1996 Dodge Ram 2500: problems, recalls and reliability
1 recall and 291 owner complaints on record; the weakest area is service brakes, hydraulic (24% 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 291 owner complaints filed with NHTSA for this exact model year.
“The contact owns a 1996 Dodge Ram 2500. The contact stated while driving approximately 30 MPH, the air bag warning light suddenly activated, and moments later the front driver's side air bag erroneously deployed. During the failure, the driver sustained various facial injuries and injuries to the nose. The contact also sustained an injury to the right arm which required medical attention. The cause of the failure was not yet determined. The local dealer and manufacturer were notified of the failure, but no assistance was offered. The failure mileage was 330,000.”Owner report · Air Bags · Jun 2023
“The pealing (defective) paint that dodge refuses to do anything about has now pealed around the windshield frame. The windshield is stuck to the paint, but since the paint has turned loose from the windshield frame it's just sort of sitting there. I guess the good news is now upon impact the windshield will quickly exit the vehicle allowing the sharp plastic shards from the broken dash to also leave the vehicle rather than impaling the occupant's. This just weeks after having to weld a broken lower a frame bracket back in place, yet another defect in these trucks.”Owner report · Unknown Or Other · Oct 2020
“Tl* the contact owns a 1996 ram 2500. The contact stated that while driving at speeds of 45-55 mph, the vehicle experienced severe front end shakes and vibration when driving over grooved pavement. The cause of the failure was not determined. The local dealer urness motors (505 cherry heights road, the dalles, or. 97058) and the manufacturer was notified of the failure but no assistance was offered. The failure mileage was 176,000. *dt*jb*dt consumer asks for safety recall and stated he could not drive on open freeway.*jb”Owner report · Suspension · Feb 2020
Show 7 more owner reports
“Tl* the contact owns a 1996 dodge ram 2500. The contact stated that the headlights failed to illuminate at night time. The contact mentioned that the high beam headlights turned off after ten minutes and the low beam headlights flickered. The contact mentioned that the failure occurred periodically. The vehicle was not taken to a dealer or independent mechanic for diagnostic testing or repairs. The manufacturer was made aware of the failure and informed the contact that the vehicle was not included in a recall. The failure mileage was 300,000.”Owner report · Exterior Lighting · Aug 2016
“Tl* the contact owns a 1996 dodge ram 2500. While driving approximately 70 mph, a burning odor and smoke emitted inside the cabin. The headlight switch ignited into small flames. The vehicle was maneuvered to the side of the road where the contact extinguished the flames. A fire and police report were not filed. There were no injuries. The contact was able to drive the vehicle. The vehicle was taken to the dealer, who stated that the fire was contributed to a faulty headlight switch. The vehicle was not repaired. The manufacturer was notified of the issue. The approximate failure mileage was 200,000. The VIN was unvailalbe.”Owner report · Exterior Lighting · Feb 2015
“Tl* the contact owns a 1996 dodge ram 2500. The contact stated that while making a turn in the driveway, the driver side air bag deployed. As a result, the contact sustained shoulder, arm, jaw, and head injuries that required medical attention. The vehicle was not diagnosed or repaired. The manufacturer was notified of the failure. The failure mileage was 291,000.”Owner report · Air Bags · Jan 2015
“Tl* the contact owns a 1996 dodge ram 2500. While driving approximately 50 mph, the low beam headlights suddenly shut off. The contact examined the vehicle and discovered that the headlight switch overheated and melted. The manufacturer was notified of the failure. The failure mileage was 68,000.”Owner report · Exterior Lighting · Nov 2014
“When towing a trailer the headlights shut off for a few min. Then come back on. With the brights on the shut offs happen earlier in the drive and more frequently. Dodge did a recall on the 3500 trucks with the same headlight system, but they did not recall the 2500 trucks. All the electrical power for the headlights is routed threw the headlight switch. The switch heats up and the headlights are shut off or the headlight switch melts from the heat and they never come back on. Dodge even sells a fix for the problem which uses relays, which they should have used when they built the truck. *tr”Owner report · Exterior Lighting · Sep 2014
“Attempted to turn on headlights. Headlight switch pulled out from dis-integrated instrument panel plastic. Had to release steering wheel and hold body of headlight switch with one hand while operating switch control with other hand. This dodge ram's dash cover has completely cracked away several years ago. Now, the actual instrument panel is dis-integrating. Currently the headlight switch, the overdrive switch and auxiliary power outlet are hanging by wires. The drink holder and radio are removed as their mounting support is gone. *tr”Owner report · Exterior Lighting · Jun 2014
“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. *tr”Owner report · Tires · May 2014
When filing, owners marked a crash in 15 of these complaints and injuries in 8 - 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 2500 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 2500 reliable?
NHTSA has 291 owner complaints and 1 recall campaign on record for the 1996 Dodge Ram 2500. The most complained-about area is service brakes, hydraulic (24% of complaints).
At what mileage do 1996 Dodge Ram 2500 problems usually appear?
Half of the complaints that mention mileage were filed at 145,000 miles or less.
Does the 1996 Dodge Ram 2500 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.