Tap a category to read its complaints. One report may name several components.
When problems were reported
Mileage at the reported incident
50–25K
225–50K
450–75K
2075–100K
29100–150K
24150K+
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
What owners actually said
298 reports
Mileage unknown · Apr 7, 2000
Power Train
AUTOMATIC TRANSMISSION FAILS TO SHIFT INTO 3RD GEAR AT ANY SPEED. FAILS TO SHIFT INTO REVERSE WHEN VEHICLE WARM. PROBLEM BEGAN INTERMITTENTLY BUT GOT PROGRESSIVELY WORSE. TOOK TO DEALER 7/99 AND WAS UNABLE TO DIAGNOSE. DEALER INFORMED ME TRANSMISSION WOULD NEED TO BE REMOVED AT MY EXPENSE TO COMPLETE DIAGNOSIS AND REPAIR. H…
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AUTOMATIC TRANSMISSION FAILS TO SHIFT INTO 3RD GEAR AT ANY SPEED. FAILS TO SHIFT INTO REVERSE WHEN VEHICLE WARM. PROBLEM BEGAN INTERMITTENTLY BUT GOT PROGRESSIVELY WORSE. TOOK TO DEALER 7/99 AND WAS UNABLE TO DIAGNOSE. DEALER INFORMED ME TRANSMISSION WOULD NEED TO BE REMOVED AT MY EXPENSE TO COMPLETE DIAGNOSIS AND REPAIR. HAVE SEEN NUMEROUS SIMILAR COMPLAINTS IN YOUR DATABASE AND FEEL THIS IS AN OBVIOUS DEFECT AND SHOULD BE SUBJECT TO A RECALL. *AK
NHTSA ODI #711310
Mileage unknown · Apr 3, 2000
Power Train
TRANSMISSION FAILURE 1/00 ; ORIGINAL EQ CHROME RIMS BENT, DEALER SAYS METAL IN RIM WAS INFERIOR. DID NOT OFFER TO REPLACE IT. *AK
NHTSA ODI #720955
Mileage unknown · Mar 21, 2000
Air BagsSeat BeltsCrashInjury
CONSUMER WAS TRAVELING 35MPH, ANOTHER VEHICLE VEERED INTO HER LANE AND HIT VEHICLE, KNOCKING IT ACROSS INTO A FIRE HYDRANT, SEATBELT DIDN'T CATCH. CONSUMER SUSTAINED INJURIES. ALSO, DRIVER'S SIDE AIRBAG DIDN'T DEPLOY. INVESTIGATOR TOLD CONSUMER THAT IT WASN'T A HARD DIRECT HIT. *AK *ML
NHTSA ODI #858926
Mileage unknown · Mar 20, 2000
Engine And Engine CoolingPower TrainService Brakes, Hydraulic
THE EXHAUST SYSTEM AND THE RADIO WERE REPALCED WITH NO PROBLEMS FROM THE DEALER, THE BRAKE SYSTEM I REPLACED MYSELF, THE TRANSMISSION WAS REPAIRED BY THE DEALERSHIP WITH A $100 DEDUCTABLE AFTER CONTACTING CHYSLER, THE PITMAN AND IDLER ARM HAVE NOT YET BEEN REPAIRED, I AM NOT DRIVING THE VECHICLE
NHTSA ODI #720389
Mileage unknown · Feb 20, 2000
Power Train
THIS IS THE SECOND TIME THAT MY TRANS HAS FAILED SINCE I PURCHASED IT. FIRST TIME THE DEALERSHIP REBUILT IT UNDER WARRANTY. THIS TIME IT IS JUST ?!@#$% I HAVE NEVER HAD SO MANY PROBLEMS WITH A VEHICLES POWERTRAIN AS I HAVE HAD WITH THIS ONE. I' M NOT THE ONLY ONE WHO HAS THIS PROBLEM EITHER. I'M WORRIED THAT THE NEXT TIME IT GOE…
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THIS IS THE SECOND TIME THAT MY TRANS HAS FAILED SINCE I PURCHASED IT. FIRST TIME THE DEALERSHIP REBUILT IT UNDER WARRANTY. THIS TIME IT IS JUST ?!@#$% I HAVE NEVER HAD SO MANY PROBLEMS WITH A VEHICLES POWERTRAIN AS I HAVE HAD WITH THIS ONE. I' M NOT THE ONLY ONE WHO HAS THIS PROBLEM EITHER. I'M WORRIED THAT THE NEXT TIME IT GOES OUT IT COULD CAUSE AN ACCIDENT. *AK
NHTSA ODI #719009
Mileage unknown · Jan 27, 2000
Electrical SystemEngine And Engine CoolingVehicle Speed Control
COMPUTER CHIP WILL NOT START THE CAR, CAR DIES IN THE MIDDLE OF THE ROAD WHEN TRAFFIC IS COMING. CONSUMER FEELS THAT THERE A COMPUTER CHIP THAT IS CAUSING THE PROBLEM. *AK
NHTSA ODI #855425
Mileage unknown · Jan 22, 2000
Power TrainVehicle Speed Control
WHILE ATTEMPTING TO SHIFT INTO 3RD GEAR OR OVERDRIVE AT SPEED BETWEEN 40-45 MPH, VEHICLE WILL EITHER NOT SHIFT AND STAY IN 2ND GEARSO RPMS CONTINUE TO RISE OR WILL ACT AS IF IN NEUTRAL AND NOT SHIFT OR RESPOND TO THE GAS PEDAL, ONLY RESULTING IN HIGH RPMS. *AK
NHTSA ODI #854214
Mileage unknown · Jan 13, 2000
Steering
I AM ON MY FOURTH STEERING COLUMN WITH LESS THAN 25,000 MILES.DID I BUY A LEMON OR CAN YOU HELP ME? THE DODGE PEOPLE ONLY SAID THEY WOULD ONLY DOCUMENT IT. THANK YOU.
NHTSA ODI #717292
Mileage unknown · Jan 4, 2000
Power Train
TRANSMISSION FAILED AFTER MAKING KNOCKING NOISE WHICH GOT PROGRESSIVELY LOUDER OVER A PERIOD OF SEVERAL MONTHS. A NEW TRANSMISSION WAS INSTALLED AND NOW THAT TRANSMISSION IS MAKING THE SAME NOISE AFTER ONLY A FEW DAYS. I BELIEVE THAT THIS MODEL OF TRANSMISSION MAY BE DEFECTIVE AS IT FAILED AFTER ONLY 58,000 MILES AND NOW THE NEW…
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TRANSMISSION FAILED AFTER MAKING KNOCKING NOISE WHICH GOT PROGRESSIVELY LOUDER OVER A PERIOD OF SEVERAL MONTHS. A NEW TRANSMISSION WAS INSTALLED AND NOW THAT TRANSMISSION IS MAKING THE SAME NOISE AFTER ONLY A FEW DAYS. I BELIEVE THAT THIS MODEL OF TRANSMISSION MAY BE DEFECTIVE AS IT FAILED AFTER ONLY 58,000 MILES AND NOW THE NEW ONE IS MAKING THE SAME NOISE THAT THE OLD ONE STARTED OUT MAKING. *AK
NHTSA ODI #716883
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.
1996 Dodge RAM 1500 Problems, Complaints & Recalls | Skip That Year
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