1996 Dodge Ram

ON APRIL 17, 1997, THE CHRYSLER CORPORATION FILED A DEFECT INFORMATION REPORT CONCERNING APPROXIMATELY 800,000 1994 THROUGH 1997 DODGE RAM PICKUPS EQUIPPED WITH V6 OR V8 ENGINES AND AUTOMATIC TRANSMISSIONS, 1995 THROUGH 1997DODGE RAM PICKUPS EQUIPPED WITH THE V10 ENGINE AND AUTOMATIC TRANSMISSION, AND THE 1995 AND 1996 DODGE RAM VAN/WAGON EQUIPPED WITH AUTOMATIC TRANSMISSION.ODI HAS RECEIVED ELEVEN REPORTS CONCERNING TRANSMISSION LEAKAGES FROM THE QUICK CONNECTOR JOINTS RESULTING IN EIGHT FIRES.THE REPORTED VEHICLES INCLUDED ARE THE 1994 AND 1995 JEEP WRANGLER, 1995 AND 1996 CHEROKEE, 1993 THROUGH 1996 GRAND CHEROKEE, AND 1994 AND 1995 DODGE DAKOTA.THE PURPOSE OF THIS INVESTIGATION IS TO EXAMINE THE SCOPE OF RECALL 97V-084.CLOSING SUMMARY: FURTHER INVESTIGATION OF CONSUMER REPORTS REVEALED THAT SOME OF THE TRANSMISSION LEAKAGE WAS DUE TO OTHER CONNECTIONS ALONG THE COOLING LINES.IN THE FIRE INCIDENTS, THERE WERE INDICATIONS THAT SOME OF THESE VEHICLES WERE EITHER USED BEYOND THE VEHICLE'S TOWING CAPABILITY OR HAD IMPROPER TRANSMISSION REPAIR.IN ADDITION, THE RECALLED RAM PICKUP TRUCKS, 98V-084, HAVE AN EXHAUST MANIFOLD NEAR THE PLASTIC QUICK CONNECTOR JOINTS WHICH EFFECTIVELY PRESENTS A HEAT SOURCE TO IGNITE THE HOT TRANSMISSION FLUID IN THE EVENT OF A LEAKAGE.THE SUBJECT VEHICLES' QUICK CONNECTOR JOINTS ARE EITHER TOO FAR, OR POSITIONED COMPLETELY AWAY, FROM A HEAT SOURCE OR EXHAUST COMPONENTS.CONSEQUENTLY, THE FIRE REPORTS OF THE SUBJECT VEHICLES ARE SIGNIFICANTLY LESS THAN THOSE OF THE DODGE RAM PICKUP TRUCKS.BASED ON THE AVAILABLE INFORMATION, A SAFETY-RELATED DEFECT TREND HAS NOT BEEN IDENTIFIED AT THIS TIME AND FURTHER USE OF AGENCY RESOURCES DOES NOT APPEAR TO BE WARRANTED.THE CLOSING OF THIS INVESTIGATION DOES NOT CONSTITUTE A FINDING BY NHTSA THAT A SAFETY-RELATED DEFECT DOES NOT EXIST.THE AGENCY RESERVES THE RIGHT TO TAKE FURTHER ACTION IF WARRANTED BY FUTURE CIRCUMSTANCES.

ODI HAS IDENTIFIED 30 INCIDENTS WHERE IT IS ALLEGED THE SEAT BACK COLLAPSED IN A REAR IMPACT CRASH.THESE INCIDENTS ARE ALLEGED TO HAVE CONTRIBUTED TO 23 INJURIES AND TWO DEATHS.THE DATA PRESENTED TO ODI SHOW THAT THE SEAT BACK STRENGTH OF THE FRONT SEATS COMPLY WITH FEDERAL MOTOR VEHICLE SAFETY STANDARD NO. 207. SEATING SYSTEM.ACCORDING TO DAIMLERCHRYLSER THE FRONT SEATS WERE DESIGNED TO COLLAPSE REARWARD IN REAR IMPACT CRASHES AS PART OF THE ENERGY ABSORPTIONCAPABILITIES OF THE SEATING SYSTEM TO REDUCE THE CHANCE OF SERIOUS INJURY TO THE OCCUPANT.RATES OF OCCURANCE WERE COMPARED TO PEER VEHICLES, AND IT WAS SHOWN THAT THE PERFORMACE OF THE SUBJECT VEHICLE WAS COMPARABLE TO THOSE VEHICLES.IN VIEW OF THE FORGOING, IT IS UNLIKELY THAT NHTSA WOULD ISSUE AN ORDER FOR THE NOTIFICATION REMEDY OF A SAFETY DEFECT IN THE SUBJECT VEHICLES AS DEFINED BY THE PETITIONER AT THE CONCLUSION OF THE INVESTIGATION REQUESTED IN THE PETITION.THERFORE, IN VIEW OF THE NEED TO ALLOCATE AND PRIORITIZE THE NHTSA'S LIMITED RESOURCES TO BEST ACCOMPLISH THE AGENCY'S MISSION, THE PETITION IS DENIED.FOR FURTHER DETAILS, REFER TO ODI'S RESPONSE TO THE PETITION PUBLISHED IN THE FEDERAL REGISTER VOL.69, NO. 60 , DATED MARCH 29, 2004.

