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Research · Standard Pickup Trucks · 2 NHTSA variants

1996 Dodge Ram 1500Recalls, problems, MPG & safety

NHTSA lists 1 safety recall and 936 owner complaints for the 1996 Dodge Ram 1500. Most complaints involve service brakes, hydraulic (206) and power train (171). The EPA rates it 12–16 mpg combined.

Check a VINAdd to my garage
Combined MPG
12–16mpg
EPA · 8 versions
NHTSA overall
—
Not rated by NCAP
Safety recalls
1campaigns
Latest Mar 2006
Owner complaints
936
Top: service brakes, hydraulic
Fuel cost / yr
$4,000est.
EPA estimate, best version
01 —Recalls

Safety recalls

1 NHTSA campaign · applies to some vehicles, check your VIN

Engine and engine cooling

Free remedy

CERTAIN REPLACEMENT K&N FUEL PERFORMANCE KITS, P/NOS. 57-1509, 57-1511, 57-1511-1, 57-1517, 57-1517-1, 57-1527, AND 57-1530. ALSO, A SMALL PERCENTAGE OF THESE KITS WERE SOLD UNDER THE MOPAR PERFORMANCE PARTS BRAND NAME (P/NOS. P5007069 AND P5007070). ALL KITS WERE MANUFACTURED FROM APRIL 20, 1999, THROUGH SEPTEMBER 23, 2004. THESE ASSEMBLIES WERE MANUFACTURED AS REPLACEMENT EQUIPMENT FOR CERTAIN DODGE PICKUP TRUCKS AND SUVS. A SMALL PIECE OF MATERIAL FROM THE TUBE WALL COULD BE SUCKED INTO THE ENGINE THROTTLE BODY, WHICH COULD CAUSE THE THROTTLE TO BECOME JAMMED IN THE OPEN POSITION.

Engine and engine coolingReported Mar 15, 2006NHTSA 06E024000
Data from NHTSA Recalls API · synced Oct 29, 2026 · All recall detailsNHTSA vehicle page
02 —Complaints

Owner complaints by component

936 complaints filed with NHTSA · Nov 1995 – Nov 2024
  1. Service brakes, hydraulic206
  2. Power train171
  3. Engine and engine cooling76
  4. Suspension71
  5. Electrical system67
  6. Steering64
  7. Structure58
  8. Fuel system, gasoline50
  9. Air bags47

Complaints are unverified owner reports to NHTSA and are not normalized for sales volume. One complaint can cite several components.

By model year

Complaints for each Ram 1500 model year we’ve synced.

View as table
Model yearNHTSA complaints
1996936
20051,213
2006817
2007534
2008579
2009679
2010515
Crashes reported
92
Fires reported
41
Injuries reported
65
Deaths reported
8
Data from NHTSA Complaints API · synced Oct 29, 2026 · Full problem breakdownNHTSA vehicle page
03 —Common problems

What owners report most

Verbatim excerpts from NHTSA complaints, by component

Service brakes, hydraulic

206 reports22 crashes
“The contact owns a 1996 Dodge Ram. The contact became aware that the VIN was included in NHTSA Campaign Numbers: 97V068000 (Service Brakes, Hydraulic), 01V037000 (Vehicle Speed Control), and 00V135000 (Electrical System); however, the parts to do the recall repairs were not yet available. The local dealer was contacted. The contact stated that the manufacturer had exceeded a reasonable amount of time for the recall repair. The manufacturer was made aware of the issue. The contact had not experienced a failure. Parts distribution disconnect.”
Owner complaint to NHTSAFiled Nov 25, 2024Service brakes, hydraulic, Electrical system, Vehicle speed controlODI 11627321

Power train

171 reports9 crashes7 fires
“MY BALL JOINTS, TIE RODS, STEERING BOX, ALL THAT HAS TO DO WITH THOSE AREAS HAVE SERIOUS ISSUES AND DODGE NEEDS TO FOX THEM FOR FREE PUT THEM UNDER THE RECALL DEPT SO THEY CAN BE. STEERING WHEEL VERY LOOSE TONS OF PLAY VERY DANGEROUS.”
Owner complaint to NHTSAFiled May 10, 2019Steering, Power train, WheelsODI 11206649

Engine and engine cooling

76 reports4 crashes10 fires
“MY SON DIED IN DEC 12,2002 IN A 1996 DODGE STEALTH TWO DAYS AFTER HE DIED I RECEIVED THE RECALL NOTICE. CAR LOST CONTROL ON FREEWAY AND WENT OFF ROAD AND ROLLED. HE JUST PUT A TRANSMISSION AND REPLACED CLUTCH, AND PUT IN NEW ENGINE THROUGH TRACY DODGE IN TRACY, CA. *TR”
Owner complaint to NHTSAFiled Dec 20, 2007Engine and engine cooling, Power train, EquipmentCrash reportedODI 10212385
All 1996 Ram 1500 problemsSend a problem to a mechanic on findmechanic.ai
Data from NHTSA Complaints API (owner reports, unverified) · synced Oct 29, 2026
04 —Key specs

Engines, transmissions & drive

8 versions rated by the EPA
EPA class
Standard Pickup Trucks
Engines
3.9L 6-cyl · 5.2L 8-cyl · 5.9L 8-cyl
Transmissions
Manual 5-spd · Automatic 4-spd
Drive
Rear-Wheel Drive · 4-Wheel or All-Wheel Drive
Fuel
Regular Gasoline

Towing, payload and dimensions aren’t in the EPA or NHTSA data, so we don’t list them.

