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
What owners actually said
298 reports
Mileage unknown · Jan 20, 2016
EngineFuel/propulsion System
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 1996 DODGE RAM 1500. WHEN THE ENGINE WAS STARTED, THE REAR OF THE VEHICLE EMITTED A FUEL ODOR AND FUEL LEAKED FROM THE FUEL TANK. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE VEHICLE SHOOK WHILE THE ENGINE WAS RUNNING. THE CONTACT RECEIVED A RECALL NOTICE FOR THE FUEL TANK ROLLOVER VALVE. THE CONTACT TOOK THE VEHICLE TO TH…
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TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 1996 DODGE RAM 1500. WHEN THE ENGINE WAS STARTED, THE REAR OF THE VEHICLE EMITTED A FUEL ODOR AND FUEL LEAKED FROM THE FUEL TANK. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE VEHICLE SHOOK WHILE THE ENGINE WAS RUNNING. THE CONTACT RECEIVED A RECALL NOTICE FOR THE FUEL TANK ROLLOVER VALVE. THE CONTACT TOOK THE VEHICLE TO THE DEALER WHO STATED THAT THE VEHICLE ALREADY RECEIVED THE RECALL REPAIR; HOWEVER, THE FAILURE RECURRED. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT REPAIRED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOT MADE AWARE OF THE FAILURE. THE FAILURE MILEAGE AND NHTSA CAMPAIGN NUMBER WERE UNKNOWN.
NHTSA ODI #10821206
Mileage unknown · Aug 4, 2015
Electrical System
I RECEIVED NOTIFICATION FROM NHTSA OF A RECALL FOR MY DODGE RAM TRUCK. I HAVE TRIED SINCE JUNE 11, 2015 TO MAKE AN APPOINTMENT WITH CROWNE DODGE OF VENTURA, CALIFORNIA AND HAVE RECEIVED NO RESPONSE. I SPENT 30 MINUTES STANDING IN LINE AT THE DEALERSHIP SERVICES ENTRANCE AND NO LIVE PERSON CAME TO INQUIRE ABOUT MY VISIT. I MAD…
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I RECEIVED NOTIFICATION FROM NHTSA OF A RECALL FOR MY DODGE RAM TRUCK. I HAVE TRIED SINCE JUNE 11, 2015 TO MAKE AN APPOINTMENT WITH CROWNE DODGE OF VENTURA, CALIFORNIA AND HAVE RECEIVED NO RESPONSE. I SPENT 30 MINUTES STANDING IN LINE AT THE DEALERSHIP SERVICES ENTRANCE AND NO LIVE PERSON CAME TO INQUIRE ABOUT MY VISIT. I MADE AN ONLINE APPOINTMENT WITH CROWNE DODGE AND RECEIVED AN E-MAIL RESPONSE THEY HAD RECEIVED MY APPOINTMENT REQUEST. I FEEL THIS IS JUST ANOTHER ATTEMPT TO ?DODGE? THE RESPONSIBILITY OF A SAFETY RECALL. 1996 DODGE RAM 1500 2WD SLT [XXX] IGNITION SWITCH AND ELECTRICAL WIRING. RECALL INFORMATION REDACTED PURSUANT TO THE FREEDOM OF INFORMATION ACT (FOIA), 5 U.S.C. 552(B)(6). *TR UPDATE 9/15/15*CW
NHTSA ODI #10746117
107,300 miles · Jul 23, 2015
Electrical SystemSteeringUnknown Or Other
WHEN APPLYING THE TURN SIGNAL, THE SIGNAL DOES NOT ILLUMINATE OR IS ERRATIC OR DOES ALTERNATE OF WHAT IS CHOSEN.
NHTSA ODI #10735926
140,000 miles · May 6, 2015
Structure
DASHBOARD STARTED CRACKING IN 2010 AND BROKE OFF INTO SHARP PIECES. I HAVE ABOUT 25% OF MY DASHBOARD LEFT. THIS WAS NOT CAUSED BY ANYTHING I DID. I KEPT A SUN REFLECTOR IN THE WINDSHIELD AND HAVE NEVER BEEN IN AN ACCIDENT. *TR
NHTSA ODI #10715053
Mileage unknown · Mar 12, 2015
Air BagsCrash
WAS DRIVING IN WHITE OUT CONDITIONS ON FEB 14, 2015 AND HAD A ACCIDENT WITH ANOTHER VEHICLE THAT TOTALED MY TRUCK AND MY AIR BAG NEVER WENT OFF. *TR
NHTSA ODI #10693990
180,000 miles · Feb 7, 2015
Electrical SystemFire
I WENT OUT ON FRIDAY THE 6TH OF FEB.2015. I GOT A COFFEE AT WAWA EVERYTHING WAS FINE I LEFT TO GO TO MY BUDDY'S HOUSE TO HANGOUT AND I STARTED DRIVING DOWN THE ROAD N I NOTICED SMOKE COMING OUT THE VENTS WHEN I WAS DRIVING SO I PULLED OVER CUZ I THOUGHT IT WAS THE HEATER CORE CUZ WHEN THEY GO BAD SMOKE COMES OUT OF THEM SO I'M L…
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I WENT OUT ON FRIDAY THE 6TH OF FEB.2015. I GOT A COFFEE AT WAWA EVERYTHING WAS FINE I LEFT TO GO TO MY BUDDY'S HOUSE TO HANGOUT AND I STARTED DRIVING DOWN THE ROAD N I NOTICED SMOKE COMING OUT THE VENTS WHEN I WAS DRIVING SO I PULLED OVER CUZ I THOUGHT IT WAS THE HEATER CORE CUZ WHEN THEY GO BAD SMOKE COMES OUT OF THEM SO I'M LOOKING N LOOKING N ALL OF A SUDDEN THE SMOKE IS GETTING HEAVIER AND DARKER WITHIN 20-25 MINS AFTER CALLING 911 THERE IT HAPPENED MY TRUCK WENT UP IN FLAMES N A TOTAL LOSS. THEN THAT DAY AFTER I GOT HOME N CALMED DOWN I LOOKED IT UP N THE FIRST THING THAT POPPED UP RECALL FOR WIRING HARNESS IN DASHBOARD SHORTS OUT N CAUSES FIRES... I'M LIKE REALLY....*JS
