1996 Dodge Ram: Recalls, Problems & MPG
Here are the deets on the 1996 Dodge Ram: 10 recalls, 625 owner complaints and up to 16 mpg combined.
Recalls
10 vehicle recalls from the manufacturer, plus 4 equipment/tire recalls that can apply. Repairs are free. Check your VIN to see if one is still open on your car.
Electrical Vehicle recall #95V237000 · 1995 · 12,000 vehicles
What's wrong: The fasteners which secure the generator cartridge fuse to the power distribution center May have an improper clamp load. Improper clamping can result in arcing at the connection.
Why it matters: This condition can potentially cause a fire in the engine compartment.
The fix: Dealers will tighten the generator cartridge fuse fasteners properly.
Equipment Vehicle recall #96V027000 · 1996 · 2,500 vehicles
What's wrong: The involved vehicles have tire/wheel specification information on the vehicle certification label which indicates a smaller size tire than required. This does not comply with label requirements of fmvss no. 120, "tire selection and rims for motor vehicles other than passenger cars."
Why it matters: Consequence of non-compliance: the smaller tires would not have sufficient load capacity for the vehicles specified gross weight rating, increasing the potential for a premature tire failure and an accident.
The fix: Owners will be mailed an overlay label with the correct tire/wheel certification information and instructions for installing the label on their vehicles. If owners prefer, their dealer can install the label for them.
Brakes (hydraulic) Vehicle recall #97V068000 · 1997 · 58,000 vehicles
What's wrong: The engine driven vacuum pump can allow engine oil into the vacuum hoses due to the absence of an internal check valve. The oil can cause the hose to deteriorate and partially collapse, reducing the vacuum supply to the brake booster.
Why it matters: Reduced power brake assist can result increasing the risk of a vehicle crash.
The fix: Dealers will add a vacuum pump check valve to the vacuum pump. In addition, the vacuum hose connected to the vacuum pump will be replaced with a hose that is engine oil resistant.
Transmission & drivetrain Vehicle recall #97V084000 · 1997 · 960,000 vehicles
What's wrong: Under certain high load operating conditions, the transmission fluid temperature can exceed the melting point of the material used in the connector to retain the fluid line to the transmission.
Why it matters: When these temperatures occur, the fluid line will not stay connected with the transmission and fluid can spray onto the exhaust manifold, resulting in smoke or fire.
The fix: Dealers will replace the high temperature side of the transmission fluid cooler line connector fittings with connectors that incorporate a stainless steel retainer.
Fuel system Vehicle recall #97V199000 · 1997 · 497,000 vehicles
What's wrong: The fuel tank mounted rollover valve can allow liquid fuel to leak onto the ground under certain vehicle operating conditions.
Why it matters: Fuel leakage could result in a fire if an ignition source was present.
The fix: Dealers will replace the fuel tank rollover valve with a float type rollover valve.
Airbags Vehicle recall #99V023000 · 1999 · 250,845 vehicles
What's wrong: If water/road salt gets on the interior floor of the vehicle in the proximity of the air bag electronic control module (aecm), the aecm can corrode. The resulting corrosion can cause the driver side air bag to deploy inadvertently.
Why it matters: Deployment of the air bag without warning could cause a driver to lose vehicle control, increasing the risk of a crash and personal injury.
The fix: Dealers wil replace the aecm with an aecm that is sealed from moisture intrusion.
Transmission & drivetrain Vehicle recall #99V115000 · 1999 · 8,883 vehicles
What's wrong: Under sustained maximum rated vehicle load, while driving up a steep grade in four-wheel-drive low range in hot ambient conditions, the local exhaust temperature proximate to the hydraulic clutch line can generate line temperatures that exceed the temperature limit of the clutch line material. If this condition occurs and the clutch is depressed, the line could rupture.
Why it matters: The fluid could ignite on the hot exhaust possibly resulting in a vehicle fire.
