RoadVitals

1996 Dodge Ram 3500 Problems

Owner-reported complaints filed with NHTSA, grouped by component

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
Components namedHow many of our component categories appear on at least one report for this model year. One report can name several.
16
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

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

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.

38
reports

From owner reports, verbatim

BRAKE FAILURE, DUE TO BRAKE LINE TO REAR WHEELS RUSTED OUT IN FRAME CLIP BEHIND FUEL TANK. *TR

NHTSA ID 10355895 · filed Sep 16, 2010

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.

NHTSA ID 10235147 · filed Jul 21, 2008
All 38 reports naming brakes

Transmission

Reports naming the automatic or manual transmission, including shifting behaviour, shudder, slipping and transmission control modules.

19
reports

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

NHTSA ID 10197437 · filed Jul 25, 2007

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

NHTSA ID 10101398 · filed Nov 19, 2004
All 19 reports naming transmission

Suspension

Reports naming suspension components — springs, struts, shocks, control arms and related hardware.

16
reports

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.

NHTSA ID 10716312 · filed May 13, 2015

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 · filed Mar 5, 2013
All 16 reports naming suspension

Body & structure

Reports naming the vehicle structure, frame, body panels, doors, hood and trim.

11
reports

From owner reports, verbatim

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

NHTSA ID 10712994 · filed Apr 26, 2015

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

NHTSA ID 10192493 · filed Jun 5, 2007
All 11 reports naming body & structure

Driver assistance

Reports naming forward-collision avoidance, lane keeping, back-over prevention, cruise control and related electronic driver-assistance systems.

11
reports

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.

NHTSA ID 10323521 · filed Apr 2, 2010

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

NHTSA ID 10192493 · filed Jun 5, 2007
All 11 reports naming driver assistance

Steering

Reports naming the steering system — racks, columns, power-steering assist and steering linkage.

10
reports

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

NHTSA ID 10501390 · filed Mar 5, 2013

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.

NHTSA ID 10441012 · filed Dec 22, 2011
All 10 reports naming steering

Exterior lighting

Reports naming headlights, tail lights, turn signals and other exterior lighting.

9
reports

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

NHTSA ID 11233910 · filed Jul 22, 2019

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.

NHTSA ID 10323521 · filed Apr 2, 2010
All 9 reports naming exterior lighting

Fuel system

Reports naming fuel storage or delivery — tanks, pumps, lines, injectors and fuel leaks.

8
reports

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

NHTSA ID 10197437 · filed Jul 25, 2007

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

NHTSA ID 10028583 · filed Jul 18, 2003
All 8 reports naming fuel system

Engine

Reports naming the engine itself — including stalling, misfires, oil consumption, cooling and internal engine components.

7
reports

From owner reports, verbatim

WAS DRIVING VEHICLE IT STALLED. CONSUMER TRIED TO RESTART VEHICLE, BUT VEHICLE WOULD NOT RESTART. *AK

NHTSA ID 10044578 · filed Oct 23, 2003

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

NHTSA ID 10028583 · filed Jul 18, 2003

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.

7
reports

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.

NHTSA ID 10122343 · filed May 27, 2005

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

NHTSA ID 8001900 · filed Jan 9, 2002

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.

7
reports

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

NHTSA ID 10914573 · filed Apr 2, 2018

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

NHTSA ID 10393082 · filed Mar 28, 2011

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.

6
reports

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

NHTSA ID 11233910 · filed Jul 22, 2019

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 · filed Jan 8, 2013

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.

3
reports

From owner reports, verbatim

WINDSHIELD LEAKS.

NHTSA ID 604917 · filed Oct 1, 1997

ENGINE STALLED.

NHTSA ID 519352 · filed Jul 11, 1997

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.

3
reports

From owner reports, verbatim

ABS FAILED CAUSING THE BRAKE PEDAL TO BE HARD.

NHTSA ID 542393 · filed Nov 3, 1998

ENGINE STALLED.

NHTSA ID 519352 · filed Jul 11, 1997

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.

3
reports

From owner reports, verbatim

DOT INSPECTION FOUND CRACKS ON THE HITCH PLATFORM, WHICH WAS A FACTORY INSTALLED COMPONENT. *JB

NHTSA ID 560832 · filed Apr 18, 2001

TRAILER HITCH HAD CRACKED AROUND MID 97'S. IT HAS NOT BROKE AWAY AFTER TOWING. WAS JACKED UP & DEALERSHIP WELDED HITCH BACK ON. *AK

NHTSA ID 866847 · filed Aug 4, 2000

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.

2
reports

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

NHTSA ID 11233910 · filed Jul 22, 2019

THE AIRBAG LIGHT STAYS ON BECAUSE THE AIRBAG SENSOR HAS GONE OUT. *AK

NHTSA ID 819914 · filed Dec 11, 1997

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

Data on this page last refreshed .