RoadVitals

1996 Dodge Ram 3500

Recalls, owner-reported complaints, investigations and safety data

Data refreshed

Owner complaintsComplaints are reports submitted to NHTSA by owners and drivers. NHTSA does not verify most reports before publishing them, and a complaint does not establish that a defect exists. Volume is influenced by how many of a vehicle were sold, how long it has been on the road, and how much attention an issue has received.
124
Latest Jul 22, 2019
Safety recallsA safety recall is issued when a manufacturer or NHTSA determines that a vehicle has a safety-related defect or does not comply with a federal motor vehicle safety standard. Recall repairs are free. Whether a specific vehicle is covered depends on its VIN — a recall listed for a model year does not necessarily apply to every vehicle of that year.
1
Latest Feb 5, 1999
InvestigationsNHTSA opens an investigation to examine whether a safety defect may exist. An open investigation is not a determination that a defect exists, and many investigations close without a recall. Investigations can, however, lead to one.
2
Crash or fire reportedComplaints whose submitter recorded that a crash or a fire occurred. These are the reporter's own answers on the NHTSA form, not verified findings.
15
3 injuries, 0 deaths reported

Overview

Our database contains 124 NHTSA owner-reported complaints for the 1996 Dodge Ram 3500, most frequently naming the brakes, transmission and suspension categories. 1 safety recall has been issued covering this model year; 2 NHTSA investigations name it; and 12 manufacturer communications are on file.

Complaints are reports submitted by owners and drivers to NHTSA. They are not verified and do not establish that a defect exists.

What owners report

Complaints grouped by the component NHTSA recorded

Percentages are of component mentions. A single complaint can name more than one component, so these do not sum to the total complaint count.

Safety recalls

1 campaign cover this model year

Recalls apply to specific vehicles, not to every vehicle of a model year. Check your VIN with NHTSA or your manufacturer's dealer to confirm whether a recall affects your vehicle.

Check a VIN on NHTSA.gov
99V024000

EXTERIOR LIGHTING:HEADLIGHTS:SWITCH

Feb 5, 1999
79,366 units potentially affected
The defect: VEHICLE DESCRIPTION: MODEL 3500 LIGHT DUTY TRUCKS ONLY. OPERATION OF THE HEADLAMPS OVER AN EXTENDED PERIOD OF TIME CAN RESULT IN HEADLAMP SWITCH FAILURE, CAUSING THE HEADLAMPS OR PARK LAMPS TO GO OUT.
The risk: IF THE LIGHTS FAIL, A VISIBILITY PROBLEM COULD OCCUR, INCREASING THE RISK OF A VEHICLE CRASH.
The remedy: DEALERS WILL REPLACE THE HEADLAMP SWITCH INCLUDING A RELAY IN THE PARK LAMP WIRING CIRCUIT.
DAIMLERCHRYSLER CORPORATIONManufacturer number 819View on NHTSA.gov

Safety investigations

NHTSA inquiries naming this vehicle. An investigation is not a finding of a defect.

DP03006ClosedDefect Petition

SEAT BACK FAILURE

Opened Sep 23, 2003
Closed Apr 8, 2004

ODI HAS IDENTIFIED 30 INCIDENTS WHERE IT IS ALLEGED THE SEAT BACK COLLAPSED IN A REAR IMPACT CRASH.THESE INCIDENTS ARE ALLEGED TO HAVE CONTRIBUTED TO 23 INJURIES AND TWO DEATHS.THE DATA PRESENTED TO ODI SHOW THAT THE SEAT BACK STRENGTH OF THE FRONT SEATS COMPLY WITH FEDERAL MOTOR VEHICLE SAFETY STANDARD NO. 207. SEATING SYSTEM.ACCORDING TO DAIMLERCHRYLSER THE FRONT SEATS WERE DESIGNED TO COLLAPSE REARWARD IN REAR IMPACT CRASHES AS PART OF THE ENERGY ABSORPTIONCAPABILITIES OF THE SEATING SYSTEM TO REDUCE THE CHANCE OF SERIOUS INJURY TO THE OCCUPANT.RATES OF OCCURANCE WERE COMPARED TO PEER VEHICLES, AND IT WAS SHOWN THAT THE PERFORMACE OF THE SUBJECT VEHICLE WAS COMPARABLE TO THOSE VEHICLES.IN VIEW OF THE FORGOING, IT IS UNLIKELY THAT NHTSA WOULD ISSUE AN ORDER FOR THE NOTIFICATION REMEDY OF A SAFETY DEFECT IN THE SUBJECT VEHICLES AS DEFINED BY THE PETITIONER AT THE CONCLUSION OF THE INVESTIGATION REQUESTED IN THE PETITION.THERFORE, IN VIEW OF THE NEED TO ALLOCATE AND PRIORITIZE THE NHTSA'S LIMITED RESOURCES TO BEST ACCOMPLISH THE AGENCY'S MISSION, THE PETITION IS DENIED.FOR FURTHER DETAILS, REFER TO ODI'S RESPONSE TO THE PETITION PUBLISHED IN THE FEDERAL REGISTER VOL.69, NO. 60 , DATED MARCH 29, 2004.

