RoadVitals

1996 Dodge Ram Electrical Problems

Owner-reported complaints naming the electrical system, filed with NHTSA

Data refreshed

Electrical reportsComplaints 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.
51
Latest Nov 25, 2024
Share of all reportsThis category as a share of every owner report on file for this model year. One report can name more than one component, so the categories overlap.
8%
of 625 total
Crash or fire reportedReports in this category whose submitter recorded that a crash or a fire occurred. The reporter's own answer on the NHTSA form, not a verified finding.
11
Injuries or deaths reportedTotals the submitters entered on their own reports in this category. Not verified by NHTSA and not a casualty statistic.
1

What this page shows

Reports naming the electrical system — wiring, battery, charging, control modules, infotainment and electrical accessories. Every record below is an owner-reported complaint about the 1996 Dodge Ram submitted to NHTSA — not a confirmed defect, not a recall and not a manufacturer bulletin. 51 reports on file name it.

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

Owner reports naming electrical

The 25 most recent of 51, in the owner's own words

BrakesDriver assistanceElectrical
Filed Nov 25, 2024

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
Electrical
Filed Jan 28, 2009
Fire reported

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
ElectricalFuel systemPowertrain (other)
Filed Jan 15, 2004

MY MAIN COMPLAINT IS THE TRANSMISSION. THE PRESSURE SEAL FOR SECOND GEAR HAS BEEN REPLACED 3 TIMES. IT LASTS FOR ABOUT 30,000 MILES AND THEN GOES. I'VE HAD TO PAY FOR THE REPAIR 2 OUT OF 3 TIMES. APPROX 1400.00.. THE LAST TIME I HAD PARTS PUT IN THAT WERE NOT CHRYSLER PRODUCTS.

NHTSA ID
10070694
Incident
Mar 15, 1999
Mileage
32,701 mi
Electrical
Filed Feb 25, 2002

RECALL 00 V 135 000/IGNITION SWITCH CH/WIRING: RECALL REPAIRED AT EFIRD JEEP EAGLE PONTIAC; FLORENCE, SC; PHONE# 843/679-5031. AFTER REPAIRS WERE DONE IGNITION SWTICH STARTED TO OVERHEAT. DEALER HAS BEEN NOTIFIED. FEEL FREE TO PROVIDE ANY FURTHER INFORMATION.*AK

NHTSA ID
8004475
Incident
Jan 24, 2001
Electrical
Filed Jan 11, 2002
Fire reported

WHILE TRYINNG TO START ENGINE IGNITION SWITCH CAUGHT ON FIRE AND BURNED. DEALER GOT CONTACTED. PLEASE PROVIDE MORE INFORMATION.*AK

NHTSA ID
8002069
Incident
Sep 1, 2001
Electrical
Filed Jan 9, 2002
Fire reported

VEHICLE WAS BEING USED TO PLOW SNOW. VEHICLE WAS MOVING FORWARD AT A VERY SLOW RATE ( APPROX 1 MPH) AND VEHICLE ERUPTED IN FLAMES. DRIVER HAD TO EXIT THROUGH A WALL OF FLAME AND WITHIN LESS THAN A MINUTE, CAB WAS COMPLETELY ENGULFED IN FIRE. VEHICLE COMPLETELY DESTROYED IN LESS THAN FIVE MINUTES. FIRE APPEARED TO ORIGINATE FROM BENEATH THE CAB, EXACT ORIGIN UNKNOWN. VEHICLE WILL BE KEPT ON THE PREMISES UNTIL WE HEAR FROM YOU. OUR INSURANCE ADJUSTER HAS INSPECTED THE VEHICLE FOR INSURANCE PURPOSES BUT WE HAVE MAJOR SAFETY CONCERNS ABOUT THIS VEHICLE AND WOULD LIKE TO KNOW WHAT CAUSED THE FIRE. THERE WAS NO SERVICE RECENTLY PERFORMED ON THE VEHICLE OTHER THAN ROUTINE OIL CHANGES ETC. THE VEHICLE SEEMED TO BE RUNNING NORMALLY RIGHT UP TO THE TIME THAT THE VEHICLE CAUGHT FIRE.*AK

NHTSA ID
756615
Incident
Jan 7, 2002
Electrical
Filed Jan 4, 2002

DEALER REFUSES TO DO RECALL 00V135000 REPAIRS ON IGNITION WIRING BECAUSE CONSUMER HAD A SECURITY SYSTEM INSTALLED, THIS WAS DONE AT TIME OF PURCHASE AT DEALERSHIP. *AK *SLC

NHTSA ID
8001561
Incident
Dec 15, 2001
Electrical
Filed Nov 6, 2001
Fire reported

