1996 Dodge RAM 3500 Steering Problems
- Complaints
- 10about this part
- Share
- 8%of 124 total for the year
- Median mileage
- 98,090miles
- Trend
- Not enough dataFewer than 15 complaints, too few for a reliable trend.
NHTSA recorded 10 complaints about the steering of the 1996 Dodge RAM 3500, 8% of the 124 complaints for this model year. Where a mileage was given, the median is 98,090 miles. 1 of these say a crash was involved, according to the filers.
Fewer than 15 complaints name this part, so treat the figures as a rough indication only.
Example complaints
Selected from NHTSA records; personal details are removed. They are consumer reports, not findings.
“1996 Dodge 3500 4x4 dually has a front end shake at any speed have put new balljoints in put a new track bar in than put a double front steering stabilizer on and the truck still shakes after it does it once and you have to try and get out of highway traffic and stop it will just randomly keep doing it bump or not just a rough road.”
NHTSA complaint #10399485, filed 2011-05, 136,000 miles“Steering wobbles/shakes violently when driving. Often initiated by a minor irregularity in road pavement. Requires coming to a full stop to eliminate the wobble. Recurs often. Difficult to exceed 30mph in order to avoid shaking. No noticeably bad or broken suspension parts.”
NHTSA complaint #10501390, filed 2013-03, 98,090 miles“The contact owns a 1996 Dodge RAM 3500. While driving approximately 45 MPH, the front end of the vehicle began to shake vigorously. The vehicle was taken to an independent mechanic for diagnostic testing where the mechanic performed repairs to the steering assembly. The contact was unaware of the exact repairs performed. Approximately two years after the repair, the failure recurred. The vehicle was not further repaired. The approximate failure mileage was 45,000.”
NHTSA complaint #10441012, filed 2011-12, 45,000 miles“Brakes pull to right, calibers and pads have been replaced. Rear brakes don't seem to work well antilock allows you to roll to far. Steering column goes bad after warranty is up ( 100,000 miles ). Fuel pump shut down solenoid and relay have also gone out on both of my trucks. Automatic transmission failures have occurred on both trucks at the 70000-75000 miles .”
NHTSA complaint #10023089, filed 2003-06“Was driving vehicle and steering felt real loose. Vehicle was not controllable. Would drift from side to side. Heard grinding noise when turning steering wheel. Every time vehicle hit a bump it would jerk either left or right. First time it happened was repaired. Currently, would need repairing for same problem. Steering gear was replaced twice.”
NHTSA complaint #886407, filed 2001-04Steering: other model years
| Year | Complaints | Share of year |
|---|---|---|
| 2012 | 222 | 61% |
| 2011 | 164 | 73% |
| 2010 | 92 | 61% |
| 2009 | 69 | 66% |
| 2008 | 94 | 54% |
| 2007 | 88 | 42% |
| 2006 | 75 | 29% |
| 2005 | 61 | 31% |
| 2004 | 41 | 19% |
| 2003 | 37 | 13% |
| 2002 | 8 | 18% |
| 2001 | 17 | 13% |
| 2000 | 5 | 9% |
| 1999 | 11 | 11% |
| 1998 | 8 | 8% |
| 1997 | 10 | 8% |
| 1996 | 10 | 8% |
| 1995 | 5 | 5% |
| 1994 | 7 | 10% |
| 1993 | 4 | 20% |
Other parts of the 1996 Dodge RAM 3500
38 complaintsTransmission and drivetrain
19 complaintsSuspension
16 complaintsBody and structure
11 complaintsVehicle speed control
11 complaintsElectrical system
10 complaintsExterior lighting
9 complaintsFuel system
8 complaintsEngine cooling
7 complaintsOther or unknown
7 complaintsEquipment
6 complaintsTires
6 complaints
← All problems reported for the 1996 Dodge RAM 3500
About this data. Data from NHTSA (ODI) complaints, recalls, TSBs and investigations, updated Oct 29, 2026. Complaints are unverified consumer reports and may be duplicated or inaccurate.
To check a specific vehicle for open recalls, use its VIN at nhtsa.gov/recalls. Methodology