CarModelProblems.com

1996 Dodge RAM 2500 Problems & Recalls

Built from official NHTSA complaint and recall data · data through 07/14/2026

High complaint levelIts most-reported problem — Service Brakes, Hydraulic:antilock/traction Control/electronic Limited Slip — runs 2.3× the fleet median for that category across the 2075 model-years tracked on this site.
291Complaints
1Recalls
15Crashes
15Fires
8Injured
0Deaths

Source: U.S. NHTSA complaint & recall data. Complaints are unverified reports from vehicle owners — a complaint is not a confirmed defect.

Is this problem acknowledged?

The most-reported problem — Service Brakes, Hydraulic:antilock/traction Control/electronic Limited Slip (11% of complaints) — has no NHTSA recall or open investigation on file.

Service Brakes, Hydraulic:antilock/traction Control/electronic Limited Slip complaints here are 2.3× the median for that category across the 2075 model-years tracked on this site.

None of the 6 most-reported categories on this page have a recall or open investigation on file — they rest on unverified owner reports alone.

Complaint categoryReportsOfficial statusReference
Service Brakes, Hydraulic:antilock/traction Control/electronic Limited Slip32 · 11%No official action
Power Train:automatic Transmission19 · 6.5%No official action
Tires14 · 4.8%No official action
Power Train:automatic Transmission:cooling Unit And Lines12 · 4.1%No official action
Service Brakes, Hydraulic:foundation Components11 · 3.8%No official action
Steering9 · 3.1%No official action

Recalled = an NHTSA safety recall covers this category, so a free repair exists. Under investigation = NHTSA has an open probe but no recall yet. Investigation closed = NHTSA examined it and closed the probe — this is not a defect finding; where a closed probe led to a recall we name the campaign. Not available = recall or investigation data could not be confirmed for this vehicle — it is not a “no”. Categories are matched by NHTSA's top-level component. Check your VIN at nhtsa.gov/recalls.

Complaints by component

POWER TRAIN:AUTOMATIC TRANSMISSION19 · 6.5%
TIRES14 · 4.8%
POWER TRAIN:AUTOMATIC TRANSMISSION:COOLING UNIT AND LINES12 · 4.1%
SERVICE BRAKES, HYDRAULIC:FOUNDATION COMPONENTS11 · 3.8%
STEERING9 · 3.1%
SUSPENSION9 · 3.1%
TIRES:TREAD/BELT9 · 3.1%
EXTERIOR LIGHTING9 · 3.1%
SERVICE BRAKES, HYDRAULIC:FOUNDATION COMPONENTS:DISC7 · 2.4%

Percentages are the share of the 291 complaints citing each component; one complaint can cite several components. “Unspecified / other” is NHTSA’s own catch-all category — we show it rather than hide it.

Recalls — 1 campaign

Engine And Engine Cooling

NHTSA campaign 06E024000 · 2006 · reported 03/15/2006

A JAMMED OPEN THROTTLE COULD CAUSE UNINTENDED ACCELERATION OF THE VEHICLE, POSSIBLY RESULTING IN A CRASH OR INCREASED STOPING DISTANCES WHEN BRAKING. Recall repairs are free at authorized dealers.

PARK-IT: NO  · PARK-OUTSIDE: NO  ·  OVER-THE-AIR FIX: NO

Park it Park outside Specimen badges — shown on a recall card only when NHTSA sets the flag. None of the campaigns above carries either flag. Always check your own vehicle by VIN at nhtsa.gov/recalls.

What owners report

“WHILE COMING DOWN A HILL AND TURNING A LOAD, APPLIED THE BRAKES AND THE WHOLE FRONT END SHOOK VIOLENTLY. ALSO, STEERING WHEEL VIBRATED RIGHT AND…”NHTSA complaint 865391 — filed 07/14/2000 · SERVICE BRAKES, HYDRAULIC:ANTILOCK/TRACTION CONTROL/ELECTRONIC LIMITED SLIP
“BRAKE SYSTEM STILL NOT FUNCTIONING CORRECTLY AS OF SEPT 12, 1999. IN MEDIATION WITH ONE DEALERSHIP, WAITING FOR REPONSE. HAVE BEEN TOLD BY MY MEDIATOR…”NHTSA complaint 711249 — filed 04/07/2000 · SERVICE BRAKES, HYDRAULIC:ANTILOCK/TRACTION CONTROL/ELECTRONIC LIMITED SLIP
“ONGOING / INTERMITTENT PROBLEM WITH VEHICLE EXPERIENCING BRAKE FAILURE ON FIVE OCCASIONS WHEN SHIFTING IN REVERSE. DEALER NOTIFIED, AND INFORMED CONSUMER VACUUM SYSTEM NEEDED TO…”NHTSA complaint 854193 — filed 12/20/1999 · SERVICE BRAKES, HYDRAULIC:ANTILOCK/TRACTION CONTROL/ELECTRONIC LIMITED SLIP

Excerpts are shortened and scrubbed of personal details; they are individual, unverified reports.

Complaint trend by year filed

8200614320085420103220121262014232016232020112023

Frequently asked questions

What are the most common problems with the 1996 Dodge RAM 2500?

Service brakes, hydraulic:antilock/traction control/electronic limited slip issues are the most-reported category, cited in 32 of 291 NHTSA complaints (11%), followed by power train:automatic transmission (19), tires (14), power train:automatic transmission:cooling unit and lines (12). Complaints are unverified owner reports.

How many complaints does the 1996 Dodge RAM 2500 have?

291 complaints were on file with NHTSA as of 07/14/2026. Of those, 15 involved a crash, 15 involved a fire, and 8 reported injuries. No deaths were reported.

Does the 1996 Dodge RAM 2500 have any recalls?

Yes — 1 NHTSA safety recall campaign, including campaign 06E024000. Recall repairs are free at authorized dealers. Check your specific vehicle by VIN at nhtsa.gov/recalls.

Has NHTSA acted on the 1996 Dodge RAM 2500's reported problems?

0 of the 6 most-reported complaint categories on this page are backed by an NHTSA safety recall or open investigation; the rest are unverified owner reports. A recall means a free repair is available at authorized dealers.

Is a complaint proof of a defect?

No. Complaints are reports submitted by consumers to NHTSA. NHTSA does not verify individual complaints, and a complaint is not proof that a defect exists.

About this data — Complaint figures on this page are consumer reports submitted to the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA), a U.S. government agency. NHTSA does not verify individual complaints; a complaint is not proof that a defect exists, and counts reflect what owners chose to report, not confirmed failure rates. Recall information comes from official NHTSA safety recall campaigns; recall repairs are free at authorized dealers. Always check your specific vehicle by VIN at nhtsa.gov/recalls. CarModelProblems.com is an independent site and is not affiliated with NHTSA or any vehicle manufacturer. Data through 07/14/2026.