10.0

really awful
Crashes / Fires:
0 / 2
Injuries / Deaths:
0 / 0
Average Mileage:
9,938 miles

About These NHTSA Complaints:

This data is from the NHTSA — the US gov't agency tasked with vehicle safety. Complaints are spread across multiple & redundant categories, & are not organized by problem.

So how do you find out what problems are occurring? For this NHTSA complaint data, the only way is to read through the comments below. Any duplicates or errors? It's not us.

1996 Dodge Ram 1500 electrical problems

electrical problem

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1996 Dodge Ram 1500 Owner Comments

problem #16

Aug 242003

Ram 1500 8-cyl

  • Automatic transmission
  • 159,000 miles

A D V E R T I S E M E N T S

I took my 1996 Dodge Ram to the dealer for an ignition switch wiring recall. After the recall parts were replaced, my truck was not fixed. The wiring harness had overheated and damaged my ignition switch. This cost more money. There was also a special tool that my husband had to purchase to change the ignition switch. The plastic cover on my steering column had aslo melted. I would say my truck was very close to going up in flames. This is very upsetting to me because I feel this part should have been replaced along with the harness since the defective wiring caused this part to be damaged. I think Dodge should add this part to the list of parts changed when they service vehicles from this recall. I also believe they should reimburse me and anyone else who has had this problem. There was almost a fire, I know this because I have the old ignition switch and the plastic part on my steering column has a hole where it was hot, since I did not see a fire (my husband did smell something burning), I cannot answer yes to the question below that asked "was there a fire?". any help would be greatly appreciated. I think something should be done before someone is seriously injured or killed. Something similar happened to a friend of mine who had a different make car, her son burned to death in a car. I shiver to think what might have happened if I had not found out about the recall on this vehicle.

- Peggs, OK, USA

problem #15

Jan 242001

Ram 1500

  • miles
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.

- Florence, SC, USA

problem #14

Sep 012001

Ram 1500

  • miles
While tryinng to start engine ignition switch caught on fire and burned. Dealer got contacted.

- Fort Worth, TX, USA

problem #13

Dec 152001

Ram 1500

  • Automatic transmission
  • miles

A D V E R T I S E M E N T S

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.

- New Haven, CT, USA

problem #12

Oct 012000

Ram 1500 4WD Diesel

  • Automatic transmission
  • miles
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.

- Lake Havafu City, AZ, USA

problem #11

Feb 012001

Ram 1500

  • Automatic transmission
  • miles
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.

- Waldron, MI, USA

problem #10

Jan 082001

Ram 1500

  • miles

A D V E R T I S E M E N T S

Consumer took vehicle to receive recall repair 00V135, however consumer had to wait a lengthy time due to dealership not having trained technicians, when consumer picked up vehicle, wires were hanging from steering wheel and vehicle would not go into 1st or 2nd gear, consumer took vehicle back and it ran fine the first day, the next morning it wouldn't crank again, consumer found battery cable loose and the fuse compartment cover fell off in his hands.

- Westminster, SC, USA

problem #9

Jul 252000

(reported on)

Ram 1500

  • miles
Consumer declined recall repair (00V-135) due to dealership scheduling problem.

- Jamestown, CA, USA

problem #8

Jul 202000

Ram 1500

  • miles
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.

- La Paine, OR, USA

problem #7

Aug 142000

(reported on)

Ram 1500

  • miles
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.

- Roasnky, TX, USA

problem #6

Jul 272000

(reported on)

Ram 1500

  • miles

A D V E R T I S E M E N T S

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.

- Bryson City, NC, USA

problem #5

Jul 252000

(reported on)

Ram 1500 4WD

  • Automatic transmission
  • miles
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.

- Leesburg, FL, USA

problem #4

Jul 252000

(reported on)

Ram 1500

  • miles
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.

- Phoenix, AZ, USA

problem #3

Jul 192000

(reported on)

Ram 1500 4WD

  • Automatic transmission
  • miles
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.

- Kansas City, MO, USA

problem #2

May 221998

Ram 1500 4WD

  • miles
The ignition switch melted the plastic shroud under the steering column. The air conditioner was running when this occurred. The radio was on also. After this occurred, the radio no longer works right either. The dealer said there is a replacement switch, but did not cover it under the warranty. The dealer said they were having problems with the switch, that's why there was a new replacement switch. Cost over $350, including installation. This does not include replacing the radio. They did not know why the radio went bad. The dealer was fred beans in doylestown, pa. The original ball joints and front axle were never greased at the factory. There are no grease fittings to add grease. The dealer would not cover it under warranty. The mechanic said he could tell that they were bone dry & never greased at the factory.

- Perkasie, PA, USA

problem #1

Sep 091995

Ram 1500

  • miles
Ignition switch faiulure, the key gets stuck in the switch and can not get the key out.

- Tuscon, AZ, USA

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