The contact owns a 2016 RAM 3500. The contact stated that while her husband was driving on several occasions at various speeds, the vehicle lost power and did not accelerate as intended. The vehicle was not diagnosed or repaired. The contact stated that her husband hooked the vehicle up to a handheld diagnostic machine where codes: P003A, P006a, P0046 populated. The manufacturer was notified of the failure. The failure mileage was approximately 74,500.
2016 Ram 3500 transmission problems
19 complaints (14% of all complaints for this car). Typical mileage when it fails: 20,799. 1 crash reported.
- owner complaints
- 19
- of this car's complaints
- 14%
- typical mileage
- 20,799
- crashes
- 1
- recalls
- 2
Which part fails
Owners did not name a specific part.
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 transmission problems in other years
Related recalls
Power train: automatic transmission: lever and linkage: column shift
- What is wrong
- Chrysler (FCA US LLC) is recalling certain 2016-2017 Ram 3500 Cab Chassis with a Gross Vehicle Weight Rating (GVWR) of less than 10,000 lbs, 2011-2017 Ram 3500, 4500 and 5500 Cab Chassis vehicles, 2009-2017 Ram 1500 and 2010-2017 Ram 2500 and 3500 pickup trucks, all equipped with a column shifter. Pushing the brake pedal for prolonged periods when the vehicle is running and in PARK may cause the Brake Transmission Shift Interlock (BTSI) pin to stick in the open position. With the pin in the open position, the transmission can be shifted out of PARK into any gear without pushing the brake pedal or having the key in the ignition.
- Risk
- Being able to shift the transmission without pushing the brake pedal and/or without a key in the ignition can increase the risk of an unintended vehicle rollaway that may result in personal injury or a crash.
- Remedy
- Chrysler will notify owners, and dealers will update the vehicle software, inspect the BTSI, and, as necessary, replace it, 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 T79.
Recall number 17V821000 · Recall details
Power train: transfer case (4-wheel drive)
- What is wrong
- 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
- 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.
Recall number 16V495000 · Recall details
Related investigations
Post Recall Remedy Brake Transmission Shift Interlock (BTSI) Failure
The Office of Defects Investigation (ODI) has received 14 Vehicle Owner Questionnaire (VOQ) reports and 6 EWR Death & Injury (D&I) reports describing post recall remedy failures of the brake transmission shift interlock (BTSI) system in certain Model Year (MY) 2013-2018 RAM pickup trucks.The subject vehicle models include 1500, 2500, 3500, 4500, and 5500 trucks equipped with a column mounted shift lever.The failures of the BTSI described in the VOQs occurred on vehicles that had all previously been repaired under recall 17V‑821 or 18V‑100.Both recalls address a potential condition which can cause the BTSI locking pin to become stuck allowing the transmission to be shifted out of Park without depressing the brake pedal and/or without having a key in the ignition.Shifting the transmission out of Park when not having the brake pedal depressed can result in a vehicle rollaway. ODI is opening this Recall Query (RQ) to review the effectiveness of the 17V‑821 and 18V‑100 recall remedies, understand the root cause of additional vehicle rollaway incidents, and identify any other possible root cause that may affect the performance of the BTSI system. To review the ODI reports cited in the Opening Resume ODI Report Identification Number document, go to
RQ25003
What 2016 Ram 3500 owners say
Most recent owner complaints, unedited.
My 2016 dodge ram 3500 mega cab had a light come on the dash at about 89000 miles I drove it to the dealership, I told the dealership I thought it was something electrical. A couple of times my truck has went into limp mode, when this happens to you the truck will only take off in 4th gear and stays in 4th gear. If I pulled over when this would happen and turned the truck all the way off and then back on it take the light of the dash and shift properly. So the dealership calls me to let me know what they have found he says he has bad news and more bad news which was my transmission was going out and then they didn't have a transmission and had no idea when they would. They already welded up nut on the steering shaft instead of replacing it. I didnt buy a 3500 pickup because i wanted a light duty truck.
The contact owns a 2016 Ram 3500. The contact stated that after starting the vehicle with the brake pedal depressed, while attempting to shift into gear, the gear shifter handle fractured. The cause of the failure was not determined. The local dealer was contacted, and the part was replaced by the contact. The vehicle was later serviced under the federal safety agency Campaign Number: 17V821000 (Power Train). The contact indicated that an addendum card was to be given as part of the recall repair with instructions to drivers on how to shift gears when the brake pedal was depressed however, the card was not given. Neither the dealer nor the manufacturer would supply the card. The failure mileage was 55,390.
