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
200,000 miles · Jan 13, 2009
Structure
I BOUGHT A 96 DODGE RAM 1500 EXT CAB BRAND NEW FROM MICHIGAN I HAVE BEEN THE SOLE OWNER OF THIS VEHICLE AND TAKE CARE OF IT AS NEED BE. MY DASH BOARD STARTED OUT CRACKING THEN MORE CRACKS THAT GREW LARGER AND LARGER UNTIL THEY JUST BROKE INTO PIECES, SO NOW I HAVE NO DASH AT ALL. YOU CAN BUY NEW DASH BOARDS FROM DODGE BUT ALSO H…
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I BOUGHT A 96 DODGE RAM 1500 EXT CAB BRAND NEW FROM MICHIGAN I HAVE BEEN THE SOLE OWNER OF THIS VEHICLE AND TAKE CARE OF IT AS NEED BE. MY DASH BOARD STARTED OUT CRACKING THEN MORE CRACKS THAT GREW LARGER AND LARGER UNTIL THEY JUST BROKE INTO PIECES, SO NOW I HAVE NO DASH AT ALL. YOU CAN BUY NEW DASH BOARDS FROM DODGE BUT ALSO HAVE TO BUY THE BEZEL BECAUSE THE BRACKET PATTERN HAS CHANGED. THAT'S GOING TO COST AROUND $400 PLUS HAVE SOMEONE INSTALL IT. THIS IS OBVIOUSLY A FACTORY DEFECT THAT DODGE SHOULD BE HELD RESPONSIBLE FOR. MY VEHICLE IS NOT THE ONLY VEHICLE LIKE THIS I HAVE SEEN MANY OTHERS JUST IN MY AREA. *TR
NHTSA ODI #10254870
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
Mileage unknown · Sep 29, 2008
Structure
DASH CRACKING. CRACKED EARLIER, DATE LISTED IS WHEN I BOUGHT IT. *TR
NHTSA ODI #10243832
138,000 miles · Aug 16, 2008
Power Train
NORMAL DRIVING INTO MOUNTAINS AND AUTO TRANSMISSION SHIFTED OUT OF OVERDRIVE AND WOULD NOT SHIFT BACK, EVEN DOWN HILL. CHECKED FLUID AND VERY HOT AND STARTED TO SMELLED BURNT. HAS BEEN SHIFTING HARD. *TR
NHTSA ODI #10238474
129,385 miles · Jul 16, 2008
SteeringSuspension
WAS DRIVING ON HIGHWAY AT 65 MPH, I CROSSED A SMALL BUMP IN THE ROAD AND LOST ALL CONTROL OF THE 1996 DODGE RAM 1500 4X4 PICKUP. IT SHOOK ALL THE STUFF OFF OF MY SEAT AS WELL AS MY CD HOLDER. THIS IS THE SECOND TIME THIS HAS HAPPENED. I AM AT A LOSS AS TO HOW TO LOOK FOR THE PROBLEM. I LOVE THIS TRUCK BUT I HAVE GONE THROUGH TWO…
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WAS DRIVING ON HIGHWAY AT 65 MPH, I CROSSED A SMALL BUMP IN THE ROAD AND LOST ALL CONTROL OF THE 1996 DODGE RAM 1500 4X4 PICKUP. IT SHOOK ALL THE STUFF OFF OF MY SEAT AS WELL AS MY CD HOLDER. THIS IS THE SECOND TIME THIS HAS HAPPENED. I AM AT A LOSS AS TO HOW TO LOOK FOR THE PROBLEM. I LOVE THIS TRUCK BUT I HAVE GONE THROUGH TWO WHEEL BEARINGS AND A TIE ROD END AND I HAVE ONLY HAD IT FOR A YEAR.... I WANT TO KNOW HOW TO FIX THIS PROBLEM BEFORE SOMEONE GETS KILLED. *TR
NHTSA ODI #10234595
Mileage unknown · Jun 13, 2008
Unknown Or Other
