VehicleVerdict

1996 Dodge Ram 1500 engine problems

The 1996 Dodge Ram 1500 has 39 engine complaints filed with NHTSA — 10% of the year's total, and up sharply from the prior model year.

39

Engine complaints

10%

Share of year

1

Crash-involved

1

Related recalls

Engine complaints by year

Related recalls

06E024000EngineMarch 15, 2006 · 44,386 units

Defect

CERTAIN REPLACEMENT K&N FUEL PERFORMANCE KITS, P/NOS. 57-1509, 57-1511, 57-1511-1, 57-1517, 57-1517-1, 57-1527, AND 57-1530. ALSO, A SMALL PERCENTAGE OF THESE KITS WERE SOLD UNDER THE MOPAR PERFORMANCE PARTS BRAND NAME (P/NOS. P5007069 AND P5007070). ALL KITS WERE MANUFACTURED FROM APRIL 20, 1999, THROUGH SEPTEMBER 23, 2004. THESE ASSEMBLIES WERE MANUFACTURED AS REPLACEMENT EQUIPMENT FOR CERTAIN DODGE PICKUP TRUCKS AND SUVS. A SMALL PIECE OF MATERIAL FROM THE TUBE WALL COULD BE SUCKED INTO THE ENGINE THROTTLE BODY, WHICH COULD CAUSE THE THROTTLE TO BECOME JAMMED IN THE OPEN POSITION.

Consequence

A JAMMED OPEN THROTTLE COULD CAUSE UNINTENDED ACCELERATION OF THE VEHICLE, POSSIBLY RESULTING IN A CRASH OR INCREASED STOPING DISTANCES WHEN BRAKING.

Remedy

K&N WILL PROVIDE OWNERS WITH A FREE REPAIR KIT ALONG WITH REPAIR INSTRUCTIONS. THE RECALL BEGAN ON APRIL 20, 2006.

What owners report

THIS TRUCK BURNED FROM THE BACK END MY SON WAS DRIVING AND WENT OFF THE ROAD ON THE RIGHT SIDE AND WHEN HE RETURNED TO PAVEMENT THE TRUCK WENT SIDEWAYS DOWN THE ROAD AND THEN WENT OFF ON THE LEFT SIDE AND CRASHED AND BURNED, BURNING MY SON AND A FRIEND TO DEATH. WHAT WAS SO BAD I RECEIVED A RECALL…

Complaint filed with NHTSA · Engine · April 13, 1999 · crash · fire

Common questions

How many engine complaints does the 1996 Dodge Ram 1500 have?

NHTSA has 39 complaints about the 1996 Dodge Ram 1500 engine — 10% of all complaints filed for that model year.

Are there recalls for the 1996 Dodge Ram 1500 engine?

Yes — 1 NHTSA recall campaign for this model year is tied to the engine: 06E024000.

Related

Based on NHTSA ODI data through June 2026. Complaints are consumer-reported and unverified. Updated July 5, 2026.

Compiled by Sharon Ben-Moshe, Founder.