1995 Dodge RAM 3500 Problems
- Complaints
- 108filed with NHTSA
- Median mileage
- 64,870miles, 15 complaints with mileage
- Recalls
- 1campaigns on record
- Trend
- StableComplaints filed in the last 3 full calendar years are within 25% of the 3 years before.
Sources: NHTSA records for the 1995 Dodge RAM 3500 (complaints, recalls, investigations). Report an error
What owners report
Owners of this 1995 model year most often describe braking problems, especially front brakes locking while the rear brakes contribute little, and steering-wheel shimmy or shaking after hitting a bump, sometimes called the "death wobble." Transmission and cooling-line troubles, cracked spring towers and a headlamp switch that can overheat also appear, and many reports come from trucks with high mileage.
- Brakes
Front brakes lock, rear brakes weak or inoperative
- 20 complaints (19%)
- median 200,000 mi at 9.9 yrs old (1 states mileage, few)
- 5 mention a crash, fire or injury
- filed 1996–2004
Complaints describe the front brakes grabbing and locking while the rear brakes seem to do little, so the truck slides or pulls to one side under braking. Several owners report the pedal going to the floor, an ABS light staying on, and repeated rotor, caliper and pad replacement without the problem going away. Dealers reportedly replaced shoes, pads and master cylinders, and some owners say the condition persisted after repairs. Reported across a wide mileage range, with some owners describing worse behavior on icy or snowy roads.
What to check: Brake hard from moderate speed on a clear surface and note whether the front wheels lock early, whether the rear brakes hold, and whether the pedal stays firm. Ask for service records on rotors, calipers and the brake booster.
2 excerpts from owner complaints in NHTSA records
“Consumer's vehicle has no rear brakes for the second time. During the winter it was worse, the front brakes would lock up on icy/snowy roads; at the same time, the back brakes would be pushing right along. Must put the vehicle into neutral to stop it. Each time the front rotors have warped the first time the Dodge dealers repaired the problem at consumer's cost.”
NHTSA complaint #811626, filed 1997-06“Whenever the brakes are applied, the vehicle fails to stop when it should. Brake pedal goes to floor. The ABS light comes on & does not go off. Took to dealer & was informed by the mechanic the brake problem can be repaired. After the repairs, the brakes still fail to stop vehicle like it suppose to do.”
NHTSA complaint #873206, filed 2000-10 - Transmission and drivetrain
Automatic transmission overheating, fluid leaks, gear loss
- 11 complaints (10%)
- median 139,000 mi at 9.9 yrs old (3 state mileage, few)
- 1 mention a crash, fire or injury
- filed 1996–2011
Complaints describe transmission cooler lines and plastic quick-connect fittings melting or failing, which leads to fluid loss and sometimes leaves the truck unable to move. Owners report the transmission slipping, getting stuck in fifth gear, or dropping to neutral while driving, with one noting a nut in the transmission had come loose. Dealers reportedly adjusted bands and changed fluid at first, and in one case quoted a replacement transmission later. Reported from around 59,000 to 140,000 miles, often while towing or climbing a hill.
What to check: Check transmission fluid level and color, look for wet or melted cooler lines and fittings, and ask whether the cooler lines were replaced. Drive it under load and confirm firm upshifts and no slipping.
2 excerpts from owner complaints in NHTSA records
“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.”
NHTSA complaint #10015740, filed 2003-04, 59,000 miles“Brought vehicle in once for recall on transmission cooling lines, than had to bring it back in for the same problem. Then the vehicle than broke on the highway while going at 55mph in cruise control. The vehicle's transmission just went to neutral and never went into gear again. I had to get out of the vehicle and push it of the interstate.”
NHTSA complaint #701632, filed 1998-12 - Suspension
Steering wheel shimmy or violent shaking over bumps
- 13 complaints (12%)
- median 119,500 mi at 13.1 yrs old (4 state mileage, few)
- filed 1995–2018
Owners describe the steering wheel shaking or the whole front end shuddering after hitting a bump or pothole at road speed, sometimes severe enough that they must slow down to regain control. Several say the shaking continued after new shocks, steering damper, ball joints and tie rod ends. Complaints also describe cracked or corroded front coil spring towers and shock towers separating from the frame, and some owners report the dealer did not find the vehicle covered by a related campaign. Reported from near-new mileage through 200,000 miles, typically at highway speeds over rough pavement.
