IllustrationDASH FALLING APART DODGE DOES NOT HAVE REPLACEMENT/CANNOT FIND REPLACMENT. *TR
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
Structure complaints
11 reportsI 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…
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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 HEARD A SQUEAKING NOISE COMING FROM THE FRONT. VEHICLE VIBRATED UNCONTROLLABLY. THE DRIVER WAS ABLE TO MAINTAIN CONTROL OF THE VEHICLE, AND DROVE IT TO THE DEALER. THE FRONT BUMPER FELL OFF AT THE DEALERSHIP, AND MECHANIC INFORMED THE DRIVER THAT FRONT BUMPER NEEDED TO BE REPLACED. *AK
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
WHILE DRIVING APPROXIMATELY FIVE MPH AND PULLING INTO A DRIVEWAY A-FRAME WELD BROKE, CAUSING FRAME TO DISCONNECT AND DROP TO GROUND. DEALERSHIP IS IN POSSESSION OF VEHICLE, AND NO DETERMINATION HAS BEEN MADE FOR REASON OF THIS PROBLEM. PLEASE PROVIDE ANY ADDITIONAL INFORMATION / ATTACHMENTS. *AK
DURING WHEEL ALIGNMENT IT WAS NOTICED THAT THE WELDS ON THE RECTANGULAR TUBING HAVE DISINTEGRATED, LEFT AND RIGHT FRONT WHEELS ON FRAME .*AK A WELDER AND FRONT END SPECIALIST AGREED THAT THE WELD WAS IMPROPERLY DONE, THE FRAME HAD SEPARATED ENTIRELY ON THE LEFT FRONT, APPROXIMATELY HALF WAY ON THE RIGHT, THE ONLY THING HOLDING…
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DURING WHEEL ALIGNMENT IT WAS NOTICED THAT THE WELDS ON THE RECTANGULAR TUBING HAVE DISINTEGRATED, LEFT AND RIGHT FRONT WHEELS ON FRAME .*AK A WELDER AND FRONT END SPECIALIST AGREED THAT THE WELD WAS IMPROPERLY DONE, THE FRAME HAD SEPARATED ENTIRELY ON THE LEFT FRONT, APPROXIMATELY HALF WAY ON THE RIGHT, THE ONLY THING HOLDING THE LEFT FRONT WHEEL WAS THE STABILIZER AND THE TIE ROD. *SLC
WATER LEAKS THROUGH SEAMS IN TRUCK.HAS BEEN BACK TO DEALERSHIP 6 TIMES. WATER STILL LEAKS IN TRUCK TO THE POINT OF POURING OUT PASSENGER SIDE DOOR WHEN OPENED. *AK
CHASSIS CRACKED IN HALF. OWNER MADE THIS DISCOVERY AFTER CRAWLING UNDER THE TRUCK TO LUBE SOME PARTS. PROBLEM WAS REPORTED TO MANUFACTURER. PROBLEM HAS NOT BEEN CORRECTED. OWNER WANTS DODGE TO TAKE RESPONSIBILITY FOR THE REPAIRS. *AK *ML
VEHICLE CONTINUALLY LEAKS WATER INTO PASSENGER COMPARTMENT, SEVERAL REPAIR ATTEMPTS HOWEVER CONTINUES TO LEAK WITH STANDING WATER IN VEHICLE. *MJS
WHILE TRUCK WAS GETTING AN OIL CHANGE THE MECHANIC NOTICED AN OLD FRACTURE THROUGH AN IMPROPER WELD OF THE LEFT FRONT SUSPENSION LOWER A FRAME MEMBER. IT WAS OLD. THERE WAS NO BRIGHT METAL. THIS PROBABLY WAS AN IMPROPER WELD DURING CONSTRUCTION. FORTUNATELY THIS WAS FOUND AND WELDED. THIS COULD EASILY HAVE LED TO A COMPLETE…
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WHILE TRUCK WAS GETTING AN OIL CHANGE THE MECHANIC NOTICED AN OLD FRACTURE THROUGH AN IMPROPER WELD OF THE LEFT FRONT SUSPENSION LOWER A FRAME MEMBER. IT WAS OLD. THERE WAS NO BRIGHT METAL. THIS PROBABLY WAS AN IMPROPER WELD DURING CONSTRUCTION. FORTUNATELY THIS WAS FOUND AND WELDED. THIS COULD EASILY HAVE LED TO A COMPLETE FAILURE WITH VEHICLE LOSS OF CONTROL. I HAVE TAKEN PHOTOS OF THE FRACTURED WELD.
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.