2016 Ram 2500: Engine complaints
Owner-reported issue (NHTSA complaints, not a recall)
Symptoms
NHTSA has 56 owner complaints for the 2016 Ram 2500 that list the engine component. Complaints are individual owner reports, not verified defects.
Examples:
- NHTSA complaint ODI #11733046 (filed 04/22/2026): “Grid heater nut/bolt detached and entered engine, causing catastrophic internal failure and total engine loss while driving.…”
- NHTSA complaint ODI #11718528 (filed 02/17/2026): “Adding to form 11717793…”
- NHTSA complaint ODI #11717792 (filed 02/13/2026): “The vgt actuator failed the truck only has 127000 miles on it ram extended the warranty for 2015 trucks but not 2016. the part to replace it from ram has almost doubled in a years time. it is now $2170. for this part whose internal computer components have failed. the files uploaded was just for …”
Likely causes
These complaints do not establish a single root cause; read the examples above and get a diagnosis.
Fix, in plain English
No single fix is established by these reports. Check your VIN for open recalls at nhtsa.gov/recalls, ask a dealer about technical service bulletins (TSBs) or extended warranty coverage, then have the system diagnosed.
DIY difficulty: Pro
Internal engine work (lifters, oil consumption, fuel dilution diagnosis) requires engine teardown or dealer software/tests. (Our assessment.)
Cost
No sourced cost range for this issue. Get a written quote after diagnosis.
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