1996 Dodge Pickup 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 Pickup, 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
- Brakes617.1%
- Fuel system514.3%
- Steering38.6%
- Transmission38.6%
- Engine38.6%
- Suspension38.6%
- Driver assistance25.7%
- Interior & seats25.7%
- Electrical25.7%
- Tires & wheels25.7%
- Visibility12.9%
- Body & structure12.9%
- Seat belts12.9%
- Airbags12.9%
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
THE FAILURE AND NEAR FATALITIES INVOLVED THE INSTALLATION OF NAPA BRAKE PADS BY A LOCAL DODGE DEALER. I WAS SUPPOSED TO HAVE HAD DODGE BRAKE PADS INSTALLED BUT NAPA PADS WERE SUBSTITUTED WITHOUT MY KNOWLEDGE. THE FAILURE INVOLVED THE INSIDE BRAKE PAD. SOMEHOW, THE INSIDE BRAKE PAD SEPARATED FROM THE METAL PAD PLATE. THEN AT THE MOST INOPPORTUNE TIME, WHEN I NEEDED TO APPLY THE BRAKES, THE BRAKE PAD SLIPPED OUT OF THE CALIPER HOUSING. I WAS ON AN INTERSTATE HIGHWAY, TRAVELING ABOUT 60 MPH IN A 4-WHEEL DRIVE PICKUP IN FAIRLY HEAVY TRAFFIC WHEN BRAKE LIGHTS STARTED TO GO OFF. WHEN I SUDDENLY HIT MY BRAKES, THEY WENT ALL THE WAY TO THE FLOOR. I WAS HORRIFIED. I HAD NO BRAKING POWER. ABSOLUTELY NOTHING. I WAS FORCED TO BEGIN DEFENSIVE MANEUVERS TO AVOID CRASHING INTO OTHER VEHICLES, NEARLY ROLLED OVER SEVERAL TIMES AND FINALLY MADE IT TO THE SHOULDER OF THE HIGHWAY. THROUGHOUT ALL OF THIS, I WAS DESPERATELY PUMPING MY BRAKES. AFTER WHAT SEEMED LIKE AN ETERNITY, BUT MOST LIKELY 4 OR 5 PUMPS OF THE BRAKES BEFORE BRAKING POWER FINALLY REAPPEARED AND I WAS ABLE TO STOP. I GOT OUT OF THE TRUCK TO LOOK FOR BRAKE FLUID BUT COULD SEE NOTHING, SO DECIDED TO HEAD HOME. ID HAD HAD ENOUGH, AS I HAD NEARLY KILLED MY DAUGHTER, OTHERS AND MYSELF. BECAUSE OF THE HOLIDAYS, THE DEALER WHO HAD EARLIER INSTALLED THESE BRAKES AND SEVERAL OTHER SHOPS THAT I HAD CALLED WERE UNABLE TO DO THE JOB RIGHT AWAY. I RELUCTANTLY DECIDED TO DO IT MYSELF. THE BRAKE PADS, WHEN REMOVED, HAD ABOUT 20,000 MILES ON THEM BUT FROM A WEAR STANDPOINT SEEMED TO SHOW VERY LITTLE WEAR. UPON DISASSEMBLY, I DISCOVERED THAT THE INSIDE BRAKE PAD ON THE RIGHT SIDE OF THE TRUCK HAD SEPARATED FROM THE METAL PAD PLATE AND HAD SOMEHOW WORKED ITS WAY OUT OF THE CALIPER HOUSING. IM NOT AN EXPERT, BUT I THINK IT MAY HAVE BEEN THE GAP CREATED BY THE MISSING BRAKE PAD THAT CAUSED THE BRAKING SYSTEM FAILURE THAT I EXPERIENCED. AGAIN, IM NOT SURE BUT I THINK THAT THIS GAP MUST BE HYDRAULICALLY ELIMINATED FI
FRONT BRAKE ROTORS AND PADS FAILED. *YC
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
THE POWER STEERING FLUID WAS LEAKING. *YH
ON TWO SEPARATE OCCASIONS EXPERIENCED AN ENGINE COMPARTMENT FIRE. WHEN TURNING OFF VEHICLE AND REMOVING KEY FROM IGNITION, CAR WAS STILL RUNNING. TOOK VEHICLE TO DEALER, AND THEY REPLACED THE FUEL SHUT OFF RELAY & WIRE. ONE WEEK LATER, FIRE OCCURRED AGAIN. CONSUMER FELT THIS HAD SOMETHING TO DO WITH IGNITION.*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
THE POWER STEERING FLUID WAS LEAKING. *YH
WHEN ATTEMPTING TO MAKE A LEFT / RIGHT HAND TURN. THERE WAS EXCESSIVE PLAY IN THE STEERING WHEEL COLUMN. CONSUMER CONTACTED THE DEALER, DEALER HAS MODIFIED THE STEERING WHEEL. THERE IS STILL PLAY IN THE STEERING WHEEL. * AK *YC
Too few reports in this category for a page of its own — they appear in the full complaint list.
