IllustrationVEHICLE WAS SUPPOSED TO BE A THREE QUATER TONE VEHICLE, BUT AFTER FURTHER REVIEW CONSUMER FOUND OUT THAT VEHICLE WAS HALF TONE. WHEN CONTACTING DEALER, DEALER NOTED THAT THEY KNEW ABOUT IT. IT WAS MANUFACTURED THAT WAY BECAUSE OF BETTER HANDLING.*AK
1996 Dodge RAM Van
Owner reports · Recalls · Investigations
Limited comparison data
There is not enough comparable history to draw a useful model-year comparison.
About this comparison →How this year compares
Owner complaints by model year
Compare all RAM Van 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
Limited mileage data: 1 of 18 reports include usable mileage. There isn’t enough coverage to show a useful chart.
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 6 owner reports in this category and discuss these concerns during a pre-purchase inspection. Read reports →
- Engine And Engine Cooling. Review the 3 owner reports in this category and discuss these concerns during a pre-purchase inspection. Read reports →
- Visibility. Review the 3 owner reports in this category and discuss these concerns during a pre-purchase inspection. Read reports →
NHTSA owner reports · September 18, 2026 snapshot.
0 crash reports0 fire reports0 injury reports
Structure complaints
2 reportsWHILE DRIVING, COULD HEAR WIND NOISE COMING THROUGH THE DOOR ON DRIVER'S SIDE, CONTINUED DRIVING, LATER, CHECKED DOOR, DOOR LOCK POST WHERE NORMALLY WELDED TO FRAME/COVERED WITH SHEET METAL, CAME OFF. DEALER REWELDED DOOR POST BACK TO FRAME. *AK HAD TO BE REDONE AGAIN 6 MONTHS LATER. WATER LEAK AT REAR SEAM. WHILE CRUISE CO…
Read full complaint
WHILE DRIVING, COULD HEAR WIND NOISE COMING THROUGH THE DOOR ON DRIVER'S SIDE, CONTINUED DRIVING, LATER, CHECKED DOOR, DOOR LOCK POST WHERE NORMALLY WELDED TO FRAME/COVERED WITH SHEET METAL, CAME OFF. DEALER REWELDED DOOR POST BACK TO FRAME. *AK HAD TO BE REDONE AGAIN 6 MONTHS LATER. WATER LEAK AT REAR SEAM. WHILE CRUISE CONTROL WAS ACTIVATED AT 68 MPH, VEHICLE ACCELERATED TO 78 MPH AND WAS CLIMBING. WHILE DRIVING IN EXTREME HEAT, THE CLUTCH FAN ENGAGES, THERE IS A LOSS OF POWER, AND THERE IS VERY LOW FUEL ECONOMY. *SLC
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
1PE02082 · Safety Belt Cinching Latch Plate
Opened Nov 6, 2002 · Closed Apr 23, 2003
Status: closed (inferred from source dates) · Seat Belts
THERE ARE NO INJURIES OR FATALITIES ASSOCIATED WITH THIS ALLEGED DEFECT.WHILE CONDUCTING THIS INVESTIGATION, ODI FOUND THAT THE SUBJECT CINCHES MEET THE LOAD BEARING REQUIREMENTS OF FEDERAL MOTOR VEHICLE SAFETY STANDARD 208, AND THAT MANY OF THE REPORTED FAILURES WERE DUE TO INCORRECT CHILD SAFETY SEAT INSTALLATIONS. ADDITIONALLY, THE REPORT RATE IS LOW (1.60/100K).THE INFORMATION AVAILABLE FAILS TO ESTABLISH THE EXISTENCE OF A DEFECT TREND AT THIS TIME.FURTHER ALLOCATION OF AGENCY RESOURCES TO THIS ISSUE IS UNWARRANTED AND THE PRELIMINARY EVALUATION IS BEING CLOSED.