1996 Dodge Ram

Fatalities reported

Owners filed 625 complaints about this vehicle with federal regulators, most often about the service brakes, hydraulic › antilock/traction control/electronic limited slip. It has been recalled 14 times.

What fails
ComponentReportsCrashesFiresInjuries
Service Brakes, Hydraulic › Antilock/Traction Control/Electronic Limited Slip77
12010
Power Train › Automatic Transmission62
311
Air Bags › Frontal25
23015
Service Brakes, Hydraulic › Foundation Components23
201
Suspension › Front20
000
Vehicle Speed Control18
200
Engine and Engine Cooling › Engine › Gasoline18
151
Power Train › Automatic Transmission › Cooling Unit and Lines15
020
Tires › Tread/Belt13
302
Latches/Locks/Linkages › Hood › Latch13
300

14 safety recalls

Part 573 reports
Exterior Lighting › Headlights09E025000
Filed May 11, 200942,540 vehiclesDope, Inc.

Defect. DOPE, INC. IS RECALLING 42,540 COMBINATION CORNER AND BUMPER LAMP ASSEMBLIES OF VARIOUS PART NUMBERS SOLD FOR USE AS AFTERMARKET EQUIPMENT FOR VARIOUS PASSENGER VEHICLES. THESE HEADLAMPS FAIL TO CONFORM TO THE REQUIREMENTS OF FEDERAL MOTOR VEHICLE SAFETY STANDARD NO. 108, "LAMPS, REFLECTIVE DEVICES, AND ASSOCIATED EQUIPMENT." THESE LAMPS DO NOT CONTAIN THE REQUIRED AMBER SIDE REFLECTORS.

Risk. DECREASED LIGHTING VISIBILITY MAY RESULT IN A VEHICLE CRASH.

Remedy. DOPE, INC. WILL NOTIFY OWNERS AND OFFER A FULL REFUND FOR THE NONCOMPLIANT COMBINATION LAMPS. THE SAFETY RECALL BEGAN ON JULY 28, 2009. OWNERS MAY CONTACT DOPE, INC. AT 1-626-272-1798.

Exterior Lighting09E012000
Filed Apr 7, 200916,270 vehiclesSabersport

Defect. SABERSPORT IS RECALLING 16,270 COMBINATION CORNER AND BUMPER LAMP ASSEMBLIES OF VARIOUS PART NUMBERS SOLD FOR USE AS AFTERMARKET EQUIPMENT FOR VARIOUS PASSENGER VEHICLES. THESE HEADLAMPS FAIL TO CONFORM TO THE REQUIREMENTS OF FEDERAL MOTOR VEHICLE SAFETY STANDARD NO. 108, "LAMPS, REFLECTIVE DEVICES, AND ASSOCIATED EQUIPMENT." THESE LAMPS DO NOT CONTAIN THE REQUIRED AMBER SIDE REFLECTORS.

Risk. DECREASED LIGHTING VISIBILITY MAY RESULT IN A VEHICLE CRASH.

Remedy. SABERSPORT WILL NOTIFY OWNERS AND OFFER A FULL REFUND FOR THE NONCOMPLIANT COMBINATION LAMPS. THE SAFETY RECALL BEGAN ON MAY 11, 2009. OWNERS MAY CONTACT SABERSPORT AT 1-909-598-7589.

Exterior Lighting › Headlights08E050000
Filed Aug 11, 20081,921 vehiclesK2 Motor Corporation

Defect. K2 MOTOR IS RECALLING 1,921 AFTERMARKET HEADLAMPS OF VARIOUS MODELS SOLD FOR USE ON THE ABOVE LISTED VEHICLES. THESE HEADLAMPS ARE MISSING THE AMBER SIDE REFLEX REFLECTOR WHICH FAILS TO CONFORM WITH THE REQUIREMENTS OF FEDERAL MOTOR VEHICLE SAFETY STANDARD NO. 108, "LAMPS, REFLECTIVE DEVICES, AND ASSOCIATED EQUIPMENT."

Risk. WITHOUT THE AMBER SIDE REFLEX REFLECTORS, THE LIGHTING VISIBILITY MAY BE AFFECTED, POSSIBLY RESULTING IN A VEHICLE CRASH.

