Recall 15V663 affects 253 2016 Ram 1500 trucks for a missing spare tire heat shield. Repair is free at any franchised Ram dealer.
Ram is recalling 253 2016 1500 trucks with the 5.7L engine and dual exhaust under recall 15V663 because the spare tire heat shield is missing. Exhaust heat can damage the spare tire, and if that tire is installed later, tread separation or sidewall rupture can lead to loss of control; the dealer repair will be free once Ram opens the remedy.
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What's wrong?
The spare tire heat shield on a 2016 Ram 1500 with the 5.7L engine and dual exhaust is a barrier between the exhaust system and the spare tire stored under the truck. Exhaust parts run hot after driving, and the shield is supposed to keep that heat away from the spare tire and its surrounding hardware.
On affected trucks, that heat shield is missing. Without the barrier in place, the spare tire sits closer to exhaust heat than Ram intended. The issue is not a bad tire design or normal tire wear; it is a missing protective part in the spare-tire area.
There is no warning sign before failure. An owner is unlikely to hear, smell, or feel a clear change from the driver seat, so the practical question is whether the VIN is included in recall 15V663.
Who's affected?
| 2016 Ram 1500 | tire |
|---|---|
| Units affected | 253 |
Not every 2016 Ram 1500 pickup truck is on the list. Check your VIN to confirm whether your specific pickup truck is included.
What's the safety risk?
Heat from the exhaust can damage the spare tire when the heat shield is missing. If that damaged spare is used, tread separation or sidewall rupture can cause loss of control and raise crash risk. Do not rely on the spare until the dealer inspects it. Repair will be free at any franchised Ram dealer once available.
What should I do?
- Check your VIN to confirm your 2016 Ram 1500 is included in this recall.
- Review the owner notice mailed December 2, 2015, if you have it, then contact a franchised Ram dealer for current repair timing.
- Ask the dealer to reference recall number 15V663 and inspect for the spare-tire heat shield that protects the spare from exhaust heat.
- Ask whether the spare tire also needs replacement because the truck was sold with more than 50 miles.
- Avoid using the spare tire until the dealer inspects it, since exhaust heat can damage a spare tire that lacks the heat shield.
What happens at the repair
Once available, the dealer repair will be free. A Ram technician will install a spare tire heat shield if the truck is missing one. Trucks already sold with more than 50 miles will also get a replacement spare tire. FCA US has a reimbursement process for owners who paid out of pocket for the same problem before the recall notice. To seek reimbursement, send the original receipt or other adequate proof of payment through the process described in the owner letter.
| Reimbursement | Reimbursement available |
|---|
Timeline
| October 16, 2015 | NHTSA published the recall |
|---|---|
| December 2, 2015 | Owner notification mailed |
Frequently asked questions
What is recall 15V663?
Recall 15V663 covers 253 2016 Ram 1500 trucks with a 5.7L engine and dual exhaust. The affected trucks were built without the spare tire heat shield, which exposes the spare tire to exhaust heat. Ram dealers install the missing heat shield for free.
What should I do if my 2016 Ram 1500 is on this recall?
Check your VIN to confirm your specific truck is included in recall 15V663. If it is, contact a franchised Ram dealer and reference recall number 15V663. The dealer will inspect the spare tire area, install the missing heat shield, and replace the spare tire when required.
Is the recall repair free?
Yes. Federal recall law requires the manufacturer to repair the defect at no cost. For recall 15V663, Ram dealers install the spare tire heat shield for free, and trucks already sold with more than 50 miles also receive a replacement spare tire.
What is the safety risk on recall 15V663?
The safety risk is damage to the spare tire from exhaust heat. If the damaged spare tire is later installed and driven on, it can suffer tread separation or sidewall rupture, causing loss of control and increasing crash risk.
When did Ram begin this recall repair?
Ram began recall 15V663 repairs on December 2, 2015. The dealer repair path is inspection of the spare tire area, installation of the missing heat shield, and spare tire replacement for trucks already sold with more than 50 miles.
More information
| NHTSA campaign page | nhtsa.gov/vehicle-recalls/15V663000 |
|---|---|
| Ram customer service | 1-800-853-1403 |
| NHTSA recall # | 15V663 |
| NHTSA recall # (full) | 15V663000 |
Source documents
-
Download Recall Document (PDF) (PDF) - Download Recall Investigation Document (PDF) (PDF)
- Download Recall Document (PDF) (PDF)
- Download Owner Notification Letter (PDF)
- Download Owner Notice (PDF)
- Download Recall Report (PDF)
- Download Quarterly Report (PDF)
- Download Recall Acknowledgement (PDF)
This article is generated from NHTSA's primary recall filings and reviewed against the source on May 31, 2026. RecallNotify does not paraphrase NHTSA's consequence language; that text is reproduced as written above. Editorial standards →