10.0

really awful
Crashes / Fires:
3 / 0
Injuries / Deaths:
0 / 0
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 #13

Aug 191998

Ram 3500 4WD Diesel

  • miles
When this problem first happened in 1998, we took it to the Dodge dealer here in cheyenne, wy and they said the calibrater was bad and fixed the right side only. When it started pulling on the left side, it was worse. My wife was driving home on the frontage road when a car stopped short in front of her to make a turn and she had to slam on the brakes hard and it jerked her into the lane of oncoming traffic and there was almost a head on collision. We took it to our master mechanic at another dealership and he told us this is an on going problem with these trucks. He also said you can't only fix on side. The fact that my wife could have been killed because of this problem and that Chrysler refused to do anything about it is very upsetting. The cost to fix this was $500 and that was only because my wife works at the dealership where it was fixed. Our mechanic had come from the Dodge dealership as a master technician and also drives a Dodge. This needs to be addressed with Chrysler and they need to held responsible and fix the problem. We don't need to lose our loved ones because Chrysler does'nt feel this is a problem.

- Cheyenne, WY, USA

problem #12

Jun 182000

Ram 3500

  • miles
While driving 50mph & went to apply brakes, master cylinder/power booster studs came out. It split the metal attachment. There were no brakes. Rearended another vehicle. Had contacted manufacturer. A representative checked vehicle's brakes & indicated the brakes were fine & manufacturer was not liable for anything.

- Clive, IA, USA

problem #11

Feb 022000

(reported on)

Ram 3500 4WD

  • Automatic transmission
  • miles
When applying brakes vehicle will pulls hard to left. Dealer has resurfaced front brakes, and flushed master cylinder and its lines, but defect keeps reoccurring.

- Fairfield, WA, USA

problem #10

Feb 011999

Ram 3500

  • miles
Braking system malfunctioned, causing the brake pedal to go to the floor and there was no braking ability which caused a crash. Dealer replaced the brake master cylinder 3 times. Problem is still occurring.

- Salem, VA, USA

problem #9

Dec 271998

Ram 3500 4WD

  • Automatic transmission
  • miles
Initial transmission problem started @ 38000 just out of warranty. Dealer said they couldn't help. I never thought of contacting manufacturer. Trans. Diagnosis complete at 72500 mis, dealer say rebuild, R+R at 89300mis. Brake mastercylinder lid was leaking causing insufficiet fluid level lead to pad and shoe failure. Transmission failure led to lifter failure in the engine. Trans would long shift putiing strain on engine causing a higher rev. Ultimately weakening 2 lifters. I am now hearing a noise and feeling jolts on the steering wheel turning left. Problem is unknown at this time.

- Oakford, PA, USA

problem #8

Mar 221999

Ram 3500

  • Automatic transmission
  • miles
Brake master cylinder prematurely malfunctioned, causing the power brake booster to fail. Also, caused the brake pedal to travel to the floor, resulting in extended stopping distance.

- Fountain, CO, USA

problem #7

Nov 051998

Ram 3500 4WD

  • miles
Excessive pedal effort required to stop vehicle in normal braking situations. Front brakes smoke during hard stops or in stop and go traffic. It also gives off a burning smell. Brought back to dealer 2 times and they state that it is "normal". I just found out that in 1997, Dodge changed the master cylinder on this truck to a larger unit. The rest of the brake system components are the same. I would think that this would solve my problem.

- Annandale, NJ, USA

problem #6

Oct 201997

Ram 3500

  • Automatic transmission
  • miles
When applying the ABS brakes the pedal will intermttently travel to the floor, causing extended stopping distance which nearly caused a collision. Also, dealer replaced calipers/rotors and master cylinder.

- Fall Brook, CA, USA

problem #5

Apr 081996

Ram 3500

  • Automatic transmission
  • miles
Master cylinder failed.

- Cypress, CA, USA

problem #4

Feb 041997

(reported on)

Ram 3500

  • Automatic transmission
  • miles
Was driving and the ABS and brake light came on, brake pedal went to the floor, took to dealer once and replaced the master cylinder, now the truck is at dealer for rear seal repair.

- Tamaqua, PA, USA

problem #3

Mar 011996

Ram 3500

  • miles
Master cylinder cracked, causing brakes to pull.

- Cranbury, NJ, USA

problem #2

Aug 311996

Ram 3500 4WD Diesel

  • Automatic transmission
  • miles
Going to a camp ground on dirt road, hauling a trailer, going down a hill, driver tried to apply brakes (ABS), had no brakes, ran into another vehicle w/trailer, the other vehicle literally stopped the vehicle at bottom of hill. After inspection, it was found that the master cylinder was faulty.

- Lucerne Valley, CA, USA

problem #1

Jun 191996

Ram 3500 4WD Diesel

  • Manual transmission
  • miles
ABS; went to apply the brakes and pedal went to the floor. Lost all braking power, also replaced leaking master cylinder/booster.

- Boswell, OK, USA