10.0

really awful
Crashes / Fires:
4 / 0
Injuries / Deaths:
2 / 0
Average Mileage:
31,362 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 accessories - exterior problems

accessories - exterior problem

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

problem #21

Sep 242010

Ram 1500

  • 116,064 miles

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

The contact owns a 1996 Dodge Ram 1500. The contact stated that while driving 50 mph, the hood suddenly flew up, buckled and fractured the windshield. The vehicle was taken to an authorized dealer to have the vehicle repaired under NHTSA campaign id number: 01V040000 (latches/locks/linkages:hood:latch). The vehicle was inspected by a representative sent from the manufacturers office however, the representative declined recall repairs and would not provide any assistance, stating that there were two prior recall notices sent to owners of the recalled vehicles to prevent a failure. The contact had never taken the vehicle to the dealer for recall repairs when notified. The vehicle was not repaired. The failure mileage was 116,064 and the current mileage was 116,267.

- Saint Paul, MN, USA

problem #20

Feb 052007

Ram 1500 4WD 8-cyl

  • Automatic transmission
  • 129,000 miles
While driving home from work on 2/5/2007 the hood on the 1996 Dodge Ram P/U flew open, causing me to lose control of the vehicle. Just missing a bus, then coming to a stop after hitting the curb. The hood was damaged along with the windshield, also, front end hit the curb. Dodge refused to repair and replace the hood latch because they claimed the primary latch was defective, they only had a recall for the secondary latch. In the recall it stated that the hood could open if the primary latch was defective. If the secondary latch was not defective it would have prevented the hood from opening completely. I did not receive any recall notice for any defective hood latch. I could have been killed and/or killed other innocent people if this were to happen after entering I-95. Dodge should be forced to repair all hood latches on these vehicles, one was no good without the other. After taking my truck to a Dodge dealer they left the hood completely unlatched, and did not replace the bungy cord I had placed to prevent the hood from opening. When will Dodge be forced to repair this serious problem. After someone is injured. Dodge was negligent in allowing these latches to be kept on these vehicles.

- Norwood, PA, USA

problem #19

Mar 042007

Ram 1500

  • miles
19960 Dodge Ram 1500. Consumer states that while driving the hood unlatched. The hood bent backwards against the windshield which caused the vehicle to run off the road. Ohio traffic crash report.

- Niles, OH, USA

problem #18

Feb 052007

Ram 1500 4WD 8-cyl

  • Automatic transmission
  • 131,300 miles

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

The hood flew open while driving home, causing me to lose control and hitting the curb to stop the truck. Dodge reused to repair damage or supply me with a new latch, they stated the primary latch gave way, causing the hood to open. Dodge dealer stated the main latch was bad, if the secondary latch was operating as it was meant to the hood cound not have opened, Dodge was at fault. I am now afraid to drive my truck, but it was my only transportation.

- Norwood, PA, USA

problem #17

Sep 302006

Ram 1500 8-cyl

  • Automatic transmission
  • 131,000 miles
I was accelerating onto a limited access highway, J. turner butler blvd. Traveling approximately 45-50 mph when the hood of my truck released and crashed into my windshield blinding me. I was able to come to a stop and pull off the roadway without incident. Afterwards I did research to see if there were any recalls and found NHTSA 01V040000 for Dodge Ram 1500 pus for years 1994-1999 which indicated corrosion of the spring on the secondary latch could cause it to bind in the release position. I believe this is what happened to my truck. The recall however was only for trucks sold or registered in the salt belt states in the northern part of the country. I reside in a coastal area of Florida and purchased this truck used. It was originally sold on the West coast of Florida and I am a resident of jacksonville beach, but it was used in coastal Florida since it was sold. I am in the process of getting it repaired, and I will bear the cost since I just cancelled my comprehensive coverage (thought it was too costly for a 10 year old truck). I was just wondering why coastal regions were not included in the recall or if that needed more research?

