IllustrationVEHICLE WAS OFF AND PARKED IN DRIVEWAY, UPON ENTRY THE NEXT MORNING FOUND A SMOLDERING FIRE AND A BURNED IGNITION/STEERING COLUMN W/ EXTENSIVE FIRE DAMAGE. *TR
1995 Dodge RAM 1500
Owner reports · Recalls · Investigations
Similar to other model years
Owner complaints for the 1995 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
20–25K
425–50K
750–75K
1075–100K
15100–150K
20150K+
58 reports with mileage · 155 unknown
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.
- Structure. Review the 36 owner reports in this category and discuss these concerns during a pre-purchase inspection. Read reports →
- Electrical System. Review the 31 owner reports in this category and discuss these concerns during a pre-purchase inspection. Read reports →
- Power Train. Review the 30 owner reports in this category and discuss these concerns during a pre-purchase inspection. Read reports →
NHTSA owner reports · September 18, 2026 snapshot.
13 crash reports14 fire reports8 injury reports
Electrical System complaints
31 reportsTL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 1995 DODGE RAM 1500. WHILE THE VEHICLE WAS STATIONARY, THE HEADLIGHT SWITCH BURNED OUT AND CAUSED THE HEADLIGHTS TO BECOME INOPERATIVE. THE DEALER REPLACED THE IGNITION SWITCH, BUT THE FAILURE RECURRED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS MADE AWARE OF THE FAILURE. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 264,000.
I WAS WORKING AND A COUPLE OF EMPLOYEES CAME IN YELLING THE MY TRUCK WAS ON FIRE.THE KEYS WAS OUT OF THE VEHICLE YET A ELECTRICAL FIRE STARTED UNDER THE STEERING COLUMN BURNING ALL THE DRIVERS SIDE DASH. CRAKED THE FRONT WINDSHIELD AND BUBBLED IT UP. IT TOOK LESS THEN 10 MIN TO DO ALL OF IT IF IT WASN'T FOR PEOPLE AT MY WORK TH…
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I WAS WORKING AND A COUPLE OF EMPLOYEES CAME IN YELLING THE MY TRUCK WAS ON FIRE.THE KEYS WAS OUT OF THE VEHICLE YET A ELECTRICAL FIRE STARTED UNDER THE STEERING COLUMN BURNING ALL THE DRIVERS SIDE DASH. CRAKED THE FRONT WINDSHIELD AND BUBBLED IT UP. IT TOOK LESS THEN 10 MIN TO DO ALL OF IT IF IT WASN'T FOR PEOPLE AT MY WORK THERE IS NO TELLING WHAT WOULD HAVE HAPPENED.
WHILE DRIVING TO WORK...AT APPROX 40MPH MY LOW BEAM HEAD LIGHTS WENT OUT AND SMOKE CAME OUT OF THE OF THE DASH BOARD TO THE LEFT OF THE STEERING WHEEL...I WAS ABLE TO SHUT EVERYTHING DOWN AND NO OTHER DAMAGE WAS CAUSED HOWEVER AFTER GETTING THE TRUCK HOME IT WAS DISCOVERED THAT THE HEADLIGHT SWITCH HAD OVER HEATED AND MELTED DOW…
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WHILE DRIVING TO WORK...AT APPROX 40MPH MY LOW BEAM HEAD LIGHTS WENT OUT AND SMOKE CAME OUT OF THE OF THE DASH BOARD TO THE LEFT OF THE STEERING WHEEL...I WAS ABLE TO SHUT EVERYTHING DOWN AND NO OTHER DAMAGE WAS CAUSED HOWEVER AFTER GETTING THE TRUCK HOME IT WAS DISCOVERED THAT THE HEADLIGHT SWITCH HAD OVER HEATED AND MELTED DOWN AFTER MY EXPERIENCE AND OTHER REPORTS I HAVE READ ONLINE I WOULD LIKE TO ASK THAT NHTSA CAMPAIGN NUMBER: 99V024000 BE UPDATED TO INCLUDE 1500 MODELS AS WELL. *TR
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 1995 DODGE RAM 1500. THE CONTACT STATED THERE WERE TWO MAJOR CRACKS IN THE CENTER OF THE DASHBOARD THAT EXTENDED TO THE DRIVERS SIDE. ALSO, THE CONTACT STATED THAT WHEN THE HEADLIGHTS WERE ILLUMINATED THE DASHBOARD WOULD EMIT SMOKE. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO A PRIVATE MECHANIC WHERE IT WAS DIAGNOSED THAT TH…
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TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 1995 DODGE RAM 1500. THE CONTACT STATED THERE WERE TWO MAJOR CRACKS IN THE CENTER OF THE DASHBOARD THAT EXTENDED TO THE DRIVERS SIDE. ALSO, THE CONTACT STATED THAT WHEN THE HEADLIGHTS WERE ILLUMINATED THE DASHBOARD WOULD EMIT SMOKE. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO A PRIVATE MECHANIC WHERE IT WAS DIAGNOSED THAT THE LIGHT SWITCH BOX, PIGTAIL CONNECTOR AND THE ENTIRE DASHBOARD NEEDED TO BE REPLACED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOT NOTIFIED OF THE FAILURE. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT REPAIRED. THE APPROXIMATE FAILURE AND CURRENT MILEAGE WAS 168,356.
