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1996 Dodge RAM Van

Owner reports · Recalls · Investigations

Limited comparison data

There is not enough comparable history to draw a useful model-year comparison.

About this comparison →
18Owner complaints

Model-year median: 15

0Recall campaigns

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1Investigations

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How this year compares

Owner complaints by model year

Other model years Selected year
3
19936
199414
199518
199616
199722
199847
1999
Compare all RAM Van years →

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

What owners reported most

Power Train
6Engine And Engine Cooling
3Visibility
3Service Brakes, Hydraulic
2Structure
2
All reported categories
Tires
2Vehicle Speed Control
2Electrical System
1Exterior Lighting
1Fuel System, Gasoline
1Steering
1

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

When problems were reported

Mileage at the reported incident

Limited mileage data: 1 of 18 reports include usable mileage. There isn’t enough coverage to show a useful chart.

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 6 owner reports in this category and discuss these concerns during a pre-purchase inspection. Read reports →
  • Engine And Engine Cooling. Review the 3 owner reports in this category and discuss these concerns during a pre-purchase inspection. Read reports →
  • Visibility. Review the 3 owner reports in this category and discuss these concerns during a pre-purchase inspection. Read reports →

NHTSA owner reports · September 18, 2026 snapshot.

0 crash reports0 fire reports0 injury reports

Fuel System, Gasoline complaints

1 reports
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Mileage unknown · Oct 8, 1997
Engine And Engine CoolingFuel System, GasolineStructure

WHILE DRIVING, COULD HEAR WIND NOISE COMING THROUGH THE DOOR ON DRIVER'S SIDE, CONTINUED DRIVING, LATER, CHECKED DOOR, DOOR LOCK POST WHERE NORMALLY WELDED TO FRAME/COVERED WITH SHEET METAL, CAME OFF. DEALER REWELDED DOOR POST BACK TO FRAME. *AK HAD TO BE REDONE AGAIN 6 MONTHS LATER. WATER LEAK AT REAR SEAM. WHILE CRUISE CO…

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WHILE DRIVING, COULD HEAR WIND NOISE COMING THROUGH THE DOOR ON DRIVER'S SIDE, CONTINUED DRIVING, LATER, CHECKED DOOR, DOOR LOCK POST WHERE NORMALLY WELDED TO FRAME/COVERED WITH SHEET METAL, CAME OFF. DEALER REWELDED DOOR POST BACK TO FRAME. *AK HAD TO BE REDONE AGAIN 6 MONTHS LATER. WATER LEAK AT REAR SEAM. WHILE CRUISE CONTROL WAS ACTIVATED AT 68 MPH, VEHICLE ACCELERATED TO 78 MPH AND WAS CLIMBING. WHILE DRIVING IN EXTREME HEAT, THE CLUTCH FAN ENGAGES, THERE IS A LOSS OF POWER, AND THERE IS VERY LOW FUEL ECONOMY. *SLC

NHTSA ODI #816984

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

PE02082 · Safety Belt Cinching Latch Plate

Opened Nov 6, 2002 · Closed Apr 23, 2003

Status: closed (inferred from source dates) · Seat Belts

THERE ARE NO INJURIES OR FATALITIES ASSOCIATED WITH THIS ALLEGED DEFECT.WHILE CONDUCTING THIS INVESTIGATION, ODI FOUND THAT THE SUBJECT CINCHES MEET THE LOAD BEARING REQUIREMENTS OF FEDERAL MOTOR VEHICLE SAFETY STANDARD 208, AND THAT MANY OF THE REPORTED FAILURES WERE DUE TO INCORRECT CHILD SAFETY SEAT INSTALLATIONS. ADDITIONALLY, THE REPORT RATE IS LOW (1.60/100K).THE INFORMATION AVAILABLE FAILS TO ESTABLISH THE EXISTENCE OF A DEFECT TREND AT THIS TIME.FURTHER ALLOCATION OF AGENCY RESOURCES TO THIS ISSUE IS UNWARRANTED AND THE PRELIMINARY EVALUATION IS BEING CLOSED.