carivo.co
Independent review & score by Carivo
| Seating Capacity | 5 passengers |
|---|---|
| Body Style | Truck |
| Base Price | $30,088–$36,334 |
Source: EPA FuelEconomy.gov & manufacturer data. Figures reflect base trim; actual specs vary by trim level.
With an overall Carivo score of 7.3/10, the 2016 Ram 1500 earns a Good rating among the trucks we've scored. Its strongest dimension is Reliability at 7.9/10, while Safety at 6.6/10 is where it trails the competition most noticeably. It's a capable but unexceptional truck — stronger alternatives exist if you're willing to shop the segment carefully.
Reliability and safety are the two dimensions that matter most for long-term ownership costs. Reliability comes in at 7.9/10 in our assessment — above the middle of the pack for this class, though not flawless. Safety is a notable gap at 6.6/10 in our scoring — below what the best in segment deliver. Check the official NHTSA ratings for the trim you're considering before deciding.
Performance lands mid-pack at 7.8/10: enough power and composure for everyday needs, without the dynamics that distinguish the segment's driver-focused options. Technology comes in at 7.7/10 — functional and modern, with wireless connectivity and core ADAS features, though some competitors pack more standard tech at this price point.
Priced from $30,088–$36,334, 14 MPG, seating 5, the Ram 1500 sits in the mid-market bracket of the truck segment. Value lands at 7.8/10 — you get what you pay for, no more and no less, with a few rivals offering slightly better per-dollar returns. At 10 years old, resale value, parts availability, and whether a successor model has improved on its weak points are all worth investigating before committing.
Bottom line: There's a case for the 2016 Ram 1500, but it needs the right buyer. Its safety scores trail the class, and several higher-rated rivals sell for similar money — comparison-shop before committing.
Carivo scores are our own editorial assessment, informed by NHTSA safety and recall records, EPA fuel-economy figures, and manufacturer-published specifications. Scores are reviewed periodically and updated when new data becomes available. See our full methodology →
The 2016 Ram 1500 ranks #298 of 515 trucks in the Carivo database — better than 42% of the segment. Its 7.3/10 overall score is 0.1 points below the segment average of 7.4/10. Its $30,088 starting price undercuts the segment's median of $35,138 by about 14%.
Rankings are recalculated as new vehicles and scores are added. See the full Truck ranking → · Best Trucks under $35k →
Across the 1500 model years we've scored, the 2016 holds its position — we didn't find an older year that delivers similar scores for meaningfully less money.
| Year | Score | Starting price (MSRP when new) | |
|---|---|---|---|
| 2026 | 7.7/10 | $40,777 | Read review → |
| 2025 | 7.7/10 | $40,777 | Read review → |
| 2024 | 7.6/10 | $39,590 | Read review → |
| 2023 | 7.6/10 | $38,402 | Read review → |
| 2022 | 7.5/10 | $37,214 | Read review → |
| 2021 | 7.5/10 | $36,026 | Read review → |
| 2020 | 7.4/10 | $34,839 | Read review → |
| 2019 | 7.3/10 | $33,651 | Read review → |
| 2018 | 7.3/10 | $32,463 | Read review → |
| 2017 | 7.2/10 | $31,276 | Read review → |
| 2016 (this review) | 7.3/10 | $30,088 | |
| 2015 | 7.1/10 | $28,900 | Read review → |
The following recall campaigns have been filed with NHTSA for this model and year. Recall repairs are performed free of charge by franchised dealers; check your specific vehicle by VIN at nhtsa.gov/recalls.
| Engine and engine cooling / Engine / Diesel 13/08/2020 · 20V475000 | 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 lose its ability to synchronize the… |
|---|---|
| Latches/locks/linkages / Tailgate / Latch 09/05/2019 · 19V347000 | 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 3500 pickup trucks built before April… |
| Structure / Body / Tailgate 27/07/2018 · 18V486000 | Chrysler (FCA US LLC) is recalling certain 2015-2017 RAM 1500, 2500, and 3500 pickup trucks equipped with a power locking tailgate and either a 5 foot, 7 inch or 6 foot, 4 inch bed. The tailgate actuator limiter tab may fracture and cause the tailgate to… |
| Electrical system / Wiring 17/05/2018 · 18V332000 | 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 Chrysler 300, 2014-2019 RAM 1500,… |
| Air bags / Side/window / Curtain / Inflator 12/08/2021 · 21V632000 | Chrysler (FCA US, LLC) is recalling certain 2015-2020 Ram 1500 Classic, 2015-2016 Ram 3500, and Ram 2500 vehicles, and 2016 Ram 3500 Cab Chassis with a gross vehicle weight rating less than 10,000 lbs. The side air bag inflatable curtain (SABIC) inflator… |
Showing 5 of 17 campaigns — see the full list on NHTSA's site.
We rate the 2016 Ram 1500's reliability 7.9/10 — above the middle of the pack for this class. It has 17 NHTSA recall campaigns on record for this model year (details in the recalls section above — repairs are free at dealers).
17 NHTSA recall campaigns matched this model and year as of our latest check. Verify your specific vehicle by VIN at nhtsa.gov/recalls.
It scores 7.3/10 overall, ranking #298 of 515 trucks in our database (better than 42% of the segment). Stronger-scoring alternatives exist at similar prices — use our compare tool before committing.
The 2016 Ram 1500 starts at $30,088 and ranges up to $36,334 across trims (MSRP when new). At 14 MPG, expect roughly $3,750/year in fuel at 15,000 miles/year.
Explore the full lineup of Ram models scored by Carivo — ranked by overall score across reliability, safety, value, performance, and technology.