Reliability & 5-year cost of ownership — 1996 Dodge Ram 2500
NHTSA data on file today
The 1996 Dodge Ram 2500 has 1 NHTSA recall campaign and 291 owner complaints on file as of . Recall data is refreshed daily from NHTSA.
Recall campaigns on file
- NHTSA #06E024000 REPLACEMENT AIR INTAKE SYSTEMS/DEBRIS CAN ENTER NHTSA notice
Most-cited components in owner complaints
- Service Brakes, Hydraulic 71 complaints
- Power Train 43 complaints
- Electrical System 26 complaints
- Tires 23 complaints
- Suspension 22 complaints
- Steering 20 complaints
Of the 291 complaints on file, 15 report a crash and 15 a fire; across all 291 complaints, owners report 8 injuries (owner-reported, not verified by NHTSA).
Average
Estimated 5-year repair + maintenance cost: $8,000–$15,000AI estimate — not from NHTSA data
The 1996 Dodge RAM 2500 shows an average reliability profile, supported by 291 owner complaints and one recall. Complaints focus on service brakes, powertrain, and the electrical system. The evidence suggests potential issues, but with limited recall data, a cautious outlook is warranted.
Most-common failures
| Part | Typical mileage (AI estimate) | Cost range (AI estimate) | Frequency |
|---|---|---|---|
| service brakes | 70,000–100,000 miles | $300–$1,000 | common |
| powertrain | 80,000–120,000 miles | $500–$2,500 | common |
| electrical system | Unknown | $100–$800 | occasional |
| tires | 40,000–60,000 miles | $400–$800 | occasional |
| suspension | 60,000–90,000 miles | $300–$1,500 | occasional |
AI estimate — not from NHTSA data: the mileage bands and repair-cost ranges above. Get a written repair quote before you budget.
Scheduled maintenance to budget
Routine items every owner should plan for.
- Oil and filter change
- Brake system inspection
- Transmission fluid change
- Tire rotation and balance
- Coolant replacement
- Spark plug replacement
- Suspension check
Warning signs to watch for
Symptoms that signal a major upcoming repair.
- Brake pedal softness
- Powertrain noise
- Electrical shorts
- Uneven tire wear
- Suspension sagging
Generated by gpt-4o on from the NHTSA recall campaigns and owner-complaint counts on file for the 1996 Dodge Ram 2500 at the time. The rating is an AI assessment; cost and mileage figures are AI estimates, not NHTSA data.