IllustrationFAILED SHIFT INTERLOCK SYSTEM CAUSING VEHICLE TO ROLL BACKWARD, AND RESULTING IN INJURIES TO DRIVER'S HIPS AND KNEE. DEALER / MANUFACTURER WERE NOTIFIED; STILL WAITING ON MANUFACTURER TO RESPOND. PLEASE PROVIDE US WITH ANY FURTHER DETAILS ON THIS MATTER. *AK
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 →How this year compares
Owner complaints by model year
Compare all RAM 1500 years →Counts vary with age, sales and reporting. They are not failure rates.
What owners reported most
All reported categories
Tap a category to read its complaints. One report may name several components.
When problems were reported
Mileage at the reported incident
50–25K
225–50K
450–75K
2075–100K
29100–150K
24150K+
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
Power Train complaints
52 reportsFUEL PUMP ON MY 1996 DODGE PICKUP FAILED TO PUMP GAS TO ENGINE IN AUGUST OF 2000, WHILE PARKED . THE COST OF REPLACEMENT WAS APPROX. 450.00 DOLLARS. I AM CONCERNED ONLY BECAUSE I PAID $25000.00 DOLLARS FOR THIS TRUCK AND FIGURED THAT IT SHOLUD OF LASTED AT LEAST 100,000 MILES. IT JUST IRRITATES ME THAT CHRYSLER WILL NOT, NOR HAV…
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FUEL PUMP ON MY 1996 DODGE PICKUP FAILED TO PUMP GAS TO ENGINE IN AUGUST OF 2000, WHILE PARKED . THE COST OF REPLACEMENT WAS APPROX. 450.00 DOLLARS. I AM CONCERNED ONLY BECAUSE I PAID $25000.00 DOLLARS FOR THIS TRUCK AND FIGURED THAT IT SHOLUD OF LASTED AT LEAST 100,000 MILES. IT JUST IRRITATES ME THAT CHRYSLER WILL NOT, NOR HAVE THEY OFFERED TO LOOK INTO THIS DEFECTIVE PART, FUEL PUMP. ALSO, TRANSMISSION STARTED SLIPPING IN AUGUST OF 2000, AFTER SEVERAL ATTEMPTS TO CONTACT CHRYSLER, NOTHING HAS BEEN DONE TO CORRECT THIS PROBLEM. THE TRANSMISSION SLIPS (AUTOMATIC) WHEN SHIFTING INTO THIRD. THIS SHOULD ALSO BE CONSIDERED A SAFETY HASAZRD. *AK
UNDER NORMAL OPERATING CONDITIONS TRANSMISSION FAILED, CAUSING VEHICLE TO STOP OPERATING. A TRANSMISSION SPECIALIST HAS EXAMINED VEHICLE AND DETERMINED THAT THE TRANSMISSION WILL NEED TO BE REBUILT/REPLACED. NOTE: SPECIALIST SAID THAT HAD HAD TO REBUILD/REPLACE SEVERAL DODGE TRUCK TRANSMISSIONS. PLEASE PROVIDE ANY ADDITION…
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UNDER NORMAL OPERATING CONDITIONS TRANSMISSION FAILED, CAUSING VEHICLE TO STOP OPERATING. A TRANSMISSION SPECIALIST HAS EXAMINED VEHICLE AND DETERMINED THAT THE TRANSMISSION WILL NEED TO BE REBUILT/REPLACED. NOTE: SPECIALIST SAID THAT HAD HAD TO REBUILD/REPLACE SEVERAL DODGE TRUCK TRANSMISSIONS. PLEASE PROVIDE ANY ADDITIONAL INFORMATION/ATTACHMENTS.*AK
TRANSMISSION FAILED TO GO FROM 2ND TO 3RD GEAR. DEALER NOTIFIED. PLEASE FEEL FREE TO PROVIDE ANY FURTHER DETAIL ON THIS MATTER. *AK
THE TRANSMISSION HAS BEEN REPLACED SEVERAL TIMES, THREE OF THE TRANSMISSIONS WERE REPLACED BY THE DEALER, HOWEVER THE MOST RECENT TRANSMISSION THE DEALER WOULD NOT REPLACE EVEN THOUGH IT HAD ONLY FAILED AFTER 4000 MILES. *SLC
