Complaints
182
Crashes
8
Fires
12
Injuries
3
Fatalities
—
Recalls
0
Worst 1996 Dodge 3500 Problems
Top 3 most-reported issues with average mileage at failure.
#115 complaints
Service Brakes, Hydraulic:Antilock/Traction Control/Electronic Limited Slip
#29 complaints
Automatic Transmission
Fires:2
#38 complaints
Power Train:Automatic Transmission:Cooling Unit And Lines
Avg mileage:138,000 mi
Crash-related:1
Fires:1
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All Problems by Category
Every NHTSA complaint category for the 1996 Dodge 3500.
| Component | Complaints | Crashes | Fires | Avg Mileage | Volume |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Service Brakes, Hydraulic:Antilock/Traction Control/Electronic Limited Slip | 15 | — | — | — | |
| Automatic Transmission | 9 | — | 2 | — | |
| Power Train:Automatic Transmission:Cooling Unit And Lines | 8 | 1 | 1 | 138,000 mi | |
| Service Brakes, Hydraulic:Foundation Components | 8 | 1 | — | — | |
| Suspension:Front | 7 | — | — | — | |
| Steering Defects | 5 | — | — | 93,030 mi | |
| Structure:Frame And Members | 5 | — | — | — | |
| Suspension Failures | 5 | 1 | — | 81,545 mi | |
| Tire Defects | 5 | 1 | — | 241,500 mi | |
| Unintended Acceleration | 5 | — | 1 | 80,505 mi | |
| Electrical System:Wiring:Interior/Under Dash | 4 | — | 3 | — | |
| Engine And Engine Cooling:Engine | 4 | — | — | — | |
| Engine And Engine Cooling:Engine:Gasoline | 4 | — | — | — | |
| Headlight/Taillight Failures | 4 | — | — | — | |
| Exterior Lighting:Headlights:Switch | 4 | — | 2 | — | |
| Structural Problems | 4 | — | — | — | |
| Equipment:Appliance:Air Conditioner | 3 | — | — | — | |
| Manual Transmission | 3 | — | — | — | |
| Hydraulic Brakes | 3 | — | — | — | |
| Service Brakes, Hydraulic:Foundation Components:Disc | 3 | — | — | — | |
| Service Brakes, Hydraulic:Foundation Components:Disc:Pads | 3 | — | — | — | |
| Service Brakes, Hydraulic:Foundation Components:Hoses, Lines/Piping, And Fittings | 3 | 1 | — | — | |
| Vehicle Speed Control:Cruise Control | 3 | — | — | — | |
| Electrical Faults | 2 | — | 1 | — | |
| Electrical System:Wiring:Front Underhood | 2 | — | 2 | — | |
| Fuel Pump | 2 | — | — | — | |
| Fuel System, Gasoline:Delivery:Hoses, Lines/Piping, And Fittings | 2 | — | — | — | |
| Fuel System, Other | 2 | — | — | — | |
| Seat-Related Issues | 2 | — | — | — |
Service Brakes, Hydraulic:Antilock/Traction Control/Electronic Limited Slip
15
complaints
Crashes
—
Fires
—
Avg Miles
—
Automatic Transmission
9
complaints
Crashes
—
Fires
2
Avg Miles
—
Power Train:Automatic Transmission:Cooling Unit And Lines
8
complaints
Crashes
1
Fires
1
Avg Miles
138,000
Service Brakes, Hydraulic:Foundation Components
8
complaints
Crashes
1
Fires
—
Avg Miles
—
Suspension:Front
7
complaints
Crashes
—
Fires
—
Avg Miles
—
Steering Defects
5
complaints
Crashes
—
Fires
—
Avg Miles
93,030
Structure:Frame And Members
5
complaints
Crashes
—
Fires
—
Avg Miles
—
Suspension Failures
5
complaints
Crashes
1
Fires
—
Avg Miles
81,545
Tire Defects
5
complaints
Crashes
1
Fires
—
Avg Miles
241,500
Unintended Acceleration
5
complaints
Crashes
—
Fires
1
Avg Miles
80,505
Electrical System:Wiring:Interior/Under Dash
4
complaints
Crashes
—
Fires
3
Avg Miles
—
Engine And Engine Cooling:Engine
4
complaints
Crashes
—
Fires
—
Avg Miles
—
Engine And Engine Cooling:Engine:Gasoline
4
complaints
Crashes
—
Fires
—
Avg Miles
—
Headlight/Taillight Failures
4
complaints
Crashes
—
Fires
—
Avg Miles
—
Exterior Lighting:Headlights:Switch
4
complaints
Crashes
—
Fires
2
Avg Miles
—
Structural Problems