Remedy. K2 MOTOR WILL NOTIFY OWNERS AND OFFER A FULL REFUND. THE RECALL BEGAN ON DECEMEBER 17, 2008. OWNERS MAY CONTACT K2 MOTOR AT 1-909-839-2992.

Exterior Lighting06E060000
Filed Jun 29, 200687,745 vehiclesAai Motorsports Usa, Llc

Defect. CERTAIN AAI MOTORSPORTS COMBINATION LAMPS SOLD AS REPLACEMENT LAMPS FOR USE ON THE ABOVE LIST PASSENGER VEHICLES. COMBINATION LAMPS NOT EQUIPPED WITH AMBER SIDE REFLECTORS FAIL TO CONFORM WITH THE REQUIREMENTS OF FEDERAL MOTOR VEHICLE SAFETY STANDARD NO. 108, "LAMPS, REFLECTIVE DEVICES, AND ASSOCIATED EQUIPMENT."

Risk. LACK OF AMBER SIDE REFLECTORS IN THE LAMPS WILL DECREASE LIGHTING VISIBILITY TO OTHER DRIVERS AND MAY POSSIBLY RESULT IN A VEHICLE CRASH

Remedy. AAI MOTORSPORTS WILL NOTIFY OWNERS AND REPLACE THE LAMPS FREE OF CHARGE. THE RECALL BEGAN ON AUGUST 1, 2006. OWNERS MAY CONTACT AAI MOTORSPORTS AT 909-923-9188.

Vehicle Speed Control01V037000
Filed Feb 12, 2001157,000 vehiclesDaimlerchrysler Corporation

Defect. VEHICLE DESCRIPTION: PICKUP TRUCKS EQUIPPED WITH DIESEL ENGINES. THE THROTTLE CABLE COULD UNRAVEL (FRAY) OR BREAK RESULTING IN LOSS OF THROTTLE CONTROL.

Risk. A THROTTLE THAT DOES NOT RETURN TO IDLE COULD RESULT IN UNEXPECTED ACCELERATION, INCREASING THE RISK OF A CRASH.

Remedy. DEALERS WILL INSPECT AND REPLACE THE THROTTLE CABLE AND UPPER BELL CRANK LEVER. OWNER NOTIFICATION BEGAN AUGUST 3, 2001. OWNERS WHO TAKE THEIR VEHICLES TO AN AUTHORIZED DEALER ON AN AGREED UPON SERVICE DATE AND DO NOT RECEIVE THE FREE REMEDY WITHIN A REASONABLE TIME SHOULD CONTACT DAIMLERCHRYSLER AT 1-800-853-1403.

Latches/Locks/Linkages › Hood › Latch01V040000
Filed Feb 12, 2001701,000 vehiclesDaimlerchrysler Corporation

Defect. ON CERTAIN PICKUP TRUCKS ORIGINALLY SOLD IN OR CURRENTLY REGISTERED IN THE FOLLOWING "SALT BELT" STATES: MAINE, NEW HAMPSHIRE, VERMONT, MASSACHUSETTS, RHODE ISLAND, CONNECTICUT, NEW YORK, NEW JERSEY, PENNSYLVANIA, DELAWARE, MARYLAND, THE DISTRICT OF COLUMBIA, WEST VIRGINIA, OHIO, INDIANA, MICHIGAN, ILLINOIS, WISCONSIN, MINNESOTA, IOWA, AND MISSOURI. CORROSION OF THE RETURN SPRING ON THE HOOD SECONDARY LATCH COULD CAUSE THE MECHANISM TO BIND IN THE "RELEASE POSITION."

Risk. IF THE PRIMARY LATCH IS NOT ENGAGED, THE HOOD COULD OPEN UNEXPECTEDLY.

Remedy. DEALERS WILL REPLACE THE SECONDARY HOOD LATCH. OWNER NOTIFICATION BEGAN SEPTEMBER 17, 2001. OWNERS WHO TAKE THEIR VEHICLES TO AN AUTHORIZED DEALER ON AN AGREED UPON SERVICE DATE AND DO NOT RECEIVE THE FREE REMEDY WITHIN A REASONABLE TIME SHOULD CONTACT DAIMLERCHRYSLER AT 1-800-853-1403.

