Which parts fail
Components named in complaints (wheels, lug nuts, original-equipment tires, TPMS).
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).
This report is regarding the failure of a Goodyear wrangler ats tire, load range d, size 305/70r16. For several months the vehicle has had a mild to moderate tire shake or in-balance. A Goodyear dealer re-balanced the tires, but there was no change in the shake. We returned the vehicle to the same dealer who then stated the tires were out of round and couldn't be balanced. They did not advise us to replace the tires or to stop using the vehicle. Two months later, after an hour at highway speed, the tire suddenly delaminated. The vehicle sustained over $3,000 in damage from the tire explosion. Control was not lost. Looking at the tire, it's very obvious this was the result of a manufacturing defect. Half of the steel belts are covered with a layer of bonded rubber. The other half of the belts are exposed. The separating line is right down the center of the tire. …
Tl contact owns a 1996 Dodge Ram 2500. The vehicle had a set of brand new cooper dominator sport a/t tires. While driving 50 MPH, the tires blew out and caused the contact to drive into a ditch. The dealer removed the failed tire and replaced it with one of a different brand. The dealer stated that there was no recall issued for the failure. The contact stated that he just received a recall notice in the mail stating that his tires were on recall and he would need to bring the defective tires in for inspection. The blow out was caused by tread separation. The contact stated that he has no proof in order to get reimbursed for the tires because the dealer would not return the tire. The recall number was unknown. The current mileage is 350,000 and failure mileage was 340,000.
Tl contact owns a 1996 Dodge Ram 2500. While driving 60 MPH uphill he heard a loud noise. He pulled over noticed the rear driver side tire tread separated and caused damage to the wheel and fender. The dealer was unable to diagnose the failure. The current and failure mileages were 160,000.
On a busy street, in daylight, in good weather, traveling at slow speed....the spare tire just fell off into the road. Inspection by owner shows the cable that holds it in place broke. Thankful not to be at high speed on the interstate.
My 1996 Dodge Ram 2500 came new with 5 Goodyear wrangler rt/s 245/75 r16 tires. I replaced 4 tires at 78,000 miles with 3 new rt/s tires and rotated in the original spare. I kept the best 2 tires for spares. I used an old spare for about a week and noticed some vibration. The Goodyear dealer indicated the tread was separating. While on the turnpike, the tread on the right front tire separated catastrophically at 75 MPH and damaged the quarter panel, wheel well, lower passenger doorframe, steering mechanism (track bar), front bumper cowling, and dented the right rear quarter panel. The tire didn t go flat, but threw off all the tread. Fortunately, I retained control of the vehicle and no one was injured. The tire that separated was the original equipment spare, manufactured in 1996. This tire failed at about 30,000 miles. …
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.
Per news releases re pending investigation Goodyear load range e tires: my vehicle was delivered with Goodyear tires in question. Tires began immediate failure by scalloping leading edges of all tread blocks. Alignment, steering, balance all checked & w/in specs. At 3150 miles rotation made worse. At 3260 miles Dodge agreed to replace 4 tires w/ Michelin lts m&s; refused to change spare, same size. Tires finally received at 4477 miles. By then tread had scalloped off as much as 11/32". Don't know if this is the pending investagation material, but I can document all with ro's & tire measurement data. Fyi: 5th (spare tire) sold as used at major loss and matching Michelin purchased out-of-pocket. Call for further information if required. (tiresize: 245/75r16e)( dot number: tire size: 245/75r16e )
Was driving 57mph towing a trailer when vehicle started to shimmy. Suddenly vehicle jumped up & down. Heard a loud awful noise. Vehicle went out of control. Manged to controlle vehicle & move to side of road & stop. Checked vehicle & tires. Noticed right rear tire had lost its tread. It had peeled off & was flapping up against vehicle & then trailer after breaking loose. Tire was still inflated. Contact road service & spare was placed on vehicle. Arrived home & contacted insurance co. & representative came & checked vehicle. Informed owner not to drive vehicle on those tires. Goodyear wrangler at lt245/75r16 ms load ranger e with 26,000 miles on it. Was on a Dodge Ram 2500. All the other three tires are showing sign of possible tread separation.
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.
While driving with my wife & two grand daughters, at 60-65 MPH in a 1996 Dodge Ram 2500 pulling challenger travel trailor, left rear tire had a tread separation; original equipment, tire size lt245/75r16, damaging left rear fender well and side panel. I had to replace pickup box side panel. The tread wrapped around axle and damaged left rear brake line. The tire did not blow-out. I maintained control of vehicles, which were fish-tailing, and was able to slow down and stop on shoulder of hiway. The hiway was clear of debris and I had been driving about 1 hour with temperatures of 90 - 95f.
Wheel & Tire complaints in other Ram 2500 years
Frequently asked questions
How common are wheel & tire problems on the 1996 Dodge Ram 2500?
NHTSA has 26 complaints about the wheels & tires of the 1996 Dodge Ram 2500, 9% of the model year's 291 complaints. The component named most often is tread/belt (9 mentions).
Is there a recall for 1996 Dodge Ram 2500 wheel & tire problems?
No. NHTSA lists no wheels & tires 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 wheel & tire problems start?
Half of the complaints with a recorded mileage happened before about 160,000 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.