39 of the
407 complaints about the 1996 Dodge RAM 1500 are about the
engine — 10% of everything
reported for this model year.
Half of the failures with a mileage on record happened before
106,000 miles.
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 1996 DODGE RAM 1500. WHEN THE ENGINE WAS STARTED, THE REAR OF THE VEHICLE EMITTED A FUEL ODOR AND FUEL LEAKED FROM THE FUEL TANK. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE VEHICLE SHOOK WHILE THE ENGINE WAS RUNNING. THE CONTACT RECEIVED A RECALL NOTICE FOR THE FUEL TANK ROLLOVER VALVE. THE CONTACT TOOK THE VEHICLE TO THE DEALER WHO STATED THAT THE VEHICLE ALREADY RECEIVED THE RECALL REPAIR; HOWEVER, THE FAILURE RECURRED. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT REPAIRED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOT MADE AWARE OF THE FAILURE. THE FAILURE MILEAGE AND NHTSA CAMPAIGN NUMBER WERE UNKNOWN.
NHTSA complaint #10821206 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
at 123,000 milesMascoutah, ILFire
ENGINE
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 1996 DODGE RAM 1500. THE CONTACT WAS DRIVING 65 MPH AND NOTICED A LOSS OF POWER IN THE VEHICLE. THE CONTACT THEN NOTICED SMOKE AND FLAMES SHOOTING FROM UNDER THE HOOD. THE CONTACT SAFELY MERGED OFF THE ROADWAY AND EXITED THE BURNING VEHICLE. THE VEHICLE WAS DESTROYED AND TOWED TO AN IMPOUND LOT. THE VEHICLE REMAINS WERE NOT INSPECTED TO DETERMINE THE CAUSE OF THE FIRE. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOT NOTIFIED OF THE INCIDENT. THE VIN WAS UNAVAILABLE. THE APPROXIMATE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 123,000.
NHTSA complaint #10547274 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
at 114,000 milesBroken Arrow, OK
ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING:ENGINE
TL*THE CONTACT OWNS A 1996 DODGE RAM 1500. THE EIGHTH CYLINDER ON THE ENGINE IS FAILING AND THE ENGINE HEAD IS ALSO CRACKED. THE VEHICLE WAS PREVIOUSLY REPAIRED; HOWEVER, THE FAILURE CONTINUED TO OCCUR. THE CONTACT PAID $700 FOR THE PREVIOUS REPAIRS. THE DEALER STATED THAT THE ENGINE NEEDED TO BE REPLACED. THE CONTACT IS AWARE OF THE SAFETY RISK INVOLVED. THE CURRENT AND FAILURE MILEAGE WERE 114,000. THE VIN IS NOT AVAILABLE AT THIS TIME.
NHTSA complaint #10188390 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
at 121,000 milesWinston Salem, NC
ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING
SLUDGE BUILD UP IN ENGINE STOPPING UP THE OIL PAN PICK UP,CAUSING TRUCK TO LOOSE OIL PRESSURE. NOW AT 121000 MILES THE TRANSMISSION BLEW. THE TRUCK HAS BEEN LOSING OIL PRESSURE FROM THE SLUDGE SINCE I BOUGHT IT NEW IN 1996, I WAS TOLD SEVERAL TIMES BY THE DEALER,THIS WAS CAUSED BY THE LACQUER THAT THE ENGINE BUILDER USED TO SHIP THE ENGINE TO THE USA, 318CUI BUILT IN JAPAN. THE DEALER CLEANED THE ENGINE SEVERAL TIMES, THE LAST TIME WAS IN JULY 2003 COSTING ABOUT $1000 TO ME. I HAVE BEEN GETTING THE RUN AROUND FROM DODGE AND THE DEALER, SINCE THE TRUCK WAS UNDER WARRANTY WHEN THIS FIRST STARTED AND NOW AT 121000 MILES THE TRANSMISSION BLEW UP. THE SLUDGE BUILD UP HAS HAPPENED 4 TIMES OVER THE PAST YEARS, SEEMS LIKE ABOUT EVERY 30000 MILES, INSTEAD OF FIXING TRUCK ALL THEY DID WAS CLEANUP THE MESS AFTERWARD. WHEN THE TRANSMISSION BLEW THE MOTOR LOST OIL PRESSURE AGAIN, SO THIS MAKE 5 TIMES THE TRUCK HAS DONE THIS, THIS HAS BEEN REPORTED TO DODGE SEVERAL TIMES BUT NO HELP FROM THEM, THEY DON,T WANT TO STAND BY THEIR TRUCK AND IT DON,T LOOK LIKE I CAN DO ANYTHING ABOUT IT. THANKS JAMES C. ROSE.