SEATS
PE00048ClosedPreliminary Evaluation

LOSS OF THROTTLE CONTROL

Opened Dec 11, 2000
Closed Mar 7, 2001

ALLEGED THAT THE THROTTLE CABLE CAN FRAY OR SEVER DURING NORMAL USE RESULTING IN THE THROTTLE NOT RETURNING TO IDLE OR AN INABILITY TO ACCELERATE.

VEHICLE SPEED CONTROL:LINKAGESLed to recall 01V037000

Recent owner complaints

Reports submitted to NHTSA, shown in the owner's own words

View all 124
AirbagsElectricalExterior lighting
Filed Jul 22, 2019

DASH IS ALL CRACKED UP ALLOWING SHARP PLASTIC PROJECTILES IN AND ABOUT THE CAB THAT CAN CUT YOU IN A WRECK SUN GETTING ON ELECTRICAL WIRES DESTROYING THEM AND NOW SHORTS AND SOMETIMES DONT WORK RIGHT

NHTSA ID
11233910
Incident
Jul 22, 2019
Mileage
200,000 mi
Tires & wheels
Filed Apr 2, 2018

1996 DODGE RAM 3500. CONSUMER WRITES IN REGARDS TO VEHICLE TIRE TREAD SHREDS OFF CASING AND CAUSES SEVERE DAMAGE TO VEHICLE UNDERCARRIAGE. *SMD *TR

NHTSA ID
10914573
Incident
Apr 1, 2016
Filed Sep 7, 2017

"TAKATA RECALL" THE DASH ON MY TRUCK IS ALL CRACKED UP AND I TAKE VERY GOOD CARE OF MY TRUCK. IO CAME ACROSS AN ARTICLE ABOUT THE DODGE DASH'S I WENT RIGHT OUT SIDE AND PULLED MY DASH COVER BACK AND TOOK A LOOK AND TO MY SURPRISE MY DASH IS ALL CRACKED UP IN MANY PIECE'S . AND I HAVE HAD IT COVERED SINCE NEW...I DO FEEL THAT DODGE SHOULD BE HELD REASONABLE FOR THIS , LOOKS LIKE THEY USED CHEAP PLASTIC ON THESE, I CAN SEE IT NOW IF I WAS TO HAVE A WREAK PLASTICS PIECES FLYING ALL OVER THE PLACE.

NHTSA ID
11022149
Incident
Dec 25, 1996
Filed Jul 3, 2017

HEAT CAUSED THE DASH TO DRY OUT AND CRACK INTO LARGE JAGGED PIECES, THAT COULD HAVE FATAL CONSEQUENCES IF IN ANY TYPE OF ACCIDENT.

NHTSA ID
11002913
Incident
Jun 1, 2017
Mileage
110,987 mi
Suspension
Filed May 13, 2015
Crash reported

DEATH WOBBLE. VIOLENT SHAKING OF THE TRUCK. SIMPLY GOOGLE "DEATH WOBBLE" AND DODGE TRUCK. HOPE YOU DO SOMETHING BEFORE SOMEONE DOES GET KILLED.

