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Three individuals led a revolt against Moses: Korah from the Kohathite branch of the tribe of Levi, and Dathan and Abiram from the tribe of Reuben. Why Levites (a clerical tribe) and Reubenites (a lay tribe) united in this protest is unclear. One recalls from ch. 2 that both the Reubenites and Kohathite Levites were to march on the south side of the tabernacle. Perhaps their proximity to each other led to their feeding each other’s discontent.
What was their complaint? It was rooted in their perception that Moses and Aaron claimed a monopoly on holiness and accordingly set [themselves] above the Lord’s assembly (v.3). Once again Moses felt no need to defend himself but rather turned the matter over to God for adjudication. Thus he made a proposal to Korah and the Levites (vv.5-11) and to Korah himself (vv.16-17) by which the matter would be settled. The end of the showdown was that Moses' detractors died either by being buried alive (v.33), by fire (v.35), or by plague (v.49).
The complaint of Dathan and Abiram, who represented the political faction, was Moses' ineffective leadership (vv.13-14). Korah’s complaint about the need to democratize holiness in the camp was a smokescreen for what really bothered him. It is clear from vv.10 and 40 that he was dissatisfied with the limitations imposed on him as a Levite and as a result aspired to become a priest, and take the censer, the fire, and the incense, and stand before the Lord. Thus the real issue was not a religious one per se, but one of personal power and pride. In addition, Moses/Aaron and Korah were first cousins (see Ex 6:16ff.). Perhaps that proximity but lack of power also goaded Korah into revolt.