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1996 Dodge RAM 2500

Owner reports · Recalls · Investigations

Similar to other model years

Owner complaints for the 1996 Dodge RAM 2500 do not stand out strongly from the model-year median of 275.

Counts are not adjusted for sales, age, mileage exposure or reporting. A lower count does not establish that a car is problem-free.

About this comparison →
291Owner complaints

Model-year median: 275

0Recall campaigns

View recall details →

2Investigations

View investigation details →

Check a VIN with NHTSA ↗ Model-level counts do not show whether a particular VIN is affected or repaired.

Inspection summary

1996 Dodge RAM 2500

NHTSA snapshot: September 18, 2026. 291 owner complaints · 0 recall campaigns · 2 investigations.

Counts are not failure probabilities and are not adjusted for sales, age, mileage exposure or reporting. One report may name several categories. Comparison method and limitations.

Top reported categories (up to 5)

  • Service Brakes, Hydraulic: 74 reports
  • Power Train: 44 reports
  • Electrical System: 26 reports
  • Tires: 24 reports
  • Suspension: 23 reports

Full reported-category list and vehicle report

Recall links

    No recall campaigns in this snapshot.

    Check a VIN with NHTSA. Model-level history does not establish whether a particular VIN is affected or repaired.

    Print the top reported categories, recall links, snapshot date and comparison limits.

    How this year compares

    Owner complaints by model year

    Other model years Selected year
    39
    1993    168
    1994    267
    1995    291
    1996    213
    1997    225
    1998    313
    1999
    Compare all RAM 2500 years →

    Counts vary with age, sales, mileage exposure and reporting. They are not failure rates.

    What owners reported most

    Service Brakes, Hydraulic
    74    Power Train
    44    Electrical System
    26    Tires
    24    Suspension
    23
    All reported categories
    Steering
    20    Exterior Lighting
    16    Fuel System, Gasoline
    16    Vehicle Speed Control
    16    Engine And Engine Cooling
    14    Structure
    13    Air Bags
    11    Equipment
    8    Visibility
    5    Trailer Hitches
    4    Fuel System, Diesel
    3    Fuel System, Other
    3    Parking Brake
    3    Seats
    3    Unknown Or Other
    3    Wheels
    3    Latches/locks/linkages
    2    Seat Belts
    2    Service Brakes, Air
    2    Fuel/propulsion System
    1    Service Brakes
    1

    Tap a category to read its complaints. One report may name several components.

    When problems were reported

    Mileage at the reported incident

    73 reports with mileage · 218 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.

    • Service Brakes, Hydraulic. Review the 74 owner reports in this category and discuss these concerns during a pre-purchase inspection. Read reports →
    • Power Train. Review the 44 owner reports in this category and discuss these concerns during a pre-purchase inspection. Read reports →
    • Electrical System. Review the 26 owner reports in this category and discuss these concerns during a pre-purchase inspection. Read reports →

    NHTSA owner reports · September 18, 2026 snapshot.

    15 crash reports15 fire reports8 injury reports

    Equipment complaints

    8 reports
    Clear category filter
    50,000 miles · Jan 12, 2010
    EquipmentStructure

    DODGE RAM 2500 PICK UP TRUCK: DASHBOARD HAS BEEN SLOWLY DISINTEGRATING TO THE POINT WHERE CERTAINLY ELEMENTS ARE HOLDING ONLY BY ONE SCREW ' AIR-CONDITION VENTS ARE FALLING OUT. TOP OF DASHBOARD IS 50% GONE, BROKEN IN TO SMALL PIECES AND EXPOSING ELECTRICAL WIRES TO THE HARSH SUNLIGHT. SOME CONTROLS SUCH AS DRIVER SEAT ELECTRICA…

    Read full complaint

    DODGE RAM 2500 PICK UP TRUCK: DASHBOARD HAS BEEN SLOWLY DISINTEGRATING TO THE POINT WHERE CERTAINLY ELEMENTS ARE HOLDING ONLY BY ONE SCREW ' AIR-CONDITION VENTS ARE FALLING OUT. TOP OF DASHBOARD IS 50% GONE, BROKEN IN TO SMALL PIECES AND EXPOSING ELECTRICAL WIRES TO THE HARSH SUNLIGHT. SOME CONTROLS SUCH AS DRIVER SEAT ELECTRICAL WINDOW IS NO LONGER OPENING, RPM METER IS ONLY WORKING INTERMITTENTLY. THE UNDERSIDE, EXPOSING ALL WIRES AND CONTROLS IS MISSING COVER (DISINTEGRATED). DODGE IS NO LONGER SELLING THE DASHBOARD REPLACEMENT ' WOULD BE WILLING TO PURCHASE AT ALMOST ANY PRICE. THE RIST CARKS SHOWEDUP ABOUT 3 YEARS AGO - SO FAR THERE HAS NOT BEEN AN INCIDENT, BUT I AM AFRAID,ONE DAY THE ENTIRE DASHBOARD WILL FALL DOWN, WHILE DRIVING - WHICH WILL BE VERY SERIOUS. *TR

    NHTSA ODI #10299079

    135,000 miles · Feb 9, 2004
    EquipmentParking Brake

    BRAKES FAILED. THE VACUMM CHECK VALUE INSTALLED BY DODGE TO FIX THE PROBLEM ON A 1996 DODGE RAM DIESEL FAILED AND ALLOWED NO VACUUM.

