10.0

really awful
Crashes / Fires:
1 / 8
Injuries / Deaths:
1 / 0
Average Mileage:
15,444 miles

About These NHTSA Complaints:

This data is from the NHTSA — the US gov't agency tasked with vehicle safety. Complaints are spread across multiple & redundant categories, & are not organized by problem.

So how do you find out what problems are occurring? For this NHTSA complaint data, the only way is to read through the comments below. Any duplicates or errors? It's not us.

1996 Dodge Ram 3500 electrical problems

electrical problem

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1996 Dodge Ram 3500 Owner Comments

problem #9

Mar 232003

Ram 3500 4WD 6-cyl Diesel

  • Automatic transmission
  • 139,000 miles

A D V E R T I S E M E N T S

Fire in engine area, ,,,,fuel pre-heater catches fire in the wiring because of bad seal on electrical connectors that allow rust to form in trucks in snow and salt country...luckily I was getting home and stepping out of the truck when I spotted the fire, ,,,if not the truck would have burn to the ground during the night, ,,or I could have been asleep at a truck stop as I often do when I am on the road to the races...according to fellow members of the turbo diesel register (we supplied all the info and damaged parts to your organization last year concerning the throttle cable problem)),,,this fuel heater fire is a very common occurrence in these 94 to 97 trucks with the cummins diesel engine.. how does Chrysler get away with all these safety issues. This could very easily cause death if not addressed.. thanks for your time..

- Climax, NY, USA

problem #8

Jan 012002

Ram 3500

  • miles
Smoke was coming from inside of vehicle through vent panel area. He was able to pull over to shoulders. Fire department was called out.

- Grapevine, AR, USA

problem #7

Jan 072002

Ram 3500 4WD

  • miles
Vehicle was being used to plow snow. Vehicle was moving forward at a very slow rate ( approx 1 mph) and vehicle erupted in flames. Driver had to exit through a wall of flame and within less than a minute, cab was completely engulfed in fire. Vehicle completely destroyed in less than five minutes. Fire appeared to originate from beneath the cab, exact origin unknown. Vehicle will be kept on the premises until we hear from you. Our insurance adjuster has inspected the vehicle for insurance purposes but we have major safety concerns about this vehicle and would like to know what caused the fire. There was no service recently performed on the vehicle other than routine oil changes etc. The vehicle seemed to be running normally right up to the time that the vehicle caught fire.

- Bloomsburg, PA, USA

problem #6

Aug 152000

Ram 3500 4WD Diesel

  • miles

A D V E R T I S E M E N T S

Truck started with no key-jumped a barrier-rammed a building-caught on fire;

- Stinson Beach, CA, USA

problem #5

Jul 281999

(reported on)

Ram 3500

  • miles
While driving vehicle the steering wheel and column caught on fire. Dealer says it was due to a short in wiring harness.

- Atlanta, GA, USA

problem #4

May 201997

(reported on)

Ram 3500

  • miles
While driving vehicle caught on fire. Fire started on the driver's side under the hood, near electrical harness. Fire was 3 feet high. Owner was slightly hurt.

- Tumwater, WA, USA

problem #3

Jul 241996

Ram 3500 4WD

  • Automatic transmission
  • miles

A D V E R T I S E M E N T S

Smoke noticed during operation coming from underneath the hood, resulting in the burning of the padding under the hood.

- Brazoria, TX, USA

problem #2

Jul 101996

Ram 3500 4WD

  • Automatic transmission
  • miles
Wiring harness under the hood caught fire.

- Laredo, TX, USA

problem #1

Jul 241996

Ram 3500

  • miles
Insulation from under the hood burnt. During vehicle operation.

- Brazoria, TX, USA

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