SkipThatYearREAL DATA. SMARTER CAR DECISIONS.
← New search

1996 Dodge RAM 1500

Owner reports · Recalls · Investigations

Similar to other model years

Owner complaints for the 1996 Dodge RAM 1500 do not stand out strongly from the model-year median of 520.

About this comparison →
298Owner complaints

Model-year median: 520

0Recall campaigns

View recall details →

1Investigations

View investigation details →

How this year compares

Owner complaints by model year

Other model years Selected year
6
1993116
1994213
1995298
1996361
1997520
1998610
1999
Compare all RAM 1500 years →

Counts vary with age, sales and reporting. They are not failure rates.

What owners reported most

Power Train
52Service Brakes, Hydraulic
46Structure
35Engine And Engine Cooling
32Suspension
27
All reported categories
Electrical System
26Steering
23Fuel System, Gasoline
19Unknown Or Other
16Exterior Lighting
12Tires
12Latches/locks/linkages
11Vehicle Speed Control
11Air Bags
10Visibility
9Equipment
7Seats
7Wheels
7Seat Belts
3Engine
2Fuel/propulsion System
1Interior Lighting
1Trailer Hitches
1Visibility/wiper
1

Tap a category to read its complaints. One report may name several components.

When problems were reported

Mileage at the reported incident

84 reports with mileage · 214 unknown

NHTSA’s mileage field refers to the reported incident, not necessarily the filing date. This shows report counts, not the likelihood of a failure.

What to inspect

Issues worth paying extra attention to based on owner reports.

  • Power Train. Review the 52 owner reports in this category and discuss these concerns during a pre-purchase inspection. Read reports →
  • Service Brakes, Hydraulic. Review the 46 owner reports in this category and discuss these concerns during a pre-purchase inspection. Read reports →
  • Structure. Review the 35 owner reports in this category and discuss these concerns during a pre-purchase inspection. Read reports →

NHTSA owner reports · September 18, 2026 snapshot.

18 crash reports17 fire reports13 injury reports

Fuel System, Gasoline complaints

19 reports
Clear category filter
138,000 miles · Jun 30, 2022
Fuel System, Gasoline

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 manufacture…

Read full complaint

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.

NHTSA ODI #11471902

92,571 miles · Aug 13, 2011
Fuel System, Gasoline

1996 DODGE RAM 1500 4X4 5.2 LTR. 318 CI. ENGINE. THROTTLE STUCK FULLY OPEN WHEN PULLING INTO CUSTOMERS DRIVEWAY HAULING SMALL UTILITY TRAILER. I PUT TRUCK IN NEUTRAL AND SHOT OFF ENGINE. AFTER 10 MINUTES I RESTARTED TRUCK AND IT SEEMS FINE NOW. THIS IS AN ISOLATED INCIDENT AT THIS TIME. I INSPECTED FUEL LINKAGES FROM PEDAL TO TH…

Read full complaint

1996 DODGE RAM 1500 4X4 5.2 LTR. 318 CI. ENGINE. THROTTLE STUCK FULLY OPEN WHEN PULLING INTO CUSTOMERS DRIVEWAY HAULING SMALL UTILITY TRAILER. I PUT TRUCK IN NEUTRAL AND SHOT OFF ENGINE. AFTER 10 MINUTES I RESTARTED TRUCK AND IT SEEMS FINE NOW. THIS IS AN ISOLATED INCIDENT AT THIS TIME. I INSPECTED FUEL LINKAGES FROM PEDAL TO THROTTLE BODY AND ALL APPEARS WELL. THERE IS MINIMAL CORROSION AND I WAS UNABLE TO DUPLICATE THIS PROBLEM MANUALLY. *TR

NHTSA ODI #10419319

166,000 miles · Mar 4, 2009
Fuel System, Gasoline

ENGINE LOST POWER ON HIGHWAY HAD TO GET A TOW HOME FOUND A WHOLE WITH SHINY CLEAN THREADS IN INTAKE MANIFOLD DEALER CANT HELP ME. SO I TRIED ANOTHER DEALER. THEY COULD NOT HELP.THE 2ND DEALER SAID MY TRUCK SHOULD NOT HAVE THIS OPENING IN THE BACK OF INTAKE MANIFOLD MY TRUCK IS STOCK 5.9 MOTOR I DON'T KNOW IF MY TRUCK TAKES A PLU…

