← New search

1996 Dodge RAM 3500

Owner reports · Recalls · Investigations

Similar to other model years

Owner complaints for the 1996 Dodge RAM 3500 do not stand out strongly from the model-year median of 124.5.

About this comparison →

When problems were reported

Mileage at the reported incident

Limited mileage data: 23 of 124 reports include usable mileage. There isn’t enough coverage to show a useful chart.

NHTSA’s mileage field refers to the reported incident, not necessarily the filing date. This shows report counts, not the likelihood of a failure.

What to inspect

Issues worth paying extra attention to based on owner reports.

  • Service Brakes, Hydraulic. Review the 36 owner reports in this category and discuss these concerns during a pre-purchase inspection. Read reports →
  • Power Train. Review the 19 owner reports in this category and discuss these concerns during a pre-purchase inspection. Read reports →
  • Suspension. Review the 16 owner reports in this category and discuss these concerns during a pre-purchase inspection. Read reports →

NHTSA owner reports · September 18, 2026 snapshot.

5 crash reports10 fire reports3 injury reports

What owners actually said

124 reports
139,000 miles · Apr 2, 2003
Electrical SystemVehicle Speed ControlFire

FIRE IN ENGINE AREA,,,,,FUEL PRE-HEATER CATCHES FIRE IN THE WIRING BECAUSE OF BAD SEAL ON ELECTRICAL CONNECTORS THAT ALLOW RUST TO FORM IN TRUCKS IN SNOW AND SALT COUNTRY...LUCKILY I WAS GETTING HOME AND STEPPING OUT OF THE TRUCK WHEN I SPOTTED THE FIRE,,,,IF NOT THE TRUCK WOULD HAVE BURN TO THE GROUND DURING THE NIGHT,,,OR I CO…

Read full complaint

FIRE IN ENGINE AREA,,,,,FUEL PRE-HEATER CATCHES FIRE IN THE WIRING BECAUSE OF BAD SEAL ON ELECTRICAL CONNECTORS THAT ALLOW RUST TO FORM IN TRUCKS IN SNOW AND SALT COUNTRY...LUCKILY I WAS GETTING HOME AND STEPPING OUT OF THE TRUCK WHEN I SPOTTED THE FIRE,,,,IF NOT THE TRUCK WOULD HAVE BURN TO THE GROUND DURING THE NIGHT,,,OR I COULD HAVE BEEN ASLEEP AT A TRUCK STOP AS I OFTEN DO WHEN I AM ON THE ROAD TO THE RACES...ACCORDING TO FELLOW MEMBERS OF THE TURBO DIESEL REGISTER (WE SUPPLIED ALL THE INFO AND DAMAGED PARTS TO YOUR ORGANIZATION LAST YEAR CONCERNING THE THROTTLE CABLE PROBLEM)),,,THIS FUEL HEATER FIRE IS A VERY COMMON OCCURRENCE IN THESE 94 TO 97 TRUCKS WITH THE CUMMINS DIESEL ENGINE.. HOW DOES CHRYSLER GET AWAY WITH ALL THESE SAFETY ISSUES. THIS COULD VERY EASILY CAUSE DEATH IF NOT ADDRESSED.. THANKS FOR YOUR TIME.. *NLM

NHTSA ODI #10013812

Mileage unknown · Feb 11, 2003
Exterior Lighting

THE HEADLIGHT SWITCH FAILED.*DT *JB

NHTSA ODI #786309

Mileage unknown · Dec 10, 2002
Suspension

CONSUMER STATES THAT THE REAR WHEEL AXEL IS `NOT IN LINE CAUSING THE VEHICLE TO SWERVE. PLEASE ANY ADDITIONAL INFORMATION. TS

NHTSA ODI #8024072

Mileage unknown · Dec 5, 2002
Suspension

WHILE DRIVING THERES A SQUEEKING NOISE, AND IF YOU HIT A POT HOLE SQUEEKING INCREASES. TOOK TO DEALER AND THEY HAVE REPLACED SHARKS THREE TIMES. PROBLEM STILL OCCURS. THE VEHICLE IS NOW OUT OF WARRANTY. DEALER REFUSING TO CORRECT THE PROBLEM FREE OF CHARGE. PLEASE PROVIDE ANY FURTHER INFORMATION. TS

