Ram›3500 Cab›2016›6.4L/ram/3500-cab/2016/6-4l/

DD platform

2016 Ram 3500 Cab — 6.4L

Factory specifications, fluid capacities, torque values, EPA fuel economy and the federal safety record for the 2016 3500 Cab 6.4L.

Engine 6.4L

The 2016 Ram 3500 Cab, a heavy-duty work truck built on the DD platform and propelled by a 6.4L powerplant, occupies a notable position in the model's reliability record, one researchers will want to weigh carefully. Across its production run, this model year accumulated 133 owner complaints and 16 official recalls, with steering emerging as the single most reported trouble area, evidence that the chassis and front-end geometry were not yet fully resolved for the duty cycle buyers expected. For anyone charting the lineup's evolution, 2016 reads less as a settled benchmark than as a transitional chapter, a year where the breadth of recall activity and the concentration of complaints in one system suggest the engineering lessons that would shape subsequent revisions.

Model year2019 2018 2017 2016 2014

Fitment & sizes

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

From the factory this vehicle uses a BCI H7 · 730 CCA battery, OE oil filter 05083285AA. 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 H7 · 730 CCAOEM · verified

OE service part numbers OEM · verified

Engine oil filter	05083285AA alt 04892339BE
Engine air filter	68190705AB alt 53034051AB
Fuel filter	68197867AB alt 68157291AA
Spark plug	SP143877AB alt SP138239AC
Battery	BBH7F001AA
Front wiper blades	55277446AB
Serpentine belt	04593852AB alt 68232297AA
Thermostat	68534176AA alt 52028898AJ
Cabin air filter	68052292AA

Full specifications

Engine, drivetrain, dimensions and economy.

Dimensions & weight NHTSA vPIC

Overall length	236.2 in
Overall width	80.7 in
Overall height	99.2 in
Wheelbase	159.1 in
Curb weight	4963 lb
Track (front / rear)	71.3 / 70.5 in

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 Fluid	ATF+4
Automatic Transmission Fluid Capacity	5.0-6.5
Automatic Transmission Fluid	ATF
Automatic Transmission Fluid Capacity	7.2
Automatic Transmission Fluid	ATF
Automatic Transmission Fluid Capacity	9.0
Brake Fluid	DOT 3 · DOT 3 · DOT 4
Clutch Fluid	DOT 3 · SAE J1703

Engine torques

Exhaust Manifold to Cylinder Head Bolts	32
Intake Manifold to Engine Bolts	9

Chassis torques

Leaf Spring to Axle (U-bolts)	110.0 ft-lbs
Leaf Spring to Chassis Bracket	254.5 ft-lbs
Leaf Spring to Rear Shackle	160.0 ft-lbs
Leaf Spring Rear Shackle to Chassis Bracket	160.0 ft-lbs
Transfer Case Fill Plug	15.0-22.0 ft-lbs
Transfer Case Drain Plug	15.0-22.0 ft-lbs
Front Wheel Hub	Install a new nut and torque to 149.0 ft-lbs

Ignition

Cylinder Firing Order	1-5-3-6-2-4
Cylinder Firing Order	1-8-4-3-6-5-7-2

Battery & A/C

Refrigerant	R134a
Refrigerant Capacity	1.38-1.50 lbs
Oil Group	PAG
Oil Type	46
Standard BCI Group Number	H7
Standard BCI Cranking Performance	730 cca
Standard BCI Group Number	H7
Standard BCI Cranking Performance	730 cca

Service checks

Secondary Fuel Pump Pressure	500 ml in 10 seconds psi
Engine Compression	350 min psi / Maximum Variation 2 psi

Brakes

Brake Caliper Bolt to Carrier Torque	Front: 24; Rear: 22 /; Front: 24; Rear: 22
Brake Caliper Carrier to Hub Bolt Torque	Front: 260; Rear: 190 /; Front: 260; Rear: 190
ABS Sensor Torque	Front: 9.5; Rear: 17.3 /
Minimum Pad Thickness	Front: 0.040; Rear: 0.040 in
Vented Rotor Minimum Thickness for Replacement	Front: 1.472; Rear: 1.275; Front: 1.472; Rear: 1.275
Variation from Parallelism Thickness Variation	.0004 / 0.0004
Maximum Rotor Runout	.0009 / 0.0009
Maximum Drum Diameter	Front and Rear: NA; Parking Brake: 8.157

Multi-step torque procedures OEM · verified

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

105

Cylinder Head — tightening sequence 1 stages

Bolts 1-10

25 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 12,500 mi.