ONMARCH 20, 1995, DAIMLERCHRYSLER FILED A DEFECT REPORT FOR 181,008 1994 AND 1995 DODGE RAM TRUCKS MANUFACTUREDC FROM JANUARY 21, 1994 - OCTOBER 25, 1994 AT THE DODGE CITY ASSEMBLY PLANT AND FROM MARCH 26, 1994 - DECEMBER 8, 1994 AT THE LAGO ALBERTO ASSEMBLY PLANT.THE SECONDARY HOOD LATCH ROD COULD BIND ON THE GUIDE BRACKET AND PREVENT ENGAGEMENT OF THE SECONDARY LATCH.IF THIS OCCURS WHEN THE PRIMARY LATCH IS NOT ENGAGED, THE HOOD COULD FLY UP WHEN THE VEHICLE IS BEING DRIVEN AND OBSTRUCT THE DRIER'S VISION INCREASING THE POTENTIAL FOR A CRASH.THE RECALL REMEDY WAS TO REPLACE THE SEDCONDARY HOOD LATCH.OWNERS WERE NOTIFIED IN AUGUST OF 1995.THIS RECALL RATE AS OF 2/97 WAS 68%

ALLEGES THAT THE POOR DESIGN OF THE IGNITION SWITCH ASSEMBLY AND//OR THE KEY CYLINDER ASSEMBLY IN THE MODEL YEAR 1991-2000 VEHICLES MAY CAUSE THE STEERING COLUMN TO CATCH FIRE

The contact owns a 1996 Dodge Ram. The contact became aware that the VIN was included in NHTSA Campaign Numbers: 97V068000 (Service Brakes, Hydraulic), 01V037000 (Vehicle Speed Control), and 00V135000 (Electrical System); however, the parts to do the recall repairs were not yet available. The local dealer was contacted. The contact stated that the manufacturer had exceeded a reasonable amount of time for the recall repair. The manufacturer was made aware of the issue. The contact had not experienced a failure. Parts distribution disconnect.

NHTSA ID

11627321

Incident

Nov 25, 2024

TL*THE CONTACT OWNS A 1996 DODGE RAM. THE CONTACT NOTICED A CHEMICAL ODOR COMING FROM THE DASHBOARD AND THE HEATER. THE HEADLIGHTS FLICKERED AND THE INSTRUMENT PANEL LIGHTING SUDDENLY DIMMED. THE HEADLIGHTS WENT COMPLETELY DIM. THE CONTACT TURNED EVERYTHING BACK ON, BUT THE HEADLIGHTS ONLY ILLUMINATED FOR A FEW MINUTES. AFTER DRIVING WITHOUT HEADLIGHTS, HE NOTICED SMOKE COMING FROM THE VENTS ON THE DRIVER'S SIDE. HE PULLED INTO HIS RESIDENCE AND TURNED OFF THE VEHICLE, BUT THE HEADLIGHTS REMAINED ILLUMINATED. HE ATTEMPTED TO TURN THE HEADLIGHTS OFF, BUT WAS UNSUCCESSFUL. SMOKE FILLED THE VEHICLE AND PRODUCED AN AWFUL ODOR. HE REMOVED THE LAMP FUSE, BUT THE BUZZING NOISE STILL INDICATED THAT THE HEADLIGHTS WERE ILLUMINATED. HE REINSERTED THE FUSE AND THE BUZZING SOUND CONTINUED. HE NOTICED THAT THE WIRING HARNESS WAS MELTED. THE VEHICLE HAS NOT BEEN REPAIRED AND IS PARKED AT HIS RESIDENCE. THE FAILURE AND CURRENT MILEAGES WERE 180,000.

NHTSA ID

10256570

Incident

Jan 26, 2009

Mileage

180,000 mi

TL*- THE CONTACT OWNS A 1996 DODGE RAM PICKUP. WHILE DRIVING AT 55 MPH THE LIGHTS TURNED OFF. THE CONTACT WAS FORCED TO STOP THE VEHICLE WHILE IT COOLED OFF, AND AFTER APPROXIMATELY 15 MINUTES, THE VEHICLES LIGHTS ILLUMINATED. ALSO, THE FAILURE CAUSED THE WIRING HARNESS TO MELT. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THIS FAILURE OCCURRED TOO FREQUENTLY . IT BEGAN TO OCCUR 1 YEAR AFTER PURCHASING THE VEHICLE, AND HE REPLACED THE HEADLIGHT SWITCHES OVER 12 TIMES. DAIMLER/CHRYSLER STATED THAT THE VEHICLE HAD TOO MANY MILES ON IT AND THAT IT WAS NOT RELATED TO RECALL #99V024000 DUE TO THE VIN. THE CONTACT WAS AWARE OF THE SAFETY RISK INVOLVED. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 9,900 AND THE CURRENT MILEAGE WAS 177,000. *AK

NHTSA ID

10187340

Incident

Apr 2, 2007

Mileage

9,900 mi

DT*: THE CONTACT STATED WHILE DRIVING AT NIGHT, THE HEADLIGHTS FAILED INTERMITTENTLY WITHOUT WARNING. THE VEHICLE WAS DRIVEN TO THE DEALER ON FOUR OCCASIONS AND THE IGNITION SWITCH WAS REPLACED EACH TIME. HOWEVER, THE PROBLEM RECURRED. THERE WAS A NHTSA RECALL, # 99V024000, REGARDING THE HEADLIGHT SWITCH. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT INCLUDED IN THE RECALL DUE TO THE VIN.