THERE WAS AN IGNITION FIRE, TOOK VEHICLE TO DEALER, AND DEALER REPLACED IGNITION SWITCH AND OTHER PARTS. AFTERWARDS WHEN STARTING VEHICLE STARTER STAYED ENGAGED, AND UNABLE TO SHUT OFF VEHICLE WHEN TURNING KEY IN OFF POSITION. CONSUMER HAS TAKEN VEHICLE TO DEALER BUT DEALER COULD NOT DUPLICATE THE PROBLEM. *AK

NHTSA ID
898800
Incident
Oct 1, 2000
ElectricalExterior lighting
Filed Aug 10, 2001

HEADLIGHTS DON'T WORK WHEN STEERING WHEEL IS IN A DOWNWARD DRIVING POSITION. IF STEERING WHEEL IS PUSHED ALL THE WAY UP HEADLIGHTS COME ON. CONSUMER RECEIVED A RECALL 00V135000/ MANUFACTURER'S RECALL 875. WHEN VEHICLE WAS TAKEN INTO DEALER'S REPAIR SHOP, DEALER WASN'T SURE IF RECALL WAS FOR THAT SPECIFIC PROBLEM. DEALER DIDN'T FIX IT UNDER RECALL.*AK

NHTSA ID
894058
Incident
Feb 1, 2001
Electrical
Filed Jun 1, 2001

CIRCUIT BREAKER HAD BURNED WHILE DRIVING. PRIOR TO PROBLEM GENERATOR LIGHT HAD CAME ON, AND VOLTAGE REGULATOR WENT VERY LOW. VEHICLE HAD STOPPED DEAD.*AK

NHTSA ID
889587
Incident
May 22, 2001
Electrical
Filed May 8, 2001

THE J2 WIRE FROM IGNITION CAUSED A POWER SPIKE,CAUSING HEADLIGHTS TO BURN. A TSB HAS BEEN ISSUED ON VEHICLE. DEALER AND MANUFACTURER HAVE BEEN NOTIFIED.*AK

NHTSA ID
887740
Electrical
Filed Dec 1, 2000

VEHICLE STALLS WHILE DRIVING AT 50MPH. CONSUMER IS ABLE TO RESTART IT AGAIN. CONSUMER RECEIVED 10 RECALL LETTERS FOR SAME PROBLEM. *AK

NHTSA ID
875866
Incident
Nov 1, 1999
Electrical
Filed Aug 31, 2000
Crash reportedFire reported

TRUCK STARTED WITH NO KEY-JUMPED A BARRIER-RAMMED A BUILDING-CAUGHT ON FIRE;

NHTSA ID
729634
Incident
Aug 15, 2000
Electrical
Filed Aug 23, 2000

HAD RECEIVED RECALL NOTICE FOR IGNITION SWITCH ON 7/19/00 & CONTACTED DEALER. INDICATION WAS REPAIRS WILL NOT BE TAKE PLACE FOR 6 WEEKS. OWNER WAS UPSET. TIME FRAME WAS NOT REASONABLE. VEHICLE COULD CATCH FIRE.*AK

NHTSA ID
868487
Incident
Jul 20, 2000
Electrical
Filed Aug 17, 2000

RECALL # 00V135000 DAIMLERCHRYSLER/IGINITION SWITCH/WIRING: AFTER MAKING AN APPOINTMENT AND LEAVING TRUCK AT THE DEALERSHIP FOR A DAY, OWNER WAS TOLD THAT RECALL CAMPAIGN WAS NOT COMPLETED. DEALERSHIP STATED THAT NO ONE WAS ON STAFF TO COMPLETE THE CAMPAIGN. DEALER DOES NOT KNOW WHEN CAMPAIGN WILL BE COMPLETED. OWNER FEELS THAT IS JUST ANOTHER WAY FOR THE DEALERSHIP TO GET PAID. *AK

NHTSA ID
868011
Electrical
Filed Aug 14, 2000

CONSUMER CONTACTED DEALER AT HEART OF TEXAS DODGE FOR RECALL 00V135000/ MANUFACTURER'S RECALL 875 IN AUSTIN, TEXAS. WAS TOLD THAT DEALER COULD NOT MAKE APPOINTMENT UNTIL THE END OF OCTOBER. CONSUMER IS NOW EXPERIENCING DEFECT. *AK

