1996 Dodge RAM problems and owner complaints
Explore the records behind recurring owner reports.
Key facts
306 owner complaints analyzed
10 distinct recall campaigns
81,500 mi median reported failure mileage
Scope: 1996 model year. Data snapshot: . 18 complaints include usable failure mileage.
Most common problems
Power Train:Automatic Transmission is the most frequently named component, appearing in 36 of 306 complaints (11.8%). A complaint can name multiple components.
| Topic | Matching reports | Share of complaints |
|---|---|---|
| Braking behavior | 60 | 19.6% |
| Transmission and shifting | 39 | 12.7% |
| Steering behavior | 18 | 5.9% |
| Electrical and battery issues | 11 | 3.6% |
| Engine operation | 9 | 2.9% |
| Fuel system concerns | 9 | 2.9% |
Topic matches use published keyword rules. They describe mentions, including negations or comparisons, and do not confirm a diagnosis. Read the matching rules.
Component breakdown
Number of unique complaints naming each component. Top eight shown.
| Category | Count |
|---|---|
| Power Train:Automatic Transmission | 36 |
| Service Brakes, Hydraulic:Antilock/Traction Control/Electronic Limited Slip | 36 |
| Vehicle Speed Control | 15 |
| Electrical System:Ignition:Switch | 14 |
| Air Bags:Frontal | 13 |
| Latches/Locks/Linkages:Hood:Latch | 12 |
| Tires:Tread/Belt | 12 |
| Service Brakes, Hydraulic:Foundation Components | 10 |
Power Train:Automatic Transmission: 36; Service Brakes, Hydraulic:Antilock/Traction Control/Electronic Limited Slip: 36; Vehicle Speed Control: 15; Electrical System:Ignition:Switch: 14; Air Bags:Frontal: 13; Latches/Locks/Linkages:Hood:Latch: 12; Tires:Tread/Belt: 12; Service Brakes, Hydraulic:Foundation Components: 10
Reported problems by failure mileage
Complaint counts in mileage bands. These are not failure rates per vehicle or mile.
| Category | Count |
|---|---|
| Under 25,000 | 2 |
| 25,000 to 49,999 | 1 |
| 50,000 to 74,999 | 3 |
| 75,000 to 99,999 | 6 |
| 100,000 to 149,999 | 5 |
| 150,000 and above | 1 |
Under 25,000: 2; 25,000 to 49,999: 1; 50,000 to 74,999: 3; 75,000 to 99,999: 6; 100,000 to 149,999: 5; 150,000 and above: 1
75,000 to 99,999 miles has the most reports with usable mileage (6). 288 complaints have missing, zero or invalid mileage.
Complaints over time
Year the complaint was filed, not the vehicle model year or incident year. The snapshot year is partial.
| Category | Count |
|---|---|
| 1995 | 5 |
| 1996 | 58 |
| 2000 | 87 |
| 2001 | 87 |
| 2002 | 39 |
| 2003 | 9 |
| 2004 | 12 |
| 2005 | 3 |
| 2006 | 3 |
| 2007 | 1 |
| 2009 | 1 |
| 2024 | 1 |
1995: 5; 1996: 58; 2000: 87; 2001: 87; 2002: 39; 2003: 9; 2004: 12; 2005: 3; 2006: 3; 2007: 1; 2009: 1; 2024: 1
Pattern summary
Power Train:Automatic Transmission leads the component reports. Braking behavior appears in 60 complaint narratives. Transmission and shifting appears in 39 complaint narratives. Steering behavior appears in 18 complaint narratives. Use these patterns to inspect individual reports and prepare questions for a mechanic.
Calculated from recorded counts. An AI narrative has not been published for this selection.
Complaint evidence
Examples provide context, not a representative sample or a verified diagnosis.
