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Research · Standard Pickup Trucks

1996 Dodge Ram 2500Recalls, problems, MPG & safety

NHTSA lists 1 safety recall and 291 owner complaints for the 1996 Dodge Ram 2500. Most complaints involve service brakes, hydraulic (71) and power train (43). The EPA rates it 12–14 mpg combined.

Check a VINAdd to my garage
Combined MPG
12–14mpg
EPA · 8 versions
NHTSA overall
—
Not rated by NCAP
Safety recalls
1campaigns
Latest Mar 2006
Owner complaints
291
Top: service brakes, hydraulic
Fuel cost / yr
$4,600est.
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 31, 2026 · All recall detailsNHTSA vehicle page
02 —Complaints

Owner complaints by component

291 complaints filed with NHTSA · Nov 1995 – Jun 2023
  1. Service brakes, hydraulic71
  2. Power train43
  3. Electrical system26
  4. Tires23
  5. Suspension22
  6. Steering20
  7. Exterior lighting16
  8. Fuel system, gasoline16
  9. Vehicle speed control15

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 2500 model year we’ve synced.

View as table
Model yearNHTSA complaints
1996291
2002155
2003661
Crashes reported
15
Fires reported
15
Injuries reported
8
Deaths reported
0
Data from NHTSA Complaints API · synced Oct 31, 2026 · Full problem breakdownNHTSA vehicle page
03 —Common problems

What owners report most

Verbatim excerpts from NHTSA complaints, by component

Service brakes, hydraulic

71 reports10 crashes
“I WENT TO STOP AT A RED LIGHT UNDER NORMAL CONDITIONS AND THE BRAKE PETAL WENT TO THE FLOOR AND I REAR ENDED AN SUV. MY VEHICLE WAS TOWED TO A REPAIR SHOP TO FIND THAT THREE OF THE FOUR BRAKE LINES RUSTED OUT AND THE ONE THAT STAYED INTACT WAS LEAKING. I DID HEAVY DAMAGE TO THE SUV AS WELL AS PUSHED IN MY BUMPER AND DAMAGED THE HOOD. ALSO THE APPLICATION OF THE EMEREGENCY BRAKE DID NOTHING. *NM”
Owner complaint to NHTSAFiled Sep 11, 2006Service brakes, hydraulicCrash reportedODI 10167911

Power train

43 reports1 crash1 fire
“AFTER OPERATING VEHICLE UNDER HEAVY LOAD (SNOWPLOWING), THE HYDRAULIC CLUTCH LINE RUPTURED WHEN THE CLUTCH WAS DEPRESSED AND THE HYDRAULIC FLUID IGNITED ON THE HOT EXHAUST SYSTEM. NOTE: THERE WAS A RECALL (NHTSA CAMPAIGN ID NUMBER : 99V115000 ) ISSUED FOR THE EXACT SAME PROBLEM WITH THIS MAKE/MODEL/YEAR TRUCK WITH A V10 ENGINE VERSES THE V8. THE HEAT FROM THE NEARBY EXHAUST PIPE EXCEEDED THE TEMPERATURE RATING OF THE HYDRAULIC CLUTCH LINE MATERIAL CAUSING IT TO RUPTURE. *TR”
Owner complaint to NHTSAFiled Jan 23, 2012Power trainFire reportedODI 10444959

Electrical system

26 reports8 fires
“THE STEERING COLUMN ON THIS TRUCK HAS GOTTEN VERY HOT UNDER THE IGNITION SWITCH AREA. SO HOT IN FACT THAT THE WIRES AND PLASTIC COLUMN COVER HAVE SMOKED AND MELTED THROUGH. I FEEL THERE MAY BE A FIRE SOON. THE DEALERSHIP SAYS NOTHING IS WRONG WITH MY MODEL YEAR BUT THE MELTED HOLE IN MY STEERING COLUMN SAYS OTHERWISE I'VE READ THERE WAS A RECALL OF THIS NATURE BUT WAS TOLD IN NO UNCERTAIN TERMS THAT THEY WOULD NOT BE HELPING ME. HELP... *TR”
Owner complaint to NHTSAFiled May 4, 2013Steering, Electrical systemFire reportedODI 10510595
All 1996 Ram 2500 problemsSend a problem to a mechanic on findmechanic.ai
Data from NHTSA Complaints API (owner reports, unverified) · synced Oct 31, 2026
04 —Key specs

Engines, transmissions & drive

8 versions rated by the EPA
EPA class
Standard Pickup Trucks
Engines
5.2L 8-cyl · 5.9L 8-cyl
Transmissions
Automatic 4-spd · Manual 5-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 31, 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 2500 Pickup 2WD
Auto 4-spd, 8 cyl, 5.2 L · Rear-Wheel Drive
121614$4,600635
Ram 2500 Pickup 2WD
Auto 4-spd, 8 cyl, 5.9 L · Rear-Wheel Drive
111613$4,950684
Ram 2500 Pickup 2WD
Man 5-spd, 8 cyl, 5.2 L · Rear-Wheel Drive
111513$4,950684
Ram 2500 Pickup 2WD
Man 5-spd, 8 cyl, 5.9 L · Rear-Wheel Drive
111512$5,350741
Ram 2500 Pickup 4WD
Auto 4-spd, 8 cyl, 5.2 L · 4-Wheel or All-Wheel Drive
111512$5,350741
Ram 2500 Pickup 4WD
Auto 4-spd, 8 cyl, 5.9 L · 4-Wheel or All-Wheel Drive
101412$5,350741
Ram 2500 Pickup 4WD
Man 5-spd, 8 cyl, 5.2 L · 4-Wheel or All-Wheel Drive
111412$5,350741
Ram 2500 Pickup 4WD
Man 5-spd, 8 cyl, 5.9 L · 4-Wheel or All-Wheel Drive
111412$5,350741
Estimate your fuel costCost of ownership
Data from EPA fueleconomy.gov · synced Oct 31, 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 2500 as of Oct 31, 2026.
Data from NHTSA NCAP Safety Ratings API · synced Oct 31, 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 2500 questions

How many recalls does the 1996 Dodge Ram 2500 have?

1 safety recall as of Oct 31, 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 2500 problems?

Owners filed 291 complaints with NHTSA. The most-cited components are service brakes, hydraulic (71), power train (43), electrical system (26). Complaints are unverified owner reports and aren't adjusted for how many cars were sold.

What MPG does the 1996 Dodge Ram 2500 get?

The EPA rates the 1996 Dodge Ram 2500 at 12–14 mpg combined, depending on engine and drivetrain (8 versions rated).

Data from NHTSA & EPA · synced Oct 31, 2026