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2016 Ram 3500 electrical problems

10 complaints (7% of all complaints for this car). Typical mileage when it fails: 9,000.

owner complaints
10
of this car's complaints
7%
typical mileage
9,000
crashes
0
recalls
1

Which part fails

  • Instrument panel: speedometer/odometer
    1

At what mileage

Complaints by mileage at the time of the problem.

0k-25k
25k-50k
50k-75k
75k-100k
100k-125k
125k-150k
150k-175k
175k-200k
200k+

Ram 3500 electrical problems in other years

2007201520202026

Specific symptoms reported on the 2016 Ram 3500 electrical

Phrases found in the owners' own descriptions, so one complaint can mention several symptoms.

Fire or smoke 6

Related recalls

Electrical system: wiringReported May 17, 2018 · 4,815,661 vehicles affected
What is wrong
Chrysler (FCA US LLC) is recalling certain 2014-2018 Dodge Journey, Charger and Durango, RAM 2500, 3500, 3500 Cab Chassis (more than 10,000lb), 4500 Cab Chassis and 5500 Cab Chassis, Jeep Cherokee and Grand Cherokee and Chrysler 300, 2014-2019 RAM 1500, 2015-2018 Dodge Challenger, 2015-2017 Chrysler 200, 2016-2018 RAM 3500 Cab Chassis (less than 10,000 lb), 2017-2018 Chrysler Pacifica and 2018 Jeep Wrangler vehicles. These vehicles are being recalled to address a defect that could prevent the cruise control system from disengaging. If, when using cruise control, there is a short circuit within the vehicle's wiring, the driver may not be able to shut off the cruise control either by depressing the brake pedal or manually turning the system off once it has been engaged, resulting in either the vehicle maintaining its current speed or possibly accelerating.
Risk
If the vehicle maintains its speed or accelerates despite attempts to deactivate the cruise control, there would be an increased risk of a crash.
Remedy
Chrysler will notify owners, and dealers will inspect the software, and perform a software flash on the engine or powertrain control module, free of charge. The recall began June 4, 2018. Owners may contact Chrysler customer service at 1‑800‑853‑1403. Note: Owners are advised to stop using cruise control until the software update has been performed. In the event that cruise control cannot be disengaged while driving, owners should firmly and steadily apply the brakes and shift the transmission to neutral, placing the vehicle in park once it has stopped.

Recall number 18V332000 · Recall details

What 2016 Ram 3500 owners say

Most recent owner complaints, unedited.

Filed Oct 14, 2025 · Electrical · TX · fire

I have a complaint that needs to be addressed. On Sept. 11 2025 I had a fire in the cab of my 2016 Ram 3500 truck while it was sitting in my drive way. It was not even running. The fire was not very big and it could have been repaired. So I called FCA and opened a case with them. They informed me that I needed to bring my truck into the closest dealership so that it could be inspected. So I then called and set up and appt for Sept. 12, 2025. I had my truck towed to the dealership and upon arrival my husband who took the truck was told to take it off the trailer. So they took it off the trailer. They informed me that a woman went to the truck, opened the door and stated “ well that’s a gonna be a total loss,” closed the door and had told them to move it to the fence line. She then stated that there was nothing that y’all could do for us and that it would cost me $350.00 to be diagnosed. At this time she already knew that I had an open case with FCA and that I was told to take it in. Upon walking to the truck when my husband opened the door and it had caught fire again. So he went and told some employees in the service dept and they ran out to the truck and disconnected the batteries. Then we were told that we needed to take it off the lot if we weren’t going to pay. So they reconnected the batteries and we put the truck back on the trailer and brought it home. The next day my truck was completely engulfed in flames along with my husbands welder which is used for our business. I called FCA back on Monday and spoke with my case manager/inspector and let them know about the two fires after the first and he stated he would be going to inspect the following day. He then asked if the truck was at the dealership and if the batteries had been disconnected by your employees. I stated no the truck is here at my home and the batteries were reconnected so that we could tow it out of the dealership since that’s what we were told to do. I have told the dealership and no response

Filed Sep 15, 2025 · Electrical, Engine · TX · fire

On Sept. 11, 2025 my truck parked in my drive way. It was parked there all night. When I opened the doors to get in smoke and flames started coming out. The center console was on fire. The next day on Sept. 12, 2025 while at the dealership to have the truck inspected it caught fire again further burning the center console, the passenger seat and the roof. The dealership told us there is nothing they could do so we had to have the truck towed back to my home. Sunday night on Sept. 14,2025, I heard a loud pop noise and when I walked outside the entire cab of the truck was engulfed in flames. We had to call the fire department and they had to come put the fire out. Each of the incidences started spontaneously when the truck was just sitting parked.

