Model Year Problem Record

Dodge RAM 3500 1996 - Problems, Recalls, and Investigations

The complete public record for the 1996 Dodge RAM 3500: what owners reported, which systems drew recalls, and where complaints exist that no recall has ever covered.

124Distinct owner complaintsSource: NHTSA Complaints

1Recall campaignsSource: NHTSA Recalls

3Defect investigationsSource: NHTSA Investigations

20Complaints reporting a crash or fireOwner Reports, Unverified

Complaints by System

Distinct complaints naming each system, most reported first. Select a system for its own page.

Brakes45

Power Train20

Suspension16

Steering11

Vehicle Speed Control11

Vehicle Structure11

Engine11

Electrical System10

Lighting9

Fuel and Propulsion System9

Trailer Hitches and Towing2

Air Bags2

Latches, Locks and Linkages1

Did a Recall Cover It?

The join between complaints and recalls for this model year, system by system. A gap does not prove a defect - it means owners reported the problem and no recall campaign covers that system on this model year.

Brakes45 complaints

45 complaints; no recall campaign covers this system.

Power Train20 complaints

20 complaints; no recall campaign covers this system.

Suspension16 complaints

16 complaints; no recall campaign covers this system.

Steering11 complaints

11 complaints; no recall campaign covers this system.

Vehicle Speed Control11 complaints

11 complaints; no recall campaign covers this system.

Vehicle Structure11 complaints

11 complaints; no recall campaign covers this system.

Engine11 complaints

11 complaints; no recall campaign covers this system.

Electrical System10 complaints

10 complaints; no recall campaign covers this system.

Lighting9 complaints

9 complaints; 1 recall campaign covers this system. Campaigns: 99V024000.

Fuel and Propulsion System9 complaints

9 complaints; no recall campaign covers this system.

Tires6 complaints

6 complaints; no recall campaign covers this system.

Equipment6 complaints

6 complaints; no recall campaign covers this system.

Unknown Or Other5 complaints

5 complaints; no recall campaign covers this system.

Visibility3 complaints

3 complaints; no recall campaign covers this system.

Seats2 complaints

2 complaints; no recall campaign covers this system.

Trailer Hitches and Towing2 complaints

2 complaints; no recall campaign covers this system.

Air Bags2 complaints

2 complaints; no recall campaign covers this system.

Latches, Locks and Linkages1 complaints

1 complaints; no recall campaign covers this system.

Recall Campaigns

Every campaign covering this model year, in our own words. The campaign number is the official reference.

99V024000Reported February 5, 1999 - 79,366 vehicles potentially affected

Lighting. Recall covering the lighting system, reported to NHTSA on February 5, 1999. The campaign covers an estimated 79,366 vehicles across all affected models.

Defect Investigations

NHTSA's Office of Defects Investigation opened these investigations touching this model year.

DP03006Opened September 23, 2003 - Closed April 8, 2004

SEAT BACK FAILURE. No recall campaign resulted from this investigation.

DP03006Opened September 23, 2003 - Closed April 8, 2004

SEAT BACK FAILURE. No recall campaign resulted from this investigation.

PE00048Opened December 11, 2000 - Closed March 7, 2001

LOSS OF THROTTLE CONTROL. Resulted in recall campaign 01V037000.

Complaints by Year Received

When this model year's complaints reached NHTSA - whether its problems surfaced early or late in its life.

19968

199719

199817

19996

200015

200113

200214

20037

20042

20052

20061

20073

20082

20104

20113

20132

20152

20172

20181

20191

How to Read These Counts: complaint counts are owner reports to NHTSA, not failure rates. Older and higher-volume vehicles accumulate more reports, and counts are not adjusted for vehicles sold - no per-sales rate or reliability ranking is shown, because the public data does not support one.

Data as of October 30, 2026. Sources: NHTSA Office of Defects Investigation complaints, recalls, and investigations files (U.S. Government public domain). DefectRecord is not affiliated with NHTSA or any manufacturer. For your specific vehicle, use NHTSA's VIN lookup. Report an error.