    NHTSA ODI #10056850

    Mileage unknown · Aug 20, 2003
    EquipmentSteering

    THE STEERING PITMAN WORN OUT AT 74,103 MILES. THE PART WAS FULLY FILLED WITH GEASE. THE SYMPTOMS WERE VEHICLE STEERING WAS WONDERING (L)& (R) BY ITS SELF. THIS COMPONENT SHOULD LAST AT LEASE 200,000 MILES IF PROPERTY MAINTAINED WITH GEASE. THE MANUFACTURER IS TRW PART #MA-12-1 EY3 . DODGE 981/2 YR. MODEL #25000 24V DIESEL …

    Read full complaint

    THE STEERING PITMAN WORN OUT AT 74,103 MILES. THE PART WAS FULLY FILLED WITH GEASE. THE SYMPTOMS WERE VEHICLE STEERING WAS WONDERING (L)& (R) BY ITS SELF. THIS COMPONENT SHOULD LAST AT LEASE 200,000 MILES IF PROPERTY MAINTAINED WITH GEASE. THE MANUFACTURER IS TRW PART #MA-12-1 EY3 . DODGE 981/2 YR. MODEL #25000 24V DIESEL L-6 DIESEL ENGINE CUMMINS VIN#[XXX] VEHICLE MILEAGE IS (74,103). THE PART REPLACEMENT COST IS $60.00. INSTALLED BY OWNER. THE PART IS AVAILABLE FOR INSPECTION.*AK INFORMATION REDACTED PURSUANT TO THE FREEDOM OF INFORMATION ACT (FOIA), 5 U.S.C. 552(B)(6). *TR

    NHTSA ODI #10033184

    Mileage unknown · Oct 30, 2002
    Equipment

    CONSUMER STATES THAT WHILE DRIVING AND WITHOUT WARNING THE SPARE TIRE FELL FROM UNDER THE VEHICLE. DEALER NOTIFIED TS

    NHTSA ODI #8021928

    Mileage unknown · Aug 10, 2000
    Equipment

    HAD TO REPLACE THE WHOLE AIR CONDITIONING SYSTEM BY AN INDEPENDENT MECHANIC THAT ONLY WANTED THE TRUCK FOR HALF AS MUCH TIME AND MONEY. THE EVAPORATOR COIL UNDER THE DASH FAILED AND THE EVAPORATOR DRIER ALSO FAILED( IT RUSTED OUT). I HAVE TALKED TO OTHER TRUCK OWNERS WITH SIMILAR PROBLEMS AND I DID CALL CHRYSLER AND THEY NEVE…

    Read full complaint

    HAD TO REPLACE THE WHOLE AIR CONDITIONING SYSTEM BY AN INDEPENDENT MECHANIC THAT ONLY WANTED THE TRUCK FOR HALF AS MUCH TIME AND MONEY. THE EVAPORATOR COIL UNDER THE DASH FAILED AND THE EVAPORATOR DRIER ALSO FAILED( IT RUSTED OUT). I HAVE TALKED TO OTHER TRUCK OWNERS WITH SIMILAR PROBLEMS AND I DID CALL CHRYSLER AND THEY NEVER HEARD OF THE PROBLEM, KINDA MAKES ME WONDER WHATS GOING ON. ADMITTEDLY THE TRUCK IS OFF WARRANTY, BUT I'VE NEVER HAD AN AIR CONDITIONING SYSTEM THAT EVER NEEDED ANY ATTENTION AND ONE IS 12 YEARS OLD. ANY HELP WITH THIS SITUATION WOULD BE GREATLY APPRECIATED. *AK

    NHTSA ODI #727472

    Mileage unknown · Jun 25, 2000
    Equipment

    NO SUMMARY LISTED FOR ABOVE VEHICLE. *AK

    NHTSA ODI #724521

    Mileage unknown · Sep 30, 1999
    Equipment

    THE REAR BLOWER MOTOR THAT CONTROLS THE AIR CONDITIONER BURNED OUT, CAUSING THE INSIDE OF THE VAN TO BECOME FILLED WITH SMOKE, THE MOTOR MELTED THE HOUSING COVER OF THE MOTOR. DEALER HAS BEEN CONTACTED. *AK

    NHTSA ODI #849390

    Mileage unknown · Oct 15, 1998
    EquipmentService Brakes, Hydraulic

    BRAKE DRUMS OUT OF ROUND CAUSING VIBRATION AND INTERMITTENT FAILURE ALMOST RESULTING IN ONE ACCIDENT.

    NHTSA ODI #542035

    Recall campaigns

    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 ↗

    Defect investigations

    2

    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.

    PE00048 · Loss Of Throttle Control

    Opened Dec 11, 2000 · Closed Mar 7, 2001

    Status: closed (inferred from source dates) · Vehicle Speed Control:linkages

    ALLEGED THAT THE THROTTLE CABLE CAN FRAY OR SEVER DURING NORMAL USE RESULTING IN THE THROTTLE NOT RETURNING TO IDLE OR AN INABILITY TO ACCELERATE.

    An investigation is not a finding of a defect, and closure does not prove a vehicle is problem-free.