66 of the 905 complaints about the 1996 Dodge RAM are about the engine — 7% of everything reported for this model year. Half of the failures with a mileage on record happened before 88,992 miles.
66
Complaints
2
Crashes
7
Fires
3
Injuries
Filed with NHTSA, in their own words.
ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING
CYLINDER HEAD'S ARE CRACKED, CAUSING TRUCK TO DAMAGE HEAD GASKETS. OVERDRIVE ON THE TRUCK WENT OUT SO TRUCK WOULDN'T SHIFT.
NHTSA complaint #10069032 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING
AIR CONDITION WORKS OFF AND ON THE PAINT ON THE TRUCK IS BLUE .IT HAS BEEN COMING OFF FOR SOME TIME .FIRST IN SMALL AREAS AND NOW LONGER. LOOKS LIKE A BAD SUN BURN.DON'T THINK IT WAS DONE RIGHT AT THE MANUFACTORS.
NHTSA complaint #10069357 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING:ENGINE
ENGINE CAUGHT ON FIRE WITHOUT WARNING.
NHTSA complaint #10039970 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING:ENGINE
I HAVE A 1996 DODGE RAM VAN 2500 WITH A 3.9 LITER ENGINE IN 117000 MILES I HAD TO HAVE 2 TIMING CHAINS INSTALLED AND NOW IT IS ON ITS 3RD TIMING CHAIN WHY?
NHTSA complaint #10018745 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING:EXHAUST SYSTEM:EMISSION CONTROL
CONSUMER STATES THAT THE VAPOR CANISTER IS FILLED WITH SOME SORT OF BLACK SUBSTANCE AND THE VEHICLE IS NOT RUNNING PROPERLY. CONTACTED DEALER AND THE DEALER STATED THAT THE VEHICLE IS NOT INCLUDED IN THE RECALL.
NHTSA complaint #8019616 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING:ENGINE
WHILE DRIVING, CONSUMER DISCOVERED THAT CRANKSHAFT WAS MISALIGNED AND KNOCKED BEARINGS OUT OF THE RODS. *AK DEALER INSTALLED REMANUFACTURED ENGINE IN TRUCK AT 54,000 MILES, THE REMANUFACTURED ENGINE HAD A KNOCK IN IT FROM DAY ONE OF INSTALLATION, CONSUMER TOOK TRUCK BACK TO DEALER, DEALER REPLACED PAN AND BEARINGS.
NHTSA complaint #8006971 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING:EXHAUST SYSTEM:EMISSION CONTROL:CATALYTIC CONVERTOR
WHILE DRIVING VEHICLE MAKES A CLUNKING NOISE. CONSUMER TOOK VEHICLE TO DEALER, AND THEY STATED THAT CATAYLIC CONVERTER NEEDED REPLACEMENT. PLEASE PROVIDE ANY FURTHER INFORMATION.
NHTSA complaint #6900617 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING:ENGINE:GASOLINE
CONSUMER STATES ENGINE STALLED WHILE TRAVELING DOWN A MOUNTAIN, CONSUMER LOST ALL CONTROL OF VEHICLE AND WENT OFF A 300 FT REVENE, VEHICLE FINALLY STOPPED AFTER STRIKING A TREE HEAD ON, AIR BAG DID NOT DEPLOY, CONSUMER SUSTAINED INJURIES, A MONTH AFTER PURCHASING VEHICLE, RECALL REPAIRS WERE COMPLETED ON VEHICLE REGARDING BLOWER AND IGNTION, CONSUMER WAS LATER INFORMED OF ADDITIONAL RECALLS THAT NEEDED TO BE REPAIRED ON VEHICLE, HOWEVER CONSUMER WAS NEVER GIVEN ANY SPECIFIC DETAILS ABOUT WHAT WAS REPAIRED/REPLACED.
NHTSA complaint #898967 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING:ENGINE:GASOLINE
NO SUMMARY LISTED FOR ABOVE VEHICLE.
NHTSA complaint #751420 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING:EXHAUST SYSTEM:EMISSION CONTROL:CATALYTIC CONVERTOR
CONSUMER STATES CATALYTIC CONVERTOR FAILED AND HAD TO BE REPLACED.
NHTSA complaint #561106 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING:ENGINE
WHILE CHANGING THE MOTOR OIL, I NOTICED THE REAR OF THE MOTOR WET WITH OIL. TRACED OIL LEAK VIA MECHANIC BACK TO THE REAR OF THE HEADS ON BOTH SIDES. LOSING APPROX 1/2 QT OF OIL BETWEEN CHANGES.
NHTSA complaint #743045 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING:ENGINE
WHILE DRIVING VEHICLE COMPLETELY STOPPED WITHOUT WARNING, NONE OF GAUGES WENT OUT. TOOK VEHICLE TO DEALER, AND THEY SAID IT WAS SLUDGE THAT BUILD UP. 10 MONTHS LATER, CAMPSHAFT WENT OUT.
