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1996 Dodge RAM 1500

Owner reports · Recalls · Investigations

Similar to other model years

Owner complaints for the 1996 Dodge RAM 1500 do not stand out strongly from the model-year median of 520.

About this comparison →

When problems were reported

Mileage at the reported incident

84 reports with mileage · 214 unknown

NHTSA’s mileage field refers to the reported incident, not necessarily the filing date. This shows report counts, not the likelihood of a failure.

What to inspect

Issues worth paying extra attention to based on owner reports.

  • Power Train. Review the 52 owner reports in this category and discuss these concerns during a pre-purchase inspection. Read reports →
  • Service Brakes, Hydraulic. Review the 46 owner reports in this category and discuss these concerns during a pre-purchase inspection. Read reports →
  • Structure. Review the 35 owner reports in this category and discuss these concerns during a pre-purchase inspection. Read reports →

NHTSA owner reports · September 18, 2026 snapshot.

18 crash reports17 fire reports13 injury reports

Electrical System complaints

26 reports
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96,000 miles · Jan 28, 2004
Electrical SystemEquipmentPower Train

S,BAR LINK ,REPLACED TWICE WITHIN 3 WEEKS ,NO GOOD.TRANSMISSION FAILURE TOOK TO TRANSMISSION SHOP ,REPLACED PRESSURE SOL,GOVERNOR,GOV SWITCH,SWITCHAND SELERIOND,STILL ACTING THE SAME.LEFT CONTROLARMANDBOLTKIT , ALSO SAY NEEDS RIGHT SIDE .WILL NOT ALLIGNE .LIGHT UNDER HOOD COMES ON WHEN DRIVING ,AND HORN DOES NOT WORK NO ONE CAN …

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S,BAR LINK ,REPLACED TWICE WITHIN 3 WEEKS ,NO GOOD.TRANSMISSION FAILURE TOOK TO TRANSMISSION SHOP ,REPLACED PRESSURE SOL,GOVERNOR,GOV SWITCH,SWITCHAND SELERIOND,STILL ACTING THE SAME.LEFT CONTROLARMANDBOLTKIT , ALSO SAY NEEDS RIGHT SIDE .WILL NOT ALLIGNE .LIGHT UNDER HOOD COMES ON WHEN DRIVING ,AND HORN DOES NOT WORK NO ONE CAN FIG OUT WHY ..?DODGE SHOULD COVER ALL TRANNY AND FROUNT SUP ON THESE TRUCKS ,FOUND OUT AFTER PURCHACED ALL THE THINGS THAT GO WRONG WITH THIS YR OF TK.96 DODGE RAM 4X4 1500 ALSO THE 4X4 IS HARD TO SHIFT INTO AND TAKE OUT AND SOMETIMES DOESN NOT COME OUT ,EVEN WHEN LIGHT INDCATES IT IS OUT OF FOUR WHEEL.NEVER AGAIN DODGE!! NUMEROUS DATES OF WORK TO THIS VEHICLE. *AK

NHTSA ODI #10055112

159,000 miles · Aug 31, 2003
Electrical System

I TOOK MY 1996 DODGE RAM TO THE DEALER FOR AN IGNITION SWITCH WIRING RECALL. AFTER THE RECALL PARTS WERE REPLACED, MY TRUCK WAS NOT FIXED. THE WIRING HARNESS HAD OVERHEATED AND DAMAGED MY IGNITION SWITCH. THIS COST MORE MONEY. THERE WAS ALSO A SPECIAL TOOL THAT MY HUSBAND HAD TO PURCHASE TO CHANGE THE IGNITION SWITCH. THE P…

