1996 Dodge Ram 3500 Problems
Owner-reported complaints filed with NHTSA, grouped by component
Data refreshed
What this page shows
Everything below is an owner-reported complaint submitted to NHTSA about the 1996 Dodge Ram 3500, grouped by the component NHTSA recorded on the report. These are not confirmed defects, and they are not recalls. NHTSA does not verify most reports before publishing them, and a category with more reports in it is not evidence that a part is defective.
Complaints are reports submitted by owners and drivers to NHTSA. They are not verified and do not establish that a defect exists.
Reports by component
Ranked by how many owner reports name each component category
- Brakes3823.8%
- Transmission1911.9%
- Suspension1610.0%
- Body & structure116.9%
- Driver assistance116.9%
- Steering106.3%
- Exterior lighting95.6%
- Fuel system85.0%
- Engine74.4%
- Interior & seats74.4%
- Tires & wheels74.4%
- Electrical63.8%
- Visibility31.9%
- Heating & air conditioning31.9%
- Other / unspecified31.9%
- Airbags21.3%
Percentages are of component mentions. A single complaint can name more than one component, so these do not sum to the total complaint count.
Each component in detail
What the reports in each category say, in the owners' own words
Brakes
Reports naming service brakes, the antilock braking system, brake hoses, master cylinders or the parking brake.
From owner reports, verbatim
BRAKE FAILURE, DUE TO BRAKE LINE TO REAR WHEELS RUSTED OUT IN FRAME CLIP BEHIND FUEL TANK. *TR
TL*THE CONTACT OWNS A 1996 DODGE RAM 3500. WHILE DRIVING APPROXIMATELY 40 MPH, THE CONTACT DEPRESSED THE BRAKE PEDAL AND THE VEHICLE SLOWED DOWN AFTER SEVERAL ATTEMPTS. THE BRAKE WARNING LIGHT ILLUMINATED ON THE INSTRUMENT PANEL. THE VEHICLE WAS DRIVEN ONTO THE SIDE OF THE ROAD AND TOWED TO THE CONTACT'S RESIDENCE. THE FAILURE WAS RELATED TO RUST IN THE BRAKE LINE SYSTEM. THE FAILURE OCCURRED ON TWO SEPARATE OCCASIONS. THE VEHICLE HAS NOT BEEN REPAIRED; HOWEVER,THE CONTACT WILL PERFORM THE REPAIR HIMSELF. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 103,753 AND CURRENT MILEAGE WAS 104,000.
Transmission
Reports naming the automatic or manual transmission, including shifting behaviour, shudder, slipping and transmission control modules.
From owner reports, verbatim
BRAKE LINE FAILURE DUE TO CORROSION ALSO CORROSION OF TRANSMISSION AND FUEL LINES 1996 DODGE RAM 3500 PICKUP 4WD EXT CAB. *TR
CONSUMER CONTACTED MANUFACTURER TO VERIFY IF MANUFACTURER'S RECALL 722 REPAIRS WERE DONE. MANUFACTURER INSISTED THAT REPAIRS WERE PERFORMED BUT THEY HAD NO RECORDS OF IT DONE. VEHICLE WAS THEN INVOLVED IN A FIRE WHICH WAS CAUSED BY THE TRANSMISSION COOLING UNIT AND LINE QUICK CONNECTION MELTING . THERE WERE NO INJURIES.*AK
Suspension
Reports naming suspension components — springs, struts, shocks, control arms and related hardware.
From owner reports, verbatim
DEATH WOBBLE. VIOLENT SHAKING OF THE TRUCK. SIMPLY GOOGLE "DEATH WOBBLE" AND DODGE TRUCK. HOPE YOU DO SOMETHING BEFORE SOMEONE DOES GET KILLED.
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
Body & structure
Reports naming the vehicle structure, frame, body panels, doors, hood and trim.
