IllustrationUpper control arm... Rusted through see attached pictures
1996 Dodge RAM Wagon
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 Wagon 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 5 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 3 owner reports in this category and discuss these concerns during a pre-purchase inspection. Read reports →
- Engine And Engine Cooling. Review the 1 owner reports in this category and discuss these concerns during a pre-purchase inspection. Read reports →
- Parking Brake. Review the 1 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
What owners actually said
5 reportsTL*- THE CONTACT'S 1996 DODGE VAN HAD BEEN EXCLUDED FROM THE RECALL INVOLVING A CATALYTIC CONVERTERS USED IN DODGE VAN OF THAT YEAR AND IT FAILED TO PASS SMOG TEST DUE TO THE FAILURE OF THE CATALYTIC CONVERTER. THE DEALER DECLINED TO PERFORM THE RECALL REPAIRS, AND A FOLLOW UP CALL TO THE MANUFACTURER WAS PLACED, AND THEY …
Read full complaint
TL*- THE CONTACT'S 1996 DODGE VAN HAD BEEN EXCLUDED FROM THE RECALL INVOLVING A CATALYTIC CONVERTERS USED IN DODGE VAN OF THAT YEAR AND IT FAILED TO PASS SMOG TEST DUE TO THE FAILURE OF THE CATALYTIC CONVERTER. THE DEALER DECLINED TO PERFORM THE RECALL REPAIRS, AND A FOLLOW UP CALL TO THE MANUFACTURER WAS PLACED, AND THEY WERE ALSO NOT HELPING. THE CONTACT BELIEVED THAT THEY EXCLUDED THE VAN FROM THE RECALL BECAUSE THEY HAD A VERY LIMITED NUMBER OF ELECTRICAL HIGH POWERED VANS. EVEN THOUGH THE PARTS WERE DEFECTIVE DODGE DECLINED TO FIX IT.*AK UPDATED 04/12/07/. *JB
VEHICLES TRANSMISSION COOLER QUICK CONNECT RECALLED, BUT REPAIRS NOT MADE DUE TO DEALER PROBLEM.
BRAKE RELEASE HANDLE FAILED.
FAN CLUTCH FAILED.
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
0No exact-year investigations in this snapshot.