10.0

really awful
Crashes / Fires:
2 / 5
Injuries / Deaths:
4 / 1
Average Mileage:
0 miles

About These NHTSA Complaints:

The NHTSA is the US gov't agency tasked with vehicle safety. Complaints can be spread across multiple & redundant categories, & are not organized by problem. See the Back button — blue bar at the very top of the page — to explore more.

Get notified about new defects, investigations, recalls & lawsuits for the 1996 Dodge Ram 3500:

Unsubscribe any time. We don't sell/share your email.

problem #28

Feb 012002

Ram 3500 4WD

  • miles
First engine failure. Out of warrenty, $8,000.

- Nevada City, CA, USA

problem #27

Aug 062002

Ram 3500 Diesel

  • miles
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.

- Bedias, TX, USA

problem #26

Oct 242001

Ram 3500

  • Automatic transmission
  • miles
Consumer states engine stalled while traveling down a mountain, consumer lost all control of vehicle and went off a 300 ft revene, vehicle finally stopped after striking a tree head on, air bag did not deploy, consumer sustained injuries, a month after purchasing vehicle, recall repairs were completed on vehicle regarding blower and igntion, consumer was later informed of additional recalls that needed to be repaired on vehicle, however consumer was never given any specific details about what was repaired/replaced.

- Monroe, GA, USA

problem #25

Aug 302001

(reported on)

Ram 3500

  • miles
No summary listed for above vehicle.

- Northampton, PA, USA

problem #24

Jun 091999

Ram 3500

  • miles
While driving vehicle locked up, and consumer lost control of vehicle, causing a major crash, which resulted in vehicle totaled, and 1 fatality. No one determined the cause of the crash.

- Forest City, AR, USA

problem #23

Jun 172000

Ram 3500

  • miles
After having trouble with the starter could hear noise coming from the engine. Then vehicle caught on fire without a warning.

- Wichita Falls, TX, USA

problem #22

Feb 252000

(reported on)

Ram 3500

  • miles
While traveling vehicle would stall without indicaton. Dealer has been notified. Also, oil pump needed to be replaced. Vehicle is on its third replacement.

- Roundrock, TX, USA

problem #21

Feb 142000

Ram 3500

  • miles
Original failure took place on Nov 26, 1997. The oil light came on and oil pressure droppped to zero. The oil pump was replaced under warranty. Then, on Jan 21, 1999 the same scenario happened again. This time the oil pump, connecting rod, crankshaft and gaskets were replaced at my expense as the vehicle was no longer under warranty nor were the parts that had been replaced. Finally, on February 14, 2000 the entire scenario took place again. The oil light came on and oil pressure dropped to zero. It appears that the oil pump will agin need to be replaced. At this point, the dealership is trying to say it is a lack of maintenance and should be repaired at my expense. My concern is that the vehicle has been maintained and that after 3 failures there is a definite problem with the vehicle. The vehicle is currently at the previously mentioned dealership awaiting repairs and the response from Chrysler Corp as to whether or not they will do so at their expense. Any help you can provide would be greatly a

- Austin, TX, USA

problem #20

Dec 101999

(reported on)

Ram 3500

  • miles
Intermittently when vehicle makes a left or right turn vehicle will stall out and die. Dealer has been notified.

- Louisville, OH, USA

problem #19

Sep 301999

(reported on)

Ram 3500 4WD

  • miles
I am a mechanic and have talked to other mechanics about my problem. The motor in my truck is 3 years old and is rusting from the inside out. I am told that Chrysler has had previous problems like this for many years. I know that many other people like me are having to fix there problems out of our own pockets. My problem is only fixed temporaly it can not be fixed. The next solution would be a new motor. I feel that this is a problem that Chrysler should attend to.

- Dover, PA, USA

problem #18

Apr 161999

Ram 3500

  • miles
Engine completely fell apart and was replaced by northe star Dodge in san antonio. Air conditioner has relay problems. Transmission found to have clutch pieces in it by independant used car tester. All windows and doors have air leaks and rain leaks. Vehicle leaks water up throught he floor board when driving in rain. Vehicle also shudders dramatically when going over 40 mph. Carberator has choke problems and is hard to start. Most if not all of these problems were reported to Dodge within 10,000 miles of purchase but due to stalling techiches by fiesta Dodge nothing has ever been remedied.

- Pipe Creek, TX, USA

problem #17

Mar 281999

Ram 3500

  • miles
No compression in the #6 cylinder may have caused the vehicle to loose power when going up grades.

- Ellensburg, WA, USA

problem #16

Apr 021999

(reported on)

Ram 3500

  • miles
While driving 70 mph vehicle completely shut down without warning. Vehicle has to be put into neutral to restart cause unknown.

- Columbus, OH, USA

problem #15

Nov 151998

Ram 3500

  • miles
Spent $1200 to rebuild entire front end of car due to excessive clunking and looseness after only 40,000 miles of lite street use. Factory installed componants obvoiusly inferior quality or defective. Dailmer Chrysler was willing to assist in the costs of the repair until the bills came in. Daimler Chrysler walked away from the issue. Rear window water leak - suggest other owners to look on passenger side for water ponding adjacent to sill plate at rear of seat. Rear factory sliding window defective. Must replace with alternate selection. Headliner will not fit properly on alternate selection - beware. Dodge Ram owners beware. This owner jumping ship from Dodge/Chrysler products. Only owned this vehical for 11 months.

- Danvers, MA, USA

problem #14

Jul 091998

(reported on)

Ram 3500

  • miles
Vehicle stalling for no apparent reason.

- Nanuet, NY, USA

problem #13

Jul 291998

(reported on)

Ram 3500

  • Automatic transmission
  • miles
Within the first 1000 feet of driving engine is very sluggish, usually after vehicle has sat overnight. (qcaw)

- Jacksonvil, FL, USA

problem #12

Jan 291997

(reported on)

Ram 3500

  • miles
Engine fire.

- Lawrencebu, IN, USA

problem #11

Jun 011996

Ram 3500

  • Automatic transmission
  • miles
Engine failed.

- Redlands, CA, USA

problem #10

Mar 291996

Ram 3500 4WD

  • Manual transmission
  • miles
Engine running rough, idle fast.

- South Elgi, IL, USA

problem #9

Apr 011996

Ram 3500

  • Automatic transmission
  • miles
Continuous engine hesitation, causing accident/injury.

- Marietta, GA, USA

Read the next 8 complaints »