IllustrationWent to crank the truck one day and all of a sidden the igniton switch started smoking . It burnt the whole entire wire from the top all the way to the PCM
1994 Dodge RAM 1500
Owner reports · Recalls · Investigations
Similar to other model years
Owner complaints for the 1994 Dodge RAM 1500 do not stand out strongly from the model-year median of 520.
About this comparison →How this year compares
Owner complaints by model year
Compare all RAM 1500 years →Counts vary with age, sales and reporting. They are not failure rates.
What owners reported most
All reported categories
Tap a category to read its complaints. One report may name several components.
When problems were reported
Mileage at the reported incident
Limited mileage data: 28 of 116 reports include usable mileage. There isn’t enough coverage to show a useful chart.
NHTSA’s mileage field refers to the reported incident, not necessarily the filing date. This shows report counts, not the likelihood of a failure.
What to inspect
Issues worth paying extra attention to based on owner reports.
- Electrical System. Review the 22 owner reports in this category and discuss these concerns during a pre-purchase inspection. Read reports →
- Steering. Review the 17 owner reports in this category and discuss these concerns during a pre-purchase inspection. Read reports →
- Suspension. Review the 16 owner reports in this category and discuss these concerns during a pre-purchase inspection. Read reports →
NHTSA owner reports · September 18, 2026 snapshot.
11 crash reports7 fire reports11 injury reports
Electrical System complaints
22 reportsI HAVE HAS ISSUES WITH ELECTRICAL ONY DODGE TRUCK, THE LIGHT SWITCH FOR HEADLIGHTS BURNING WIRES FROM NOWHERE WHEN DRIVING FROM LIGHT SWITCH.ARIL OF 2020 I WAS INVOLVED IN AN AUTO ACCIDENT WHICH WAS A RESULT OF MY AIR BAG STEERING WHEEL WENT OFF BY ITSELF, THE LIGHT FOR THE AIR BAG WAS ON FOR AIR BAG WAS INTERMITTENT, BUT LATEL…
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I HAVE HAS ISSUES WITH ELECTRICAL ONY DODGE TRUCK, THE LIGHT SWITCH FOR HEADLIGHTS BURNING WIRES FROM NOWHERE WHEN DRIVING FROM LIGHT SWITCH.ARIL OF 2020 I WAS INVOLVED IN AN AUTO ACCIDENT WHICH WAS A RESULT OF MY AIR BAG STEERING WHEEL WENT OFF BY ITSELF, THE LIGHT FOR THE AIR BAG WAS ON FOR AIR BAG WAS INTERMITTENT, BUT LATELY IT WOULDN'T TURN OFF ANYMORE A MECHANIC CHECKED SAID EVERYTHING WAS FINE,AND WOULD ERASE THE LITE, BUT WOULD COME BACK ON, I CALLED DODGE AND WAS TOLD IT WOULD AT THE TIME A LOT OF MONEY TO ME TO HAVE ALL THE ELECTRICAL CHECKED AT MY EXPENSE AND THE LIGHT SWITCH WAS AN ISSUE FROM MFC.I WAS DRIVING AROUND 30 MILES MORE OR LESS AN HOUR WHEN THE BAG WENT OFF AND I WAS STRUCK IN THE FACE, AND COLLIDED WITH AN ON COMMING CAR ON A 2 LANE STREET.I WANT TO KNOW IF THERE IS A RECALL ON THE 94 DODGE RAM TRUCK. THANK YOU
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 1994 DODGE RAM 1500. WHILE USING THE TRUCK TO PLOW WITH THE HEATER BLOWER ON HIGH, THE VEHICLE CAUGHT ON FIRE. THE CONTACT WAS ABLE TO EXTINGUISH THE FIRE. THE VEHICLE WAS TOWED TO THE DEALER TO BE DIAGNOSED. THE CONTACT WAS INFORMED THAT THE INSPECTOR WAS NOT ABLE TO LOOK AT THE VEHICLE FOR TWO WEEKS. THE…
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TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 1994 DODGE RAM 1500. WHILE USING THE TRUCK TO PLOW WITH THE HEATER BLOWER ON HIGH, THE VEHICLE CAUGHT ON FIRE. THE CONTACT WAS ABLE TO EXTINGUISH THE FIRE. THE VEHICLE WAS TOWED TO THE DEALER TO BE DIAGNOSED. THE CONTACT WAS INFORMED THAT THE INSPECTOR WAS NOT ABLE TO LOOK AT THE VEHICLE FOR TWO WEEKS. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT REPAIRED. THE VEHICLE WAS INCLUDED IN NHTSA CAMPAIGN NUMBER: 00V135000 (ELECTRICAL SYSTEM). THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOTIFIED OF THE FAILURE. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS UNAVAILABLE.