Owner report 10044508 · 2003-10-22 (October 22, 2003)
WHILE DRIVING AT ANY SPEED VEHICLE TOOK A LONG TIME TO SLOW DOWN WHEN THE BRAKE PEDAL WAS PRESSED. BRAKE LIGHT STAYED ON, AND OIL WAS LEAKING INTO THE VACUUM SYSTEM. *AK
Owner-reported narrative. 127,000 miles reported. Look up ODI 10044508 at NHTSA ↗
Owner report 10056106 · 2004-01-15 (January 15, 2004)
THE VEHICLE VACUUM SYSTEM BECAME CONTAMINATED WITH OIL. THIS EFFECTED THE VEHICLE'S HAV SYSTEM, BRAKE BOOSTER AND DETERIORATED ALL THE VACUUM HOSES WHICH CAUSED THE BRAKES TO FAIL INTERMITTENTLY. *PH A RECALL WAS INITIATED FOR THIS PROBLEM BUT THE CONSUMER'S VEHICLE WAS NOT INCLUDED DUE TO VIN. THE DEALER RECOMMENDED THAT THE CONSUMER INSTALL AN EXTERNAL BRAKE BOOSTER CHECK VALVE AND HOSE, REPLACE VENT AND DEFROSTER ACTUATOR. THE CUSTOMER DECLINED THE REPAIRS. *NM
Owner-reported narrative. 98,449 miles reported. Look up ODI 10056106 at NHTSA ↗
Owner report 10057290 · 2004-01-22 (January 22, 2004)
MANUFACTURER DEFECT COULD HAVE CAUSED AN ACCIDENT OR EVEN HARM. *PH PROBLEMS WITH VEHICLE NOT SHIFTING PROPERLY. VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO DEALERSHIP AND THE HIGH CLUTCH DRUM WAS REPLACED. *MR *JB *SC
Owner-reported narrative. 77,158 miles reported. Look up ODI 10057290 at NHTSA ↗
Owner report 10068739 · 2004-01-15 (January 15, 2004)
PAINT IS COMING OFF IN HUGE SPOTS. STARTS AS A SMALL FADED AREA THEN STARTS PEELING. TRANSMISSION STALLS IN SECOND GEAR AND TAKES A WHILE TO SHIFT TO THIRD.
Owner-reported narrative. 75,000 miles reported. Look up ODI 10068739 at NHTSA ↗
Owner report 508451 · 1996-09-12 (September 12, 1996)
FRONT BRAKE PADS/CALIPERS FAILED, CAUSING VEHICLE TO PULL TO THE RIGHT, ALSO STEERING WHEEL OFF CENTER. *AK
Owner-reported narrative. Look up ODI 508451 at NHTSA ↗
Owner report 561106 · 2001-05-08 (May 8, 2001)
CONSUMER STATES STEERING COLUMN IS LOCKING ON VEHICLE. *JB
Owner-reported narrative. Look up ODI 561106 at NHTSA ↗
Owner report 10128264 · 2005-07-11 (July 11, 2005)
DT: CONSUMER STATES: THE HEADLIGHT SWITCH KEEPS BURNING UP IN HIS 1996 DODGE RAM TRUCK. IT IS BURNING THE WIRE HARNESS THAT GOES TO THE HEADLIGHT SWITCH. IT COULD GO OUT AT ANY TIME. HE HAD IT REPLACED ABOUT 3-4 MONTHS AGO AND IT IS OUT AGAIN. HE HAS TALKED TO THE DEALER AND THEY HAVE MADE A SPECIAL WIRE HARNESS TO SPLICE INTO THE WIRING ON THE TRUCK. THEY HAVE HAD A LOT OF PROBLEMS WITH THIS SAME THING. THE DEALER SAID CHRYSLER WAS AWARE OF THE PROBLEM. HE CAN BE GOING DOWN THE ROAD, AND THE LIGHTS WILL JUST GO OUT. YOU CAN PARK IT …
Owner-reported narrative. Look up ODI 10128264 at NHTSA ↗
Owner report 10187340 · 2007-04-09 (April 9, 2007)
TL*- THE CONTACT OWNS A 1996 DODGE RAM PICKUP. WHILE DRIVING AT 55 MPH THE LIGHTS TURNED OFF. THE CONTACT WAS FORCED TO STOP THE VEHICLE WHILE IT COOLED OFF, AND AFTER APPROXIMATELY 15 MINUTES, THE VEHICLES LIGHTS ILLUMINATED. ALSO, THE FAILURE CAUSED THE WIRING HARNESS TO MELT. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THIS FAILURE OCCURRED TOO FREQUENTLY . IT BEGAN TO OCCUR 1 YEAR AFTER PURCHASING THE VEHICLE, AND HE REPLACED THE HEADLIGHT SWITCHES OVER 12 TIMES. DAIMLER/CHRYSLER STATED THAT THE VEHICLE HAD TOO MANY MILES ON IT AND THAT IT WAS NOT…
Owner-reported narrative. 9,900 miles reported. Look up ODI 10187340 at NHTSA ↗
Owner report 10026742 · 2003-08-26 (August 26, 2003)
WHILE DRIVING, THE VEHICLE SHUT DOWN COMPLETELY. DEALER NOTIFIED. *AK. IT WAS DETERMINED THE FUEL PUMP FAILED WHICH CAUSED THE VEHICLE TO STALL. ALSO THE REAR HAZARD LIGHTS DID NOT WORK. *JB
Owner-reported narrative. 53,000 miles reported. Look up ODI 10026742 at NHTSA ↗
Owner report 10009598 · 2003-03-17 (March 17, 2003)
GAS TANK HEAT SHIELD ON 1996 RAM PICKUP DUE TO DESIGN FLOW OF GAS TANK. *AK
Owner-reported narrative. Look up ODI 10009598 at NHTSA ↗