Electrical System › Ignition › Switch00V135000
Filed May 10, 2000690,000 vehiclesDaimlerchrysler Corporation

Defect. VEHICLE DESCRIPTION: LIGHT DUTY PICKUP TRUCKS. THE AFFECTED VEHICLES WERE BUILT WITH AN IGNITION SWITCH AND WIRING THAT COULD OVERHEAT. HIGH ELECTRICAL CURRENT LOADS PASS THROUGH THE SWITCH WHEN THE BLOWER MOTOR IS OPERATED ON HIGH FOR AN EXTENDED PERIODS OF TIME.

Risk. THIS COULD CAUSE THE IGNITION SWITCH AND WIRING TO OVERHEAT.

Remedy. DEALERS WILL INSTALL A RELAY AND OVERLAY HARNESS.

Power Train › Clutch Assembly99V115000
Filed May 6, 19998,883 vehiclesDaimlerchrysler Corporation

Defect. VEHICLE DESCRIPTION: PICKUP TRUCKS EQUIPPED WITH MANUAL TRANSMISSION, V10 ENGINES AND FOUR-WHEEL-DRIVE TRANSFER CASES. UNDER SUSTAINED MAXIMUM RATED VEHICLE LOAD, WHILE DRIVING UP A STEEP GRADE IN FOUR-WHEEL-DRIVE LOW RANGE IN HOT AMBIENT CONDITIONS, THE LOCAL EXHAUST TEMPERATURE PROXIMATE TO THE HYDRAULIC CLUTCH LINE CAN GENERATE LINE TEMPERATURES THAT EXCEED THE TEMPERATURE LIMIT OF THE CLUTCH LINE MATERIAL. IF THIS CONDITION OCCURS AND THE CLUTCH IS DEPRESSED, THE LINE COULD RUPTURE.

Risk. THE FLUID COULD IGNITE ON THE HOT EXHAUST POSSIBLY RESULTING IN A VEHICLE FIRE.

Remedy. DEALERS WILL REPLACE THE HYDRAULIC CLUTCH ASSEMBLY.

Air Bags › Frontal99V023000
Filed Feb 5, 1999250,845 vehiclesDaimlerchrysler Corporation

Defect. VEHICLE DESCRIPTION: VAN AND WAGON MODEL PASSENGER VEHICLES. IF WATER/ROAD SALT GETS ON THE INTERIOR FLOOR OF THE VEHICLE IN THE PROXIMITY OF THE AIR BAG ELECTRONIC CONTROL MODULE (AECM), THE AECM CAN CORRODE. THE RESULTING CORROSION CAN CAUSE THE DRIVER SIDE AIR BAG TO DEPLOY INADVERTENTLY.

Risk. DEPLOYMENT OF THE AIR BAG WITHOUT WARNING COULD CAUSE A DRIVER TO LOSE VEHICLE CONTROL, INCREASING THE RISK OF A CRASH AND PERSONAL INJURY.

Remedy. DEALERS WIL REPLACE THE AECM WITH AN AECM THAT IS SEALED FROM MOISTURE INTRUSION.

Fuel System, Gasoline › Delivery › Hoses, Lines/Piping, and Fittings97V199000
Filed Nov 13, 1997497,000 vehiclesChrysler Corporation

Defect. VEHICLE DESCRIPTION: LIGHT DUTY PICKUP TRUCKS EQUIPPED WITH GASOLINE ENGINES. THE FUEL TANK MOUNTED ROLLOVER VALVE CAN ALLOW LIQUID FUEL TO LEAK ONTO THE GROUND UNDER CERTAIN VEHICLE OPERATING CONDITIONS.

Risk. FUEL LEAKAGE COULD RESULT IN A FIRE IF AN IGNITION SOURCE WAS PRESENT.

Remedy. DEALERS WILL REPLACE THE FUEL TANK ROLLOVER VALVE WITH A FLOAT TYPE ROLLOVER VALVE.

Showing 10 of 14 campaigns, newest first.

