CarBrief

NHTSA has 298 owner complaints on file for the 1996 Dodge Ram 1500 Pickup[1]. Power train and brake reports sit at the top of the list, so those are worth a close look on any truck you are considering[2][3].

298owner complaints[1]
12–16MPG combined (EPA)[4]

Most reported problems

Owners filed complaints across several parts of this truck. Here are the biggest groups. - Power Train. 52 complaints[2]. Owners describe transmission trouble, a clutch line that sits too close to hot engine parts, and frustration with dealers over repair work. - Brakes. 46 complaints[3]. In the stories we read, owners describe warning lights that stay on, a truck that drifts sideways under braking, and longer stops, including while towing. - Structure. 35 complaints[5]. Owners describe water getting into the cabin, peeling paint, a cracked dash and broken grille fasteners. Some also mention a cracking frame. - Engine. 34 complaints[6]. Owners describe rough running, hesitation, a ticking noise after warm-up, stalling and exhaust fumes reaching the cabin. - Suspension. 27 complaints[7]. - Electrical System. 26 complaints[8]. - Steering. 23 complaints[9]. - Fuel System, Gasoline. 19 complaints[10].

Recalls

NHTSA's records show 0 recalls for the 1996 Ram 1500 Pickup[11].

Fuel economy

EPA ratings depend on the engine and drive. Annual fuel cost uses EPA's current fuel price assumptions, not prices when the car was new.

Version City / highway / combined MPG Annual fuel cost
Ram 1500 Pickup 2WD, 3.9L 6-cyl, Automatic 4-spd, Regular, Rear-Wheel Drive[12] 13 / 17 / 14 $4,800
Ram 1500 Pickup 2WD, 3.9L 6-cyl, Manual 5-spd, Regular, Rear-Wheel Drive[4] 15 / 19 / 16 $4,200
Ram 1500 Pickup 2WD, 5.2L 8-cyl, Automatic 4-spd, Regular, Rear-Wheel Drive[13] 12 / 16 / 14 $4,800
Ram 1500 Pickup 2WD, 5.2L 8-cyl, Manual 5-spd, Regular, Rear-Wheel Drive[14] 13 / 17 / 15 $4,450
Ram 1500 Pickup 2WD, 5.9L 8-cyl, Automatic 4-spd, Regular, Rear-Wheel Drive[15] 11 / 16 / 13 $5,150
Ram 1500 Pickup 4WD, 5.2L 8-cyl, Automatic 4-spd, Regular, 4-Wheel or All-Wheel Drive[16] 11 / 15 / 12 $5,600
Ram 1500 Pickup 4WD, 5.2L 8-cyl, Manual 5-spd, Regular, 4-Wheel or All-Wheel Drive[17] 12 / 16 / 14 $4,800
Ram 1500 Pickup 4WD, 5.9L 8-cyl, Automatic 4-spd, Regular, 4-Wheel or All-Wheel Drive[18] 10 / 14 / 12 $5,600

Engine and size

These are Canadian-market specifications from Transport Canada, so US models can differ slightly.

Version Length Width Height Wheelbase Curb weight
RAM 1500 CLUB CAB L/BOX 2WD[19] 240 in 80 in 72 in 155 in 4,493 lb
RAM 1500 CLUB CAB L/BOX 4WD[20] 240 in 80 in 74 in 155 in 5,038 lb
RAM 1500 CLUB CAB S/BOX 2WD[21] 220 in 80 in 72 in 139 in 4,654 lb
RAM 1500 CLUB CAB S/BOX 4WD[22] 220 in 80 in 74 in 139 in 4,881 lb
RAM 1500 LONG WB VAN[23] 198 in 79 in 78 in 127 in 3,900 lb
RAM 1500 REG CAB L/BOX 2WD[24] 220 in 80 in 72 in 135 in 4,215 lb