Truck is burning through a quart and half of oil every 1000 miles it appears, but there are no leaks under the vehicle or on the oil pan. Appears to be an issue with the turbo seals. The truck give no warning that the oil is low while driving. When low it does not show up on the dipstick at all.
Tl* the contact owns a 2016 ram 3500. The contact stated that the gear shifter detached while shifting out of park. The vehicle was not taken to a dealer or an independent mechanic for diagnostic testing. The contact stated that the vehicle was previously repaired under the federal safety agency campaign numbers: 16v495000 (power train) and 17v821000 (power train) at tacoma dodge chrysler jeep ram (4101 s. Tacoma way, tacoma, wa 98409) however, the repairs failed to fix or prevent the failure. The manufacturer was not made aware of the failure. The failure mileage was approximately 20,799.
Tl* the contact owns a 2016 ram 3500. The contact received notification for the federal safety agency campaign numbers: 17v562000 (engine and engine cooling), 17v821000 (power train), 18v486000 (structure, latches, locks, linkages) and 19v021000 (steering). The contact stated that the manufacturer exceeded a reasonable amount of time for the recall repairs. The dealer was not contacted. The manufacturer was made aware of the issue and confirmed parts were not available. The manufacturer was not able to confirm when the parts were to become available. The contact had not experienced a failure. Parts distribution disconnect.
We have several ram 3500 vehicles. All the rearend fail way beyond the time that they should be in service. These units fail with less than 200,000 miles and should go well beyond that mileage. I feel these units have a on going issues that the mfg knows about but fails to do a recall to fix the issues. These same issues have occurred in our 2012, 2014 and 2016 models. This is all a safety issue should these rear ends come apart while towing a load.
Tl* the contact owns a 2016 ram 3500. The dealer (don franklin somerset chrysler dodge jeep ram nissan, 1147 s highway 27, somerset, ky 42501, (606) 678-8178) scheduled the recall repair appointment for the federal safety agency campaign numbers: 17v562000 (engine and engine cooling) and 17v821000 (power train). When the contact arrived for the appointment, the dealer indicated that the parts were unavailable for the recall repairs. The contact was uncertain as to when the vehicle would be repaired. The manufacturer was notified. The contact had not experienced a failure. Parts distribution disconnect.
My truck, with the aisin transmission and single rear wheel, has a horrible throttle delay. Pulling out into an intersection or in front of oncoming traffic is terrifying, because if the delay kicks in, I can put the pedal down and the truck will literally not react for 3-5 seconds. This is also true when trying to accelerate to pass on the highway, avoid another vehicle, etc. It's like the throttle pedal doesn't know you're pushing it for quite a few seconds, and then and only then it will react. This is extremely dangerous, and I've had quite a few situations where I've been pulling out across traffic from a stop sign, thinking I had plenty of time in front of oncoming traffic, only for my truck to be dead in the water. No throttle response, nothing. I've almost been hit many times because of this. Ram will not help, and states that my problem is not there. I assure you it is, and based on the number of forum posts I see of people with the same issue, it's definitely out there. I wish I could get out of this truck but can't afford to take such a huge loss on it. It's extremely unsafe and stressful to drive.
Took vehicle in to john hiester in lillington nc. They inform \s of two life th threatening recalls that has no fix. We are fearful of driving due to recalls. Howver we love our dodge. Please help. We have byt tru k in shop twice for engine and transmission not going in gear and turbo problems. Now recalls constant of water pump and transmission which we had to pay for before
Questions about the 2016 Ram 3500 transmission
Does the 2016 Ram 3500 have transmission problems?
Owners have filed 19 complaints about the transmission of the 2016 Ram 3500, 14% of all its complaints.
At what mileage do 2016 Ram 3500 transmission problems start?
The typical (median) mileage in owner complaints is 20,799 miles.
Was there a recall on the 2016 Ram 3500 transmission?
Yes, 2 recalls: 17V821000, 16V495000. Check your VIN to see if your car still needs the free repair.
What year does the Ram 3500 have bad transmission?
The Ram 3500 model years with the most transmission complaints are 2022 (115 complaints), 2014 (39 complaints) and 2015 (32 complaints).
Other 2016 Ram 3500 problems
Steering 29Engine 25Wheels 21Brakes 12Electrical 10Suspension 10Airbags 8Acceleration 7Fuel system 7Driver assistance 4Tires 4Body 3Lights 2Locks 2Seat belts 1Visibility 1
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