Reliability & 5-year cost of ownership — 1996 Dodge Ram
NHTSA data on file today
The 1996 Dodge Ram has 14 NHTSA recall campaigns and 620 owner complaints on file as of . Recall data is refreshed daily from NHTSA.
Recall campaigns on file
- NHTSA #09E025000 FMVSS 108/REPLACEMENT HEADLAMPS/AMBER REFLECTOR NHTSA notice
- NHTSA #09E012000 FMVSS 108/AFTERMARKET COMBINATION LAMPS NHTSA notice
- NHTSA #08E050000 FMVSS 108/HEADLAMPS/MISSING AMBER SIDE REFLECTORS NHTSA notice
- NHTSA #06E060000 FMVSS 108/AMBER SIDE REFLECTORS NHTSA notice
- NHTSA #01V040000 DAIMLERCHRYSLER/HOOD LATCH NHTSA notice
- NHTSA #01V037000 DAIMLERCHRYSLER/THROTTLE CABLE NHTSA notice
- NHTSA #00V135000 DAIMLERCHRYSLER/IGNITION SWITCH/WIRING NHTSA notice
- NHTSA #99V115000 DAIMLERCHRYSLER/HYDRAULIC CLUTCH LINE NHTSA notice
- NHTSA #99V023000 DAIMLERCHRYSLER/AIR BAG NHTSA notice
- NHTSA #97V199000 CHRYSLER/FUEL TANK ROLLOVER VALVE NHTSA notice
- NHTSA #97V084000 CHRYSLER/TRANSMISSION COOLING LINE NHTSA notice
- NHTSA #97V068000 CHRYSLER/BRAKES NHTSA notice
- NHTSA #96V027000 CHRYSLER/CERTIFICATION LABEL NHTSA notice
- NHTSA #95V237000 Electrical System — Alternator/Generator/Regulator NHTSA notice
Most-cited components in owner complaints
- Service Brakes, Hydraulic 157 complaints
- Power Train 121 complaints
- Engine and Engine Cooling 46 complaints
- Suspension 45 complaints
- Electrical System 44 complaints
- Steering 39 complaints
Of the 620 complaints on file, 72 report a crash and 24 a fire; across all 620 complaints, owners report 46 injuries and 2 deaths (owner-reported, not verified by NHTSA).
Below average
Estimated 5-year repair + maintenance cost: $7,000–$15,000AI estimate — not from NHTSA data
The 1996 Dodge RAM shows a significant number of owner complaints and recalls, indicating reliability issues. High complaint counts in brakes and power train components suggest frequent problems. The numerous electrical and lighting recalls further highlight potential weaknesses. Overall, the data signals below-average reliability with a need for diligent maintenance.
Most-common failures
| Part | Typical mileage (AI estimate) | Cost range (AI estimate) | Frequency |
|---|---|---|---|
| brakes | 60,000–90,000 miles | $300–$800 | very common |
| transmission | 80,000–120,000 miles | $1,000–$3,000 | common |
| engine cooling | 70,000–100,000 miles | $200–$600 | 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 changes
- Brake fluid replacement
- Transmission fluid service
- Coolant system check
- Tire rotations
- Brake pad inspections
- Air filter replacement
Warning signs to watch for
Symptoms that signal a major upcoming repair.
- Brake pedal softness
- Transmission slipping
- Engine overheating
- Electrical burning smell
- Unexpected airbag warnings
Generated by gpt-4o on from the NHTSA recall campaigns and owner-complaint counts on file for the 1996 Dodge Ram at the time. The rating is an AI assessment; cost and mileage figures are AI estimates, not NHTSA data.