NHTSA complaint #878683 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING:EXHAUST SYSTEM
AFTER TRYING TO CHANGE FOWARD OXYGEN SENSOR FOUR TIMES I FIND OUT I HAVE 1995 SENSORS IN MY 1996 TRUCK. THE CONNECTORS ON THE 1996 SENSORS FOR THE FORWARD AND AFT OXYGEN SENSORS ARE OPPOSITE ON 1995. HOW MANY OTHER COMPONETS ON THIS WIRING HARNESS WILL BE AFFECTED? A 1996 FORWARD SENSOR LISTS FOR $75.00 WHILE A 1995 SENSOR LISTS FOR $130.00.
NHTSA complaint #731673 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING:ENGINE:GASOLINE
WHILE DRIVING VEHICLE LOCKED UP, AND CONSUMER LOST CONTROL OF VEHICLE, CAUSING A MAJOR CRASH, WHICH RESULTED IN VEHICLE TOTALED, AND 1 FATALITY. NO ONE DETERMINED THE CAUSE OF THE CRASH.
NHTSA complaint #865744 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING:ENGINE:GASOLINE
AFTER HAVING TROUBLE WITH THE STARTER COULD HEAR NOISE COMING FROM THE ENGINE. THEN VEHICLE CAUGHT ON FIRE WITHOUT A WARNING.
NHTSA complaint #864104 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING:COOLING SYSTEM:HOSES/LINES/PIPING/FITTINGS
CONSUMER CALLED MANUFACTURER IN REFERENCE TO RECALL # 97V084000. RECALL ONLY INVOLVED V10 ENGINES, NOT DIESEL ENGINES. THEREFORE, THIS VEHICLE WAS NOT INCLUDED DUE TO VIN., AND EXHAUST PIPE LOCATED ON THE OTHER SIDE OF TRANSMISSION. EVEN THOUGH DEALER REFUSED TO PERFORM THE RECALL, THEY STILL RECOMMENDED THAT THE UPGRADE BE PERFORMED AT THE OWNER'S EXPENSE. *AK
NHTSA complaint #861057 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING:EXHAUST SYSTEM:MANIFOLD/HEADER/MUFFLER/TAIL PIPE
CONSUMER CALLED MANUFACTURER IN REFERENCE TO RECALL # 97V084000. RECALL ONLY INVOLVED V10 ENGINES, NOT DIESEL ENGINES. THEREFORE, THIS VEHICLE WAS NOT INCLUDED DUE TO VIN., AND EXHAUST PIPE LOCATED ON THE OTHER SIDE OF TRANSMISSION. EVEN THOUGH DEALER REFUSED TO PERFORM THE RECALL, THEY STILL RECOMMENDED THAT THE UPGRADE BE PERFORMED AT THE OWNER'S EXPENSE. *AK
NHTSA complaint #861057 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING:ENGINE:GASOLINE
WHILE TRAVELING VEHICLE WOULD STALL WITHOUT INDICATON. DEALER HAS BEEN NOTIFIED. ALSO, OIL PUMP NEEDED TO BE REPLACED. VEHICLE IS ON ITS THIRD REPLACEMENT. PLEASE PROVIDE FURTHER INFORMATION.