From owner reports, verbatim
DASH FALLING APART DODGE DOES NOT HAVE REPLACEMENT/CANNOT FIND REPLACMENT. *TR
I PURCHASED THIS TRUCK IN 2003 AND THE DASH WAS CRACKED. IT SHAKES AND RATTLES WHENEVER I HIT ANY BUMPS IN THE ROAD. DODGE WILL DO NOTHING BUT TRY TO SELL ME ANOTHER DASH AT A SKY HIGH RATE. I'M AFRAID THE DASH WILL COMPLETELY FALL APART WHILE MY WIFE OR I AM DRIVING DOWN THE ROAD. I AM NOW EXPERIENCING A VACUUM PROBLEM WITH SOME LINES UNDER THE DASH CAUSED BY THIS SINCE THE DASH MOVES SO MUCH. MY ABS LIGHT IS ON, MY CRUISE CONTROL DOESN'T WORK AND THE AIRCONDITIONING ONLY BLOWS OUT OF THE DEFROST VENT. *TR
Driver assistance
Reports naming forward-collision avoidance, lane keeping, back-over prevention, cruise control and related electronic driver-assistance systems.
From owner reports, verbatim
TL*THE CONTACT OWNS A 1996 DODGE RAM 3500. THE CONTACT TOOK THE VEHICLE TO AN AUTHORIZED DEALERSHIP FOR A THROTTLE CABLE REPAIR MARCH 2010 BUT THE DEALER ONLY REPLACED THE THROTTLE CABLE AND NO OTHER REQUIRED PARTS THAT WOULD KEEP THE CABLE FROM FAILING. AS A RESULT, THE CABLE BECAME LOOSE TWICE AFTER THE REPAIR WHILE THE CONTACT WAS DRIVING AT APPROXIMATELY 35 MPH. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN BACK TO THE DEALERSHIP. THE DEALER REPLACED THE FAILED THROTTLE TWICE. THE CONTACT THEN TOOK THE VEHICLE TO A LOCAL REPAIR SHOP AS THE DEALER WAS NOT ABLE TO CORRECT THE PROBLEM. THE MECHANIC AT THE REPAIR SHOP INFORMED HER THAT THE FAILURE WAS CAUSED BY THE THROTTLE ROD BALL, THE BALL STUD, THROTTLE CABLE STUD, THE THROTTLE ROD THREAD (LEFT AND RIGHT) AND THE THROTTLE RETURN SPRING. IN ADDITION TO THE THROTTLE FAILURE, CONTACT STATED THAT THE HEADLIGHT REPAIR PERFORMED JUNE 2009 DID NOT CORRECT THE PROBLEM; THE HEADLIGHT PLASTIC AND SWITCH MELTED EVEN AFTER THE REPAIR. SHE CALLED THE MANUFACTURER AND FILED A COMPLAINT; THE MANUFACTURER EXPLAINED THAT THE THROTTLE FAILURE WAS NOT DUE TO A MANUFACTURERS DEFECT BUT INSTEAD TO THE DEALERS POOR WORKMANSHIP. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS APPROXIMATELY 221,010. THE CURRENT MILEAGE WAS 221,061.
I PURCHASED THIS TRUCK IN 2003 AND THE DASH WAS CRACKED. IT SHAKES AND RATTLES WHENEVER I HIT ANY BUMPS IN THE ROAD. DODGE WILL DO NOTHING BUT TRY TO SELL ME ANOTHER DASH AT A SKY HIGH RATE. I'M AFRAID THE DASH WILL COMPLETELY FALL APART WHILE MY WIFE OR I AM DRIVING DOWN THE ROAD. I AM NOW EXPERIENCING A VACUUM PROBLEM WITH SOME LINES UNDER THE DASH CAUSED BY THIS SINCE THE DASH MOVES SO MUCH. MY ABS LIGHT IS ON, MY CRUISE CONTROL DOESN'T WORK AND THE AIRCONDITIONING ONLY BLOWS OUT OF THE DEFROST VENT. *TR
Steering
Reports naming the steering system — racks, columns, power-steering assist and steering linkage.
From owner reports, verbatim
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
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 1996 DODGE RAM 3500. WHILE DRIVING APPROXIMATELY 45 MPH, THE FRONT END OF THE VEHICLE BEGAN TO SHAKE VIGOROUSLY. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO AN INDEPENDENT MECHANIC FOR DIAGNOSTIC TESTING WHERE THE MECHANIC PERFORMED REPAIRS TO THE STEERING ASSEMBLY. THE CONTACT WAS UNAWARE OF THE EXACT REPAIRS PERFORMED. APPROXIMATELY TWO YEARS AFTER THE REPAIR, THE FAILURE RECURRED. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT FURTHER REPAIRED. THE APPROXIMATE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 45,000.
