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
What owners actually said
116 reports
283,502 miles · Jul 26, 2014
SteeringSuspensionWheels
WE ( MY FAMILY AND I) WERE DRIVING EAST ON I40 GETTING ON THE INTERSTATE AT PAPERMILL ROAD. THERE WAS AS SHIMMY, THEN A POP, BANG CLANK AND SHUDDER AND THEN WE LOST STEERING. IT ALMOST CAUSED A WRECK. I HAD TO SLAM ON THE BRAKES,AND HAD TO TROUBLE STEERING IT TO THE TO THE EMERGENCY LANE CROSSING OVER INFRONT OF OTHER CARS. I…
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WE ( MY FAMILY AND I) WERE DRIVING EAST ON I40 GETTING ON THE INTERSTATE AT PAPERMILL ROAD. THERE WAS AS SHIMMY, THEN A POP, BANG CLANK AND SHUDDER AND THEN WE LOST STEERING. IT ALMOST CAUSED A WRECK. I HAD TO SLAM ON THE BRAKES,AND HAD TO TROUBLE STEERING IT TO THE TO THE EMERGENCY LANE CROSSING OVER INFRONT OF OTHER CARS. I LOST STEERING ABILITY IN THE TRUCK WE HAD TO DRIVE IT HOME AT 25 MILES PER HOUR. WHEN WE WOULD HIT A SMALL BUMP IN THE ROAD IT WOULD SHIMMY AND SHAKE. IT TAKES THREE ROTATIONS OF THE STEERING WHEEL TO MAKE EVEN A GENTLE CURVE. *TR
NHTSA ODI #10616551
Mileage unknown · Oct 12, 2013
Tires
WHILE PARKED, A MICHELIN 245/75-16 LT M/S SPONTANEOUSLY FAILED. I HAVE IMAGES OF THE FAILURE FROM DIFFERENT ANGLES, AND HAVE RETAINED THE TIRE. *TR
NHTSA ODI #10547729
45,000 miles · Nov 6, 2012
Fuel/propulsion System
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 1994 DODGE 1500. THE CONTACT STATED THAT HE NOTICED THAT THE FUEL MILEAGE HAD SIGNIFICANTLY REDUCED. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO AN INDEPENDENT MECHANIC FOR DIAGNOSIS WHERE THE CONTACT WAS ADVISED THAT THE FUEL PUMPED WOULD HAVE TO BE REPLACED. THE VEHICLE WAS REPAIRED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOTIFIED BUT OFFE…
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TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 1994 DODGE 1500. THE CONTACT STATED THAT HE NOTICED THAT THE FUEL MILEAGE HAD SIGNIFICANTLY REDUCED. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO AN INDEPENDENT MECHANIC FOR DIAGNOSIS WHERE THE CONTACT WAS ADVISED THAT THE FUEL PUMPED WOULD HAVE TO BE REPLACED. THE VEHICLE WAS REPAIRED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOTIFIED BUT OFFERED NO ASSISTANCE. THE FAILURE AND CURRENT MILEAGE WAS 45,000.
NHTSA ODI #10483492
142,367 miles · Apr 15, 2012
Electrical SystemExterior LightingFireInjury
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
NHTSA ODI #10455302
102,000 miles · Aug 22, 2011
Fuel System, Gasoline
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 1994 DODGE RAM 1500. THE CONTACT WAS DRIVING 65 MPH WHEN THE FUEL TANK DROPPED TO THE GROUND. THE REAR STRAPS FRACTURED DUE TO RUST AND CORROSION. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT TAKEN TO THE DEALER AND THE MANUFACTURER WAS CONTACTED. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 102,000. UPDATED 09/21/11 *BF THE CONSUMER WAS INFORMED T…
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TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 1994 DODGE RAM 1500. THE CONTACT WAS DRIVING 65 MPH WHEN THE FUEL TANK DROPPED TO THE GROUND. THE REAR STRAPS FRACTURED DUE TO RUST AND CORROSION. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT TAKEN TO THE DEALER AND THE MANUFACTURER WAS CONTACTED. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 102,000. UPDATED 09/21/11 *BF THE CONSUMER WAS INFORMED THE PROBLEM WAS NOT COVERED UNDER WARRANTY. THE CONSUMER REPLACED BOTH FUEL TANK STRAPS. UPDATED 09/28/11
NHTSA ODI #10420948
40,000 miles · Aug 1, 2011
Fuel System, Gasoline
THE STRAPS HOLDING THE GAS TANK IN OUR 1994 DODGE RAM 1500 PICKUP CORRODED, CAUSING THE FUEL TANK TO HANG DOWN BENEATH THE VEHICLE. WE NOTICED THIS PROBLEM BEFORE ANY DANGEROUS INCIDENT OCCURRED AND RIGGED A TEMPORARY NYLON STRAP. WE LATER REPLACED THE OEM RETAINING STRAPS AT A TOTAL COST OF APPROXIMATELY $300. *KB
NHTSA ODI #10416578
221,643 miles · Jan 29, 2011
Unknown Or Other
I HAVE A 1994 DODGE 1500 PICKUP TRUCK SINCE THE SUMMER OF 2009 THE DASHBOARD HAS BEEN CRACKING APART. IT STARTED AT THE MOUNTING SCREWS LOCATED AT THE LOWER WINDSHIELD WHICH SUPPORT THE UPPER PORTION OF THE DASHBOARD. THE DASHBOARD IN TURN SUPPORTS THE STEERING COLUMN. *LN
NHTSA ODI #10379563
Mileage unknown · Dec 2, 2010
Electrical System
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.
NHTSA ODI #10368678
Mileage unknown · Sep 26, 2010
Exterior Lighting
HEADLIGHTS GO OFF AFTER ABOUT 20 MINUTES EVERYTIME TURNED ON. *TR
NHTSA ODI #10357652
Mileage unknown · Sep 15, 2010
Exterior Lighting
HEADLIGHTS, WHEN I TURNED ON MY HEADLIGHTS THEY FLASHED AND WENT OFF WHILE I WAS DRIVING AT NIGHT I HAD TO STOP DEAD IN THE MIDDLE OF THE ROAD BECAUSE I COULD NOT SEE. THE NEXT DAY WHEN I WENT TO GET THE TRUCK I TURNED THEM ON DURING THE DAY AND SMELLED SOMETHING BURNING, I ASSUME IT WAS THE LIGHTS. *TR
NHTSA ODI #10355696
Official recalls
0
No 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
4
DP03006 · 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.
1994 Dodge RAM 1500 Problems, Complaints & Recalls | Skip That Year
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