1996 Dodge Ram problems
The 1996 Dodge Ram has 905 complaints on file with NHTSA. The largest share (26%) concerns brakes. After that come transmission (12%) and engine (6%).
At a glance
- Complaints
- 905 filed with NHTSA
- Most reported
- Brakes 26% of complaints
- Crashes and fires
- 84 and 26
- Injuries and deaths
- 53 and 2
- Typical mileage
- 78,000 miles 25 complaints with mileage
Source: NHTSA owner complaints
Where the complaints are
Share of this model year's complaints by the part of the car involved. One complaint can name more than one part, so the shares can add up to more than 100%.
When problems show up
View the numbers
| Mileage | Complaints |
|---|---|
| 0k to 20k miles | 2 |
| 20k to 40k miles | 3 |
| 40k to 60k miles | 3 |
| 60k to 80k miles | 5 |
| 80k to 100k miles | 6 |
| 100k to 120k miles | 2 |
| 120k to 140k miles | 2 |
| 140k to 160k miles | 1 |
| 160k to 180k miles | 0 |
| 180k to 200k miles | 1 |
| 200k+ miles | 0 |
What the data shows
Among the 25 complaints that report mileage, the typical (median) problem appeared at about 78,000 miles.
Safety-related details: 84 complaints mention a crash; 26 complaints mention a fire; 53 injuries reported; 2 deaths reported.
Looking only at complaints filed within five years of the model year (so older and newer years are comparable), the 1996 ranks 1st most-complained-about out of 18 model years of the Dodge Ram with enough data (638 complaints in that window). It is also covered by 10 safety recall campaigns.
What owners wrote
A few complaints as filed, shortened and with personal details removed. The first ones are among the most serious reports for this model year; the rest are typical.
Consumer's brother was driving 55-70 MPH on state hwy 72 when steering made a full circle then a clicking noise, the passenger said that they then realized that steering wheel had locked up following loss of control. The truck then flipped over back end over front then rolled over on side, loosing both left wheels, brakes/drums/pads and tires. The driver was thrown from truck after the 2nd flip forward, he was revived on scene, then later died in flight to hospital.
While driving vehicle locked up, and consumer lost control of vehicle, causing a major crash, which resulted in vehicle totaled, and 1 fatality. No one determined the cause of the crash.
While driving vehicle caught on fire. Fire started on the driver's side under the hood, near electrical harness. Fire was 3 feet high. Owner was slightly hurt.
Cylinder head's are cracked, causing truck to damage head gaskets. Overdrive on the truck went out so truck wouldn't shift.
Dt*: the contact stated while driving at night, the headlights failed intermittently without warning. The vehicle was driven to the dealer on four occasions and the ignition switch was replaced each time. However, the problem recurred. There was a NHTSA recall, # 99v024000, regarding the headlight switch. The vehicle was not included in the recall due to the VIN.