NHTSA complaint #857557 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING:ENGINE:GASOLINE:BELTS AND ASSOCIATED PULLEYS
THERMOSTAT FAILED RESULTING IN LEAKAGE, SERPENTINE BELT REPLACED. *MJS
NHTSA complaint #550872 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING:COOLING SYSTEM:RADIATOR ASSEMBLY
THERMOSTAT FAILED RESULTING IN LEAKAGE, SERPENTINE BELT REPLACED. *MJS
NHTSA complaint #550872 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING:ENGINE
ORIGINAL FAILURE TOOK PLACE ON NOV 26, 1997. THE OIL LIGHT CAME ON AND OIL PRESSURE DROPPPED TO ZERO. THE OIL PUMP WAS REPLACED UNDER WARRANTY. THEN, ON JAN 21, 1999 THE SAME SCENARIO HAPPENED AGAIN. THIS TIME THE OIL PUMP, CONNECTING ROD,CRANKSHAFT AND GASKETS WERE REPLACED AT MY EXPENSE AS THE VEHICLE WAS NO LONGER UNDER WARRANTY NOR WERE THE PARTS THAT HAD BEEN REPLACED. FINALLY, ON FEBRUARY 14, 2000 THE ENTIRE SCENARIO TOOK PLACE AGAIN. THE OIL LIGHT CAME ON AND OIL PRESSURE DROPPED TO ZERO. IT APPEARS THAT THE OIL PUMP WILL AGIN NEED TO BE REPLACED. AT THIS POINT, THE DEALERSHIP IS TRYING TO SAY IT IS A LACK OF MAINTENANCE AND SHOULD BE REPAIRED AT MY EXPENSE. MY CONCERN IS THAT THE VEHICLE HAS BEEN MAINTAINED AND THAT AFTER 3 FAILURES THERE IS A DEFINITE PROBLEM WITH THE VEHICLE. THE VEHICLE IS CURRENTLY AT THE PREVIOUSLY MENTIONED DEALERSHIP AWAITING REPAIRS AND THE RESPONSE FROM CHRYSLER CORP AS TO WHETHER OR NOT THEY WILL DO SO AT THEIR EXPENSE. ANY HELP YOU CAN PROVIDE WOULD BE GREATLY A
NHTSA complaint #718814 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING:ENGINE:GASOLINE
ORIGINAL FAILURE TOOK PLACE ON NOV 26, 1997. THE OIL LIGHT CAME ON AND OIL PRESSURE DROPPPED TO ZERO. THE OIL PUMP WAS REPLACED UNDER WARRANTY. THEN, ON JAN 21, 1999 THE SAME SCENARIO HAPPENED AGAIN. THIS TIME THE OIL PUMP, CONNECTING ROD,CRANKSHAFT AND GASKETS WERE REPLACED AT MY EXPENSE AS THE VEHICLE WAS NO LONGER UNDER WARRANTY NOR WERE THE PARTS THAT HAD BEEN REPLACED. FINALLY, ON FEBRUARY 14, 2000 THE ENTIRE SCENARIO TOOK PLACE AGAIN. THE OIL LIGHT CAME ON AND OIL PRESSURE DROPPED TO ZERO. IT APPEARS THAT THE OIL PUMP WILL AGIN NEED TO BE REPLACED. AT THIS POINT, THE DEALERSHIP IS TRYING TO SAY IT IS A LACK OF MAINTENANCE AND SHOULD BE REPAIRED AT MY EXPENSE. MY CONCERN IS THAT THE VEHICLE HAS BEEN MAINTAINED AND THAT AFTER 3 FAILURES THERE IS A DEFINITE PROBLEM WITH THE VEHICLE. THE VEHICLE IS CURRENTLY AT THE PREVIOUSLY MENTIONED DEALERSHIP AWAITING REPAIRS AND THE RESPONSE FROM CHRYSLER CORP AS TO WHETHER OR NOT THEY WILL DO SO AT THEIR EXPENSE. ANY HELP YOU CAN PROVIDE WOULD BE GREATLY A
NHTSA complaint #718814 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING:ENGINE:GASOLINE
INTERMITTENTLY WHEN VEHICLE MAKES A LEFT OR RIGHT TURN VEHICLE WILL STALL OUT AND DIE. DEALER HAS BEEN NOTIFIED.
NHTSA complaint #853980 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING:ENGINE:DIESEL
THE DIESEL ENGINE HAD LOST OIL. THE OIL SPRAYED OVER THE EXHAUST MANIFOLD. NO SMOKE OR FIRE WAS OBSERVED. HAD CONTACTED 3 DIFFERENT DEALERS & WAS INFORMED THE ENGINE WAS NOT GAS, BUT DIESEL & WAS NOT UNDER RECALL. HAD USED THE SAME SEAL AS THE TRANSMISSION LINE.
NHTSA complaint #850022 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING:ENGINE:GASOLINE
I AM A MECHANIC AND HAVE TALKED TO OTHER MECHANICS ABOUT MY PROBLEM. THE MOTOR IN MY TRUCK IS 3 YEARS OLD AND IS RUSTING FROM THE INSIDE OUT. I AM TOLD THAT CHRYSLER HAS HAD PREVIOUS PROBLEMS LIKE THIS FOR MANY YEARS. I KNOW THAT MANY OTHER PEOPLE LIKE ME ARE HAVING TO FIX THERE PROBLEMS OUT OF OUR OWN POCKETS. MY PROBLEM IS ONLY FIXED TEMPORALY IT CAN NOT BE FIXED. THE NEXT SOLUTION WOULD BE A NEW MOTOR . I FEEL THAT THIS IS A PROBLEM THAT CHRYSLER SHOULD ATTEND TO.
NHTSA complaint #712544 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING:COOLING SYSTEM
FREEZE PLUGS ARE LEAKING AND AFTER REPAIRS THEY ARE STILL LEAKING. WAS TOLD BY DEALER THAT IT WAS CAUSED BY SAND LEFT IN THE BLOCK AFTER CASTING AND THE PLUGS ARE CORRODING. LAST TIME IN THEY PUT A STOP LEAK IN THE SYSTEM AND IT HAS SLOWED DOWN THE COOLANT CONSUMPTION TO ABOUT A PINT EVERY 3 MONTHS. I FEEL THEY HAVE NOT CORRECTED THE PROBLEM BUT DELAYED IT UNTIL THERE IS A PROBLEM AT A FUTURE DATE.
