Model year record

1996 Dodge Ram 1500 recalls & problems

The 1996 Dodge Ram 1500 has 1 safety recall and 298 owner complaints on file with NHTSA. The most-reported problem area is service brakes, hydraulic (55 complaints).

Recalls1safety recalls

Complaints298filed by owners

Crashes · fires18 · 17reported in complaints

Injuries · deaths17 · 4reported in complaints

Safety recalls

Engine and engine coolingMar 15, 2006

Engine and engine cooling

Recall 06E02400044,386 vehicles

Problem: CERTAIN REPLACEMENT K&N FUEL PERFORMANCE KITS, P/NOS. 57-1509, 57-1511, 57-1511-1, 57-1517, 57-1517-1, 57-1527, AND 57-1530. ALSO, A SMALL PERCENTAGE OF THESE KITS WERE SOLD UNDER THE MOPAR PERFORMANCE PARTS BRAND NAME (P/NOS. P5007069 AND P5007070). ALL KITS WERE MANUFACTURED FROM APRIL 20, 1999, THROUGH SEPTEMBER 23, 2004. THESE ASSEMBLIES WERE MANUFACTURED AS REPLACEMENT EQUIPMENT FOR CERTAIN DODGE PICKUP TRUCKS AND SUVS. A SMALL PIECE OF MATERIAL FROM THE TUBE WALL COULD BE SUCKED INTO THE ENGINE THROTTLE BODY, WHICH COULD CAUSE THE THROTTLE TO BECOME JAMMED IN THE OPEN POSITION.
Risk: A JAMMED OPEN THROTTLE COULD CAUSE UNINTENDED ACCELERATION OF THE VEHICLE, POSSIBLY RESULTING IN A CRASH OR INCREASED STOPING DISTANCES WHEN BRAKING.
Fix: K&N WILL PROVIDE OWNERS WITH A FREE REPAIR KIT ALONG WITH REPAIR INSTRUCTIONS. THE RECALL BEGAN ON APRIL 20, 2006.

Recall repairs are free at any authorised dealer. A recall listed here may already have been fixed on a particular car: enter its 17-character VIN at nhtsa.gov/recalls to see open recalls.

Crash test ratings

1996 Dodge Ram 1500 Van/Wagon

OverallNot Rated

Frontal crash	Not Rated
Side crash	Not Rated
Rollover	Not Rated

NHTSA 5-Star Safety Ratings (New Car Assessment Program). Ratings are comparable only between vehicles of similar size and weight, and ratings from 2011 on use tougher tests than earlier years. Photos: NHTSA.