NHTSA ODI #8023780

Mileage unknown · Oct 3, 2002
Engine And Engine Cooling

FIRST ENGINE FAILURE. OUT OF WARRENTY, $8,000. MR

NHTSA ODI #768054

Mileage unknown · Sep 17, 2002
Power Train

PLASTIC TRANSMISSION COOLING LINE MELTED, AND CAUSED FLUID TO LEAK. DEALER WAS NOTIFIED, AND REPLACE IT WITH A METAL LINE. FEEL FREE TO PROVIDE ANY FURTHER INFORMATION.*AK

NHTSA ODI #8018877

Mileage unknown · Sep 16, 2002
Service Brakes, Hydraulic

DEALERSHIP ONLY REPLACED RUBBER BOOTS, AND NOT VACUUM LINES, RESULTING IN OIL PUMPING INTO VACUUM LINES.*AK

NHTSA ODI #8018692

Mileage unknown · Aug 22, 2002
Engine And Engine Cooling

DODGE DEALERSHIPS RECEIVED A NOTICE NOT TO USE FRAME FILTERS AS THEY EXPLODE AND THROW FRAGMENTS OF THE FILTER INTO THE ENGINES. DODGE OWNERS WERE NEVER WARNED. FRAM ADVERTISEMENTS SAY THEY HAVE THE BEST FILTERS. EVIDENTLY, THIS HAS HAPPENED MANY TIMES BEFORE ACCORDING TO MECHANICS AND OWNERS AND THE WEB. OUR TIME WARRANTY …

Read full complaint

DODGE DEALERSHIPS RECEIVED A NOTICE NOT TO USE FRAME FILTERS AS THEY EXPLODE AND THROW FRAGMENTS OF THE FILTER INTO THE ENGINES. DODGE OWNERS WERE NEVER WARNED. FRAM ADVERTISEMENTS SAY THEY HAVE THE BEST FILTERS. EVIDENTLY, THIS HAS HAPPENED MANY TIMES BEFORE ACCORDING TO MECHANICS AND OWNERS AND THE WEB. OUR TIME WARRANTY ENDED 01/02, BUT THE MILEAGE ISN'T EVEN CLOSE. WE BOUGHT THE BIG DODGE THINKING IT WOULD BE THE LAST TRUCK WE PURCHASE SINCE WE ARE IN OUR 70'S. THE CUMMINGS DIESEL ENGINE SHOULD RUN 300,000 MILES, SO 38,000 IS NOTHING IN COMPARISON. WE NEED SOME KIND OF HELP WITH THIS PROBLEM. THANK YOU, [XXX] & [XXX]. *AK PARTS OF THIS DOCUMENT HAVE BEEN REDACTED TO PROTECT PERSONALLY IDENTIFIABLE INFORMATION PURSUANT TO THE FREEDOM OF INFORMATION ACT (FOIA), 5 U.S.C. 552(B)(6).

NHTSA ODI #766036

Mileage unknown · Aug 16, 2002
Suspension

WHILE DRIVING 40-70 MPH CONSUMER NOTICED FRONT END OF VEHICLE SHAKING. CONSUMER WOULD HAVE TO SLOW VEHICLE DOWN. DEALER HAS BEEN NOTIFIED. PLEASE PROVIDE FURTHER INFORMATION.*AK

NHTSA ODI #8016548

Mileage unknown · Aug 15, 2002
Service Brakes, Hydraulic

HYDRAULIC BRAKE LINE LEAKING FLUID, MAKING IT HARD FOR CONSUMER TO STOP. DEALER NOTIFIED.*AK

NHTSA ODI #8016422

Official recalls

1

99V024000 · Exterior Lighting:headlights:switch

Feb 5, 1999

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.

Consequence & remedy

Consequence: IF THE LIGHTS FAIL, A VISIBILITY PROBLEM COULD OCCUR, INCREASING THE RISK OF A VEHICLE CRASH.

Remedy: DEALERS WILL REPLACE THE HEADLAMP SWITCH INCLUDING A RELAY IN THE PARK LAMP WIRING CIRCUIT.

Model-level recall history does not show whether a particular VIN is affected or has received a repair. Check a VIN with NHTSA ↗

NHTSA investigations

2

DP03006 · Seat Back Failure

Opened Sep 23, 2003 · Closed Apr 8, 2004

Status: closed (inferred from source dates) · Seats; Seats:front Assembly:recliner

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.

Additional source detail variants (2)

Seats

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:front Assembly:recliner

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.

PE00048 · Loss Of Throttle Control

Opened Dec 11, 2000 · Closed Mar 7, 2001

Status: closed (inferred from source dates) · Vehicle Speed Control:linkages

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.