10.0

really awful
Crashes / Fires:
4 / 0
Injuries / Deaths:
1 / 0
Average Mileage:
3,250 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 Van 1500 engine problems

engine problem

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1996 Dodge Ram Van 1500 Owner Comments (Page 1 of 2)

problem #24

Sep 262003

Ram Van 1500 6-cyl

  • Automatic transmission
  • 78,000 miles

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

When the consumer started the vehicle, it suddenly accelerated. The RPM's had gone into the red. The consumer had taken the vehicle to the repair shop, but the mechanic could not repair it because he could not duplicate the problem. The tow truck driver had viewed one of the cables in a "U" shape and it was stuck into a spring on the gas pedal.

- Dahlonega, GA, USA

problem #23

Sep 152002

Ram Van 1500

  • miles
Consumer still having problem after the recall repair has been performed on the vehicle. Recall#01V037000 throttle control. Community motors 354 South hwy55 price, ut 84501 1800-944-0219.

- Elmo, UT, USA

problem #22

Feb 192002

(reported on)

Ram Van 1500

  • miles
Consumer was sent a recall notice (01V037000) for the throttle sticking on the vehicle. Consumer made an appointment under the assurance the parts would be in. They were not in so they were ordered. Consumer brought vehicle back and the repair was completed. The vehicle now idles high and the throttle is worse. Consumer oiled the linkages and the problem was better. Consumer brought vehicle back to the repair shop and was informed the throttle rod was bad and would cost for replacement. Consumer feels no charge should accompany the added work because the recall failed to remedy the problem.

- Wheaton, IL, USA

problem #21

Jun 092002

Ram Van 1500 4WD

  • miles

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

Shifted from park to reverse. Engine idled fast, truck took off in reverse and could not be stopped by pressing on the brake. Speed probably accelerated to 20 mph before hit 3 other vehicles. Witnesses said the rear tires were spinning and the engine noise was high pitched and oscillating.

- Palm Bay, FL, USA

problem #20

Oct 022001

(reported on)

Ram Van 1500

  • miles
Consumer is not satisified with the length of time it is taking to perform recall, even after having parts ordered in advance, consumer requested that vehicle be serviced the same day, however he received a call stating that the repairs had not been started, consumer then returned vehicle only to later be informed that the part broke and was said to defective, and another part was to be ordered.

- Hopeland, CA, USA

problem #19

Oct 022001

(reported on)

Ram Van 1500

  • miles
Consumer is not satisified with the length of time it is taking to perform recall, even after having parts ordered in advance, consumer requested that vehicle be serviced the same day, however he received a call stating that the repairs had not been started, consumer then returned vehicle only to later be informed that the part broke and was said to defective, and another part was to be ordered.

- Hopeland, CA, USA

problem #18

May 302000

Ram Van 1500 4WD Diesel

  • Automatic transmission
  • miles

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

Recall 01 V 037 000/throttle cable: Dealer / manufacturer is telling consumer that this recall does not exist; asking NHTSA help in this matter.

- Chesapeake, VA, USA

problem #17

Jun 052001

(reported on)

Ram Van 1500

  • miles
On three occasions vehicle accelerated suddenly and unexpectedly. Dealer has been notified.

- Pittston, PA, USA

problem #16

Sep 011999

Ram Van 1500 Diesel

  • Automatic transmission
  • miles
Throttle cable frayed once at 70mph. Dealer has been notified.. cruise control cable also frayed.

- Iron Mountain, MI, USA

problem #15

Jan 262001

Ram Van 1500 Diesel

  • miles
On January 26, 2001 during an inspection, I noticed several frayed strands on the accelerator cable where it emerges from the sheath near the injector pump. I bought a new cable that same day and noticed it is of a different design than the original. If there was enough of a problem to cause a redesign of the part, it seems DC Corp. Should have notified the owners. With the powerful torque of this engine, this is a definate safety concern as it would be hard to bring it to a stop should the cable fail at highway speeds.

- Boise, ID, USA

problem #14

Jan 162001

(reported on)

Ram Van 1500 4WD Diesel

  • Manual transmission
  • miles

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

The throttle cable failed, causing ABS and brake lights to be illuminated, also caused cruise control to hunt, consumer tapped to disengage cruise control and the accelerator stuck.

- Marshfield, WI, USA

problem #13

Nov 152000

Ram Van 1500

  • Automatic transmission
  • miles
Airbag light came on after being hit on back end of vehicle. Dealer found internal wiring problem, airbag sensor had to replaced.

- Taswell, VA, USA

problem #12

Jun 102000

Ram Van 1500

  • miles
While driving my truck on the interstate hwy at a speed of 60 mph, with the cruise control ingaged my truck excelerated to speed of 90+ mph, I was unalbe to stop the vechical.

- Ft. Worth, TX, USA

problem #11

Jun 102000

Ram Van 1500

  • miles
While driving my truck on the interstate hwy at a speed of 60 mph, with the cruise control ingaged my truck excelerated to speed of 90+ mph, I was unalbe to stop the vechical.

- Ft. Worth, TX, USA

problem #10

May 211999

Ram Van 1500

  • Automatic transmission
  • miles
While driving vehicle suddenly accelerated, causing a crash. Sudden acceleration problem happened once before. Dealer could not determine the problem. Brake failed.

- Cabot, AR, USA

problem #9

Jul 211998

Ram Van 1500 4WD Diesel

  • miles
While driving on the freeway and towing a trailer the throttle linkage jammed all the way on. I had to turn the ignition off to stop. The throttle cable had become frayed inside of a sheath on the linkage cable and jammed inside the sheath.

- Arcata, CA, USA

problem #8

Jun 161998

(reported on)

Ram Van 1500

  • miles
Making routine stop engine will begin to surge for at least 20 seconds, causing the consumer to press hard on brakes until they squeak, resulting in loss of control. Dealer has reprogrammed computer 3 times and replaced idle speed motor. Defect is still occurring.

- Granger, IN, USA

problem #7

Nov 061997

(reported on)

Ram Van 1500

  • miles
Replace missing bolt on throttle linkage were it bolts to fuel pump, reinstall drive shaft, run and check engine.

- Saint Marys, OH, USA

problem #6

Mar 181996

Ram Van 1500

  • Automatic transmission
  • miles
Cruise control failed due to improper installation of the security system.

- Marietta, GA, USA

problem #5

Mar 201997

Ram Van 1500

  • Automatic transmission
  • miles
While driving, could hear wind noise coming through the door on driver's side, continued driving, later, checked door, door lock post where normally welded to frame/covered with sheet metal, came off. Dealer rewelded door post back to frame. Had to be redone again 6 months later. Water leak at rear seam. While cruise control was activated at 68 mph, vehicle accelerated to 78 mph and was climbing. While driving in extreme heat, the clutch fan engages, there is a loss of power, and there is very low fuel economy.

- Bartow, FL, USA

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