What to check: Inspect the front coil spring and shock towers for cracks, corrosion and welds, and test-drive over a rough patch at highway speed to see whether the wheel shakes. Ask whether front-end parts and the steering damper have been replaced.
2 excerpts from owner complaints in NHTSA records
“1995 RAM 3500 Dodge death wobble, or shake! Even after new shocks, steering damper, ball joints, tie rod ends. Etc Dodge dealer just threw up there hands ! This has gone on at my expense since 1999 - 2011. Please do something !!!”
NHTSA complaint #10413638, filed 2011-07, 65,000 miles“While driving a 1995 Dodge 3500 truck around a slight left turn and running over a pothole, the truck's front end began to shake violently until coming to a complete stop. The symptoms matched that of the death wobble .”
NHTSA complaint #10437545, filed 2011-11, 225 miles - Electrical system
Headlamp switch overheats, lights or wiring fail
- 8 complaints (7%)
- median 227,000 mi at 10.6 yrs old (1 states mileage, few)
- 2 mention a crash, fire or injury
- filed 1997–2005
Owners describe the headlamp switch in the dash smoking and melting the wiring, with headlamps or other lights going out while driving. Some report related wiring harness shorts that took out the ignition switch, light switch and fuses, and several say the headlamp switch was replaced more than once and the problem returned. Reported at varying mileage, usually after extended periods of night driving or heavy electrical use.
What to check: Ask whether campaign 99V024000 was completed on this truck, and check the headlamp switch, connector and nearby wiring for discoloration, melted plastic or a burning smell.
2 excerpts from owner complaints in NHTSA records
“In july I received chrysler recall #875 which stated:the ignition switch and/or steering column wiring on your ram truck may overheat when the blower motor is operated at high speed for an extended period of time. This can cause stalling, loss of blower motor or power window operation, ABS or airbag lamp illumination or a steering column/instrument panel fire.the day I received the notice, the starter died before I could get to the dealer. I tried to call chrysler to determine the likelihood of a connection between failure and recall. …”
NHTSA complaint #736402, filed 2000-11“While driving at night consumer noticed that the headlights failed. This caused poor visibility. However, consumer was able to maintain control of the vehicle, and drove it to a private mechanic for inspection. Mechanic determined that the headlight switch needed to be replaced, and replaced it four times. However, problem recurred. This information was provide by mechanic alan miller.”
NHTSA complaint #10091610, filed 2004-09 - Transmission and drivetrain
Rear-end or driveline vibration
- 9 complaints (8%)
- median 82,500 mi at 13.5 yrs old (2 state mileage, few)
- 1 mention a crash, fire or injury
- filed 1996–2011
Complaints describe a persistent vibration in the rear end that grew bad enough to strand the vehicle, with a gear in the rear axle found damaged and the vibration continuing after it was repaired. Owners report trouble getting a clear diagnosis or repair direction from the dealer and manufacturer. Reported at moderate mileage, with one owner noting the trouble appeared on a long trip.
What to check: Test-drive at highway speed and listen and feel for vibration from the rear, and check the rear axle for leaks, noise and prior repair work.
2 excerpts from owner complaints in NHTSA records
“Im not sure if im in the right area or not but we have a 1995 Dodge ram van b 3500 interior made by coachman r.v. We have had a vibration in the rear end we went on vacation in jan..and got stuck on the road the vibration got so bad we had to have the van towed to a town to have it looked at they found 1 of the gears in the pumpkin was bad. They fixed it and there was still a vibration sence then we have been stuck in az. …”
NHTSA complaint #10116593, filed 2005-04, 26,000 miles“Consumer was traveling uphill at approximately 65 MPH when vehicle suddenly lost 5th gear, and began losing speed. Consumer stated that there was a nut that held transmission in 5th gear, but this nut had fallen off. Please provide any additional information/attachments.”
NHTSA complaint #886632, filed 2001-04
Buying note. On a truck this old, condition and service history matter more than the badge, so have the brakes, front-end steering and suspension, transmission cooler lines and rear axle checked by a mechanic before buying. Confirm whether the headlamp switch campaign was completed and test-drive over rough pavement at speed to see how the front end behaves.