LIGHTS WOULD NOT COME ON JIGGLED KNOB THEY CAME ON WE DROVE ABOUT 4 MILES TURNED ON LEFT TURN SIGNAL LIGHTS FLICKERED AND TOP OF DASH AND VENT ON DRIVER SIDE WAS SMOKING SMELT LIKE RUBBER BURNING TOUCHED TOP OF DASH IT BURNED MY HAND PULLED OVER SHUT ENGINE AND LIGHTS OFF BOYFRIEND/HUSBAND TOOK DASH OFF TO STOP FIRE IT WAS THE L…
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LIGHTS WOULD NOT COME ON JIGGLED KNOB THEY CAME ON WE DROVE ABOUT 4 MILES TURNED ON LEFT TURN SIGNAL LIGHTS FLICKERED AND TOP OF DASH AND VENT ON DRIVER SIDE WAS SMOKING SMELT LIKE RUBBER BURNING TOUCHED TOP OF DASH IT BURNED MY HAND PULLED OVER SHUT ENGINE AND LIGHTS OFF BOYFRIEND/HUSBAND TOOK DASH OFF TO STOP FIRE IT WAS THE LIGHT SWITCH BURNED COMPLETELY INSIDE. *TR
TL*THE CONTACT OWNS A 1994 DODGE RAM 1500. THE CONTACT STATED THAT HE RECEIVED A NHTSA RECALL NOTICE REGARDING THE ELECTRICAL IGNITION WHICH WAS ALSO RELATED TO THE HOOD SAFETY LATCH. THE VEHICLE WAS IN THE DEALERS POSSESSION SINCE NOVEMBER 22, 2010. THE DEALER INFORMED THE CONTACT THAT THEY DO NOT HAVE THE PART TO REPAIR THE EL…
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TL*THE CONTACT OWNS A 1994 DODGE RAM 1500. THE CONTACT STATED THAT HE RECEIVED A NHTSA RECALL NOTICE REGARDING THE ELECTRICAL IGNITION WHICH WAS ALSO RELATED TO THE HOOD SAFETY LATCH. THE VEHICLE WAS IN THE DEALERS POSSESSION SINCE NOVEMBER 22, 2010. THE DEALER INFORMED THE CONTACT THAT THEY DO NOT HAVE THE PART TO REPAIR THE ELECTRICAL COMPONENT. THE CONTACT WAS CONCERNED THAT THE DEALER HAD NOT REPAIRED THE VEHICLE. THERE ARE NO FAILURES AT THIS TIME.
