1996 Dodge RAM 1500 Power Train:automatic Transmission Problems

NHTSA component category: POWER TRAIN:AUTOMATIC TRANSMISSION · data through 07/12/2026

33Power Train:automatic Transmission complaints

11.1%Of all 298 complaints

#1Most-reported category

Source: U.S. NHTSA complaint data. Complaints are unverified reports from vehicle owners — a complaint is not a confirmed defect.

How power train:automatic transmission ranks on this vehicle

POWER TRAIN:AUTOMATIC TRANSMISSION33 · 11.1%

SERVICE BRAKES, HYDRAULIC:ANTILOCK/TRACTION CONTROL/ELECTRONIC LIMITED SLIP24 · 8.1%

STRUCTURE20 · 6.7%

Unspecified / other16 · 5.4%

SUSPENSION:FRONT11 · 3.7%

Share of the 298 complaints citing each category; one complaint can cite several. Full breakdown on the 1996 Dodge RAM 1500 overview page.

What owners report

“POOR/LOSS OF ACCELERATION, SHIFTING AT HIGH RPM'S, HOT FLOOR BOARDS. THE GENERIC TRANSMISSION FLUID USED BY DODGE (1996) DETERIORATED THE BANDS IN THE "TRANSMISSION CAUSING…”NHTSA complaint 724664 — filed 06/27/2000

“WHEN DRIVING AT 35MPH TRANSMISSION WENT OUT/LOCKED UP, CAUSING LOSS OF ALL ACCELERATION. CONSUMER CONTACTED THE DEALER, DEALER LINKED THE PROBLEM TO THE RADIATOR WHICH…”NHTSA complaint 861346 — filed 05/03/2000

“AUTOMATIC TRANSMISSION FAILS TO SHIFT INTO 3RD GEAR AT ANY SPEED. FAILS TO SHIFT INTO REVERSE WHEN VEHICLE WARM. PROBLEM BEGAN INTERMITTENTLY BUT GOT PROGRESSIVELY…”NHTSA complaint 711310 — filed 04/07/2000

Excerpts are shortened and scrubbed of personal details; they are individual, unverified reports.

Power Train:automatic Transmission complaints by year filed

Frequently asked questions

Does the 1996 Dodge RAM 1500 have power train:automatic transmission problems?

Power Train:automatic Transmission is the most-reported problem area on the 1996 Dodge RAM 1500: 33 of 298 complaints on file (11.1%). Complaints are unverified owner reports, not confirmed defects.

How many complaints does the 1996 Dodge RAM 1500 have in total?

298 complaints were on file with NHTSA as of 07/12/2026. Across all categories, 18 involved a crash, 17 involved a fire, 17 reported injuries, and 4 reported deaths.

What does NHTSA's power train:automatic transmission category include?

NHTSA assigns each complaint to standard component categories; this page reports the POWER TRAIN:AUTOMATIC TRANSMISSION category exactly as NHTSA defines and records it.

About this data — Complaint figures on this page are consumer reports submitted to the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA), a U.S. government agency. NHTSA does not verify individual complaints; a complaint is not proof that a defect exists, and counts reflect what owners chose to report, not confirmed failure rates. Recall information comes from official NHTSA safety recall campaigns; recall repairs are free at authorized dealers. Always check your specific vehicle by VIN at nhtsa.gov/recalls. CarModelProblems.com is an independent site and is not affiliated with NHTSA or any vehicle manufacturer. Data through 07/12/2026.