The fix: Dealers will replace the hydraulic clutch assembly.
Electrical Vehicle recall #00V135000 · 2000 · 690,000 vehicles
What's wrong: The affected vehicles were built with an ignition switch and wiring that could overheat. High electrical current loads pass through the switch when the blower motor is operated on high for an extended periods of time.
Why it matters: This could cause the ignition switch and wiring to overheat.
The fix: Dealers will install a relay and overlay harness.
Speed control / throttle Vehicle recall #01V037000 · 2001 · 157,000 vehicles
What's wrong: The throttle cable could unravel (fray) or break resulting in loss of throttle control.
Why it matters: A throttle that does not return to idle could result in unexpected acceleration, increasing the risk of a crash.
The fix: Dealers will inspect and replace the throttle cable and upper bell crank lever. Owner notification began August 3, 2001.
Latches & locks Vehicle recall #01V040000 · 2001 · 701,000 vehicles
What's wrong: On certain pickup trucks originally sold in or currently registered in the following "salt belt" states: maine, new hampshire, vermont, massachusetts, rhode island, connecticut, new york, new jersey, pennsylvania, delaware, maryland, the district of columbia, west virginia, ohio, indiana, michigan, illinois, wisconsin, minnesota, iowa, and missouri. Corrosion of the return spring on the hood secondary latch could…
Why it matters: If the primary latch is not engaged, the hood could open unexpectedly.
The fix: Dealers will replace the secondary hood latch. Owner notification began September 17, 2001.
4 aftermarket equipment / tire recalls replacement parts sold to fit this car, not the car itself
Exterior lights Equipment recall #06E060000 · 2006 · 87,745 vehicles
What's wrong: Certain aai motorsports combination lamps sold as replacement lamps for use on the above list passenger vehicles. Combination lamps not equipped with amber side reflectors fail to conform with the requirements of Federal Motor Vehicle Safety Standard no. 108, "lamps, reflective devices, and associated equipment."
Why it matters: Lack of amber side reflectors in the lamps will decrease lighting visibility to other drivers and May possibly result in a vehicle crash
The fix: Aai motorsports will notify owners and replace the lamps free of charge. The recall began on August 1, 2006.
Exterior lights Equipment recall #08E050000 · 2008 · 1,921 vehicles
What's wrong: These headlamps are missing the amber side reflex reflector which fails to conform with the requirements of Federal Motor Vehicle Safety Standard no. 108, "lamps, reflective devices, and associated equipment."
Why it matters: Without the amber side reflex reflectors, the lighting visibility May be affected, possibly resulting in a vehicle crash.
The fix: K2 motor will notify owners and offer a full refund. The recall began on decemeber 17, 2008.
Exterior lights Equipment recall #09E012000 · 2009 · 16,270 vehicles
What's wrong: These headlamps fail to conform to the requirements of Federal Motor Vehicle Safety Standard no. 108, "lamps, reflective devices, and associated equipment." these lamps do not contain the required amber side reflectors.
Why it matters: Decreased lighting visibility May result in a vehicle crash.
The fix: Sabersport will notify owners and offer a full refund for the noncompliant combination lamps. The safety recall began on May 11, 2009.
Exterior lights Equipment recall #09E025000 · 2009 · 42,540 vehicles
What's wrong: Dope, Inc. is recalling 42,540 combination corner and bumper lamp assemblies of various part numbers sold for use as aftermarket equipment for various passenger vehicles. These headlamps fail to conform to the requirements of Federal Motor Vehicle Safety Standard no. 108, "lamps, reflective devices, and associated equipment." these lamps do not contain the required amber side reflectors.
Why it matters: Decreased lighting visibility May result in a vehicle crash.
The fix: Dope, Inc. will notify owners and offer a full refund for the noncompliant combination lamps. The safety recall began on July 28, 2009.
Most-reported problems
Owner complaints filed with NHTSA, by component. One complaint can list several components. 23 mention a fire, 47 injuries and 2 deaths were reported.
