Complaints
407
Crashes
22
Fires
17
Injuries
18
Fatalities
4
Recalls
0
Worst 1996 Dodge 1500 Problems
Top 3 most-reported issues with average mileage at failure.
#133 complaints
Automatic Transmission
Avg mileage:102,529 mi
Crash-related:1
#224 complaints
Service Brakes, Hydraulic:Antilock/Traction Control/Electronic Limited Slip
Avg mileage:24,571 mi
Crash-related:2
#320 complaints
Structural Problems
Avg mileage:119,700 mi
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All Problems by Category
Every NHTSA complaint category for the 1996 Dodge 1500.
| Component | Complaints | Crashes | Fires | Avg Mileage | Volume |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Automatic Transmission | 33 | 1 | — | 102,529 mi | |
| Service Brakes, Hydraulic:Antilock/Traction Control/Electronic Limited Slip | 24 | 2 | — | 24,571 mi | |
| Structural Problems | 20 | — | — | 119,700 mi | |
| Engine And Engine Cooling:Engine:Gasoline | 11 | — | 2 | — | |
| Suspension:Front | 11 | — | — | 98,692 mi | |
| Electrical Faults | 9 | — | 2 | 144,575 mi | |
| Engine And Engine Cooling:Engine | 9 | — | — | 96,000 mi | |
| Steering Defects | 9 | — | — | 136,098 mi | |
| Exterior Lighting:Headlights:Switch | 8 | — | 2 | 84,333 mi | |
| Latches/Locks/Linkages:Hood:Latch | 8 | 1 | — | 131,719 mi | |
| Tires:Tread/Belt | 8 | 1 | — | 100,000 mi | |
| Airbags | 7 | 3 | — | 143,333 mi | |
| Hydraulic Brakes | 7 | 2 | — | 152,798 mi | |
| Body Structure | 7 | — | — | 118,411 mi | |
| Suspension Failures | 7 | — | — | 95,510 mi | |
| Fuel Pump | 6 | — | 1 | 144,000 mi | |
| Manual Transmission | 6 | — | — | — | |
| Unintended Acceleration | 6 | 1 | — | 120,000 mi | |
| Power Train:Automatic Transmission:Cooling Unit And Lines | 5 | — | 2 | — | |
| Service Brakes, Hydraulic:Foundation Components | 5 | — | — | — | |
| Wheels:Lugs/Nuts/Bolts/Studs | 5 | 2 | — | — | |
| Electrical System:Wiring | 4 | — | 1 | — | |
| Gasoline Fuel System | 4 | — | 1 | — | |
| Seat-Related Issues | 4 | 1 | — | — | |
| Service Brakes, Hydraulic:Foundation Components:Hoses, Lines/Piping, And Fittings | 4 | — | — | — | |
| Steering: Steering Wheel/Handle Bar | 4 | — | — | — | |
| Steering:Linkages | 4 | — | — | — | |
| Air Bags:Frontal | 3 | 3 | — | — | |
| Electrical System:12v/24v/48v Battery | 3 | — | — | — |
Automatic Transmission
33
complaints
Crashes
1
Fires
—
Avg Miles
102,529
Service Brakes, Hydraulic:Antilock/Traction Control/Electronic Limited Slip
24
complaints
Crashes
2
Fires
—
Avg Miles
24,571
Structural Problems
20
complaints
Crashes
—
Fires
—
Avg Miles
119,700
Engine And Engine Cooling:Engine:Gasoline
11
complaints
Crashes
—
Fires
2
Avg Miles
—
Suspension:Front
11
complaints
Crashes
—
Fires
—
Avg Miles
98,692
Electrical Faults
9
complaints
Crashes
—
Fires
2
Avg Miles
144,575
Engine And Engine Cooling:Engine
9
complaints
Crashes
—
Fires
—
Avg Miles
96,000
Steering Defects
9
complaints
Crashes
—
Fires
—
Avg Miles
136,098
Exterior Lighting:Headlights:Switch
8
complaints
Crashes
—
Fires
2
Avg Miles
84,333
Latches/Locks/Linkages:Hood:Latch
8
complaints
Crashes
1
Fires
—
Avg Miles
131,719
Tires:Tread/Belt
8
complaints
Crashes
1
Fires
—
Avg Miles
100,000
Airbags
7
complaints
Crashes
3
Fires
—
Avg Miles
143,333
Hydraulic Brakes
7
complaints
Crashes
2
Fires
—
Avg Miles
152,798
Body Structure
7
complaints
Crashes
—
Fires
—
Avg Miles
118,411
Suspension Failures
7
complaints
Crashes
—
Fires
—
Avg Miles
95,510
Fuel Pump
6
complaints
