Recall 16V495 covers 889 2016 Ram 3500, 4500, and 5500 trucks for a transfer-case output shaft defect. Repair is free at any franchised Ram dealer.
Ram is recalling 889 2016 3500, 4500, and 5500 trucks because the transfer case main output shaft was built misshapen and can fracture. A broken shaft can cut motive power and prevent the driver from placing the truck in PARK, raising crash and rollaway risks; the Ram dealer repair will be free once available.
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What's wrong?
The transfer case on 2016 Ram 3500, 4500, and 5500 trucks is part of the four-wheel-drive powertrain. It takes power from the transmission and routes it through internal shafts so the truck can drive the wheels that need it.
In this recall, the main output shaft inside the transfer case was built misshapen. That shape left voids in the metal, which means small empty areas inside a part that is supposed to be solid. Under normal load, those weak spots can let the shaft crack and fracture. Once the shaft fractures, the transfer case can no longer carry power the way it was designed to.
There is no warning sign before failure. If your truck feels, sounds, or shifts differently, treat that as a separate reason to contact a Ram dealer, but this recall does not list a reliable early symptom.
Who's affected?
Covers the 3500, 4500, and 5500 truck classes from the 2016 model year, all tied to the 4-wheel-drive transfer case.
| 2016 Ram 5500 | powertrain |
|---|---|
| 2016 Ram 3500 | powertrain |
| 2016 Ram 4500 | powertrain |
| Units affected | 889 |
A matching year and model does not guarantee inclusion. Check your VIN to confirm whether your specific truck is included.
What's the safety risk?
If the main output shaft fractures, the truck can lose motive power, which increases crash risk. The same failure can keep the driver from shifting into PARK, which increases rollaway risk after the truck stops. If your VIN is included, set the parking brake fully and contact a Ram dealer for next steps. Repair will be free at any franchised Ram dealer once available.
What should I do?
- Check your VIN to confirm your 2016 Ram 5500, 3500, or 4500 is included in this recall.
- Contact Ram customer service at 1-800-853-1403 if no owner notice arrived, and ask whether the transfer-case replacement has opened for your VIN.
- Reference recall number 16V495 and Ram recall S48 when you call the dealer or customer service.
- Ask a franchised Ram dealer about the free transfer-case replacement that addresses the misshapen output shaft linked to power loss and rollaway risk.
- Use the parking brake every time you park until the repair is complete.
What happens at the repair
Once the dealer repair is available, a Ram technician will replace the transfer case covered by the recall. The transfer case contains the output shaft that sends power through the driveline, so the repair replaces the affected unit instead of trying to reuse the misshapen shaft. Parts and labor will be covered under the recall. FCA US's reimbursement policy covers owners who already paid for this problem before the recall repair. Send the original receipt or other proof of payment as requested in the owner letter so FCA US can confirm the expense.
| Reimbursement | Reimbursement available |
|---|
Timeline
| July 1, 2016 | NHTSA published the recall |
|---|---|
| August 5, 2016 | Dealer notification began |
| August 5, 2016 | Dealer notification ended |
| August 10, 2016 | Interim owner notification (was planned for this date) |
| August 11, 2016 | Owner notification mailed |
Frequently asked questions
What is recall 16V495?
Recall 16V495 covers 889 2016 Ram 3500, 4500, and 5500 trucks with a transfer case main output shaft that can fracture. If it fractures, the truck can lose motive power or fail to stay in PARK, increasing crash and rollaway risk.
What should I do if my 2016 Ram 3500, 4500, or 5500 is on this recall?
Check your VIN to confirm your specific truck is included in recall 16V495. If it is, contact a franchised Ram dealer to schedule the transfer case replacement. Reference recall 16V495 when you call. The dealer repair is free.
Is the recall repair free?
Yes. Federal recall law requires the manufacturer to repair the defect at no cost, and the remedy for recall 16V495 is a free transfer case replacement at a franchised Ram dealer.
Is it safe to drive a Ram truck with recall 16V495?
The risk is tied to a fractured transfer case main output shaft. If that shaft fractures, the truck can lose motive power, and the driver can be unable to place the vehicle in PARK. Check your VIN and arrange the free dealer repair if your truck is included.
What if I bought my Ram truck used?
The free repair still applies. Federal recall repairs follow the VIN, not the first owner. Check your VIN to confirm whether your 2016 Ram 3500, 4500, or 5500 is included, then call a franchised Ram dealer with recall number 16V495.
More information
| NHTSA campaign page | nhtsa.gov/vehicle-recalls/16V495000 |
|---|---|
| Ram customer service | 1-800-853-1403 |
| NHTSA recall # | 16V495 |
| NHTSA recall # (full) | 16V495000 |
Source documents
-
Download Misc. Document (PDF) - Download Recall Document (PDF) (PDF)
- Download Recall Investigation 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 →