Buyer Research

2016 Ram 3500 (6.7L Cummins Aisin) — Should You Buy One?

Typical asking price: $32,000–$48,000. There are 2 high-severity known issues you need to know before handing over a check.

Kestrel Take

The high-output Cummins with the Aisin AS69RC automatic is the strongest factory drivetrain combination in a pickup from this era. It tows enormous weight without complaint. The emissions hardware is still the recurring bill, and the front end still needs watching.

What we checked

Partly reconciled against public records, 2026-09-11

NHTSA holds 134 owner complaints for the 2016 Ram 3500 (6.7L Cummins Aisin), across 16 recall campaigns.

A big number here usually means a lot of these were sold, not that it is a bad vehicle — popular models collect more complaints for the same rate of trouble. So the total on its own says little. What is worth reading is the shape of it. The largest single group is steering at 22%. That is notable without being overwhelming — worth checking, not worth panicking about.

16 recall campaigns cover this model year. Recalls are repaired free, for any owner, with no time limit on most safety campaigns — but only if someone books it in. Ask the seller to show it was done, or have any dealer check the VIN; it takes them a couple of minutes and costs nothing.

Not written up yet: wheels and bearings (21 complaints). That group is in the public record and is not covered by the issues below. Treat it as something to ask about, not as absent.

Counts come from the NHTSA complaint and recall database — free, public, and worth checking yourself.

Known Issues for the 2016 Ram 3500 (6.7L Cummins Aisin)

Ranked by wallet impact. These are documented, recurring problems — not freak accidents.

Emissions system (DPF, SCR, DEF) failuresHigh — wallet impact

DEF pumps, NOx sensors, and the particulate filter all fail and all cost real money. A derated truck at the side of the road is the failure mode.

Repair cost (estimate): $1,500-$5,000

Source: NHTSA complaints filed under the engine (25), electrics and electronics (10).

Front end wear and death wobbleHigh — wallet impact

Solid front axle geometry means worn track bars and ball joints produce violent oscillation. Common on heavily loaded or lifted trucks.

Repair cost (estimate): $600-$2,500

Source: NHTSA complaints filed under steering (29), the transmission and drivetrain (19), the suspension (10).

Turbo VGT sticking from sootMedium

Underboost codes and reduced power. Cleaning helps; replacement is expensive.

Repair cost (estimate): $1,200-$2,800

Source: NHTSA complaints filed under the engine (25).

CP4 fuel pump (later builds)Medium

Ram moved to the CP4 pump on some later builds. If this truck has one, the same catastrophic fuel system contamination risk applies.

Repair cost (estimate): $8,000-$12,000

Source: not yet checked against public records.

Walk-Away Red Flags

✗Death wobble on the test drive
✗Deleted emissions with no documentation
✗Commercial fleet history with 250k+ miles
✗Fuel filter with metallic debris

Good Signs

✓Aisin automatic transmission
✓Complete DEF and emissions service history
✓Front end rebuilt with quality components

Found a specific Ram 3500 (6.7L Cummins Aisin)?

This page covers what goes wrong on the 2016 Ram 3500 (6.7L Cummins Aisin) in general. The Kestrel report covers this specific car— the asking price vs. market, the photos, the seller's description, and a BUY / NEGOTIATE / WALK AWAY verdict with a negotiation script.

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Not ready to pay for one? The free read is instant and needs no card — it checks the asking price against the market and names the top issues for this year. It stops short of the verdict, because that needs the photos.

Known issues on this page are based on documented owner reports, NHTSA complaints, class-action records, and manufacturer technical service bulletins. Individual vehicles vary. A pre-purchase inspection by a trusted mechanic is always worth doing.