PRIOR TO RECALL NOTIFICATION (00V135000) CONSUMER STATES HE HAD THE HEAT ON AND THE WIRING STARTED TO SHORT OUT AND VEHICLE CAUGHT ON FIRE, VEHICLE WAS DEEMED AS TOTALED. *JB
WHILE ATTEMPTING TO HAVE RECALL WORK 00V-135 PERFORMED THE CONSUMER WAS INFORMED THAT THE DEALER WOULD ONLY PROVIDE SERVICE BACK HOME AND NOT TO RETRIEVE THE VEHICLE FROM THE DEALER. NLM
CONSUMER NOTICED THAT THE ENGINE SOUNDED MUFFLED AND VEHICLE WAS HESITATING, CONSUMER THOUGHT NOTHING OF IT DUE TO A HEAVY SNOW THE NIGHT BEFORE, HOWEVER WHEN UP TO 45 MPH, VEHICLE WOULD SHAKE, CONSUMER CHECKED OIL AND FOUND NO SIGN OF ANY ON THE DIPSTICK, A MECHANIC FOUND THAT THE COIL WIRE WAS RUNNING ALONG SIDE AND AGAINST TH…
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CONSUMER NOTICED THAT THE ENGINE SOUNDED MUFFLED AND VEHICLE WAS HESITATING, CONSUMER THOUGHT NOTHING OF IT DUE TO A HEAVY SNOW THE NIGHT BEFORE, HOWEVER WHEN UP TO 45 MPH, VEHICLE WOULD SHAKE, CONSUMER CHECKED OIL AND FOUND NO SIGN OF ANY ON THE DIPSTICK, A MECHANIC FOUND THAT THE COIL WIRE WAS RUNNING ALONG SIDE AND AGAINST THE SPARK PLUGS, THE COIL AND SPARK PLUG WIRES CAME INTO CONTACT WITH EATH OTHER, WETNESS OR A LOAD ON THE ENGINE CAUSED THE WIRE TO SEND A CHARGE INTO THE ENGINE BLOWING OUT THE NUMBER 5 PISTON, CONSUMER HAD TO HAVE ENGINE REBUILT. *SLC
IGNITION WAS SMOKING, SWITCH AND WIRING TO SWITCH WERE REPLACED PRIOR TO RECALL NOTICE 00V-135. NLM
WHEN TURNING ON HEADLIGHTS LIGHTS DID NOT COME ON. PRIOR TO THE HEADLIGHTS NOT COMING ON, OWNER WAS SMELLING A ELECTRICAL BURNING SMELL , FOR ABOUT A MONTH. WHEN PULLING OFF THE DASH COVER AND REMOVING LIGHT SWITCH, SWITCH WAS VERY HOT. DEALER WAS CALLED ABOUT HAVING THE SWTICH REPLACED. OWNER WAS INFORMED THAT THE SWITCH HAD…
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WHEN TURNING ON HEADLIGHTS LIGHTS DID NOT COME ON. PRIOR TO THE HEADLIGHTS NOT COMING ON, OWNER WAS SMELLING A ELECTRICAL BURNING SMELL , FOR ABOUT A MONTH. WHEN PULLING OFF THE DASH COVER AND REMOVING LIGHT SWITCH, SWITCH WAS VERY HOT. DEALER WAS CALLED ABOUT HAVING THE SWTICH REPLACED. OWNER WAS INFORMED THAT THE SWITCH HAD BEEN UPGRADED, AND REPLACEMENT PART WOULD COST $102. 46, PLUS $65.00 LABOR. SWITCH HAS NOT BEEN REPLACED.*AK
Official recalls
0No recalls in this snapshot.
Model-level recall history does not show whether a particular VIN is affected or has received a repair. Check a VIN with NHTSA ↗
NHTSA investigations
4DP03006 · Seat Back Failure
Opened Sep 23, 2003 · Closed Apr 8, 2004
Status: closed (inferred from source dates) · Seats; Seats:front Assembly:recliner
ODI HAS IDENTIFIED 30 INCIDENTS WHERE IT IS ALLEGED THE SEAT BACK COLLAPSED IN A REAR IMPACT CRASH.THESE INCIDENTS ARE ALLEGED TO HAVE CONTRIBUTED TO 23 INJURIES AND TWO DEATHS.THE DATA PRESENTED TO ODI SHOW THAT THE SEAT BACK STRENGTH OF THE FRONT SEATS COMPLY WITH FEDERAL MOTOR VEHICLE SAFETY STANDARD NO. 207. SEATING SYSTEM.ACCORDING TO DAIMLERCHRYLSER THE FRONT SEATS WERE DESIGNED TO COLLAPSE REARWARD IN REAR IMPACT CRASHES AS PART OF THE ENERGY ABSORPTIONCAPABILITIES OF THE SEATING SYSTEM TO REDUCE THE CHANCE OF SERIOUS INJURY TO THE OCCUPANT.RATES OF OCCURANCE WERE COMPARED TO PEER VEHICLES, AND IT WAS SHOWN THAT THE PERFORMACE OF THE SUBJECT VEHICLE WAS COMPARABLE TO THOSE VEHICLES.IN VIEW OF THE FORGOING, IT IS UNLIKELY THAT NHTSA WOULD ISSUE AN ORDER FOR THE NOTIFICATION REMEDY OF A SAFETY DEFECT IN THE SUBJECT VEHICLES AS DEFINED BY THE PETITIONER AT THE CONCLUSION OF THE INVESTIGATION REQUESTED IN THE PETITION.THERFORE, IN VIEW OF THE NEED TO ALLOCATE AND PRIORITIZE THE NHTSA'S LIMITED RESOURCES TO BEST ACCOMPLISH THE AGENCY'S MISSION, THE PETITION IS DENIED.FOR FURTHER DETAILS, REFER TO ODI'S RESPONSE TO THE PETITION PUBLISHED IN THE FEDERAL REGISTER VOL.69, NO. 60 , DATED MARCH 29, 2004.
