IllustrationI HAVE A 1994 DODGE TRUCK. IT HAS A DEFECTIVE RADIATOR. THE END CAP ( PLASTIC HAS DEVELOPED A HAIRLINE CRACK. I UNDERSTAND THAT THIS IS A CHRONIC PROBLEM WITH THESE TRUCKS. WHY IS PLASTIC JOINED TO METAL IN THE FIRST PLACE? SEEMS LIKE PLANNED OBSOLESCENCE TO ME.*AK
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
Engine And Engine Cooling complaints
5 reportsI HAVE HAD PROBLEMS WITH A LOOSE IGNITION SWITCH FOR SEVERAL YEARS. I HAVE NOT REPORTED IT UNTIL NOW BECAUSE I WAS UNAWARE THAT IT HAD BEEN A PROBLEM FOR OTHER OWNERS. I HAD SMOKE COME FROM THE STEERING COLUMN BUT THOUGHT THAT IT WAS JUST A FLUKE. THE FAN MOTOR FOR THE VENTILATION SYSTEM QUIT WORKING AT THE SAME TIME. UPON…
Read full complaint
I HAVE HAD PROBLEMS WITH A LOOSE IGNITION SWITCH FOR SEVERAL YEARS. I HAVE NOT REPORTED IT UNTIL NOW BECAUSE I WAS UNAWARE THAT IT HAD BEEN A PROBLEM FOR OTHER OWNERS. I HAD SMOKE COME FROM THE STEERING COLUMN BUT THOUGHT THAT IT WAS JUST A FLUKE. THE FAN MOTOR FOR THE VENTILATION SYSTEM QUIT WORKING AT THE SAME TIME. UPON MOVING THE STEERING COLUMN UP AND DOWN WITH THE TILT FEATURE I WAS ABLE TO GET THE FAN GOING AGAIN AND THE SMOKE STOPPED. THIS HAS HAPPEN ON SEVERAL OCCASIONS WITHOUT SMOKE HOWEVER. THIS HAPPENS ON A RANDOM CYCLE WITH NO APPARENT PATTERN OF FREQUENCY. IT ONLY SEEMS TO HAPPEN WHEN TILTING THE WHEEL FROM TIME TO TIME . AFTER HAVING READ ABOUT OTHERS VEHICLES WITH THE SAME PROBLEM I HAVE DECIDED TO REPORT THIS TO A LOCAL DEALER. I HAVE AN APPOINTMENT 7/6/00 TO REPLACE THE VAPOR CANISTER WHICH HAS BEEN RECALLED. I WILL REQUEST A REPLACEMENT OF THE IGNITION SWITCH FOR FREE BASED ON THE REPORTS IN YOUR WEB SITE WITH PREVIOUS OWNERS COMPLAINTS. NEW ISSUE THE VEHICLE HAS STARTED FAILING TO IDLE WHILE COMING TO A STOP AND THE ENGINE COMES TO A STOP OR DIES. THIS HAS NEARLY CAUSED TWO ACCIDENTS BECAUSE THE POWERING STEERING AND POWER BRAKES FAIL DUE TO THE ENGINE DYING IN THE MIDDLE OF HEAVY TRAFFIC. I MANAGED TO AVOID ACCIDENTS THANK GOODNESS. THE TRUCK THEN REFUSES TO START DISPITE THE ENGINE TURNING OVER WHEN ATTEPTING TO RESTART. I HAVE BEEN LUCKY TO MOVE THE TRUCK OUT OF TRAFFIC BOTH TIMES WITHOUT INCIDENT SO FAR. THE TRUCK WAS TOWED 6/28/00/TO A LOCAL REPAIR SHOP WHO HAS DONE REGULAR MAINTINANCE ON IT FOR SOMETIME. THIS TOW WAS THE RESULT OF THE SECOND FAILING OF THE ENGINE. THE SHOP HAS YET TO DETERMINE THE CAUSE AS OF THIS WRITING. NEW ISSUE THE STEERING COLUMN ALSO HAS A CLUNKING NOISE WHEN TURNING THE STEERING WHEEL AND WILL HAVE THE DEALER LOOK AT IT THE SAME TIME THE RECALL WORK WILL BE DONE AND WILL LET YOU KNOW FROM THERE. THANK YOU FOR YOUR HELP IN THIS MATTER. I DID'NT KNOW YOU COULD HELP PRIOR TO THIS DAY.*AK
THE BOLTS ON THE EXHAUST MANIFOLD ARE COMING LOOSE. THE DEALER HAS CHANGED THE BOLTS. *AK
HEAT SHIELD ON VEHICLE MAKES NOISE WHILE DRIVING. ALSO HEAT SHIELD HAS BEEN REPLACED ON VEHICLE TWICE, BUT PROBLEM RETURNED. PLEASE PROVIDE FURTHER DETAILS. *AK
CANISTER IN FRONT OF GAS TANK LEAKS WHEN TANK IS FULL; REPLACED 3 TIMES; COULD CAUSE FIRE/EXPLOSION. TT
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.