1996 Dodge RAM

■ Significantly worse — known issue year
1996 Dodge RAM
BUILT 2026-08-02

This year had more than double the complaints of this model's typical year.

This verdict reflects complaint volume compared to this model's typical year. Recalls and safety issues below apply regardless of the verdict — always check them.

How is this computed?

COMPLAINTS PER YEAR

Complaints per year, Dodge RAM Bar chart of distinct NHTSA complaints filed per model year, 1996 highlighted. 1981: 2 complaints 1981 1983: 1 complaints 1984: 2 complaints 1985: 10 complaints 1986: 18 complaints 1986 1987: 18 complaints 1988: 22 complaints 1989: 28 complaints 1990: 23 complaints 1990 1991: 51 complaints 1992: 58 complaints 1993: 54 complaints 1994: 469 complaints 1994 1995: 611 complaints 1996: 625 complaints 1996 1997: 398 complaints 1998: 483 complaints 1998 1999: 366 complaints 2000: 147 complaints 2001: 318 complaints 2002: 116 complaints 2002 2003: 53 complaints 2004: 58 complaints 2005: 40 complaints 2006: 25 complaints 2006 2007: 17 complaints 2008: 25 complaints 2009: 9 complaints 2010: 27 complaints 2010 2011: 0 complaints 2011
1996: 625 complaints
View as data table
YearComplaints
19812
19831
19842
198510
198618
198718
198822
198928
199023
199151
199258
199354
1994469
1995611
1996625
1997398
1998483
1999366
2000147
2001318
2002116
200353
200458
200540
200625
200717
200825
20099
201027
20110

KNOWN PROBLEM AREAS

SERVICE BRAKES, HYDRAULIC 15%

15% of complaints: service brakes, hydraulic — 91 distinct reports on file.

CRASH INJURY
POWER TRAIN 12%

12% of complaints: power train — 75 distinct reports on file.

CRASH FIRE INJURY
Show complaint excerpts

WHILE VEHICLE WAS WARMING UP IN PARK POSITION , GEAR SELECTOR WENT FROM PARK TO REVERSE CAUSING VEHICLE TO BACK UP INTO A BUILDING. PLEASE DESCRIBE DETAILS. TT

NHTSA ODI report, 19951214

SERVICE BRAKES, HYDRAULIC 4%

4% of complaints: service brakes, hydraulic — 28 distinct reports on file.

CRASH INJURY
AIR BAGS 4%

4% of complaints: air bags — 27 distinct reports on file.

CRASH INJURY
Show complaint excerpts

AIRBAG DID NOT DEPLOY DURING FRONTAL COLLISION; DRIVER LOST CONTROL, VEHICLE HIT A TREE. TT

NHTSA ODI report, 19960119

ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING 4%

4% of complaints: engine and engine cooling — 24 distinct reports on file.

CRASH FIRE INJURY DEATH

SAFETY TIMELINE

1996 — complaint volume: 625
R 19960215 — electrical system

THE FASTENERS WHICH SECURE THE GENERATOR CARTRIDGE FUSE TO THE POWER DISTRIBUTION CENTER MAY HAVE AN IMPROPER CLAMP LOAD. IMPROPER CLAMPING CAN RESULT IN ARCING AT THE CONNECTION.

Remedy: DEALERS WILL TIGHTEN THE GENERATOR CARTRIDGE FUSE FASTENERS PROPERLY.

Campaign 95V237000 — check if this car was fixed

R 19960322 — equipment

THE INVOLVED VEHICLES HAVE TIRE/WHEEL SPECIFICATION INFORMATION ON THE VEHICLE CERTIFICATION LABEL WHICH INDICATES A SMALLER SIZE TIRE THAN REQUIRED. THIS DOES NOT COMPLY WITH LABEL REQUIREMENTS OF FM

Remedy: OWNERS WILL BE MAILED AN OVERLAY LABEL WITH THE CORRECT TIRE/WHEEL CERTIFICATION INFORMATION AND INSTRUCTIONS FOR INSTALLING THE LABEL ON THEIR VEHICLES. IF OWNERS PREFER, THEIR DEALER CAN INSTALL THE

Campaign 96V027000 — check if this car was fixed

I 19961126 — PE (closed 19970515)

TRANSMISSION FLUID FIRES

R 19970519 — service brakes, hydraulic

VEHICLE DESCRIPTION: PICKUP TRUCKS EQUIPPED WITH DIESEL ENGINES. THE ENGINE DRIVEN VACUUM PUMP CAN ALLOW ENGINE OIL INTO THE VACUUM HOSES DUE TO THE ABSENCE OF AN INTERNAL CHECK VALVE. THE OIL CAN

Remedy: DEALERS WILL ADD A VACUUM PUMP CHECK VALVE TO THE VACUUM PUMP. IN ADDITION, THE VACUUM HOSE CONNECTED TO THE VACUUM PUMP WILL BE REPLACED WITH A HOSE THAT IS ENGINE OIL RESISTANT.

