10.0

really awful
Crashes / Fires:
4 / 1
Injuries / Deaths:
1 / 0
Average Mileage:
8,852 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 engine problems

engine problem

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1996 Dodge Ram 3500 Owner Comments (Page 1 of 2)

problem #27

Mar 232010

Ram 3500

  • 22,010 miles

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

The contact owns a 1996 Dodge Ram 3500. The contact took the vehicle to an authorized dealership for a throttle cable repair March 2010 but the dealer only replaced the throttle cable and no other required parts that would keep the cable from failing. As a result, the cable became loose twice after the repair while the contact was driving at approximately 35 mph. The vehicle was taken back to the dealership. The dealer replaced the failed throttle twice. The contact then took the vehicle to a local repair shop as the dealer was not able to correct the problem. The mechanic at the repair shop informed her that the failure was caused by the throttle rod ball, the ball stud, throttle cable stud, the throttle rod thread (left and right) and the throttle return spring. In addition to the throttle failure, contact stated that the headlight repair performed June 2009 did not correct the problem; the headlight plastic and switch melted even after the repair. She called the manufacturer and filed a complaint; the manufacturer explained that the throttle failure was not due to a manufacturers defect but instead to the dealers poor workmanship. The failure mileage was approximately 221,010. The current mileage was 221,061.

- Sims, AR, USA

problem #26

Sep 262003

Ram 3500 6-cyl

  • Automatic transmission
  • 78,000 miles
When the consumer started the vehicle, it suddenly accelerated. The RPM's had gone into the red. The consumer had taken the vehicle to the repair shop, but the mechanic could not repair it because he could not duplicate the problem. The tow truck driver had viewed one of the cables in a "U" shape and it was stuck into a spring on the gas pedal.

- Dahlonega, GA, USA

problem #25

Mar 232003

Ram 3500 4WD 6-cyl Diesel

  • Automatic transmission
  • 139,000 miles
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 #24

Sep 152002

Ram 3500

  • miles

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

Consumer still having problem after the recall repair has been performed on the vehicle. Recall#01V037000 throttle control. Community motors 354 South hwy55 price, ut 84501 1800-944-0219.

- Elmo, UT, USA

problem #23

Feb 192002

(reported on)

Ram 3500

  • miles
Consumer was sent a recall notice (01V037000) for the throttle sticking on the vehicle. Consumer made an appointment under the assurance the parts would be in. They were not in so they were ordered. Consumer brought vehicle back and the repair was completed. The vehicle now idles high and the throttle is worse. Consumer oiled the linkages and the problem was better. Consumer brought vehicle back to the repair shop and was informed the throttle rod was bad and would cost for replacement. Consumer feels no charge should accompany the added work because the recall failed to remedy the problem.

- Wheaton, IL, USA

problem #22

Jun 092002

Ram 3500 4WD

  • miles
Shifted from park to reverse. Engine idled fast, truck took off in reverse and could not be stopped by pressing on the brake. Speed probably accelerated to 20 mph before hit 3 other vehicles. Witnesses said the rear tires were spinning and the engine noise was high pitched and oscillating.

- Palm Bay, FL, USA

problem #21

Oct 022001

(reported on)

Ram 3500

  • miles

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

Consumer is not satisified with the length of time it is taking to perform recall, even after having parts ordered in advance, consumer requested that vehicle be serviced the same day, however he received a call stating that the repairs had not been started, consumer then returned vehicle only to later be informed that the part broke and was said to defective, and another part was to be ordered.

- Hopeland, CA, USA

problem #20

Feb 122002

Ram 3500

  • miles
While driving could set up cruise control at speed, but it will suddenly accelerate to a point that consumer has to control vehicle. Dealer had been contacted, and problem could not be fixed. Please provide more infomation.

- Elington, WV, USA

problem #19

Oct 022001

(reported on)

Ram 3500

  • miles
Consumer is not satisified with the length of time it is taking to perform recall, even after having parts ordered in advance, consumer requested that vehicle be serviced the same day, however he received a call stating that the repairs had not been started, consumer then returned vehicle only to later be informed that the part broke and was said to defective, and another part was to be ordered.

- Hopeland, CA, USA

problem #18

May 302000

Ram 3500 4WD Diesel

  • Automatic transmission
  • miles
Recall 01 V 037 000/throttle cable: Dealer / manufacturer is telling consumer that this recall does not exist; asking NHTSA help in this matter.

- Chesapeake, VA, USA

problem #17

Jun 052001

(reported on)

Ram 3500

  • miles

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

On three occasions vehicle accelerated suddenly and unexpectedly. Dealer has been notified.

- Pittston, PA, USA

problem #16

Sep 011999

Ram 3500 Diesel

  • Automatic transmission
  • miles
Throttle cable frayed once at 70mph. Dealer has been notified.. cruise control cable also frayed.

- Iron Mountain, MI, USA

problem #15

Oct 152000

Ram 3500

  • miles
Throttle control is sticking in wide open position and will not return to idle at any time. This is causing engine to run 500-600 RPM above normal, which is an excessive load on diesel engine. In order to release throttle, consumer has to turn vehicle off, and go under hood and release throttle control manually. Defect happens everytime throttle is pressed hard, and is always stiff. Please provide any additional information/attachments.

- Moorestown, NJ, USA

problem #14

Jan 262001

Ram 3500 Diesel

  • miles
On January 26, 2001 during an inspection, I noticed several frayed strands on the accelerator cable where it emerges from the sheath near the injector pump. I bought a new cable that same day and noticed it is of a different design than the original. If there was enough of a problem to cause a redesign of the part, it seems DC Corp. Should have notified the owners. With the powerful torque of this engine, this is a definate safety concern as it would be hard to bring it to a stop should the cable fail at highway speeds.

- Boise, ID, USA

problem #13

Jan 162001

(reported on)

Ram 3500 4WD Diesel

  • Manual transmission
  • miles
The throttle cable failed, causing ABS and brake lights to be illuminated, also caused cruise control to hunt, consumer tapped to disengage cruise control and the accelerator stuck.

- Marshfield, WI, USA

problem #12

Nov 152000

Ram 3500

  • Automatic transmission
  • miles
Airbag light came on after being hit on back end of vehicle. Dealer found internal wiring problem, airbag sensor had to replaced.

- Taswell, VA, USA

problem #11

Jun 102000

Ram 3500

  • miles
While driving my truck on the interstate hwy at a speed of 60 mph, with the cruise control ingaged my truck excelerated to speed of 90+ mph, I was unalbe to stop the vechical.

- Ft. Worth, TX, USA

problem #10

Jun 102000

Ram 3500

  • miles
While driving my truck on the interstate hwy at a speed of 60 mph, with the cruise control ingaged my truck excelerated to speed of 90+ mph, I was unalbe to stop the vechical.

- Ft. Worth, TX, USA

problem #9

May 211999

Ram 3500

  • Automatic transmission
  • miles
While driving vehicle suddenly accelerated, causing a crash. Sudden acceleration problem happened once before. Dealer could not determine the problem. Brake failed.

- Cabot, AR, USA

problem #8

Jul 211998

Ram 3500 4WD Diesel

  • miles
While driving on the freeway and towing a trailer the throttle linkage jammed all the way on. I had to turn the ignition off to stop. The throttle cable had become frayed inside of a sheath on the linkage cable and jammed inside the sheath.

- Arcata, CA, USA

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