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.

Other Dodge RAM 3500 model years

All Dodge RAM 3500 recalls by year

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.