1996 Dodge RAM 1500 Engine cooling Problems
- Complaints
- 32about this part
- Share
- 11%of 298 total for the year
- Median mileage
- 102,000miles
- Trend
- StableComplaints filed in the last 3 full calendar years are within 25% of the 3 years before.
NHTSA recorded 32 complaints about the engine cooling of the 1996 Dodge RAM 1500, 11% of the 298 complaints for this model year. Where a mileage was given, the median is 102,000 miles. 1 of these say a crash was involved and 3 a fire, according to the filers.
Example complaints
Selected from NHTSA records; personal details are removed. They are consumer reports, not findings.
“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. …”
NHTSA complaint #10100469, filed 2004-11, 121,000 miles“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. …”
NHTSA complaint #10043497, filed 2003-10, 68,000 miles“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 $4.700. I've been told that the 5.2 liter engine does not handle synthetic oil well. …”
NHTSA complaint #10010160, filed 2003-03, 106,000 miles“While driving from cold start engine performed roughly, and smoke came out of the exhaust tail pipe. Consumer changed fuel, but there was no improvement in performance. Consumer was told by a dealer that the intake plenum gasket was the cause. Consumer was aware of others with same problem.”
NHTSA complaint #10099360, filed 2004-12, 98,000 miles“This truck burned from the back end my son was driving and went off the road on the right side and when he returned to pavement the truck went sideways down the road and then went off on the left side and crashed and burned, burning my son and a friend to death. What was so bad I received a recall notice of a problem with the rollover valve approxomately 2-3 weeks after the accident happened.”
NHTSA complaint #726525, filed 2000-08Related service bulletins
- 10191460Feb 26, 2016Valve Body. These may cause over drive cycling.
- 10139009Feb 13, 201368069384A$, R8069384A$, 68086182A$, R8027067A$, RL002012A$ - Gasket, Cylinder Head Cover Before replacing injectors for Diagnostic Trouble Codes P0201, P0202, P0203, P0204…
Engine cooling: other model years
| Year | Complaints | Share of year |
|---|---|---|
| 2012 | 8 | 1% |
| 2011 | 5 | 1% |
| 2010 | 13 | 3% |
| 2009 | 9 | 1% |
| 2008 | 8 | 1% |
| 2007 | 13 | 3% |
| 2006 | 21 | 3% |
| 2005 | 77 | 7% |
| 2004 | 116 | 11% |
| 2003 | 56 | 5% |
| 2002 | 58 | 7% |
| 2001 | 51 | 5% |
| 2000 | 25 | 5% |
| 1999 | 39 | 6% |
| 1998 | 35 | 7% |
| 1997 | 20 | 6% |
| 1996 | 32 | 11% |
| 1995 | 13 | 6% |
| 1994 | 5 | 4% |
| 1991 | 2 | 29% |
Other parts of the 1996 Dodge RAM 1500
52 complaintsBrakes
46 complaintsBody and structure
35 complaintsSuspension
27 complaintsElectrical system
26 complaintsSteering
23 complaintsFuel system
20 complaintsOther or unknown
17 complaintsExterior lighting
12 complaintsTires
12 complaintsLatches, locks and linkages
11 complaintsVehicle speed control
11 complaints
← All problems reported for the 1996 Dodge RAM 1500
About this data. Data from NHTSA (ODI) complaints, recalls, TSBs and investigations, updated Oct 27, 2026. Complaints are unverified consumer reports and may be duplicated or inaccurate.
To check a specific vehicle for open recalls, use its VIN at nhtsa.gov/recalls. Methodology