Model year record

1996 Dodge RAM 3500

1 recall campaign on file for this model year. 182 owner complaints on file.

Recalls

Recall campaignNHTSA 99V024000

Exterior lighting: headlights: switch

Component
Exterior lighting: headlights: switch
Manufacturer
DAIMLERCHRYSLER CORPORATION
Vehicles affected
79,366
Reported to NHTSA
1999-02-05
Owners notified
1999-06-14

Defect description

VEHICLE DESCRIPTION: MODEL 3500 LIGHT DUTY TRUCKS ONLY. OPERATION OF THE HEADLAMPS OVER AN EXTENDED PERIOD OF TIME CAN RESULT IN HEADLAMP SWITCH FAILURE, CAUSING THE HEADLAMPS OR PARK LAMPS TO GO OUT.

Safety risk

IF THE LIGHTS FAIL, A VISIBILITY PROBLEM COULD OCCUR, INCREASING THE RISK OF A VEHICLE CRASH.

Manufacturer remedy

DEALERS WILL REPLACE THE HEADLAMP SWITCH INCLUDING A RELAY IN THE PARK LAMP WIRING CIRCUIT.

Owner complaints

A complaint is one person's report to a federal agency. It is not a finding.

ComponentComplaintsMedian mileage
Service brakes, hydraulic: antilock/traction control/electronic limited slip15
Power train: automatic transmission9
Power train: automatic transmission: cooling unit and lines8115,000 mi
Service brakes, hydraulic: foundation components8
Suspension: front7
Steering598,090 mi
Structure: frame and members5
Suspension565,000 mi
Tires5241,500 mi
Unknown or other5
Vehicle speed control522,010 mi
Electrical system: wiring: interior/under dash4
Engine and engine cooling: engine4
Engine and engine cooling: engine: gasoline4
Exterior lighting4140,000 mi
Exterior lighting: headlights: switch4201,135 mi
Structure480,000 mi
Equipment: appliance: air conditioner3
Power train: manual transmission3
Service brakes, hydraulic365,000 mi
Service brakes, hydraulic: foundation components: disc3
Service brakes, hydraulic: foundation components: disc: pads3
Service brakes, hydraulic: foundation components: hoses, lines/piping, and fittings3115,000 mi
Vehicle speed control: cruise control385,000 mi
Electrical system2170,000 mi
Electrical system: wiring: front underhood2139,000 mi
Fuel system, gasoline: delivery: fuel pump2
Fuel system, gasoline: delivery: hoses, lines/piping, and fittings2
Fuel system, other2
Seats2123,450 mi
Service brakes, hydraulic: foundation components: master cylinder2
Steering: gear box (other than rack and pinion)2
Suspension: front: stabilizer bar2
Trailer hitches2
Vehicle speed control: cables2
Air bags1200,000 mi
Air bags: frontal: sensor/control module1
Electrical system: ignition: switch1
Electrical system: wiring1
Engine and engine cooling: cooling system1
Engine and engine cooling: engine: gasoline: turbo/supercharger1
Engine and engine cooling: exhaust system1
Engine and engine cooling: exhaust system: emission control: catalytic convertor150,000 mi
Equipment: electrical: radio/tape deck/CD etc.1
Equipment: mechanical: carrier/rack1
Equipment: mechanical: wrecker and wheel lift devices1
Exterior lighting: headlights122,010 mi
Fuel system, gasoline: fuel injection system: injectors150,000 mi
Fuel system, gasoline: storage: tank assembly1
Fuel system, other: delivery: hoses, lines/piping, and fittings1115,000 mi
Latches/locks/linkages: hood: latch1
Parking brake1
Power train: manual transmission: floor shift assembly1
Service brakes, air: antilock: interconnecting assembly(wiring)1
Service brakes, hydraulic: antilock/traction control/electronic limited slip: ABS warning light185,000 mi
Service brakes, hydraulic: antilock/traction control/electronic limited slip: control unit/module1211,000 mi
Service brakes, hydraulic: foundation components: disc: caliper1
Service brakes, hydraulic: foundation components: drum: shoes/linings1
Service brakes, hydraulic: foundation components: drum: wheel cylinders1
Service brakes, hydraulic: power assist1
Steering: steering wheel/handle bar1
Steering: column1
Steering: linkages1
Steering: rack and pinion: pinion shaft1
Structure: body1
Structure: frame and members: underbody shields1
Suspension: front: springs: air suspension system1
Suspension: multiple axle1
Tires: tread/belt1
Vehicle speed control: linkages1
Visibility: defroster/defogger/hvac system: windshield: electrical heating element1
Visibility: power window devices and controls1
Visibility: windshield1

The 1995 model has about 1.5 times as many complaints as this one. The 1997 model has roughly the same number of complaints as this one. These figures reflect raw complaint counts, not failure rates. Higher-selling model years naturally receive more complaints.

Safety recall repairs are provided free of charge by franchised dealers, regardless of vehicle age or mileage. This page displays aggregated data for the model year. To check recall status for a specific vehicle, search its VIN at nhtsa.gov.