2016 Ram 1500 MPG
EPA ratings for the 2016 Ram 1500 run from 13–21 mpg in town to 19–29 on the highway, or 15–24 combined, depending on which of its 10 versions you look at.
The most efficient pairs the 3.0-liter turbo 6-cylinder engine with an automatic transmission and rear-wheel drive, at 24 mpg combined. At the other end, the 5.7-liter 8-cylinder engine with an automatic transmission and four-wheel drive manages 15 mpg combined, 9 mpg less. That matches the best gasoline version of the 2015 model.
| Version | Engine | Transmission | Drive | City | Hwy | Comb. | Fuel |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1500 HFE 2WD | 3.0 L 6-cyl turbo | Automatic 8-spd | Rear-Wheel Drive | 21 | 29 | 24 | Diesel · 428 g CO₂/mi |
| 1500 2WD | 3.0 L 6-cyl turbo | Automatic 8-spd | Rear-Wheel Drive | 20 | 27 | 23 | Diesel · 442 g CO₂/mi |
| 1500 4WD | 3.0 L 6-cyl turbo | Automatic 8-spd | 4-Wheel Drive | 19 | 26 | 22 | Diesel · 461 g CO₂/mi |
| 1500 HFE 2WD | 3.6 L 6-cyl | Automatic 8-spd | Rear-Wheel Drive | 18 | 25 | 21 | Regular · 426 g CO₂/mi |
| 1500 2WD | 3.6 L 6-cyl | Automatic 8-spd | Rear-Wheel Drive | 17 | 25 | 20 | Gasoline or E85 · 451 g CO₂/mi |
| 1500 4WD | 3.6 L 6-cyl | Automatic 8-spd | 4-Wheel Drive | 16 | 23 | 19 | Gasoline or E85 · 475 g CO₂/mi |
| 1500 2WD | 5.7 L 8-cyl | Automatic 8-spd | Rear-Wheel Drive | 15 | 22 | 17 | Midgrade · 513 g CO₂/mi |
| 1500 4WD | 5.7 L 8-cyl | Automatic 8-spd | 4-Wheel Drive | 15 | 21 | 17 | Midgrade · 527 g CO₂/mi |
| 1500 2WD | 5.7 L 8-cyl | Automatic 6-spd | Rear-Wheel Drive | 14 | 20 | 16 | Midgrade · 558 g CO₂/mi |
| 1500 4WD | 5.7 L 8-cyl | Automatic 6-spd | 4-Wheel Drive | 13 | 19 | 15 | Midgrade · 581 g CO₂/mi |
2016 Ram 1500 fuel cost per year
Driving 15,000 miles a year on midgrade gasoline at the September 2026 U.S. average of $4.96 a gallon, the 2016 Ram 1500 costs about $4,380 a year to fuel in its most efficient form (17 mpg combined), or roughly 29 cents a mile.
The thirstiest priced version (15 mpg combined) comes to about $4,960 a year, $580 more.
This is an estimate from EPA combined mpg and the EIA national average price; your cost depends on how and where you drive and on local prices.
2016 Ram 1500 specs
The EPA lists 3 engine choices for the 2016 Ram 1500: 5.7 L 8-cyl, 3.0 L 6-cyl turbo and 3.6 L 6-cyl. It came with an automatic transmission, in four-wheel drive or rear-wheel drive versions. For fuel-economy purposes it sits in the EPA's "Standard Pickup Trucks" class.
| Engine size (L) | Cylinders | Transmissions | Drive | Versions |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 5.7 L | 8 | Automatic 8-spd; Automatic 6-spd | Rear-Wheel Drive; 4-Wheel Drive | 4 |
| 3.0 L turbo | 6 | Automatic 8-spd | Rear-Wheel Drive; 4-Wheel Drive | 3 |
| 3.6 L | 6 | Automatic 8-spd | Rear-Wheel Drive; 4-Wheel Drive | 3 |
2016 Ram 1500 problems
As of October 2026, NHTSA (the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration) holds 1,554 owner complaints about the 2016 Ram 1500.
