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1996 Dodge RAM 2500 problems

The most common problem on the 1996 Dodge RAM 2500 is brakes, typically around 125,000 miles. It has fewer complaints than a typical RAM 2500 model year.

Typical yearClose to a typical year
Owner complaints
289
Recalls
0
Service bulletins
13
Worst area
Brakes
Fuel economy
12-14mpg

The worst 1996 Dodge RAM 2500 problems

Ranked by number of owner complaints. Mileage and cost come from what owners wrote.

Problems by type

Tap a problem to see which part fails, at what mileage and in which other years.

Specific symptoms reported on the 1996 Dodge RAM 2500

Headlights 19Brake failure 18Tire blowout 15ABS 14Fire or smoke 9Pulling 9Overheating 8Transmission failure 8Stalling 6

Recalls

No recalls on record for this model year.

Defect investigations

Seat back failureOpened September 23, 2003, closed April 8, 2004

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 the federal safety agency 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 federal safety agency'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.

DP03006

Loss of throttle controlOpened December 11, 2000, closed March 7, 2001

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.

PE00048

Technical service bulletins for the 1996 Dodge RAM 2500 13

Bulletins tell dealers how to fix known problems. A warranty extension means the manufacturer pays for that repair for longer.

See all 13 bulletins for the 1996 Dodge RAM 2500

1996 Dodge RAM 2500 fuel economy

Official EPA estimates in miles per gallon (MPGe for electric). Ranges cover trims that share the same engine.

EngineDriveCityHighwayCombined
5.2L 8‑cylRWD11-1215-1613-14
5.9L 8‑cylRWD1115-1612-13
5.2L 8‑cyl4WD1114-1512
5.9L 8‑cyl4WD10-111412

What 1996 Dodge RAM 2500 owners say

Most recent owner complaints, unedited.

Filed Jun 15, 2023 · Airbags · 330,000 miles · OR · 1 injury

The contact owns a 1996 Dodge Ram 2500. The contact stated while driving approximately 30 MPH, the air bag warning light suddenly activated, and moments later the front driver’s side air bag erroneously deployed. During the failure, the driver sustained various facial injuries and injuries to the nose. The contact also sustained an injury to the right arm which required medical attention. The cause of the failure was not yet determined. The local dealer and manufacturer were notified of the failure, but no assistance was offered. The failure mileage was 330,000.

Filed Nov 8, 2021 · Lights · 54,900 miles · AZ · fire

The contact owns a 1996 Dodge Ram 2500. The contact stated that while driving at night with the high beam on, a strong burning odor was detected inside the cabin of the vehicle. The contact stated that he thought the burning odor was coming from outside not the vehicle as no warning lights were illuminated and the vehicle was functioning normally. The contact stated that the next morning the headlight switch did not feel normal as the switch was easily pulled out. The contact stated he removed the instrument panel and noticed that wires and connectors were melted. The vehicle was not taken to a dealer or independent mechanic for a diagnosis or repairs. The contact stated that he ordered the parts himself and would do the repairs. The contact stated that he found manufacturer recall number: 918 for the 1994-1997 Dodge Ram 3500 online, however, his vehicle was not included in the recall. The manufacturer was notified of the failure and confirmed that the vehicle was not included in a recall. The approximate failure mileage was 54,900.

Filed Oct 19, 2020 · 250,000 miles · TX

The pealing (defective) paint that dodge refuses to do anything about has now pealed around the windshield frame. The windshield is stuck to the paint, but since the paint has turned loose from the windshield frame it's just sort of sitting there. I guess the good news is now upon impact the windshield will quickly exit the vehicle allowing the sharp plastic shards from the broken dash to also leave the vehicle rather than impaling the occupant's. This just weeks after having to weld a broken lower a frame bracket back in place, yet another defect in these trucks.

Filed Feb 10, 2020 · Steering, Suspension · 176,000 miles · OR

Tl* the contact owns a 1996 ram 2500. The contact stated that while driving at speeds of 45-55 MPH, the vehicle experienced severe front end shakes and vibration when driving over grooved pavement. The cause of the failure was not determined. The local dealer urness motors (505 cherry heights road, the dalles, or. 97058) and the manufacturer was notified of the failure but no assistance was offered. The failure mileage was 176,000. *dt*jb*dt consumer asks for safety recall and stated he could not drive on open freeway.