What owners reported

Newest filings
Vehicle Speed Control
Filed Nov 25, 2024CA

The contact owns a 1996 Dodge Ram. The contact became aware that the VIN was included in NHTSA Campaign Numbers: 97V068000 (Service Brakes, Hydraulic), 01V037000 (Vehicle Speed Control), and 00V135000 (Electrical System); however, the parts to do the recall repairs were not yet available. The local dealer was contacted. The contact stated that the manufacturer had exceeded a reasonable amount of time for the recall repair. The manufacturer was made aware of the issue. The contact had not experienced a failure. Parts distribution disconnect.

Electrical SystemFire
Filed Jan 28, 2009180,000 milesWI

TL*THE CONTACT OWNS A 1996 DODGE RAM. THE CONTACT NOTICED A CHEMICAL ODOR COMING FROM THE DASHBOARD AND THE HEATER. THE HEADLIGHTS FLICKERED AND THE INSTRUMENT PANEL LIGHTING SUDDENLY DIMMED. THE HEADLIGHTS WENT COMPLETELY DIM. THE CONTACT TURNED EVERYTHING BACK ON, BUT THE HEADLIGHTS ONLY ILLUMINATED FOR A FEW MINUTES. AFTER DRIVING WITHOUT HEADLIGHTS, HE NOTICED SMOKE COMING FROM THE VENTS ON THE DRIVER'S SIDE. HE PULLED INTO HIS RESIDENCE AND TURNED OFF THE VEHICLE, BUT THE HEADLIGHTS REMAINED ILLUMINATED. HE ATTEMPTED TO TURN THE HEADLIGHTS OFF, BUT WAS UNSUCCESSFUL. SMOKE FILLED THE VEHICLE AND PRODUCED AN AWFUL ODOR. HE REMOVED THE LAMP FUSE, BUT THE BUZZING NOISE STILL INDICATED THAT THE HEADLIGHTS WERE ILLUMINATED. HE REINSERTED THE FUSE AND THE BUZZING SOUND CONTINUED. HE NOTICED THAT THE WIRING HARNESS WAS MELTED. THE VEHICLE HAS NOT BEEN REPAIRED AND IS PARKED AT HIS RESIDENCE. THE FAILURE AND CURRENT MILEAGES WERE 180,000.

Exterior Lighting › Headlights › Switch
Filed Apr 9, 20079,900 milesPA

TL*- THE CONTACT OWNS A 1996 DODGE RAM PICKUP. WHILE DRIVING AT 55 MPH THE LIGHTS TURNED OFF. THE CONTACT WAS FORCED TO STOP THE VEHICLE WHILE IT COOLED OFF, AND AFTER APPROXIMATELY 15 MINUTES, THE VEHICLES LIGHTS ILLUMINATED. ALSO, THE FAILURE CAUSED THE WIRING HARNESS TO MELT. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THIS FAILURE OCCURRED TOO FREQUENTLY . IT BEGAN TO OCCUR 1 YEAR AFTER PURCHASING THE VEHICLE, AND HE REPLACED THE HEADLIGHT SWITCHES OVER 12 TIMES. DAIMLER/CHRYSLER STATED THAT THE VEHICLE HAD TOO MANY MILES ON IT AND THAT IT WAS NOT RELATED TO RECALL #99V024000 DUE TO THE VIN. THE CONTACT WAS AWARE OF THE SAFETY RISK INVOLVED. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 9,900 AND THE CURRENT MILEAGE WAS 177,000. *AK

Exterior Lighting › Headlights › Switch
Filed Dec 6, 2006134,000 milesMN

DT*: THE CONTACT STATED WHILE DRIVING AT NIGHT, THE HEADLIGHTS FAILED INTERMITTENTLY WITHOUT WARNING. THE VEHICLE WAS DRIVEN TO THE DEALER ON FOUR OCCASIONS AND THE IGNITION SWITCH WAS REPLACED EACH TIME. HOWEVER, THE PROBLEM RECURRED. THERE WAS A NHTSA RECALL, # 99V024000, REGARDING THE HEADLIGHT SWITCH. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT INCLUDED IN THE RECALL DUE TO THE VIN.