Crashes
—
Fires
1
Avg Miles
144,000
Manual Transmission
6
complaints
Crashes
—
Fires
—
Avg Miles
—
Unintended Acceleration
6
complaints
Crashes
1
Fires
—
Avg Miles
120,000
Power Train:Automatic Transmission:Cooling Unit And Lines
5
complaints
Crashes
—
Fires
2
Avg Miles
—
Service Brakes, Hydraulic:Foundation Components
5
complaints
Crashes
—
Fires
—
Avg Miles
—
Wheels:Lugs/Nuts/Bolts/Studs
5
complaints
Crashes
2
Fires
—
Avg Miles
—
Electrical System:Wiring
4
complaints
Crashes
—
Fires
1
Avg Miles
—
Gasoline Fuel System
4
complaints
Crashes
—
Fires
1
Avg Miles
—
Seat-Related Issues
4
complaints
Crashes
1
Fires
—
Avg Miles
—
Service Brakes, Hydraulic:Foundation Components:Hoses, Lines/Piping, And Fittings
4
complaints
Crashes
—
Fires
—
Avg Miles
—
Steering: Steering Wheel/Handle Bar
4
complaints
Crashes
—
Fires
—
Avg Miles
—
Steering:Linkages
4
complaints
Crashes
—
Fires
—
Avg Miles
—
Air Bags:Frontal
3
complaints
Crashes
3
Fires
—
Avg Miles
—
Electrical System:12v/24v/48v Battery
3
complaints
Crashes
—
Fires
—
Avg Miles
—
Search Owner Complaints
Read what owners actually reported to NHTSA for the 1996 Dodge 1500. Type a keyword (e.g. “transmission”, “stalling”, “brakes”) to filter.
Other Dodge 1500 Years
1996 Dodge 1500 — FAQ
Answers based on real NHTSA complaint and recall data for this specific model year.
Is the 1996 Dodge 1500 reliable?
Verdict: Below Average Complaints. The 1996 Dodge 1500 has 407 NHTSA complaints, 22 crash-related, and 0 recall campaigns. The most common issue is Automatic Transmission with 33 complaints. Source: NHTSA via VinItel.
What are common problems with the 1996 Dodge 1500?
Top reported problems: Automatic Transmission (33 complaints, avg 102,529 mi); Service Brakes, Hydraulic:Antilock/Traction Control/Electronic Limited Slip (24 complaints, avg 24,571 mi); Structural Problems (20 complaints, avg 119,700 mi). Every complaint is filed by an owner with NHTSA — this is raw reported data, not editorial opinion.
At what mileage do problems start on the 1996 Dodge 1500?
The weighted average mileage at time of complaint is about 103,495 miles. Some components fail earlier, some later — check the "All Problems by Category" table above for per-issue averages.
How safe is the 1996 Dodge 1500?
NHTSA complaints for the 1996 Dodge 1500 include 22 crash-related reports, 17 fire reports, 18 injuries, and 4 fatalities. These are owner-reported incidents, not official crash-test ratings — a complaint being filed doesn't confirm a defect, but clusters around specific components are worth investigating.
Does the 1996 Dodge 1500 have any recalls?
No NHTSA recall campaigns have been issued for the 1996 Dodge 1500 as of the latest data sync. Verify by VIN for the most current status — new recalls can be issued years after a model year ships.
Should I buy a 1996 Dodge 1500?
Fewer complaints than typical for this model. That's a good sign, but every individual car is different — the VIN still tells you what happened to this specific one.
Source: NHTSA (National Highway Traffic Safety Administration) complaint and recall databases, aggregated by VinItel.
Wider context: See the full Dodge 1500 reliability report with year-by-year comparison and generation analysis.
Check Your Specific 1996 Dodge 1500
Real owner complaints tell you about the model. The VIN tells you about your specific car — accidents, title issues, odometer fraud.
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