IllustrationOCCASIONALLY, EXPERIENCE DIFFICULTY IN STARTING THE ENGINE, STALLS IMMEDIATELY AFTER STARTING AND DURING LONG DISTANCE DRIVING, EXPERIENCE INTERMITTENT FIRING, LIKE TREMBLING.*JB
1996 Dodge RAM 2500
Owner reports · Recalls · Investigations
Similar to other model years
Owner complaints for the 1996 Dodge RAM 2500 do not stand out strongly from the model-year median of 275.
About this comparison →How this year compares
Owner complaints by model year
Compare all RAM 2500 years →Counts vary with age, sales and reporting. They are not failure rates.
What owners reported most
All reported categories
Tap a category to read its complaints. One report may name several components.
When problems were reported
Mileage at the reported incident
00–25K
225–50K
1050–75K
975–100K
17100–150K
35150K+
73 reports with mileage · 218 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.
- Service Brakes, Hydraulic. Review the 74 owner reports in this category and discuss these concerns during a pre-purchase inspection. Read reports →
- Power Train. Review the 44 owner reports in this category and discuss these concerns during a pre-purchase inspection. Read reports →
- Electrical System. Review the 26 owner reports in this category and discuss these concerns during a pre-purchase inspection. Read reports →
NHTSA owner reports · September 18, 2026 snapshot.
15 crash reports15 fire reports8 injury reports
What owners actually said
291 reportsTHE AXLE SNAPPED WHILE DRIVING. *NLM
THERE WAS A RECALL ISSUED FOR A TRANSMISSION COOLING LINE FAILURE 97 V 084. THE DEALERSHIP NOR CHRYSLER WILL HONOR THE RECALL FOR THIS VEHICLE. *JG
CONSUMER STATED THAT WHILE DRIVING AT ANY SPEED AND WITHOUT WARNING THE THROTTLE WOULD STICK IN THE IDLE POSITION CAUSING A DISTRACTION TO THE CONSUMER. DEALER NOTIFIED. TS
CONSUMER STATES THAT WHILE DRIVING AND WITHOUT WARNING THE SPARE TIRE FELL FROM UNDER THE VEHICLE. DEALER NOTIFIED TS
WHILE PULLING A TRAILER UP HILL, TRANSMISSION CONNECTOR MELTED, VEHICLE LOST ALL FLUIDS; SOME OF THE FLUIDS SPRAYED ON MUFFLER AND STARTED SMOKING. *AK *SCC
STARTER CAME ON WHILE DRIVING VEHICLE AT 40 MPH. I PARKED VEHICLE AND TURNED OFF THE IGNITION SWITCH AND REMOVED THE KEY, AND STARTER KEPT RUNNING. SMOKE WAS COMING FROM UNDER THE HOOD FROM THE BATTERY CABLES. I DISCONNECTED THE BATTERIES AND THE STARTER STOPPED. THE DEALER SAID THE RECALL FOR THE IGNITION SWITCH WIRING HAD…
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STARTER CAME ON WHILE DRIVING VEHICLE AT 40 MPH. I PARKED VEHICLE AND TURNED OFF THE IGNITION SWITCH AND REMOVED THE KEY, AND STARTER KEPT RUNNING. SMOKE WAS COMING FROM UNDER THE HOOD FROM THE BATTERY CABLES. I DISCONNECTED THE BATTERIES AND THE STARTER STOPPED. THE DEALER SAID THE RECALL FOR THE IGNITION SWITCH WIRING HAD NOTHING TO DO WITH THE STARTER. I BELIEVE THERE WAS A SHORT IN THE IGNITION WIRING THAT CAUSED THE STARTER TO COME ON. I CAN NOT IMAGINE HOW A STARTER SOLENOID COULD GET POWERED WITHOUT TURNING THE IGNITION SWITCH OR A SHORT.*AK
MY TRUCK DEVELOPED A RUNNING PROBLEM AND I TOOK IT TO THE DEALER AND I WAS TOLD THAT THE CONVERTER IS PLUGGED. THEN I WAS ALSO TOLD THAT SINCE I PUT A NON CHRYSLER PART ON MY TRUCK WHICH CAUSED THE FAILER THAT THEY WAS GOING TO VOID MY WARRENTY. WELL THE PART I PUT ON IS A SET OF CARB. CERTIFIED CAT FORWARD HEADERS. I DID NOT AL…
