Reliability, what owners report, and what it costs to keep.
AVOIR's read: running costs are the problem rather than the car itself.
Owners have filed 116 complaints with NHTSA about the 1995 Dodge Ram 3500, and it carries 1 recall. These are owner allegations rather than confirmed defects, but the pattern of what people complain about is the most useful signal a used buyer has.
| Area | Complaints | Share |
|---|---|---|
| Service brakes | 24 | 21% |
| Suspension | 18 | 16% |
| Power train | 18 | 16% |
| Electrical system | 7 | 6% |
| Vehicle speed control | 7 | 6% |
| Tires | 6 | 5% |
| Exterior lighting | 5 | 4% |
| Fuel system | 3 | 3% |
| Engine and engine cooling | 3 | 3% |
| Wheels | 3 | 3% |
Verbatim from NHTSA complaint records, trimmed for length.
TL* 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 DIAGNOS
NHTSA complaint: Suspension
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: Steering
TL* 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 TRANSM
NHTSA complaint: Power train
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 SOM
NHTSA complaint: Steering
THE AIRBAG LIGHT IS ON AND THE HORN DOES NOT FUNCTION. I WAS TOLD THAT IT IS SOME TYPE OF A CLOCK SPRING THAT IS MOUNTED UNDER THE STEERING WHEEL. MY PARENTS HAD A 1996 DODGE GRAND CARAVAN THAT HAD THE SAME ISSUE AND T
NHTSA complaint: Air bags
FUEL GAUGE NOT WORKING. IE FULL FUEL TANK, GAUGE READS EMPTY. *TR
NHTSA complaint: Fuel system
PLASTIC BRACKET THAT HOLDS THE THREE REAR RED LIGHTS ON THE TAILGATE, KEEPS BREAKING. IT HAS BEEN REPLACED TWICE. *AK
NHTSA complaint: Exterior lighting
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
NHTSA complaint: Electrical system
NHTSA lists 1 recall campaign for the 1995 Dodge Ram 3500. Recalls are free to have fixed at a franchised dealer regardless of who owns the car now, but only if they were never done, so check the VIN of the specific car rather than trusting the model.
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.
Risk: IF THE LIGHTS FAIL, A VISIBILITY PROBLEM COULD OCCUR, INCREASING THE RISK OF A VEHICLE CRASH.
Fix: DEALERS WILL REPLACE THE HEADLAMP SWITCH INCLUDING A RELAY IN THE PARK LAMP WIRING CIRCUIT.
| Reliability | 71 | good |
|---|---|---|
| Longevity est. | 69 | good |
| Maintenance | 45 | below average |
| Depreciation | 81 | excellent |
| Performance | 79 | good |
Percentile ranks against other pickup trucks in the catalog.
What stands behind each score for this car:
Owners have filed 116 complaints with NHTSA for this model-year, and service brakes is the most reported area with 24 of them (21%). There is 1 recall on record. Check any specific car against its VIN before buying.
AVOIR scores its reliability 71/100 (good) from NHTSA recall campaigns and complaint density, adjusted for how many were sold so a popular model is not penalised for having more owners.
AVOIR scores its longevity 69/100, but that figure is an estimate built from the powertrain and the brand's record, not a measurement. A 1995 car has no 200,000-mile population to observe yet, so treat it as a prior rather than evidence.
AVOIR's read: skip unless cheap, because running costs are the problem rather than the car itself. Its overall ownership score is 67/100. Condition, mileage and service history still matter more than any score, so get a pre-purchase inspection on the specific car.
Sources: NHTSA recalls and complaints, EPA fuel economy, IIHS awards, and live market listings. A score describes a model-year, not the individual car in front of you. Get a pre-purchase inspection.