Engine
3.9L 6-cyl
How to read this file. Complaint records are unverified owner submissions to the federal safety agency. Counts are raw, not adjusted for sales volume or vehicle age. Recall campaigns apply to the model; only a VIN check shows whether this car is affected or repaired. Parts shown are named by an editorial note or listed as a search directory; none is a diagnosis. Full methodology.
Fault profile
Complaint-component records on this vehicle, grouped by family. A complaint naming two systems counts once in each.
Complaints are owner-reported and not verified by the agency.
When it fails
The timing of this vehicle's reported failures, from the complaint file itself. A cluster tells you what to expect and when; it is shaped by reporting behavior as well as by the vehicle.
Vehicle age when the failure occurred
Years between the model year and the owner's reported failure date. Based on 78 of 108 complaints with a usable failure date.
Known issues
The component families with the most complaint records against this vehicle. Counts, crash and fire figures belong to the whole family, not to any single named issue. Parts listed are related system parts, not a diagnosis.
Brakes
38 complaint records6 crash reports
"TWO FUEL LINES AND BRAKE LINES VIBRATE TOGETHER WHICH CAUSES LINES TO GET THIN AND START LEAKING. DEALER CONTACTED. *AK..."- one owner's federal complaint about this system; it may not describe the issue named above
Parts
No specific part is named for this issue. Browse brakes parts in the directory →
Suspension
20 complaint records
"WHEN HITTINNG A ROUGH SPOT IN THE ROAD VEHICLE SHIMMIES. CONSUMER HAS TO SLOW DOWN VEHICLE FOR SHAKING TO STOP. DEALER HAS BEEN CONTACTED.*AK..."- one owner's federal complaint about this system; it may not describe the issue named above
Parts
No specific part is named for this issue. Browse suspension parts in the directory →
Power train
20 complaint records2 fire reports
"ON NINE OCCASIONS THE TRAINMISSION WAS REPAIRED UNDER WARRANTY FOR SEVENTH TIME THE TRANSMISSION NEED TO REPLACED . PLEASE DESCRIBE .*AK..."- one owner's federal complaint about this system; it may not describe the issue named above
Parts
No specific part is named for this issue. Browse power train parts in the directory →
Federal defect investigations
Formal investigations opened by the federal safety agency into this vehicle. An investigation is the step between a complaint pattern and a recall; not every one results in one.
| Investigation | Status | Component | Subject |
|---|---|---|---|
| DP03006 opened Sep 2003 | closed Apr 2004 | Seats | SEAT BACK FAILURE ODI HAS IDENTIFIED 30 INCIDENTS WHERE IT IS ALLEGED THE SEAT BACK COLLAPSED IN A REAR IMPACT CRASH.THESE INCIDENTS ARE ALLEGED TO HAVE CONTRIBUTED TO 23 INJURIES AND TWO DEATHS.THE DATA PRESENTED TO ODI SHOW THAT THE SEAT BACK STRENGTH OF THE FRONT SEATS... |
| DP03002 opened May 2003 | closed Jul 2003 | Steering | STEERING COLUMN SEPARATION MR. LARRY A. SACKEY SUBMITTED A PETITION TO THE NATIONAL HIGHWAY TRAFFIC SAFETY ADMINISTRATION (NHTSA) BY LETTER DATED APRIL 18, 2003, REQUESTING THAT NHTSAFURTHER INVESTIGATE THE DEFECTIVE COLLAPSIBLE STEERING SHAFT SYSTEM ON 1987-1995 VEHICLES MANUFACTURED... |
| PE00048 opened Dec 2000 | closed Mar 2001 | Vehicle Speed Control | LOSS OF THROTTLE CONTROL - led to recall 01V037000 ALLEGED THAT THE THROTTLE CABLE CAN FRAY OR SEVER DURING NORMAL USE RESULTING IN THE THROTTLE NOT RETURNING TO IDLE OR AN INABILITY TO ACCELERATE. |
| PE99026 opened Apr 1999 | closed Aug 1999 | Suspension | FRONT SUSPENSION SPRING/SHOCK ABSORBER - led to recall 99V214000 ALLEGE FAILURE OF THE COIL SPRING/SHOCK ABSORBER BRACKET AT ITS ATTACHMENT TO THE VEHICLE FRAME MAY ALLOW COLLAPSE OF THE FRONT SUSPENSION, AND POTENTIALLY AFFECT STEERING OR BRAKING SYSTEM PERFORMANCE |
| EA98010 opened May 1998 | closed Dec 1999 | Exterior Lighting | HEADLIGHT CIRCUIT - led to recall 99V024000 THE HEADLAMP SWITCH IN THE SUBJECT VEHICLES CAN OVER-HEAT AND FAIL RESULTING IN LOSS OF HEAD LAMPS AND POSSIBLY OTHER LIGHTS.DAIMLERCHRYSLER CONDUCTED A SERIES OF TESTS AND DETERMINED THAT THE 3500 SERIES IS PRONE TO GENERATING HEAD LAMP SWITCH TEMPERATURES... |
Show 1 more closed investigations
| Investigation | Status | Component | Subject |
|---|---|---|---|
| PE98002 opened Jan 1998 | closed May 1998 | Exterior Lighting | HEADLIGHT CIRCUIT FAILURE There is no summary currently available |
Recall campaigns