THE DASH ON MY 1996 DODGE BEGAN TO CRACK AFTER MULTIPLE MONTHS THE DASH BEGAN TO COLLAPSE IN ON ITSELF. IT HAS THE POTENTIAL TO CAUSE SERIOUS ELECTRICAL FAILURE DUE TO SHARP PIECES CUTTING WIRES AND VACUUM HOSES WHEN THEY FALL IN. HOWEVER THE MAJOR PROBLEM IS THE DAMAGE MAY NOT BE NOTICEABLE UNTIL THE EQUIPMENT IS NEEDED TO BE …
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THE DASH ON MY 1996 DODGE BEGAN TO CRACK AFTER MULTIPLE MONTHS THE DASH BEGAN TO COLLAPSE IN ON ITSELF. IT HAS THE POTENTIAL TO CAUSE SERIOUS ELECTRICAL FAILURE DUE TO SHARP PIECES CUTTING WIRES AND VACUUM HOSES WHEN THEY FALL IN. HOWEVER THE MAJOR PROBLEM IS THE DAMAGE MAY NOT BE NOTICEABLE UNTIL THE EQUIPMENT IS NEEDED TO BE USED I.E. AIRBAGS, TURN SIGNALS, REVERSE LIGHTS, ETC. *TR
NHTSA ODI #10230924
189,000 miles · Apr 28, 2008
Structure
WHILE DRIVING SOUTH ON THE NEW JERSEY TURNPIKE ON 0/22/08, THE HOOD ON MY DODGE RAM 1500 OPENED CRASHING MY WINDSHIELD COMPLETELY AND DAMAGING THE HOOD ITSELF. I WAS ABLE TO DRIVE ALL THE WAY TO MY DESTINATION IN TEXAS. WHILE IN TEXAS, I WAS TRYING TO FIND A REPLACEMENT HOOD BUT WAS NEVER SUCCESSFUL UNTIL I DECIDED TO LOOK FOR…
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WHILE DRIVING SOUTH ON THE NEW JERSEY TURNPIKE ON 0/22/08, THE HOOD ON MY DODGE RAM 1500 OPENED CRASHING MY WINDSHIELD COMPLETELY AND DAMAGING THE HOOD ITSELF. I WAS ABLE TO DRIVE ALL THE WAY TO MY DESTINATION IN TEXAS. WHILE IN TEXAS, I WAS TRYING TO FIND A REPLACEMENT HOOD BUT WAS NEVER SUCCESSFUL UNTIL I DECIDED TO LOOK FOR INFORMATION ONLINE ABOUT MY TRUCK AND CAME TO THE CARFACT WEBSITE WHERE I FOUND THE WAS A RECALL ON THE SECONDARY HOOD LATCH ON IT. WHEN I CONTACTED THE CHRYSLER COMPANY ABOUT THE RECALL THE DECIDED NOT TO REPLACED THE DAMAGED HOOD AND RE-IMBURSE ME FOR THE DAMAGED WINDSHIELD. *TR
NHTSA ODI #10225903
Mileage unknown · Feb 11, 2008
Structure
LARGE CRACKS IN THE TOP OF THE DASH. STARTED AS A SMALLER CRACK AND AS TIME HAS PASSED IT IS NOW ENORMOUS AND THE DASH IS SPLIT INTO 2 PIECES. *TR
NHTSA ODI #10217686
Mileage unknown · Jan 24, 2008
Structure
1996 DODGE RAM 1500 DASH PAD HAS MULTIPLE CRACK EVERY DODGE OWNER I KNOW HAS THE SAME CRACKS IN THE SAME PLACES THIS IS A DEFECT I PAID ENOUGH FOR MY TRUCK AND NOW THEY SAY ITS GOING TO COST 600.00 TO FIX THIS PROBLEM SOMEONE NEEDS TO DO SOMETHING ABOUT THIS. *TR
NHTSA ODI #10215843
Mileage unknown · Jan 16, 2008
Seats
PASSENGER SEAT WILL NOT LOCK IN PLACE UNLESS YOU PUSH DOWN ON SEAT LEVER LOCATED UNDER SEAT. UNABLE TO PUT CAR SEAT IN VEHICLE AS WE FEAR SEAT WILL FLY FORWARD. THIS HAS BEEN BROKEN FOR ABOUT 6 MONTHS. *TR
NHTSA ODI #10215192
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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