Ram150020163.0L Diesel/ram/1500/2016/3-0l-diesel/
DS platform

2016 Ram 1500 — 3.0L Diesel

Factory specifications, fluid capacities, torque values, EPA fuel economy and the federal safety record for the 2016 1500 3.0L Diesel.

Body TRUCKEngine 3.0L DieselTransmission Automatic 8-spd

The 2016 Ram 1500 3.0L Diesel is a DS-platform truck that pairs a 3.0L diesel engine with an 8-speed automatic transmission, delivering an EPA-estimated 20/27/23 mpg—a standout efficiency figure for a full-size pickup. Owner feedback for this model year totals 1,503 complaints, with steering as the top concern, alongside 17 recalls. Within the 2009–2021 model history, where complaints peaked at 1,734 in 2014 and bottomed out at 37 in 2009, the 2016 model sits below the highest point, reflecting a more mature phase in the DS generation’s reliability arc.

Model year20192018201720162014

Quick specs

Fluid capacities, tune-up values and fuel economy at a glance.

EPA fuel economy20/27/23 mpgEPA · verified

Fitment & sizes

Replacement part sizes and factory part numbers — battery, bulbs, filters and belts.

From the factory this vehicle uses a BCI 65 · 600 CCA battery, OE oil filter 04892339BE. Each part links to every other vehicle that shares it, so a part you already stock may fit more of your fleet than you'd expect.

Battery groupBCI 65 · 600 CCAOEM · verified
Tire sizeP265/70R17OEM · verified
Wheel / rim7.0 inOEM · verified

OE service part numbers OEM · verified

Engine oil filter04892339BE alt 68191349AC
Engine air filter68190705AB alt 68441763AA
Fuel filter68235275AB
Spark plugSP149125AF alt SP143877AB
BatteryBBH7F001AA alt BBH8A001AA
Front wiper blades55277446AB alt 55277446AC
Thermostat52028898AJ alt 68157217AA
Cabin air filter68535623AA

Full specifications

Engine, drivetrain, dimensions and economy.

Engine & drivetrain NHTSA vPIC

TransmissionAutomatic 8-spd

Dimensions & weight NHTSA vPIC

Overall length213 in
Overall width80.7 in
Overall height99.2 in
Wheelbase135.8 in
Curb weight4729 lb
Track (front / rear)71.3 / 70.5 in

Ratings & economy EPA / vPIC

EPA city / highway / combined20 / 27 / 23 mpg
DrivetrainRear-Wheel Drive
Recommended fuelDiesel

Performance & power Independent road tests

0–60 mph, quarter-mile, horsepower and torque from independent road tests.

No 2016 road test on record; the results below are same-engine tests from nearby model years, each shown under its own year.

8.6–9.0 sec0–60 mph (tested)quickest 8.60 sec — 2014 Tradesman 3.0L EcoDiesel Crew Cab (5.6 ft. Bed)
240 hpHorsepower (as tested)
420 lb-ftTorque (as tested)
YearTrim / engine0–60¼ mileHPDrivetrain
2015Big Horn EcoDiesel Crew Cab (5.6 ft. Bed) 3.0L Turbo Diesel V69.00 sec16.90 sec240 hp4x4
2014Tradesman 3.0L EcoDiesel Crew Cab (5.6 ft. Bed) 3.0L Turbo Diesel V68.60 sec16.60 sec240 hp4x4
2014Outdoorsman 3.0L EcoDiesel Crew Cab (5.6 ft. Bed) 3.0L Turbo Diesel V68.80 sec16.60 sec240 hp4x4
2014Laramie Longhorn 3.0L EcoDiesel Crew Cab (5.6 ft. Bed) 3.0L Turbo Diesel V68.90 sec16.70 sec240 hp4x4

Service quick specs OEM factory data

Capacities, torques and tune-up values from the factory service manual.

This engine DOT 3 · DOT 3 · DOT 4 brake fluid. The firing order is 1-8-4-3-6-5-7-2.

