10.0

really awful
Crashes / Fires:
14 / 0
Injuries / Deaths:
12 / 0
Average Mileage:
0 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 brakes problems

brakes problem

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1996 Dodge Ram 3500 Owner Comments (Page 1 of 6)

problem #107

Feb 192002

(reported on)

Ram 3500

  • miles

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

The ABS and the brake light illuminated. The vehicle brakes even when not in motion. The service writer says consumers vehicle needs a cabs computer module. The front rotors needed replacing because of what the dealer claims to be pitting. A friend in formed consumer that it was because of air bubbles in the casting when the rotors were made.

- Wheaton, IL, USA

problem #106

Jan 142002

Ram 3500

  • miles
While driving could step on the brake pedal to reduce or to stop vehicle. Pedal will pulse causing extended stopping distance, dealer had been contacted.

- Presca Valley, AZ, USA

problem #105

Jan 142002

Ram 3500

  • miles
ABS light came on and had not turned off. Had taken vehicle to dealer, they fixed the problem for a couple days. But, problem came back.

- Presca Valley, AZ, USA

problem #104

Aug 191998

Ram 3500 4WD Diesel

  • miles

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

When this problem first happened in 1998, we took it to the Dodge dealer here in cheyenne, wy and they said the calibrater was bad and fixed the right side only. When it started pulling on the left side, it was worse. My wife was driving home on the frontage road when a car stopped short in front of her to make a turn and she had to slam on the brakes hard and it jerked her into the lane of oncoming traffic and there was almost a head on collision. We took it to our master mechanic at another dealership and he told us this is an on going problem with these trucks. He also said you can't only fix on side. The fact that my wife could have been killed because of this problem and that Chrysler refused to do anything about it is very upsetting. The cost to fix this was $500 and that was only because my wife works at the dealership where it was fixed. Our mechanic had come from the Dodge dealership as a master technician and also drives a Dodge. This needs to be addressed with Chrysler and they need to held responsible and fix the problem. We don't need to lose our loved ones because Chrysler does'nt feel this is a problem.

- Cheyenne, WY, USA

problem #103

Aug 212001

Ram 3500

  • miles
The front and rear causing the ABS and brake light to illuminate while driving. Nlm

- Antioch, CA, USA

problem #102

Apr 011996

Ram 3500

  • miles
During application of brake system vehicle will suddenly pull hard to left or right, direction is unpredictable. Dealership has examined vehicle, but was unable to remedy problem. Please provide any additional information / attachments.

- Forestville, CA, USA

problem #101

Nov 012000

Ram 3500

  • miles

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

ABS braking system light comes on dashboard and stays on. Dealership is aware of problem.

- Humbolt, TN, USA

problem #100

May 202001

Ram 3500

  • miles
When applying brakes in a panic stop they locked up, resulting in a collision which caused minor injuries.

- Bremen, KY, USA

problem #99

Oct 012000

Ram 3500

  • miles
When applying brakes ABS braking system lights comes on dashboard panel. Dealership is aware of problem. Pedal is hard and sticks a little.

- Humbolt, TN, USA

problem #98

Jan 141994

Ram 3500 4WD Diesel

  • Manual transmission
  • miles
Vehicle needs a tower bracket. Also, brakes are bad, they have to bee replaced every 15 thousand miles. The vehicle loses all power when braking while backing down hill.

- Spokane, WA, USA

problem #97

Oct 102000

Ram 3500

  • miles

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

Consumer was traveling on highway the and noticed that ABS braking system light came on intermittently on dashboard. Dealership was aware of problem.

- Humbolt, TN, USA

problem #96

Aug 072000

Ram 3500

  • miles
While driving to a stop sign behind other vehicle, applied brake pedal and vehicle lost braking power. Consumer was forced to drive off the road. Technician pointed out that problem was with brake line that delivered fluid to brakes.

- Tampa, FL, USA

problem #95

Feb 022000

(reported on)

Ram 3500 4WD

  • Automatic transmission
  • miles
When applying brakes vehicle will pulls hard to left. Dealer has resurfaced front brakes, and flushed master cylinder and its lines, but defect keeps reoccurring.

- Fairfield, WA, USA

problem #94

Dec 131999

(reported on)

Ram 3500

  • Automatic transmission
  • miles
Transmission will not shift to 2-3 geras normaly, also, ABS brake light comes on at idle.

- Kernersville, NC, USA

problem #93

Sep 301999

(reported on)

Ram 3500

  • miles
When applying the brakes the pedal goes to the floor, causing extended stopping distance. Replaced brakes five times within two years. Also, the rotors are prematurley wearing.

- Dover, PA, USA

problem #92

Aug 151998

Ram 3500

  • Automatic transmission
  • miles
Transmission shudders at 45 mph, does not shift and shakes when going into 3rd or overdirve, and jerks and slips, dealer has replaced the valve body and reconditioned transmission and replaced convertor, transmission continues to lock up and jerk. Driver and passenger side mirrors were both replaced due to being loose. Emergency brake handle came off and was replaced. Fuel gauge read empty with 12 gallons in tank, dealer replaced fuel pump module. Wiper blades weren't cleaning windshield, dealer replaced both wiper blades, windshield washer was inoperable, dealer replaced washer motor. Vehicle has experienced many problems with the interior and dome lights failing, dome light keeps blowing fuse and dealer has replaced the strip lighting and fuse box door and repaired the open circuit to junction block. Radiator cap was replaced due to low coolant. There was a brake fluid leak, dealer replaced caps for the master cylinder, the brake and ABS light were illuminated, dealer replaced rear wheel speed sensor and wiring. Passenger side vent window would not open and leaked air. Vehicle only gets 13mph on highway, consumer states this is poor gas mileage.

- Warreen, MI, USA

problem #91

Mar 241999

Ram 3500 Diesel

  • Automatic transmission
  • miles
When applying the brakes, vehicle has no power. Also, the power steering failed, causing consumer to put vehicle into neutral, and rev the engine. Took six months to get part after repeated calls. Front brakes wearing out prematurely because rear brakes are not self adjusting. Very unsafe when braking at higher speeds. The left rear axle seal was leaking. Water collects near the passenger door underneath the carpet.

- North Olmsted, OH, USA

problem #90

May 061999

(reported on)

Ram 3500

  • miles
ABS brake problems; when applying brakes duriing heavy braking conditions, ABS brakes do not work correctly, and truck glides along. This happens on normal road condtions. The dealer is not able to detect what the problem is with the system.

- Phoenix, AZ, USA

problem #89

Jul 171997

Ram 3500

  • miles
Front end was shaking & vibrating. While exiting off road there was a lot of vibration in steering. Took to dealer & coupling, brakes, lower steering column shaft were replaced. However, vibration still continued. Took back to dealer & nothing found. Was lowering vehicle & noticed front end was cracked.

- Blue Ridge, TX, USA

problem #88

Nov 051998

Ram 3500 4WD

  • miles
Excessive pedal effort required to stop vehicle in normal braking situations. Front brakes smoke during hard stops or in stop and go traffic. It also gives off a burning smell. Brought back to dealer 2 times and they state that it is "normal". I just found out that in 1997, Dodge changed the master cylinder on this truck to a larger unit. The rest of the brake system components are the same. I would think that this would solve my problem.

- Annandale, NJ, USA

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