1996 Dodge RAM 1500 Problems

What owners report

Owners of this model year most often describe a dashboard that cracks apart and a hood that releases while driving, along with hydraulic brake lines that rust through and transmission shifting problems. Most reports in the sample come in between roughly 80,000 and 160,000 miles, and many describe gradual deterioration (cracking, corrosion, peeling) rather than a single sudden failure.

1. 1
   Body and structure

   Hood releases and flies up while driving

   Mentioned in 10 of 60 sampled complaints

   Complaints describe the hood opening unexpectedly at road speed, hitting the windshield and in some cases shattering the glass or causing the driver to lose control. Owners report that dealers replaced the secondary latch under a campaign but declined to cover hood, hinge or windshield damage. Several say they were told their vehicle was not covered or that the campaign had expired. Reported from about 83,000 to 190,000 miles, at highway and in-town speeds, often with no warning.

   What to check: Open and close the hood several times and check that both the primary and secondary latches engage and release cleanly with no corrosion or sticking. Ask whether the hood latch campaign work was performed on this truck.

   2 excerpts from owner complaints in NHTSA records

   “On 3/9/06 my hood on my 1996 Dodge RAM 1500 blew open on the highway. There is damage to the hood and the hood hidges. There was a recall on the hood latch #01v04000. I contacted Dodge about this, they told me that they would repair the latch but not the damage to the truck. They should repair the damage also, since I did not receive the recall notice.”

   NHTSA complaint #10152904, filed 2006-03, 151,232 miles

   “The hood flew open while driving home, causing me to lose control and hitting the curb to stop the truck. Dodge reused to repair damage or supply me with a new latch, they stated the primary latch gave way, causing the hood to open. Dodge dealer stated the main latch was bad, if the secondary latch was operating as it was meant to the hood cound not have opened, Dodge was at fault. I am now afraid to drive my truck, but it was my only transportation.”

   NHTSA complaint #10187342, filed 2007-04, 131,300 miles
2. 2
   Body and structure

   Dashboard cracks and crumbles apart

   • 24 complaints (8%)
   • median 117,500 mi at 11.5 yrs old (12 state mileage)
   • filed 2006–2018

   Owners describe the top of the dashboard cracking near the vents or windshield and then spreading until large pieces break away, in some cases leaving sharp plastic and exposed wiring. Several say the plastic eventually disintegrates into small pieces. Owners report dealers did little once the truck was out of warranty, and that replacement dashes and bezels are sold as separate parts. Complaints typically come in from roughly 70,000 to 200,000 miles, often years after purchase and after long sun exposure.

   4 related service bulletins

   What to check: Inspect the dash top and the area around the vents and gauge cluster for cracks or missing pieces, and check whether the passenger airbag cover is still intact. Ask whether the dash has been replaced and whether the airbag warning light works.

   2 excerpts from owner complaints in NHTSA records

   “I have a 1996 Dodge RAM 1500 truck and the dash board is falling apart. It started as small cracks around the vents and soon speed all over the dash. I am worried about the function of the air bag system. I have talked to other Dodge truck owners and they have had the same problem. I think it must be bad material the Dodge used in the dashes.”

   NHTSA complaint #10160683, filed 2006-06, 162,000 miles

   “On 1/27/2018 my dash board shattered while I was attempting to wipe clean it with moist towel. I bought this vehicle used from Dodge dealership in june 1998 with 45120 miles. At present it has only 83000 approx. The vehicle at the time was stationary. I have the photos, unfortunately I do not know how to upload it.”

   NHTSA complaint #11065684, filed 2018-01, 83,009 miles
3. 3
   Electrical system

   Headlight switch overheats and wires burn

   • 23 complaints (8%)
   • median 146,542 mi at 9.4 yrs old (10 state mileage)
   • 6 mention a crash, fire or injury
   • filed 1997–2017

   Owners describe a burning smell, smoke from the vents or dash, and headlights cutting out, traced to a melted headlight switch and scorched wiring. Some report replacing the switch more than once with the problem returning. Several note that a related campaign applied to other Ram models but not to their 1500. Reported from roughly 10,000 to 164,000 miles, sometimes during ordinary driving rather than after any repair.

