Most common 1996 Dodge Ram 2500 problems
Share of the 291 complaints; one complaint can involve more than one system. "~" is the median mileage when the problem started.
Dodge Ram 2500 complaints by model year
Best Ram 2500 years: 2002, 2000, 1998. Years to avoid: 2006, 2003, 2004. Compare all years →
NHTSA defect investigations
Federal safety investigators have looked into 2 possible defects involving the 1996 Dodge Ram 2500:
Loss of throttle control
Alleged that the throttle cable can fray or sever during normal use resulting in the throttle not returning to idle or an inability to accelerate.
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 2500 owners say
Brakes all 80 →
While driving on a city street, I lost my power steering, causing me to almost have a rear end collision with the vehicle in front of me. I had my truck towed to a local dealership, they found my brake system to be contaminated and told me that all parts of the system with rubber in them would have to be replaced. After about a week and a half, I was informed that they could find all the parts except one, the combination or proportioning valve. I paid for the diagnostics test and had the truck towed to another local dealer-I needed a second opinion, not understanding why a dealership could not fix my truck. I told the second dealership my story, they did a diagnostic test of their own and came up with the same exact conclusion, including the fact that they could not find the combination valve. …
I went to stop at a red light under normal conditions and the brake petal went to the floor and I rear ended an SUV. My vehicle was towed to a repair shop to find that three of the four brake lines rusted out and the one that stayed intact was leaking. I did heavy damage to the SUV as well as pushed in my bumper and damaged the hood. Also the application of the emeregency brake did nothing.
Transmission & drivetrain all 44 →
Dt*: the contact stated while placed in park with the engine idling, the vehicle went into reverse without warning. The vehicle was moving at about 5 MPH. The sales/service dealer was notified but the contact was placed on hold and eventually the contact hung up. The manufacturer was not contacted. The problem occurred 3 times. There was no damage on the first incident, but an empty parked school bus was struck causing damage to the right front quarter panel, right door and the hood on the second occasion. On the third occasion, the vehicle struck the barn and feed trough, causing a broken headlight and a dented bumper.
After operating vehicle under heavy load (snowplowing), the hydraulic clutch line ruptured when the clutch was depressed and the hydraulic fluid ignited on the hot exhaust system. Note: there was a recall (NHTSA campaign id number : 99V115000 ) issued for the exact same problem with this make/model/year truck with a v10 engine verses the v8. The heat from the nearby exhaust pipe exceeded the temperature rating of the hydraulic clutch line material causing it to rupture.
Electrical system all 26 →
Dodge 1996 2500 cummins diesel - VIN - [redacted]. Started truck, starter remained engaged, turned key off, starter remained on and engine running, smoke rose from the engine compartment, only way engine could be stopped was to disconnect the batteries. By the time batteries were disconnected, the starter, fuel shutdown solenoid, some wiring were burnt up, had to be replaced. Luckily electrical fire went out before igniting diesel fuel.
The steering column on this truck has gotten very hot under the ignition switch area. So hot in fact that the wires and plastic column cover have smoked and melted through. I feel there May be a fire soon. The dealership says nothing is wrong with my model year but the melted hole in my steering column says otherwise I've read there was a recall of this nature but was told in no uncertain terms that they would not be helping me. Help...
1996 Dodge Ram 2500 engines & fuel economy
| Engine | Transmission | Drive | MPG city / hwy / combined |
|---|---|---|---|
| 5.2L 8-cyl | 4-speed automatic | RWD | 12 / 16 / 14 |
| 5.2L 8-cyl | 5-speed manual | RWD | 11 / 15 / 13 |
| 5.9L 8-cyl | 4-speed automatic | RWD | 11 / 16 / 13 |
| 5.9L 8-cyl | 5-speed manual | RWD | 11 / 15 / 12 |
| 5.2L 8-cyl | 4-speed automatic | 4WD/AWD | 11 / 15 / 12 |
| 5.2L 8-cyl | 5-speed manual | 4WD/AWD | 11 / 14 / 12 |
| 5.9L 8-cyl | 4-speed automatic | 4WD/AWD | 10 / 14 / 12 |
| 5.9L 8-cyl | 5-speed manual | 4WD/AWD | 11 / 14 / 12 |
EPA ratings. Class: Full-size pickup.
Frequently asked questions
Is the 1996 Dodge Ram 2500 a good car?
Based on 291 owner complaints filed with NHTSA, the 1996 Ram 2500 rates average: about as many complaints as a typical year of the Ram 2500 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 2500?
The brakes — 80 complaints, 27% of all complaints for this model year, most often about antilock/traction control/electronic limited slip. Next are the transmission & drivetrain (44) and electrical system (26).
How many recalls does the 1996 Dodge Ram 2500 have?
NHTSA lists no recalls for the 1996 Dodge Ram 2500. You can still confirm with your VIN using our VIN recall check.
What are the best and worst years of the Dodge Ram 2500?
The best years by complaints, compared at the same age, are 2002, 2000 and 1998. Years to avoid or approach with caution: 2006, 2003 and 2004. See the full Dodge Ram 2500 years comparison.
At what mileage do 1996 Dodge Ram 2500 problems happen?
The median mileage reported in complaints is about 145,000 miles; 3% 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.