Summary written with AI from a sample of 60 NHTSA complaints for this model year (picked at random, with complaints that state a mileage and recent ones taken first), then checked automatically against the source records. Where a problem shows a complaint count, every complaint for this model year was matched with fixed keyword rules (written with AI and tested against the sample), and the mileage, age and repair figures are calculated from those complaints; owners' figures are as stated, not verified. Other counts refer to the sample. The excerpts come from NHTSA's public complaint records and are unverified; capitalisation is normalised, NHTSA staff notes are removed, and shortened text ends with “…”. Something wrong? Request a correction.
NHTSA recorded 108 consumer complaints for the 1995 Dodge RAM 3500. 15 of the complaints include a mileage, and 27% of those were filed for vehicles with under 50,000 miles; the median is 64,870 miles. Of all complaints, 7 involved a crash, 6 a fire, 6 an injury, according to the filers. NHTSA lists 1 recall campaign and 5 technical service bulletins for this model year.
Not compared (before 2008). Model years 2008–2023 of the same vehicle that have at least 25 complaints are compared, and a model needs at least 3 of them.
Which parts are reported most
Complaints can name more than one part, so the counts add up to more than the total. Select a part to see its complaints, recalls and bulletins.
- Brakes28 26%
- Suspension20 19%
- Electrical system8 7.4%
- Vehicle speed control7 6.5%
- Fuel system6 5.6%
- Tires6 5.6%
- Exterior lighting5 4.6%
- Steering5 4.6%
- Engine cooling3 2.8%
Also reported: Body and structure (3), Air bags (2), Latches, locks and linkages (1), Other or unknown (1), Seat belts (1), Visibility (wipers, defrost, mirrors) (1), Wheels (1).
Example complaints
Brakes: “While driving 35 MPH the fuel line that was connected to the transmission failed. Vehicle lost power and began to roll backwards toward oncoming traffic. Consumer stated when attempting to apply the brakes they malfunctioned because transmission fluid leaked onto them.”
NHTSA complaint #10087299, filed 2004-08, 200,000 milesSuspension: “The contact owns a 1995 Dodge RAM 3500. While the contact was servicing the vehicle, he noticed cracks and corrosion in the coil spring tower. The vehicle was not taken to a dealer or independent mechanic for diagnostic testing. The manufacturer was notified of the failure and informed the contact that the VIN was not included in a recall. The approximate failure mileage was 196,000.”
NHTSA complaint #11133574, filed 2018-10, 196,000 milesTransmission and drivetrain: “The contact owns a 1995 Dodge RAM 3500. The contact stated that while driving approximately 30 MPH, the vehicle stopped accelerating. The contact examined the vehicle and noticed that the quick connects on the transmission lines were melted. As a result, transmission fluid was leaking from the vehicle. The vehicle was not taken to have the failure diagnosed or repaired. …”
NHTSA complaint #10425260, filed 2011-09, 139,000 milesElectrical system: “Dt: fuel pump, blowing fuses, fast as fuses are put in the are blown again. As soon start the vehicle the fuses blow. The botton fuse box where wire go into engine shout off relay, burned relay. This wire starts out a 10- gauge wire, it reduses down when it goes main controll module half the size. This also runs both coil packs and all the fuel injectors. The wiring harness need to be completely replace, and the modle needs to be inspected by a cetrfied Dodge mechine to make sure wiring is proper size and make sure there are not shorts in this.”
NHTSA complaint #10121066, filed 2005-05, 227,000 milesMileage when problems were reported
27% of the 15 complaints with a mileage were filed for vehicles with under 50,000 miles; the middle half falls between 52,000 and 174,000 miles.
Complaints by year filed
Trend: stable. Complaints filed in the last 3 full calendar years are within 25% of the 3 years before.
Recalls and investigations
- 99V024000Feb 5, 1999Exterior lighting › Headlights › SwitchCovers: Dodge RAM 3500 1994–1997
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.
Recall details for the 1995 Dodge RAM 3500 → · Check a VIN at nhtsa.gov/recalls
Technical service bulletins
TSBs are manufacturer notes to dealers about known repair procedures. They are not recalls and do not by themselves mean a vehicle has a fault. 5 on record; the latest 5 are shown.
- 10148823Jun 11, 2018Suspension. 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…
- 10148822Jun 11, 2018Transmission and drivetrain. 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…
- 10191460Feb 26, 2016Engine cooling. Valve Body. These may cause over drive cycling.
