VehicleVerdict

2016 Ram 2500 transmission problems

The 2016 Ram 2500 has 62 transmission complaints filed with NHTSA — 17% of the year's total, and up sharply from the prior model year.

62

Transmission complaints

17%

Share of year

6

Crash-involved

1

Related recalls

Transmission complaints by year

2500 transmission complaints by model year69 complaints2013: 22 complaints2014: 63 complaints2015: 45 complaints2016: 62 complaints2017: 41 complaints2018: 69 complaints2019: 26 complaints2020: 20 complaints2021: 23 complaints2022: 49 complaints2023: 6 complaints2024: 7 complaints2025: 5 complaints2026: 2 complaints
2500 transmission complaints by model year. Red bars are years to avoid.

Related recalls

17V821000TransmissionDecember 20, 2017 · 1,482,874 units

Defect

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.

Consequence

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.

What owners report

My transmission got so hot climing up a hill it caught the excused on fire, thankfully had water in the truck an put the fire out no warnings nothing, just flush transmission hot went to stop an realized it was on fire, had to have transmission rebuilt an cooler lines an cooler repaired, still not…

Complaint filed with NHTSA · Transmission · September 10, 2021 · fire

Common questions

How many transmission complaints does the 2016 Ram 2500 have?

NHTSA has 62 complaints about the 2016 Ram 2500 transmission — 17% of all complaints filed for that model year.

Are there recalls for the 2016 Ram 2500 transmission?

Yes — 1 NHTSA recall campaign for this model year is tied to the transmission: 17V821000.

Related

Based on NHTSA ODI data through June 2026. Complaints are consumer-reported and unverified. Updated July 5, 2026.

Compiled by Sharon Ben-Moshe, Founder.