2016 Ram 1500: Engine light on
Common wear/failure (not a recall)
Symptoms
Owners of the 2016 1500 report: engine light on. CarComplaints.com lists 8 owner complaints, average mileage 28,200 miles.
NHTSA has 352 owner complaints for the 2016 1500 in this area. Examples:
- NHTSA complaint ODI #11767670 (filed 09/29/2026): “The contact owns a 2016 ram 1500. the contact stated that the messages "service emissions control" and "exhaust filter 100 percent full - service required - see dealer" were displayed, and there was a strong fuel odor coming through the vents while idling or w…”
- NHTSA complaint ODI #11757355 (filed 08/17/2026): “The contact owns a 2016 ram 1500. the contact stated that while driving 80 mph, the towing suddenly failed. the contact was able to drive off the exit. the contact was able to drive to the residence. the contact stated that the week before, while idling at a s…”
Likely causes
Sources do not establish a single root cause; diagnosis is needed. Owner-reported fixes are listed below.
Fix, in plain English
Most common owner-reported solutions on CarComplaints.com: change camshaft and lifter (1 reports) replace evap pump (1 reports) replace wiring (1 reports) reposition vent where it is not as dusty (1 reports). Check for open recalls and extended warranty coverage with a dealer before paying out of pocket.
DIY difficulty: Pro
Internal engine work (lifters, oil consumption, fuel dilution diagnosis) requires engine teardown or dealer software/tests. (Our assessment.)
Cost
CarComplaints.com owners report a typical repair cost of about $4,600 (owner-reported average, not a quote).
Typical parts (search links, no affiliate codes)
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