   What to check: Cycle the headlights, parking lights and turn signals and watch for flicker, and inspect the switch and connector behind the dash for discoloration or melted plastic. Ask whether the switch or wiring harness has been replaced.

   2 excerpts from owner complaints in NHTSA records

   “I took my 1996 Dodge ram to the dealer for an ignition switch wiring recall. After the recall parts were replaced, my truck was not fixed. The wiring harness had overheated and damaged my ignition switch. This cost more money. There was also a special tool that my husband had to purchase to change the ignition switch. The plastic cover on my steering column had aslo melted. I would say my truck was very close to going up in flames. …”

   NHTSA complaint #10036917, filed 2003-08, 159,000 miles

   “I have this truck for 2 years and in that 2 years I have many complications with the electrical system. The main problem is the headlight switch melting and burning the wires in the dash. I have had the switch replaced twice and it continues to burn out and melt. I am so scared the truck is going to catch on fire one day that rareley drive the truck. I still have the old parts that were replaced but dont feel it is the switch causing all the problems. I feel it is the whole wiring system. …”

   NHTSA complaint #10100969, filed 2004-12, 150,000 miles
4. 4
   Brakes

   Brake lines rust through and pedal goes soft

   • 29 complaints (10%)
   • median 83,500 mi at 9.6 yrs old (7 state mileage, few)
   • 3 mention a crash, fire or injury
   • filed 1997–2011

   Owners describe a spongy or low brake pedal, brake fluid loss from the master cylinder, and in some cases almost no braking while driving. Several reports trace this to corroded metal brake lines, with fluid leaking onto hot exhaust and producing smoke. Repairs typically involved replacing the affected lines and inspecting the rest. Mostly reported between roughly 80,000 and 160,000 miles, in vehicles driven in wet or salted-road conditions.

   What to check: Look at the metal brake lines along the frame and rear axle for rust or seepage, check the fluid level, and ask whether the lines have been replaced. A firm pedal that holds under steady pressure is a good sign.

   2 excerpts from owner complaints in NHTSA records

   “I was traveling to town and as I entered the town as I started to brake I could feel that my brake pedal was feeling spongy and the pedal seemed to be going to the floor. I felt as though 90% of my braking was gone. I was able to stop safely though I had very little braking. I felt that I could not stop safely in an emergency. I returned home very carefully at slow speeds. After looking my vehicle over I saw that all the brake fluid was gone from both the front and rear compartments of the master cylinder. …”

   NHTSA complaint #10362860, filed 2010-10, 83,500 miles

   “Dt: when the brakes were applied, the brake line failed and the consumer had no brakes. The consumer was able to stop when he attempted to start the vehicle again. The brake line was repaired, and the consumer was advised to have all of the other lines inspected and replaced. When this happened, brake fluid leaked onto the muffler and produced a cloud of smoke. The brake lines, rear brake on the axle and the brake line from the bottom were replaced.”

   NHTSA complaint #10120848, filed 2005-06, 87,000 miles

Buying note. On a truck of this age, the practical checks matter more than the badge: inspect the dash, hood latches, brake lines and headlight switch wiring closely, and confirm the transmission holds overdrive on a hill. Service records showing brake line replacement and any hood latch campaign work are worth asking about.

Summary written with AI from a sample of 60 NHTSA complaints for this model year (picked at random, with complaints that state a mileage and recent ones taken first), then checked automatically against the source records. Where a problem shows a complaint count, every complaint for this model year was matched with fixed keyword rules (written with AI and tested against the sample), and the mileage, age and repair figures are calculated from those complaints; owners' figures are as stated, not verified. Other counts refer to the sample. The excerpts come from NHTSA's public complaint records and are unverified; capitalisation is normalised, NHTSA staff notes are removed, and shortened text ends with “…”. Something wrong? Request a correction.