Read full complaint

ENGINE LOST POWER ON HIGHWAY HAD TO GET A TOW HOME FOUND A WHOLE WITH SHINY CLEAN THREADS IN INTAKE MANIFOLD DEALER CANT HELP ME. SO I TRIED ANOTHER DEALER. THEY COULD NOT HELP.THE 2ND DEALER SAID MY TRUCK SHOULD NOT HAVE THIS OPENING IN THE BACK OF INTAKE MANIFOLD MY TRUCK IS STOCK 5.9 MOTOR I DON'T KNOW IF MY TRUCK TAKES A PLUG BACK THERE OR A TUBE OR A VACUUM LINE. *TR

NHTSA ODI #10260656

128,000 miles · Nov 12, 2008
Fuel System, Gasoline

I HAVE A 1996 DODGE RAM 1500 PICKUP TRUCK AND TODAY THE GAS TANK FELL ON THE STREET. HAD I BEEN GOING AT HIGHWAY SPEED THIS WOULD HAVE EXPLODED SINCE I A 25 GALLONS OF FUEL. I WAS LUCKY I WAS IN A PARKING LOT. THERE SHOULD NOT BE A DEATH UNTIL SOMETHING IS DONE TO RESEARCH THE POTENTIAL PROBLEM. *TR

NHTSA ODI #10248635

142,000 miles · Jul 24, 2006
Fuel System, Gasoline

DT*: THE CONTACT STATED A STRONG SMELL OF GAS WAS IN THE VEHICLE AND A LEAK WAS FOUND IN THE PLASTIC PIPE FROM THE FUEL PUMP. THE DEALER HAS NOT BEEN ALERTED.

NHTSA ODI #10163288

86,000 miles · Mar 8, 2005
Fuel System, Gasoline

ROLL OVER VALVE LEAKED FUEL. CONSUMER CONTACTED THE DEALER, WHO WILL NOT ASSIST THE CONSUMER IN FIXING THE VEHICLE. *AK THE CONSUMER STATED THAT IF HE FILLS THE FUEL TANK OR TIGHTEN THE GAS CAP FUEL LEAKS ON THE GROUND. THE CONSUMER STATED THAT THE RECALL DID NOT INCLUDE HIS VIN NUMBER. *TC

NHTSA ODI #10111512

Mileage unknown · Feb 14, 2005
Fuel System, Gasoline

COMPLAINT ABOUT RECALL 97V199000, ROLLOVER VALVE TO BE REPLACED. *BF THE CONSUMER STATED HIS VEHICLE HAS A LEAK COMING FROM THE ROLLOVER VALVE, BUT WHEN HE TOOK HIS VEHICLE TO THE DEALER, HE WA TOLD HIS VEHICLE IDENTIFICATION NUMBER WAS NOT INCLUDED IN THE RECALL. *JB

NHTSA ODI #10115313

188,000 miles · Dec 28, 2004
Fuel System, GasolineFire

MY HUSBAND WAS LETTING HIS 96 DODGE WARM UP AFTER A BIG SNOW AND ICE STORM AND SOMEONE STOPPED TO TELL HIM IT WAS ON FIRE. THE FIRE STARTED UNDER THE BED OF THE TRUCK . THEY TRIED TO PUT IT OUT WITH EXTINGUISHERS AND WATER BUT TO NO AVAIL IT WAS COMPLETELY LOST BY THE TIME THE FIRE TRUCK ARRIVED. *JB

NHTSA ODI #10104661

140,000 miles · Sep 15, 2003
Fuel System, GasolineFire

WHILE DRIVING 10 MPH, THE CONSUMER HEARD A POPPING SOUND, AND NOTICED FROM THE REARVIEW MIRROR A FIRE COMING FROM UNDER THE VEHICLE. CONSUMER STOPPED THE VEHICLE, SHUT THE ENGINE OFF, AND EXITED THE VEHICLE. THERE WAS MINIMAL DAMAGE DONE TO VEHICLE. AN INDIVIDUAL INVESTIGATOR CONCLUDED THAT THE ROLLOVER VALVE WAS THE CAUSE OF…

Read full complaint

WHILE DRIVING 10 MPH, THE CONSUMER HEARD A POPPING SOUND, AND NOTICED FROM THE REARVIEW MIRROR A FIRE COMING FROM UNDER THE VEHICLE. CONSUMER STOPPED THE VEHICLE, SHUT THE ENGINE OFF, AND EXITED THE VEHICLE. THERE WAS MINIMAL DAMAGE DONE TO VEHICLE. AN INDIVIDUAL INVESTIGATOR CONCLUDED THAT THE ROLLOVER VALVE WAS THE CAUSE OF THE FIRE.*AK *PH *JB

