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Engine coolingPart report

1996 Dodge RAM Van Engine cooling Problems

Complaints
3about this part
Share
17%of 18 total for the year
Median mileage
—not reported
Trend
Not enough dataFewer than 15 complaints, too few for a reliable trend.

NHTSA recorded 3 complaints about the engine cooling of the 1996 Dodge RAM Van, 17% of the 18 complaints for this model year.

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.

“Last year, when I had made 23 payments on my van, it had been in the shop for 23 times. I drive nearly 100 miles to put it in the shop, so 23 x's 200 miles is a lot of mileage that was put on my van just for repairs. The first week we had the van, we called to complain that we couldn't even take it to carwash, because the windows leaked so badly....then the heater quit working, and on and on and I have had it in the shop numerous times for engine and transmission problems. I just feel like noone cares that I am so disappointed in Dodge and my van.”

NHTSA complaint #720129, filed 2000-03

“While driving, could hear wind noise coming through the door on driver's side, continued driving, later, checked door, door lock post where normally welded to frame/covered with sheet metal, came off. Dealer rewelded door post back to frame. Had to be redone again 6 months later. Water leak at rear seam. While cruise control was activated at 68 MPH, vehicle accelerated to 78 MPH and was climbing. While driving in extreme heat, the clutch fan engages, there is a loss of power, and there is very low fuel economy.”

NHTSA complaint #816984, filed 1997-10

Related service bulletins

Engine cooling: other model years

YearComplaintsShare of year
200217%
200139%
200027%
199949%
199815%
1997213%
1996317%
1994117%

Other parts of the 1996 Dodge RAM Van

Transmission and drivetrain
6 complaints
Visibility (wipers, defrost, mirrors)
3 complaints
Brakes
2 complaints
Body and structure
2 complaints
Tires
2 complaints
Vehicle speed control
2 complaints
Electrical system
1 complaints
Exterior lighting
1 complaints
Fuel system
1 complaints
Steering
1 complaints

← All problems reported for the 1996 Dodge RAM Van

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