Data from EPA fueleconomy.gov · synced Oct 29, 2026EPA listing
05 —Fuel economy

EPA fuel economy by version

City / highway / combined, annual fuel cost and CO₂
EPA
VersionCityHwyComb.Fuel / yrCO₂ g/mi
Ram 1500 Pickup 2WD
Man 5-spd, 6 cyl, 3.9 L · Rear-Wheel Drive
151916$4,000555
Ram 1500 Pickup 2WD
Man 5-spd, 8 cyl, 5.2 L · Rear-Wheel Drive
131715$4,300592
Ram 1500 Pickup 2WD
Auto 4-spd, 6 cyl, 3.9 L · Rear-Wheel Drive
131714$4,600635
Ram 1500 Pickup 2WD
Auto 4-spd, 8 cyl, 5.2 L · Rear-Wheel Drive
121614$4,600635
Ram 1500 Pickup 4WD
Man 5-spd, 8 cyl, 5.2 L · 4-Wheel or All-Wheel Drive
121614$4,600635
Ram 1500 Pickup 2WD
Auto 4-spd, 8 cyl, 5.9 L · Rear-Wheel Drive
111613$4,950684
Ram 1500 Pickup 4WD
Auto 4-spd, 8 cyl, 5.2 L · 4-Wheel or All-Wheel Drive
111512$5,350741
Ram 1500 Pickup 4WD
Auto 4-spd, 8 cyl, 5.9 L · 4-Wheel or All-Wheel Drive
101412$5,350741
Estimate your fuel costCost of ownership
Data from EPA fueleconomy.gov · synced Oct 29, 2026 · Fuel cost is EPA’s annual estimate (15,000 mi, 55% city)
06 —Safety

NHTSA 5-Star Safety Ratings

New Car Assessment Program
NHTSA has not published 5-Star Safety Ratings for the 1996 Dodge Ram 1500 as of Oct 29, 2026.
Data from NHTSA NCAP Safety Ratings API · synced Oct 29, 2026
07 —Maintenance

Maintenance basics

General guidance, not the OEM schedule. Check your owner’s manual.
General guidance
ItemMilesTimeNote
Engine oil & filter5,000–10,000 mi6–12 monthsFollow the oil-life monitor if fitted
Tire rotation5,000–7,500 miEvery oil changeCheck pressure monthly
Engine air filter15,000–30,000 mi1–2 yearsSooner in dusty areas
Cabin air filter15,000–25,000 mi1–2 years
Brake fluid—2–3 yearsAbsorbs moisture over time
Coolant60,000–100,000 mi5–10 yearsLong-life coolants last longer
Spark plugs60,000–100,000 mi—Iridium/platinum plugs at the long end
12V battery—3–5 yearsHeat shortens battery life
  • Engine oil & filter5,000–10,000 mi
    6–12 months
  • Tire rotation5,000–7,500 mi
    Every oil change
  • Engine air filter15,000–30,000 mi
    1–2 years
  • Cabin air filter15,000–25,000 mi
    1–2 years
  • Brake fluid—
    2–3 years
  • Coolant60,000–100,000 mi
    5–10 years
  • Spark plugs60,000–100,000 mi
    —
  • 12V battery—
    3–5 years
Typical intervals for modern cars. Severe service (towing, short trips, extreme heat or cold) shortens them.
09 —FAQ

1996 Ram 1500 questions

How many recalls does the 1996 Dodge Ram 1500 have?

1 safety recall as of Oct 29, 2026, according to NHTSA. Recall repairs are free at a dealer. Check your VIN to see whether your car is included and whether the repair was done.

What are the most common 1996 Dodge Ram 1500 problems?

Owners filed 936 complaints with NHTSA. The most-cited components are service brakes, hydraulic (206), power train (171), engine and engine cooling (76). Complaints are unverified owner reports and aren't adjusted for how many cars were sold.

What MPG does the 1996 Dodge Ram 1500 get?

The EPA rates the 1996 Dodge Ram 1500 at 12–16 mpg combined, depending on engine and drivetrain (8 versions rated).

Data from NHTSA & EPA · synced Oct 29, 2026