DEALER REPLACED TRANSMISSION QUICK COOLER CONNECT PER NOTIFICATION. DEALER LEFT FITTING LOOSE, RESULTING IN FLUID LEAK AT 15720 MILES. I COMPLAINED TO CHRYSLER HEADQUARTERS. CHRYSLER SAID THEY WOULD CONSIDER GOODWILL ASSISTANCE IF PROBLEM DEVELOPS AFTER WARRANTY. IN JUNE 2000, AT 49898 MILES, TRANS FAILED. I PAID $100 DEDUCTIBLE…
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DEALER REPLACED TRANSMISSION QUICK COOLER CONNECT PER NOTIFICATION. DEALER LEFT FITTING LOOSE, RESULTING IN FLUID LEAK AT 15720 MILES. I COMPLAINED TO CHRYSLER HEADQUARTERS. CHRYSLER SAID THEY WOULD CONSIDER GOODWILL ASSISTANCE IF PROBLEM DEVELOPS AFTER WARRANTY. IN JUNE 2000, AT 49898 MILES, TRANS FAILED. I PAID $100 DEDUCTIBLE ON TRANS OVERHAUL PER GOODWILL ASSISTANCE FILE 7360750. A FEW DAYS LATER, SEAL FAILED AND PUMPED OUT TRANS FLUID. DEALER REPLACED SEAL. IN SEPT 2000, DEALER COULDN'T FIND REASON FOR TRANS OVERHEATING AT 54480 MILES. IN NOV 2000, TRANS FAILED AT 57426 MILES. DEALER FINALLY AGREED TO REPLACE WITH REMANUFACTURED TRANS. IN DEC 2000, TRANS FAILED AGAIN, AT 57492. I HAVE BEEN OUT TOW BILLS AND NOT LENDER VEHICLE. *AK
POOR/LOSS OF ACCELERATION, SHIFTING AT HIGH RPM'S, HOT FLOOR BOARDS. THE GENERIC TRANSMISSION FLUID USED BY DODGE (1996) DETERIORATED THE BANDS IN THE "TRANSMISSION CAUSING THEM TO SLIP AND FAIL IS MY OPIOION OF WHY THE TRANSMISSION FAILED.*AK
WHEN DRIVING AT 35MPH TRANSMISSION WENT OUT/LOCKED UP, CAUSING LOSS OF ALL ACCELERATION. CONSUMER CONTACTED THE DEALER, DEALER LINKED THE PROBLEM TO THE RADIATOR WHICH BACKED UP FLUID, CAUSING THE TRANSMISSION TO GO BAD. PLEASE PROVIDE ANY FURTHER DETAILS. *AK
AUTOMATIC TRANSMISSION FAILS TO SHIFT INTO 3RD GEAR AT ANY SPEED. FAILS TO SHIFT INTO REVERSE WHEN VEHICLE WARM. PROBLEM BEGAN INTERMITTENTLY BUT GOT PROGRESSIVELY WORSE. TOOK TO DEALER 7/99 AND WAS UNABLE TO DIAGNOSE. DEALER INFORMED ME TRANSMISSION WOULD NEED TO BE REMOVED AT MY EXPENSE TO COMPLETE DIAGNOSIS AND REPAIR. H…
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AUTOMATIC TRANSMISSION FAILS TO SHIFT INTO 3RD GEAR AT ANY SPEED. FAILS TO SHIFT INTO REVERSE WHEN VEHICLE WARM. PROBLEM BEGAN INTERMITTENTLY BUT GOT PROGRESSIVELY WORSE. TOOK TO DEALER 7/99 AND WAS UNABLE TO DIAGNOSE. DEALER INFORMED ME TRANSMISSION WOULD NEED TO BE REMOVED AT MY EXPENSE TO COMPLETE DIAGNOSIS AND REPAIR. HAVE SEEN NUMEROUS SIMILAR COMPLAINTS IN YOUR DATABASE AND FEEL THIS IS AN OBVIOUS DEFECT AND SHOULD BE SUBJECT TO A RECALL. *AK
TRANSMISSION FAILURE 1/00 ; ORIGINAL EQ CHROME RIMS BENT, DEALER SAYS METAL IN RIM WAS INFERIOR. DID NOT OFFER TO REPLACE IT. *AK
Official recalls
0No 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
1DP03006 · 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.