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1996 Dodge RAMProblems, recalls & complaints

NHTSA has logged 625 owner complaints about the 1996 Dodge RAM, most often about the service brakes, hydraulic. It is covered by 10 safety recalls.

9
CarFlaw IndexYear to avoid9.9× the RAM median · #1 of 22 years by complaints
Safety recalls10Free fix at dealersOwner complaints625132 with a crash, fire or injuryTypical failure mileage113kService brakes, hydraulic, median miles

Source: NHTSA complaints, recalls, investigations and manufacturer recall reports, through November 25, 2024. Updated daily.

Complaints by system

Where the 1996 Dodge RAM has problems

625 complaints grouped by the system owners reported.

Box size = number of complaints naming that system. Darker = larger share. One complaint can name more than one system.
Complaints by system
SystemComplaintsCrash, fire or injury
Service brakes, hydraulic17018
Power train13511
Engine and engine cooling5710
Suspension491
Electrical system4713
Steering434
Air bags3829
Fuel system, gasoline321
Vehicle speed control306
13 other systems17118

Source: NHTSA Office of Defects Investigation. Complaints are submitted by the public and are not verified by NHTSA.

10 recalls

1996 Dodge RAM recalls and how many were fixed

Each ring shows the share of affected cars repaired, from the manufacturer’s latest quarterly report to NHTSA. Recall repairs are free at authorized dealers.

–no report yet

Vehicle speed control

Recall 01V-037 · Feb 12, 2001 · 157,000 vehicles

Risk. A THROTTLE THAT DOES NOT RETURN TO IDLE COULD RESULT IN UNEXPECTED ACCELERATION, INCREASING THE RISK OF A CRASH.

Problem, fix and repair progress →

Show 6 more recalls
–no report yet

Air bags: frontal

Recall 99V-023 · Feb 5, 1999 · 250,845 vehicles

Risk. DEPLOYMENT OF THE AIR BAG WITHOUT WARNING COULD CAUSE A DRIVER TO LOSE VEHICLE CONTROL, INCREASING THE RISK OF A CRASH AND PERSONAL INJURY.

Problem, fix and repair progress →

–no report yet

Delivery: hoses, lines/piping, and fittings

Recall 97V-199 · Nov 13, 1997 · 497,000 vehicles

Risk. FUEL LEAKAGE COULD RESULT IN A FIRE IF AN IGNITION SOURCE WAS PRESENT.

Problem, fix and repair progress →

–no report yet

Automatic transmission: cooling unit and lines

Recall 97V-084 · May 5, 1997 · 960,000 vehicles

Risk. WHEN THESE TEMPERATURES OCCUR, THE FLUID LINE WILL NOT STAY CONNECTED WITH THE TRANSMISSION AND FLUID CAN SPRAY ONTO THE EXHAUST MANIFOLD, RESULTING IN SMOKE…

Problem, fix and repair progress →

–no report yet

Vacuum: hoses, lines/piping, and fittings

Recall 97V-068 · Apr 28, 1997 · 58,000 vehicles

Risk. REDUCED POWER BRAKE ASSIST CAN RESULT INCREASING THE RISK OF A VEHICLE CRASH.

Problem, fix and repair progress →

–no report yet

Other: labels

Recall 96V-027 · Feb 5, 1996 · 2,500 vehicles

Risk. CONSEQUENCE OF NON-COMPLIANCE: THE SMALLER TIRES WOULD NOT HAVE SUFFICIENT LOAD CAPACITY FOR THE VEHICLES SPECIFIED GROSS WEIGHT RATING, INCREASING THE…

Problem, fix and repair progress →

–no report yet

Electrical system: alternator/generator/regulator

Recall 95V-237 · Dec 12, 1995 · 12,000 vehicles

Risk. THIS CONDITION CAN POTENTIALLY CAUSE A FIRE IN THE ENGINE COMPARTMENT.

Problem, fix and repair progress →

Recalls apply to specific cars. To see whether a recall is still open on yours, enter the 17-character VIN at nhtsa.gov/recalls or with Dodge.

Best & worst years

1996 vs. every other RAM year

Bars show complaints per model year. Colors show the CarFlaw verdict: complaints weighted for crashes, fires and injuries, adjusted for years on the road and compared with the RAM median. How we score

'88'89'90'91'92'93'94'95'96'97'98'99'00'01'02'03'04'05'06'07'08'09'10'11
  • Avoid
  • Caution
  • Solid
  • Best
  • Not rated
9 investigations

NHTSA defect investigations

Federal investigations that included the 1996 Dodge RAM, and the recalls they led to.

  1. STEERING COLUMN FIREDP00002 · closed Apr 24, 2000
    No recall
  2. SEAT BACK FAILUREDP03006 · closed Apr 8, 2004
    No recall
  3. CLUTCH HYDRAULIC LINEEA98005 · closed May 24, 1999
    No recall
  4. STEERING COLUMN FIRESEA99027 · closed May 30, 2000
    Led to recall 00V-135
  5. TRANSMISSION FLUID FIRESPE96070 · closed May 15, 1997
    Led to recall 96V-084
  6. CLUTCH HYDRAULIC LINE FAILUREPE97043 · closed Feb 27, 1998
    Led to recall 99V-115
  7. IGNITION SWITCHPE99031 · closed Sep 10, 1999
    No recall
  8. HOOD LATCHRQ00012 · closed Apr 20, 2001
    Led to recall 01V-040
  9. TRANSMISSION QUICK CONNECTORSRQ98002 · still open
    Led to recall 97V-084
In owners' words

What RAM owners report

Recent service brakes, hydraulic complaints filed with NHTSA, shortened. Personal details are removed.

The contact owns a 1996 Dodge Ram. The contact became aware that the VIN was included in NHTSA Campaign Numbers: 97V068000 (Service Brakes, Hydraulic), 01V037000 (Vehicle Speed Control), and 00V135000 (Electrical System); however, the parts to do the recall repairs were not yet available. The local…
Complaint 11627321 · Nov 25, 2024
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…
Complaint 10056106 · Jan 15, 2004 · 98,449 miles
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
Complaint 10044508 · Oct 22, 2003 · 127,000 miles

Own a 1996 RAM?

Decode your VIN to see the recalls for your exact car, then confirm open recalls with NHTSA.