Which parts fail
Components named in complaints (struts, shocks, control arms, ball joints, springs).
Mileage when the problem started
Owner reports
Selected complaints filed with NHTSA by 1996 Dodge Ram 1500 owners, lightly cleaned up (personal details are redacted by NHTSA).
I own a 1996 Dodge Ram 1500 with the 5.2 liter engine. The engine oil light would flicker when stopped at a stop sign in drive. I took it to the Dodge dealership and they said that the engine would have to be replaced due to the wear. I have used mobile 1 synthetic oil since the breakin oil and never let the oil in the vehicle over 4,000 miles. Each time the oil filter was also changed. The vehicle has 106,000 miles on it and the engine replacement is costing me $4.700. I've been told that the 5.2 liter engine does not handle synthetic oil well. The oil does not return to the oil pan fast enough to keep the bottom of the engine lubricated. I find this hard to believe but I've never wore out an engine before. My question is how can an engine wear out when it was taken such good care of? …
I have a 1996 Dodge Ram 1500 4x4. My mileage is at 85,020. I have taken real good care of this truck and I use it to drive in the snow when I need the 4 wheel drive. I was doing a oil change and I noticed the passinger side trailing arms and coil spring bracket welds are pulling away from the axle. I looked over to driver's side and the trailing arm welds on the front axle are cracked. I have a dana 3.5 axle ratio. The tag under the hood numbers are 3850 front axle dana 4. I purchased this truck thinking the frame and axles would last the life time of the truck. I'am a navy veteran and a mechanic and I can repair mechanical equipment. I feel that this should not of happen and I would like Dodge to help out in this matter. I also what to make other Dodge people awear of this problem. I'm just glad that I noticed this before winter and I was not driving at the time. …
Vehicle is on fourth engine and only 44,000 miles on present engine. Dealer says engine is out of warranty. Excessive blow by from engine. Check engine light comes on. Sensors have been replaced but problem still occurs. Also the truck wanders on the road, and has a rumbling rattle noise on front passenger side that sounds like its coming from the shocks area. But my mechanic says shocks are OK. The dealer did not check into problem when I purchased the truck but it is listed as complaint when the first engine was replaced. Have replaced tracking bar, u-joints, rear springs, stabilizer shock & tires. When going over bumps on highway vehicle jerks the steering wheel to side rail fast giving a fishtail effect. Drive shaft has also been replaced.
S,bar link ,replaced twice within 3 weeks ,no good.transmission failure took to transmission shop ,replaced pressure sol,governor,gov switch,switchand seleriond,still acting the same.left controlarmandboltkit , also say needs right side .will not alligne .light under hood comes on when driving ,and horn does not work no one can fig out why ..?Dodge should cover all tranny and frount sup on these trucks ,found out after purchaced all the things that go wrong with this yr of tk.96 Dodge Ram 4x4 1500 also the 4x4 is hard to shift into and take out and sometimes doesn not come out ,even when light indcates it is out of four wheel.never again Dodge!! Numerous dates of work to this vehicle.
Was driving on highway at 65 MPH, I crossed a small bump in the road and lost all control of the 1996 Dodge Ram 1500 4x4 pickup. It shook all the stuff off of my seat as well as my cd holder. This is the second time this has happened. I am at a loss as to how to look for the problem. I love this truck but I have gone through two wheel bearings and a tie rod end and I have only had it for a year.... I want to know how to fix this problem before someone gets killed.
Consumer heard a clung then a metal to metal noise while driving. Passenger's side front wheel bearing malfunctioned, but the wheel didn't fall off. The consumer pulled over in time to keep the wheel from falling off.
1996 Ram 1500 sway bar attachment failed. The consumer stated when the sway bar fell to the ground, it caused the front wheels to rapidly go from full-left to full right at the rate of several times per second. Subsequent inspection showed that the sway bar plate had never been machine welded to the frame and for several years had been held on only by three small spot welds, meant to hold the plate in place for the machine welder. The machine weld appeared to be about an eighth to a sixteenth of an inch off, missing the entire plate.
While driving vehicle about any MPH and when stepping on the brake pedal to stop, vehicle wanders from side to side on the road. Consumer tried to keep control of vehicle and keep focused on the road. Dealer and manufacturer were contacted.
Ongoing problem with a clicking sound in steering wheel when turning, and a problem with wandering cross road at 40 or more MPH. Dealer was notified. Feel free to provide any further details on this matter.
Vehicle is continuously out of alignment. Tires were replaced at 12,000 miles due to abnormal, excessive and extreme wear on the outer edges of front tires. Again at 17,500.
Suspension complaints in other Ram 1500 years
Frequently asked questions
How common are suspension problems on the 1996 Dodge Ram 1500?
NHTSA has 27 complaints about the suspension of the 1996 Dodge Ram 1500, 9% of the model year's 298 complaints. The component named most often is front (11 mentions).
Is there a recall for 1996 Dodge Ram 1500 suspension problems?
No. NHTSA lists no suspension recall for the 1996 Dodge Ram 1500. If the problem is widespread, a repair may still be covered by an extended warranty or a manufacturer service bulletin — ask a dealer.
At what mileage do 1996 Dodge Ram 1500 suspension problems start?
Half of the complaints with a recorded mileage happened before about 92,000 miles, and 14% before 25,000 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.