Model year record
1996 Dodge Ram Van recalls & problems
The 1996 Dodge Ram Van has no safety recalls on file with NHTSA, and 18 owner complaints. The most-reported problem area is power train (8 complaints).
Safety recalls
No safety recalls have been filed for the 1996 Dodge Ram Van.
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.
What owners report
| Problem area | Complaints | Typical mileage* |
|---|---|---|
| Power trainAutomatic transmission; Automatic transmission › Cooling unit and lines | 8 | — |
| Engine and engine coolingEngine › Gasoline; Cooling system › Fan | 7 | — |
| VisibilityDefroster/defogger/hvac system › Heater core; Windshield | 5 | — |
| Service brakes, hydraulicFoundation components › Master cylinder; Foundation components › Disc › Pads | 4 | — |
| StructureBody; Body › Door | 3 | — |
| Vehicle speed controlCruise control | 3 | — |
| TiresTread/belt | 2 | — |
| Fuel system, gasoline | 1 | — |
| Exterior lightingHeadlights | 1 | — |
| Electrical systemIgnition › Module | 1 | — |
| SteeringSteering wheel/handle bar | 1 | — |
*Median odometer reading when the problem happened, where owners gave one. One complaint can name several problem areas.
Recent owner complaints
- Power train
WE SUBMITTED A LETTER TO CHRYSLER ASKING FOR A "GOODWILL REPAIR REFUND" AND HAD A PHONE CALL FROM THE CUSTOMER SERVICE CENTER, AL WILLIAMS, STATING THAT THE THREE (3)YEAR WARRANTY HAD EXPIRED. WE HAD EXPLAINED THAT OUR LEISURE TRAVEL VAN WITH A DODGE V8 360 ENGINE ONLY ON 31,365 ON THE TRANSMISSION. HE SAID IT DID NOT MATTER. THE CHRYSLER DEALERSHIP THAT REPLACE THE TRANSMISSION WITH A REBUILT TRANSMISSION FROM CHRYSLER STATED THAT HE HAD NEVER SEEN A TRANSMISSION "CHEWED UP" LIKE OURS. WE HAVE MADE SEVERAL PHONE CALLS TO CHRYSLER ASKING FOR A LETTER STATING EXACTLY WHY THEY WERE DENYING OUR REQUEST FOR A "GOODWILL REPAIR REFUND". WE HAVE HAD NO CALLS RETURNED AND…
- Tires › Tread/belt
DUNLOP, AT, P255/70R15, DOT DBM2GA2428, REPLACEMENT EQUIPMENT WITH 1000 MILES ON A 1996 RAM 250 VAN. DRIVER REAR TIRE HAD TREAD SEPARATION AT 65 MPH. ON 6, AUGUST 2002 PASSENGER REAR TIRE HAD TREAD SEPARATION AT 65 MPH, MILEAGE WAS 6000 MILES. *AK ALL THE TIRES NOW HAVE TREAD SEPERATION AND THE DEALER SENT THEM BACK TO DUNLOP WHICH ONLY PRO-RATED THE DEFECTIVE TIRES. CONSUMER FEELS THAT DUNLOP SHOULD REPLACE THE TIRES AT EQUAL VALUE BECAUSE HE COULD HAVE LOST HIS LIFE OR BEEN INJURED DUE TO THE DEFECT. *SCC
- Power train › Automatic transmission
WHILE DRIVING AT HIGHWAY SPEEDS TRANSMISSION WENT OUT. VEHICLE WAS NO LONGER DRIVEABLE.*AK
- Structure › Body
VEHICLE WAS SUPPOSED TO BE A THREE QUATER TONE VEHICLE, BUT AFTER FURTHER REVIEW CONSUMER FOUND OUT THAT VEHICLE WAS HALF TONE. WHEN CONTACTING DEALER, DEALER NOTED THAT THEY KNEW ABOUT IT. IT WAS MANUFACTURED THAT WAY BECAUSE OF BETTER HANDLING.*AK
