1996 Dodge Dodge Truck Problems
Owner-reported complaints filed with NHTSA, grouped by component
Data refreshed
What this page shows
Everything below is an owner-reported complaint submitted to NHTSA about the 1996 Dodge Dodge Truck, grouped by the component NHTSA recorded on the report. These are not confirmed defects, and they are not recalls. NHTSA does not verify most reports before publishing them, and a category with more reports in it is not evidence that a part is defective.
Complaints are reports submitted by owners and drivers to NHTSA. They are not verified and do not establish that a defect exists.
Reports by component
Ranked by how many owner reports name each component category
- Brakes925.0%
- Transmission411.1%
- Electrical38.3%
- Engine38.3%
- Tires & wheels38.3%
- Airbags25.6%
- Heating & air conditioning25.6%
- Fuel system25.6%
- Seat belts25.6%
- Steering25.6%
- Visibility12.8%
- Driver assistance12.8%
- Interior & seats12.8%
- Body & structure12.8%
Percentages are of component mentions. A single complaint can name more than one component, so these do not sum to the total complaint count.
Each component in detail
What the reports in each category say, in the owners' own words
Brakes
Reports naming service brakes, the antilock braking system, brake hoses, master cylinders or the parking brake.
From owner reports, verbatim
CONTAMINATED BRAKE FLUID CAUSED BRAKE SYSTEM TO FAIL. QCAW
BRAKES PULL RESULTING IN VEHICLE HITTING COW IN ONE INCIDENT, REPAIRS MADE HOWEVER CONTINUE TO PULL.
Transmission
Reports naming the automatic or manual transmission, including shifting behaviour, shudder, slipping and transmission control modules.
From owner reports, verbatim
EVERY WEEK THIS PAST MONTH I HAVE BEEN TAKING MY CAR INTO THE NELSON DODGE DEALERSHIP IN EL MONTE, CALIFORNIA IN REGARDS TO THE SERVICE ENGINE LIGHT KEEPS COMING ON. THE DEALERSHIP CANNOT FIND OUT WHAT IS WRONG WITH THE CAR. THEY "THINK" IT MAY NEED POWERSTRAIN CONTROL MODULE AND MAP SENSOR. THE DEALERSHIP IS NOT SURE. I TOOK THE VAN IN ON 10/15/01 DUE TO THE CHECK ENGINE LIGHT AND I WAS CHARGE FOR REPLACING THE THERMOSTAT AND GASKET. ON 10/23/01, MY VAN STALL WHILE DRIVING AND I TOOK IT IN AND WAS CHARGE FOR THE THROTTLE BODY SERVICE. ON 10/29/01 I NOTICE A GREEN LIQUID THAT WAS DRIPPING AND THE DEALERSHIP SAID IT WAS THE COOLING SYSTEM, THEY CHECK IT AND FOUND NOTHING WRONG, I WAS NOT CHARGED. ON 11/05/01, I TOOK IT IN AGAIN FOR THE SERVICE ENGINE SOON LIGHT WAS COMMING ON AGAIN, THEY CHECK THE VAN AND WERE NOT ABLE TO DETECT A PROBLEM, THEY "THINK" IT MIGHT NEED POWERSTRAIN CONTROL MODULE AND MAP SENSOR. ON 11/06/01, THE SERVICE ENGINE SOON LIGHT HAS BEEN GOING ON THEN IT TURNS OFF, I HAVE IT IN THE DEALERSHIP AGAIN, WAITING TO RECEIVE A CALL FROM THE DEALERSHIP AS TO WHAT THEY "THINK" MIGHT BE THE PROBLEM, THAT'S IF THEY DETECT A PROBLEM.
TRANSMISSION PLASTIC COOLER LINES CAUSED VEHICLE FIRE, RECALL ORDER SENT AFTER FIRE.
Too few reports in this category for a page of its own — they appear in the full complaint list.
Electrical
Reports naming the electrical system — wiring, battery, charging, control modules, infotainment and electrical accessories.
From owner reports, verbatim
OUR BATTERIES BOTH DIED TOGETHER ON THE DAY BEFORE OUR RECALL APPT. IN CONSEQUENCE, TO RETURN HOME, WE HAD TO BUY TWO(2) NEW BATTERIES. WE ARE WONDERING IF THERE IS SOME FORM OF REMUNERATION FOR THIS UNFORESEEN AND COSTLY FAILURE?
