IllustrationTHE RIGHT FRONT COIL SPRING BROKE.*JB
1995 Dodge RAM 3500
Owner reports · Recalls · Investigations
Similar to other model years
Owner complaints for the 1995 Dodge RAM 3500 do not stand out strongly from the model-year median of 124.5.
About this comparison →How this year compares
Owner complaints by model year
Compare all RAM 3500 years →Counts vary with age, sales and reporting. They are not failure rates.
What owners reported most
All reported categories
Tap a category to read its complaints. One report may name several components.
When problems were reported
Mileage at the reported incident
Limited mileage data: 15 of 108 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 27 owner reports in this category and discuss these concerns during a pre-purchase inspection. Read reports →
- Suspension. Review the 20 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 →
NHTSA owner reports · September 18, 2026 snapshot.
7 crash reports6 fire reports3 injury reports
What owners actually said
108 reportsWHILE DRIVING ALONG THE HIGHWAY AT ABOUT 50MPH, AND WHILE TOWING A TRAILER, THE FRONT DRIVER-SIDE GOODYEAR WRANGLER AT TIRE BLEW OUT. IN DOING SO, IT ALSO BLEW OUT THE HOUSING, THE FRONT BUMPER, THE FRONT LIGHTS AND ASSORTED OTHER ITEMS. THE BLOW OUT FORCED US FROM THE SLOW LANE OVER 3 LANES TO THE MEDIAN DIVIDER. THANK GOD T…
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WHILE DRIVING ALONG THE HIGHWAY AT ABOUT 50MPH, AND WHILE TOWING A TRAILER, THE FRONT DRIVER-SIDE GOODYEAR WRANGLER AT TIRE BLEW OUT. IN DOING SO, IT ALSO BLEW OUT THE HOUSING, THE FRONT BUMPER, THE FRONT LIGHTS AND ASSORTED OTHER ITEMS. THE BLOW OUT FORCED US FROM THE SLOW LANE OVER 3 LANES TO THE MEDIAN DIVIDER. THANK GOD THAT THERE WERE NO OTHER CARS ON THE ROAD B/C DEATH AND DISASTER WOULD HAVE ENSUED. WE WERE ABLE TO STOP THE VEHICLE WITHOUT LOSING THE TRAILER. THE RADIALS WERE INFLATED PER MANUFACTURER SPECS, HAD BEEN ROTATED PER SPECS, AND HAD ABOUT 30,000 MILES ON THEM. THE ACCIDENT OCCURRED ABOUT 2:30PM ALASKA TIME; THE TEMPERATURE WAS ABOUT 40 DEGREES FAHRENHEIT. THE VEHICLE IS NOT DRIVEABLE - IT WAS TOWED TO THE LOCAL DODGE BODY SHOP. ESTIMATES TO REPAIR ARE SUBSTANTIAL!!!
ELECTRICAL FIRE AND SMOKE UNDER DASH
I AM THE ORIGINAL OWNER OF A 1995 DODGE 3500 WITH WHITE PAINT AND BACK IN 1999 I NOTICED THAT THE PAINT WAS STARTING TO PEEL. I DO USE THE TRUCK FOR WORK SO IT IS HARD TO BRING THE TRUCK INTO THE DEALER UNLESS IT IS SOMETHING WORTH TAKING IT OFF THE ROAD FOR A FEW DAYS. IN MARCH OF 2001 THE TRUCK HAD TO GO TO THE DEALER FOR SOM…
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I AM THE ORIGINAL OWNER OF A 1995 DODGE 3500 WITH WHITE PAINT AND BACK IN 1999 I NOTICED THAT THE PAINT WAS STARTING TO PEEL. I DO USE THE TRUCK FOR WORK SO IT IS HARD TO BRING THE TRUCK INTO THE DEALER UNLESS IT IS SOMETHING WORTH TAKING IT OFF THE ROAD FOR A FEW DAYS. IN MARCH OF 2001 THE TRUCK HAD TO GO TO THE DEALER FOR SOME SERVICE AND RECALL WORK SO I POINTED OUT THE PAINT PROBLEM AND THEY COULD DO ANYTING ABOUT IT. THEY SAID IT IS NOT COVERED. NOW IT IS SO BAD THAT I HAVE TO GET IT FIXED. THEIR SERVICE MANAGER HAS SAID HE MIGHT BE ABLE TO DO SOMETHING BUT EVER TIME I GET A MINUTE TO CALL HE IS NEVER AROUND AND HE DOES NOT RETURN MY CALLS. SO I AM FILLING OUT THIS REPORT TO SEE IF THERE IS A RECALL ON THE PAINT OF THE 1995 DODGE 3500 AND IF THERE IS WHAT CAN I DO TO MAKE THE DEALER HONOR THE RECALL...THANK YOU.
