument panel. The check engine warning light, the traction control warning light, and the brake warning light were illuminated. The contact turned off and restarted the vehicle and the brake pedal responded while depressed. The vehicle was drivable. The vehicle was not diagnosed or repaired. The dealer and the manufacturer were not made aware of the failure. The approximate failure mileage was 106,500.
The check engine light keeps coming on. I have had at the dealership 3 times. The third time the dealer had my vehicle for 6 weeks. When I went and picked it up, I got approximately 1 mile down the road and the check engine light came on again. I took the vehicle back to the dealer and it is currently still being worked on to try and figure the problem out. The check engine code keeps showing the torque converter. The dealer changed the valve body the third time that it was there.
Tl* the contact owns a 2016 ram 2500. While driving 55 MPH, the gear shifted into first gear on its own and the check engine warning indicator illuminated. The contact veered to the shoulder of the road, and turned off and restarted the vehicle. The vehicle was driven to an independent mechanic who diagnosed that the transmission needed to be replaced. Hall chrysler dodge jeep ram virginia beach (3152 virginia beach blvd, virginia beach, va 23452, (877) 475-0721) was contacted to schedule a second diagnostic test. The dealer informed the contact that the parts were not available to perform the repair. The vehicle was not repaired and the failure recurred. The manufacturer was not made aware of the failure. The failure mileage was approximately 62,000.
Tl* the contact owns a 2016 ram 2500. While accelerating from a traffic light, the vehicle failed to increase in speed when the accelerator pedal was depressed. Also, the check engine indicator was constantly illuminated. When the failure occurred, the contact had to restart the vehicle to resume normal operation. The contact's vehicle was rear ended by another vehicle when the failure occurred. A police report was not filed and there were no injuries. The failure was persistent. The vehicle was taken to a local dealer (whites chrysler dodge jeep and ram 1325 n. Main street, urbana, oh 43078) where the cause of the failure could not be determined. The vehicle was not repaired. The manufacturer was notified of the failure and provided no assistance. The failure mileage was approximately 28,248.
Numerous times the diesel has stuttered and acted like it was going to die. This has happened several times. Was taken to sealer and was told there is nothing wrong with it. It is making weird noises while shifting and is now throwing a cel with the code p0421.
Service bulletins that may apply
Related recalls
Engine and engine cooling: engine: diesel
- What is wrong
- Chrysler (FCA US LLC) is recalling certain 2013-2017 RAM 2500, 3500, 3500 Cab Chassis, 4500 Cab Chassis, and 5500 Cab Chassis vehicles, equipped with Cummins 6.7L Turbo Diesel engines that have Concentric-brand water pumps without a vent hole. These water pumps may leak coolant.
- Risk
- The leaking water pump can increase the risk of an engine compartment fire.
- Remedy
- Chrysler will notify owners, and dealers will replace the water pumps, free of charge. The recall began February 26, 2018. Owners may contact Chrysler customer service at 1‑800‑853‑1403. Chrysler's number for this recall is T51.
Recall number 17V562000 · Recall details
Engine and engine cooling: engine
- What is wrong
- Chrysler (FCA US LLC) is recalling certain model year 2016 Ram 2500, 3500, 3500 Cab Chassis and 4500/5500 Cab Chassis trucks manufactured July 31, 2015, to August 13, 2015 and equipped with a 6.7L Cummins Diesel engine. In the affected vehicles, the Engine Control Module (ECM) may short circuit, causing the engine to stall without warning.
- Risk
- An engine that stalls without warning increases the risk of a crash.
- Remedy
- Chrysler will notify owners, and dealers will replace the ECM, free of charge. The recall began on December 21, 2015. Owners may contact Chrysler customer service at 1‑800‑853‑1403. Chrysler's number for this recall is R52.
Recall number 15V592000 · Recall details
Questions about the 2016 Ram 2500 check engine light
Is check engine light a common problem on the 2016 Ram 2500?
13 of 260 owner complaints about the 2016 Ram 2500 (5%) mention check engine light. The model year with the most reports is 2018.
Is there a recall or service bulletin for this on the 2016 Ram 2500?
There are 2 recalls and 63 service bulletins for the same area of the car. Check them below with your VIN.
Other symptoms on the 2016 Ram 2500
ABS 20Adaptive cruise 11Stalling 8Loss of power 6Won't shift 6Transmission failure 5
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