2016 Ram 2500 — Used Buying Guide
10 years old · used value range $10,702 – $16,190 · max towing 20,000 lb · max payload 4,010 lb
The 2016 2500 at a glance
The 2016 Ram 2500 is a 10-year-old used pickup that originally listed at approximately $62,000 for a base configuration. After 10 years of ownership-cycle depreciation, fair market value for typical-mileage examples lands between $10,702 and $16,190, with low-mileage clean-title trucks pushing toward the upper bound and higher-mileage or salvage-history trucks anchoring the lower bound.
The 2500 at this model year was built on the Ram light-duty platform and offered in regular, extended, and crew cab body styles. Maximum trailer towing capability for this year is 20,000 lb when properly equipped (typically requires the optional max tow package and the right axle ratio); maximum payload is 4,010 lb in the lightest cab/bed/drivetrain combination.
Available engines for 2016
| Powertrain | 5.7L HEMI V8 Gas |
| Powertrain | 6.4L HEMI V8 Gas (410 hp) |
| Powertrain | 6.7L Cummins I6 Diesel (370 hp / 800 lb-ft) |
Configuration options
| Cab options | Crew Cab · Extended Cab · Regular Cab |
| Bed options | 5'7" Short · 6'5" Standard · 8'0" Long |
| Available trims | Tradesman, Big Horn, Laramie, Power Wagon, Limited, Longhorn |
| Max towing capacity | 20,000 lb (properly equipped) |
| Max payload capacity | 4,010 lb |
EPA fuel economy ranges for this model year
| Powertrain class | City mpg | Highway mpg |
|---|---|---|
| Gasoline V6 | 15 | 22 |
| Gasoline V8 | 18 | 20 |
| Diesel | 23 | 30 |
Common issues for the 2016 2500
- CP3/CP4 fuel pump variations — pre-2019 Cummins use the more reliable CP3
- EGR cooler failures on emissions-era diesels
- Air suspension component costs on Limited / Longhorn trims
- Front steering linkage wear on lifted trucks
Service history matters more on this model year than mileage alone. A 2016 2500 with documented oil changes, transmission services performed at the recommended interval, and any open recalls completed is worth meaningfully more than an undocumented truck of the same mileage. Ask the seller for the maintenance binder; if it does not exist, ask the local Ram dealership to pull the VIN history before you commit to a price.
2016 2500 listings on TruckLot
| Trim & Body | Miles | Price | State |
|---|---|---|---|
| Power Wagon Regular Cab |
136,381 mi | $15,504 | Trenton, New Jersey |
| Limited Extended Cab |
119,580 mi | $13,995 | Pocatello, Idaho |
| Power Wagon Regular Cab |
91,548 mi | $14,818 | St. Louis, Missouri |
| Longhorn Crew Cab |
140,759 mi | $14,132 | Fort Collins, Colorado |
| Longhorn Extended Cab |
93,504 mi | $13,035 | Mesa, Arizona |
| Tradesman Regular Cab |
148,207 mi | $13,309 | Akron, Ohio |
Should you buy a 2016 2500 right now?
The honest answer depends on three variables: how the truck was used, what powertrain it has, and what comparable competitors are listed for in your state. A 2016 2500 with a clean service history, the volume powertrain (avoid first-year-of-production engines unless you have done your homework), and a price near the middle of the $10,702–$16,190 range is usually a sound buy.
If you are cross-shopping the same model year against competitors, our comparison guides work through the trade-offs with real numbers. Diesel premium, towing differences, payload differences, and depreciation curves are all spelled out so you can decide whether the $3,000–$8,000 difference between similar trucks is justified for your use case.