Filed Sep 13, 2019 · Lights · 300,000 miles · CA

Tl* the contact owns a 1996 dodge ram 2500. The contact stated that the headlights failed to illuminate at night time. The contact mentioned that the high beam headlights turned off after ten minutes and the low beam headlights flickered. The contact mentioned that the failure occurred periodically. The vehicle was not taken to a dealer or independent mechanic for diagnostic testing or repairs. The manufacturer was made aware of the failure and informed the contact that the vehicle was not included in a recall. The failure mileage was 300,000.

Filed May 18, 2019 · Brakes · 175,000 miles · CA

While driving on a city street, I lost my power steering, causing me to almost have a rear end collision with the vehicle in front of me. I had my truck towed to a local dealership, they found my brake system to be contaminated and told me that all parts of the system with rubber in them would have to be replaced. After about a week and a half, I was informed that they could find all the parts except one, the combination or proportioning valve. I paid for the diagnostics test and had the truck towed to another local dealer-I needed a second opinion, not understanding why a dealership could not fix my truck. I told the second dealership my story, they did a diagnostic test of their own and came up with the same exact conclusion, including the fact that they could not find the combination valve. I bought another car and was planning on selling the truck, but now am unable to do that, as it has no brakes and they can't be fixed. I'm writing this in hopes that someone else that is looking to buy a truck like this understands the situation if this problem happens to them.

Filed Jul 7, 2016 · Steering, Suspension · 254,762 miles · MN

Death wobble

Filed Apr 12, 2016 · Body · 200,000 miles · OK

Tl* the contact owns a 1996 dodge ram 2500. The contact stated that the dashboard disintegrated to the point that the wires underneath were visible. There was no warning indicator. The vehicle was taken to a local dealer where it was diagnosed that there were no recalls and the dashboard needed to be replaced. The manufacturer was not made aware of the failure. The vehicle was not repaired. The failure mileage was approximately 200,000.

Filed Mar 12, 2015 · Lights · 200,000 miles · MO · fire

Tl* the contact owns a 1996 dodge ram 2500. While driving approximately 70 MPH, a burning odor and smoke emitted inside the cabin. The headlight switch ignited into small flames. The vehicle was maneuvered to the side of the road where the contact extinguished the flames. A fire and police report were not filed. There were no injuries. The contact was able to drive the vehicle. The vehicle was taken to the dealer, who stated that the fire was contributed to a faulty headlight switch. The vehicle was not repaired. The manufacturer was notified of the issue. The approximate failure mileage was 200,000. The VIN was unvailalbe.

Filed Jan 8, 2015 · Airbags · 291,000 miles · NC · 1 injury

Tl* the contact owns a 1996 dodge ram 2500. The contact stated that while making a turn in the driveway, the driver side air bag deployed. As a result, the contact sustained shoulder, arm, jaw, and head injuries that required medical attention. The vehicle was not diagnosed or repaired. The manufacturer was notified of the failure. The failure mileage was 291,000.

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Questions about the 1996 Dodge RAM 2500

Is the 1996 Dodge RAM 2500 reliable?

Owners have filed 289 complaints about the 1996 Dodge RAM 2500, fewer than a typical RAM 2500 model year.

What is the most common problem with the 1996 Dodge RAM 2500?

Brakes, with 79 complaints, typically around 125,000 miles. Next is transmission (44).

How many recalls does the 1996 Dodge RAM 2500 have?

No recalls on record.

What year does the Dodge RAM 2500 have bad brakes?

The Dodge RAM 2500 model years with the most brakes complaints are 1996 (79 complaints), 1999 (72 complaints) and 1995 (61 complaints).

What gas mileage does the 1996 Dodge RAM 2500 get?

Official estimates for the 1996 Dodge RAM 2500 range from 12 to 14 mpg combined. The most efficient version (5.2L 8-cyl, RWD) gets 11-12 city and 15-16 highway.

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