DEALER PERFORMED RECALL 875 OF THE STEERING COLUMN WIRING, HOWEVER THE REPAIR DOES NOT APPEAR TO HAVE FIXED THE PROBLEM. NLM
Too few reports in this category for a page of its own — they appear in the full complaint list.
Engine
Reports naming the engine itself — including stalling, misfires, oil consumption, cooling and internal engine components.
From owner reports, verbatim
EVERY WEEK THIS PAST MONTH I HAVE BEEN TAKING MY CAR INTO THE NELSON DODGE DEALERSHIP IN EL MONTE, CALIFORNIA IN REGARDS TO THE SERVICE ENGINE LIGHT KEEPS COMING ON. THE DEALERSHIP CANNOT FIND OUT WHAT IS WRONG WITH THE CAR. THEY "THINK" IT MAY NEED POWERSTRAIN CONTROL MODULE AND MAP SENSOR. THE DEALERSHIP IS NOT SURE. I TOOK THE VAN IN ON 10/15/01 DUE TO THE CHECK ENGINE LIGHT AND I WAS CHARGE FOR REPLACING THE THERMOSTAT AND GASKET. ON 10/23/01, MY VAN STALL WHILE DRIVING AND I TOOK IT IN AND WAS CHARGE FOR THE THROTTLE BODY SERVICE. ON 10/29/01 I NOTICE A GREEN LIQUID THAT WAS DRIPPING AND THE DEALERSHIP SAID IT WAS THE COOLING SYSTEM, THEY CHECK IT AND FOUND NOTHING WRONG, I WAS NOT CHARGED. ON 11/05/01, I TOOK IT IN AGAIN FOR THE SERVICE ENGINE SOON LIGHT WAS COMMING ON AGAIN, THEY CHECK THE VAN AND WERE NOT ABLE TO DETECT A PROBLEM, THEY "THINK" IT MIGHT NEED POWERSTRAIN CONTROL MODULE AND MAP SENSOR. ON 11/06/01, THE SERVICE ENGINE SOON LIGHT HAS BEEN GOING ON THEN IT TURNS OFF, I HAVE IT IN THE DEALERSHIP AGAIN, WAITING TO RECEIVE A CALL FROM THE DEALERSHIP AS TO WHAT THEY "THINK" MIGHT BE THE PROBLEM, THAT'S IF THEY DETECT A PROBLEM.
A DAMAGED PISTON AND CYLINDER WALL CAUSED LOW COMPRESSION. YH
Too few reports in this category for a page of its own — they appear in the full complaint list.
Tires & wheels
Reports naming tires, wheels, hubs, or the tire-pressure monitoring system.
From owner reports, verbatim
OUT OF A SET OF 4 TIRES, 3 OF THE TIRES FAILED. ONE WHILE TRAVELING 70MPH.( DOT NUMBER: TIRE SIZE: 205-75R-14 )
TIRES UNDERSIZED FOR VEHICLE, RESULTING IN REPEATED BLOWOUTS PRIOR TO RECALL. (96V027000)
Too few reports in this category for a page of its own — they appear in the full complaint list.
Airbags
Reports naming the air-bag system — deployment behaviour, inflators, sensors and warning lights.
From owner reports, verbatim
1996 DODGE RAM EXTENDED CAB PICK UP INVOLVED IN SEVERE FRONTAL CRASH. AIRBAGS DID NOT DEPLOY. DODGE'S INVESTIGATION SAID THAT THIS WAS CORRECT SINCE THE DAMAGE WAS IN THE "CRUSH" "CRUMPLE" AREAS AND ENERGY DID NOT DISIPATE ENOUGH TO ACTIVATE AIRBAGS? INSURANCE COMPANY TOTALED VEHICLE DUE TO SEVERE DAMAGE. WE HAVE PICTURES OF DAMAGE. IS DODGE CORRECT OR JUST TRYING TO SWEEP THIS UNDER THE RUG SINCE OUR SON DID NOT GET INJURIED IN THIS ACCIDENT. WE HAVE OWNED TWO OTHER DODGE VEHICLES THE PAST SEVERAL YEARS. I AM DRIVING ONE NOW, IS MY FAMILY SAFE?
FALSE DEPLOYMENT OF DRIVER'S SIDE AIR BAG RESULTING IN INJURIES TO CONSUMER (ATTORNEY FOR CONSUMER).