NHTSA complaint #10100469 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
at 98,000 milesStamford, CT
ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING:EXHAUST SYSTEM:MANIFOLD/HEADER/MUFFLER/TAIL PIPE
WHILE DRIVING FROM COLD START ENGINE PERFORMED ROUGHLY, AND SMOKE CAME OUT OF THE EXHAUST TAIL PIPE. CONSUMER CHANGED FUEL, BUT THERE WAS NO IMPROVEMENT IN PERFORMANCE. CONSUMER WAS TOLD BY A DEALER THAT THE INTAKE PLENUM GASKET WAS THE CAUSE. CONSUMER WAS AWARE OF OTHERS WITH SAME PROBLEM. *AK
NHTSA complaint #10099360 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
at 68,000 milesGrand Junction, CO
ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING:ENGINE
VEHICLE IS ON FOURTH ENGINE AND ONLY 44,000 MILES ON PRESENT ENGINE. DEALER SAYS ENGINE IS OUT OF WARRANTY. EXCESSIVE BLOW BY FROM ENGINE. CHECK ENGINE LIGHT COMES ON. SENSORS HAVE BEEN REPLACED BUT PROBLEM STILL OCCURS. ALSO THE TRUCK WANDERS ON THE ROAD, AND HAS A RUMBLING RATTLE NOISE ON FRONT PASSENGER SIDE THAT SOUNDS LIKE ITS COMING FROM THE SHOCKS AREA. BUT MY MECHANIC SAYS SHOCKS ARE OK. THE DEALER DID NOT CHECK INTO PROBLEM WHEN I PURCHASED THE TRUCK BUT IT IS LISTED AS COMPLAINT WHEN THE FIRST ENGINE WAS REPLACED. HAVE REPLACED TRACKING BAR, U-JOINTS, REAR SPRINGS, STABILIZER SHOCK & TIRES. WHEN GOING OVER BUMPS ON HIGHWAY VEHICLE JERKS THE STEERING WHEEL TO SIDE RAIL FAST GIVING A FISHTAIL EFFECT. DRIVE SHAFT HAS ALSO BEEN REPLACED.
NHTSA complaint #10043497 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
at 106,000 milesGreen BAY, WI
ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING:ENGINE
I OWN A 1996 DODGE RAM 1500 WITH THE 5.2 LITER ENGINE. THE ENGINE OIL LIGHT WOULD FLICKER WHEN STOPPED AT A STOP SIGN IN DRIVE. I TOOK IT TO THE DODGE DEALERSHIP AND THEY SAID THAT THE ENGINE WOULD HAVE TO BE REPLACED DUE TO THE WEAR. I HAVE USED MOBILE 1 SYNTHETIC OIL SINCE THE BREAKIN OIL AND NEVER LET THE OIL IN THE VEHICLE OVER 4,000 MILES. EACH TIME THE OIL FILTER WAS ALSO CHANGED. THE VEHICLE HAS 106,000 MILES ON IT AND THE ENGINE REPLACEMENT IS COSTING ME $4.700. I'VE BEEN TOLD THAT THE 5.2 LITER ENGINE DOES NOT HANDLE SYNTHETIC OIL WELL. THE OIL DOES NOT RETURN TO THE OIL PAN FAST ENOUGH TO KEEP THE BOTTOM OF THE ENGINE LUBRICATED. I FIND THIS HARD TO BELIEVE BUT I'VE NEVER WORE OUT AN ENGINE BEFORE. MY QUESTION IS HOW CAN AN ENGINE WEAR OUT WHEN IT WAS TAKEN SUCH GOOD CARE OF? I'VE HAD SEVERAL OTHER FAILURES OF THIS VEHICLE DEALING WITH U-JOINTS, STEERING SHAFT, FAILED FUEL PUMP, AND AN UNSTABLE SUSPENSION REQUIRING A $500 PISTON ASSEMBLY TO REPAIR BUT THE REPAIR DID NOTHING TO HELP. *NLM
NHTSA complaint #10010160 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
at 24,150 milesPittsburgh, PA
ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING
WHILE DRIVING AT LOW SPEEDS TIMING CHAIN MAKES LOUD NOISES.
NHTSA complaint #10004174 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
Delta, COFire
ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING:ENGINE:GASOLINE
CONSUMER STATES WHEN THE ENGINE WAS TURNED OFF FOR 30 MINUTES A FIRE BROKE OUT UNDER THE HOOD. MR
NHTSA complaint #8020519 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
Monterey, CA
ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING:ENGINE
VEHICLE WAS RUNNING ROUGH, ENGINE CHECK LIGHT CAME ON. MECHANIC REPLACED ONE OF THE FUEL INJECTORS. ALSO, SAID ENGINE HEAD WAS MOST LIKELY CRACKED.