Lubricants & capacities

Automatic Transmission FluidATF+4
Automatic Transmission Fluid Capacity5.0-6.5
Automatic Transmission FluidATF
Automatic Transmission Fluid Capacity7.2
Automatic Transmission FluidATF
Automatic Transmission Fluid Capacity9.0
Brake FluidDOT 3 · DOT 3 · DOT 4
Differential Gear Oil Capacity215FD Front Axle

Engine torques

Intake Manifold to Engine Bolts8.8
Intake Manifold to Engine Bolts9

Chassis torques

Transfer Case Fill Plug15.0-22.0 ft-lbs
Transfer Case Drain Plug15.0-22.0 ft-lbs
Front Wheel HubInstall a new nut and torque to 185.0 ft-lbs

Ignition

Cylinder Firing Order1-4-2-5-3-6
Cylinder Firing Order1-2-3-4-5-6
Cylinder Firing Order1-8-4-3-6-5-7-2

Battery & A/C

RefrigerantR1234yf
Refrigerant Capacity1.13 lbs
Oil GroupPAG
Standard BCI Group Number65
Standard BCI Cranking Performance600 cca
Optional BCI Group Number65
Optional BCI Cranking Performance750 cca
Standard BCI Group NumberH7

Service checks

Pressure Test15, Pressure should not exceed 20 psi.
Radiator Cap Pressure Relief14-18 psi
Thermostat Opening Temperature195 °F
Primary Fuel Pump Pressure62.0-102.0 psi

Brakes

Brake Caliper Bolt to Carrier TorqueFront: 24; Rear: 22 /; Front: 31; Rear: 24
Brake Caliper Carrier to Hub Bolt TorqueFront: 130; Rear: 142 /; Front: 130; Rear: 132
ABS Sensor TorqueFront: 15.5; Rear: 24 /
Minimum Pad ThicknessFront: 0.040; Rear: 0.040 in
Vented Rotor Minimum Thickness for ReplacementFront: 1.039; Rear: .803 /
Variation from Parallelism Thickness Variation.0005 / 0.0005
Maximum Rotor Runout.002 / 0.002

Multi-step torque procedures OEM · verified

Steering Track (Rod End) Bolts — tightening sequence 1 stages
190

Factory maintenance schedule OEM · verified

Normal service, condensed from the factory interval matrix.

Under the factory schedule, replace the engine oil and filter every 8,000 mi; coolant every 8,000 mi. The big-interval services (every 8,000 mi for coolant, and the transmission fluid) are the ones owners most often skip — on a lower-mileage example, assume the original fluids are still in it and check them first.

Every 8,000 miBattery (inspect) · Brake System (inspect) · Diesel Emissions Fluid (fill) · Engine Coolant System (inspect fluid level) · Engine Coolant System Hoses (inspect) · Engine Oil (drain & refill)
Every 10,000 miTire & Wheel Assembly (rotate) · Transmission Assembly (inspect fluid level)
Every 20,000 miBrake Linings (inspect) · Differential (inspect fluid level) · Drive Axle Assembly (inspect) · Fuel Filter (replace) · Parking Brake System (inspect) · Suspension System (inspect)
At 30,000 miTransfer Case Assembly (inspect fluid level)
Every 30,000 miCV Joint Boot (inspect) · Engine Air Filter Element (replace)
Every 60,000 miTransfer Case Assembly (inspect fluid level)
Every 100,000 miDrive Belt (replace) · PCV Valve (inspect)
At 120,000 miTransfer Case Assembly (drain & refill) · Transmission Fluid & Filter (replace)
At 150,000 miEngine Coolant System (drain, flush & refill)

Owner how-tos

Condensed service procedures for routine maintenance. Procedures that require dealer diagnostic equipment are identified and summarized only.

Common procedures

Key fob — remote (RKE) programming programming new fob buttons Dealer tool OEM · verified
Tool requiredDRBIII scan tool (dealer / locksmith)
WhyTransmitter codes are written into the receiver in the passenger door module
Anti-theft (SKIS) — module initialization after immobilizer module replacement Dealer tool OEM · verified
When neededAfter Sentry Key Immobilizer Module (SKIM) replacement
Tool requiredDRBIII scan tool
Also requiredThe vehicle's four-digit PIN code

Reliability & federal safety record

Owner-reported issues, recalls, investigations and service bulletins on record with NHTSA — an unfiltered look at what owners actually experience.

