1996 Dodge Mini Ram Van 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 Mini Ram Van, 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
- 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.
Each component in detail
What the reports in each category say, in the owners' own words
Body & structure
Reports naming the vehicle structure, frame, body panels, doors, hood and trim.
From owner reports, verbatim
PASSENGER DOOR/REAR GATE LEAKS.*SD
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
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
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
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
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
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
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
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.
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
PASSENGER DOOR/REAR GATE LEAKS.*SD
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 .