Fuel economy

Ram 1500 Pickup 2WD

16mpg combined

City / highway	15 / 19 mpg
Fuel	Regular Gasoline

3.9 L · 6 cyl · Manual 5-spd · Rear-Wheel Drive · about $4,200/year to fuel

Ram 1500 Pickup 2WD

15mpg combined

City / highway	13 / 17 mpg
Fuel	Regular Gasoline

5.2 L · 8 cyl · Manual 5-spd · Rear-Wheel Drive · about $4,450/year to fuel

Ram 1500 Pickup 2WD

14mpg combined

City / highway	13 / 17 mpg
Fuel	Regular Gasoline

3.9 L · 6 cyl · Automatic 4-spd · Rear-Wheel Drive · about $4,800/year to fuel

Ram 1500 Pickup 2WD

14mpg combined

City / highway	12 / 16 mpg
Fuel	Regular Gasoline

5.2 L · 8 cyl · Automatic 4-spd · Rear-Wheel Drive · about $4,800/year to fuel

Ram 1500 Pickup 4WD

14mpg combined

City / highway	12 / 16 mpg
Fuel	Regular Gasoline

5.2 L · 8 cyl · Manual 5-spd · 4-Wheel or All-Wheel Drive · about $4,800/year to fuel

Ram 1500 Pickup 2WD

13mpg combined

City / highway	11 / 16 mpg
Fuel	Regular Gasoline

5.9 L · 8 cyl · Automatic 4-spd · Rear-Wheel Drive · about $5,150/year to fuel

Ram 1500 Pickup 4WD

12mpg combined

City / highway	11 / 15 mpg
Fuel	Regular Gasoline

5.2 L · 8 cyl · Automatic 4-spd · 4-Wheel or All-Wheel Drive · about $5,600/year to fuel

Ram 1500 Pickup 4WD

12mpg combined

City / highway	10 / 14 mpg
Fuel	Regular Gasoline

5.9 L · 8 cyl · Automatic 4-spd · 4-Wheel or All-Wheel Drive · about $5,600/year to fuel

EPA estimates from fueleconomy.gov for each engine and transmission sold. Annual cost is the EPA's estimate for 15,000 miles a year at its current fuel and electricity price assumptions. Your results will vary.

What owners report

Problem area	Complaints	Crashes	Fires	Injuries	Typical mileage*
Service brakes, hydraulicAntilock/traction control/electronic limited slip; Foundation components	55	4	0	4	83,500 mi
Power trainAutomatic transmission; Manual transmission	55	2	2	3	106,000 mi
Engine and engine coolingEngine › Gasoline; Engine	37	1	3	2	102,000 mi
StructureBody; Body › Hood › Hinge and attachments	35	0	0	0	136,000 mi
SuspensionFront; Rear	31	0	0	0	85,020 mi
Electrical systemWiring; 12v/24v/48v battery	30	1	6	0	143,085 mi
SteeringSteering wheel/handle bar; Linkages	27	0	0	0	118,342 mi
Fuel system, gasolineDelivery › Fuel pump; Delivery › Hoses, lines/piping, and fittings	19	0	3	1	138,000 mi
Unknown or other	16	0	0	0	99,000 mi
Exterior lightingHeadlights › Switch; Tail lights	14	0	2	0	142,042 mi
Vehicle speed controlCruise control; Cables	12	1	0	0	—
TiresTread/belt; Sidewall	12	2	0	2	—

*Median odometer reading when the problem happened, where owners gave one. One complaint can name several problem areas.