Every 7,500 mi	Diesel Emissions Fluid (inspect fluid level) · Driveshaft U-Joint (lubricate) · Tie Rod (lubricate) · Tire & Wheel Assembly (rotate)
Every 8,000 mi	Battery (inspect) · Brake System (inspect) · Driveshaft U-Joint (lubricate) · Engine Coolant System (inspect fluid level) · Engine Coolant System Hoses (inspect) · Exhaust System (Complete) (inspect)
Every 12,500 mi	Engine Oil (drain & refill) · Engine Oil Filter (replace)
Every 15,000 mi	Suspension System (inspect)
Every 20,000 mi	Differential (inspect fluid level) · Drive Axle Assembly (inspect)
Every 22,500 mi	Accessory Drive Belt (inspect) · Brake Linings (inspect) · Parking Brake System (inspect)
At 30,000 mi	Transfer Case Assembly (inspect fluid level) · Transmission Assembly (drain & refill)
Every 30,000 mi	CV Joint Boot (inspect) · Engine Air Filter Element (replace) · Transfer Case Assembly (inspect fluid level) · Wheel Bearing (inspect)
Every 60,000 mi	Transfer Case Assembly (inspect fluid level) · Transmission Assembly (drain & 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 required	DRBIII scan tool (dealer / locksmith)
Why	Transmitter 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 needed	After Sentry Key Immobilizer Module (SKIM) replacement
Tool required	DRBIII scan tool
Also required	The 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.

Owner complaints about the 2016 Ram 3500 Cab top in one area — the steering, 22 of 133 reports (17%), well ahead of the next concern. That matters, because the steering are also the target of recalls 19V-021 and 18E-096 on this vehicle — so the single most useful check before buying or servicing one is confirming they were actually performed. 12 of the reports describe a crash and 5 a fire — a small share of the total, but worth weighing against the steering pattern above. These are tallies of what owners actually reported to the federal government, not an editorial score — and higher-selling models naturally rack up more reports.

Open recalls

NHTSA campaigns

489

Service bulletins

Manufacturer communications

ODI investigations

Office of Defects Investigation

133

Owner complaints

12 involved a crash · 5 a fire

Owner complaints filed with NHTSA, by component

All 133 complaints on record, top 8 components.

Steering22

Wheels18

Unknown Or Other10

Engine8

Fuel/Propulsion System7

Power Train7

Air Bags6

Power Train,Engine5

Source: NHTSA Office of Defects Investigation complaint database.

Recalls NHTSA · verified

Showing 2 of 16 campaigns on record for this vehicle.

19V021000Steering:Linkages:Drag:Link:ConnectionReported 25/01/2019

Chrysler (FCA US LLC) is recalling certain 2013-2018 Ram 3500 and 2014-2018 Ram 3500 Chassis Cab and Ram 2500 vehicles. The outboard steering linkage jam nut may loosen, allowing one end of the drag link to separate. Remedy: Chrysler will notify owners, and dealers will check the steering linkage jam nut tightness, replacing the drag link assembly or welding the nut to the adjuster sleeve, free of…

18E096000Steering:LinkagesReported 16/10/2018

Streetcar ORV LLC (Streetcar) is recalling certain American Expedition Vehicles (AEV) 3" Dualsport aftermarket suspension kits, part numbers N0436000 and N0436001, sold for installation on 2013-2018 RAM 2500 and 3500HD… Remedy: Streetcar will notify owners and dealers will inspect and install a new steering knuckle, free of charge. The recall began December 3, 2018. Owners may contact AEV customer…

Technical service bulletins NHTSA · verified

Showing 5 of 489 bulletins on record with NHTSA.

Bulletin	Date	Component	Summary
S1203000003 REV.A	2026-06-26	Service Brakes	Trac-Rite Operation Diagnosis, Chatter, Shudder, Moving From A Stop And Turning
112906	2026-06-17	Engine	BEARING - CRANKSHAFT THRUST and KIT
112906	2026-06-17	Engine	BEARING - CRANKSHAFT THRUST and KIT
S1623000028 Rev. K	2026-06-12	Electrical System	Outside Power Fold Rearview Mirror Noise Or Loose At Pivot. Mirror Contacts Door Window…
S1623000028 REV.J	2026-06-05	Structure	Outside 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 3500 Cab. 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.

Group H7 battery DD-platform vehicles Engine oil filter 05083285AA Engine air filter 68190705AB Fuel filter 68197867AB Spark plug SP143877AB

Reference guides

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

Vehicle recalls & TSBs OBD-II trouble codes Torque specifications Maintenance schedules

Frequently asked

Does the 2016 3500 Cab have open recalls?

NHTSA lists 16 recall campaign(s) for this model year. Check your specific vehicle by VIN.