DodgeRAM Pickup19965.9L V8/dodge/ram-pickup/1996/5-9l-v8/
BR platform

1996 Dodge RAM Pickup — 5.9L V8

Factory specifications, fluid capacities, torque values, EPA fuel economy and the federal safety record for the 1996 RAM Pickup 5.9L V8. Covers both the standard and High Output 5.9L V8.

Body VANEngine 5.9L V8Transmission Automatic 4-spd

The 1996 Dodge RAM Pickup 5.9L V8 is a BR-platform van-body truck powered by a 5.9L V8 mated to a 4-speed automatic transmission, requiring a substantial 10.0 quarts of oil with recommended viscosities of 15W-40, 10W-30, or 5W-30 and delivering EPA fuel economy estimates of 11 mpg city, 16 highway. Across the 1995–2002 generation, this model year sits within a reliability history marked by 1,091 total owner complaints, 15 recalls, and a primary trouble spot in the service brakes, hydraulic system, with the highest complaint volume occurring later in 1999, placing the 1996 model before the generation’s peak problem years.

Model year199919981997199619951994

Quick specs

Fluid capacities, tune-up values and fuel economy at a glance.

Engine oil capacity10.0 qtOEM · verified
Engine oil type15W-40 / 10W-30 / 5W-30OEM · verified
Lug nut torque130-160 ft-lbsOEM · verified
EPA fuel economy11/16/13 mpgEPA · verified

Fitment & sizes

Replacement part sizes and factory part numbers — battery, bulbs, filters and belts.

From the factory this vehicle uses a BCI 27 · 600 CCA battery, OE oil filter 05281090AB. Note the factory fuel filter, front wiper blades and serpentine belt are now discontinued — plan on a superseded or quality aftermarket equivalent, which the part pages below list where known. Each part links to every other vehicle that shares it, so a part you already stock may fit more of your fleet than you'd expect.

Battery groupBCI 27 · 600 CCAOEM · verified
Tire sizeLT225-75R16DOEM · verified
Wheel / rim6.5 inOEM · verified

OE service part numbers OEM · verified

Engine oil filter05281090AB
Engine air filter53004383AC
Fuel filter04798825AD discontinued
Spark plug68308887AA
BatteryBB27F101AA alt BB34U900AA
Front wiper blades55076910AA discontinued
Serpentine belt53010286AB discontinued · alt 53010277
Thermostat52028185AC alt 53021051AB

Full specifications

Engine, drivetrain, dimensions and economy.

Engine & drivetrain NHTSA vPIC

TransmissionAutomatic 4-spd

Dimensions & weight NHTSA vPIC

Overall length240.2 in
Overall width79.5 in
Overall height71.7 in
Wheelbase154.7 in
Curb weight4493 lb
Track (front / rear)66.9 / 66.9 in

Ratings & economy EPA / vPIC

EPA city / highway / combined11 / 16 / 13 mpg
DrivetrainRear-Wheel Drive
Recommended fuelRegular Gasoline

Service quick specs OEM factory data

Capacities, torques and tune-up values from the factory service manual.

This engine holds 10.0 qt of 15W-40 / 10W-30 / 5W-30 engine oil, 75W-90 · GL-5 in the differential, DOT 3 brake fluid. Torque lug nuts to 130-160 ft-lbs, the oil drain plug to 37.0 ft-lbs. The firing order is 1-8-4-3-6-5-7-2.

Lubricants & capacities

Brake FluidDOT 3
Differential Gear Oil80W-90 · GL-5
Differential Gear Oil Capacity7.6 Pints,
Differential Gear Oil75W-90 · GL-5
Differential Gear Oil Capacity7.5 Pints, non_mvc
Engine CoolantETHYLENE GLYCOL
Engine Oil15W-40 · 10W-30 · Synthetic · 5W-30
Engine Oil Capacity10.0 qt

Engine torques

Connecting Rod (Large End) Bearings48 ft-lbs
Crankshaft Pulley and/or Damper Bolts135 ft-lbs
Crankshaft Pulley and/or Damper Bolts135 Diesel 12V ft-lbs
Engine Flywheel Bolts55 ft-lbs
Exhaust Manifold to Cylinder Head Bolts18 ft-lbs
Exhaust Manifold to Cylinder Head Bolts25 ft-lbs
Engine Oil Pan Drain Plug25.0 ft-lbs
Engine Oil Pan Drain Plug37.0 ft-lbs