WHILE TAKING OFF FROM A STOP LIGHT, CONSUMER STATES THE SUN TEMPERARILY OBSTRUCTED HIS VIEW, AFTER TRAFFIC HAD COME TO A STOP CONSUMER APPLIED BRAKES AND PEDAL WENT TO THE FLOOR. CONSUMER STATES THERE WERE NO TIRE MORKS ON GROUND FROM REAR TIRES. CONSUMER FEELS REAR TIRES ARE NOT STOPPING PROPERLY, ALSO DRIVER SIDE AIR BAG DID…
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WHILE TAKING OFF FROM A STOP LIGHT, CONSUMER STATES THE SUN TEMPERARILY OBSTRUCTED HIS VIEW, AFTER TRAFFIC HAD COME TO A STOP CONSUMER APPLIED BRAKES AND PEDAL WENT TO THE FLOOR. CONSUMER STATES THERE WERE NO TIRE MORKS ON GROUND FROM REAR TIRES. CONSUMER FEELS REAR TIRES ARE NOT STOPPING PROPERLY, ALSO DRIVER SIDE AIR BAG DIDNOT DEPLOY IN REAR END COLLISION. PLEASE PROVIDE ANY FUDTHER INFORMATION.
CONSUMER NOTICED THE RESTRAIN SEAT BELT; ANCHOR AND THE ATTACHMENTS NOT WORK PROPERLY. DEALER HAS BEEN NOTIFIED. PLEASE PROVIDE FURTHER INFORMATION.
PRIOR TO RECALL (95V056000) CONSUMER STATED THE HOOD LATCH FAILED, WHICH ALLOWED THE HOOD TO COME UP WHILE DRIVING, THE FORCE BROKE THE HINGES OFF THE HOOD, WHICH HIT THE WINDSHIELD SO HARD IT CRACKED, THIS IN TURN ALMOST CAUSED CONSUMER TO HAVE AN ACCIDENT, CONSUMER HAD THE LATCH REPAIRED BY AN OUTSIDE MECHANIC ONLY BECUASE THE…
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PRIOR TO RECALL (95V056000) CONSUMER STATED THE HOOD LATCH FAILED, WHICH ALLOWED THE HOOD TO COME UP WHILE DRIVING, THE FORCE BROKE THE HINGES OFF THE HOOD, WHICH HIT THE WINDSHIELD SO HARD IT CRACKED, THIS IN TURN ALMOST CAUSED CONSUMER TO HAVE AN ACCIDENT, CONSUMER HAD THE LATCH REPAIRED BY AN OUTSIDE MECHANIC ONLY BECUASE THE LOCAL DEALER INSISTED THERE WAS NO RECALL ON THAT PART AND REFUSED TO REPLACE THE SECONDARY LATCH AT NO CHARGE, CONSUMER IS NOW REQUESTING REIMBURSEMENT.(ATTORNEY, ANNETTE FRANCHER BISHOP FOR CLIENT)*JB
SPRING AND THROTTLE CABLE FAILED PRIOR TO RECALL NOTICE. NLM
THE CENTER CAPS ON THE 3500 DUAL WHEEL TRUCKS FALL OFF AT HIGHWAY SPEEDS. I HAVE NOTICED THIS ON OVER 15 TRUCKS.*JB
TWO FUEL LINES AND BRAKE LINES VIBRATE TOGETHER WHICH CAUSES LINES TO GET THIN AND START LEAKING. DEALER CONTACTED. *AK
Official recalls
199V024000 · 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
6DP03006 · 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.