What owners describe
- Brakes (hydraulic) (170): the most common themes are brake failure / soft pedal (43), noise or vibration (14).
- Transmission & drivetrain (135): the most common themes are hard / delayed shifting (40), leaks (15), noise or vibration (13).
- Engine & cooling (57): the most common themes are stalls / loses power (12), fire / smoke (8), leaks (7).
- Suspension (49): the most common themes are noise or vibration (12), steering problems (7).
The 1996 Dodge Ram has 625 owner complaints, ranking #1 of 22 Ram model years for complaints (3.5× the average Ram year). Complaints peaked in 1997 (114 filed that year). The typical problem showed up when the car was about 2 years old, at a median of 81,500 miles. Neighboring years: 1995 (611 complaints, 12 recalls), 1997 (398 complaints, 7 recalls).
Engines & fuel economy (EPA)
| Engine | Transmission | Drive | City | Hwy | Comb. | Fuel |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 3.9 L 6-cyl | Manual 5-spd | Rear-Wheel Drive | 15 | 19 | 16 | Regular |
| 5.2 L 8-cyl | Manual 5-spd | Rear-Wheel Drive | 13 | 17 | 15 | Regular |
| 3.9 L 6-cyl | Automatic 4-spd | Rear-Wheel Drive | 13 | 17 | 14 | Regular |
| 5.2 L 8-cyl | Automatic 4-spd | Rear-Wheel Drive | 12 | 16 | 14 | Regular |
| 5.2 L 8-cyl | Manual 5-spd | 4-Wheel or All-Wheel Drive | 12 | 16 | 14 | Regular |
| 5.9 L 8-cyl | Automatic 4-spd | Rear-Wheel Drive | 11 | 16 | 13 | Regular |
| 5.2 L 8-cyl | Manual 5-spd | Rear-Wheel Drive | 11 | 15 | 13 | Regular |
| 5.9 L 8-cyl | Manual 5-spd | Rear-Wheel Drive | 11 | 15 | 12 | Regular |
| 5.2 L 8-cyl | Automatic 4-spd | 4-Wheel or All-Wheel Drive | 11 | 15 | 12 | Regular |
| 5.9 L 8-cyl | Automatic 4-spd | 4-Wheel or All-Wheel Drive | 10 | 14 | 12 | Regular |
| 5.2 L 8-cyl | Manual 5-spd | 4-Wheel or All-Wheel Drive | 11 | 14 | 12 | Regular |
| 5.9 L 8-cyl | Manual 5-spd | 4-Wheel or All-Wheel Drive | 11 | 14 | 12 | Regular |
Want the full repair deets? Get the factory manual.
Recall and complaint data tells you what goes wrong. A service manual tells you how to fix it: torque specs, wiring diagrams, fluid capacities and step-by-step procedures for the 1996 Dodge Ram.
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FAQ
Does the 1996 Dodge Ram have any recalls?
Yes. NHTSA lists 10 vehicle recalls for the 1996 Dodge Ram, plus 4 equipment or tire recalls that can apply. Recall repairs are free at any dealer, no matter how old the car is. Check your VIN at nhtsa.gov/recalls.
What are the most common 1996 Dodge Ram problems?
Owners have filed 625 complaints with NHTSA. The most-reported areas are brakes (hydraulic) (170), transmission & drivetrain (135), engine & cooling (57).
What gas mileage does the 1996 Dodge Ram get?
EPA ratings run up to 16 mpg combined (3.9 L, Manual 5-spd), across 12 engine and transmission combos.
Where can I get a 1996 Dodge Ram repair manual?
eManualOnline sells downloadable manuals, Mitchell 1 DIY and ALLDATAdiy sell online access to factory repair data, and Haynes sells printed guides and online access. Pick a download if you want to keep it, or a subscription for wiring diagrams and TSBs.