1996 Dodge Ram Pickup 1500 Magnum V8 from North America - Comments

Three transmissions from 49,000 miles to 61,000 miles.

The doors are rotting, air conditioning is not working and too many recalls. I'm afraid to make long distance trips with it, I might not make it home. I have to keep a Yugo in the back to make it home. I'm afraid to toe or haul anything that it might break down.

Every Dodge pickup should be recalled and the correct transmission should be installed. Dodge are incredibly lax in their reliability with their vehicles. It is a shame that an American company as big as Dodge can't take better care and have pride in their product.

I bought my Dodge in '98, the only problem since I have had it is that it uses up brake pads about every 30,000 miles. Had to change the rotors at 102,000. The truck has been flawless except for that. Still runs as strong as the day I bought it!

I have a 1996 Dodge Ram 1500 V6. Truck is a manual transmission and has been virtually flawless with the exception of the freeze plugs, which started leaking coolant and had to be replaced, and the A/C which has died. I need to replace the drier on the A/C to get it working again. Other than those two problems, the truck runs great.

I have a 1996 Dodge ram 1500.The truck runs fine and is dependable. The only problem I have with it is that it does not seem to have a lot of power till the temperature falls below 60 degrees. Living on the Gulf Coast of Texas that doesnt happen to often. The truck has the 3.9 V6,and was rebuilt at 145k miles. But the power problem remains. Any suggestions? mfiore@lis1.net.

I own a 96 Dodge Ram 1500 Sport with the 360 eng. Bought it brand new off the show room floor in 96. I have had numerous problems lately with it. It has 79,000 miles, the tranny is using up fluid (no leaks), AC stopped working (trying to figure it out as I write this), I have an electrical problem that a different fuse blows on different days, tranny makes noises (not too bad yet). I definatley would not buy another Ram truck.

My 1996 Dodge truck has repeatedly had two problems: 1) Beside the original fuel pump located in the tank went bad at 40k miles, a second went bad by 42kmiles. So, I'm on the 3rd pump which is now showing symptoms as the others at 51k. The symptons are rough idling to stalling. When motor is hot, outside temp. is 80 to 85 degrees, and sometimes just after a rainfall. TacK should read 500rpm in drive at a stoplight, but varies down to 200rpm. Note: air filter is clean and pcv, also. At startup should be 1,000rpm, but goes to 2,000rpm until placed in DRIVE. ANY TIPS?

I have both a positive and negative comment! I have purchased two new Chrysler products, A Plymouth laser that jumped time at 70,032 miles and A dodge ram truck that the front end all, but fell out from under it three times with less than 100,000 miles on her. (The truck was dangerous to drive when it was time for another front end) Both of these vehicles I bought the extended warranty thinking that since I bought from the company that they would be more than willing to honor the warranty that I had paid in advance for. Chrysler fixed my Laser after six months of attorneys letters to them, daily phone calls not to mention not willing to honor my warranty because it was 32 miles past the warranty! The repair bill was $2,680.00.The truck they fixed the front end the first two times eventually, but the third time they refused to even look at the vehicle. The repair bill on it was $1,189.00 that I paid A mechanic! 100,000+ miles later the front end still feels like new. I loved all of my Chrysler products, fun to drive and sporty looking. I have another dodge truck (I bought used) that has 200,000+ miles it still runs great! I would recommend dodge to anyone. I would not recommend paying for an extended warranty! You are paying for A service before the job has been completed and you are at there mercy! (BEWARE OF ARBITRATION CLAUSES) you sign your legal rights away.

I have a 1996 Dodge Ram 1500, and over all I have been pleased with my vehicle. However, as of late the factory installed alarm is malfunctioning. It is so bad that I had to have my brother-in-law disconnect the siren because my neighbors called the police, which I understand. A vehicle alarm that goes off 50 times a night is a problem. Now it just blinks, which is embarrassing- but doesn't prompt a call to the police. This problem is so bad that I cannot leave the truck alone for an extended period of time without checking on it- because this alarm has already deadened one battery. I had a mechanic look at it and he said he disconnected the shock sensor, but the key less entry would still work. This has been great- for the past week. But once again- today in fact, the blinking has begun again.

I have had my dodge Ram 1500 5.9L through an unbelievable amount of the same trouble. Freeze plug failed multiple times eventually resulting in cracked head and piston. A haunting overheating problem has always plagued me.

Now it is the oil pressure that has started to drop to zero without warning. I rely on it for long trips and am scared to death each time that I will be stranded. I love my truck, but I can't count on it.

Two dodge ram 1500's, one 96 and one 99 both lost transmissions under 100,000 miles. Both dropped a connecting rod for cylinder #5 at under 100,000 miles. I change my oil and maintain my vehicles very regularly. Front end on 96 about to fall out from under it, afraid to drive it. 4 Wheel drive on 99 grinds. Transmissions howl when put in reverse. Will not shift into overdrive when cold out. Both have been replaced. Axle joints and hub bearings in both went before 60,000 miles. Many Many more problems. 45,000 invested in 2 trucks to purchase. Over 14,000 invested to keep them on the road and more 1,000's to come. Back to Chevy I go.

1992 dodge 1500 v6 full size. Nickle and diming me to death.

Only 86k.

Now freeze plugs popped, and $500. to fix a.50 cent piece.

I love this truck on looks only. It's a beast on fuel & the tranny is starting to stick between 2nd &3rd. Reverse is also starting to fail.

The body is great no rust & drives great, but I feel there is money to be lost here. Will probably sell before I lose my shirt.

1996 Dodge Ram Kingcab.

CANADA.

OK, I have a 96 Dodge Ram 1500... 318 5speed 4x4. Bought it used with 101000 miles on it.

I've put probably 5000 on it in 3 months. I've pulled trailers to Virginia from Ohio, and had no trouble. I did have to replace the steering box, but it was bad when I bought the truck.

I love the 1500s, but I will agree that the automatic trannys are junk, and they only had those problems from 96 to 98... If you didn't buy your Dodge brand new, you should have known that they were cuz it ain't no secret.

And I just wanted to tell the guy that has the V6 dodge that he said has no power, well for one you bought a V6, and 2 the V6 ain't made for pullin loads. The 318 is the best all around in their motors. I wouldn't piss on a 360 if it was on fire.

I own a 1999 Dodge Ram with a 360 2 wheel drive and I have not had one problem with it. Always reliable and very strong pulls anything. Sucks gas a bit, hey it's a 360.

I have a 01 ram 1500 with the 360 in it and I have had no major problems, but like the rest of the people driving the 360 engines, it sucks gas if you do not keep your foot out of it.

I have a 1996 Ram with a 5.9 360 and an automatic transmission, and the only problem I have had with the truck was the fuel pump went out at 130k miles. I have had the truck since the day it came off the show room floor, it has a 159k miles and still runs great. I will always be a dodge man.