1996 Dodge RAM 1500 problems
Owners have filed 407 complaints about the 1996 Dodge RAM 1500 with NHTSA. Power train accounts for 13.5% of them, narrowly the most common, ahead of service brakes, hydraulic at 13.5%.
Complaints407
Crashes22
Fires17
Injuries18
Deaths4
What owners report breaking
Power train 13.5% · 55
Service brakes, hydraulic 13.5% · 55
Engine and engine cooling 9.1% · 37
Structure 8.6% · 35
Suspension 7.6% · 31
Electrical system 7.4% · 30
Steering 6.6% · 27
Fuel system, gasoline 4.7% · 19
Severity
Of those complaints, 22 describe a crash, 17 describe a fire, 18 report an injury and 4 report a death.
Reading the numbers
Across the 19 model years of the Dodge RAM 1500 in this data, 1996 draws comparatively few complaints; 2005 is the outlier year.
Filings have fallen off, 3 in the last three years against 10 in the three before. That is normal as a generation leaves the road.
The median odometer reading at the time of complaint was 111,500 miles.
In owners' own words
Transmission failed after making knocking noise which got progressively louder over a period of several months. A new transmission was installed and now that transmission is making the same noise after only a few days. I believe that this model of transmission may be defective as it failed after only 58,000 miles and now the new one is making the same noise that the old one started out making. Power train
This is the second time that my trans has failed since I purchased it. First time the dealership rebuilt it under warranty. This time it is just ?!@#$% I have never had so many problems with a vehicles powertrain as I have had with this one. I' m not the only one who has this problem either. I'm worried that the next time it goes out it could cause an accident. Power train
Under normal operating conditions transmission failed, causing vehicle to stop operating. A transmission specialist has examined vehicle and determined that the transmission will need to be rebuilt/replaced. Note: specialist said that had had to rebuild/replace several Dodge truck transmissions. Please provide any additional information/attachments. Power train
Verbatim from NHTSA filings. Complaints are unverified owner reports.
Safety recalls
Checking NHTSA for open recalls…