Additional source detail variants (2)
Seats
ODI HAS IDENTIFIED 30 INCIDENTS WHERE IT IS ALLEGED THE SEAT BACK COLLAPSED IN A REAR IMPACT CRASH.THESE INCIDENTS ARE ALLEGED TO HAVE CONTRIBUTED TO 23 INJURIES AND TWO DEATHS.THE DATA PRESENTED TO ODI SHOW THAT THE SEAT BACK STRENGTH OF THE FRONT SEATS COMPLY WITH FEDERAL MOTOR VEHICLE SAFETY STANDARD NO. 207. SEATING SYSTEM.ACCORDING TO DAIMLERCHRYLSER THE FRONT SEATS WERE DESIGNED TO COLLAPSE REARWARD IN REAR IMPACT CRASHES AS PART OF THE ENERGY ABSORPTIONCAPABILITIES OF THE SEATING SYSTEM TO REDUCE THE CHANCE OF SERIOUS INJURY TO THE OCCUPANT.RATES OF OCCURANCE WERE COMPARED TO PEER VEHICLES, AND IT WAS SHOWN THAT THE PERFORMACE OF THE SUBJECT VEHICLE WAS COMPARABLE TO THOSE VEHICLES.IN VIEW OF THE FORGOING, IT IS UNLIKELY THAT NHTSA WOULD ISSUE AN ORDER FOR THE NOTIFICATION REMEDY OF A SAFETY DEFECT IN THE SUBJECT VEHICLES AS DEFINED BY THE PETITIONER AT THE CONCLUSION OF THE INVESTIGATION REQUESTED IN THE PETITION.THERFORE, IN VIEW OF THE NEED TO ALLOCATE AND PRIORITIZE THE NHTSA'S LIMITED RESOURCES TO BEST ACCOMPLISH THE AGENCY'S MISSION, THE PETITION IS DENIED.FOR FURTHER DETAILS, REFER TO ODI'S RESPONSE TO THE PETITION PUBLISHED IN THE FEDERAL REGISTER VOL.69, NO. 60 , DATED MARCH 29, 2004.
Seats:front Assembly:recliner
ODI HAS IDENTIFIED 30 INCIDENTS WHERE IT IS ALLEGED THE SEAT BACK COLLAPSED IN A REAR IMPACT CRASH.THESE INCIDENTS ARE ALLEGED TO HAVE CONTRIBUTED TO 23 INJURIES AND TWO DEATHS.THE DATA PRESENTED TO ODI SHOW THAT THE SEAT BACK STRENGTH OF THE FRONT SEATS COMPLY WITH FEDERAL MOTOR VEHICLE SAFETY STANDARD NO. 207. SEATING SYSTEM.ACCORDING TO DAIMLERCHRYLSER THE FRONT SEATS WERE DESIGNED TO COLLAPSE REARWARD IN REAR IMPACT CRASHES AS PART OF THE ENERGY ABSORPTIONCAPABILITIES OF THE SEATING SYSTEM TO REDUCE THE CHANCE OF SERIOUS INJURY TO THE OCCUPANT.RATES OF OCCURANCE WERE COMPARED TO PEER VEHICLES, AND IT WAS SHOWN THAT THE PERFORMACE OF THE SUBJECT VEHICLE WAS COMPARABLE TO THOSE VEHICLES.IN VIEW OF THE FORGOING, IT IS UNLIKELY THAT NHTSA WOULD ISSUE AN ORDER FOR THE NOTIFICATION REMEDY OF A SAFETY DEFECT IN THE SUBJECT VEHICLES AS DEFINED BY THE PETITIONER AT THE CONCLUSION OF THE INVESTIGATION REQUESTED IN THE PETITION.THERFORE, IN VIEW OF THE NEED TO ALLOCATE AND PRIORITIZE THE NHTSA'S LIMITED RESOURCES TO BEST ACCOMPLISH THE AGENCY'S MISSION, THE PETITION IS DENIED.FOR FURTHER DETAILS, REFER TO ODI'S RESPONSE TO THE PETITION PUBLISHED IN THE FEDERAL REGISTER VOL.69, NO. 60 , DATED MARCH 29, 2004.