NHTSA ID
10716312
Incident
Apr 13, 2012
Mileage
65,000 mi
Body & structure
Filed Apr 26, 2015

DASH FALLING APART DODGE DOES NOT HAVE REPLACEMENT/CANNOT FIND REPLACMENT. *TR

NHTSA ID
10712994
Incident
Jan 1, 2004
Mileage
80,000 mi
SteeringSuspension
Filed Mar 5, 2013

STEERING WOBBLES/SHAKES VIOLENTLY WHEN DRIVING. OFTEN INITIATED BY A MINOR IRREGULARITY IN ROAD PAVEMENT. REQUIRES COMING TO A FULL STOP TO ELIMINATE THE WOBBLE. RECURS OFTEN. DIFFICULT TO EXCEED 30MPH IN ORDER TO AVOID SHAKING. NO NOTICEABLY BAD OR BROKEN SUSPENSION PARTS. *TR

NHTSA ID
10501390
Incident
Mar 1, 2012
Mileage
98,090 mi
Electrical
Filed Jan 8, 2013
Fire reported

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 1996 DODGE RAM 3500. THE CONTACT STATED THAT WHILE PARKED, A THERMAL EVENT STARTED IN THE VEHICLE. UPON INSPECTION, IT WAS FOUND THAT THE FIRE ORIGINATED IN THE INSTRUMENT PANEL ABOVE THE HEADLIGHT SWITCH. THE CONTACT ALSO STATED THAT THE VEHICLE WAS PREVIOUSLY REPAIRED UNDER NHTSA CAMPAIGN ID NUMBER: 99V024000 (EXTERIOR LIGHTING:HEADLIGHTS:SWITCH). THE MANUFACTURER WAS CONTACTED AND STATED THAT AN INVESTIGATOR WILL INSPECT THE VEHICLE. THE VEHICLE WAS DESTROYED. THE APPROXIMATE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 170,000.

NHTSA ID
10491817
Incident
Jan 8, 2013
Mileage
170,000 mi

Manufacturer communications

A bulletin sent by a manufacturer to its dealers. Not a recall, and repairs are not necessarily free.

08-049-20

ELECTRICAL SYSTEM; EQUIPMENT

Charging System, Battery Diagnostic Tools and Warranty This information only bulletin discusses using the correct test equipment for testing batteries and charging systems, and also warranty reimbursement when battery replacements are necessary.

31-006-19

STRUCTURE

Repair Parts Used For Structural Repairs This bulletin involves discussing FCA US LLC position with regard to structural repair parts usage.

31-003-19

EQUIPMENT

Use of Salvage/Recycled Parts This bulletin involves discussing FCA US LLC position with regard to collision repair industry awareness regarding the use of recycled or salvage parts.

3100619

EQUIPMENT; STRUCTURE

Repair Parts Used For Structural Repairs This bulletin involves discussing FCA US LLC position with regard to structural repair parts usage.

3100319

STRUCTURE

Use of Salvage/Recycled Parts This bulletin involves discussing FCA US LLC position with regard to collision repair industry awareness regarding the use of recycled or salvage parts.

3100519

STRUCTURE

Use of Aftermarket Parts This bulletin involves discussing FCA US LLC position with regard to collision repair industry awareness regarding the use of aftermarket parts.

Manufacturers file copies of the bulletins they send to dealers with NHTSA. These often describe diagnostic or repair procedures for a known condition. They are not recalls: repairs described in a bulletin are usually only free if the vehicle is still under warranty or the manufacturer has extended coverage.

Compare model years

Complaint and recall counts across every year of this model

Dodge Ram 3500 by model year
YearComplaintsRecallsInvestigationsIssue Index
2015000—
2014000—
20123659154.1
20112235156.0
20101509256.9
20091055361.7
200817311363.8
200721014465.3
200625711660.5
20051967767.7
20042147870.1
20032869657.7
2002441036.2
20011301250.2
2000581252.2
19991041149.2
19981051152.6
19971251150.4
1996Viewing1241252.0
19951081653.5
1994701754.8
1993200131.4
1992100130.5
1991402—

Higher-selling and older vehicles accumulate more reports. Counts are not failure rates and are not directly comparable between vehicles that sold in very different numbers. Older model years have had longer for reports to accumulate.