Most common 1996 Dodge Ram 1500 problems
Share of the 298 complaints; one complaint can involve more than one system. "~" is the median mileage when the problem started.
Dodge Ram 1500 complaints by model year
Best Ram 1500 years: 1997, 2005, 1998. Years to avoid: 2001. Compare all years →
NHTSA defect investigations
Federal safety investigators have looked into a possible defect involving the 1996 Dodge Ram 1500:
Seat back failure
Odi has identified 30 incidents where it is alleged the seat back collapsed in a rear impact crash.these incidents are alleged to have contributed to 23 injuries and two deaths.the data presented to odi show that the seat back strength of the front seats comply with federal motor vehicle safety standard no. 207.
What 1996 Dodge Ram 1500 owners say
Transmission & drivetrain all 52 →
After truck's engine was started the gear selector was placed in reverse so as to back out of garage. A loud noise was heard. The gear shift selector was returned to p. As this happened the truck lurched forward striking the garage wall. The buiding and truck were damaged.
My ball joints, tie rods, steering box, all that has to do with those areas have serious issues and Dodge needs to fox them for free put them under the recall dept so they can be. Steering wheel very loose tons of play very dangerous.
Brakes all 46 →
When the brakes were applied, the vehicle experienced extended stopping distance and rear ended another vehicle. The dealer kept the vehicle for over a month and could not duplicate or correct the problem. The consumer contacted Chrysler who sent an investigator to look at the vehicle. The lights on the dashboard were no longer illuminated, they just flashed.
I was traveling to town and as I entered the town as I started to brake I could feel that my brake pedal was feeling spongy and the pedal seemed to be going to the floor. I felt as though 90% of my braking was gone. I was able to stop safely though I had very little braking. I felt that I could not stop safely in an emergency. I returned home very carefully at slow speeds. After looking my vehicle over I saw that all the brake fluid was gone from both the front and rear compartments of the master cylinder. Under my vehicle it seemed to be wet from brake fluid between the fuel tank and frame rail where the brake lines run. The brake lines had rusted through and leaked out all fluid. I feel there May be 2 dangerous issues. 1 that if the front or rear line leaks, the remaining chamber of the 2 chambers in the master cylinder should not loose its fluid. …
Body & structure all 35 →
On 1/27/2018 my dash board shattered while I was attempting to wipe clean it with moist towel. I bought this vehicle used from Dodge dealership in June 1998 with 45120 miles. At present it has only 83000 approx. The vehicle at the time was stationary. I have the photos, unfortunately I do not know how to upload it.
Dashboard started cracking in 2010 and broke off into sharp pieces. I have about 25% of my dashboard left. This was not caused by anything I did. I kept a sun reflector in the windshield and have never been in an accident.
1996 Dodge Ram 1500 engines & fuel economy
| Engine | Transmission | Drive | MPG city / hwy / combined |
|---|---|---|---|
| 3.9L 6-cyl | 5-speed manual | RWD | 15 / 19 / 16 |
| 5.2L 8-cyl | 5-speed manual | RWD | 13 / 17 / 15 |
| 3.9L 6-cyl | 4-speed automatic | RWD | 13 / 17 / 14 |
| 5.2L 8-cyl | 4-speed automatic | RWD | 12 / 16 / 14 |
| 5.2L 8-cyl | 5-speed manual | 4WD/AWD | 12 / 16 / 14 |
| 5.9L 8-cyl | 4-speed automatic | RWD | 11 / 16 / 13 |
| 5.2L 8-cyl | 4-speed automatic | 4WD/AWD | 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 Ram 1500 a good car?
Based on 298 owner complaints filed with NHTSA, the 1996 Ram 1500 rates better than average: 53% fewer complaints than a typical year of the Ram 1500 at the same age. 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 Ram 1500?
The transmission & drivetrain — 52 complaints, 17% of all complaints for this model year, most often about automatic transmission. Next are the brakes (46) and body & structure (35).
How many recalls does the 1996 Dodge Ram 1500 have?
NHTSA lists no recalls for the 1996 Dodge Ram 1500. You can still confirm with your VIN using our VIN recall check.
What are the best and worst years of the Dodge Ram 1500?
The best years by complaints, compared at the same age, are 1997, 2005 and 1998. Years to avoid or approach with caution: 2001. See the full Dodge Ram 1500 years comparison.
At what mileage do 1996 Dodge Ram 1500 problems happen?
The median mileage reported in complaints is about 123,000 miles; 8% 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.