How 1996 compares with other years

1995: 213 complaints, 0 recalls19951996: 298 complaints, 0 recalls29819961997: 361 complaints, 0 recalls19971998: 520 complaints, 0 recalls1999: 610 complaints, 0 recalls19992000: 513 complaints, 2 recalls2001: 1,112 complaints, 2 recalls20012002: 815 complaints, 3 recalls2003: 1,171 complaints, 1 recalls20032004: 1,099 complaints, 5 recalls2005: 1,172 complaints, 4 recalls20052006: 792 complaints, 9 recalls2007: 517 complaints, 4 recalls20072008: 554 complaints, 5 recalls2009: 670 complaints, 2 recalls20092010: 488 complaints, 4 recalls2011: 689 complaints, 4 recalls20112012: 698 complaints, 6 recalls
Owner complaints filed with NHTSA for each Ram 1500 Pickup model year. The 1996 is highlighted[11].
Show the numbers
Model yearComplaintsRecalls
19952130
19962980
19973610
19985200
19996100
20005132
20011,1122
20028153
20031,1711
20041,0995
20051,1724
20067929
20075174
20085545
20096702
20104884
20116894
20126986

NHTSA's counts for the Ram 1500 Pickup show 298 complaints and 0 recalls for 1996[11]. Among the 18 model years listed, 1 have fewer complaints than 1996 and 16 have more[11]. The fewest complaints are for 1995 (213) and the most are for 2005 (1,172)[11]. These counts are not adjusted for sales, so treat them as a rough guide. The chart above shows every year.

Should you buy a used 1996 Ram 1500 Pickup?

This is an older truck, and the complaint record shows it. Reports are spread over many systems, with the power train and brakes leading the list[2][3]. Some reports involve crashes and fires, so safety-related parts deserve extra attention[1]. Complaints are unverified and are not adjusted for how many trucks were sold, so treat them as a guide for what to inspect. A careful check of the transmission, brakes and body before you buy is a sensible plan.

Frequently asked questions

What are the most common problems with the 1996 Dodge Ram 1500?
Owners filed the most complaints about the power train, then brakes, structure and engine[2][3][5][6].
Does the 1996 Dodge Ram 1500 have recalls?
Recalls are listed in the Recalls section of this page. The by-year count is in the year comparison[11].
Is the 1996 Dodge Ram 1500 reliable?
The record has 298 complaints, with reports across many systems[1]. Check the problem sections above and inspect any truck closely before buying.
What is the gas mileage of the 1996 Dodge Ram 1500?
See the fuel economy section on this page for the figures.
Which year of the Dodge Ram 1500 is best?
See the by-year comparison on this page to compare complaint counts across years[11].