- Visibility › Rearview mirrors/devices
MOVEABLE SIDE VIEW MIRRORS SLIP WITH SHUTTING DOORS AND WITH TRAVEL AT HIGHWAY SPEED (>45 MPH). I (OWNER) ATTEMPTED TO REPAIR INITIAL SLIPPAGE BY TIGHTENING SCREWS. MIRRORS SOON BEGAN SLIPPING AGAIN, AND VEHICLE WAS PAST 36,000 MILE WARRANTY. SCREW THREADS ARE NOW STRIPPED, MIRRORS WON'T MAINTAIN POSITION. DEALER RECOMMENDS PURCHASING TWO NEW MIRROR ASSEMBLIES (EXACT SAME STYLE) FOR SEVERAL HUNDRED DOLLARS. MANUFACTURER REJECTED REQUEST TO PAY FOR INSTALLATION OF REPLACEMENT MIRRORS FROM ALTERNATE SOURCE. NOTE: I PREVIOUSLY OWNED A 1987 DODGE VAN WHICH SUFFERED THE SAME PROBLEM, ALTHOUGH NOT QUITE AS SEVERELY. THE PROBLEM IS CLEARLY DUE TO A LONG-TERM FAILURE OF CHRYSLER TO ADDRESS AN…
- Tires › Tread/belt
REPLACEMENT TIRES ON A DODGE, RAM VAN, 3500 1996, TIRE SIZE LT22575R16, AND TIRE MILEAGE 15,000. WHILE DRIVING 65 MPH ON HIGHWAY TREAD SEPARATED ON LEFT REAR TIRE. NO COLLISON OR INJURIES OCCURRED. *AK DAMAGE WAS DONE TO THE RIGHT REAR QUARTER PANEL, FIRESTONE STEELTEX, DOT NUMBER VD1L1XD419. *SLC
- Steering › Steering wheel/handle bar
STEERING WHEEL AND COLUMN IS EXTREMELY LOOSE WHICH HAS RESULTED IN SEVERE PROBLEMS MANEUVERING VEHICLE. PROBLEM BECOMES MORE PRONOUNCED WHEN MAKING A RIGHT OR LEFT TURN ,CAUSE HAS NOT YET TO BE DETERMINED. NO COLLISIONS OR INJURIES HAVE OCCURRED DUE TO THE PROBLEM. *AK CONSUMER WAS INFORMED THAT THERE HAD BEEN A RECALL REGARDING THE DODGE MINIVANS STEERING PROBLEMS, HOWEVER CONSUMERS VEHICLE DID NOT FIT RECALL BECAUSE IT WAS A FULL SIZE VAN. *SLC
- Power train › Automatic transmission › Park/neutral start interlock switch
CONSUMER STATES THAT IN OWNERS MANUAL VEHICLE IS EQUIPPED WITH A SHIFT INTERLOCK SYSTEM WHICH WOULD PREVENT VEHICLE FROM BEING REMOVED FROM PARK WITHOUT APPLYING BRAKES. CONSUMER RECEIVED NOTIFICATION THAT VEHICLE, IN FACT, IS NOT EQUIPPED WITH THIS SAFETY FEATURE. PLEASE PROVIDE ANY ADDITIONAL INFORMATION/ATTACHMENTS. *AK
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
- SAFETY BELT CINCHING LATCH PLATEClosed
THERE ARE NO INJURIES OR FATALITIES ASSOCIATED WITH THIS ALLEGED DEFECT.WHILE CONDUCTING THIS INVESTIGATION, ODI FOUND THAT THE SUBJECT CINCHES MEET THE LOAD BEARING REQUIREMENTS OF FEDERAL MOTOR VEHICLE SAFETY STANDARD 208, AND THAT MANY OF THE REPORTED FAILURES WERE DUE TO INCORRECT CHILD SAFETY SEAT INSTALLATIONS. ADDITIONALLY, THE REPORT RATE IS LOW (1.60/100K).THE INFORMATION AVAILABLE FAILS TO ESTABLISH THE EXISTENCE OF A DEFECT TREND AT THIS TIME.FURTHER ALLOCATION OF AGENCY RESOURCES TO THIS ISSUE IS UNWARRANTED AND THE PRELIMINARY EVALUATION IS BEING CLOSED.