Steering is the most-reported area (15% of component mentions), followed by engine (14%) and service brakes (12%).
Spread over its time on sale, that is 140 complaints a year: more than the 2015 (121 a year) and the 2017 (88 a year).
That ranks 2nd of 17 Ram 1500 model years (2008–2024), counting from the most complaints per year.
Of the 1,554, 92 mention a crash, 36 a fire and 53 an injury.
| Component | Mentions | Share |
|---|---|---|
| Steering | 314 | 15% |
| Engine | 291 | 14% |
| Service brakes | 246 | 12% |
| Power train | 202 | 9% |
| Electrical system | 193 | 9% |
| Fuel/propulsion system | 191 | 9% |
| Unknown or other | 126 | 6% |
| Vehicle speed control | 111 | 5% |
| Diesel fuel system | 81 | 4% |
| Suspension | 69 | 3% |
| Engine and engine cooling | 64 | 3% |
| Air bags | 49 | 2% |
| Structure | 36 | 2% |
| Hydraulic service brakes | 33 | 2% |
| Forward collision avoidance | 22 | 1% |
| Exterior lighting | 18 | <1% |
| Wheels | 14 | <1% |
| Seat belts | 13 | <1% |
| Latches/locks/linkages | 11 | <1% |
| Tires | 8 | <1% |
| Electronic stability control (esc) | 7 | <1% |
| Gasoline fuel system | 7 | <1% |
| Air service brakes | 5 | <1% |
| Visibility/wiper | 5 | <1% |
| Other fuel system | 3 | <1% |
| Back over prevention | 2 | <1% |
| Equipment | 2 | <1% |
| Seats | 2 | <1% |
| Parking brake | 1 | <1% |
| Traction control system | 1 | <1% |
| Visibility | 1 | <1% |
What owners told NHTSA
The electronic power steering has failed. The system failed on 10/19/26. Also, the truck has stalled while driving on three different occasions in the last two years. It has never shown a code for the stalls.
The contact owns a 2016 RAM 1500 The contact stated while driving 55 MPH, occupied with her husband in the vehicle they could hear a knocking and shatter noise coming from the engine. A dealer was contacted. …
ABS Control Module stopped working ,leaving traction control and anti lock brakes inoperable. Parts are not available from dealers or after market manufacturers. This has been an on going problem with multiple year vehicles.
2016 Ram 1500 recalls
The 2016 Ram 1500 has been the subject of 16 recall campaigns, plus 1 recall of replacement equipment made for it.
The most recent, campaign 25V010000 from January 2025, concerns air bags.
Power train accounts for 4 of the 17 campaigns, more than any other area.
16V301000 · May 16, 2016 · Power train
Problem: The front halfshafts may have been incorrectly manufactured causing them to fracture without warning.
Risk: A fractured halfshaft may damage underbody components and create road debris, increasing the risk of a crash.
Remedy: Chrysler will notify owners, and dealers will replace both front halfshafts, free of charge.
15V663000 · October 16, 2015 · Tires
Problem: The affected vehicles may be missing a heat shield for the spare tire.
Risk: Without a heat shield, heat from the exhaust system may damage the spare tire.
Remedy: Chrysler will notify owners, and dealers will install a spare tire heat shield if the vehicle is missing one.