NHTSA ID
867688
Electrical
Filed Jul 27, 2000

RECEIVED RECALL 00V135000 & CONTACTED DEALER. INFORMED REPAIRS CAN BE DONE ON IGNITION SWITCH. TOOK VEHICLE IN & WAS TOLD IT WILL TAKE OVER 2 HOURS. TALKED TO GENERAL MANAGER OF DEALERSHIP JERRY, AND WAS INFORMED THAT HE MUST TAKE CARE OF EMPLOYEES. HE URGED CONSUMER TO TAKE VEHICLE ELSEWHERE. THIS HAPPENED AFTER REQUESTING SERVICE MANAGER TO GIVE $20 FOR FUEL & TIME. TOOK VEHICLE TO ANOTHER DEALERSHIP & WAS INFORMED TO COME BACK IN 4 WEEKS. PROBLEM MIGHT CAUSE FIRE IF WAITING 4 WEEKS FOR REPAIRS. *AK

NHTSA ID
866193
Electrical
Filed Jul 25, 2000

CONSUMER RECEIVED RECALL 00V135000/ MANUFACTURER'S RECALL 875 FOR IGNITION SWITCH. VEHICLE WAS TAKEN IN TO BE REPAIRED, THE JOB WAS NOT COMPLETE. DEALER TOLD CONSUMER THE REMAINING PROBLEM HAS NOTHING TO DO WITH THE RECALL.*AK

NHTSA ID
865945
Electrical
Filed Jul 25, 2000

CONSUMER RECEIVED RECALL #00V13500 CONCERNING IGNITION SWITCH FAILURE. CONTACTED PERFORMANCE DODGE IN GLENDALE, AZ. DEALER CLAIMED THERE WERE NO PARTS AVAILABLE , DID NOT SET UP APPOINTMENT FOR CONSUMER . CONSUMER HAS BEEN WAITING FOR A LONG PERIOD OF TIME, AND HAS ALSO CONTACTED OTHER DEALERS. BUT, CAN NOT GET RECALL REPAIRS DONE.*AK

NHTSA ID
865937
Electrical
Filed Jul 25, 2000

CONSUMER DECLINED RECALL REPAIR (00V-135) DUE TO DEALERSHIP SCHEDULING PROBLEM. *MJS

NHTSA ID
553203
Electrical
Filed Jul 19, 2000

RECALL # 00V135000 DAIMLERCHRYSLER/IGNITION SWITCH; AFTER ARRIVING FOR SCHEDULE APPOINTMENT, OWNER WAS INFORMED THAT PARTS WERE NOT AVAILABLE TO CORRECT CAMPAIGN. OWNER CALLED 6 OTHER DEALERSHIPS. NO PARTS ARE AVAILABLE TO CORRECT CAMPAIGN. PARTS WILL NOT BE AVAILABLE FOR OTHER 3 WEEKS.*AK

NHTSA ID
865646
Electrical
Filed Jul 17, 2000

NHTSA RECALL 00V135000 AND MANUFACTURER'S RECALL 875. EVERY TIME CONSUMER BRINGS VEHICLE FOR REPAIRS WHILE UNDER WARRANTY DEALER DOES NOT WANT TO WORK ON THE VEHICLE UNLESS CONSUMER PAYS FOR IT UP FRONT. THEY CLAIM THAT NOTHING IS WRONG WITH THE VEHICLE.*AK

NHTSA ID
865522
Electrical
Filed Jul 17, 2000

NHTSA RECALL 00V135000 AND MANUFACTURER'S RECALL 875/ IGNITION WIRING. CONSUMER HAS CONTACT DEALER. DEALER CLAIMED THAT NOTHING WAS WRONG WITH VEHICLE EVERYTIME CONSUMER HAS A PROBLEM. *AK

NHTSA ID
865520
Electrical
Filed Jul 7, 2000

CONSUMER STATES HENDERSON CHRYSLER DEALERSHIP REFUSES TO HONOR RECALL NHTSA 00V135000/MANUFACTURER RECALL 875 CONCERNING IGNITION PROBLEMS. DUE TO PAST DIFFERENCES. CONSUMER FEELS THAT SINCE IT IS A SAFETY DEFECT RECALL DONE BY MANUFACTURER AND NOT BY THE CONSUMER, DEALER MUST HONOR IT. BECAUSE OF DEALER'S REFUSAL, CONSUMER MUST TRAVEL INTO ANOTHER TOWN TO THE NEXT CLOSET DEALER, WHICH IS 35 MILES ONE WAY. WORK HAS BEEN PERFORMED. *AK *ML

NHTSA ID
864974
ElectricalEngine
Filed Jun 22, 2000
Fire reported

AFTER HAVING TROUBLE WITH THE STARTER COULD HEAR NOISE COMING FROM THE ENGINE. THEN VEHICLE CAUGHT ON FIRE WITHOUT A WARNING. *AK

NHTSA ID
864104
Incident
Jun 17, 2000

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.

Other components reported on this vehicle

Categories with enough reports to have a page of their own

Elsewhere on this vehicle

Data sources

Data on this page last refreshed .