- Jacksonville Beach, FL, USA

problem #16

Mar 092006

Ram 1500 8-cyl

  • Automatic transmission
  • 151,232 miles
On 3/9/06 my hood on my 1996 Dodge Ram 1500 blew open on the highway. There is damage to the hood and the hood hidges. There was a recall on the hood latch #01V04000. I contacted Dodge about this, they told me that they would repair the latch but not the damage to the truck. They should repair the damage also, since I did not receive the recall notice.

- Akron, OH, USA

problem #15

Mar 232002

Ram 1500

  • miles

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

While driving at 35-40 mph the hood flew up onto windshield. Vehicle is on thood latch recall 01V040000. Contacted dealer.

- Norton, OH, USA

problem #14

Feb 112002

(reported on)

Ram 1500

  • miles
While driving 40 mph hood unexpectedly unlatched, causing hood to release up right, resulting in damages to windshield and hood.

- Hobbs, NM, USA

problem #13

Oct 022001

Ram 1500

  • miles
01 V 040 000/hood latch: Dealer; jim baier Chrysler; fort madison, ia; phone # 319/372-1012 refused to honor recall notice. Consumer was told to take vehicle to another dealer. Feel free to provide any further information.

- Fort Madison, IA, USA

problem #12

Sep 262001

Ram 1500

  • miles
Consumer received notification that his vehicle was affected by recall 01V040000 concerning hood latch. Dealership was refusing to replace hood latch as described by corrective action for this recall. Please provide any additional information / attachments.

- New London, CT, USA

problem #11

Jul 192001

(reported on)

Ram 1500 4WD Diesel

  • miles

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

Was driving down a country road at 60mph and the hood of my 1996 Dodge chose to fly up. Fortunately, all I did was take the ditch and a gaurd rail. Could have been much worse. Chrysler said they turned it over to an investigation group back in early May. Still no word!

- Rushville, IN, USA

problem #10

Jun 022001

Ram 1500

  • Automatic transmission
  • miles
While driving 45 mph hood unexpectedly flew up, cause unknown. Hood failure caused $500 in damages.

- Allenton, WI, USA

problem #9

May 152001

Ram 1500 4WD

  • miles
Hood flew open. Smashed windshield and hood hinges.

- Delevan, NY, USA

problem #8

Apr 242001

(reported on)

Ram 1500

  • miles
Secondary hood latch rusted which caused hood to fly up while vehicle was being driven.

- Warren, MI, USA

problem #7

Apr 122001

(reported on)

Ram 1500

  • miles
While pulling out of driveway hood came open due to the secondary latch not performing.

- Bergen, NY, USA

problem #6

Mar 292001

Ram 1500 4WD

  • Automatic transmission
  • miles
While driving hood flew up, causing damage to the vehicle. A recall has been issued on vehicle's make and model; however, this vehicle is not included due to VIN. The manufacturer has inspected vehicle. During inspection inspector showed consumer where latch and secondary latches were rusted, the secondary latch once opened would not spring back into position.

- Hingham, MA, USA

problem #5

Feb 012001

Ram 1500

  • miles
Was driving on E-way going 70 miles per hour which is the speed limit when hood flew up and smashed into windshield the hood has not been open since Nov. 21st,2000 when I had the oil changed and this happened on Feb. 1st, 2001 there was no indication that the hood had been released and when we pulled on the release lever inside truck the latch under the hood does not move there are no broken parts on the latch either.

- Flint, MI, USA

problem #4

Jul 242000

(reported on)

Ram 1500

  • miles
While driving at 55 mph hood latch gave way, causing hood to fly up on the windshield. Dealer has been contacted.

- Tully, NY, USA

problem #3

Jul 152000

Ram 1500

  • Manual transmission
  • miles
Consumer was traveling about 55mph on the highway and hood popped off and hit windshield. Safety latch has a defect on it.

- Rochester, NY, USA

problem #2

Dec 141998

(reported on)

Ram 1500

  • miles
Hood latch failed causing hood to open and obscure vision resulting in damage to vehicle.

- Ocean Bluff, MA, USA

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