Chassis torques

Leaf Spring to Axle (U-bolts)6010
Leaf Spring to Chassis Bracket6010
Leaf Spring to Rear Shackle6010
Leaf Spring Rear Shackle to Chassis Bracket6010
Lug Nuts130-160 ft-lbs
Transfer Case Fill Plug35.0 ft-lbs
Transfer Case Drain Plug35.0 ft-lbs
Front Wheel Hub180 ft-lbs

Ignition

Cylinder Firing Order1-8-4-3-6-5-7-2
Curb Idle Speed (No Load)700 rpm
Curb Idle Speed Variance (No Load)200 rpm
Spark Plug ManufacturerChampion
Spark Plug TypeRC12LC4
Spark Plug Gap0.040 in
Spark Plug Torque30.0 ft-lbs

Battery & A/C

RefrigerantR134a
Refrigerant Capacity2.00 lbs
Oil GroupPAG
Oil TypeND 8 oil
Oil Capacity7.75 oz
Standard BCI Group Number27
Standard BCI Cranking Performance600 cca
Optional BCI Group Number27

Service checks

Pressure Test15 psi
Radiator Cap Pressure Relief14-18 psi
Fuel Pump Pressure Minimum54.0 psi
Regulated Fuel System Pressure (With Vacuum)44.0-54.0 psi
Regulated Fuel System Pressure (With Vacuum)25.0 psi
Injector Primary Resistance13-16 @ 68 degreesF ohms
Injector Primary Resistance13.3-15.7 @ 68 degreesF ohms
Engine Compression100 Minimum psi

Brakes

Torque to Knuckle38 ft-lbs
Torque to Knuckle38 ft-lbs
OtherLight Duty / Heavy Duty
OtherHeavy Duty
Torque to Knuckle38 ft-lbs
Rotor Max Parallel Variation0.001 in
Rotor Runout Limit0.005 in
Rotor Nominal Thickness From1.26 in / 1.578 in

Multi-step torque procedures OEM · verified

Intake Manifold to Engine Bolts — tightening sequence 1 stages
16 ft. lbs. ( 1 ft. lb. at a time.), step 2: bolts 5-12: 6 ft. lbs., step 3: all to 6 ft. lbs., step 4: all to 12 ft. lbs., step 5: all to 126 ft. lbs
Intake Manifold to Engine Bolts — tightening sequence 1 stages
16 ft. lbs. ( 1 ft. lbs. at a time.), step 2: bolts 5-12: 6 ft. lbs., step 3: all to 6 ft. lbs., step 4: all to 12 ft. lbs., step 5: all to 126 ft. lbs
Main Bearings — tightening sequence 1 stages
145 ft. lbs., Step 2: 88 ft. lbs., Step 3: 12945 ft. lbs

Factory maintenance schedule OEM · verified

Normal service, condensed from the factory interval matrix.

Under the factory schedule, replace the engine oil and filter every 7,500 mi; spark plugs every 60,000 mi; coolant every 30,000 mi. The big-interval services (every 30,000 mi for coolant, and the transmission fluid) are the ones owners most often skip — on a lower-mileage example, assume the original fluids are still in it and check them first.

Every 6,000 miBrake Line (inspect) · CV Joint Boot (inspect) · Differential (inspect fluid level) · Driveshaft U-Joint (lubricate) · Engine Coolant System (leak inspection) · Exhaust System (Complete) (inspect)
Every 7,500 miBrake Hydraulic System (inspect fluid level) · Engine Oil (drain & refill) · Power Steering Line (inspect)
Every 12,000 miFuel Filter (replace) · Water Pump (inspect)
Every 18,000 miAccessory Drive Belt (inspect) · Brake Linings (inspect) · Radiator Fan Clutch (inspect)
Every 22,500 miWheel Bearing (inspect)
Every 24,000 miBands (adjust) · Crankshaft Vibration Damper (inspect) · Engine Air Filter Element (replace) · Engine Breather Filter (clean) · Engine Valves (inspect valve lash) · Transmission Fluid & Filter (replace)
Every 30,000 miEngine Coolant System (drain, flush & refill)
At 60,000 miEngine Coolant System (drain, flush & refill) · PCV Valve (inspect)
Every 60,000 miDistributor Cap (inspect) · Distributor Rotor (inspect) · EGR Valve (replace) · PCV Valve (inspect) · PCV Valve (replace) · Spark Plug Wires (replace)

Owner how-tos

Condensed service procedures for routine maintenance. Procedures that require dealer diagnostic equipment are identified and summarized only.

