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
What owners actually said
18 reports
Mileage unknown · Apr 12, 2000
Power Train
THE TRANSMISSION LOCKED INTO 2ND GEAR AND STALLED WHILE GOING 60 MPH ON THE HIGHWAY. POWER STEERING WAS LOST AND GETTING THE VAN ACROSS 3 LANES OF CITY TRAFFIC WHILE LOSING SPEED WAS VERY DIFFICULT. COMPLETE TRANSMISSION NEEDED TO BE REPLACED W/ REPAIRS AT OWNERS COST. ONLY 6 MONTHS OVER 3 YR. WARRENTY AND ONLY 12,000 MILES ON T…
Read full complaint
THE TRANSMISSION LOCKED INTO 2ND GEAR AND STALLED WHILE GOING 60 MPH ON THE HIGHWAY. POWER STEERING WAS LOST AND GETTING THE VAN ACROSS 3 LANES OF CITY TRAFFIC WHILE LOSING SPEED WAS VERY DIFFICULT. COMPLETE TRANSMISSION NEEDED TO BE REPLACED W/ REPAIRS AT OWNERS COST. ONLY 6 MONTHS OVER 3 YR. WARRENTY AND ONLY 12,000 MILES ON THE 36,000 MILE WARRENTY. CHRYSLER WOULD NOT TAKE RESPOSIBLITY EVEN WHEN WE HAD THE VAN INTO A CHRYSLER DEALER THE MONTH BEFORE COMPLAINING THAT SOMETHING WAS WRONG WITH THE TRANSMISSION. THEY RETURNED THE VAN SAYING THERE WAS NO PROBLEM. *AK
NHTSA ODI #721359
Mileage unknown · Mar 15, 2000
Engine And Engine CoolingPower TrainVisibility
LAST YEAR, WHEN I HAD MADE 23 PAYMENTS ON MY VAN, IT HAD BEEN IN THE SHOP FOR 23 TIMES. I DRIVE NEARLY 100 MILES TO PUT IT IN THE SHOP, SO 23 X'S 200 MILES IS A LOT OF MILEAGE THAT WAS PUT ON MY VAN JUST FOR REPAIRS. THE FIRST WEEK WE HAD THE VAN, WE CALLED TO COMPLAIN THAT WE COULDN'T EVEN TAKE IT TO CARWASH, BECAUSE THE WIND…
Read full complaint
LAST YEAR, WHEN I HAD MADE 23 PAYMENTS ON MY VAN, IT HAD BEEN IN THE SHOP FOR 23 TIMES. I DRIVE NEARLY 100 MILES TO PUT IT IN THE SHOP, SO 23 X'S 200 MILES IS A LOT OF MILEAGE THAT WAS PUT ON MY VAN JUST FOR REPAIRS. THE FIRST WEEK WE HAD THE VAN, WE CALLED TO COMPLAIN THAT WE COULDN'T EVEN TAKE IT TO CARWASH, BECAUSE THE WINDOWS LEAKED SO BADLY....THEN THE HEATER QUIT WORKING, AND ON AND ON AND I HAVE HAD IT IN THE SHOP NUMEROUS TIMES FOR ENGINE AND TRANSMISSION PROBLEMS. I JUST FEEL LIKE NOONE CARES THAT I AM SO DISAPPOINTED IN DODGE AND MY VAN.
NHTSA ODI #720129
Mileage unknown · Jun 16, 1998
Electrical SystemVehicle Speed Control
MAKING ROUTINE STOP ENGINE WILL BEGIN TO SURGE FOR AT LEAST 20 SECONDS, CAUSING THE CONSUMER TO PRESS HARD ON BRAKES UNTIL THEY SQUEAK, RESULTING IN LOSS OF CONTROL. DEALER HAS REPROGRAMMED COMPUTER 3 TIMES AND REPLACED IDLE SPEED MOTOR. DEFECT IS STILL OCCURRING. *AK
NHTSA ODI #824368
Mileage unknown · Mar 25, 1998
Service Brakes, Hydraulic
THE BRAKE PADS AND CALIPERS WEAR OUT TOO QUICKLY. HAS BEEN TO DEALER TWICE. VEHICLE ONLY HAS 50,000 MILES ON IT. *AK
NHTSA ODI #822110
Mileage unknown · Jan 23, 1998
Visibility
THE REAR PASSENGER'S SIDE DOOR WINDOW EXPLODED SPONTANEOUSLY OVERNIGHT. THE DEALER HAS DONE NOTHING. *AK
NHTSA ODI #820843
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…
Read full complaint
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
Mileage unknown · Sep 19, 1997
Service Brakes, Hydraulic
MASTER CYLINDER FAILED.
NHTSA ODI #605053
Mileage unknown · Sep 10, 1997
Exterior Lighting
BRAKE LIGHT SOLENOID FAILED.
NHTSA ODI #606085
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.
1996 Dodge RAM Van Problems, Complaints & Recalls | Skip That Year