1996 DODGE RAM 1500 Complaints

I HAVE A 1996 DODGE RAM 1500 PICKUP, WITH 104,000 MILES. THE HEAD LIGHT SWITCH SHORT CIRCUITED WHICH CAUSED THE WIRING CONNECTOR AND THE SWITCH CONNECTOR TO OVER HEAT AND MELT. I HAVE PURCHASED A NEW SWITCH AND THE AUTO PARTS STORE SAYS THIS HAPPENS OFTEN. ALSO WITH THE SWITCH OUT OF WORKING ORDER I HAD NO LIGHTS, THIS HAPPENED AT NIGHT. *JB

I OWN A 1996 DODGE RAM 1500 WITH THE 5.2 LITER ENGINE. THE ENGINE OIL LIGHT WOULD FLICKER WHEN STOPPED AT A STOP SIGN IN DRIVE. I TOOK IT TO THE DODGE DEALERSHIP AND THEY SAID THAT THE ENGINE WOULD HAVE TO BE REPLACED DUE TO THE WEAR. I HAVE USED MOBILE 1 SYNTHETIC OIL SINCE THE BREAKIN OIL AND NEVER LET THE OIL IN THE VEHICLE OVER 4,000 MILES. EACH TIME THE OIL FILTER WAS ALSO CHANGED. THE VEHICLE HAS 106,000 MILES ON IT AND THE ENGINE REPLACEMENT IS COSTING ME $4.700. I'VE BEEN TOLD THAT THE 5.2 LITER ENGINE DOES NOT HANDLE SYNTHETIC OIL WELL. THE OIL DOES NOT RETURN TO THE OIL PAN FAST ENOUGH TO KEEP THE BOTTOM OF THE ENGINE LUBRICATED. I FIND THIS HARD TO BELIEVE BUT I'VE NEVER WORE OUT AN ENGINE BEFORE. MY QUESTION IS HOW CAN AN ENGINE WEAR OUT WHEN IT WAS TAKEN SUCH GOOD CARE OF? I'VE HAD SEVERAL OTHER FAILURES OF THIS VEHICLE DEALING WITH U-JOINTS, STEERING SHAFT, FAILED FUEL PUMP, AND AN UNSTABLE SUSPENSION REQUIRING A $500 PISTON ASSEMBLY TO REPAIR BUT THE REPAIR DID NOTHING TO HELP. *NLM

WINDSHIELD CRACKED FOR NO APPARENT REASON IN JUNE 02. IT HAD RECENTLY PROGRESSED THE FULL LENGHT OF THE WINDSHILED OBSTRUCTING DRIVERS VIEW. DURING WINSHIELD REPLACEMENT TECHNICIAN FOUND WINDSHIELD WAS SEPERATED FROM POLYURETHANE BEDDING AND WAS LOOSE. THE ONLY THING HOLDING THE WINDSHIELD IN WAS THE MOULDING AROUND THE WINDSHIELD. TECHNICIAN SAID THE WINDSHIELD WAS EITHER PREPARED INCORRECTLY OR NOT PREPARED AT ALL DURING FACTORY INSTALLATION.

CONSUMER STATES WHILE DRIVING THE TRANSMISSION SLIPS NOTIFIED DEALER REPAIRED 40,000 MILES LATER PROBLEM REOCCURED. PLEASE PROVIDE ANY ADDITIONAL INFORMATION. TS

WHILE DRIVING, THE INTERIOR LIGHT FELL ON CONSUMER ALMOST CAUSING AN ACCIDENT. PLEASE PROVIDE MORE DETAILS. PH

DEALER REPLACE ONLY SOLENOIDS AND FILTER ON FIRST FAILER. THE 2ND FAILER REQUIRES A TOTAL REBUILD. THE TRANSMISSION SHOP SAID THE TRANSMISSION LINE SHOULD HAVE REPLACED AT THE DEALER. DT

CONSUMER STATES WHEN THE ENGINE WAS TURNED OFF FOR 30 MINUTES A FIRE BROKE OUT UNDER THE HOOD. MR

WHEN APPLYING BRAKES THEY RUBBED, THROWING DRIVER FORWARD. PLEASE PROVIDE FURTHER INFORMATION.*AK

WHEN HEADLIGHTS ARE TURNED ON THERE IS A BURNING SMELL AND SMOKE COMING FROM DASH NEAR WINDSHIELD. ONCE HEADLIGHTS ARE TURNED OFF THE SMOKE STOPS. VEHICLE HAS NOT BEEN EXAMINED BY DEALER.*JB

WHEN PUTTING VEHICLE INTO REVERSE THERE WAS A DELAY. DELAY BECAME LONGER AND LONGER, AND EVENTUALLY WOULD NOT REVERSE. CAUSE UNKNOWN.*AK