Five problems related to structure have been reported for the 1996 Dodge Ram 1500. The most recently reported issues are listed below.
I bought the Dodge ram used a (1996) I love the truck, except for the dashboard. It started as one small crack, and is from the windshield all the way back to the gauge cluster. And now there are more cracks starting ! I know it's just a matter of time before I too have a caved in dashboard!.
1996 Ram 1500 sway bar attachment failed. The consumer stated when the sway bar fell to the ground, it caused the front wheels to rapidly go from full-left to full right at the rate of several times per second. Subsequent inspection showed that the sway bar plate had never been machine welded to the frame and for several years had been held on only by three small spot welds, meant to hold the plate in place for the machine welder. The machine weld appeared to be about an eighth to a sixteenth of an inch off, missing the entire plate.
1996 Dodge Ram 1500's sway bar link broke while driving. Prior to the sway bar breaking, the vehicle began to shake violently. The vehicle was brought to a stop on the side of the road. Subsequent inspection of the truck showed that the sway bar plate had never been machine welded to the frame and had been held on only by three spot welds. The problem was brought to the attention of the manufacturer but they were not interested and provided no assistance.
I have a 1996 Dodge Ram 1500 truck and the dash board is falling apart. It started as small cracks around the vents and soon speed all over the dash. I am worried about the function of the air bag system. I have talked to other Dodge truck owners and they have had the same problem. I think it must be bad material the Dodge used in the dashes.
My Dodge Ram 1500's dashboard is completely falling apart. It started 5 years ago and has accelerated over the past three, no matter how protected the dash board is from the sun. It has multiple cracks which are causing the dash board to collapse and become lose and is becoming a safety hazard as well as very unappealing. I purchased this truck new and have taken excessively good care of it. There is no reason that this problem occurred due to my actions. It is a quality of manufacture and materials.