NHTSA complaint #712553 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING:ENGINE:GASOLINE
ENGINE COMPLETELY FELL APART AND WAS REPLACED BY NORTHE STAR DODGE IN SAN ANTONIO. AIR CONDITIONER HAS RELAY PROBLEMS. TRANSMISSION FOUND TO HAVE CLUTCH PIECES IN IT BY INDEPENDANT USED CAR TESTER. ALL WINDOWS AND DOORS HAVE AIR LEAKS AND RAIN LEAKS. VEHICLE LEAKS WATER UP THROUGHT HE FLOOR BOARD WHEN DRIVING IN RAIN. VEHICLE ALSO SHUDDERS DRAMATICALLY WHEN GOING OVER 40 MPH. CARBERATOR HAS CHOKE PROBLEMS AND IS HARD TO START. MOST IF NOT ALL OF THESE PROBLEMS WERE REPORTED TO DODGE WITHIN 10,000 MILES OF PURCHASE BUT DUE TO STALLING TECHICHES BY FIESTA DODGE NOTHING HAS EVER BEEN REMEDIED.
NHTSA complaint #711864 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING:COOLING SYSTEM:RADIATOR ASSEMBLY
TRANSMISSION SHUDDERS AT 45 MPH, DOES NOT SHIFT AND SHAKES WHEN GOING INTO 3RD OR OVERDIRVE, AND JERKS AND SLIPS, DEALER HAS REPLACED THE VALVE BODY AND RECONDITIONED TRANSMISSION AND REPLACED CONVERTOR, TRANSMISSION CONTINUES TO LOCK UP AND JERK. DRIVER AND PASSENGER SIDE MIRRORS WERE BOTH REPLACED DUE TO BEING LOOSE. EMERGENCY BRAKE HANDLE CAME OFF AND WAS REPLACED. FUEL GAUGE READ EMPTY WITH 12 GALLONS IN TANK, DEALER REPLACED FUEL PUMP MODULE. WIPER BLADES WEREN'T CLEANING WINDSHIELD, DEALER REPLACED BOTH WIPER BLADES, WINDSHIELD WASHER WAS INOPERABLE, DEALER REPLACED WASHER MOTOR. VEHICLE HAS EXPERIENCED MANY PROBLEMS WITH THE INTERIOR AND DOME LIGHTS FAILING, DOME LIGHT KEEPS BLOWING FUSE AND DEALER HAS REPLACED THE STRIP LIGHTING AND FUSE BOX DOOR AND REPAIRED THE OPEN CIRCUIT TO JUNCTION BLOCK. RADIATOR CAP WAS REPLACED DUE TO LOW COOLANT. THERE WAS A BRAKE FLUID LEAK, DEALER REPLACED CAPS FOR THE MASTER CYLINDER, THE BRAKE AND ABS LIGHT WERE ILLUMINATED, DEALER REPLACED REAR WHEEL SPEED SENSOR AND WIRING. PASSENGER SIDE VENT WINDOW WOULD NOT OPEN AND LEAKED AIR. VEHICLE ONLY GETS 13MPH ON HIGHWAY, CONSUMER STATES THIS IS POOR GAS MILEAGE. *SLC
NHTSA complaint #845911 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING:ENGINE
INITIAL TRANSMISSION PROBLEM STARTED @ 38000 JUST OUT OF WARRANTY. DEALER SAID THEY COULDN'T HELP. I NEVER THOUGHT OF CONTACTING MANUFACTURER. TRANS. DIAGNOSIS COMPLETE AT 72500 MIS, DEALER SAY REBUILD, R+R AT 89300MIS. BRAKE MASTERCYLINDER LID WAS LEAKING CAUSING INSUFFICIET FLUID LEVEL LEAD TO PAD AND SHOE FAILURE. TRANSMISSION FAILURE LED TO LIFTER FAILURE IN THE ENGINE. TRANS WOULD LONG SHIFT PUTIING STRAIN ON ENGINE CAUSING A HIGHER REV. ULTIMATELY WEAKENING 2 LIFTERS. I AM NOW HEARING A NOISE AND FEELING JOLTS ON THE STEERING WHEEL TURNING LEFT . PROBLEM IS UNKNOWN AT THIS TIME.
NHTSA complaint #707946 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING:ENGINE:GASOLINE
NO COMPRESSION IN THE #6 CYLINDER MAY HAVE CAUSED THE VEHICLE TO LOOSE POWER WHEN GOING UP GRADES.
NHTSA complaint #545106 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.