DodgeRAM Van, Wagon19965.9L V8/dodge/ram-van-wagon/1996/5-9l-v8/
AB platform

1996 Dodge RAM Van, Wagon — 5.9L V8

Factory specifications, fluid capacities, torque values, EPA fuel economy and the federal safety record for the 1996 RAM Van, Wagon 5.9L V8.

Body TRUCKEngine 5.9L V8

Classified as a truck and built on the AB platform, the 1996 Dodge RAM Van and Wagon featured a 5.9L V8 engine requiring a substantial 10.0 quarts of oil—specified in 15W-40, 10W-30, or 5W-30 viscosities—to maintain proper lubrication. Despite this robust mechanical footprint, the 1996 model year represents a notably problematic chapter in the vehicle's reliability history. Accumulating 1075 total owner complaints and 15 recalls, with Service Brakes, Hydraulic identified as the top complaint area, this vintage signals to researchers that braking system vulnerabilities and overall maintenance demands heavily dictate the long-term viability of this specific model.

Model year200320022001200019991997199619951994

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 torque175-225 ft-lbsOEM · 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 Note the factory engine air filter, fuel filter and serpentine belt are now discontinued — plan on a superseded or quality aftermarket equivalent, which the part pages below list where known.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 filter05016646AA discontinued
Fuel filter04798825AD discontinued
Spark plug68308887AA alt 68305411AA
BatteryBB27F101AA alt BB34U900AA
Front wiper blades1BP00671AA alt 55155444
Serpentine belt53010281 discontinued · alt 53010278AB
Thermostat52028185AC alt 53021051AB

Full specifications

Engine, drivetrain, dimensions and economy.

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

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, 80W-90 · GL-5 in the differential, DOT 3 brake fluid. Torque lug nuts to 175-225 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 Oil75W-90 · GL-5
Differential Gear Oil Capacity7.5 Pints, non_mvc
Differential Gear Oil80W-90 · GL-5
Differential Gear Oil Capacity7.6 Pints,
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 Nuts175-225 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
Oil GroupPAG
Oil TypeND 8 oil
Standard BCI Group Number27
Standard BCI Cranking Performance600 cca
Optional BCI Group Number27
Optional BCI Cranking Performance750 cca
Standard BCI Group Number27

Service checks

Pressure Test15 psi
Radiator Cap Pressure Relief14-20 psi
Thermostat Opening Temperature192-199 °F
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

Brakes

Torque Caliper to Bracket15 ft-lbs
Torque to Knuckle1
Torque to Knuckle38 ft-lbs
Torque to Knuckle38 ft-lbs
OtherLight Duty / Heavy Duty
Drum Runout Limit0.006 in / 0.008 in
Drum Nominal Diameter11 in / 12 in / 10 in / 13 in
Drum Maximum Machining11.06 in / 12.06 in / 10.06 in / 13.06 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 (replace) · PCV Valve (inspect) · 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.

Owner complaints about the 1996 Dodge RAM Van, Wagon lead in one area — the service brakes, hydraulic, 199 of 1,075 reports (19%), well ahead of the next concern. NHTSA has issued no recalls for this vehicle, so these are owner-reported concerns only. 92 of the reports describe a crash and 41 a fire — a small share of the total, but worth weighing against the service brakes, hydraulic pattern above. These are tallies of what owners actually reported to the federal government, not an editorial score — and higher-selling models naturally rack up more reports.

15
Open recalls
NHTSA campaigns
109
Service bulletins
Manufacturer communications
9
ODI investigations
Office of Defects Investigation
1,075
Owner complaints
92 involved a crash · 41 a fire

Owner complaints filed with NHTSA, by component

All 1,075 complaints on record, top 8 components.

Service Brakes, Hydraulic199
Power Train157
Engine & Engine Cooling81
Suspension63
Electrical System59
Steering49
Structure48
Air Bags41

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 109 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

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VIN
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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 Van, Wagon 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 Van, Wagon have open recalls?

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