1996 Dodge RAM Van Transmission and drivetrain Problems
- Complaints
- 6about this part
- Share
- 33%of 18 total for the year
- Median mileage
- 31,365miles
- Trend
- Not enough dataFewer than 15 complaints, too few for a reliable trend.
NHTSA recorded 6 complaints about the transmission and drivetrain of the 1996 Dodge RAM Van, 33% of the 18 complaints for this model year. Where a mileage was given, the median is 31,365 miles.
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.
“We submitted a letter to chrysler asking for a "goodwill repair refund" and had a phone call from the customer service center, al williams, stating that the three (3)year warranty had expired. We had explained that our leisure travel van with a Dodge v8 360 engine only on 31,365 on the transmission. He said it did not matter. The chrysler dealership that replace the transmission with a rebuilt transmission from chrysler stated that he had never seen a transmission "chewed up" like ours. …”
NHTSA complaint #10070599, filed 2004-01, 31,365 miles“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“Consumer states that in owners manual vehicle is equipped with a shift interlock system which would prevent vehicle from being removed from park without applying brakes. Consumer received notification that vehicle, in fact, is not equipped with this safety feature. Please provide any additional information/attachments.”
NHTSA complaint #888357, filed 2001-05“Transmission lines that connected to radiator were leaking transmission fluid which could result in a fire hazard. Consumer received a recall notice, unknown campaign number, regarding this issue. Previously had repair work performed. Transmission cooler connector was repaired on recall.”
NHTSA complaint #888256, filed 2001-05“The transmission locked into 2nd gear and stalled while going 60 MPH on the highway. Power steering was lost and getting the van across 3 lanes of city traffic while losing speed was very difficult. Complete transmission needed to be replaced w/ repairs at owners cost. Only 6 months over 3 yr. Warrenty and only 12,000 miles on the 36,000 mile warrenty. Chrysler would not take resposiblity even when we had the van into a chrysler dealer the month before complaining that something was wrong with the transmission. They returned the van saying there was no problem.”
NHTSA complaint #721359, filed 2000-04Transmission and drivetrain: other model years
Other parts of the 1996 Dodge RAM Van
3 complaintsVisibility (wipers, defrost, mirrors)
3 complaintsBrakes
2 complaintsBody and structure
2 complaintsTires
2 complaintsVehicle speed control
2 complaintsElectrical system
1 complaintsExterior lighting
1 complaintsFuel system
1 complaintsSteering
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 30, 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