Transmission
Reports naming the automatic or manual transmission, including shifting behaviour, shudder, slipping and transmission control modules.
From owner reports, verbatim
THERE IS VIBRATION WITHIN THE FRONT OF THE VEHICLE AND SHAKING WITHIN THE STEERING WHEEL. ALSO, TRANSMISSION IS SLIPPING AND THE VEHICLE ISN'T SHIFTING PROPERLY. *AK
FRONT BRAKE ROTORS AND PADS FAILED. *YC
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
FRONT BRAKE ROTORS AND PADS FAILED. *YC
REAR LEAF SPRINGS SAGGING/ENGINE CYLINDER HEADS MALFUNCTIONED/THERMOSTAT GASKET LEAK AND REPLACED 3 OF 8 FUEL INJECTORS.
Too few reports in this category for a page of its own — they appear in the full complaint list.
Suspension
Reports naming suspension components — springs, struts, shocks, control arms and related hardware.
From owner reports, verbatim
TRAVELING AT 75 MPH, HIT A BUMP. THIS CAUSED A VIOLENT SHIMMY IN THE FRONT END. THE ONLY WAY TO KEEP CONTROL WAS TO BRAKE ABURTLY. A BULLETIN WAS SENT TO DEALERSHIPS BUT NO ONE CONTACTED THE BUYERS.
THERE IS VIBRATION WITHIN THE FRONT OF THE VEHICLE AND SHAKING WITHIN THE STEERING WHEEL. ALSO, TRANSMISSION IS SLIPPING AND THE VEHICLE ISN'T SHIFTING PROPERLY. *AK
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
INTERMITTENTLY WHILE DRIVING AND BRAKES ARE APPLIED THE ABS WARNING LIGHTS START FLASHING AND THE BRAKES DON'T HOLD. THE DEALERSHIP CANNOT FIX PROBLEM, CAUSE IT CANNOT BE DUPLICATED. MODEL B2200. TS CONSUMER FOUND TSB REGARDING LEAKING VACUUM HOSE AT SPEED CONTROL SERVO LOCATED UNDER BATTERY AND THIS SEEMED TO REMEDY THE PROBLEM. *TT
THE POWER STEERING FLUID WAS LEAKING. *YH
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
WHILE DRIVING THE SEAT HINGES ON THE DRIVERS SIDE BROKE CAUSING THE SEATBACK TO COLLAPSE ON DRIVER'S SIDE, DRIVER TEMPORARILY LOST CONTROL OF VEHICLE. CONSUMER FEELS THIS IS VERY UNSAFE.*AK THE SEAT HINGE ON THE DRIVERS SIDE BROKE, DEALER REPLACED BROKEN HINGE AT OWNERS EXPENSE. *TT
SEAT BACK WILL NOT LOCK.
