Which parts fail
Components named in complaints (power steering, steering column, rack and pinion).
Owner reports
Selected complaints filed with NHTSA by 1996 Dodge Ram owners, lightly cleaned up (personal details are redacted by NHTSA).
Consumer's brother was driving 55-70 MPH on state hwy 72 when steering made a full circle then a clicking noise, the passenger said that they then realized that steering wheel had locked up following loss of control. The truck then flipped over back end over front then rolled over on side, loosing both left wheels, brakes/drums/pads and tires. The driver was thrown from truck after the 2nd flip forward, he was revived on scene, then later died in flight to hospital. Passenger survived with minor upper body injuries.
In August of 1999 with approximately 70,000 miles on odometer while driving 35 MPH, there was a vibration, and the driver lost all steering control before crashing into a ditch. Dealership examined vehicle and replaced steering gear box to remedy the problem. Since replacement of original steering gear box, vehicle wanders all over the road during normal operation. Steering gear box has to be replaced again by an independent repair shop.
Spent $1200 to rebuild entire front end of car due to excessive clunking and looseness after only 40,000 miles of lite street use. Factory installed componants obvoiusly inferior quality or defective. Dailmer Chrysler was willing to assist in the costs of the repair until the bills came in. Daimler Chrysler walked away from the issue. Rear window water leak - suggest other owners to look on passenger side for water ponding adjacent to sill plate at rear of seat. Rear factory sliding window defective. Must replace with alternate selection. Headliner will not fit properly on alternate selection - beware. Dodge Ram owners beware. This owner jumping ship from Dodge/Chrysler products. Only owned this vehical for 11 months.
Under normal operating conditions when traveling around 50 to 60 MPH and hitting a bump, front end will vibrate violently. Consumer must stop vehicle in order to get vibration to go away. Dealership has examined vehicle twice: during first incident dealership replaced track bar, and at second incident, dealership could not determine cause. The steering damper has been replaced and consumer hopes that this solves the problem.
When applying the brakes, vehicle has no power. Also, the power steering failed, causing consumer to put vehicle into neutral, and rev the engine. Took six months to get part after repeated calls. Front brakes wearing out prematurely because rear brakes are not self adjusting. Very unsafe when braking at higher speeds. The left rear axle seal was leaking. Water collects near the passenger door underneath the carpet.
Consumer was driving and the steering came apart. Consumer states the upper universal joint dropped off the steering shaft, causing no steering control, the steering shaft and universal joint were not assembled properly at the factory, upper universal joint was barely stuck onto the end of the steering shaft, the universal joint was stuck onto the shaft only up to the area of the upper universal joint.
Steering wheel binds and gear shift lever on column moves putting truck into neutral twice at hightway speeds, dealer tested and said that this needs to be replaced at a cost of 400 dollars I feel that a vechile should not have to have a streering colum replaced at 50000 miles
When applying brakes, vehicle pulls severely to right, according to dealer, calipers were sticking, replaced calibers/ rotors, problem has reoccurred; also, experiencing lot of play in steering column, can m ove shaft u/down, not a tilted steering wheel.
Unexpectedly the steering wheel locks up. Dealer has inspected and repaired the vehicle and the problem still exists. Failed part not available for three days because of high demand and cannot be kept in stock. Manufacturer has been notfied.
Steering failure, coupling assembly has a universal joint and between the assembly there is sliding shaft that has movement which causes the vehicle not to steer correctly and pull to the right or left while driving.
NHTSA investigations
Steering column fire
Alleges that the poor design of the ignition switch assembly and//or the key cylinder assembly in the model year 1991-2000 vehicles May cause the steering column to catch fire
Steering complaints in other Ram years
Frequently asked questions
How common are steering problems on the 1996 Dodge Ram?
NHTSA has 45 complaints about the steering of the 1996 Dodge Ram, 7% of the model year's 636 complaints. The component named most often is steering wheel/handle bar (17 mentions).
Is there a recall for 1996 Dodge Ram steering problems?
No. NHTSA lists no steering recall for the 1996 Dodge Ram, though it has 10 recalls for other components. If the problem is widespread, a repair may still be covered by an extended warranty or a manufacturer service bulletin — ask a dealer.
Is it dangerous?
Owners linked 4 crashes, 0 fires and 2 injuries and 1 death to steering 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.