NHTSA complaint #8015008 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
SAN Bruno, CA
ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING:ENGINE:GASOLINE
CONSUMER STATED THAT THE VEHICLE STALLS AT VARIOUS SPEEDS, THE DEALER AND WARRANTEE PEOPLE CAN NOT FIND THE PROBLEMS, THE CONSUMER WAS TOLD TO KEEP DRIVING UNTIL THE PROBLEM REOCCURS.
NHTSA complaint #785810 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
Altoona, WI
ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING:ENGINE
THE ENGINE AND HEAD GASKETS FAILED CAUSING THE ML LIGHT TO ILLUMINATE, RUN ROUGHLY AND MISS IN 3RD UP A HILL. NLM
NHTSA complaint #561682 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
Meadview, AZ
ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING:EXHAUST SYSTEM:EMISSION CONTROL:CATALYTIC CONVERTOR
CATALYTIC CONVERTER BROKE UP AND PLUGGED EXHUAST, CAUSING LOSS OF POWER,CAN BE DANGEROUS ALL POWER TO BRAKES WENT OUT & POWER STEERING. GAS TANK COULD HAVE BLOWN UP IF A HOLE WHERE TO EXIST LUCKLY THIS WAS NOT THE CASE.
NHTSA complaint #758999 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
SAN Bruno, CA
ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING:ENGINE:GASOLINE
CONSUMER STATED THAT THE VEHICLE STALLS AT VARIOUS SPEEDS, THE DEALER AND WARRANTEE PEOPLE CAN NOT FIND THE PROBLEMS, THE CONSUMER WAS TOLD TO KEEP DRIVING UNTIL THE PROBLEM REOCCURS.
NHTSA complaint #785810 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
Rayne, LA
ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING:COOLING SYSTEM:RADIATOR ASSEMBLY
THIS IS TWICE THE FIRST GEAR HAS GONE OUT, BOTH TIMES AFTER A RADIATOR FLUSH, I WAS INFORMED BY A REFERRAL FROM A DODGE DEALERSHIP THAT THE RADIATORS ARE GETTING CLOGGED AND CAUSING THE TRANMISSION TO OVER HEAT AND BY THE TIME THE PROBLEM IS FIGURED OUT A NEW TRANSMISSION IN NEEDED AS WELL AS A NEW RADIATOR, APPROXIMATE COST TO THE CONSUMER, IN THE RANGE OF $3500.00. THE RECALL FOR THE CLAMPS THAT WERE CHANGED ON THE COOLANT LINES TO PREVENT THEM FROM MELTING WAS A GOOD IDEA BUT THEY FORGOT ONE THING, A BLOW OUT VALVE FOR THE TRANMISSION SO WHEN IT GETS HOT IT CAN RELEIVE PRESSURE AND HEAT BEFORE IT BURNS THE TRANSMISSION.
NHTSA complaint #754422 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
Altoona, WI
ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING:ENGINE
THE ENGINE AND HEAD GASKETS FAILED CAUSING THE ML LIGHT TO ILLUMINATE, RUN ROUGHLY AND MISS IN 3RD UP A HILL. NLM
NHTSA complaint #561682 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
Marstons Mills, MA
ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING:COOLING SYSTEM
ON APRIL 19, 2001 WHILE TRAVELING ON RT 495 IN WAREHAM MA THE FAN ON MY L996 DODGE 1500 2 WHEEL DRIVE SPORT PICKUP TRUCK SUDDENLY BECAME UNATTACHED FROM THE WATER PUMP SHAFT CAUSING THE FAN TO FLY INTO THE RADIATOR AND PUNCTURING SAME.AT THE SAME TIME DUE TO THE LOSS OF THE BELT THAT DRIVES THE POWER STEERING PUMP,AND WATER PUMP CAUSING DIFFICULT STEERING AND ENGINE OVERHEATING I IMMEDIATELY STOPPED IN THE BREAKDOWN LANE. WHEN THIS OCCURRED THE VEHICLE HAD 57159 MILES.
NHTSA complaint #746153 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
Marstons Mills, MA
ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING:COOLING SYSTEM:FAN
ON APRIL 19, 2001 WHILE TRAVELING ON RT 495 IN WAREHAM MA THE FAN ON MY L996 DODGE 1500 2 WHEEL DRIVE SPORT PICKUP TRUCK SUDDENLY BECAME UNATTACHED FROM THE WATER PUMP SHAFT CAUSING THE FAN TO FLY INTO THE RADIATOR AND PUNCTURING SAME.AT THE SAME TIME DUE TO THE LOSS OF THE BELT THAT DRIVES THE POWER STEERING PUMP,AND WATER PUMP CAUSING DIFFICULT STEERING AND ENGINE OVERHEATING I IMMEDIATELY STOPPED IN THE BREAKDOWN LANE. WHEN THIS OCCURRED THE VEHICLE HAD 57159 MILES.
