1996 Dodge Ram defect investigations

Investigations by NHTSA’s Office of Defects Investigation that name the 1996 Dodge Ram. An investigation is how complaints can become a recall: complaints → investigation → (sometimes) TSB → recall.

• SEAT BACK FAILURE
  Defect Petition DP03006 · opened Sep 23, 2003 · closed Apr 8, 2004

  Odi has identified 30 incidents where it is alleged the seat back collapsed in a rear impact crash.these incidents are alleged to have contributed to 23 injuries and two deaths.the data presented to odi show that the seat back strength of the front seats comply with federal motor vehicle safety standard no. 207. Seatin…

• HOOD LATCH
  Recall Query RQ00012 · opened May 3, 2000 · closed Apr 20, 2001 · led to recall 95V056000

  Onmarch 20, 1995, daimlerchrysler filed a defect report for 181,008 1994 and 1995 dodge ram trucks manufacturedc from january 21, 1994 - october 25, 1994 at the dodge city assembly plant and from march 26, 1994 - december 8, 1994 at the lago alberto assembly plant.the secondary hood latch rod could bind on the guide br…

• STEERING COLUMN FIRE
  Defect Petition DP00002 · opened Jan 20, 2000 · closed Apr 24, 2000

  Alleges that the poor design of the ignition switch assembly and//or the key cylinder assembly in the model year 1991-2000 vehicles may cause the steering column to catch fire

• STEERING COLUMN FIRES
  Engineering Analysis EA99027 · opened Sep 10, 1999 · closed May 30, 2000 · led to recall 00V135000

  ODI has received 33 complaints alleging excessive heat in the ignition switch and related circuitry in 1994-1996 Dodge Ram trucks.The root cause is an excessive current draw through the ignition switch result in fire, smoke, melting of surrounding plastics, stalling and the illumination of air bag and anti-lock brake s…

• IGNITION SWITCH
  Preliminary Evaluation PE99031 · opened May 5, 1999 · closed Sep 10, 1999

  Complainants allege fires, melting, smoke or excessive heat in the vicinity of the ignition switch

• TRANSMISSION QUICK CONNECTORS
  Recall Query RQ98002 · opened Mar 10, 1998 · still open · led to recall 97V084000

  On april 17, 1997, the chrysler corporation filed a defect information report concerning approximately 800,000 1994 through 1997 dodge ram pickups equipped with v6 or v8 engines and automatic transmissions, 1995 through 1997dodge ram pickups equipped with the v10 engine and automatic transmission, and the 1995 and 1996…

• CLUTCH HYDRAULIC LINE
  Engineering Analysis EA98005 · opened Feb 27, 1998 · closed May 24, 1999

  Alleged plastic clutch tube may fail from exposure to exhaust heat, resulting in loss of clutch function and possible vehicle fire.

• CLUTCH HYDRAULIC LINE FAILURE
  Preliminary Evaluation PE97043 · opened Oct 20, 1997 · closed Feb 27, 1998 · led to recall 99V115000

  Alleged clutch line may melt and leak hydraulic fluid in the vicinity of the exhaust manifold.leaked hydraulic fluid could ignite and cause a vehicle fire.

• TRANSMISSION FLUID FIRES
  Preliminary Evaluation PE96070 · opened Nov 26, 1996 · closed May 15, 1997 · led to recall 97V084000

  TRANSMISSION FLUID LEAKAGE AT COOLER TUBE DISCONNECTS IS ALLEGED TO HAVE RESULTED IN VEHICLE FIRES.(this resume was revises on 12/3/96 to include the 1996 model year truck equipped with the subject equipment)