Which parts fail
Components named in complaints (automatic and manual transmissions, CVT, axles, driveshaft, 4WD/AWD).
Mileage when the problem started
Owner reports
Selected complaints filed with NHTSA by 1996 Dodge Ram 2500 owners, lightly cleaned up (personal details are redacted by NHTSA).
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.
Pulling loaded cargo trailer on a hot day in heavy traffic kin san antonio, tx. All a sudden truck started slowing down and smoke started coming out from under the truck. Stopped and looked under and transmission fluid was coming out of transmission on to hot exhaust. The hot transmission fluid melted the plastic/nylon material at the fluid line of the transmission and caused fluid to spray all over the exhaust and under side of truck and onto the payment. Transmission and lines had to be replaced. I was not aware of this recall as I had never been contacted. I wish I had, I would have saved about $4000.00!!!!
Dt*: the contact stated the plastic transmission cooler fittings melted causing all of the transmission fluid to leak out very quickly. There is a NHTSA recall, # 97V084000, regarding the power train: automatic transmission: cooling unit and lines. The vehicle has the same problems as indicated in the recall; however it is not included in the recall due to the VIN.
Recall 97V084000 concerning transmission cooling line. While pulling a 5th wheel trailer up a incline at 30 MPH vehicle stopped while in motion, and white smoke came from under the hood. Vehicle was towed to a repair shop. Dealer was notified. Dealer informed consumer that this vehicle was not covered under that recall.
I was traveling in Canada towing my fifth wheel win the transmission failed. We glided to the side of the road barely out of danger. The truck was towed to authorize Chrysler dealer in st. Johns Canada. The mechanic indicated the engine producers to much torque for the transmission to handle. I had the trailer weighed and it was 67 hundred pounds well within the range of the truck and transmission. My main concern now is fear this will occur again even though Chrysler payed the bill I now an apprehensive about towing! Hope you can provide some more information as I have been told his is a common problem with Chrysler transmission. Really looking for assistance to prevent recurrence. Love the truck! But it's like a good friend who you hope will never leave you in a lurch. The other problem as I saw on your information sheet was tires mine also expired in less than 25000 miles. …
I believe this is covered in your recall 97V084000 - transmission cooler line to transmission split and or fitting failed causing loss of all transmission fluid. Facotry dealer vaguely referenced recall and I located it on your web site. I contacted daimler/chriysler recall center at [phone] and they took complaint reference # 9992910 and then told me that there was no such recall on item and your 97V084000 was a technical service bulletin. Local dealer indicates this recall does not show on their database. Some indication that it was over two years old. My insurance had $340 tow bill and I was out $278.43 in repairs. I noticed extreme amount of smoke from under vehicle and was able to stop before damaging transmission other than running out of fluid. I would like to know if there is a recall and what is going on here. Thank you for your assistance.
I was parked next to a curb in a lot at work care was behind me. Had to go over curb at 1-2mph heard bang tire blew out. Drove across street, pulled into lot, got out, gas tank dragging ground and sloshed gas all over road. Driveshaft had been turning against metal plate on side of tank-straps broke-had no warning of anything wrong-had to have truck towed-sloshed gas all over trailer-drivers' parting words "pray for me". I called Dodge told them I wasn't paying for a safety defect, and that I wasn't happy. They called dealer dealer took care of it no charge. Very upsetting having gas tank fall off of what is supposed to be a heavy duty truck. Appears only one strap holding tank up -no secondary supports. Anybody else have this type of thing happened to them? I can't imagine being in a wreck if it is that fragile.
Transmission was destroyed due to loss of fluid. Nlm on one occasion, while pulling utility trailer, 2 tires delaminated. All 5 tires had to be replaced. On a second occasion, two tires delaminated on the 1996 jaco 28 foot 5th wheel trailer causing damage to the trailer. All five tires on the trailer were replaced. On a third occasion, right front tire (wrangler at lt245/75r16 m+s dot md11 btov 197 234r) delaminated on the truck. Goodyear paid 50 percent prorate of four tires based on tread depth. However, consumer thought Goodyear would pay 100 percent of the cost on the factory defect tire and consumer would pay for remaining three tires. Consumer paid for the four new at/s wranglers.
Around the first of last month (oct)98 I noticed my auto tranny was acting funny when shifting from 2nd to 3rd. It shifts very late. Sometimes it will not shift into 3rd gear without slowing down to make it shift. In trafic this really is a problem. People wonder why I slow down and I'm afraid I will get hit from the rear. I talked to Dodge about this and they are talking about replacing my transmission. If they don't this is really going to upset me. A 30,000 dollar truck and only two years old. This should not happen. I feel strongly this is a safety issue that Dodge should take care of. Please give me some advice if Dodge does not fix this problem. Thanks
Transmission complaints in other Ram 2500 years
Frequently asked questions
How common are transmission problems on the 1996 Dodge Ram 2500?
NHTSA has 44 complaints about the transmission & drivetrain of the 1996 Dodge Ram 2500, 15% of the model year's 291 complaints. The component named most often is automatic transmission (19 mentions).
Is there a recall for 1996 Dodge Ram 2500 transmission problems?
No. NHTSA lists no transmission & drivetrain recall for the 1996 Dodge Ram 2500. 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 2500 transmission problems start?
Half of the complaints with a recorded mileage happened before about 106,000 miles.
Is it dangerous?
Owners linked 1 crash, 1 fire and 0 injuries to transmission & drivetrain problems on this model year. If you notice symptoms, have the car checked before driving further.
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.