DP03002 · Steering Column Separation
Opened May 7, 2003 · Closed Jul 22, 2003
Status: closed (inferred from source dates) · Steering:column
MR. LARRY A. SACKEY SUBMITTED A PETITION TO THE NATIONAL HIGHWAY TRAFFIC SAFETY ADMINISTRATION (NHTSA) BY LETTER DATED APRIL 18, 2003, REQUESTING THAT NHTSAFURTHER INVESTIGATE THE DEFECTIVE COLLAPSIBLE STEERING SHAFT SYSTEM ON 1987-1995 VEHICLES MANUFACTURED BY THE DAIMLERCHRYSLER CORPORATION.IN PART BECAUSE OF 49 CFR ? 30120(G), NHTSA HAS DECIDED TO LIMIT THE SCOPE OF THE PETITION VEHICLES TO 1993-1995 MODELS, EXCLUDING THE 1993 JEEP GRAND CHEROKEE AND 1994-1995 DODGE RAM SERIES TRUCKS THAT WERE RECALLED (93V210 & 96V230) FOR STEERING COLUMN FAILURE.IF THE ANALYSIS OF THESE VEHICLES HAD IDENTIFIED A POTENTIAL PROBLEM, THE SCOPE COULD HAVE BEEN EXPANDED IN AN INVESTIGATION.A REVIEW OF ODI'S DATA BASE SHOWS NO RECENT COMPLAINTS AND A LACK OF A COMPLAINT TREND CONCERNING THE SUBJECT ISSUE ON THE SUBJECT VEHICLES AS A WHOLE OR BY INDIVIDUAL MODELS.THEREFORE, THE PETITION IS DENIED.FOR DETAILS, SEE FEDERAL REGISTER NOTICE VOLUME 68, NO. 130, JULY 8, 2003.
EA98010 · Headlight Circuit
Opened May 8, 1998 · Closed Dec 10, 1999
Status: closed (inferred from source dates) · Exterior Lighting
THE HEADLAMP SWITCH IN THE SUBJECT VEHICLES CAN OVER-HEAT AND FAIL RESULTING IN LOSS OF HEAD LAMPS AND POSSIBLY OTHER LIGHTS.DAIMLERCHRYSLER CONDUCTED A SERIES OF TESTS AND DETERMINED THAT THE 3500 SERIES IS PRONE TO GENERATING HEAD LAMP SWITCH TEMPERATURES IN EXCESS OF THE SWITCH LUBRICANT THRESHOLD OF 100 DEGREES CENTIGRADE.WHEN THIS OCCURS, THE LUBRICANT SOLIDIFIES AND ADHERES TO THE SWITCH CONTACH SURFACES INCREASING INTERNAL RESISTANCE AND THERFORE, TEMPERATURE.DAIMLERCHRYSLER INFORMED THE NHTSA THAT IT WOULD INITIATE A RECALL OF 79,3665 MODEL YEAR 1994-1997 DODGE 3500 SERIES RAM TRUCKS ONLY BASED ON ADDITIONAL TESTING FROM WHICH IT DETERMINED THAT THE 1500/2500 SERIES VEHICLES NOMINALLY OPERATE SIGNIFICANTLY BELOW THE TEMPERATURE THRESHOLD OF THE SWITCH LUBRICANT.OWNERS OF 1500/2500 SERIES TRUCKS WERE SENT A NOTIFICATION LETTER ADVISING OF THE PROPER METHODS FOR ADDING AFTERMARKET LIGHTING ACCESSORIES.
PE96022 · Alleged Failure Of Steering Pitman Shaft
Opened Mar 22, 1996 · Closed Jul 31, 1996
Status: closed (inferred from source dates) · Steering:gear Box:shaft Pitman
STEERING BOX OUTPUT (PITMAN) SHAFT BREAKAGE RESULTING IN LOSS OF CONTROL.