NHTSA ID

10175274

Incident

Nov 28, 2006

Mileage

134,000 mi

1996 DODGE RAM LEFT REAR TIRE CAME OFF OF VEHICLE WHILE DRIVING. *TS *JB

NHTSA ID

10170146

Incident

Aug 29, 2006

DT*: THE CONTACT STATED WHILE DRIVING 65 MPH ON DRY HIGHWAY PAVEMENT THE REAR DRIVER TIRE HAD TREAD SEPARATION WITHOUT WARNING. THE VEHICLE WAS MANEUVERED OFF THE ROAD AND THE TIRE WAS CHANGED. THE DEALER HAS NOT BEEN ALERTED. THE CONSUMER STATED HE INSPECTED THE OTHER THREEE TIRES AND NOTICTED THE SAME DEFECTS. UPDATED 08/21/06. *JB

NHTSA ID

10164528

Incident

Jul 28, 2006

Mileage

116,000 mi

DT: CONSUMER STATES: THE HEADLIGHT SWITCH KEEPS BURNING UP IN HIS 1996 DODGE RAM TRUCK. IT IS BURNING THE WIRE HARNESS THAT GOES TO THE HEADLIGHT SWITCH. IT COULD GO OUT AT ANY TIME. HE HAD IT REPLACED ABOUT 3-4 MONTHS AGO AND IT IS OUT AGAIN. HE HAS TALKED TO THE DEALER AND THEY HAVE MADE A SPECIAL WIRE HARNESS TO SPLICE INTO THE WIRING ON THE TRUCK. THEY HAVE HAD A LOT OF PROBLEMS WITH THIS SAME THING. THE DEALER SAID CHRYSLER WAS AWARE OF THE PROBLEM. HE CAN BE GOING DOWN THE ROAD, AND THE LIGHTS WILL JUST GO OUT. YOU CAN PARK IT FOR A WHILE, WHEN YOU COME BACK TO START THE CAR AND SWITCH ON THE HEADLIGHTS THE HEADLIGHTS WILL NOT WORK. THE LAST TIME HE HAD IT REPLACED, THE WIRING HAD MELTED THE INSULATION. *NM

NHTSA ID

10128264

Incident

Jul 11, 2005

WHILE DRIVING AT 40 MPH AN ACCIDENT OCCURRED, CONSUMER'S VEHICLE HIT A TREE HEAD ON. UPON IMPACT, AIR BAGS DID NOT DEPLOY. CONTACTED THE DEALER, AND WAS TOLD THIS WAS NORMAL, AND THAT THERE WAS NOTHING WRONG WITH THE VEHICLE. *AK... THE OTHER DRIVER, A LADY WAS CITED FOR IMPROPER BACKING OUT. CONSUMER'S GRAND SON FIRST HIT HER, THEN WENT THROUGH A YARD, HITTING A TREE. *AK

NHTSA ID

10113662

Incident

Jan 22, 2005

ILLUMINATED MIL AS THE RESULT OF A DIAGNOSTIC TROUBLE CODE (DTC) P0420 - CATALYST EFFICIENCY, OR MAY HAVE FAILED A CALIFORNIA SMOG OR STATE I/M TEST BUT WITHOUT AN ILLUMINATED MIL, OR A RATTLING SOUND FROM THE UNDERSIDE OF THE VEHICLE. CATALYTIC CONVERTER EXTENDED WARRANTY TO REPLACE THE CATALYTIC CONVERTER. *TT

FLASH PROGRAMMING FAILURE RECOVERY. *SLC

SUBJECT REGARDING GENERIC SCAN TOOL (GST), PUBLICATION NO. 81-170-00008 PROVIDED WITH THIS TECHNICAL SERVICE BULLETIN TO PROVIDE REFERENCE INFORMATION WHEN USING GENERIC SCAN TOOL ON OBDII VEHICLES. *TT

CUSTOMER MAY COMPLAIN OF HIGH OIL CONSUMPTION, GREY OIL SMOKE COMING OUT OF THE EXHAUST OR BREATHER TUBE, OR MECHANICAL KNOCKING. *TT

AUTOMATIC TRANSMISSION FLUID USAGE ATF+4. *TT *MJ

SOME CUSTOMERS MAY EXPERIENCE A SITUATION IN WHICH THE REAR OF THE VEHICLE SITS TOO HIGH TO ATTACH THEIR FIFTH WHEEL OR GOOSE NECK TRAILER TO THE TRAILER HITCH TURNABLE. *JB