IllustrationTRANSMISSION WILL NOT SHIFT FROM 2ND TO 3RD GEAR MUST LET OFF OF GAS IN ORDER TO SHIFT. GARAGE TOLD ME THAT 3RD GEAR IS GONE AND MUST BE REPLACED. OTHER PEOPLE W/ 96 DODGE RAMS ARE ALSO HAVING THIS PROBLEM
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.
About this comparison →How this year compares
Owner complaints by model year
Compare all RAM 2500 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
00–25K
225–50K
1050–75K
975–100K
17100–150K
35150K+
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
Power Train complaints
44 reportsTRANSMISSION BEGAN SHIFTING AT 50000 MILES, AT 70000 MILES, VEHICLE WOULD NOT GO IN REVERSE AND WOULD NOT SHIFT INTO 3RD GEAR, DEALER REPLACED TRANSMISSION AT 74000 MILES. *SLC
TRANSMISSION WAS DESTROYED DUE TO LOSS OF FLUID. NLM ON ONE OCCASION, WHILE PULLING UTILITY TRAILER, 2 TIRES DELAMINATED. ALL 5 TIRES HAD TO BE REPLACED. ON A SECOND OCCASION, TWO TIRES DELAMINATED ON THE 1996 JACO 28 FOOT 5TH WHEEL TRAILER CAUSING DAMAGE TO THE TRAILER. ALL FIVE TIRES ON THE TRAILER WERE REPLACED. ON A T…
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TRANSMISSION WAS DESTROYED DUE TO LOSS OF FLUID. NLM ON ONE OCCASION, WHILE PULLING UTILITY TRAILER, 2 TIRES DELAMINATED. ALL 5 TIRES HAD TO BE REPLACED. ON A SECOND OCCASION, TWO TIRES DELAMINATED ON THE 1996 JACO 28 FOOT 5TH WHEEL TRAILER CAUSING DAMAGE TO THE TRAILER. ALL FIVE TIRES ON THE TRAILER WERE REPLACED. ON A THIRD OCCASION, RIGHT FRONT TIRE (WRANGLER AT LT245/75R16 M+S DOT MD11 BTOV 197 234R) DELAMINATED ON THE TRUCK. GOODYEAR PAID 50 PERCENT PRORATE OF FOUR TIRES BASED ON TREAD DEPTH. HOWEVER, CONSUMER THOUGHT GOODYEAR WOULD PAY 100 PERCENT OF THE COST ON THE FACTORY DEFECT TIRE AND CONSUMER WOULD PAY FOR REMAINING THREE TIRES. CONSUMER PAID FOR THE FOUR NEW AT/S WRANGLERS. *TT *SLC
AUTOMATIC TRANSMISSION HIGH TEMPERATURE LINE CONNECTOR MELTED, CAUSING VEHICLE TO LOSE ALL TRANSMISSION FLUID. FLUID SPRAYED ON MUFFLER, TRANSMISSION, AND ALL OVER THE GROUND. VEHICLE STALLED IN MIDDLE OF ROAD. MAY NEED A NEW TRANSMISSION. *AK CONSUMER BELIEVE THIS FAILURE IS EXACTLY THE SAME AS RECALL #722 (97V-084). *YH
THE PROBLEM IS THE SAME AS NHTSA CAMPAIGN ID NUMBER: 97V084000. THIS HAS HAPPENED THREE TIMES SINCE THE TRUCK WAS NEW. EACH TIME THERE WAS A LOT OF SMOKE, BUT NO FIRE. TWICE THE TRUCK WAS TOWED TO A DEALER AND ONCE IT STAYED TOGETHER, BUT WAS LEAKING BADLY. CHRYSLER CORP. SAYS THIS TRUCK IS NOT INCLUDED IN THE RECALL AS DOES THE…
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THE PROBLEM IS THE SAME AS NHTSA CAMPAIGN ID NUMBER: 97V084000. THIS HAS HAPPENED THREE TIMES SINCE THE TRUCK WAS NEW. EACH TIME THERE WAS A LOT OF SMOKE, BUT NO FIRE. TWICE THE TRUCK WAS TOWED TO A DEALER AND ONCE IT STAYED TOGETHER, BUT WAS LEAKING BADLY. CHRYSLER CORP. SAYS THIS TRUCK IS NOT INCLUDED IN THE RECALL AS DOES THE DEALER WHERE IT HAS BEEN REPAIRED. TWICE THE TRUCK CAME TO A STOP WHERE THERE WAS NO SHOULDER TO GET OFF THE ROADWAY. ANY INFORMATION I COULD GET WOULD HELP. *AK