Campaign 97V068000 — check if this car was fixed

R 19970519 — power train

UNDER CERTAIN HIGH LOAD OPERATING CONDITIONS, THE TRANSMISSION FLUID TEMPERATURE CAN EXCEED THE MELTING POINT OF THE MATERIAL USED IN THE CONNECTOR TO RETAIN THE FLUID LINE TO THE TRANSMISSION.

Remedy: DEALERS WILL REPLACE THE HIGH TEMPERATURE SIDE OF THE TRANSMISSION FLUID COOLER LINE CONNECTOR FITTINGS WITH CONNECTORS THAT INCORPORATE A STAINLESS STEEL RETAINER.

Campaign 97V084000 — check if this car was fixed

I 19971020 — PE (closed 19980227)

CLUTCH HYDRAULIC LINE FAILURE

I 19980227 — EA (closed 19990524)

CLUTCH HYDRAULIC LINE

I 19980310 — RQ (open)

TRANSMISSION QUICK CONNECTORS

R 19980406 — fuel system, gasoline

VEHICLE DESCRIPTION: LIGHT DUTY PICKUP TRUCKS EQUIPPED WITH GASOLINE ENGINES. THE FUEL TANK MOUNTED ROLLOVER VALVE CAN ALLOW LIQUID FUEL TO LEAK ONTO THE GROUND UNDER CERTAIN VEHICLE OPERATING CONDI

Remedy: DEALERS WILL REPLACE THE FUEL TANK ROLLOVER VALVE WITH A FLOAT TYPE ROLLOVER VALVE.

Campaign 97V199000 — check if this car was fixed

R 19990308 — air bags

VEHICLE DESCRIPTION: VAN AND WAGON MODEL PASSENGER VEHICLES. IF WATER/ROAD SALT GETS ON THE INTERIOR FLOOR OF THE VEHICLE IN THE PROXIMITY OF THE AIR BAG ELECTRONIC CONTROL MODULE (AECM), THE AECM C

Remedy: DEALERS WIL REPLACE THE AECM WITH AN AECM THAT IS SEALED FROM MOISTURE INTRUSION.

Campaign 99V023000 — check if this car was fixed

I 19990505 — PE (closed 19990910)

IGNITION SWITCH

I 19990910 — EA (closed 20000530)

STEERING COLUMN FIRES

R 19991227 — power train

VEHICLE DESCRIPTION: PICKUP TRUCKS EQUIPPED WITH MANUAL TRANSMISSION, V10 ENGINES AND FOUR-WHEEL-DRIVE TRANSFER CASES. UNDER SUSTAINED MAXIMUM RATED VEHICLE LOAD, WHILE DRIVING UP A STEEP GRADE IN

Remedy: DEALERS WILL REPLACE THE HYDRAULIC CLUTCH ASSEMBLY.

Campaign 99V115000 — check if this car was fixed

I 20000120 — DP (closed 20000424)

STEERING COLUMN FIRE

I 20000503 — RQ (closed 20010420)

HOOD LATCH

R 20000626 — electrical system

VEHICLE DESCRIPTION: LIGHT DUTY PICKUP TRUCKS. THE AFFECTED VEHICLES WERE BUILT WITH AN IGNITION SWITCH AND WIRING THAT COULD OVERHEAT. HIGH ELECTRICAL CURRENT LOADS PASS THROUGH THE SWITCH WHEN T

Remedy: DEALERS WILL INSTALL A RELAY AND OVERLAY HARNESS.

Campaign 00V135000 — check if this car was fixed

R 20010803 — vehicle speed control

VEHICLE DESCRIPTION: PICKUP TRUCKS EQUIPPED WITH DIESEL ENGINES. THE THROTTLE CABLE COULD UNRAVEL (FRAY) OR BREAK RESULTING IN LOSS OF THROTTLE CONTROL.

Remedy: DEALERS WILL INSPECT AND REPLACE THE THROTTLE CABLE AND UPPER BELL CRANK LEVER. OWNER NOTIFICATION BEGAN AUGUST 3, 2001. OWNERS WHO TAKE THEIR VEHICLES TO AN AUTHORIZED DEALER ON AN AGREED UPON SER

Campaign 01V037000 — check if this car was fixed

R 20010917 — latches/locks/linkages

ON CERTAIN PICKUP TRUCKS ORIGINALLY SOLD IN OR CURRENTLY REGISTERED IN THE FOLLOWING "SALT BELT" STATES: MAINE, NEW HAMPSHIRE, VERMONT, MASSACHUSETTS, RHODE ISLAND, CONNECTICUT, NEW YORK, NEW JERSEY,

Remedy: DEALERS WILL REPLACE THE SECONDARY HOOD LATCH. OWNER NOTIFICATION BEGAN SEPTEMBER 17, 2001. OWNERS WHO TAKE THEIR VEHICLES TO AN AUTHORIZED DEALER ON AN AGREED UPON SERVICE DATE AND DO NOT RECEIVE

Campaign 01V040000 — check if this car was fixed

I 20030923 — DP (closed 20040408)

SEAT BACK FAILURE

R 20060801 — exterior lighting

CERTAIN AAI MOTORSPORTS COMBINATION LAMPS SOLD AS REPLACEMENT LAMPS FOR USE ON THE ABOVE LIST PASSENGER VEHICLES. COMBINATION LAMPS NOT EQUIPPED WITH AMBER SIDE REFLECTORS FAIL TO CONFORM WITH THE RE

Remedy: AAI MOTORSPORTS WILL NOTIFY OWNERS AND REPLACE THE LAMPS FREE OF CHARGE. THE RECALL BEGAN ON AUGUST 1, 2006. OWNERS MAY CONTACT AAI MOTORSPORTS AT 909-923-9188.

