1993 Dodge Ram 3500 problems

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The Ram pickup (marketed as the Dodge Ram until 2010) is a full-size pickup truck manufactured by Stellantis North America (formerly Chrysler Group LLC and FCA US LLC) and marketed from 2010 onwards under the Ram Trucks brand. The current fifth-generation Ram debuted at the 2018 North American International Auto Show in Detroit, Michigan, in January of that year.

Previously, Ram was part of the Dodge line of light trucks. The name Ram was first used in 1981 model year Dodge Trucks in October 1980, following the retiring and rebadging of the Dodge D series pickup trucks as well as B-series vans, though the company had used a ram's-head hood ornament on some trucks as early as 1933.

Ram trucks have been named Motor Trend magazine's Truck of the Year eight times; the second-generation Ram won the award in 1994, the third-generation Ram heavy-duty won the award in 2003, the fourth-generation Ram Heavy Duty won in 2010 and the fourth-generation Ram 1500 won in 2013 and 2014, and the current fifth-generation Ram pickup became the first truck in history to win the award three times, winning in 2019, 2020, and 2021.

1993 Dodge Ram 3500

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Common 1993 Dodge Ram 3500 problems

The 1993 Dodge Ram 3500 has been reported to have several common problems based on complaints from owners. These issues primarily revolve around electrical problems, transmission failure, charging system troubles, and engine failure.

  1. Electrical Problems: The 1993 Dodge Ram 3500 has been reported to have electrical problems, which can manifest in various ways. These issues can cause the vehicle to stall or have difficulty starting, and can also affect the lighting system, causing problems with headlights, tail lights, or interior lights. Electrical problems can be challenging to diagnose and repair, often requiring the expertise of a professional mechanic.
  2. Transmission Failure: Transmission failure is a common problem in the 1993 Dodge Ram 3500, which can result in the vehicle being unable to shift gears or being stuck in a single gear. This issue can be caused by several factors, including worn-out gears, low fluid levels, or a faulty transmission control module. Transmission failure can be a costly repair, and in some cases, it may be necessary to replace the entire transmission.
  3. Charging System Troubles: The charging system in the 1993 Dodge Ram 3500 has been reported to have issues, which can result in the vehicle's battery not charging correctly. This issue can cause the vehicle to have difficulty starting or running, and can also cause the electrical system to malfunction. Charging system troubles can be caused by several factors, including a faulty alternator, worn-out battery, or damaged wiring.
  4. Engine Failure: Engine failure is a common problem in the 1993 Dodge Ram 3500, which can result in the vehicle being unable to run or having reduced power. This issue can be caused by several factors, including worn-out engine components, low oil levels, or a faulty fuel system. Engine failure can be a costly repair, and in some cases, it may be necessary to replace the entire engine.

It is important to note that while these issues are common, not all 1993 Dodge Ram 3500 vehicles will experience these problems. Regular maintenance and inspections can help prevent these issues from occurring, and prompt attention to any warning signs or symptoms can help catch problems early before they become more serious.

1993 Dodge Ram 3500 engine

Which Ram 3500 to avoid?

Ram 3500 Generations

The Ram 3500 has 3 generations, each with their own issues. Using the same PainRank™ system we've determined that you're better off avoiding the 3rd generation (2003–2009).

What year was the 5.9 Cummins bad?

We recommend staying away from the 1991, 1992, 1993, 1999, 2001, 2003, 2006, 2007, 2008, and 2011 models. Many issues stem from these years. A few of the common appear in the format of transmission failure, charging system troubles, and electrical issues. These can be costly to handle and inconvenient for any driver.

What year did Cummins have a bad block?

The second potentially deadly flaw occurs in '99 to '02 5.9L Cummins 24-valve engines. It's known as the 53 block problem, because these engine blocks have the number 53 cast into the side of the crankcase. After years of use, the 53 blocks tend to crack until coolant starts to pour out the side of the block.

What year Dodge Cummins is most reliable?