The 2016 Ram 1500 sits near the peak of a troubling complaint arc for this generation. Complaints climbed from 37 in 2009 to a high of 1,734 in 2014, dipped slightly to 1,425 in 2015, then rebounded to 1,503 in 2016—making it the second-worst year for complaints in the dataset. Recalls followed a similar trajectory, peaking at 18 in 2015 before settling at 17 in 2016. NHTSA opened five investigations in 2014, five in 2015, and four in 2016. Notably, 2017 saw a sharp improvement to 859 complaints, suggesting the manufacturer addressed some systemic issues. Within the 2016 data, steering complaints dominate at 252, followed by engine (145), service brakes (113), and fuel/propulsion (107), with 90 crash-related complaints and 35 fire-related complaints filed. The 604 TSBs for 2016 indicates a high volume of documented service bulletins, reflecting persistent field issues. Takeaway: 2016 represents one of the more problematic model years in this generation's lifespan, with complaint levels comparable to 2014's peak and no clear resolution yet of the underlying defects. The significant improvement seen in 2017 suggests the manufacturer corrected issues in subsequent production, making a later model year a lower-risk purchase.

17
Open recalls
NHTSA campaigns
604
Service bulletins
Manufacturer communications
4
ODI investigations
Office of Defects Investigation
1,503
Owner complaints
90 involved a crash · 35 a fire
NHTSA crash-test rating federal NCAP · out of 5 stars
Overall★★★★
Frontal★★★★
Side★★★★★
Rollover★★★★★
Owner complaints by model year NHTSA · this generation & adjacent

Owner complaints filed with NHTSA, by component

All 1,503 complaints on record, top 8 components.

Steering252
Engine145
Service Brakes113
Fuel/Propulsion System107
Power Train102
Unknown Or Other72
Fuel System, Diesel59
Suspension48

Source: NHTSA Office of Defects Investigation complaint database.

Recalls NHTSA · verified

Showing 2 of 17 campaigns on record for this vehicle.

20V475000Engine And Engine Cooling:Engine:DieselReported 13/08/2020

Chrysler (FCA US LLC) is recalling certain 2014-2018 Ram 1500 and 2014-2016 Jeep Grand Cherokee vehicles equipped with 3.0L diesel engines. The crankshaft position sensor tone wheel may delaminate causing the engine to… Remedy: FCA US will notify owners, and dealers will update the powertrain control module software to maintain vehicle propulsion by reading the camshaft position signal in the event that…

19V347000Latches/Locks/Linkages:Tailgate:LatchReported 09/05/2019

Chrysler (FCA US LLC) is recalling certain 2015-2017 Ram 1500, 2500 and 3500 pickup trucks equipped with an 8 foot bed and a power locking tailgate. Chrysler is also recalling all 2013-2014 and 2018 Ram 1500, 2500 and… Remedy: Chrysler will notify owners, and dealers will repair the tailgate latch, free of charge. The recall began May 23, 2019. Chrysler is expected to notify owners of the expanded…

Technical service bulletins NHTSA · verified

Showing 5 of 604 bulletins on record with NHTSA.

BulletinDateComponentSummary
S1623000028 Rev. K2026-06-12Electrical SystemOutside Power Fold Rearview Mirror Noise Or Loose At Pivot. Mirror Contacts Door Window…
S1623000028 REV.J2026-06-05StructureOutside Power Fold Rearview Mirror Noise Or Loose At Pivot. Mirror Contacts Door Window…
S1623000028 REV.I2026-05-29Electrical SystemOutside Power Fold Rearview Mirror Noise Or Loose At Pivot. Mirror Contacts Door Window…
S26230000322026-04-30StructureSqueak Or Squawk Noise Coming From Either Side Door Of The Vehicle, It Could Be Just One…
S1623000028 REV.H2026-04-01StructureOutside Power Fold Rearview Mirror Noise Or Loose At Pivot. Mirror Contacts Door Window…

Common OBD-II trouble codes

The most common OBD-II codes for this vehicle's emissions system. These are standardized SAE J2012 definitions, not vehicle-specific fault reports.

P2002
Diesel particulate filter efficiency below threshold — Bank 1
P0401
Exhaust gas recirculation (EGR) flow insufficient
P20EE
SCR NOx catalyst efficiency below threshold — Bank 1
P0087
Fuel rail / system pressure too low
P0299
Turbocharger / supercharger underboost condition

VIN tools

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VIN
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Build data
Plant, GVWR class, engine and body data for any 17-character VIN.
Recalls
Check open recall campaigns against a specific vehicle by VIN.

Vehicles with shared specs

Find every vehicle that shares this one's battery, bulbs, oil capacity, platform or parts.

Reference guides

Cross-vehicle references for the kinds of data on this page.

Frequently asked

Does the 2016 1500 have open recalls?

NHTSA lists 17 recall campaign(s) for this model year. Check your specific vehicle by VIN.

What gas mileage does the 3.0L Diesel get?

EPA figures are 20 city / 27 highway / 23 combined mpg.