Recent owner complaints

Latches/locks/linkages
The contact owns a 1996 Dodge Ram 1500. The contact stated while driving 45 MPH, the hood flew open and struck the windshield. The contact immediately veered to the side of the road. The contact stated that the hood was bent, and the windshield was cracked due to the failure. The contact was able to drive to the residence at a slow speed. The vehicle was taken to the dealer, who informed the contact that the failure was related to NHTSA Campaign Number: 01V040000 (Latches/Locks/Linkages). The dealer informed the contact that he would be charged a repair fee for the replacement of the hood, the grill, the windshield, and components; however, the parts were not available. The manufacturer was…
May 15, 2021 · 152,000 miles
Fuel system, gasoline › Delivery › Fuel pump
The contact owns a 1996 Dodge Ram 1500. The contact stated while refueling the vehicle, he noticed that fuel leaking underneath the vehicle. The vehicle was taken to an independent mechanic where it was diagnosed, and the mechanic stated that the rollover valve needed to be replaced. The vehicle was not repaired. The manufacturer was not contacted. The failure mileage was 138,000.
Jun 13, 2020 · 138,000 miles
Structure › Body
HEADLIGHT SWITCH OVERHEATS AND THE PLASTIC START TO MELTING
Feb 9, 2021
Power train
MY BALL JOINTS, TIE RODS, STEERING BOX, ALL THAT HAS TO DO WITH THOSE AREAS HAVE SERIOUS ISSUES AND DODGE NEEDS TO FOX THEM FOR FREE PUT THEM UNDER THE RECALL DEPT SO THEY CAN BE. STEERING WHEEL VERY LOOSE TONS OF PLAY VERY DANGEROUS.
Feb 21, 2018 · 100,000 miles
Steering
SIGMA TIRES STAMPEDE TIRES -265 75 16 AT SPLITTING TREAD AND COMING APART -TOLD RECALL ONLY LAST TEN* YEARS**-NOTHING TO DO AND NO REPLACEMENT-TIRE KINGDOM* TRUCK VIBRATES AND SHAKES, LOUD THUD,THUD, NOISE(IN MOTION) AFFECTS STEERING AS WOBBLES ALWAYS*HAD ISSUES AS ROUGH**RIDING OVER THE YEARS AND NEVER KNEW WHY*
Oct 17, 2018 · 140,000 miles
Tires › Tread/belt
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 1996 DODGE RAM 1500 EQUIPPED WITH SIGMA STAMPEDE RADIAL AT/S TIRES, SIZE 265/75R16. WHILE DRIVING 30 MPH, THE VEHICLE SHOOK FROM SIDE TO SIDE. THE CONTACT NOTICED THAT THE STEEL TREAD ON ALL FOUR TIRES WAS TORN APART. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT TAKEN TO A LOCAL DEALER TO BE DIAGNOSED OR REPAIRED. THE TIRES WERE NOT ORIGINAL EQUIPMENT. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOTIFIED AND STATED THAT NOTHING COULD BE DONE. THE DOT NUMBER AND VIN WERE NOT AVAILABLE. THE TIRE AND VEHICLE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS APPROXIMATELY 100,000.
Dec 1, 2017 · 100,000 miles
Unknown or other
THE ENTIRE DASHBOARD IS CRUMBLING LEAVING SHARP PLASTIC FLING AROND AND OPEN WIRES IN THE DASH NET ISSUE THE DASH IS ACTUALLY DISINTEGRATING TO DUST CALLED NO HELP OUT OF WARRANTY WE HAVE OTHER CARS THAT ARE OLDER AND NO SUCH PROBLEM HAS EVER MAKE OUR DASH TURN TO DUST .
Sep 5, 2016 · 99,000 miles
Structure › Body
ON 1/27/2018 MY DASH BOARD SHATTERED WHILE I WAS ATTEMPTING TO WIPE CLEAN IT WITH MOIST TOWEL. I BOUGHT THIS VEHICLE USED FROM DODGE DEALERSHIP IN JUNE 1998 WITH 45120 MILES. AT PRESENT IT HAS ONLY 83000 APPROX. THE VEHICLE AT THE TIME WAS STATIONARY. I HAVE THE PHOTOS, UNFORTUNATELY I DO NOT KNOW HOW TO UPLOAD IT.
Jan 27, 2018 · 83,009 miles

Owner complaints are submitted to NHTSA by the public and are not verified. Shown as filed (NHTSA removes personal details); long reports are shortened.

NHTSA defect investigations

SEAT BACK FAILUREClosed
ODI HAS IDENTIFIED 30 INCIDENTS WHERE IT IS ALLEGED THE SEAT BACK COLLAPSED IN A REAR IMPACT CRASH.THESE INCIDENTS ARE ALLEGED TO HAVE CONTRIBUTED TO 23 INJURIES AND TWO DEATHS.THE DATA PRESENTED TO ODI SHOW THAT THE SEAT BACK STRENGTH OF THE FRONT SEATS COMPLY WITH FEDERAL MOTOR VEHICLE SAFETY STANDARD NO. 207. SEATING SYSTEM.ACCORDING TO DAIMLERCHRYLSER THE FRONT SEATS WERE DESIGNED TO COLLAPSE REARWARD IN REAR IMPACT CRASHES AS PART OF THE ENERGY ABSORPTIONCAPABILITIES OF THE SEATING SYSTEM TO REDUCE THE CHANCE OF SERIOUS INJURY TO THE OCCUPANT.RATES OF OCCURANCE WERE COMPARED TO PEER VEHICLES, AND IT WAS SHOWN THAT THE PERFORMACE OF THE SUBJECT VEHICLE WAS COMPARABLE TO THOSE VEHICLES.IN VIEW OF THE FORGOING, IT IS UNLIKELY THAT NHTSA WOULD ISSUE AN ORDER FOR THE NOTIFICATION REMEDY OF A SAFETY DEFECT IN THE SUBJECT VEHICLES AS DEFINED BY THE PETITIONER AT THE CONCLUSION OF THE…
DP03006 · opened Sep 23, 2003 · closed Apr 8, 2004