Since its inception, the early second-generation Dodge Ram with the 5.9-liter, 12-valve Cummins diesel engine has been iconic. Because of the engine's ability to make cheap horsepower and its super-durable construction, the 1994-1998 trucks will always be highly preferred.

Which Ram 3500 to avoid?

Ram 3500 Generations

The Ram 3500 has 3 generations, each with their own issues. Using the same PainRank™ system we've determined that you're better off avoiding the 3rd generation (2003–2009).

What year was the 5.9 Cummins bad?

We recommend staying away from the 1991, 1992, 1993, 1999, 2001, 2003, 2006, 2007, 2008, and 2011 models. Many issues stem from these years. A few of the common appear in the format of transmission failure, charging system troubles, and electrical issues. These can be costly to handle and inconvenient for any driver.

How long will a Ram 3500 Cummins last?

The Ram 3500 is built to endure, with many owners reporting that their trucks have easily surpassed the 200,000-mile mark, and some even going well beyond 300,000 miles.

What year Dodge Cummins is most reliable?

Since its inception, the early second-generation Dodge Ram with the 5.9-liter, 12-valve Cummins diesel engine has been iconic. Because of the engine's ability to make cheap horsepower and its super-durable construction, the 1994-1998 trucks will always be highly preferred.

1993 Dodge Ram 3500 car problems categorized by type of issue

After analyzing all complaints sent to the NHTSA and researching popular Dodge Ram 3500 problems, we found that the most common problems with these 2023 model year vehicles are:

  • Service brakes problems
  • Hydraulic problems
  • Exterior lighting problems
  • Steering problems
  • Electrical system problems

The graph below shows statistics for all 1993 Dodge Ram 3500 vehicle components and the number of complaints received.

1993 Dodge Ram 3500 complaints

The NHTSA has received 25 complaints about various vehicle components related to the 1993 Dodge Ram 3500.

2003-08-07

ELECTRICAL SYSTEM PROBLEM

  • Date Of Incident: 2003-03-01
  • VIN: 3B7ME33C7PM
  • Components: ELECTRICAL SYSTEM
  • Summary: IGNITION SYSTEM FAILURE. THE KEY WILL TURN IN THE IGNITION, BUT WOULDN'T ENGAGE. PER DEALERSHIP IGNITION SWITCH NEEDED REPLACEMENT BECAUSE IT HAD BURNED OUT. PROBLEM STILL EXISTS. DEALERSHIP HAS DONE NOTHING TO FIX THE VEHICLE. *AK *CB *JB
1999-08-30

EXTERIOR LIGHTING PROBLEM

  • Date Of Incident: 1998-11-23
  • VIN: 3BZME33C2PM
  • Components: EXTERIOR LIGHTING
  • Summary: HEAD LIGHT SWITCH HAD TURNED RED HOT & MELTED CENTER CONNECTOR. WAS REPLACED AT LEAST 5 OTHER TIMES. THE LAST TIME SWITCH REPLACED, HAD TO BY PASS THE MIDDLE PRONG. TAKING BACK TO DEALER TO HAVE IT CHECKED & REPAIRED AGAIN. *AK
1999-01-25

SERVICE BRAKES, HYDRAULIC PROBLEM

  • Date Of Incident: 1996-11-13
  • VIN: 1B7ME36COPS
  • Components: SERVICE BRAKES, HYDRAULIC
  • Summary: BRAKE DRUMS/SHOES FAILED.
1998-01-20

SEATS PROBLEM

  • Date Of Incident: 1994-01-10
  • VIN: 3B7ME33C7PM
  • Components: SEATS
  • Summary: PASSENGER BUCKET SEAT FRAME BREAKS AT THE BRACKET THAT HOLDS THE SEAT TO THE FLOOR (ANCHOR), SEVERAL TIMES.
1997-11-28

STEERING,STRUCTURE PROBLEM

  • Date Of Incident: 1997-11-24
  • VIN: 1B6MM36CXP5
  • Components: STEERING,STRUCTURE
  • Summary: WHILE WORKING ON VEHICLE NOTICED THAT THE FRAME AND STEERING BRACKET CRACKED. *AK
1997-10-17

