RoadVitals

1996 Dodge Mini Ram Van

Recalls, owner-reported complaints, investigations and safety data

Data refreshed

Owner complaintsComplaints are reports submitted to NHTSA by owners and drivers. NHTSA does not verify most reports before publishing them, and a complaint does not establish that a defect exists. Volume is influenced by how many of a vehicle were sold, how long it has been on the road, and how much attention an issue has received.
5
Latest Oct 18, 2016
Safety recallsA safety recall is issued when a manufacturer or NHTSA determines that a vehicle has a safety-related defect or does not comply with a federal motor vehicle safety standard. Recall repairs are free. Whether a specific vehicle is covered depends on its VIN — a recall listed for a model year does not necessarily apply to every vehicle of that year.
0
InvestigationsNHTSA opens an investigation to examine whether a safety defect may exist. An open investigation is not a determination that a defect exists, and many investigations close without a recall. Investigations can, however, lead to one.
0
Crash or fire reportedComplaints whose submitter recorded that a crash or a fire occurred. These are the reporter's own answers on the NHTSA form, not verified findings.
0

Overview

Our database contains 5 NHTSA owner-reported complaints for the 1996 Dodge Mini Ram Van, most frequently naming the body & structure, driver assistance and engine categories. 10 manufacturer communications are on file.

Complaints are reports submitted by owners and drivers to NHTSA. They are not verified and do not establish that a defect exists.

What owners report

Complaints grouped by the component NHTSA recorded

  • Body & structure116.7%
  • Driver assistance116.7%
  • Engine116.7%
  • Steering116.7%
  • Tires & wheels116.7%
  • Visibility116.7%

Percentages are of component mentions. A single complaint can name more than one component, so these do not sum to the total complaint count.

Safety recalls

No recalls in our database for this model year

That does not guarantee a specific vehicle is unaffected — recalls are issued against VINs, and new campaigns are announced regularly. Check a VIN on NHTSA.gov.

Recent owner complaints

Reports submitted to NHTSA, shown in the owner's own words

Steering
Filed Oct 18, 2016

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 1996 DODGE MINI RAM VAN. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE STEERING SHAFT FAILED CAUSING THE VEHICLE TO VEER TO THE SIDES. AN INDEPENDENT MECHANIC DIAGNOSED THE VEHICLE AND INFORMED THAT THE STEERING SHAFT NEEDED TO BE REPLACED, HOWEVER THE PARTS WERE UNAVAILABLE. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT REPAIRED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS MADE AWARE OF THE FAILURE AND STATED THAT THE PART WAS DISCONTINUED. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 37,000...UPDATED 11/17/16 *BF THE CONSUMER STATED HE REPAIRED THE STEERING HIMSELF BY REMOVING THE STEERING SHAFT AND REPLACING THE UJOINT. UPDATED 08/08/2017*JS

NHTSA ID
10916786
Incident
Jan 4, 2016
Mileage
37,000 mi
Tires & wheels
Filed Feb 21, 2005

I HAVE HAD TO EITHER REPLACE OR REPAIR TWO OF MY HANKOOK MILAGE PLUS TIRES SINCE I PURCHASED THEM SIX MONTHS AGO. THE LATEST INCIDENT OCCURING ON 2/21/05. I HAVE BOTH TIRES THE ONE THAT WAS REPLACED AND THE I HAD TO HAVE REPAIRED.

NHTSA ID
10111912
Incident
Feb 21, 2005
Driver assistance
Filed Jan 27, 2003

DURING SUMMER CRUISE CONTROL SHUT OFF BETWEEN 18 AND 25 MILES. *AK CRUISE CONTROL WAS OPERATIVE WHEN OUTSIDE TEMPERATURES ARE COOL. DEALER CANNOT FIND PROBLEM. *TT

NHTSA ID
10004664
Incident
Dec 20, 2002
Engine
Filed Aug 21, 2001

ENGINE FAILURE, ENGINE WAS REPLACED FOR FOUR TIMES BY DEALER. REASON FOR FAILURE WAS UNKNOWN. FEEL FREE TO PROVIDE ANY FURTHER INFORMATION ON THIS MATTER.*AK

NHTSA ID
894799
Incident
Mar 15, 2000
Body & structureVisibility
Filed Mar 22, 1996

PASSENGER DOOR/REAR GATE LEAKS.*SD

NHTSA ID
502832
Incident
Mar 22, 1996

Manufacturer communications

A bulletin sent by a manufacturer to its dealers. Not a recall, and repairs are not necessarily free.

08-049-20

ELECTRICAL SYSTEM; EQUIPMENT

Charging System, Battery Diagnostic Tools and Warranty This information only bulletin discusses using the correct test equipment for testing batteries and charging systems, and also warranty reimbursement when battery replacements are necessary.

31-003-19

EQUIPMENT

Use of Salvage/Recycled Parts This bulletin involves discussing FCA US LLC position with regard to collision repair industry awareness regarding the use of recycled or salvage parts.

31-006-19

STRUCTURE

Repair Parts Used For Structural Repairs This bulletin involves discussing FCA US LLC position with regard to structural repair parts usage.

3100619

EQUIPMENT; STRUCTURE

Repair Parts Used For Structural Repairs This bulletin involves discussing FCA US LLC position with regard to structural repair parts usage.

3100319

STRUCTURE

Use of Salvage/Recycled Parts This bulletin involves discussing FCA US LLC position with regard to collision repair industry awareness regarding the use of recycled or salvage parts.

3100519

STRUCTURE

Use of Aftermarket Parts This bulletin involves discussing FCA US LLC position with regard to collision repair industry awareness regarding the use of aftermarket parts.

Manufacturers file copies of the bulletins they send to dealers with NHTSA. These often describe diagnostic or repair procedures for a known condition. They are not recalls: repairs described in a bulletin are usually only free if the vehicle is still under warranty or the manufacturer has extended coverage.

Compare model years

Complaint and recall counts across every year of this model

Dodge Mini Ram Van by model year
YearComplaintsRecallsInvestigationsIssue Index
1999100—
1997200—
1996Viewing500—
1995100—
1994001—
1993201—
1992201—
1991101—
1990002—
1989102—
1988132—
1987012—
1986012—
1985132—
1984332—

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. Older model years have had longer for reports to accumulate.