IllustrationWHILE TURNING RIGHT OR LEFT CONSUMER HEARD A LOUD KNOCKING NOISE COMING FROM THE FRONT. CONSUMER NOTICED THAT THE FRONT TIRES WERE RUBBING AGAINST THE BRAKE LINES. THIS CAUSED THE BRAKE LINES TO WEAR OUT PREMATURELY. VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO THE DEALER FOR INSPECTION. *AK
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
What owners actually said
291 reportsVEHICLE WAS EXPERIENCING A PROBLEM WITH THE DOOR LATCH ON THE PASSENGER'S SIDE. WHILE BACKING OUT OF THE DRIVEWAY DRIVER'S SIDE DOOR FLEW OPEN INADVERTANTLY ALTHOUGH THE DOORS WERE LOCKED. *AK
RECALL 97V084000 CONCERNING TRANSMISSION COOLING LINE. WHILE PULLING A 5TH WHEEL TRAILER UP A INCLINE AT 30 MPH VEHICLE STOPPED WHILE IN MOTION, AND WHITE SMOKE CAME FROM UNDER THE HOOD. VEHICLE WAS TOWED TO A REPAIR SHOP. DEALER WAS NOTIFIED. DEALER INFORMED CONSUMER THAT THIS VEHICLE WAS NOT COVERED UNDER THAT RECALL.*AK
HEADLIGHT SWITCH REPLACED (3) THREE TIMES. THE LAST TIME HAD TO REPLACE THE CANNON PLUG ALSO DUE TO IT BURNING WIRES ALONG WITH HEADLIGHT SWITCH TERMINALS BURNED. TALKED WITH OTHER 1994 THROUGH 1997 DODGE RAM 2500 OWNERS AND TURNS OUT THAT THIS PROBLEM OCCURS FREQUENTLY. IS THERE ANYWAY SOMETHING CAN BE DONE, THIS COULD POSSIBLY…
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HEADLIGHT SWITCH REPLACED (3) THREE TIMES. THE LAST TIME HAD TO REPLACE THE CANNON PLUG ALSO DUE TO IT BURNING WIRES ALONG WITH HEADLIGHT SWITCH TERMINALS BURNED. TALKED WITH OTHER 1994 THROUGH 1997 DODGE RAM 2500 OWNERS AND TURNS OUT THAT THIS PROBLEM OCCURS FREQUENTLY. IS THERE ANYWAY SOMETHING CAN BE DONE, THIS COULD POSSIBLY CAUSE A FIRE AN PEOPLE INJURED OR KILLED! REFERENCE: 854783. *AK
WHILE DRIVING 25 MPH THE HOOD FLEW UP WITHOUT WARNING. AS A RESULT THE WINDSHIELD WAS SHATTERED. NO IMPACT REPORTED. THE DEALER STATED THE SECONDARY HOOD LATCH HAD FAILED. *JB *NM
WHILE OPERATING MY 1996 DODGE RAM 2500 EXT CAB 4X4 DIESEL, I SUDDENLY LOST THE NORMAL BRAKING, ON THE VEHICLE I SWERVED TO THE RIGHT TO AVOID HITTING ANOTHER VEHICLE, JUST BARELY MISSING ANOTHER IN SLOWING/STOPPING(ONLY HAD FRONT BRAKES). THE REAR STEEL BRAKE LINE HAD RUSTED THROUGH, LOCATED INSIDE REAR FRAME RAIL DRIVERS SIDE,…
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WHILE OPERATING MY 1996 DODGE RAM 2500 EXT CAB 4X4 DIESEL, I SUDDENLY LOST THE NORMAL BRAKING, ON THE VEHICLE I SWERVED TO THE RIGHT TO AVOID HITTING ANOTHER VEHICLE, JUST BARELY MISSING ANOTHER IN SLOWING/STOPPING(ONLY HAD FRONT BRAKES). THE REAR STEEL BRAKE LINE HAD RUSTED THROUGH, LOCATED INSIDE REAR FRAME RAIL DRIVERS SIDE, NEXT TO FUEL TANK,WHERE THE BRACKET HOLDS THE LINE NEXT TO THE FRAME. THIS VEHICLE IS ONLY 8 YEARS OLD, AND EXTREMELY WELL MAINTAINED(MAINTENANCE RECORDS AVAILABLE) I ALSO NOTICED THAT THE OTHER COATED (ZINK) LINES ARE ALSO RUSTING. THE LINE WAS REPLACED. SHOULD THIS BE HAPPENING????????? SYSTEM HAS SILICONE BRAKE FLUID.*** I HAVE THE RUSTED BRAKE LINE IF SOMEONE NEEDS TO INSPECT IT.*** IF SOMEONE NEEDS TO SEE IT. *JB
THE ENGINE RACED AT A HIGH RPM WHEN IT SHOULD HAVE BEEN IDLING AS IT SLOWED DOWN. WHEN THIS OCCURRED, THE CONSUMER PUT THE VEHICLE INTO NEUTRAL WHICH SLOWED THE ENGINE. THE DEALERSHIP PERFORMED A DIAGNOSTIC TEST IN WHICH NO FAILURE CODE WAS FOUND. THE CAUSE OF THE PROBLEM WAS UNDETERMINED. THE DEALERSHIP TOOK AN EDUCATED GUES…
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THE ENGINE RACED AT A HIGH RPM WHEN IT SHOULD HAVE BEEN IDLING AS IT SLOWED DOWN. WHEN THIS OCCURRED, THE CONSUMER PUT THE VEHICLE INTO NEUTRAL WHICH SLOWED THE ENGINE. THE DEALERSHIP PERFORMED A DIAGNOSTIC TEST IN WHICH NO FAILURE CODE WAS FOUND. THE CAUSE OF THE PROBLEM WAS UNDETERMINED. THE DEALERSHIP TOOK AN EDUCATED GUESS AND REPLACED THE AIS MOTOR AND TPS SENSOR AND DID SOME GENERAL CLEANING. THUS FAR THE PROBLEM HASN'T RECURRED. *LA *NM
THIRD ENGINE COMPARTMENT FIRE ON 1996 DODGE P/U W/ DEISEL ENGINE. I REPORTED TO DOT ON 11-JUL-2000 AFTER THE SECOND FIRE. SEE YOUR REFERENCE NO 865223. THIS MAKES THREE TIMES THE DRIVER COULD NOT TURN ENGINE OFF, WIRING HARNESSES OVERHEATED CAUSING ENGINE COMPARTMENT FIRE. *AK
WHILE DRIVING AT 65 MPH AND WITH THE AIR CONDITIONER RUNNING SMOKE DRIFTED OUT OF THE VENTS. CONSUMER TOOK THE VEHICLE TO A MECHANIC, WHO DETERMINED THAT WIRES WERE BURNT IN THE STEERING COLUMN. *AK
BRAKES FAILED. THE VACUMM CHECK VALUE INSTALLED BY DODGE TO FIX THE PROBLEM ON A 1996 DODGE RAM DIESEL FAILED AND ALLOWED NO VACUUM.
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.