FRONT COIL SPRING BROKE, WHICH CAUSED FRONT END TO DROP. THERE IS A RECALL FOR THIS PROBLEM, BUT THIS VEHICLE IS NOT INCLUDED ALTHOUGH IT HAS THE SAME PROBLEM. ALSO, OCCUPANT RECEIVED A RECALL FOR THE WIRING HARNESS WHICH HE NEVER HAD REPAIRED, AND LOST THE RECALL NOTICE. MANUFACTURER STATED THAT THIS VEHICLE WAS NOT INCLU…
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FRONT COIL SPRING BROKE, WHICH CAUSED FRONT END TO DROP. THERE IS A RECALL FOR THIS PROBLEM, BUT THIS VEHICLE IS NOT INCLUDED ALTHOUGH IT HAS THE SAME PROBLEM. ALSO, OCCUPANT RECEIVED A RECALL FOR THE WIRING HARNESS WHICH HE NEVER HAD REPAIRED, AND LOST THE RECALL NOTICE. MANUFACTURER STATED THAT THIS VEHICLE WAS NOT INCLUDED IN WIRING HARNESS RECALL. ALSO, 5TH GEAR QUIT FOR THE SECOND TIME, FIRST TIME COVERED UNDER EXTENDED WARRANTY, THIS TIME OWNER MUST PAY FOR REPAIR. CHRYSLER HAS ISSUED AN UPDATED NUT FOR THIS PROBLEM. *AK *ML
TRANSMISSION SLIPPED AND VEHICLE STALLED ON THE ROAD. YH
I WAS PARKED NEXT TO A CURB IN A LOT AT WORK CARE WAS BEHIND ME. HAD TO GO OVER CURB AT 1-2MPH HEARD BANG TIRE BLEW OUT. DROVE ACROSS STREET, PULLED INTO LOT, GOT OUT, GAS TANK DRAGGING GROUND AND SLOSHED GAS ALL OVER ROAD. DRIVESHAFT HAD BEEN TURNING AGAINST METAL PLATE ON SIDE OF TANK-STRAPS BROKE-HAD NO WARNING OF ANYTHING …
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I WAS PARKED NEXT TO A CURB IN A LOT AT WORK CARE WAS BEHIND ME. HAD TO GO OVER CURB AT 1-2MPH HEARD BANG TIRE BLEW OUT. DROVE ACROSS STREET, PULLED INTO LOT, GOT OUT, GAS TANK DRAGGING GROUND AND SLOSHED GAS ALL OVER ROAD. DRIVESHAFT HAD BEEN TURNING AGAINST METAL PLATE ON SIDE OF TANK-STRAPS BROKE-HAD NO WARNING OF ANYTHING WRONG-HAD TO HAVE TRUCK TOWED-SLOSHED GAS ALL OVER TRAILER-DRIVERS' PARTING WORDS "PRAY FOR ME". I CALLED DODGE TOLD THEM I WASN'T PAYING FOR A SAFETY DEFECT, AND THAT I WASN'T HAPPY. THEY CALLED DEALER DEALER TOOK CARE OF IT NO CHARGE. VERY UPSETTING HAVING GAS TANK FALL OFF OF WHAT IS SUPPOSED TO BE A HEAVY DUTY TRUCK. APPEARS ONLY ONE STRAP HOLDING TANK UP -NO SECONDARY SUPPORTS. ANYBODY ELSE HAVE THIS TYPE OF THING HAPPENED TO THEM? I CAN'T IMAGINE BEING IN A WRECK IF IT IS THAT FRAGILE. *AK
TRANSMISSION FLUID IS LEAKING OUT. *AK
WHILE DRIVING UPHILL THE QUICK CONNECT DISCONNECTED LINE FROM THE TRANSMISSION AND TRANSMISSION MELTED. THE VEHICLE HAD TO BE TOWED TO THE DEALERSHIP. THE COOLER LINE PRESS CONNECT AND 2 QUICK FITTINGS WERE REPLACED AT OWNER'S EXPENSE. *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
2DP03006 · 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.