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I TOOK MY 1996 DODGE RAM TO THE DEALER FOR AN IGNITION SWITCH WIRING RECALL. AFTER THE RECALL PARTS WERE REPLACED, MY TRUCK WAS NOT FIXED. THE WIRING HARNESS HAD OVERHEATED AND DAMAGED MY IGNITION SWITCH. THIS COST MORE MONEY. THERE WAS ALSO A SPECIAL TOOL THAT MY HUSBAND HAD TO PURCHASE TO CHANGE THE IGNITION SWITCH. THE PLASTIC COVER ON MY STEERING COLUMN HAD ASLO MELTED. I WOULD SAY MY TRUCK WAS VERY CLOSE TO GOING UP IN FLAMES. THIS IS VERY UPSETTING TO ME BECAUSE I FEEL THIS PART SHOULD HAVE BEEN REPLACED ALONG WITH THE HARNESS SINCE THE DEFECTIVE WIRING CAUSED THIS PART TO BE DAMAGED. I THINK DODGE SHOULD ADD THIS PART TO THE LIST OF PARTS CHANGED WHEN THEY SERVICE VEHICLES FROM THIS RECALL. I ALSO BELIEVE THEY SHOULD REIMBURSE ME AND ANYONE ELSE WHO HAS HAD THIS PROBLEM. THERE WAS ALMOST A FIRE, I KNOW THIS BECAUSE I HAVE THE OLD IGNITION SWITCH AND THE PLASTIC PART ON MY STEERING COLUMN HAS A HOLE WHERE IT WAS HOT, SINCE I DID NOT SEE A FIRE (MY HUSBAND DID SMELL SOMETHING BURNING), I CANNOT ANSWER YES TO THE QUESTION BELOW THAT ASKED "WAS THERE A FIRE?". ANY HELP WOULD BE GREATLY APPRECIATED. I THINK SOMETHING SHOULD BE DONE BEFORE SOMEONE IS SERIOUSLY INJURED OR KILLED. SOMETHING SIMILAR HAPPENED TO A FRIEND OF MINE WHO HAD A DIFFERENT MAKE CAR, HER SON BURNED TO DEATH IN A CAR. I SHIVER TO THINK WHAT MIGHT HAVE HAPPENED IF I HAD NOT FOUND OUT ABOUT THE RECALL ON THIS VEHICLE.*AK

NHTSA ODI #10036917

Mileage unknown · Sep 5, 2002
Electrical System

WHEN HEADLIGHTS ARE TURNED ON THERE IS A BURNING SMELL AND SMOKE COMING FROM DASH NEAR WINDSHIELD. ONCE HEADLIGHTS ARE TURNED OFF THE SMOKE STOPS. VEHICLE HAS NOT BEEN EXAMINED BY DEALER.*JB

NHTSA ODI #8017958

Mileage unknown · Jun 19, 2001
Electrical SystemEngine And Engine CoolingPower Train

THE TRANSMISSION BURNED OUT CAUSING IT TO NOT SHIFT INTO ANY GEAR, THIS PROBLEM OCCURED AT ONLY 13K MILES. NLM

NHTSA ODI #561682

Mileage unknown · Feb 7, 2001
Electrical System

CONSUMER TOOK VEHICLE TO RECEIVE RECALL REPAIR 00V135, HOWEVER CONSUMER HAD TO WAIT A LENGTHY TIME DUE TO DEALERSHIP NOT HAVING TRAINED TECHNICIANS, WHEN CONSUMER PICKED UP VEHICLE, WIRES WERE HANGING FROM STEERING WHEEL AND VEHICLE WOULD NOT GO INTO 1ST OR 2ND GEAR, CONSUMER TOOK VEHICLE BACK AND IT RAN FINE THE FIRST DAY, THE …

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CONSUMER TOOK VEHICLE TO RECEIVE RECALL REPAIR 00V135, HOWEVER CONSUMER HAD TO WAIT A LENGTHY TIME DUE TO DEALERSHIP NOT HAVING TRAINED TECHNICIANS, WHEN CONSUMER PICKED UP VEHICLE, WIRES WERE HANGING FROM STEERING WHEEL AND VEHICLE WOULD NOT GO INTO 1ST OR 2ND GEAR, CONSUMER TOOK VEHICLE BACK AND IT RAN FINE THE FIRST DAY, THE NEXT MORNING IT WOULDN'T CRANK AGAIN, CONSUMER FOUND BATTERY CABLE LOOSE AND THE FUSE COMPARTMENT COVER FELL OFF IN HIS HANDS. *SLC

NHTSA ODI #559476

Mileage unknown · Jan 8, 2001
Electrical SystemFire

VEHICLE WAS NOT PROPERLY REPAIRED AFTER BEING INVOVED IN A UNDER DASH FIRE CAUSED BY AN ELECTRICAL SHORT.MANUFACTURER//DEALER WERE NOT NOTIFIED AT THIS TIME. PLEASE FEEL FREE TO PROVIDE ANY FURTHER DETAILS ON THIS MATTER,. *AK

NHTSA ODI #877635

Mileage unknown · Jan 27, 2000
Electrical SystemEngine And Engine CoolingVehicle Speed Control

5 CORE PLUGS REPLACED...INTAKE MANIFOLD GASKET REPLACED......THROTTLE POSITIONING SENESOR REPLACED...TWO BATTERIES REPLACED

