Model Year Problem Record

Dodge RAM 1500 1996 - Problems, Recalls, and Investigations

The complete public record for the 1996 Dodge RAM 1500: what owners reported, which systems drew recalls, and where complaints exist that no recall has ever covered.

298Distinct owner complaintsSource: NHTSA Complaints

0Recall campaignsSource: NHTSA Recalls

2Defect investigationsSource: NHTSA Investigations

39Complaints reporting a crash or fireOwner Reports, Unverified

Complaints by System

Distinct complaints naming each system, most reported first. Select a system for its own page.

Did a Recall Cover It?

The join between complaints and recalls for this model year, system by system. A gap does not prove a defect - it means owners reported the problem and no recall campaign covers that system on this model year.

Brakes54 complaints

54 complaints; no recall campaign covers this system.

Power Train53 complaints

53 complaints; no recall campaign covers this system.

Engine37 complaints

37 complaints; no recall campaign covers this system.

Vehicle Structure35 complaints

35 complaints; no recall campaign covers this system.

Suspension31 complaints

31 complaints; no recall campaign covers this system.

Electrical System29 complaints

29 complaints; no recall campaign covers this system.

Steering27 complaints

27 complaints; no recall campaign covers this system.

Fuel and Propulsion System20 complaints

20 complaints; no recall campaign covers this system.

Unknown Or Other16 complaints

16 complaints; no recall campaign covers this system.

Lighting15 complaints

15 complaints; no recall campaign covers this system.

Visibility13 complaints

13 complaints; no recall campaign covers this system.

Tires12 complaints

12 complaints; no recall campaign covers this system.

Latches, Locks and Linkages11 complaints

11 complaints; no recall campaign covers this system.

Vehicle Speed Control11 complaints

11 complaints; no recall campaign covers this system.

Air Bags10 complaints

10 complaints; no recall campaign covers this system.

Wheels8 complaints

8 complaints; no recall campaign covers this system.

Seats7 complaints

7 complaints; no recall campaign covers this system.

Equipment7 complaints

7 complaints; no recall campaign covers this system.

Seat Belts3 complaints

3 complaints; no recall campaign covers this system.

Trailer Hitches and Towing1 complaints

1 complaints; no recall campaign covers this system.

Recall Campaigns

Every campaign covering this model year, in our own words. The campaign number is the official reference.

No recall campaigns cover this model year.

Defect Investigations

NHTSA's Office of Defects Investigation opened these investigations touching this model year.

DP03006Opened September 23, 2003 - Closed April 8, 2004

SEAT BACK FAILURE. No recall campaign resulted from this investigation.

DP03006Opened September 23, 2003 - Closed April 8, 2004

SEAT BACK FAILURE. No recall campaign resulted from this investigation.

Complaints by Year Received

When this model year's complaints reached NHTSA - whether its problems surfaced early or late in its life.

199611

199750

199827

199920

200027

200121

200220

200323

200411

20058

200611

200720

20089

20095

20104

20116

20124

20135

20141

20155

20162

20171

20184

20191

20211

20221

20241

How to Read These Counts: complaint counts are owner reports to NHTSA, not failure rates. Older and higher-volume vehicles accumulate more reports, and counts are not adjusted for vehicles sold - no per-sales rate or reliability ranking is shown, because the public data does not support one.

Data as of October 30, 2026. Sources: NHTSA Office of Defects Investigation complaints, recalls, and investigations files (U.S. Government public domain). DefectRecord is not affiliated with NHTSA or any manufacturer. For your specific vehicle, use NHTSA's VIN lookup. Report an error.