Wheels › Lugs/Nuts/Bolts/Studs
Filed Sep 21, 2006PA

1996 DODGE RAM LEFT REAR TIRE CAME OFF OF VEHICLE WHILE DRIVING. *TS *JB

Tires › Tread/Belt
Filed Aug 4, 2006116,000 milesMD

DT*: THE CONTACT STATED WHILE DRIVING 65 MPH ON DRY HIGHWAY PAVEMENT THE REAR DRIVER TIRE HAD TREAD SEPARATION WITHOUT WARNING. THE VEHICLE WAS MANEUVERED OFF THE ROAD AND THE TIRE WAS CHANGED. THE DEALER HAS NOT BEEN ALERTED. THE CONSUMER STATED HE INSPECTED THE OTHER THREEE TIRES AND NOTICTED THE SAME DEFECTS. UPDATED 08/21/06. *JB

Exterior Lighting › Headlights
Filed Jul 11, 2005NC

DT: CONSUMER STATES: THE HEADLIGHT SWITCH KEEPS BURNING UP IN HIS 1996 DODGE RAM TRUCK. IT IS BURNING THE WIRE HARNESS THAT GOES TO THE HEADLIGHT SWITCH. IT COULD GO OUT AT ANY TIME. HE HAD IT REPLACED ABOUT 3-4 MONTHS AGO AND IT IS OUT AGAIN. HE HAS TALKED TO THE DEALER AND THEY HAVE MADE A SPECIAL WIRE HARNESS TO SPLICE INTO THE WIRING ON THE TRUCK. THEY HAVE HAD A LOT OF PROBLEMS WITH THIS SAME THING. THE DEALER SAID CHRYSLER WAS AWARE OF THE PROBLEM. HE CAN BE GOING DOWN THE ROAD, AND THE LIGHTS WILL JUST GO OUT. YOU CAN PARK IT FOR A WHILE, WHEN YOU COME BACK TO START THE CAR AND SWITCH ON THE HEADLIGHTS THE HEADLIGHTS WILL NOT WORK. THE LAST TIME HE HAD IT REPLACED, THE WIRING HAD MELTED THE INSULATION. *NM

Air Bags › FrontalCrash1 injured
Filed Mar 8, 2005OH

WHILE DRIVING AT 40 MPH AN ACCIDENT OCCURRED, CONSUMER'S VEHICLE HIT A TREE HEAD ON. UPON IMPACT, AIR BAGS DID NOT DEPLOY. CONTACTED THE DEALER, AND WAS TOLD THIS WAS NORMAL, AND THAT THERE WAS NOTHING WRONG WITH THE VEHICLE. *AK... THE OTHER DRIVER, A LADY WAS CITED FOR IMPROPER BACKING OUT. CONSUMER'S GRAND SON FIRST HIT HER, THEN WENT THROUGH A YARD, HITTING A TREE. *AK

Tires › Tread/Belt
Filed Feb 2, 2005FL

THE VEHICLE STARTED SHAKING UNCONTROLLABLY. DRIVER WAS ABLE TO MAINTAIN CONTROL, AND PULLED OVER. DRIVER NOTICED THAT THE RIGHT SIDE TIRE TREAD SEPARATED FROM THE WHEEL. DRIVER WAS ABLE TO CHANGE THE TIRE. GOODYEAR WRANGLER AT, 265/75R16, #DOT PD73MFHR2403.*AK

Structure › Frame and Members › Underbody Shields
Filed Nov 8, 2004TX

CONSUMER WAS CHANGING THE ALTERANTER AND HAEARD A SQUEAKING UNDERNEATH THE VEHILCE. CONSUMER LOOKED DOWN AND FOUND THAT IT WAS A CRACKED FRAME ABOVE THE COIL SPRING HOUSING. CONSUMER CONTACED THE CHRYSLER CORPORATION. HOWEVER, CONSMER WAS TOLD THAT THERY WAS NOTHING THEY COULD DO. *AK

Fuel System, Gasoline › Delivery › Hoses, Lines/Piping, and Fittings
Filed Oct 27, 2004140,000 milesAK

CONSUMER STATED VEHICLE LEAKED EXCESSIVE FUEL. *AK

Tires
Filed Aug 4, 2004PA

WHILE INSPECTING THE TIRES CONSUMER NOTICED THAT THEY DRY ROTTED AND SEPARATED AT THE BASE WHERE THE TREAD WAS CONNECTED . DEALERSHIP INSPECTED THE TIRES, AND ACKNOWLEDGED THE FAILURE. BUT DID NOT PROVIDE THE CAUSE OF THE FAILURE, INSTEAD OFFERED CONSUMER 50% OFF A NEW SET OF TIRES. *AK

