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1996 Dodge RAM 3500Problems, recalls & complaints

NHTSA has logged 124 owner complaints about the 1996 Dodge RAM 3500, most often about the service brakes, hydraulic. It is covered by 1 safety recall.

52
CarFlaw IndexSolid year7% below the RAM 3500 median · #13 of 20 years by complaints
Safety recalls1Free fix at dealersOwner complaints12418 with a crash, fire or injuryTypical failure mileage104kService brakes, hydraulic, median miles

Source: NHTSA complaints, recalls, investigations and manufacturer recall reports, through July 22, 2019. Updated daily.

Complaints by system

Where the 1996 Dodge RAM 3500 has problems

124 complaints grouped by the system owners reported.

Box size = number of complaints naming that system. Darker = larger share. One complaint can name more than one system.
Complaints by system
SystemComplaintsCrash, fire or injury
Service brakes, hydraulic362
Power train194
Suspension161
Structure110
Vehicle speed control111
Electrical system106
Steering101
Exterior lighting92
Engine and engine cooling70
11 other systems323

Source: NHTSA Office of Defects Investigation. Complaints are submitted by the public and are not verified by NHTSA.

1 recall

1996 Dodge RAM 3500 recalls and how many were fixed

Each ring shows the share of affected cars repaired, from the manufacturer’s latest quarterly report to NHTSA. Recall repairs are free at authorized dealers.

–no report yet

Headlights: switch

Recall 99V-024 · Feb 5, 1999 · 79,366 vehicles

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

Problem, fix and repair progress →

Recalls apply to specific cars. To see whether a recall is still open on yours, enter the 17-character VIN at nhtsa.gov/recalls or with Dodge.

Best & worst years

1996 vs. every other RAM 3500 year

Bars show complaints per model year. Colors show the CarFlaw verdict: complaints weighted for crashes, fires and injuries, adjusted for years on the road and compared with the RAM 3500 median. How we score

'93'94'95'96'97'98'99'00'01'02'03'04'05'06'07'08'09'10'11'12
  • Avoid
  • Caution
  • Solid
  • Best
  • Not rated
2 investigations

NHTSA defect investigations

Federal investigations that included the 1996 Dodge RAM 3500, and the recalls they led to.

  1. SEAT BACK FAILUREDP03006 · closed Apr 8, 2004
    No recall
  2. LOSS OF THROTTLE CONTROLPE00048 · closed Mar 7, 2001
    Led to recall 01V-037
In owners' words

What RAM 3500 owners report

Recent service brakes, hydraulic complaints filed with NHTSA, shortened. Personal details are removed.

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…
Complaint 10235147 · Jul 21, 2008 · 103,753 miles
TL*THE CONTACT OWNS A 1996 DODGE 3500. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE ABS ADAPTIVE BRAKE CONTROL UNIT (PART NUMBER 56029032AB) HAS BEEN DISCONTINUED BY THE MANUFACTURER. HE STATED THAT THE PART WAS NEEDED TO REPAIR HIS VEHICLE. THE CURRENT AND FAILURE MILEAGES WERE 211,000.
Complaint 10198996 · Aug 9, 2007 · 211,000 miles
BRAKE LINE FAILURE DUE TO CORROSION ALSO CORROSION OF TRANSMISSION AND FUEL LINES 1996 DODGE RAM 3500 PICKUP 4WD EXT CAB. *TR
Complaint 10197437 · Jul 25, 2007 · 115,000 miles

Own a 1996 RAM 3500?

Decode your VIN to see the recalls for your exact car, then confirm open recalls with NHTSA.