Ram›4500 / 5500 Cab›2016›6.4L/ram/4500-5500-cab/2016/6-4l/

DP platform

2016 Ram 4500 / 5500 Cab — 6.4L

Factory specifications, fluid capacities, torque values, EPA fuel economy and the federal safety record for the 2016 4500 / 5500 Cab 6.4L.

Engine 6.4L

The 2016 Ram 4500 / 5500 Cab is built on the DP platform and powered by a 6.4L engine. This model year's reliability profile is marked by seven recalls, though owner-reported issues remain minimal with only one complaint filed. This single report concerns the vehicle's structure, indicating a model year where manufacturer-led corrections far outweigh individual owner grievances.

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 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.

OE service part numbers OEM · verified

Engine oil filter	05083285AA alt 04892339BE
Engine air filter	53034051AB alt 68190705AB
Fuel filter	68157291AA alt 68197867AB
Spark plug	SP138239AC
Battery	BBH7F001AA
Front wiper blades	55277446AB
Serpentine belt	04627589AA alt 04627751AA
Thermostat	68534176AA alt 05086740AA
Cabin air filter	68535623AA

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)	360.0 ft-lbs
Leaf Spring to Chassis Bracket	360.0 ft-lbs
Leaf Spring to Rear Shackle	160.0 ft-lbs
Leaf Spring Rear Shackle to Chassis Bracket	317.0 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

Brakes

Brake Caliper Bolt to Carrier Torque	Front: 98; Rear: 98 /
Brake Caliper Carrier to Hub Bolt Torque	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	1.472
Variation from Parallelism Thickness Variation	.0004
Maximum Rotor Runout	.0009

Multi-step torque procedures OEM · verified

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

105

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) · Tie Rod (lubricate) · Tire & Wheel Assembly (rotate)
Every 8,000 mi	Battery (inspect) · Brake System (inspect) · Engine Coolant System (inspect fluid level) · Engine Coolant System Hoses (inspect) · Exhaust System (Complete) (inspect) · Tire & Wheel Assembly (rotate)
Every 12,500 mi	Engine Oil (drain & refill)
Every 15,000 mi	Engine Oil Filter (replace) · 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	Transmission Assembly (drain & refill)
Every 30,000 mi	CV Joint Boot (inspect) · Engine Air Filter Element (replace) · Wheel Bearing (inspect)
Every 60,000 mi	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 4500 / 5500 Cab dominate in one area — the structure, 1 of 1 reports (100%), well ahead of the next concern. None of this vehicle's 7 recall campaigns target the structure, so those reports read as owner-reported wear-and-tear rather than an acknowledged defect. 0 of the reports describe a crash and 0 a fire — a small share of the total, but worth weighing against the structure 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

383

Service bulletins

Manufacturer communications

ODI investigations

Office of Defects Investigation

Owner complaints

0 involved a crash · 0 a fire

Owner complaints filed with NHTSA, by component

All 1 complaints on record, top 1 components.

Structure1

Source: NHTSA Office of Defects Investigation complaint database.

Recalls NHTSA · verified

Showing 2 of 7 campaigns on record for this vehicle.

18V332000Electrical System:WiringReported 17/05/2018

Chrysler (FCA US LLC) is recalling certain 2014-2018 Dodge Journey, Charger and Durango, RAM 2500, 3500, 3500 Cab Chassis (more than 10,000lb), 4500 Cab Chassis and 5500 Cab Chassis, Jeep Cherokee and Grand Cherokee and… Remedy: Chrysler will notify owners, and dealers will inspect the software, and perform a software flash on the engine or powertrain control module, free of charge. The recall began June…

21V398000Wheels:Lugs/Nuts/Bolts/StudsReported 27/05/2021

Chrysler (FCA US, LLC) is recalling certain 2012-2021 RAM 3500, 3500 Cab Chassis, 4500 Cab Chassis, and 5500 Cab Chassis vehicles. Incorrect information in the Service and Owner's Manuals may cause the flanged lug nuts… Remedy: Dealers will update the torque specification in the owner's manual and other published service documents. Dealers will also inspect the vehicle's wheel studs, replacing them if…

Technical service bulletins NHTSA · verified

Showing 5 of 383 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 4500 / 5500 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.

DP-platform vehicles Engine oil filter 05083285AA Engine air filter 53034051AB Fuel filter 68157291AA Spark plug SP138239AC

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 4500 / 5500 Cab have open recalls?

NHTSA lists 7 recall campaign(s) for this model year. Check your specific vehicle by VIN.