Keep exploring

Other model years of the Dodge Ram 1500 Pickup

Compare all model years of the Dodge Ram 1500 Pickup

All Dodge models

Facts and sources

  1. NHTSA has 298 owner complaints on file for the 1996 Dodge Ram 1500 Pickup (18 mention a crash, 17 a fire, 17 injuries, 4 deaths reported). NHTSA vehicle records
  2. 52 complaints name the power train component group (2 crashes, 2 fires, 3 injuries, median mileage at failure 106,000). NHTSA vehicle records
  3. 46 complaints name the brakes component group (4 crashes, 0 fires, 4 injuries, median mileage at failure 83,500). NHTSA vehicle records
  4. EPA rating for Ram 1500 Pickup 2WD, 3.9L 6-cyl, Manual 5-spd, Regular, Rear-Wheel Drive: 15 city / 19 highway / 16 combined MPG; EPA estimated annual fuel cost $4,200. EPA / DOE fueleconomy.gov
  5. 35 complaints name the structure component group (0 crashes, 0 fires, 0 injuries, median mileage at failure 136,000). NHTSA vehicle records
  6. 34 complaints name the engine component group (1 crashes, 4 fires, 2 injuries, median mileage at failure 106,000). NHTSA vehicle records
  7. 27 complaints name the suspension component group (0 crashes, 0 fires, 0 injuries, median mileage at failure 85,020). NHTSA vehicle records
  8. 26 complaints name the electrical system component group (1 crashes, 6 fires, 0 injuries, median mileage at failure 143,085). NHTSA vehicle records
  9. 23 complaints name the steering component group (0 crashes, 0 fires, 0 injuries, median mileage at failure 118,342). NHTSA vehicle records
  10. 19 complaints name the fuel system, gasoline component group (0 crashes, 3 fires, 1 injuries, median mileage at failure 138,000). NHTSA vehicle records
  11. Owner complaints and recalls for every Dodge Ram 1500 Pickup model year (chart above). NHTSA recall database
  12. EPA rating for Ram 1500 Pickup 2WD, 3.9L 6-cyl, Automatic 4-spd, Regular, Rear-Wheel Drive: 13 city / 17 highway / 14 combined MPG; EPA estimated annual fuel cost $4,800. EPA / DOE fueleconomy.gov
  13. EPA rating for Ram 1500 Pickup 2WD, 5.2L 8-cyl, Automatic 4-spd, Regular, Rear-Wheel Drive: 12 city / 16 highway / 14 combined MPG; EPA estimated annual fuel cost $4,800. EPA / DOE fueleconomy.gov
  14. EPA rating for Ram 1500 Pickup 2WD, 5.2L 8-cyl, Manual 5-spd, Regular, Rear-Wheel Drive: 13 city / 17 highway / 15 combined MPG; EPA estimated annual fuel cost $4,450. EPA / DOE fueleconomy.gov
  15. EPA rating for Ram 1500 Pickup 2WD, 5.9L 8-cyl, Automatic 4-spd, Regular, Rear-Wheel Drive: 11 city / 16 highway / 13 combined MPG; EPA estimated annual fuel cost $5,150. EPA / DOE fueleconomy.gov
  16. EPA rating for Ram 1500 Pickup 4WD, 5.2L 8-cyl, Automatic 4-spd, Regular, 4-Wheel or All-Wheel Drive: 11 city / 15 highway / 12 combined MPG; EPA estimated annual fuel cost $5,600. EPA / DOE fueleconomy.gov
  17. EPA rating for Ram 1500 Pickup 4WD, 5.2L 8-cyl, Manual 5-spd, Regular, 4-Wheel or All-Wheel Drive: 12 city / 16 highway / 14 combined MPG; EPA estimated annual fuel cost $4,800. EPA / DOE fueleconomy.gov
  18. EPA rating for Ram 1500 Pickup 4WD, 5.9L 8-cyl, Automatic 4-spd, Regular, 4-Wheel or All-Wheel Drive: 10 city / 14 highway / 12 combined MPG; EPA estimated annual fuel cost $5,600. EPA / DOE fueleconomy.gov
  19. Transport Canada specifications via NHTSA vPIC, RAM 1500 CLUB CAB L/BOX 2WD: length 240 in, width 80 in, height 72 in, wheelbase 155 in, curb weight 4,493 lb (converted from centimeters and kilograms). vpic.nhtsa.dot.gov
  20. Transport Canada specifications via NHTSA vPIC, RAM 1500 CLUB CAB L/BOX 4WD: length 240 in, width 80 in, height 74 in, wheelbase 155 in, curb weight 5,038 lb (converted from centimeters and kilograms). vpic.nhtsa.dot.gov
  21. Transport Canada specifications via NHTSA vPIC, RAM 1500 CLUB CAB S/BOX 2WD: length 220 in, width 80 in, height 72 in, wheelbase 139 in, curb weight 4,654 lb (converted from centimeters and kilograms). vpic.nhtsa.dot.gov
  22. Transport Canada specifications via NHTSA vPIC, RAM 1500 CLUB CAB S/BOX 4WD: length 220 in, width 80 in, height 74 in, wheelbase 139 in, curb weight 4,881 lb (converted from centimeters and kilograms). vpic.nhtsa.dot.gov
  23. Transport Canada specifications via NHTSA vPIC, RAM 1500 LONG WB VAN: length 198 in, width 79 in, height 78 in, wheelbase 127 in, curb weight 3,900 lb (converted from centimeters and kilograms). vpic.nhtsa.dot.gov
  24. Transport Canada specifications via NHTSA vPIC, RAM 1500 REG CAB L/BOX 2WD: length 220 in, width 80 in, height 72 in, wheelbase 135 in, curb weight 4,215 lb (converted from centimeters and kilograms). vpic.nhtsa.dot.gov

Complaints submitted to NHTSA by owners; unverified reports, one complaint can name several components. Complaint counts are not normalized by sales; compare years of the same model, not different models. EPA annual fuel cost uses EPA's current fuel price assumptions, not the price when the car was new. Horsepower is the rating listed for EPA test vehicles. Dimensions are Canadian-market specifications and can differ slightly from US models.