NHTSA ODI #717958

Mileage unknown · Jan 24, 2000
Electrical System

COMPUTER CHIP WILL NOT START THE CAR, CAR DIES IN THE MIDDLE OF THE ROAD WHEN TRAFFIC IS COMING. CONSUMER FEELS THAT THERE A COMPUTER CHIP THAT IS CAUSING THE PROBLEM. *AK

NHTSA ODI #855425

Mileage unknown · Oct 3, 1999
Electrical SystemService Brakes, HydraulicCrash

IF DRIVING WITH AIR CONDITIONING ON HIGH, INGNITION SWITCH GETS SO HOT IT WILL BURN YOUR HAND IF YOU TOUCH THE BOTTOM OF COLLUM, ALSO YOU LOOSE THE ENGINE IN TRAFFIC. BRAKES ON REAR NOT STRONG ENOUGH WITH LOAD

NHTSA ODI #712715

Mileage unknown · Jun 8, 1999
Electrical SystemFuel System, Gasoline

MY TRUCK WOULD NOT START. FIRST I WAS TOLD IT NEEDED A NEW BATTERY, THEN A FUEL PUMP AND FINALLY A NEW ECU. IT IS IMPOSSIBLE FOR ALL OF THESE COMPONENTS TO FAIL SIMULTANEOUSLY WHILE THE VEHICLE IS PARKED AND SHUTDOWN. I WAS TOLD BY THE PARTS MAN AT DALLAS DODGE THAT THE ECUS ARE DESIGNED TO FAIL PRMATURELY. ANOTHER CUSTOMER …

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MY TRUCK WOULD NOT START. FIRST I WAS TOLD IT NEEDED A NEW BATTERY, THEN A FUEL PUMP AND FINALLY A NEW ECU. IT IS IMPOSSIBLE FOR ALL OF THESE COMPONENTS TO FAIL SIMULTANEOUSLY WHILE THE VEHICLE IS PARKED AND SHUTDOWN. I WAS TOLD BY THE PARTS MAN AT DALLAS DODGE THAT THE ECUS ARE DESIGNED TO FAIL PRMATURELY. ANOTHER CUSTOMER ALSO STATED THAT THE SAME COMPUTER IN MY TURCK IS INSTALLED IN A NUMBER OF CHRYLSER PRODUCTS AND THAT IT FAILS WHEN OTHER COMPONENTS FAIL (IN HIS CASE WHEN THE ABS FAILED).

NHTSA ODI #707308

Official recalls

0

No recalls in this snapshot.

Model-level recall history does not show whether a particular VIN is affected or has received a repair. Check a VIN with NHTSA ↗

NHTSA investigations

1

DP03006 · Seat Back Failure

Opened Sep 23, 2003 · Closed Apr 8, 2004

Status: closed (inferred from source dates) · Seats; Seats:front Assembly:recliner

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 INVESTIGATION REQUESTED IN THE PETITION.THERFORE, IN VIEW OF THE NEED TO ALLOCATE AND PRIORITIZE THE NHTSA'S LIMITED RESOURCES TO BEST ACCOMPLISH THE AGENCY'S MISSION, THE PETITION IS DENIED.FOR FURTHER DETAILS, REFER TO ODI'S RESPONSE TO THE PETITION PUBLISHED IN THE FEDERAL REGISTER VOL.69, NO. 60 , DATED MARCH 29, 2004.

Additional source detail variants (2)

Seats

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 INVESTIGATION REQUESTED IN THE PETITION.THERFORE, IN VIEW OF THE NEED TO ALLOCATE AND PRIORITIZE THE NHTSA'S LIMITED RESOURCES TO BEST ACCOMPLISH THE AGENCY'S MISSION, THE PETITION IS DENIED.FOR FURTHER DETAILS, REFER TO ODI'S RESPONSE TO THE PETITION PUBLISHED IN THE FEDERAL REGISTER VOL.69, NO. 60 , DATED MARCH 29, 2004.

Seats:front Assembly:recliner

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 INVESTIGATION REQUESTED IN THE PETITION.THERFORE, IN VIEW OF THE NEED TO ALLOCATE AND PRIORITIZE THE NHTSA'S LIMITED RESOURCES TO BEST ACCOMPLISH THE AGENCY'S MISSION, THE PETITION IS DENIED.FOR FURTHER DETAILS, REFER TO ODI'S RESPONSE TO THE PETITION PUBLISHED IN THE FEDERAL REGISTER VOL.69, NO. 60 , DATED MARCH 29, 2004.