Common procedures

Key fob — remote (RKE) programming programming new fob buttons Dealer tool OEM · verified
Tool requiredDRBIII scan tool (dealer / locksmith)
WhyTransmitter codes are written into the receiver in the passenger door module
Anti-theft (SKIS) — module initialization after immobilizer module replacement Dealer tool OEM · verified
When neededAfter Sentry Key Immobilizer Module (SKIM) replacement
Tool requiredDRBIII scan tool
Also requiredThe vehicle's four-digit PIN code

Reliability & federal safety record

Owner-reported issues, recalls, investigations and service bulletins on record with NHTSA — an unfiltered look at what owners actually experience.

The 1996 Dodge RAM Pickup exists outside the provided year-by-year federal record, with neighboring data points in 1995 and 1998; this gap prevents a direct annual comparison. However, the complaint trend across the generation shows complaints rising from 9 in 1995 to a peak of 33 in 1999 before moderating to 8 in 2000, suggesting the 1996 model would fall on the earlier side of an ascending complaint arc. Within 1996 specifically, Service Brakes, Hydraulic (201 complaints) and Power Train (162 complaints) dominate the complaint profile, with a notable 91 crash-related complaints and 41 fire-related complaints also recorded. The data does not specify root causes for these complaint concentrations. Compared to 1995's zero recalls and 1998's 20 complaints, 1996 appears positioned early in what became a notably complaint-heavy period for this generation. The takeaway is that while 1996 predates the worst years in the trend, its documented complaint profile—especially the elevated brake and power train issues alongside crash and fire complaints—suggests this is not a particularly strong candidate for purchase; prospective buyers should prioritize thorough pre-purchase inspections of braking and drivetrain systems.

15
Open recalls
NHTSA campaigns
121
Service bulletins
Manufacturer communications
10
ODI investigations
Office of Defects Investigation
1,091
Owner complaints
91 involved a crash · 41 a fire
Owner complaints by model year NHTSA · this generation & adjacent

Owner complaints filed with NHTSA, by component

All 1,091 complaints on record, top 8 components.

Service Brakes, Hydraulic201
Power Train162
Engine & Engine Cooling82
Suspension63
Electrical System59
Structure49
Steering48
Tires42

Source: NHTSA Office of Defects Investigation complaint database.

Recalls NHTSA · verified

No recall campaigns on record with NHTSA for this vehicle as of the last data refresh.

Technical service bulletins NHTSA · verified

Showing 5 of 121 bulletins on record with NHTSA.

BulletinDateComponentSummary
08-049-202020-04-22Electrical SystemCharging System, Battery Diagnostic Tools and Warranty This information only bulletin…
31005192019-11-20StructureUse of Aftermarket Parts This bulletin involves discussing FCA US LLC position with…
31006192019-11-20StructureRepair Parts Used For Structural Repairs This bulletin involves discussing FCA US LLC…
31003192019-11-20StructureUse of Salvage/Recycled Parts This bulletin involves discussing FCA US LLC position with…
31-006-192019-11-20StructureRepair Parts Used For Structural Repairs This bulletin involves discussing FCA US LLC…

Common OBD-II trouble codes

The most common OBD-II codes for this vehicle's emissions system. These are standardized SAE J2012 definitions, not vehicle-specific fault reports.

P0420
Catalyst system efficiency below threshold — Bank 1
P0300
Random / multiple cylinder misfire detected
P0171
System too lean — Bank 1
P0455
Evaporative emission system leak detected — large leak
P0128
Coolant thermostat below regulating temperature
P0442
Evaporative emission system leak detected — small leak

VIN tools

Decode factory build data for a specific vehicle by VIN.

VIN
Decode a VIN to confirm the transmission and build data for a specific RAM Pickup. OEM
Build data
Plant, GVWR class, engine and body data for any 17-character VIN.
Recalls
Check open recall campaigns against a specific vehicle by VIN.

Vehicles with shared specs

Find every vehicle that shares this one's battery, bulbs, oil capacity, platform or parts.

Reference guides

Cross-vehicle references for the kinds of data on this page.

Frequently asked

How much oil does the 1996 RAM Pickup 5.9L V8 take?

10.0 qt of Above 10 F: 15W-40 CG-4, CH-4, 0 F - 30 F: 10W-30 CG-4, CH-4, -10 F - 0 F: 10W-30 CG-4, CH-4, BELOW 0 F: Synthetic 5W-30 CG-4, CH-4, per the factory manual.

Does the 1996 RAM Pickup have open recalls?

NHTSA lists 15 recall campaign(s) for this model year. Check your specific vehicle by VIN.

What gas mileage does the 5.9L V8 get?

EPA figures are 11 city / 16 highway / 13 combined mpg.