Problems · by component

1996 Dodge Ram 1500 power train problems

171 owner complaints to NHTSA about the 1996 Dodge Ram 1500 cite power train, 18% of all 936 complaints for this model year.

Complaints
171
18% of all complaints
Crashes
9
Reported by owners
Fires
7
Reported by owners
Injuries
7
Reported by owners
01 —Owner reports

What owners say about the power train

Verbatim from NHTSA complaints, newest first
“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
“NORMAL DRIVING INTO MOUNTAINS AND AUTO TRANSMISSION SHIFTED OUT OF OVERDRIVE AND WOULD NOT SHIFT BACK, EVEN DOWN HILL. CHECKED FLUID AND VERY HOT AND STARTED TO SMELLED BURNT. HAS BEEN SHIFTING HARD. *TR”
Owner complaint to NHTSAFiled Aug 16, 2008Power trainODI 10238474
“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
“I PURCHASED THE TRUCK IN 1996 NEW FROM PARKS MOTORS IN AUGUSTA, SINCE THAT TIME I HAVE HAD THE TRANSMISSION REBUILD 3 TIMES FOR THE SAME PROBLEM, THE TRANSMISSION WILL NOT SHIFT OUT OF 1 OR 2 GEAR OR IF IT DOES IT TAKES HIGH RPMS TO DO IT. IT WAS DETERMINED THAT A SEAL IN THE UPPER HALF OF THE TRANSMISSION WAS FAULTY FROM THE FACTORY. THE FIRST TIME I HAD THIS REBUILT I COVERED THE COST MYSELF BECAUSE OF THE LOW MILEAGE WARRANTY THE SECOND TIME I HAD THIS REBUILT CHRYSLER AGREED TO PAY FOR HALF OF THE PROBLEM BECAUSE THEY KNEW IT HAD BEEN REBUILT ONCE BEFORE AND FAILED A 2ND TIME, THE THIRD TIME I PAID TO HAVE IT REBUILT OUT OF POCKET, I AM NOW AT THE POINT OF NEEDING IT REBUILT FOR A 4TH TIME MY TRUCK HAS 120,000 MILES ON IT NOW AND I HAVE YET TO SEE A RECALL ON THIS PROBLEM I HAVE TALKED TO MANY PEOPLE WHO HAVE HAD THE SAME PROBLEM AND HAVE ALSO BEEN TO MANY WEB SITES DESCRIBING THE SAME PROBLEMS I AM HAVING, THE TRANSMISSION ALSO HAS A 5 MILE AN HOUR DIFFERENCE THAN WHAT IT SHOULD BE. MY INCIDENT DATE IS NOT EXACT AS THIS PROBLEM HAS OCCURRED MANY TIMES NOW OVER A 10 YEAR PERIOD, I HAVE ALSO REPORTED THIS BEFORE BUT NEVER HAD ANY LETTERS OR HAVE BEEN…”
Owner complaint to NHTSAFiled Jan 11, 2006Power trainODI 10147456
“SERIOUS TRANSMISSION PROBLEMS, 4 MONTHS AFTER I BOUGHT THE MINI VAN IT HAD TO BE SERVICED, WHICH WAS COVERED UNDER THE 24 MONTHS/24000 MILE EXTENDED WARRANTY THAT I PURCHASED WITH THE VEHICLE FOR $1495. 2ND VISIT ON 9/24/01 TRANS SLIPPING IN 3RD GEAR. PER MECHANIC THE SNAP RING SNAPPED AND NEEDED TO BE REPLACED. AGAIN THE TRANSMISSION WENT ON 8/26/02. IT NEEDED A REBUILT & RECONDITIONED 6710 TRANSMISSION & REBUILT/RECONDITIONED TORQUE CONVERTER ALSO A FILTER TOTALING $1588.99. ON 2/26/03 RETURNED BACK TO THE SHOP FOR A BLEW REAR DIFFERENTIAL & PASSENGER SIDE AXLE TOTALING $609.50. I WAS TOLD THAT THIS WOULDN'T BE COVERED UNDER THE LIFETIME WARRANTY THAT I HAVE ON THE VAN BECAUSE THE VAN GOT STUCK IN THE SNOW AND I CAUSED IT TO BLOW, WHICH IS RIDICULES. NOW THE SHOP THAT I GOT THE WORK DONE AT IS OUT OF BUSINESS AND NOW AT A NEW LOCATION UNDER A NEW NAME WITH THE SAME PERSON THERE. I WAS TOLD THAT MY LIFETIME WARRANTY WOULDN'T BE COVERED AT THE NEW LOCATION AND THAT I WOULD HAVE TO PAY FOR ANY REPAIRS NEEDED ON THE TRANSMISSION. THE COMPANY THAT DID THE WORK WHERE I RECEIVED THE LIFETIME WARRANTY ON THE TRANSMISSION IS MOJE, INC. GOODEAL MOTORS & TRANSMISSIONS…”
Owner complaint to NHTSAFiled Dec 27, 2004Power trainODI 10104540
“WHILE DRIVING TRANSMISSION FAILED TO GO FROM SECOND TO THID GEAR. MECHANIC STATED THAT THE THIRD GEAR LIP SEAL FAILED. THIS WAS A COMMON FAILURE WITH THESE VEHICLES. *AK”
Owner complaint to NHTSAFiled Jun 21, 2004Power trainODI 10079585

Showing 6 of 171 reports. Read every report on NHTSA.gov.

Data from NHTSA Complaints API (owner reports, unverified) · synced Oct 29, 2026NHTSA vehicle page

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