1995 Dodge RAM 3500: complaints, problems and recalls
Explore the records behind recurring owner reports.
Key facts
78 owner complaints analyzed
1 distinct recall campaigns
64,870 mi median reported failure mileage
Scope: 1995 model year. Data snapshot: . 15 complaints include usable failure mileage.
Most common problems
Service Brakes, Hydraulic:Antilock/Traction Control/Electronic Limited Slip is the most frequently named component, appearing in 7 of 78 complaints (9.0%). A complaint can name multiple components.
| Topic | Matching reports | Share of complaints |
|---|---|---|
| Braking behavior | 16 | 20.5% |
| Transmission and shifting | 9 | 11.5% |
| Steering behavior | 6 | 7.7% |
| Fuel system concerns | 4 | 5.1% |
| Electrical and battery issues | 3 | 3.8% |
| Engine operation | 1 | 1.3% |
Topic matches use published keyword rules. They describe mentions, including negations or comparisons, and do not confirm a diagnosis. Read the matching rules.
Component breakdown
Number of unique complaints naming each component. Top eight shown.
| Category | Count |
|---|---|
| Service Brakes, Hydraulic:Antilock/Traction Control/Electronic Limited Slip | 7 |
| Power Train:Automatic Transmission | 5 |
| Suspension | 5 |
| Suspension:Front | 5 |
| Vehicle Speed Control | 4 |
| Fuel System, Gasoline:Delivery:Hoses, Lines/Piping, And Fittings | 3 |
| Power Train:Automatic Transmission:Cooling Unit And Lines | 3 |
| Service Brakes, Hydraulic:Foundation Components:Disc | 3 |
Service Brakes, Hydraulic:Antilock/Traction Control/Electronic Limited Slip: 7; Power Train:Automatic Transmission: 5; Suspension: 5; Suspension:Front: 5; Vehicle Speed Control: 4; Fuel System, Gasoline:Delivery:Hoses, Lines/Piping, And Fittings: 3; Power Train:Automatic Transmission:Cooling Unit And Lines: 3; Service Brakes, Hydraulic:Foundation Components:Disc: 3
Reported problems by failure mileage
Complaint counts in mileage bands. These are not failure rates per vehicle or mile.
| Category | Count |
|---|---|
| Under 25,000 | 3 |
| 25,000 to 49,999 | 1 |
| 50,000 to 74,999 | 5 |
| 75,000 to 99,999 | 0 |
| 100,000 to 149,999 | 1 |
| 150,000 and above | 5 |
Under 25,000: 3; 25,000 to 49,999: 1; 50,000 to 74,999: 5; 75,000 to 99,999: 0; 100,000 to 149,999: 1; 150,000 and above: 5
50,000 to 74,999 miles has the most reports with usable mileage (5). 63 complaints have missing, zero or invalid mileage.
Complaints over time
Year the complaint was filed, not the vehicle model year or incident year. The snapshot year is partial.
| Category | Count |
|---|---|
| 1995 | 7 |
| 1996 | 16 |
| 2000 | 12 |
| 2001 | 10 |
| 2002 | 9 |
| 2003 | 10 |
| 2004 | 5 |
| 2005 | 2 |
| 2007 | 2 |
| 2010 | 1 |
| 2011 | 3 |
| 2018 | 1 |
1995: 7; 1996: 16; 2000: 12; 2001: 10; 2002: 9; 2003: 10; 2004: 5; 2005: 2; 2007: 2; 2010: 1; 2011: 3; 2018: 1
Pattern summary
Service Brakes, Hydraulic:Antilock/Traction Control/Electronic Limited Slip leads the component reports. Braking behavior appears in 16 complaint narratives. Transmission and shifting appears in 9 complaint narratives. Steering behavior appears in 6 complaint narratives. Use these patterns to inspect individual reports and prepare questions for a mechanic.
Calculated from recorded counts. An AI narrative has not been published for this selection.
Examples from the source records
Examples provide context, not a representative sample or a verified diagnosis.