Too few reports in this category for a page of its own — they appear in the full complaint list.
Heating & air conditioning
Reports naming the heating, ventilation and air-conditioning system.
From owner reports, verbatim
NO SUMMARY
AIR CONDITIONG UNIT LEAKING WATER.
Too few reports in this category for a page of its own — they appear in the full complaint list.
Fuel system
Reports naming fuel storage or delivery — tanks, pumps, lines, injectors and fuel leaks.
From owner reports, verbatim
AFTER PUMPING FUEL INTO VEHICLE THERE IS NO REGISTRATION ON FUEL GAUGE/NEEDLE ON DASHBOARD.*AK CONSUMER STATES THAT THE GAS PUMP WAS REPLACED THREE TIMES, ALSO GAS IDLE DOES NOT WORK. *SLC
FUEL FILLER LEAK.
Too few reports in this category for a page of its own — they appear in the full complaint list.
Seat belts
Reports naming seat belts, buckles, retractors and pretensioners.
From owner reports, verbatim
DRIVER'S HEAD REST IS UNADJUSTABLE. *SD
HEAD REST, DESIGNED AS INTEGRAL PART OF SEAT, IS TOO LOW TO PROTECT TALL PEOPLE FROM INJURY IN CASE OF REAR END COLLISION. *DSH
Too few reports in this category for a page of its own — they appear in the full complaint list.
Steering
Reports naming the steering system — racks, columns, power-steering assist and steering linkage.
From owner reports, verbatim
POWER STEERING LEAK.
POWER STEERING PUMP SHAFT FAILED.
Too few reports in this category for a page of its own — they appear in the full complaint list.
Visibility
Reports naming windshields, glass, wipers, defrosters and mirrors.
From owner reports, verbatim
HEATER FAILED.
Too few reports in this category for a page of its own — they appear in the full complaint list.
Driver assistance
Reports naming forward-collision avoidance, lane keeping, back-over prevention, cruise control and related electronic driver-assistance systems.
From owner reports, verbatim
BOLT WHICH HOLDS THE THROTTLE LINKAGE TO THE ENGINE FELL OUT, CAUSING FULL THROTTLE.
Too few reports in this category for a page of its own — they appear in the full complaint list.
Interior & seats
Reports naming seats, latches, locks, linkages and interior fittings.
From owner reports, verbatim
DRIVING DOWN THE INTERSTATE . THE BACK PART OF THE LEFT FRONT SEAT BROKE AND FELL AGAINST THE BACK SEAT. THE STEEL FRAME BROKE IN HALF THE THE JOIN T WHERE IT SWIFFERS. THE METEAL THICKNES IS LESS THAN 1-8 INCH. I WENT TO ASHEVILLE DODGE . THEY SAID IT WAS OUT OF WARRENTY AND THEY WOULDN'T FIX IT. HAVE THEY HAD THIS PROBLEM OR HAS THIER BEEN AN RECALL? AND THEY SAID NO .AND I SAID THIS IS AN DEFECT IN THE SEAT. IF I HAD BROKE IT MYSELF I WOULDN'T BE HERE. THIS IS DEFECT OF DODGE NOT MINE. SO I STARTED SENDING DODGE E MAILS. AND I HAVE COPIES IF YOU NEED TO SEE THEM .I WOULD LIKE FOR YOU TO GET BACK INTOUCH WITH ME ON THIS MATTER. MY E MAIL IS JACK . BABB 07 KILDARE PLACE ASHEVILLE N.C. 28806 828 254 2642 E MAIL 22607@@MSN.COM. *AK
Too few reports in this category for a page of its own — they appear in the full complaint list.
Body & structure
Reports naming the vehicle structure, frame, body panels, doors, hood and trim.
From owner reports, verbatim
LIKE ALMOST EVERY OTHER DASH IN THE DODGE PICKUP THIS ONE AS WELL AS THE ONE IN MY 18 YEAR OLD SONS 96 1500 IS DESTROYED. *TR
Too few reports in this category for a page of its own — they appear in the full complaint list.
Higher-selling and older vehicles accumulate more reports. Counts are not failure rates and are not directly comparable between vehicles that sold in very different numbers.
Elsewhere on this vehicle
Data sources
- NHTSA Office of Defects Investigation — owner-reported complaints and the components recorded on them
Data on this page last refreshed .