1996 Dodge RAM 1500 Engine Problems
- Complaints
- 2about this part
- Share
- 1%of 298 total for the year
- Median mileage
- 123,000miles
- Trend
- Not enough dataFewer than 15 complaints, too few for a reliable trend.
NHTSA recorded 2 complaints about the engine of the 1996 Dodge RAM 1500, 1% of the 298 complaints for this model year. Where a mileage was given, the median is 123,000 miles. 1 a fire, according to the filers.
Fewer than 15 complaints name this part, so treat the figures as a rough indication only.
Example complaints
Selected from NHTSA records; personal details are removed. They are consumer reports, not findings.
“The contact owns a 1996 Dodge RAM 1500. The contact was driving 65 MPH and noticed a loss of power in the vehicle. The contact then noticed smoke and flames shooting from under the hood. The contact safely merged off the roadway and exited the burning vehicle. The vehicle was destroyed and towed to an impound lot. The vehicle remains were not inspected to determine the cause of the fire. The manufacturer was not notified of the incident. The VIN was unavailable. The approximate failure mileage was 123,000.”
NHTSA complaint #10547274, filed 2013-10, 123,000 miles“The contact owns a 1996 Dodge RAM 1500. When the engine was started, the rear of the vehicle emitted a fuel odor and fuel leaked from the fuel tank. The contact stated that the vehicle shook while the engine was running. The contact received a recall notice for the fuel tank rollover valve. The contact took the vehicle to the dealer who stated that the vehicle already received the recall repair; however, the failure recurred. The vehicle was not repaired. The manufacturer was not made aware of the failure. The failure mileage and NHTSA campaign number were unknown.”
NHTSA complaint #10821206, filed 2016-01Engine: other model years
| Year | Complaints | Share of year |
|---|---|---|
| 2012 | 163 | 23% |
| 2011 | 151 | 22% |
| 2010 | 62 | 13% |
| 2009 | 50 | 7% |
| 2008 | 35 | 6% |
| 2007 | 35 | 7% |
| 2006 | 33 | 4% |
| 2005 | 76 | 6% |
| 2004 | 74 | 7% |
| 2003 | 21 | 2% |
| 2002 | 22 | 3% |
| 2001 | 5 | 0% |
| 2000 | 3 | 1% |
| 1999 | 4 | 1% |
| 1998 | 1 | 0% |
| 1997 | 3 | 1% |
| 1996 | 2 | 1% |
| 1995 | 1 | 0% |
Other parts of the 1996 Dodge RAM 1500
52 complaintsBrakes
46 complaintsBody and structure
35 complaintsEngine cooling
32 complaintsSuspension
27 complaintsElectrical system
26 complaintsSteering
23 complaintsFuel system
20 complaintsOther or unknown
17 complaintsExterior lighting
12 complaintsTires
12 complaintsLatches, locks and linkages
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