Owner report 10003104 · 2003-01-21 (January 21, 2003)
I AM THE ORIGINAL OWNER OF A 1995 DODGE 3500 WITH WHITE PAINT AND BACK IN 1999 I NOTICED THAT THE PAINT WAS STARTING TO PEEL. I DO USE THE TRUCK FOR WORK SO IT IS HARD TO BRING THE TRUCK INTO THE DEALER UNLESS IT IS SOMETHING WORTH TAKING IT OFF THE ROAD FOR A FEW DAYS. IN MARCH OF 2001 THE TRUCK HAD TO GO TO THE DEALER FOR SOME SERVICE AND RECALL WORK SO I POINTED OUT THE PAINT PROBLEM AND THEY COULD DO ANYTING ABOUT IT. THEY SAID IT IS NOT COVERED. NOW IT IS SO BAD THAT I HAVE TO GET IT FIXED. THEIR SERVICE MANAGER HAS SAID HE MIGHT BE ABLE …
Owner-reported narrative. 15,000 miles reported. Look up ODI 10003104 at NHTSA ↗
Owner report 10004967 · 2003-01-30 (January 30, 2003)
ELECTRICAL FIRE AND SMOKE UNDER DASH
Owner-reported narrative. 400,000 miles reported. Look up ODI 10004967 at NHTSA ↗
Owner report 10005825 · 2003-02-14 (February 14, 2003)
WHILE DRIVING ALONG THE HIGHWAY AT ABOUT 50MPH, AND WHILE TOWING A TRAILER, THE FRONT DRIVER-SIDE GOODYEAR WRANGLER AT TIRE BLEW OUT. IN DOING SO, IT ALSO BLEW OUT THE HOUSING, THE FRONT BUMPER, THE FRONT LIGHTS AND ASSORTED OTHER ITEMS. THE BLOW OUT FORCED US FROM THE SLOW LANE OVER 3 LANES TO THE MEDIAN DIVIDER. THANK GOD THAT THERE WERE NO OTHER CARS ON THE ROAD B/C DEATH AND DISASTER WOULD HAVE ENSUED. WE WERE ABLE TO STOP THE VEHICLE WITHOUT LOSING THE TRAILER. THE RADIALS WERE INFLATED PER MANUFACTURER SPECS, HAD BEEN ROTATED PER SPE…
Owner-reported narrative. Look up ODI 10005825 at NHTSA ↗
Owner report 10008917 · 2003-02-20 (February 20, 2003)
THE RIGHT FRONT COIL SPRING BROKE.*JB
Owner-reported narrative. Look up ODI 10008917 at NHTSA ↗
Owner report 10015740 · 2003-04-14 (April 14, 2003)
THE VEHICLE IS EXPERIENCED THE SAME DEFECT WITH THE AUTOMATIC TRANSMISSION COOLING LINES AS STATED IN RECALL 97 V 084 000, BUT THE CONSUMER VEHICLE WAS NOT INCLUDED IN THE RECALL DUE TO VIN. *NLM
Owner-reported narrative. 59,000 miles reported. Look up ODI 10015740 at NHTSA ↗
Owner report 10021610 · 2003-05-27 (May 27, 2003)
COOLANT LINES WERE LEAKING. THE LINES HAVE ALREADY BEEN REPLACED TWICE. *NLM. *AK
Owner-reported narrative. Look up ODI 10021610 at NHTSA ↗
Owner report 10024024 · 2003-06-13 (June 13, 2003)
TRANSMISSION DIDN'T SHIFT INTO GEAR. VEHICLE WAS REPAIRED BY THE DEALER. *AK
Owner-reported narrative. Look up ODI 10024024 at NHTSA ↗
Owner report 10024026 · 2003-06-13 (June 13, 2003)
THE FUEL LINE IS LEAKING. *AK
Owner-reported narrative. Look up ODI 10024026 at NHTSA ↗
Recall history
1 distinct campaigns affect this selection. Announcement dates below are different from vehicle model years. A campaign may cover multiple years.
99V024000 · Exterior Lighting:Headlights:Switch
Reported: 1999-02-05 (February 5, 1999)
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.
Consequence: IF THE LIGHTS FAIL, A VISIBILITY PROBLEM COULD OCCUR, INCREASING THE RISK OF A VEHICLE CRASH.
Remedy: DEALERS WILL REPLACE THE HEADLAMP SWITCH INCLUDING A RELAY IN THE PARK LAMP WIRING CIRCUIT.
NHTSA campaign record ↗