ELECTRICAL SYSTEM PROBLEM

  • Date Of Incident: 2024-11-24
  • VIN: 3B7ME33C9PM
  • Components: ELECTRICAL SYSTEM
  • Summary: WIRING HARNESS TO THE HEAD LIGHT SWITCH IS INADEQUATE CASING THE SWITCH TO GET TOO HOT AND SHORT OUT RESULTING IN LIGHT FAILURES.
1997-10-14

EXTERIOR LIGHTING PROBLEM

  • Date Of Incident: 1997-09-19
  • Components: EXTERIOR LIGHTING
  • Summary: HEAD LIGHT SWITCH FAILED.
1997-10-14

ELECTRICAL SYSTEM PROBLEM

  • Date Of Incident: 1997-09-19
  • Components: ELECTRICAL SYSTEM
  • Summary: WIRING HARNESS FAILED.
1997-02-11

WHEELS PROBLEM

  • Date Of Incident: 1997-01-01
  • VIN: 3B7ME33C7PM
  • Components: WHEELS
  • Summary: PROBLEM WITH WHEELS CAUSE VIBRATION AT CERTAIN SPEEDS.
1997-02-11

WHEELS PROBLEM

  • Date Of Incident: 2024-11-24
  • VIN: 3B7ME33C7PM
  • Components: WHEELS
  • Summary: DEFECTIVE WHEELS CAUSE VEHICLE TO RIDE ROUGH, TIRES HAVE BEEN BALANCED SEVERAL TIMES AND REPLACED, PROBLEM CONTINUES.
1996-11-19

EXTERIOR LIGHTING PROBLEM

  • Date Of Incident: 1996-11-11
  • VIN: 3B7MM33C0PM
  • Components: EXTERIOR LIGHTING
  • Summary: THE HEADLIGHT SWITCH HAS BURNT OUT AS A RESULT OF THE CONNECTION TO THE TRAILER LIGHTS. *AK
1996-05-17

STEERING PROBLEM

  • Date Of Incident: 1996-05-16
  • Components: STEERING
  • Summary: WHEN TURNING THE STEERING WHEEL THERE IS LOT OF PLAY, CAUSING A LOSS OF CONTROL OF VEHICLE. *AK
1996-04-12

STEERING PROBLEM

  • Date Of Incident: 1996-03-28
  • VIN: 3B7ME33CXPM
  • Components: STEERING
  • Summary: STEERING GEAR BOX IS LEAKING STEERING FLUID, DEALER WILL REPLACE GEAR BOX. *AK
1995-10-31

STEERING PROBLEM

  • Date Of Incident: 1995-06-01
  • VIN: 3B7MM33CXPM
  • Components: STEERING
  • Summary: STEERING GEAR BOX BROKE AWAY FROM THE FRAME, WHILE DRIVING, REPLACE STEERING BOX AND NEW BRACKET. TT *JB
1995-08-09

SERVICE BRAKES, HYDRAULIC PROBLEM

  • Date Of Incident: 1992-10-01
  • VIN: 1B7ME36C1PS
  • Components: SERVICE BRAKES, HYDRAULIC
  • Summary: ABS BRAKE SYSTEM FAILED, RESULTING IN LONG STOPPING DISTANCE. TT
1995-07-29

EXTERIOR LIGHTING PROBLEM

  • Date Of Incident: 2024-11-24
  • VIN: 3BTME33C7PM
  • Components: EXTERIOR LIGHTING
  • Summary: THE LIGHT SWITCH FAILED AT 23,000 MILES IT FAILED AT 6,000 MILE LATER ONLY HAVE THE HEAD LIGHT BEAM . TT
1995-07-25

EQUIPMENT PROBLEM

  • Date Of Incident: 1995-02-01
  • VIN: 3B7ME33C6PM
  • Components: EQUIPMENT
  • Summary: RADIO AND SPEAKER DON'T WORK . TT
1995-07-25