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
SMOKE CAME FROM UP UNDER THE DASHBOARD NEAR THE LIGHT SWITCH. REMOVED DASH PANEL TO INSPECT THE SWITCH AND FOUND THAT THE SWITCH TO THE BOTTOM LEFT FIRE WALL WAS BURNED. CONTACTED DODGE DEALER. *MR *NLM *DIMSII IVOQ ENTRY POSTED AFTER 12/12/02 CUT-OVER TO ARTEMIS*739168
ON TWO SEPARATE OCCASIONS EXPERIENCED AN ENGINE COMPARTMENT FIRE. WHEN TURNING OFF VEHICLE AND REMOVING KEY FROM IGNITION, CAR WAS STILL RUNNING. TOOK VEHICLE TO DEALER, AND THEY REPLACED THE FUEL SHUT OFF RELAY & WIRE. ONE WEEK LATER, FIRE OCCURRED AGAIN. CONSUMER FELT THIS HAD SOMETHING TO DO WITH IGNITION.*AK
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
COMPLETE TREAD SEPARATION. OCCURRED PREVIOUSLY WITH GOODYEAR WRANGER A/T.*AK (DOT NUMBER: PJ11CBLV20 TIRESIZE: 245/75R16)
CONSUMER HAS A 1996 DODGE HEAVY DUTY PICKUP. CONSUMER WAS TRAVELING 70MPH, AND REAR PASSENGER'S TIRE SEPARATED. TRUCK STARTED TO SHIMMY BEFORE TIRE BLEWOUT. THERE WAS NO LOSS OF CONTROL. CONSUMER JUST PULLED OVER TO CHANGE TIRE. TIRE SIZE LT245/75R16 AND ORIGINAL TIRES WITH 38,000 MILES. GOODYEAR CUSTOMER SERVICE REFERRED CONSUMER TO BELL TIRE WHICH DID NOT MAKE THE TIRE ANYMORE. SERVICE MEN OFFERED TO REPLACE GOODYEAR TIRES WITH WRANGLER /AT BLACKWALL WITH THE IMPRESSION THAT GOODYEAR WOULD PAY FOR THEM.THEN VEHICLE WAS PICKED UP CONSUMER WHO RECEIVED A BILL OF $320. CONSUMER HAD NO ARGUMENT BECAUSE OF A GOOD DEAL FOR THE SET. CONSUMERS ARE CONCERNED THAT TIRES HAD CAUSED 9-15 DEATHS BASED ON MEDIA INFORMATION. *AK THE TIRE DID NOT BLOW. THE PLY SEPARATED FROM THE TIRE AND STARTED BOUNCING SO THE CUSTOMER COULD NOT CONTROL THE VEHICLE. *YH
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
WHILE DRIVING IN RAINY WEATHER, INTERMITTENTLY THE FRONT WINDSHIELD WIPER WOULD FAIL. THE DEALERSHIP WAS NOTIFIED, BUT DID NOT RESOLVE THE PROBLEM. PLEASE PROVIDE MORE INFORMATION. *NM
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
LOCK OPENS EVEN AFTER LOCKING THE DOOR. THESE ARE NOT POWER LOCKS, AFTER LOCKING THE DOOR FROM INSIDE, IF YOU PULL THE HANDLE, THE DOOR UNLOCKS BY ITSELF BY PULLING THE HANDLE AND OPENS THE DOOR. THIS IS VERY DANGEROUS AS MY JEANS GOT STUCK IN THE HANDLE OPENED THE DOOR ACCIDENTALLY (PASSENGER) BUT WE WERE GOING SLOW, SO NO INJURIES.
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
DT:THE CONTACT STATED THE DRIVER'S SIDE AND PASSENGER'S SIDE SEAT BELTS ARE NOT LARGE ENOUGH TO ACCOMMODATE THE DRIVER OR PASSENGER . THE SEAT BELTS ARE TOO CONFINING, AND FIT TOO TIGHTLY AROUND THE OCCUPANTS OF THE VEHICLE. WHILE WEARING THE SEAT BELTS THEY DO NOT ALLOW PROPER MOVEMENT TO DRIVE THE VEHICLE SAFELY. THE VEHICLE HAS NOT BEEN INSPECTED BY A DEALER TO DETERMINE IF THERE WAS A PROBLEM WITH THE SEAT BELTS OR IF IT WAS THE DESIGN OF THE SEAT BELTS. THE DEALER WAS CONTACTED, AND THEY SUGGESTED INSTALLING A SEAT BELT EXTENDER. SHE DID NOT HAVE THE SEAT BELT EXTENDER INSTALLED DUE TO THE COST OF THE EQUIPMENT. THE MANUFACTURER CONFIRMED THAT THE CONTACT WOULD HAVE TO COVER THE COST OF THE ADDED EQUIPMENT. SHE NOTICED THE PROBLEM WITH THE SEAT BELTS DIRECTLY AFTER SHE ACQUIRED THE VEHICLE. *AK
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
CONSUMER WAS IN AN ACCIDENT, AND AIR BAGS DID NOT DEPLOY. *AK
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 .