NHTSA ODI #10681964
83,458 miles · Jul 15, 2014
Structure
TL-CONTACT OWNS A 1996 DODGE RAM 1500. CONTACT STATED THAT WHILE DRIVING APPROXIMATELY 40, VEHICLE HOOD INDEPENDENTLY. THIS CAUSED THE WINDSHIELD TO CRACK AND THERE WAS DAMAGE TO THE HOOD. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO A DEALER WHO REPAIRED THE LATCH ON THE HOOD UNDER THEIR INDEPENDENT RECALL. THE DAMAGE TO TO THE HOOD AND REPLAC…
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TL-CONTACT OWNS A 1996 DODGE RAM 1500. CONTACT STATED THAT WHILE DRIVING APPROXIMATELY 40, VEHICLE HOOD INDEPENDENTLY. THIS CAUSED THE WINDSHIELD TO CRACK AND THERE WAS DAMAGE TO THE HOOD. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO A DEALER WHO REPAIRED THE LATCH ON THE HOOD UNDER THEIR INDEPENDENT RECALL. THE DAMAGE TO TO THE HOOD AND REPLACEMENT OF WINDSHIELD WAS NOT DONE BY DEALER. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOTIFIED OF THE DEFECT. THE APPROXIMATE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 83,458. RG.
NHTSA ODI #10610599
150,000 miles · Dec 31, 2013
Steering
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 1996 DODGE RAM 1500. THE CONTACT STATED THAT WHILE TRAVELING APPROXIMATELY 55 MPH, THE STEERING WHEEL SEIZED AND THE FRONT WHEEL BECAME UNRESPONSIVE. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT DIAGNOSED OR REPAIRED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOT NOTIFIED. THE VIN WAS NOT AVAILABLE. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 150,000.
NHTSA ODI #10557992
123,000 miles · Oct 8, 2013
EngineFire
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 1996 DODGE RAM 1500. THE CONTACT WAS DRIVING 65 MPH AND NOTICED A LOSS OF POWER IN THE VEHICLE. THE CONTACT THEN NOTICED SMOKE AND FLAMES SHOOTING FROM UNDER THE HOOD. THE CONTACT SAFELY MERGED OFF THE ROADWAY AND EXITED THE BURNING VEHICLE. THE VEHICLE WAS DESTROYED AND TOWED TO AN IMPOUND LOT. THE VEHICL…
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TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 1996 DODGE RAM 1500. THE CONTACT WAS DRIVING 65 MPH AND NOTICED A LOSS OF POWER IN THE VEHICLE. THE CONTACT THEN NOTICED SMOKE AND FLAMES SHOOTING FROM UNDER THE HOOD. THE CONTACT SAFELY MERGED OFF THE ROADWAY AND EXITED THE BURNING VEHICLE. THE VEHICLE WAS DESTROYED AND TOWED TO AN IMPOUND LOT. THE VEHICLE REMAINS WERE NOT INSPECTED TO DETERMINE THE CAUSE OF THE FIRE. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOT NOTIFIED OF THE INCIDENT. THE VIN WAS UNAVAILABLE. THE APPROXIMATE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 123,000.
NHTSA ODI #10547274
220,000 miles · Sep 3, 2013
Steering
WHEN I DRIVE MY 96 DODGE RAM 1500 4X4 PICKUP ON HIGHWAY AT MILES BETWEEN 60 AND 70 IT STARTS SHAKING AND I AM NOT ABLE TO CONTROL THE STEERING WHEEL, I SOMETIMES HAVE TO STOP OR SPEED UP TO OVER 75 MILES FOR IT TO DECREASE AS I AM AFRAID THIS WILL CAUSE AN ACCIDENT. ALSO WHEN I CROSS A SMALL BUMP IN THE ROAD IT DOES THE SAME THI…
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WHEN I DRIVE MY 96 DODGE RAM 1500 4X4 PICKUP ON HIGHWAY AT MILES BETWEEN 60 AND 70 IT STARTS SHAKING AND I AM NOT ABLE TO CONTROL THE STEERING WHEEL, I SOMETIMES HAVE TO STOP OR SPEED UP TO OVER 75 MILES FOR IT TO DECREASE AS I AM AFRAID THIS WILL CAUSE AN ACCIDENT. ALSO WHEN I CROSS A SMALL BUMP IN THE ROAD IT DOES THE SAME THING BUT THIS HAPPENS AT ANY SPEED. ONE MECHANIC TOLD ME THE STABILIZER BAR NEEDED TO BE REPLACED $400.00 DID NOT FIX THE PROBLEM. I HAVE TAKEN TO THREE DIFFERENT MECHANICS AND THEY ARE NOT ABLE TO FIND THE EXACT PROBLEM. *JB
NHTSA ODI #10538661
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.
1996 Dodge RAM 1500 Problems, Complaints & Recalls | Skip That Year
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