Campaign 06E060000 — check if this car was fixed

R 20081217 — exterior lighting

K2 MOTOR IS RECALLING 1,921 AFTERMARKET HEADLAMPS OF VARIOUS MODELS SOLD FOR USE ON THE ABOVE LISTED VEHICLES. THESE HEADLAMPS ARE MISSING THE AMBER SIDE REFLEX REFLECTOR WHICH FAILS TO CONFORM WITH

Remedy: K2 MOTOR WILL NOTIFY OWNERS AND OFFER A FULL REFUND. THE RECALL BEGAN ON DECEMEBER 17, 2008. OWNERS MAY CONTACT K2 MOTOR AT 1-909-839-2992.

Campaign 08E050000 — check if this car was fixed

R 20090511 — exterior lighting

SABERSPORT IS RECALLING 16,270 COMBINATION CORNER AND BUMPER LAMP ASSEMBLIES OF VARIOUS PART NUMBERS SOLD FOR USE AS AFTERMARKET EQUIPMENT FOR VARIOUS PASSENGER VEHICLES. THESE HEADLAMPS FAIL TO CONF

Remedy: SABERSPORT WILL NOTIFY OWNERS AND OFFER A FULL REFUND FOR THE NONCOMPLIANT COMBINATION LAMPS. THE SAFETY RECALL BEGAN ON MAY 11, 2009. OWNERS MAY CONTACT SABERSPORT AT 1-909-598-7589.

Campaign 09E012000 — check if this car was fixed

R 20090728 — exterior lighting

DOPE, INC. IS RECALLING 42,540 COMBINATION CORNER AND BUMPER LAMP ASSEMBLIES OF VARIOUS PART NUMBERS SOLD FOR USE AS AFTERMARKET EQUIPMENT FOR VARIOUS PASSENGER VEHICLES. THESE HEADLAMPS FAIL TO CONF

Remedy: DOPE, INC. WILL NOTIFY OWNERS AND OFFER A FULL REFUND FOR THE NONCOMPLIANT COMBINATION LAMPS. THE SAFETY RECALL BEGAN ON JULY 28, 2009. OWNERS MAY CONTACT DOPE, INC. AT 1-626-272-1798.

Campaign 09E025000 — check if this car was fixed

BUY-SMART CHECKLIST

1996 Dodge RAM — pre-purchase inspection

  • Test/inspect for service brakes, hydraulic issues (91 reports on file for this year).
  • Test/inspect for power train issues (75 reports on file for this year).
  • Test/inspect for service brakes, hydraulic issues (28 reports on file for this year).
  • Verify recall 95V237000 (electrical system) has been completed.
  • Verify recall 96V027000 (equipment) has been completed.
  • Verify recall 97V068000 (service brakes, hydraulic) has been completed.
  • Verify recall 97V084000 (power train) has been completed.
  • Verify recall 97V199000 (fuel system, gasoline) has been completed.
  • Verify recall 99V023000 (air bags) has been completed.
  • Verify recall 99V115000 (power train) has been completed.
  • Verify recall 00V135000 (electrical system) has been completed.
  • Verify recall 01V037000 (vehicle speed control) has been completed.
  • Verify recall 01V040000 (latches/locks/linkages) has been completed.
  • Verify recall 06E060000 (exterior lighting) has been completed.
  • Verify recall 08E050000 (exterior lighting) has been completed.
  • Verify recall 09E012000 (exterior lighting) has been completed.
  • Verify recall 09E025000 (exterior lighting) has been completed.

OTHER YEARS OF THIS MODEL

BEST YEARS

▲ 2005 ▲ 1991 ▲ 2003

WORST YEARS

■ 1995 ■ 1998 ■ 1994

See all years ranked →

FAQ

Is the 1996 Dodge RAM reliable?

Based on NHTSA complaint volume compared to this model's typical year, the 1996 Dodge RAM is rated "significantly worse".

What are the most common problems with the 1996 Dodge RAM?

The most-reported component is service brakes, hydraulic:antilock/traction control/electronic limited slip, accounting for 15% of complaints on file.

How many recalls does the 1996 Dodge RAM have?

14 recalls on file for this model year.

Data updated 2026-07-11 · Complaints are unverified owner reports filed with NHTSA, not independently verified defects. Methodology.