Safety-recall remedies are normally provided at no charge. Under US federal law the mandatory free remedy applies when the vehicle was no more than 15 years old at the time the defect was determined; manufacturers often cover older vehicles voluntarily. Canadian rules differ. Confirm eligibility with the manufacturer using the VIN. Each campaign number links to the federal record.
| Campaign | Component | Summary | Remedy |
|---|---|---|---|
| 99V024000 | Exterior Lighting | 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. | Normally free |
Transport Canada recalls
Recalls issued under Canadian law for this model year, from Transport Canada's Vehicle Recalls Database. Matched by model name, so a Canadian-market variant may appear here that was sold under another name in the US. Units are Canadian vehicles affected.
| Recall | System | Units (CA) | Summary |
|---|---|---|---|
| 2001052 2001-03-08 | Engine | 18,025 | On certain diesel pickup trucks, the throttle cable can unravel (fray) or break, which could result in loss of throttle control and loss of power. |
| 2001055 2001-03-08 | Structure | 73,167 | On certain pickup trucks located in Ontario, Quebec and the Maritime provinces, corrosion of the hood secondary latch return spring may cause the hood secondary latch to become inoperative, possibly allowing the hood to open unexpectedly... |
| 2000144 2000-06-30 | Electrical | 54,601 | Certain pickup trucks were built with an ignition switch and wiring that may overheat under certain operating conditions. |
| 1999158 1999-08-27 | Suspension | 8,630 | On certain pickup trucks equipped with a diesel or V-10 engine, the front suspension spring/shock towers may crack and eventually separate from the vehicle frame. |
| 1999132 1999-06-28 | Structure | 687 | On certain 4 x 4 pickups equipped with an 8.0 litre V10 engine, Under certain heavy duty applications, such as driving up a steep grade in four wheel drive with a full load, the local exhaust temperature proximate to the hydraulic clutch... |
Show 9 more Canadian recalls
| Recall | System | Units (CA) | Summary |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1999027 1999-02-23 | Electrical | 6,176 | On certain Ram 3500 vehicles, the headlamp switches used in this truck series operate under a high current load which results in switch internal temperatures above the 100 degree centigrade limit for the internal lubing grease. |
| 1998123 1998-06-17 | Emissions | 46,147 | Certain vehicles may not comply with CMVSS 1105 - evaporative emissions. The evaporative canister may allow migration of its contents (charcoal) through the purge system and into the engine. |
| 1998038 1998-03-04 | Emissions | 3,408 | Certain Ram 3500 vehicles do not comply with CMVSS 1101 - emission device. The Vehicle emission warranty statement in the engine warranty manuals does not include the powertrain control module and the catalyst in the list of warranted... |
| 1997206 1997-11-20 | Fuel System | 34,694 | On certain vehicles, the fuel tank mounted rollover valve may allow liquid fuel to leak onto the ground under certain conditions. In the presence of an ignition source, a fire could occur. |
| 1997178 1997-10-16 | Emissions | 4 | Certain vehicles do not comply with CMVSS 1103 - exhaust emissions. The elbow containing the crankcase ventilation orifice was installed on the wrong valve cover resulting in improper metering of crankcase gases being returned to the... |
| 1997095 1997-05-07 | Brakes | 7,102 | On certain vehicles, the engine driven vacuum pump may introduce engine oil into the vacuum hoses due to the absence of an internal check valve. |
| 1997096 1997-05-07 | Powertrain | 50,846 | On certain vehicles, the transmission fluid temperature could exceed the melting point of the connector which retains the fluid line to the transmission. |
| 1996187 1996-11-20 | Steering | 36,575 | On certain vehicles, the plastic pins and metal clip that retain the steering column lower shaft could break, causing the lower shaft to separate from the upper shaft. |
| 1995063 1995-04-07 | Structure | 15,564 | On certain vehicles, the secondary hood latch rod may bind on the guide bracket and prevent secondary latch engagement. If this condition occurs simultaneously with a not engaged primary latch, the hood may not be properly restrained. |
Service bulletins and warranty extensions
Manufacturer communications to dealers on file with the federal agency: repair instructions, service campaigns, and warranty extensions. A warranty extension means the manufacturer may pay for a repair the recall table does not cover.