SERVICE BRAKES, HYDRAULIC PROBLEM

  • Date Of Incident: 1995-07-25
  • VIN: 3B7ME33C6PM
  • Components: SERVICE BRAKES, HYDRAULIC
  • Summary: BOTH FRONT ROTORS WERE OUT OF ROUND. *AK
1995-07-25

SERVICE BRAKES, HYDRAULIC PROBLEM

  • Date Of Incident: 1995-07-25
  • VIN: 3B7ME33C6PM
  • Components: SERVICE BRAKES, HYDRAULIC
  • Summary: REAR DRUM OUT OF ROUND. *AK
1995-07-25

SUSPENSION PROBLEM

  • Date Of Incident: 1995-02-01
  • VIN: 3B7ME33C6PM
  • Components: SUSPENSION
  • Summary: FRONT END VIBRATION. *AK
1995-05-22

SUSPENSION PROBLEM

  • Date Of Incident: 2024-11-24
  • Components: SUSPENSION
  • Summary: NOTICE ROUGH VEHICLE. TT
1995-04-14

SERVICE BRAKES, HYDRAULIC PROBLEM

  • Date Of Incident: 1995-04-14
  • VIN: 3B7ME33C9PM
  • Components: SERVICE BRAKES, HYDRAULIC
  • Summary: ABS BRAKES INTERMITTENTLY DOES NOT PERFORM PROPERLY, SOMETIMES INOPERATIVE. PLEASE DESCRIBE EACH INCIDENT(S). TT
1995-02-22

SUSPENSION PROBLEM

  • Date Of Incident: 1993-09-14
  • VIN: 3B7ME33C8PM
  • Components: SUSPENSION
  • Summary: 2ND TRUCK NOTICED A LOT OF VIBRATION IN VEHICLE FRONT END WHILE DRIVING 40 MPH AND UP, ALSO REPLACED FRONT TIRE TO NO AVAIL, IN FOR SERVICE 9 TIMES. TT
1995-02-10

SERVICE BRAKES, HYDRAULIC PROBLEM

  • Date Of Incident: 1995-02-09
  • VIN: 3B7ME33CXPM
  • Components: SERVICE BRAKES, HYDRAULIC
  • Summary: ABS BRAKES FAILS TO STOP VEHICLE EFFECTIVELY WHEN APPLIED CAUSING EXTENDED STOPPING/INOPERATIVE. REPAIRED ONCE. PLEASE DESCRIBE DETAILS.
1995-01-04

EXTERIOR LIGHTING PROBLEM

  • Date Of Incident: 1995-01-03
  • VIN: 3B7MM33C4PM
  • Components: EXTERIOR LIGHTING
  • Summary: HEADLIGHT SWITCH HAS GONE OUT THREE TIMES. TT
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Additional sources

More sources of information about 1993 Dodge Ram 3500 problems:

common problems w/ 89-93 cummins? | Cummins Diesel Forum
common problems w/ 89-93 cummins? | Cummins Diesel Forum
https://www.cumminsforum.com/threads/common-problems-w-89-93-cummins.681809/

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Aug 29, 2006 ... Go HERE for a diagnostic chart. Truck will not start.- A common problem ... 1990-1993 Dodge · 1994-1996 Dodge · http://www ... Dodge Truck VIN ...

1st gen common problems? | Cummins Diesel Forum
1st gen common problems? | Cummins Diesel Forum
https://www.cumminsforum.com/threads/1st-gen-common-problems.491041/

Apr 16, 2012 ... roughly, what MPG/s could i see out of it? thank you sirs! erik. 2004.5 Dodge Ram 2500 4X4 QCLB NV5600, ...

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Aug 15, 2009 ... Need help with brake and hazard lights 1999-2000 ram 3500 ... I have a 1989 dodge D 150. With turn signal on one side both ... Running lights on ...

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Jun 11, 2011 ... Let me start out by saying I own a 1997 Dodge Ram 1500 with a lift and 35" tires. It is a 4x4 and a BEAST off road. I absolutely love my truck, ...

Other years of Dodge Ram 3500

dodge ram 3500 1994 photo
Ram 3500 1994
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dodge ram 3500 1996 photo
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Ram 3500 1999
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