Ram150020165.7L/ram/1500/2016/5-7l/
DS platform

2016 Ram 1500 — 5.7L

Factory specifications, fluid capacities, torque values, EPA fuel economy and the federal safety record for the 2016 1500 5.7L.

Body TRUCKEngine 5.7LTransmission Automatic 6-spd

The 2016 Ram 1500 is a DS-platform truck powered by a 5.7L engine and a 6-speed automatic transmission, achieving an EPA-estimated 14 city and 20 highway mpg. From a reliability standpoint, this model year accumulated 1,503 owner complaints—with steering as the top complaint area—and was subject to 17 recalls. While that complaint volume is substantial, it falls below the generation's 2014 peak of 1,734 complaints recorded across the 2009-2021 model history. Consequently, the 2016 sits below the peak but well above the baseline in the model's reliability history, meaning it represents only a marginal improvement over the worst years while remaining far removed from the 2009 low of just 37 complaints.

Model year20192018201720162014

Quick specs

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

EPA fuel economy14/20/16 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 6-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 / combined14 / 20 / 16 mpg
DrivetrainRear-Wheel Drive
Recommended fuelMidgrade Gasoline

Performance & power Independent road tests

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

Independent published road-test results.

7.0–7.5 sec0–60 mph (tested)quickest 7.00 sec — 2016 Rebel Hemi Crew Cab (5.6 ft. Bed)
395 hpHorsepower (as tested)
410 lb-ftTorque (as tested)
YearTrim / engine0–60¼ mileHPDrivetrain
2016Rebel Hemi Crew Cab (5.6 ft. Bed) 5.7L V87.00 sec15.50 sec395 hp4x4
2016Rebel Hemi Crew Cab (5.6 ft. Bed) 5.7L V87.00 sec15.90 sec395 hp4x4
2016SSV Police Crew Cab (5.6 ft. Bed) 5.7L V87.50 sec15.90 sec395 hp4x4
2015R/T Hemi Regular Cab (6.4 ft. Bed) 5.7L V85.40 sec14.10 sec395 hpRWD
2015Rebel Hemi Crew Cab (5.6 ft. Bed) 5.7L V86.60 sec15.20 sec395 hp4x4
2015Rebel Hemi Crew Cab (5.6 ft. Bed) 5.7L V86.80 sec15.30 sec395 hp4x4
2015Limited Crew Cab (5.6 ft. Bed) 5.7L V87.40 sec15.70 sec395 hp4x4
2013Laramie Crew Cab (5.6 ft. Bed) 5.7L V87.00 sec15.50 sec395 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
Cylinder Head — tightening sequence 1 stages
1Bolts 1-1025 ft. lbs

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 miPCV 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 recorded 1,503 complaints and 17 recalls, placing it near the peak of the prior generation's complaint arc but slightly below the 2014 high of 1,734. Complaints had declined from 2014 to 2015, then rose again in 2016, before dropping sharply to 859 in 2017 and 642 in 2018, suggesting the 2016 model year was part of a high-trouble plateau. The top complaint areas—steering (252), engine (145), and service brakes (113)—along with 90 crash and 35 fire reports, indicate multiple problem clusters. Compared to the later 2017-2018 years, which show significantly fewer complaints and recalls, the 2016 appears less reliable. Therefore, based solely on the federal record, the 2016 Ram 1500 is not a strong buy; you would be better served by a 2017 or 2018 model from the same generation.

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.

P0420
Catalyst system efficiency below threshold — Bank 1
P0300
Random / multiple cylinder misfire detected
P0171
System too lean — Bank 1
P0455
Evaporative emission system leak detected — large leak
P0128
Coolant thermostat below regulating temperature
P0442
Evaporative emission system leak detected — small leak

VIN tools

Decode factory build data for a specific vehicle by VIN.

VIN
Decode a VIN to confirm the transmission and build data for a specific 1500. OEM
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 5.7L get?

EPA figures are 14 city / 20 highway / 16 combined mpg.