CarModelProblems.com

1996 Dodge RAM 3500 Problems & Recalls

Built from official NHTSA complaint and recall data · data through 07/12/2026

High complaint levelIts most-reported problem — Service Brakes, Hydraulic:antilock/traction Control/electronic Limited Slip — runs 2.5× the fleet median for that category across the 2075 model-years tracked on this site.
124Complaints
1Recalls
5Crashes
10Fires
3Injured
0Deaths

Source: U.S. NHTSA complaint & recall data. Complaints are unverified reports from vehicle owners — a complaint is not a confirmed defect.

Is this problem acknowledged?

The most-reported problem — Service Brakes, Hydraulic:antilock/traction Control/electronic Limited Slip (12.1% of complaints) — recall and investigation status for this vehicle is currently unavailable.

Service Brakes, Hydraulic:antilock/traction Control/electronic Limited Slip complaints here are 2.5× the median for that category across the 2075 model-years tracked on this site.

Complaint categoryReportsOfficial statusReference
Service Brakes, Hydraulic:antilock/traction Control/electronic Limited Slip15 · 12.1%not available
Power Train:automatic Transmission9 · 7.3%not available
Service Brakes, Hydraulic:foundation Components8 · 6.5%not available
Power Train:automatic Transmission:cooling Unit And Lines8 · 6.5%not available
Suspension:front7 · 5.6%not available
Steering5 · 4%not available

Recalled = an NHTSA safety recall covers this category, so a free repair exists. Under investigation = NHTSA has an open probe but no recall yet. Investigation closed = NHTSA examined it and closed the probe — this is not a defect finding; where a closed probe led to a recall we name the campaign. Not available = recall or investigation data could not be confirmed for this vehicle — it is not a “no”. Categories are matched by NHTSA's top-level component. Check your VIN at nhtsa.gov/recalls.

Complaints by component

SERVICE BRAKES, HYDRAULIC:ANTILOCK/TRACTION CONTROL/ELECTRONIC LIMITED SLIP15 · 12.1%
POWER TRAIN:AUTOMATIC TRANSMISSION9 · 7.3%
SERVICE BRAKES, HYDRAULIC:FOUNDATION COMPONENTS8 · 6.5%
POWER TRAIN:AUTOMATIC TRANSMISSION:COOLING UNIT AND LINES8 · 6.5%
SUSPENSION:FRONT7 · 5.6%
STEERING5 · 4%
VEHICLE SPEED CONTROL5 · 4%
Unspecified / other5 · 4%
TIRES5 · 4%
STRUCTURE:FRAME AND MEMBERS5 · 4%

Percentages are the share of the 124 complaints citing each component; one complaint can cite several components. “Unspecified / other” is NHTSA’s own catch-all category — we show it rather than hide it.

Recalls — 1 campaign

Exterior Lighting:headlights:switch

NHTSA campaign 99V024000 · 1999 · reported 02/05/1999

IF THE LIGHTS FAIL, A VISIBILITY PROBLEM COULD OCCUR, INCREASING THE RISK OF A VEHICLE CRASH. Recall repairs are free at authorized dealers.

PARK-IT: NO  · PARK-OUTSIDE: NO  ·  OVER-THE-AIR FIX: NO

Park it Park outside Specimen badges — shown on a recall card only when NHTSA sets the flag. None of the campaigns above carries either flag. Always check your own vehicle by VIN at nhtsa.gov/recalls.

What owners report

“VEHICLE NEEDS A TOWER BRACKET. ALSO, BRAKES ARE BAD, THEY HAVE TO BEE REPLACED EVERY 15 THOUSAND MILES. THE VEHICLE LOSES ALL POWER WHEN BRAKING…”NHTSA complaint 878453 — filed 01/18/2001 · SERVICE BRAKES, HYDRAULIC:ANTILOCK/TRACTION CONTROL/ELECTRONIC LIMITED SLIP
“FRONT END WAS SHAKING & VIBRATING. WHILE EXITING OFF ROAD THERE WAS A LOT OF VIBRATION IN STEERING. TOOK TO DEALER & COUPLING, BRAKES, LOWER…”NHTSA complaint 837503 — filed 05/05/1999 · SERVICE BRAKES, HYDRAULIC:ANTILOCK/TRACTION CONTROL/ELECTRONIC LIMITED SLIP
“CONSUMER COMPLAINING OF BRAKE LINING WEARING OUT TOO SOON AT 10,000 MILES. CONSUMER BELIEVES CONDITION IS NOT NORMAL FOR THIS SITUATION. VEHICLE BEEN IN/OUT OF…”NHTSA complaint 824632 — filed 06/24/1998 · SERVICE BRAKES, HYDRAULIC:ANTILOCK/TRACTION CONTROL/ELECTRONIC LIMITED SLIP

Excerpts are shortened and scrubbed of personal details; they are individual, unverified reports.

Complaint trend by year filed

16200117132003222005172007252010332013222017132019

Frequently asked questions

What are the most common problems with the 1996 Dodge RAM 3500?

Service brakes, hydraulic:antilock/traction control/electronic limited slip issues are the most-reported category, cited in 15 of 124 NHTSA complaints (12.1%), followed by power train:automatic transmission (9), service brakes, hydraulic:foundation components (8), power train:automatic transmission:cooling unit and lines (8). Complaints are unverified owner reports.

How many complaints does the 1996 Dodge RAM 3500 have?

124 complaints were on file with NHTSA as of 07/12/2026. Of those, 5 involved a crash, 10 involved a fire, and 3 reported injuries. No deaths were reported.

Does the 1996 Dodge RAM 3500 have any recalls?

Yes — 1 NHTSA safety recall campaign, including campaign 99V024000. Recall repairs are free at authorized dealers. Check your specific vehicle by VIN at nhtsa.gov/recalls.

Has NHTSA acted on the 1996 Dodge RAM 3500's reported problems?

Recall or investigation data is partly unavailable for this vehicle right now — check your VIN at nhtsa.gov/recalls for the authoritative answer.

Is a complaint proof of a defect?

No. Complaints are reports submitted by consumers to NHTSA. NHTSA does not verify individual complaints, and a complaint is not proof that a defect exists.

About this data — Complaint figures on this page are consumer reports submitted to the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA), a U.S. government agency. NHTSA does not verify individual complaints; a complaint is not proof that a defect exists, and counts reflect what owners chose to report, not confirmed failure rates. Recall information comes from official NHTSA safety recall campaigns; recall repairs are free at authorized dealers. Always check your specific vehicle by VIN at nhtsa.gov/recalls. CarModelProblems.com is an independent site and is not affiliated with NHTSA or any vehicle manufacturer. Data through 07/12/2026.