| Campaign | Reported | Component | 1500 years covered |
|---|---|---|---|
| 25V010000 | January 16, 2025 | Air bags | 2016–2019 |
| 23V411000 | June 8, 2023 | Engine and engine cooling | 2014–2019 |
| 22V406000 | June 9, 2022 | Diesel fuel system | 2014–2019 |
| 21V632000 | August 12, 2021 | Air bags | 2015–2020 |
| 20V475000 | August 13, 2020 | Engine and engine cooling | 2014–2018 |
| 19V757000 | October 24, 2019 | Engine and engine cooling | 2014–2019 |
| 19V347000 | May 9, 2019 | Latches/locks/linkages | 2013–2018 |
| 18V486000 | July 27, 2018 | Latches/locks/linkages, Structure | 2015–2017 |
| 18V332000 | May 17, 2018 | Electrical system, Vehicle speed control | 2014–2019 |
| 17V821000 | December 20, 2017 | Power train | 2009–2017 |
| 17V302000 | May 9, 2017 | Air bags | 2013–2016 |
| 17V198000 | March 23, 2017 | Power train | 2016–2017 |
| 16E041000 | May 16, 2016 | Equipment (equipment) | 2012–2016 |
| 16V167000 | March 23, 2016 | Steering | 2015–2016 |
| 15V661000 | October 15, 2015 | Power train | 2015–2016 |
Safety ratings
NHTSA crash-tested 6 versions of the 2016 Ram 1500; the best overall score is 4 out of 5 stars.
| Version tested | Overall | Frontal | Side | Rollover |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Quad PU/EC 4WD | ★★★★☆ | ★★★★☆ | ★★★★★ | ★★★☆☆ |
| Quad PU/EC 2WD | ★★★★☆ | ★★★★☆ | ★★★★★ | ★★★★☆ |
| Crew PU/CC 4WD | ★★★★☆ | ★★★★☆ | ★★★★★ | ★★★☆☆ |
| Crew PU/CC 2WD | ★★★★☆ | ★★★★☆ | ★★★★★ | ★★★★☆ |
| Regular PU/RC 4WD | ★★★★☆ | ★★★★☆ | ★★★★★ | ★★★☆☆ |
| Regular PU/RC 2WD | ★★★★☆ | ★★★★☆ | ★★★★★ | ★★★★☆ |
Crash-test photos: NHTSA (public domain). NHTSA can reuse a test for later model years of the same design.
Compared with other years
Complaints per year on sale divide each model year's NHTSA complaints by the years since it went on sale, so older and newer Ram 1500s can be compared fairly. Among other 2016 models in the EPA's standard pickup trucks class, the 2016 Ford F-150 (21 mpg) and 2016 Chevy Silverado 1500 (20 mpg) come closest on combined fuel economy.
| Year | Best mpg | Complaints | Per year on sale | Recalls |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2013 | 21 | 1,281 | 91 | 12 |
| 2014 | 23 | 1,777 | 136 | 17 |
| 2015 | 24 | 1,459 | 121 | 18 |
| 2016 | 24 | 1,554 | 140 | 17 |
| 2017 | 23 | 884 | 88 | 13 |
| 2018 | 23 | 667 | 74 | 15 |
| 2019 | 23 | 1,494 | 185 | 30 |
Every Ram 1500 model year compared →
Similar 2016 models
FAQ
Is the 2016 1500 a good car?
We don't rate cars, but the official data gives a picture. The 2016 Ram 1500 has 140 NHTSA complaints per year on sale (2nd most of 17 model years), 16 recall campaigns, a best overall crash rating of 4 stars and up to 24 mpg combined from the EPA.
What are common 2016 1500 problems?
The components owners report most to NHTSA are steering (314), engine (291) and service brakes (246). Complaints are unverified owner reports.
How many recalls does the 2016 1500 have?
NHTSA lists 16 recall campaigns and 1 replacement-equipment recall. To see whether a recall is still open on a specific car, enter its VIN at nhtsa.gov/recalls.
What gas mileage does the 2016 1500 get?
The EPA rates the versions at 15–24 mpg combined (13–21 city, 19–29 highway).
How much does it cost to fuel a 2016 1500 per year?
About $4,380 a year for 15,000 miles in its most efficient form, up to about $4,960 for the thirstiest version, using EPA mpg and the September 2026 U.S. average midgrade gasoline price of $4.96 a gallon (EIA).