Most common 1996 Dodge Pickup problems
Share of the 26 complaints; one complaint can involve more than one system. "~" is the median mileage when the problem started.
Dodge Pickup complaints by model year
Best Pickup years: 1999, 1998. Years to avoid: 1996. Compare all years →
What 1996 Dodge Pickup owners say
Brakes
When the consumer is driving and prepares to slow down or stop by applying pressure to the brakes, the vehicle itself starts to pull to the left/right directions involuntarily. Consumer took vehicle to dealership, replaced brakes pads and rotors. Due to improper service, thie defect still occurs. Dealership claims does not know cause of problem.
Owner has to constantly pumped the brakes in order for the vehicle to stop, vehicle has ABS. The truck has been at the dealer three times for the same problem. Owner was not eligible for the lemon law.
Fuel & propulsion system
On two separate occasions experienced an engine compartment fire. When turning off vehicle and removing key from ignition, car was still running. Took vehicle to dealer, and they replaced the fuel shut off relay & wire. One week later, fire occurred again. Consumer felt this had something to do with ignition.
I believe that this is a safety as well as an environmental issue. The failed components are firmly attached to the chasis of the vehicle. As there is no associated accident the part failure is premature and a manufacturing defect. Please advise if you wish me to retain the parts for investigation. No safety defect mentioned in the summary.
Engine & cooling
Vehicle caught on fire . According to the dealer, the pipes are too close to the heat shield and it caught on fire. There is a technical advisory out on the vehicle.
Rear leaf springs sagging/engine cylinder heads malfunctioned/thermostat gasket leak and replaced 3 of 8 fuel injectors.
1996 Dodge Pickup engines & fuel economy
| Engine | Transmission | Drive | MPG city / hwy / combined |
|---|---|---|---|
| 2.5L 4-cyl | 5-speed manual | RWD | 19 / 23 / 20 |
| 3.9L 6-cyl | 5-speed manual | RWD | 15 / 20 / 17 |
| 3.9L 6-cyl | 4-speed automatic | RWD | 14 / 19 / 16 |
| 5.2L 8-cyl | 5-speed manual | RWD | 13 / 19 / 15 |
| 3.9L 6-cyl | 5-speed manual | 4WD/AWD | 14 / 17 / 15 |
| 5.2L 8-cyl | 4-speed automatic | RWD | 13 / 17 / 14 |
| 3.9L 6-cyl | 4-speed automatic | 4WD/AWD | 13 / 17 / 14 |
| 5.2L 8-cyl | 5-speed manual | 4WD/AWD | 12 / 17 / 14 |
| 5.9L 8-cyl | 4-speed automatic | RWD | 11 / 16 / 13 |
| 5.2L 8-cyl | 4-speed automatic | 4WD/AWD | 12 / 16 / 13 |
| 5.9L 8-cyl | 5-speed manual | RWD | 11 / 15 / 12 |
| 5.9L 8-cyl | 4-speed automatic | 4WD/AWD | 10 / 14 / 12 |
EPA ratings. Class: Full-size pickup.
Frequently asked questions
Is the 1996 Dodge Pickup a good car?
Based on 26 owner complaints filed with NHTSA, the 1996 Pickup rates use caution: 1.6× as many complaints as a typical year of the Pickup at the same age. It is one of the Pickup years we suggest avoiding. Complaint counts don't account for sales volume or individual maintenance, so have any used car inspected before buying.
What is the most common problem with the 1996 Dodge Pickup?
The brakes — 6 complaints, 23% of all complaints for this model year, most often about antilock/traction control/electronic limited slip. Next are the fuel & propulsion system (5) and engine & cooling (3).
How many recalls does the 1996 Dodge Pickup have?
NHTSA lists no recalls for the 1996 Dodge Pickup. You can still confirm with your VIN using our VIN recall check.
What are the best and worst years of the Dodge Pickup?
The best years by complaints, compared at the same age, are 1999 and 1998. Years to avoid or approach with caution: 1996. See the full Dodge Pickup years comparison.
At what mileage do 1996 Dodge Pickup problems happen?
The median mileage reported in complaints is about 98,000 miles; 25% of problems with a recorded mileage started before 50,000 miles.
Source: U.S. National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA) — owner complaints through October 20, 2026, recalls and defect investigations; fuel economy from the EPA. Complaints are unverified reports and are not proof of a defect. How we rate model years.