Power Train › Automatic Transmission
Filed Jun 21, 200465,000 milesNV

WHILE DRIVING TRANSMISSION FAILED TO GO FROM SECOND TO THID GEAR. MECHANIC STATED THAT THE THIRD GEAR LIP SEAL FAILED. THIS WAS A COMMON FAILURE WITH THESE VEHICLES. *AK

Fuel System, Gasoline › Storage › Tank Assembly
Filed Feb 24, 200485,000 milesWA

WHILE DRIVING AT 25 MPH VEHICLE WAS RUNNING VERY ROUGHLY. VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO THE DEALER, WHO FOUND THAT FUEL TANK AND FUEL PUMP WERE CONTAMINATED. *AK

Power Train › Automatic Transmission
Filed Jan 22, 200477,158 milesNY

MANUFACTURER DEFECT COULD HAVE CAUSED AN ACCIDENT OR EVEN HARM. *PH PROBLEMS WITH VEHICLE NOT SHIFTING PROPERLY. VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO DEALERSHIP AND THE HIGH CLUTCH DRUM WAS REPLACED. *MR *JB *SC

Power Train
Filed Jan 15, 200475,000 milesTN

PAINT IS COMING OFF IN HUGE SPOTS. STARTS AS A SMALL FADED AREA THEN STARTS PEELING. TRANSMISSION STALLS IN SECOND GEAR AND TAKES A WHILE TO SHIFT TO THIRD.

Engine and Engine Cooling
Filed Jan 15, 200488,992 milesCA

CYLINDER HEAD'S ARE CRACKED, CAUSING TRUCK TO DAMAGE HEAD GASKETS. OVERDRIVE ON THE TRUCK WENT OUT SO TRUCK WOULDN'T SHIFT.

Engine and Engine Cooling
Filed Jan 15, 2004FL

AIR CONDITION WORKS OFF AND ON THE PAINT ON THE TRUCK IS BLUE .IT HAS BEEN COMING OFF FOR SOME TIME .FIRST IN SMALL AREAS AND NOW LONGER. LOOKS LIKE A BAD SUN BURN.DON'T THINK IT WAS DONE RIGHT AT THE MANUFACTORS.

Power Train
Filed Jan 15, 2004NC

Power Train
Filed Jan 15, 200432,701 milesMI

MY MAIN COMPLAINT IS THE TRANSMISSION. THE PRESSURE SEAL FOR SECOND GEAR HAS BEEN REPLACED 3 TIMES. IT LASTS FOR ABOUT 30,000 MILES AND THEN GOES. I'VE HAD TO PAY FOR THE REPAIR 2 OUT OF 3 TIMES. APPROX 1400.00.. THE LAST TIME I HAD PARTS PUT IN THAT WERE NOT CHRYSLER PRODUCTS.

20 of 625 complaints, reproduced as filed.

Across model years

Worst on record: 1996
YearComplaintsRecallsFiresDeathsAssessment
20110400Routine
201027520Routine
20099610Routine
200825410Routine
200717410Routine
200625410Routine
200540510Routine
200458702Fatalities reported
2003175730Routine
2002322671Fatalities reported
20014361492Fatalities reported
20001471160Routine
19993661361Fatalities reported
19984831763Fatalities reported
199739811184Fatalities reported
1996 — this page62514232Fatalities reported
199561116332Fatalities reported
199446922272Fatalities reported
199354110Routine
199258220Routine
199151320Routine
199023050Routine

Compare every Ram year →

Reading this record

2 deaths reported in complaints filed with NHTSA.

Complaint counts track how many cars were sold and how long they have been on the road as much as they track quality. A common model from 2013 has had a decade to accumulate reports; a rare one from last year has not. The signal worth weighing is in the severity columns, in whether the same component keeps appearing, and in whether the manufacturer eventually opened a recall for it.

Recall repairs are free for as long as the recall stands. Check whether a specific car still has open work at NHTSA's VIN lookup.

Most recent recall on file: May 11, 2009. Source: NHTSA Office of Defects Investigation.