Filed May 12, 2025 · Electrical · 370,000 miles · OH

Odometer Fraud. The contact's husband owns a 2016 Ram 3500. The contact stated that her husband was recently interested in trading in the vehicle. While on Facebook Marketplace, a person interested in vehicle requested a Carfax report of the vehicle. Upon obtaining the Carfax report, the contact discovered that there was a mileage discrepancy. The vehicle was a private sale. At the time of purchase, the vehicle mileage was 167,000; however, the Carfax report discovered that back in 2022, the vehicle mileage was 370,000.

Filed May 30, 2019 · Electrical · ID

On the screen it comes up (not all the time) it comes up service electronic braking system and check trailer brakes( no trailer) & exhaust brake and the cruise control will come out. I have had my truck into larry miller in boise 3-4 times for this problem they say they cannot fix it because it is not doing it then. It was doing it one day I stopped at petersen dealership and they did a print out with what it is doing but said they couldn't fix it because I bought truck at larry miller. So I took the read out to larry miller they said it's not doing it now so sorry can't fix it! The truck has 32,000 miles and has been doing this for about 2 years, the truck is 3 years old. Also, I have had 5 recalls in 3 years I have no faith in this truck. I feel larry miller is not interested and will not work with me to fix this truck. I have the printout with all the problems that are happening if you want to see them?

Filed Dec 11, 2017 · Electrical · 10,600 miles · WI

Rear drivers window falls down without the switch being activated.

Filed Aug 10, 2017 · Electrical, Transmission · 10,000 miles · VA

Tl* the contact owns a 2016 ram 3500. After towing a fifth wheel trailer for approximately five hours, the vehicle failed to immediately restart after being shut off and in the park position. The vehicle was towed to an unknown dealer who was unable to duplicate the failure. The contact later heard a loud booming sound coming from the rear of the vehicle before failing to drive forward. A software update was performed on the electronic transmission control module, but the failure continued. The manufacturer and dealer (stafford dodge located in fredricksburg, virginia) were notified of the failures. The failure mileage was 10,000.

Filed Jan 23, 2017 · Brakes, Electrical · 6,554 miles · WA

On 1/17/2017 I took my 2016 ram 3500 into the selling dealer service department (dwayne lane's everett, wa) to check for the cause of a "check trailer wiring" visual and audible warning which had been present intermittently with brake pedal application since shortly after purchase of the vehicle (new). When present, the defect would occur if the vehicle was stationary or in motion, particularly in damp road conditions. The dealership said that, because of the presence of non-factory options, they would not work on the vehicle until it was returned to stock condition (magnuson-moss warranty act violation) based on the advice of chrysler/fca. I then took the vehicle to the dealer who installed the camper wiring, where it was discovered the the blue wire from the brake controller to the factory installed 7-prong plug was installed incorrectly at the ram factory, causing the fault code and a potential malfunction of the trailer brake system. Should the brakes on a towed vehicle malfunctioned in operation, there is the very real possibility of loss of control, injury or death to occupants and bystanders. I have video of the fault taking place but the files are too large to attach to this email.

Filed Aug 19, 2016 · Brakes, Electrical · 3,800 miles · NY

The integrated trailer break controller does not stop a heavy trailer properly. Tests have shown that when the break is applied the controller only sends 7volts to the trailer breaks. Adjusting the gain to the maximum 10 setting has no affect. The dealer and chrysler say the system is working as it is programmed to. It is difficult to stop the truck and trailer in a reasonable distance. Chrysler needs to come up with a fix for this problem before some one is seriously hurt or killed.

Filed Jul 21, 2016 · Electrical, Visibility · 9,000 miles · OR

Tl* the contact owns a 2016 dodge ram 3500. While driving 30 MPH, the vehicle stalled without warning. In addition, water leaked from the sun roof which caused the vehicle to have electrical issues. The vehicle was taken to be repaired, but the issue recurred. The manufacturer was made aware of the issue. The failure mileage was 9,000.

Filed Mar 7, 2016 · Acceleration, Electrical · 1,060 miles · FL

Tl* the contact owns a 2016 dodge ram 3500. While driving at an unknown speed, the speedometer failed to display the proper mileage without warning. The vehicle was not diagnosed nor repaired. The manufacturer was notified of the failure. The failure mileage was 1,060.

Questions about the 2016 Ram 3500 electrical

Does the 2016 Ram 3500 have electrical problems?

Owners have filed 10 complaints about the electrical of the 2016 Ram 3500, 7% of all its complaints.

At what mileage do 2016 Ram 3500 electrical problems start?

The typical (median) mileage in owner complaints is 9,000 miles.

Is there a recall for the 2016 Ram 3500 electrical?

Yes, 1 recall: 18V332000. Check your VIN to see if your car still needs the free repair.

Other 2016 Ram 3500 problems

Steering 29Engine 25Wheels 21Transmission 19Brakes 12Suspension 10Airbags 8Acceleration 7Fuel system 7Driver assistance 4Tires 4Body 3Lights 2Locks 2Seat belts 1Visibility 1

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