NHTSA complaint #746153 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
Easley, SC
ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING:EXHAUST SYSTEM:EMISSION CONTROL:CATALYTIC CONVERTOR
CATALYTIC CONVERTER FAILED. *MJS
NHTSA complaint #784801 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
Easley, SC
ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING:ENGINE
ENGINE ROD/BEARINGS FAILED. *MJS
NHTSA complaint #784801 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
Tyler, TXCrashFire2 killed
ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING:EXHAUST SYSTEM
THIS TRUCK BURNED FROM THE BACK END MY SON WAS DRIVING AND WENT OFF THE ROAD ON THE RIGHT SIDE AND WHEN HE RETURNED TO PAVEMENT THE TRUCK WENT SIDEWAYS DOWN THE ROAD AND THEN WENT OFF ON THE LEFT SIDE AND CRASHED AND BURNED, BURNING MY SON AND A FRIEND TO DEATH. WHAT WAS SO BAD I RECEIVED A RECALL NOTICE OF A PROBLEM WITH THE ROLLOVER VALVE APPROXOMATELY 2-3 WEEKS AFTER THE ACCIDENT HAPPENED.
NHTSA complaint #726525 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
Augustia, GA
ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING:COOLING SYSTEM:RADIATOR ASSEMBLY
WHEN DRIVING AT 35MPH TRANSMISSION WENT OUT/LOCKED UP, CAUSING LOSS OF ALL ACCELERATION. CONSUMER CONTACTED THE DEALER, DEALER LINKED THE PROBLEM TO THE RADIATOR WHICH BACKED UP FLUID, CAUSING THE TRANSMISSION TO GO BAD. PLEASE PROVIDE ANY FURTHER DETAILS.
NHTSA complaint #861346 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
Brown Deer, WI
ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING:EXHAUST SYSTEM
THE EXHAUST SYSTEM AND THE RADIO WERE REPALCED WITH NO PROBLEMS FROM THE DEALER, THE BRAKE SYSTEM I REPLACED MYSELF, THE TRANSMISSION WAS REPAIRED BY THE DEALERSHIP WITH A $100 DEDUCTABLE AFTER CONTACTING CHYSLER, THE PITMAN AND IDLER ARM HAVE NOT YET BEEN REPAIRED, I AM NOT DRIVING THE VECHICLE
NHTSA complaint #720389 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
Salina, KS
ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING:EXHAUST SYSTEM:MANIFOLD/HEADER/MUFFLER/TAIL PIPE
NHTSA complaint #717958 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
Boston, MA
ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING:ENGINE:GASOLINE
AFTER ABOUT 15 MINUTES, ONE OR MORE LIFTERS BEGIN TO TICK. THE TICKING REMAINS THROUGHOUT THE TIME THE TRUCK RUNS. IF THE ENGINE IS TURNED OFF FOR A PERIOD OF TIME AND THE ENGINE COOLS, THE TICKING IS NOT PRESENT ON START-UP BUT BEGINS AGAIN IN ABOUT 15 MINUTES. THE OIL IS CHANGES EVERY 3,000 MILES OR 3 MONTHS AND THE TRUCK ONLY SEES VERY LIGHT DUTY.
NHTSA complaint #712189 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
Marietta, GA
ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING:ENGINE:GASOLINE
ENGINE CONTROL PROGRAM--VEHICLE STUMBLES ON ACCELERATION, PREMATURE COMBUSTION WHILE RUNNING, NO MOVEMENT BELOW 1500 RPM, ENGINE DOES NOT GENERATE OUTPUT ABOVE 2200 RPM UNTIL VEHICLE EXCEEDS 60 MPH.
NHTSA complaint #515860 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
Newport NE, VA
ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING:ENGINE:GASOLINE
VEHICLE HAS EXPERIENCED CONTINUED PROBLEMS WITH ENGINE PERFORMANCE THAT ARE NOT ABLE TO BE RECTIFIED, HESITATES, ROUGH IDLE, AND PROBLEMS STARTING.
NHTSA complaint #514331 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
Denver, CO
ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING:ENGINE:GASOLINE
VEHICLE CONTINUALLY STALLING WITH CHECK ENGINE LIGHT ILLUMINATING.
NHTSA complaint #514729 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
Freindship, MD
ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING:ENGINE:GASOLINE
WHILE DRIVING THE OIL LIGHT CAME ON, AND THE ENGINE CUT COMPLETELY OFF. ENGINE HAS TO BE RPLACED.
NHTSA complaint #830413 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
Eglin AFB, FL
ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING:EXHAUST SYSTEM:EMISSION CONTROL
THE FUEL TANK ROLLOVER VALVE HAS BEEN REPLACED, BUT THE VAPOR CANISTER HAS TO BE REPLACED BECAUSE OF THE DEFECT TO THE ROLLOVER VALVE WHICH IS NOW CLOGGED.
NHTSA complaint #823654 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.