Exterior lighting
Reports naming headlights, tail lights, turn signals and other exterior lighting.
From owner reports, verbatim
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
TL*THE CONTACT OWNS A 1996 DODGE RAM 3500. THE CONTACT TOOK THE VEHICLE TO AN AUTHORIZED DEALERSHIP FOR A THROTTLE CABLE REPAIR MARCH 2010 BUT THE DEALER ONLY REPLACED THE THROTTLE CABLE AND NO OTHER REQUIRED PARTS THAT WOULD KEEP THE CABLE FROM FAILING. AS A RESULT, THE CABLE BECAME LOOSE TWICE AFTER THE REPAIR WHILE THE CONTACT WAS DRIVING AT APPROXIMATELY 35 MPH. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN BACK TO THE DEALERSHIP. THE DEALER REPLACED THE FAILED THROTTLE TWICE. THE CONTACT THEN TOOK THE VEHICLE TO A LOCAL REPAIR SHOP AS THE DEALER WAS NOT ABLE TO CORRECT THE PROBLEM. THE MECHANIC AT THE REPAIR SHOP INFORMED HER THAT THE FAILURE WAS CAUSED BY THE THROTTLE ROD BALL, THE BALL STUD, THROTTLE CABLE STUD, THE THROTTLE ROD THREAD (LEFT AND RIGHT) AND THE THROTTLE RETURN SPRING. IN ADDITION TO THE THROTTLE FAILURE, CONTACT STATED THAT THE HEADLIGHT REPAIR PERFORMED JUNE 2009 DID NOT CORRECT THE PROBLEM; THE HEADLIGHT PLASTIC AND SWITCH MELTED EVEN AFTER THE REPAIR. SHE CALLED THE MANUFACTURER AND FILED A COMPLAINT; THE MANUFACTURER EXPLAINED THAT THE THROTTLE FAILURE WAS NOT DUE TO A MANUFACTURERS DEFECT BUT INSTEAD TO THE DEALERS POOR WORKMANSHIP. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS APPROXIMATELY 221,010. THE CURRENT MILEAGE WAS 221,061.
Fuel system
Reports naming fuel storage or delivery — tanks, pumps, lines, injectors and fuel leaks.
From owner reports, verbatim
BRAKE LINE FAILURE DUE TO CORROSION ALSO CORROSION OF TRANSMISSION AND FUEL LINES 1996 DODGE RAM 3500 PICKUP 4WD EXT CAB. *TR
MY 1996 V10 DODGE RAM 3500 PICKUP HAD 3 CATALYTIC CONVERTERS PLUG UP IN A 4 YEAR PERIOD DUE TO REAR INJECTORS BEING PLUGGED. THERE IS NO FUEL FILTER IN LINE AND THE SCREEN IN THE INJECTORS PLUGS OVER THE COURSE OF ABOUT A YEAR. AT A REPLACEMENT COST OF $600.00, THE DEALERSHIP IS NOT MOTIVATED TO ELIMINATE THE PROBLEM. *JB
Engine
Reports naming the engine itself — including stalling, misfires, oil consumption, cooling and internal engine components.
From owner reports, verbatim
WAS DRIVING VEHICLE IT STALLED. CONSUMER TRIED TO RESTART VEHICLE, BUT VEHICLE WOULD NOT RESTART. *AK
MY 1996 V10 DODGE RAM 3500 PICKUP HAD 3 CATALYTIC CONVERTERS PLUG UP IN A 4 YEAR PERIOD DUE TO REAR INJECTORS BEING PLUGGED. THERE IS NO FUEL FILTER IN LINE AND THE SCREEN IN THE INJECTORS PLUGS OVER THE COURSE OF ABOUT A YEAR. AT A REPLACEMENT COST OF $600.00, THE DEALERSHIP IS NOT MOTIVATED TO ELIMINATE THE PROBLEM. *JB
Too few reports in this category for a page of its own — they appear in the full complaint list.
Interior & seats
Reports naming seats, latches, locks, linkages and interior fittings.