4
complaints
Crashes
—
Fires
—
Avg Miles
—
Equipment:Appliance:Air Conditioner
3
complaints
Crashes
—
Fires
—
Avg Miles
—
Manual Transmission
3
complaints
Crashes
—
Fires
—
Avg Miles
—
Hydraulic Brakes
3
complaints
Crashes
—
Fires
—
Avg Miles
—
Service Brakes, Hydraulic:Foundation Components:Disc
3
complaints
Crashes
—
Fires
—
Avg Miles
—
Service Brakes, Hydraulic:Foundation Components:Disc:Pads
3
complaints
Crashes
—
Fires
—
Avg Miles
—
Service Brakes, Hydraulic:Foundation Components:Hoses, Lines/Piping, And Fittings
3
complaints
Crashes
1
Fires
—
Avg Miles
—
Vehicle Speed Control:Cruise Control
3
complaints
Crashes
—
Fires
—
Avg Miles
—
Electrical Faults
2
complaints
Crashes
—
Fires
1
Avg Miles
—
Electrical System:Wiring:Front Underhood
2
complaints
Crashes
—
Fires
2
Avg Miles
—
Fuel Pump
2
complaints
Crashes
—
Fires
—
Avg Miles
—
Fuel System, Gasoline:Delivery:Hoses, Lines/Piping, And Fittings
2
complaints
Crashes
—
Fires
—
Avg Miles
—
Fuel System, Other
2
complaints
Crashes
—
Fires
—
Avg Miles
—
Seat-Related Issues
2
complaints
Crashes
—
Fires
—
Avg Miles
—
Search Owner Complaints
Read what owners actually reported to NHTSA for the 1996 Dodge 3500. Type a keyword (e.g. “transmission”, “stalling”, “brakes”) to filter.
Other Dodge 3500 Years
1996 Dodge 3500 — FAQ
Answers based on real NHTSA complaint and recall data for this specific model year.
Is the 1996 Dodge 3500 reliable?
Verdict: Typical for Model. The 1996 Dodge 3500 has 182 NHTSA complaints, 8 crash-related, and 0 recall campaigns. The most common issue is Service Brakes, Hydraulic:Antilock/Traction Control/Electronic Limited Slip with 15 complaints. Source: NHTSA via VinItel.
What are common problems with the 1996 Dodge 3500?
Top reported problems: Service Brakes, Hydraulic:Antilock/Traction Control/Electronic Limited Slip (15 complaints); Automatic Transmission (9 complaints); Power Train:Automatic Transmission:Cooling Unit And Lines (8 complaints, avg 138,000 mi). Every complaint is filed by an owner with NHTSA — this is raw reported data, not editorial opinion.
At what mileage do problems start on the 1996 Dodge 3500?
The weighted average mileage at time of complaint is about 128,104 miles. Some components fail earlier, some later — check the "All Problems by Category" table above for per-issue averages.
How safe is the 1996 Dodge 3500?
NHTSA complaints for the 1996 Dodge 3500 include 8 crash-related reports, 12 fire reports, 3 injuries, and 0 fatalities. These are owner-reported incidents, not official crash-test ratings — a complaint being filed doesn't confirm a defect, but clusters around specific components are worth investigating.
Does the 1996 Dodge 3500 have any recalls?
No NHTSA recall campaigns have been issued for the 1996 Dodge 3500 as of the latest data sync. Verify by VIN for the most current status — new recalls can be issued years after a model year ships.
Should I buy a 1996 Dodge 3500?
Complaint levels are in line with what's expected. Normal used-car due diligence applies — check the specific VIN for accident history, open recalls, and title brands.
Source: NHTSA (National Highway Traffic Safety Administration) complaint and recall databases, aggregated by VinItel.
Wider context: See the full Dodge 3500 reliability report with year-by-year comparison and generation analysis.
Check Your Specific 1996 Dodge 3500
Real owner complaints tell you about the model. The VIN tells you about your specific car — accidents, title issues, odometer fraud.
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