IllustrationTRANSMISSION NOT SHIFTING PROPERLY.
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 reportsNO SUMMARY PROVIDED BY CONSUMER
I WAS TRAVELING IN CANADA TOWING MY FIFTH WHEEL WIN THE TRANSMISSION FAILED. WE GLIDED TO THE SIDE OF THE ROAD BARELY OUT OF DANGER. THE TRUCK WAS TOWED TO AUTHORIZE CHRYSLER DEALER IN ST. JOHNS CANADA. THE MECHANIC INDICATED THE ENGINE PRODUCERS TO MUCH TORQUE FOR THE TRANSMISSION TO HANDLE. I HAD THE TRAILER WEIGHED AND IT…
Read full complaint
I WAS TRAVELING IN CANADA TOWING MY FIFTH WHEEL WIN THE TRANSMISSION FAILED. WE GLIDED TO THE SIDE OF THE ROAD BARELY OUT OF DANGER. THE TRUCK WAS TOWED TO AUTHORIZE CHRYSLER DEALER IN ST. JOHNS CANADA. THE MECHANIC INDICATED THE ENGINE PRODUCERS TO MUCH TORQUE FOR THE TRANSMISSION TO HANDLE. I HAD THE TRAILER WEIGHED AND IT WAS 67 HUNDRED POUNDS WELL WITHIN THE RANGE OF THE TRUCK AND TRANSMISSION. MY MAIN CONCERN NOW IS FEAR THIS WILL OCCUR AGAIN EVEN THOUGH CHRYSLER PAYED THE BILL I NOW AN APPREHENSIVE ABOUT TOWING! HOPE YOU CAN PROVIDE SOME MORE INFORMATION AS I HAVE BEEN TOLD HIS IS A COMMON PROBLEM WITH CHRYSLER TRANSMISSION. REALLY LOOKING FOR ASSISTANCE TO PREVENT RECURRENCE. LOVE THE TRUCK! BUT IT'S LIKE A GOOD FRIEND WHO YOU HOPE WILL NEVER LEAVE YOU IN A LURCH. THE OTHER PROBLEM AS I SAW ON YOUR INFORMATION SHEET WAS TIRES MINE ALSO EXPIRED IN LESS THAN 25000 MILES. THE OTHER PROBLEM IS FRONT BRAKE MAKES PADS THEY SEEN TO HAVE A LIMITED LIFE ABOUT 20000 MILES, ANY HELP OR SUGGESTION HERE?
AROUND THE FIRST OF LAST MONTH (OCT)98 I NOTICED MY AUTO TRANNY WAS ACTING FUNNY WHEN SHIFTING FROM 2ND TO 3RD. IT SHIFTS VERY LATE. SOMETIMES IT WILL NOT SHIFT INTO 3RD GEAR WITHOUT SLOWING DOWN TO MAKE IT SHIFT. IN TRAFIC THIS REALLY IS A PROBLEM. PEOPLE WONDER WHY I SLOW DOWN AND I'M AFRAID I WILL GET HIT FROM THE REAR. …
Read full complaint
AROUND THE FIRST OF LAST MONTH (OCT)98 I NOTICED MY AUTO TRANNY WAS ACTING FUNNY WHEN SHIFTING FROM 2ND TO 3RD. IT SHIFTS VERY LATE. SOMETIMES IT WILL NOT SHIFT INTO 3RD GEAR WITHOUT SLOWING DOWN TO MAKE IT SHIFT. IN TRAFIC THIS REALLY IS A PROBLEM. PEOPLE WONDER WHY I SLOW DOWN AND I'M AFRAID I WILL GET HIT FROM THE REAR. I TALKED TO DODGE ABOUT THIS AND THEY ARE TALKING ABOUT REPLACING MY TRANSMISSION. IF THEY DON'T THIS IS REALLY GOING TO UPSET ME. A 30,000 DOLLAR TRUCK AND ONLY TWO YEARS OLD. THIS SHOULD NOT HAPPEN. I FEEL STRONGLY THIS IS A SAFETY ISSUE THAT DODGE SHOULD TAKE CARE OF. PLEASE GIVE ME SOME ADVICE IF DODGE DOES NOT FIX THIS PROBLEM. THANKS
DRIVE SHAFT/CRUISE CONTROL, AND BATTERY MALFUNCTIONED. THE ORIGINAL TIRES ON THE VEHICLE WORE OUT WITHIN 20 MONTHS AFTER IT WAS PURCHASED. THE KEYLESS ENTRY SYSTEM DOES NOT ALWAYS OPERATE PROPERLY. OWNER INDICATED A "2-POINT BELT"RESTRAINT SYSTEM.HOWEVER, THE EQUIPMENT LISTING A UNIBELT RESTRAINT SYSTEM.
TRANSFER CASE HAS BEEN REBUILT TWO TIMES AND OWNER HAS NOT USED 4-WHEEL SINCE PURCHASING THE VEHICLE.
WHEN DRIVING 50 MPH CONSTANTLY, THE TRUCK LOCKS UP AND YOU HAVE NO FORWARD MOTION, THE ENGINE IS STILL RUNNING, BUT HAS NO POWER. THE TRUCK HAS TO DRIFT TO THE SIDE OF THE ROAD. THE TRUCK HAS BEEN TAKEN TO THE DEALER 6 TIMES. TWICE THEY PUT IN BRAND NEW TRANSMISSION, 4 TIMES THEY'VE DROPPED OUT THE TRANSMISSION AND TOOK IT …
Read full complaint
WHEN DRIVING 50 MPH CONSTANTLY, THE TRUCK LOCKS UP AND YOU HAVE NO FORWARD MOTION, THE ENGINE IS STILL RUNNING, BUT HAS NO POWER. THE TRUCK HAS TO DRIFT TO THE SIDE OF THE ROAD. THE TRUCK HAS BEEN TAKEN TO THE DEALER 6 TIMES. TWICE THEY PUT IN BRAND NEW TRANSMISSION, 4 TIMES THEY'VE DROPPED OUT THE TRANSMISSION AND TOOK IT APART. *AK
WHILE DRIVING THE VEHICLE THE REAR AXLE DISASSEMBLED AND SEPARATED FROM THE TRUCK. DEALER SAYS NO EVIDENCE OF MALFUNCTION. *AK
TRANSMISSION FAILED IN REVERSE.
TRANSMISSION PRESSURE LINE BLEW OFF.
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.