NHTSA ODI #10034150

106,000 miles · Mar 8, 2003
Engine And Engine CoolingFuel System, GasolinePower Train

I OWN A 1996 DODGE RAM 1500 WITH THE 5.2 LITER ENGINE. THE ENGINE OIL LIGHT WOULD FLICKER WHEN STOPPED AT A STOP SIGN IN DRIVE. I TOOK IT TO THE DODGE DEALERSHIP AND THEY SAID THAT THE ENGINE WOULD HAVE TO BE REPLACED DUE TO THE WEAR. I HAVE USED MOBILE 1 SYNTHETIC OIL SINCE THE BREAKIN OIL AND NEVER LET THE OIL IN THE VEHICL…

Read full complaint

I OWN A 1996 DODGE RAM 1500 WITH THE 5.2 LITER ENGINE. THE ENGINE OIL LIGHT WOULD FLICKER WHEN STOPPED AT A STOP SIGN IN DRIVE. I TOOK IT TO THE DODGE DEALERSHIP AND THEY SAID THAT THE ENGINE WOULD HAVE TO BE REPLACED DUE TO THE WEAR. I HAVE USED MOBILE 1 SYNTHETIC OIL SINCE THE BREAKIN OIL AND NEVER LET THE OIL IN THE VEHICLE OVER 4,000 MILES. EACH TIME THE OIL FILTER WAS ALSO CHANGED. THE VEHICLE HAS 106,000 MILES ON IT AND THE ENGINE REPLACEMENT IS COSTING ME $4.700. I'VE BEEN TOLD THAT THE 5.2 LITER ENGINE DOES NOT HANDLE SYNTHETIC OIL WELL. THE OIL DOES NOT RETURN TO THE OIL PAN FAST ENOUGH TO KEEP THE BOTTOM OF THE ENGINE LUBRICATED. I FIND THIS HARD TO BELIEVE BUT I'VE NEVER WORE OUT AN ENGINE BEFORE. MY QUESTION IS HOW CAN AN ENGINE WEAR OUT WHEN IT WAS TAKEN SUCH GOOD CARE OF? I'VE HAD SEVERAL OTHER FAILURES OF THIS VEHICLE DEALING WITH U-JOINTS, STEERING SHAFT, FAILED FUEL PUMP, AND AN UNSTABLE SUSPENSION REQUIRING A $500 PISTON ASSEMBLY TO REPAIR BUT THE REPAIR DID NOTHING TO HELP. *NLM

NHTSA ODI #10010160

Official recalls

0

No recalls in this snapshot.

Model-level recall history does not show whether a particular VIN is affected or has received a repair. Check a VIN with NHTSA ↗

NHTSA investigations

1

DP03006 · Seat Back Failure

Opened Sep 23, 2003 · Closed Apr 8, 2004

Status: closed (inferred from source dates) · Seats; Seats:front Assembly:recliner

ODI HAS IDENTIFIED 30 INCIDENTS WHERE IT IS ALLEGED THE SEAT BACK COLLAPSED IN A REAR IMPACT CRASH.THESE INCIDENTS ARE ALLEGED TO HAVE CONTRIBUTED TO 23 INJURIES AND TWO DEATHS.THE DATA PRESENTED TO ODI SHOW THAT THE SEAT BACK STRENGTH OF THE FRONT SEATS COMPLY WITH FEDERAL MOTOR VEHICLE SAFETY STANDARD NO. 207. SEATING SYSTEM.ACCORDING TO DAIMLERCHRYLSER THE FRONT SEATS WERE DESIGNED TO COLLAPSE REARWARD IN REAR IMPACT CRASHES AS PART OF THE ENERGY ABSORPTIONCAPABILITIES OF THE SEATING SYSTEM TO REDUCE THE CHANCE OF SERIOUS INJURY TO THE OCCUPANT.RATES OF OCCURANCE WERE COMPARED TO PEER VEHICLES, AND IT WAS SHOWN THAT THE PERFORMACE OF THE SUBJECT VEHICLE WAS COMPARABLE TO THOSE VEHICLES.IN VIEW OF THE FORGOING, IT IS UNLIKELY THAT NHTSA WOULD ISSUE AN ORDER FOR THE NOTIFICATION REMEDY OF A SAFETY DEFECT IN THE SUBJECT VEHICLES AS DEFINED BY THE PETITIONER AT THE CONCLUSION OF THE INVESTIGATION REQUESTED IN THE PETITION.THERFORE, IN VIEW OF THE NEED TO ALLOCATE AND PRIORITIZE THE NHTSA'S LIMITED RESOURCES TO BEST ACCOMPLISH THE AGENCY'S MISSION, THE PETITION IS DENIED.FOR FURTHER DETAILS, REFER TO ODI'S RESPONSE TO THE PETITION PUBLISHED IN THE FEDERAL REGISTER VOL.69, NO. 60 , DATED MARCH 29, 2004.