- 10139596Sep 3, 2014Equipment, Body and structure. 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…
- 10139009Feb 13, 2013Equipment, Electrical system, Engine cooling. 68069384A$, R8069384A$, 68086182A$, R8027067A$, RL002012A$ - Gasket, Cylinder Head Cover Before replacing injectors for Diagnostic Trouble Codes P0201, P0202, P0203, P0204, P0205, and/or P0206…
Other model years of the Dodge RAM 3500
| Year | Complaints | Median mi | Recalls | Crash ★ | MPG | Score (50 = typical) | Trend |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2012 | 366 | 46,840 | 8 | — | — | 95 · More | Stable |
| 2011 | 225 | 46,350 | 5 | — | — | 47 · Typical | Stable |
| 2010 | 150 | 51,000 | 9 | — | — | 50 · Typical | Falling |
| 2009 | 105 | 49,529 | 5 | — | — | 36 · Typical | Falling |
| 2008 | 173 | 65,000 | 9 | — | — | 57 · Typical | Stable |
| 2007 | 210 | 75,000 | 11 | — | — | Not compared (before 2008) | Rising |
| 2006 | 258 | 79,000 | 8 | — | — | Not compared (before 2008) | Falling |
| 2005 | 196 | 82,251 | 4 | — | — | Not compared (before 2008) | Falling |
| 2004 | 214 | 61,000 | 4 | — | — | Not compared (before 2008) | Falling |
| 2003 | 286 | 76,258 | 6 | — | — | Not compared (before 2008) | Falling |
| 2002 | 44 | 66,850 | 0 | — | — | Not compared (before 2008) | Rising |
| 2001 | 130 | 83,238 | 1 | — | — | Not compared (before 2008) | Falling |
| 2000 | 58 | 86,142 | 1 | — | — | Not compared (before 2008) | Stable |
| 1999 | 104 | 112,000 | 0 | — | — | Not compared (before 2008) | Stable |
| 1998 | 105 | 92,090 | 0 | — | — | Not compared (before 2008) | Stable |
| 1997 | 125 | 108,000 | 1 | — | — | Not compared (before 2008) | Stable |
| 1996 | 124 | 115,000 | 1 | — | — | Not compared (before 2008) | Stable |
| 1995 | 108 | 64,870 | 1 | — | — | Not compared (before 2008) | Stable |
| 1994 | 70 | 120,000 | 1 | — | — | Not compared (before 2008) | Falling |
| 1993 | 20 | 50,010 | 0 | — | — | — | Stable |
| 1992 | 10 | 187,000 | 0 | — | — | — | Not enough data |
All Dodge RAM 3500 model years · Best and worst years by complaints
Frequently asked questions
What are the most common problems with the 1995 Dodge RAM 3500?
Owners of this 1995 model year most often describe braking problems, especially front brakes locking while the rear brakes contribute little, and steering-wheel shimmy or shaking after hitting a bump, sometimes called the "death wobble." Transmission and cooling-line troubles, cracked spring towers and a headlamp switch that can overheat also appear, and many reports come from trucks with high mileage. The issues reported most often: Front brakes lock, rear brakes weak or inoperative; Automatic transmission overheating, fluid leaks, gear loss; Steering wheel shimmy or violent shaking over bumps.
How many NHTSA complaints does the 1995 Dodge RAM 3500 have?
NHTSA recorded 108 consumer complaints for the 1995 Dodge RAM 3500 as of Oct 27, 2026. Complaints are unverified consumer reports and may be duplicated or inaccurate.
What part of the 1995 Dodge RAM 3500 is reported most often?
Brakes is named most often, in 28 complaints (26% of the total), followed by suspension with 20.
Has the 1995 Dodge RAM 3500 been recalled?
NHTSA lists 1 recall campaign for this model year. To check a specific vehicle, enter its VIN at nhtsa.gov/recalls.
At what mileage are problems with the 1995 Dodge RAM 3500 reported?
Among the 15 complaints that include a mileage, the median is 64,870 miles and the middle half falls between 52,000 and 174,000 miles; 27% were filed for vehicles with under 50,000 miles.
About this data. Data from NHTSA (ODI) complaints, recalls, TSBs and investigations, updated Oct 27, 2026. Complaints are unverified consumer reports and may be duplicated or inaccurate.
Complaint counts come from NHTSA’s public complaint database; we count each complaint once. The source records for this vehicle are on nhtsa.gov. Scores and trends are our own summaries of that data, described in the methodology. This page is not legal, safety or repair advice: for a specific vehicle, check its VIN at nhtsa.gov/recalls and ask a qualified mechanic. See an error? Tell us.