IllustrationWAS DRIVING VEHICLE IT STALLED. CONSUMER TRIED TO RESTART VEHICLE, BUT VEHICLE WOULD NOT RESTART. *AK
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 →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: 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
Engine And Engine Cooling complaints
7 reportsMY 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
FIRST ENGINE FAILURE. OUT OF WARRENTY, $8,000. MR
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 …
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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).
DEALERSHIP SERVICE DEPT FOUND THAT THE LEFT FRONT FRAME WAS TOTALLY BROKEN AND THE RIGHT FRONT SIDE WAS CRACKED AND ALMOST TOTALLY BROKEN IN SAME AREA. THEY SAY THAT IT CAN POSSIBLY BE WELDED BUT NO GUARANTEE WOULD HOLD. WE ASK THAT THEY CONTACT CHRSYLER TO SEE IF ANYTHING COULD BE DONE ABOUT IT, BECAUSE WE FEEL THAT THIS IS NO…
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DEALERSHIP SERVICE DEPT FOUND THAT THE LEFT FRONT FRAME WAS TOTALLY BROKEN AND THE RIGHT FRONT SIDE WAS CRACKED AND ALMOST TOTALLY BROKEN IN SAME AREA. THEY SAY THAT IT CAN POSSIBLY BE WELDED BUT NO GUARANTEE WOULD HOLD. WE ASK THAT THEY CONTACT CHRSYLER TO SEE IF ANYTHING COULD BE DONE ABOUT IT, BECAUSE WE FEEL THAT THIS IS NOT SOMETHING THAT SHOULD HAPPEN. THEY SAID CHRSYLER REFUSED TO DO ANYTHING ABOUT IT, AND SAID SINCE IT WAS 6 YEARS OLD, AND HAD THAT MANY MILES ON IT THAT THEY WOULDN'T DO ANYTHING. WELL, WE FEEL THAT THEY SHOULD BE RESPONSIBLE FOR IT BECAUSE THEY ARE THE MANUFACTURER THAT BUILT THE TRUCK AND THE FRAME IS SUPPOSE TO LAST, ONE WOULD THINK LONGER THAN 6 YEARS. WE HAVE NEVER HAD THIS PROBLEM WITH ANY OTHER VEHICLE WE HAVE OWNED OR ANYONE WE KNOW HAS NEVER. WE ALSO HAVE A 1987 CHEVROLET TRUCK AND IT HAS NO PROBLEMS WITH ITS FRAME. AFTER LOOKING AT THE PROBLEM CLOSER, IT APPEARS TO BE WHERE THE FRAME WAS WELDED TOGETHER IS WHERE IT BROKE AND CRACKED. IF I HAD NOT TAKEN IT IN TO GET IT ALIGNED, WHO KNOWS WHAT WOULD HAVE HAPPENED IF IT WOULD HAVE TOTALY BROKEN ON THE OTHER SIDE WHEN DRIVING DOWN THE HIGHWAY AT 70 MILES PER HOUR. THE SERVICE DEPT SAID THE ENGINE WAS ABOUT TO FALL OUT THE BOTTOM AND I WAS VERY LUCKY. THEY COULDN'T EXPLAIN WHAT WOULD HAVE CAUSED IT TO BREAK OTHER THAN SAYING IT WAS FROM STRESS. IT HAS NEVER BEEN IN AN ACCIDENT , AND HAS ALWAYS BEEN MAINTAINED AS LONG AS I HAVE OWNED IT. I FEEL THAT SOMETHING SHOULD BE DONE TO HELP, BECAUSE I HAD NO PLANS TO PURCHASE A NEW VEHICLE AND NOW I HAVE NO CHOICE UNFORTUNATLY. THIS WILL PUT A VERY BIG FINANCIAL HARDSHIP ON MYSELF AND MY FAMILY. PLEASE HELP AS SOON AS POSSIBLE. *AK
ENGINE STALLED.
OIL PRESSURE SENSOR DEFECTIVE.
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
2DP03006 · 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.