Additional source detail variants (2)

Seats

ODI HAS IDENTIFIED 30 INCIDENTS WHERE IT IS ALLEGED THE SEAT BACK COLLAPSED IN A REAR IMPACT CRASH.THESE INCIDENTS ARE ALLEGED TO HAVE CONTRIBUTED TO 23 INJURIES AND TWO DEATHS.THE DATA PRESENTED TO ODI SHOW THAT THE SEAT BACK STRENGTH OF THE FRONT SEATS COMPLY WITH FEDERAL MOTOR VEHICLE SAFETY STANDARD NO. 207. SEATING SYSTEM.ACCORDING TO DAIMLERCHRYLSER THE FRONT SEATS WERE DESIGNED TO COLLAPSE REARWARD IN REAR IMPACT CRASHES AS PART OF THE ENERGY ABSORPTIONCAPABILITIES OF THE SEATING SYSTEM TO REDUCE THE CHANCE OF SERIOUS INJURY TO THE OCCUPANT.RATES OF OCCURANCE WERE COMPARED TO PEER VEHICLES, AND IT WAS SHOWN THAT THE PERFORMACE OF THE SUBJECT VEHICLE WAS COMPARABLE TO THOSE VEHICLES.IN VIEW OF THE FORGOING, IT IS UNLIKELY THAT NHTSA WOULD ISSUE AN ORDER FOR THE NOTIFICATION REMEDY OF A SAFETY DEFECT IN THE SUBJECT VEHICLES AS DEFINED BY THE PETITIONER AT THE CONCLUSION OF THE INVESTIGATION REQUESTED IN THE PETITION.THERFORE, IN VIEW OF THE NEED TO ALLOCATE AND PRIORITIZE THE NHTSA'S LIMITED RESOURCES TO BEST ACCOMPLISH THE AGENCY'S MISSION, THE PETITION IS DENIED.FOR FURTHER DETAILS, REFER TO ODI'S RESPONSE TO THE PETITION PUBLISHED IN THE FEDERAL REGISTER VOL.69, NO. 60 , DATED MARCH 29, 2004.

Seats:front Assembly:recliner

ODI HAS IDENTIFIED 30 INCIDENTS WHERE IT IS ALLEGED THE SEAT BACK COLLAPSED IN A REAR IMPACT CRASH.THESE INCIDENTS ARE ALLEGED TO HAVE CONTRIBUTED TO 23 INJURIES AND TWO DEATHS.THE DATA PRESENTED TO ODI SHOW THAT THE SEAT BACK STRENGTH OF THE FRONT SEATS COMPLY WITH FEDERAL MOTOR VEHICLE SAFETY STANDARD NO. 207. SEATING SYSTEM.ACCORDING TO DAIMLERCHRYLSER THE FRONT SEATS WERE DESIGNED TO COLLAPSE REARWARD IN REAR IMPACT CRASHES AS PART OF THE ENERGY ABSORPTIONCAPABILITIES OF THE SEATING SYSTEM TO REDUCE THE CHANCE OF SERIOUS INJURY TO THE OCCUPANT.RATES OF OCCURANCE WERE COMPARED TO PEER VEHICLES, AND IT WAS SHOWN THAT THE PERFORMACE OF THE SUBJECT VEHICLE WAS COMPARABLE TO THOSE VEHICLES.IN VIEW OF THE FORGOING, IT IS UNLIKELY THAT NHTSA WOULD ISSUE AN ORDER FOR THE NOTIFICATION REMEDY OF A SAFETY DEFECT IN THE SUBJECT VEHICLES AS DEFINED BY THE PETITIONER AT THE CONCLUSION OF THE INVESTIGATION REQUESTED IN THE PETITION.THERFORE, IN VIEW OF THE NEED TO ALLOCATE AND PRIORITIZE THE NHTSA'S LIMITED RESOURCES TO BEST ACCOMPLISH THE AGENCY'S MISSION, THE PETITION IS DENIED.FOR FURTHER DETAILS, REFER TO ODI'S RESPONSE TO THE PETITION PUBLISHED IN THE FEDERAL REGISTER VOL.69, NO. 60 , DATED MARCH 29, 2004.