1996 Dodge Ram 1500: problems, recalls and reliability
1 recall and 298 owner complaints on record; the weakest area is service brakes, hydraulic (14% of complaints); the 1994 model year looks more trouble-free.
Data updated weekly · latest recall Mar 2006
All counts are reports filed with NHTSA in the United States - US market only, not worldwide totals.
Common problems
Computed from 298 owner complaints filed with NHTSA for this exact model year.
“The contact owns a 1996 Dodge Ram 1500. The contact stated while refueling the vehicle, he noticed that fuel leaking underneath the vehicle. The vehicle was taken to an independent mechanic where it was diagnosed, and the mechanic stated that the rollover valve needed to be replaced. The vehicle was not repaired. The manufacturer was not contacted. The failure mileage was 138,000.”Owner report · Fuel System, Gasoline · Jun 2020
“Sigma tires stampede tires -265 75 16 at splitting tread and coming apart -told recall only last ten* years**-nothing to do and no replacement-tire kingdom* truck vibrates and shakes, loud thud,thud, noise(in motion) affects steering as wobbles always*had issues as rough**riding over the years and never knew why*”Owner report · Wheels · Oct 2018
“My ball joints, tie rods, steering box, all that has to do with those areas have serious issues and dodge needs to fox them for free put them under the recall dept so they can be. Steering wheel very loose tons of play very dangerous.”Owner report · Wheels · Feb 2018
Show 7 more owner reports
“On 1/27/2018 my dash board shattered while I was attempting to wipe clean it with moist towel. I bought this vehicle used from dodge dealership in june 1998 with 45120 miles. At present it has only 83000 approx. The vehicle at the time was stationary. I have the photos, unfortunately I do not know how to upload it.”Owner report · Structure · Jan 2018
“Tl* the contact owns a 1996 dodge ram 1500 equipped with sigma stampede radial at/s tires, size 265/75r16. While driving 30 mph, the vehicle shook from side to side. The contact noticed that the steel tread on all four tires was torn apart. The vehicle was not taken to a local dealer to be diagnosed or repaired. The tires were not original equipment. The manufacturer was notified and stated that nothing could be done. The dot number and VIN were not available. The tire and vehicle failure mileage was approximately 100,000.”Owner report · Tires · Dec 2017
“Takata recall the wiring for headlight switch burnt up and switch melted I saw a lot of the same problems on the internet but no recall on the 1500 just the 3500 for the same problem”Owner report · Exterior Lighting · Jul 2017
“The entire dashboard is crumbling leaving sharp plastic fling arond and open wires in the dash net issue the dash is actually disintegrating to dust called no help out of warranty we have other cars that are older and no such problem has ever make our dash turn to dust .”Owner report · Unknown Or Other · Sep 2016
“Was driving in white out conditions on feb 14, 2015 and had a accident with another vehicle that totaled my truck and my air bag never went off. *tr”Owner report · Air Bags · Feb 2015
“I went out on friday the 6th of feb.2015. I got a coffee at wawa everything was fine I left to go to my buddy's house to hangout and I started driving down the road n I noticed smoke coming out the vents when I was driving so I pulled over cuz I thought it was the heater core cuz when they go bad smoke comes out of them so I'm looking n looking n all of a sudden the smoke is getting heavier and darker within 20-25 mins after calling 911 there it happened my truck went up in flames n a total loss. Then that day after I got home n calmed down I looked it up n the first thing that popped up recall for wiring harness in dashboard shorts out n causes fires... I'm like really....*js”Owner report · Electrical System · Feb 2015
“Tl* the contact owns a 1996 dodge ram 1500. When the engine was started, the rear of the vehicle emitted a fuel odor and fuel leaked from the fuel tank. The contact stated that the vehicle shook while the engine was running. The contact received a recall notice for the fuel tank rollover valve. The contact took the vehicle to the dealer who stated that the vehicle already received the recall repair; however, the failure recurred. The vehicle was not repaired. The manufacturer was not made aware of the failure. The failure mileage and NHTSA campaign number were unknown.”Owner report · Fuel/Propulsion System · Jan 2015
When filing, owners marked a crash in 18 of these complaints and injuries in 17 - self-reported to NHTSA, not verified accident statistics.
Recalls - 1 campaign
CERTAIN REPLACEMENT K&N FUEL PERFORMANCE KITS, P/NOS. 57-1509, 57-1511, 57-1511-1, 57-1517, 57-1517-1, 57-1527, AND 57-1530. ALSO, A SMALL PERCENTAGE OF THESE KITS WERE SOLD UNDER THE MOPAR PERFORMANCE PARTS BRAND NAME (P/NOS. P5007069 AND P5007070). ALL KITS WERE MANUFACTURED FROM APRIL 20, 1999, THROUGH SEPTEMBER 23, 2004. THESE ASSEMBLIES WERE MANUFACTURED AS REPLACEMENT EQUIPMENT FOR CERTAIN DODGE PICKUP TRUCKS AND SUVS. A SMALL PIECE OF MATERIAL FROM THE TUBE WALL COULD BE SUCKED INTO THE ENGINE THROTTLE BODY, WHICH COULD CAUSE THE THROTTLE TO BECOME JAMMED IN THE OPEN POSITION.
Remedy: K&N WILL PROVIDE OWNERS WITH A FREE REPAIR KIT ALONG WITH REPAIR INSTRUCTIONS. THE RECALL BEGAN ON APRIL 20, 2006.
How other years compare
Check your exact Ram 1500 by VIN
Recalls and equipment differ between individual vehicles. Decode your VIN to see what applies to yours.
Open VIN decoderFrequently asked questions
Is the 1996 Dodge Ram 1500 reliable?
NHTSA has 298 owner complaints and 1 recall campaign on record for the 1996 Dodge Ram 1500. The most complained-about area is service brakes, hydraulic (14% of complaints).
At what mileage do 1996 Dodge Ram 1500 problems usually appear?
Half of the complaints that mention mileage were filed at 122,000 miles or less.
Does the 1996 Dodge Ram 1500 have open recalls?
1 recall campaign has been issued, the latest concerning engine and engine cooling. Check your specific vehicle by VIN - recall repairs are free at franchised dealers.
Source: NHTSA recall campaigns and owner complaints (public domain). Counts reflect reports on file and are not a defect rate.