| Bulletin | Type | Component | Summary |
|---|---|---|---|
| DOR-S3Q5A-11 Jun 2018 | Power Train | This SKU is an Automatic Transmission Oil Cooler Line. The Customer communication requested return of unsold inventory to inspect for improperly crimped hose fittings. Improperly crimped hose fittings could cause a potential fluid leak at the crimp. | |
| DOR-F7R3P-11 Jun 2018 | Suspension | This SKU is a front upper ball joint. The Customer communication requested return of unsold inventory to inspect for ball studs with excessive rotational friction in the ball joint assembly. | |
| R2118796A Feb 2016 | Engine And Engine Cooling | Valve Body. These may cause over drive cycling. | |
| 9002849 Sep 2014 | Equipment | Part Description: Insulator on Lever Assy Manual Valve - Valve Body - RWD Transmission Issue Description: The manual valve insulator, attaching rivet and instruction sheet are now available as a kit. If the insulator requires replacement please order kit 68253161AA. | |
| 9002688 Feb 2013 | Electrical System | 68069384A$, R8069384A$, 68086182A$, R8027067A$, RL002012A$ - Gasket, Cylinder Head Cover Before replacing injectors for Diagnostic Trouble Codes P0201, P0202, P0203, P0204, P0205, and/or P0206, please make sure that the wiring loom and/or connector in the valve cover gasket is... |
Show 1 more bulletins
| Bulletin | Type | Component | Summary |
|---|---|---|---|
| 0200101 Jan 2001 | Suspension | SOME CUSTOMERS MAY EXPERIENCE A SITUATION IN WHICH THE REAR OF THE VEHICLE SITS TOO HIGH TO ATTACH THEIR FIFTH WHEEL OR GOOSE NECK TRAILER TO THE TRAILER HITCH TURNABLE. *JB |
Before you buy this vehicle
A test-drive checklist generated from this vehicle's own complaint and recall record.
- Brake hard once from speed on an empty road.A pull to one side, a pulsing pedal, a pedal that sinks at a stop, or an ABS light that stays lit are the brake complaints on this vehicle presenting themselves.
- Find the roughest road nearby.Clunks over bumps, a droning hum that changes when the car leans, or a corner that sits low are this vehicle's suspension complaints. Wheel bearings and control arm bushings lead the parts list.
- Drive it from a dead stop, twice, on a hill if you can.Shudder, hesitation, or a lurch under light throttle is how this vehicle's largest complaint cluster shows itself. Then ask for the transmission service history in writing; repeat repairs are a pattern, not a fluke.
- Run the VIN against open recalls before you negotiate.This vehicle has 1 recall campaign on file. An open recall needs VIN-specific confirmation. Many are quick, no-charge fixes and worth negotiating over; an unresolved do-not-drive advisory, or a remedy the manufacturer has not yet made available, should stop the purchase until it is resolved.
- Ask for the service history in writing, then read it against this page.The complaint families above are where owners of this vehicle report trouble. Repairs in exactly those systems are evidence the car had the problem; no such repairs could mean it never developed it, or that it was never fixed. The test-drive items above are how you tell those apart.
Parts search directory
The generic parts list for this vehicle has its own page: a search launcher for every system, filtered by fuel type and era but not by engine, trim, or brake type. It is not a diagnosis and not a fitment guarantee.
Open the parts directory for this Dodge Ram 3500 →