DP03002 · Steering Column Separation
Opened May 7, 2003 · Closed Jul 22, 2003
Status: closed (inferred from source dates) · Steering:column
MR. LARRY A. SACKEY SUBMITTED A PETITION TO THE NATIONAL HIGHWAY TRAFFIC SAFETY ADMINISTRATION (NHTSA) BY LETTER DATED APRIL 18, 2003, REQUESTING THAT NHTSAFURTHER INVESTIGATE THE DEFECTIVE COLLAPSIBLE STEERING SHAFT SYSTEM ON 1987-1995 VEHICLES MANUFACTURED BY THE DAIMLERCHRYSLER CORPORATION.IN PART BECAUSE OF 49 CFR ? 30120(G), NHTSA HAS DECIDED TO LIMIT THE SCOPE OF THE PETITION VEHICLES TO 1993-1995 MODELS, EXCLUDING THE 1993 JEEP GRAND CHEROKEE AND 1994-1995 DODGE RAM SERIES TRUCKS THAT WERE RECALLED (93V210 & 96V230) FOR STEERING COLUMN FAILURE.IF THE ANALYSIS OF THESE VEHICLES HAD IDENTIFIED A POTENTIAL PROBLEM, THE SCOPE COULD HAVE BEEN EXPANDED IN AN INVESTIGATION.A REVIEW OF ODI'S DATA BASE SHOWS NO RECENT COMPLAINTS AND A LACK OF A COMPLAINT TREND CONCERNING THE SUBJECT ISSUE ON THE SUBJECT VEHICLES AS A WHOLE OR BY INDIVIDUAL MODELS.THEREFORE, THE PETITION IS DENIED.FOR DETAILS, SEE FEDERAL REGISTER NOTICE VOLUME 68, NO. 130, JULY 8, 2003.
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.
PE99026 · Front Suspension Spring/shock Absorber
Opened Apr 16, 1999 · Closed Aug 31, 1999
Status: closed (inferred from source dates) · Suspension
ALLEGE FAILURE OF THE COIL SPRING/SHOCK ABSORBER BRACKET AT ITS ATTACHMENT TO THE VEHICLE FRAME MAY ALLOW COLLAPSE OF THE FRONT SUSPENSION, AND POTENTIALLY AFFECT STEERING OR BRAKING SYSTEM PERFORMANCE
EA98010 · Headlight Circuit
Opened May 8, 1998 · Closed Dec 10, 1999
Status: closed (inferred from source dates) · Exterior Lighting
THE HEADLAMP SWITCH IN THE SUBJECT VEHICLES CAN OVER-HEAT AND FAIL RESULTING IN LOSS OF HEAD LAMPS AND POSSIBLY OTHER LIGHTS.DAIMLERCHRYSLER CONDUCTED A SERIES OF TESTS AND DETERMINED THAT THE 3500 SERIES IS PRONE TO GENERATING HEAD LAMP SWITCH TEMPERATURES IN EXCESS OF THE SWITCH LUBRICANT THRESHOLD OF 100 DEGREES CENTIGRADE.WHEN THIS OCCURS, THE LUBRICANT SOLIDIFIES AND ADHERES TO THE SWITCH CONTACH SURFACES INCREASING INTERNAL RESISTANCE AND THERFORE, TEMPERATURE.DAIMLERCHRYSLER INFORMED THE NHTSA THAT IT WOULD INITIATE A RECALL OF 79,3665 MODEL YEAR 1994-1997 DODGE 3500 SERIES RAM TRUCKS ONLY BASED ON ADDITIONAL TESTING FROM WHICH IT DETERMINED THAT THE 1500/2500 SERIES VEHICLES NOMINALLY OPERATE SIGNIFICANTLY BELOW THE TEMPERATURE THRESHOLD OF THE SWITCH LUBRICANT.OWNERS OF 1500/2500 SERIES TRUCKS WERE SENT A NOTIFICATION LETTER ADVISING OF THE PROPER METHODS FOR ADDING AFTERMARKET LIGHTING ACCESSORIES.
PE98002 · Headlight Circuit Failure
Opened Jan 14, 1998 · Closed May 8, 1998
Status: closed (inferred from source dates) · Exterior Lighting
There is no summary currently available