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MY TRUCK DEVELOPED A RUNNING PROBLEM AND I TOOK IT TO THE DEALER AND I WAS TOLD THAT THE CONVERTER IS PLUGGED. THEN I WAS ALSO TOLD THAT SINCE I PUT A NON CHRYSLER PART ON MY TRUCK WHICH CAUSED THE FAILER THAT THEY WAS GOING TO VOID MY WARRENTY. WELL THE PART I PUT ON IS A SET OF CARB. CERTIFIED CAT FORWARD HEADERS. I DID NOT ALTER THE EXHAUST SYSTEM. THE FACTORY CONVERTER REMAINED AND UNTOUCHED. I WENT TO CHRYSLER WITH INFO FROM THE HEADER MANUFACTOR AND WITH THE MAGNUSON MOSS ACT THAT SAYS THE DEALER CAN NOT VOID MY WARRENTY FOR PUTTING THIS PRODUCT ON MY TRUCK. IT ALSO STATES THAT THE DEALER HAS TO PROVE THAT THE PART I PUT ON MY TRUCK WAS THE REASON FOR THE CONVERTER FAILER. WHICH THEY DIDNT DO. THEY JUST TOLD ME THAT THEY VOIDED MY WARRENTY AND THAT IS IT. WELL SINCE THEN I HAVE HAD TO REPLACE THE CONVERTER 3 MORE TIMES AT MY EXPENSE. AND EACH TIME I TOOK IT TO THE DEALER AND EACH TIME I WAS TOLD THAT THE WARRENTY IS VOIDED AND THEY WERE NOT GOING TO HELP ME. I THEN TOOK MY TRUCK TO A SHOP TO TEST OUT MY ELECTRONICS AND I WAS TOLD THAT THE ENGINE CONTROLL MODULE IS NOT WORKING PROPERLY. I THEN WENT BACK TO THE DEALER AND THEY TOLD ME THE WARRENTY IS VOIDED. THEN MY WIFE TOOK MY TRUCK INTO THE DEALER AND THEY REPLACED THE AFT OXYGEN SENSER AND CHARGED HER $260.00 TOO. WELL NOW AFTER THAT THE CONVERTER IS STARTING TO FAIL AGAIN. I MAINTAINE MY TRUCK TO THE BEST OPERATING CONDITION POSSIBLE. THE DEALER AND CHRYSLER HAVE REFUSED TO TALK WITH ME ABOUT THIS PROBLEM ANY MORE. ALL I WANT IS MY TRUCK TO RUN. I BOUGHT THIS TRUCK NEW IN MAY 1996. I HAVE HAD 3 TRANSMISSONS REPLACED AND THE INTIRE BRAKE SYSTEM OVER HAULED MY DODGE. IF YOU NEED ANY MORE INFO PLEASE CONTACT ME ANYTIME. THANK YOU. STEVE.*AK
THROTTLE CABLE HUNG UP AT 70 MPH AND COULD HAVE CAUSED ACCIDENT!*AK
WHILE DRIVING WITH MY WIFE & TWO GRAND DAUGHTERS, AT 60-65 MPH IN A 1996 DODGE RAM 2500 PULLING CHALLENGER TRAVEL TRAILOR, LEFT REAR TIRE HAD A TREAD SEPARATION; ORIGINAL EQUIPMENT, TIRE SIZE LT245/75R16, DAMAGING LEFT REAR FENDER WELL AND SIDE PANEL. I HAD TO REPLACE PICKUP BOX SIDE PANEL. THE TREAD WRAPPED AROUND AXLE AND DAMA…
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WHILE DRIVING WITH MY WIFE & TWO GRAND DAUGHTERS, AT 60-65 MPH IN A 1996 DODGE RAM 2500 PULLING CHALLENGER TRAVEL TRAILOR, LEFT REAR TIRE HAD A TREAD SEPARATION; ORIGINAL EQUIPMENT, TIRE SIZE LT245/75R16, DAMAGING LEFT REAR FENDER WELL AND SIDE PANEL. I HAD TO REPLACE PICKUP BOX SIDE PANEL. THE TREAD WRAPPED AROUND AXLE AND DAMAGED LEFT REAR BRAKE LINE. THE TIRE DID NOT BLOW-OUT. I MAINTAINED CONTROL OF VEHICLES, WHICH WERE FISH-TAILING, AND WAS ABLE TO SLOW DOWN AND STOP ON SHOULDER OF HIWAY. THE HIWAY WAS CLEAR OF DEBRIS AND I HAD BEEN DRIVING ABOUT 1 HOUR WITH TEMPERATURES OF 90 - 95F.*AK
Official recalls
0No 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
2DP03006 · 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.
PE00048 · Loss Of Throttle Control
Opened Dec 11, 2000 · Closed Mar 7, 2001
Status: closed (inferred from source dates) · Vehicle Speed Control:linkages
ALLEGED THAT THE THROTTLE CABLE CAN FRAY OR SEVER DURING NORMAL USE RESULTING IN THE THROTTLE NOT RETURNING TO IDLE OR AN INABILITY TO ACCELERATE.