1996 Dodge RAM 1500 Transmission and drivetrain Problems
- Complaints
- 52about this part
- Share
- 17%of 298 total for the year
- Median mileage
- 106,000miles
- Trend
- StableComplaints filed in the last 3 full calendar years are within 25% of the 3 years before.
NHTSA recorded 52 complaints about the transmission and drivetrain of the 1996 Dodge RAM 1500, 17% of the 298 complaints for this model year. Where a mileage was given, the median is 106,000 miles. 2 of these say a crash was involved and 2 a fire, according to the filers.
Example complaints
Selected from NHTSA records; personal details are removed. They are consumer reports, not findings.
“I purchased the truck in 1996 new from parks motors in augusta, since that time I have had the transmission rebuild 3 times for the same problem, the transmission will not shift out of 1 or 2 gear or if it does it takes high rpms to do it. It was determined that a seal in the upper half of the transmission was faulty from the factory. …”
NHTSA complaint #10147456, filed 2006-01, 37,000 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“My ball joints, tie rods, steering box, all that has to do with those areas have serious issues and Dodge needs to fox them for free put them under the recall dept so they can be. Steering wheel very loose tons of play very dangerous.”
NHTSA complaint #11206649, filed 2019-05, 100,000 miles“Normal driving into mountains and auto transmission shifted out of overdrive and would not shift back, even down hill. Checked fluid and very hot and started to smelled burnt. Has been shifting hard.”
NHTSA complaint #10238474, filed 2008-08, 138,000 miles“After truck's engine was started the gear selector was placed in reverse so as to back out of garage. A loud noise was heard. The gear shift selector was returned to p. As this happened the truck lurched forward striking the garage wall. The buiding and truck were damaged.”
NHTSA complaint #10028741, filed 2003-07, 120,000 milesTransmission and drivetrain: other model years
| Year | Complaints | Share of year |
|---|---|---|
| 2012 | 92 | 13% |
| 2011 | 176 | 26% |
| 2010 | 229 | 47% |
| 2009 | 231 | 34% |
| 2008 | 73 | 13% |
| 2007 | 61 | 12% |
| 2006 | 100 | 13% |
| 2005 | 594 | 51% |
| 2004 | 181 | 16% |
| 2003 | 125 | 11% |
| 2002 | 99 | 12% |
| 2001 | 95 | 9% |
| 2000 | 45 | 9% |
| 1999 | 59 | 10% |
| 1998 | 85 | 16% |
| 1997 | 56 | 16% |
| 1996 | 52 | 17% |
| 1995 | 30 | 14% |
| 1994 | 7 | 6% |
| 1993 | 1 | 17% |
Other parts of the 1996 Dodge RAM 1500
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 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 31, 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