From owner reports, verbatim
1) NORMAL WEAR ON SEAT BACK LATCH ASSEMBLY, BY ACCESS INTO THE EXTENDED PORTION OF THE CAB ASSEMBLY; 2) SEAT BACK ON DRIVERS SIDE AND ON PASSENGER SIDE FAIL TO LOCK SECURLY IN AN UPRIGHT POSITION, THE LATCHES SLIP UNDER PRESSURE AND RELEASE THE SEAT BACK TO FOLD FORWARD. UNDER HARD BRAKING AND OR AN ACCIDENT THE SEAT BACK FORWARD MOVEMENT CAN ACERBATE THE POSSIBILITY OF INJURY TO EITHER THE DRIVER OR THE PASSENGER. 3), I AM LOOKING FOR NEW SEAT BACK LATCHES.
CONSUMER PULLED OVER TO SHOULDER 0FF ROAD AND LEFT VEHICLE RUNNING TO ASSIST ANOTHER MOTORIST. WHEN HE RETURNED TO VEHICLE, THERE WAS SMOKE INSIDE COMING FROM UNDERNEATH DASHBOARD. VEHICLE WAS TOWED TO DEALERSHIP. MECHANIC TOLD HIM THAT HEADLIGHT SWITCH NEEDED TO BE REPLACED. *AK
Too few reports in this category for a page of its own — they appear in the full complaint list.
Tires & wheels
Reports naming tires, wheels, hubs, or the tire-pressure monitoring system.
From owner reports, verbatim
1996 DODGE RAM 3500. CONSUMER WRITES IN REGARDS TO VEHICLE TIRE TREAD SHREDS OFF CASING AND CAUSES SEVERE DAMAGE TO VEHICLE UNDERCARRIAGE. *SMD *TR
ON MARCH 26TH 2011 WHILE TRAVELING WESTBOUND ON I 76 IN COLORADO OUR DRIVERSIDE FRONT TIRE BLEW OUT. THE TIRE WAS A TEMPRA TRAIL CUTTER RADIAL RT LT 255/85R16. AFTER A LOUD SHOTGUN TYPE NOISE, OUR VEHICLE WENT OUT OF CONTROL. WE REGAINED CONTROL AND BROUGHT THE VEHICLE TO THE SIDE OF THE INTERSTATE AND STOPPED. WE CONTACTED COOPER TIRE WHO MANUFACTURES THIS BRAND ON 03/29/2011 AND WE WERE TOLD THAT THIS TIRE WAS NOT CURRENTLY UNDER RECALL. *TR
Too few reports in this category for a page of its own — they appear in the full complaint list.
Electrical
Reports naming the electrical system — wiring, battery, charging, control modules, infotainment and electrical accessories.
From owner reports, verbatim
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
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.
Too few reports in this category for a page of its own — they appear in the full complaint list.
Visibility
Reports naming windshields, glass, wipers, defrosters and mirrors.
From owner reports, verbatim
WINDSHIELD LEAKS.
ENGINE STALLED.
Too few reports in this category for a page of its own — they appear in the full complaint list.
Heating & air conditioning
Reports naming the heating, ventilation and air-conditioning system.
From owner reports, verbatim
ABS FAILED CAUSING THE BRAKE PEDAL TO BE HARD.
ENGINE STALLED.
Too few reports in this category for a page of its own — they appear in the full complaint list.
Other / unspecified
Reports whose component NHTSA recorded as unknown, or that do not map to one of the categories above.
From owner reports, verbatim
DOT INSPECTION FOUND CRACKS ON THE HITCH PLATFORM, WHICH WAS A FACTORY INSTALLED COMPONENT. *JB
TRAILER HITCH HAD CRACKED AROUND MID 97'S. IT HAS NOT BROKE AWAY AFTER TOWING. WAS JACKED UP & DEALERSHIP WELDED HITCH BACK ON. *AK
Too few reports in this category for a page of its own — they appear in the full complaint list.
Airbags
Reports naming the air-bag system — deployment behaviour, inflators, sensors and warning lights.
From owner reports, verbatim
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
THE AIRBAG LIGHT STAYS ON BECAUSE THE AIRBAG SENSOR HAS GONE OUT. *AK
Too few reports in this category for a page of its own — they appear in the full complaint list.
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.
Elsewhere on this vehicle
Data sources
- NHTSA Office of Defects Investigation — owner-reported complaints and the components recorded on them
Data on this page last refreshed .