THE DASHBOARD IN MY 1995 DODGE RAM 1500 IS CAVING IN. IT LOOKS LIKE THIS IS HAPPENING TO MANY OTHER PEOPLE. I BELIEVE IT IS A SAFETY ISSUE, BECAUSE ANYTHING THAT FALLS IN THE SINKHOLE IN THE DASH COULD CAUSE A SHORT AND ELECTRICAL FIRE.*TR
THE DASH IS MADE FROM HARD PLASTIC AND IT STARTED CRACKING AND IS SO BAD NOW THAT IT IS FALLING APART PLUS THE WIRING IN THE DASH IS SHORTING OUT BIG HUNKS OF THE DASH ARE COMING APART. *TR
DASHBOARD ON MY 1995 DODGE RAM TRUCK IS BADLY CRACKED. I AM CONCERNED FOR THE SAFETY OF THE TRUCK. I AM THE ORIGINAL OWNER AND THE TRUCK HAS ALWAYS BEEN GARAGED. *JB
ABOUT A MONTH AGO MY DODGE RAM 1500 TRUCKS DASH BOARD CRACKED DOWN THE MIDDLE FROM THE WINDOW TO THE FRONT EDGE AND ALL WAY THROUGH, THEN EVERYDAY IT JUST STARTED CRACKING ALL OVER THE PLACE, TWO LARGE PIECES ARE COMPLETELY CRACKED OUT, LEAVING TWO HUGE HOLES. NOW I'VE A CRACK GOING FROM PASSENGER SIDE TO DRIVERS SIDE! I CALLED …
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ABOUT A MONTH AGO MY DODGE RAM 1500 TRUCKS DASH BOARD CRACKED DOWN THE MIDDLE FROM THE WINDOW TO THE FRONT EDGE AND ALL WAY THROUGH, THEN EVERYDAY IT JUST STARTED CRACKING ALL OVER THE PLACE, TWO LARGE PIECES ARE COMPLETELY CRACKED OUT, LEAVING TWO HUGE HOLES. NOW I'VE A CRACK GOING FROM PASSENGER SIDE TO DRIVERS SIDE! I CALLED DODGE AND THEY SAID NO ON RECALL AND IT WOULD COST ME OUT OF MY POCKET ABOUT 400.00 TO REPLACE IT, ASIDE FROM THIS WHEN THE FIRST CRACK HAPPENED MY STEREO QUIT THE NEXT DAY AND MY AIR CONDITIONING! *TR
MY 1995 DODGE RAM 1500 BURNT UP-TOTALED-2 YEARS AGO. DEALER DID NOT, WOULD NOT, DO THE RECALL IN 3 YEARS OF ACCESS. NOT FINDING ANY REFERENCE FROM CHRYSLER OR YOU, I SUGGEST HAVING TALKED TO A MECHANIC 2 DAYS AGO, THERE ARE STILL MANY TRUCKS BURNING UP, WITH OR WITHOUT THE RECALL, THEREFORE THERE NEEDS A NEW CAMPAIGN, BUT ALSO C…
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MY 1995 DODGE RAM 1500 BURNT UP-TOTALED-2 YEARS AGO. DEALER DID NOT, WOULD NOT, DO THE RECALL IN 3 YEARS OF ACCESS. NOT FINDING ANY REFERENCE FROM CHRYSLER OR YOU, I SUGGEST HAVING TALKED TO A MECHANIC 2 DAYS AGO, THERE ARE STILL MANY TRUCKS BURNING UP, WITH OR WITHOUT THE RECALL, THEREFORE THERE NEEDS A NEW CAMPAIGN, BUT ALSO CHECK INTO THE TOXICITY OF THE SITUATION. IT IS MELTING AND BURNING PVC'S AND OTHER PLASTICS, VERY TOXIC AND CANCER CAUSING. I AM FIGHTING TERMINAL CANCER ALSO, PROVEN TO BE LINKED TO THE DIOXINS, HEAVY METALS,AND VINYL CHLORIDES FOUND IN MELTING AND INCINERATING PVC'S. WHILE IT MIGHT NOT BE CONSIDERED YOUR FUNCTION, THE PROPER AGENCY NEEDS TO BE INFORMED SINCE THESE ARE CONTROLLED SUBSTANCES WHEN INCINERATED OR BURNED, AND PER THE TOXIC SUBSTANCE CONTROL ACT AND THE SARA LAWS AND THE 'PUBLIC'S RIGHT TO KNOW', CHRYSLER SHOULD HAVE INFORMED OF THE DANGERS AND RISK FACTORS ASSOCIATED WITH THE MELTING AND INCINERATING OF THE PVC'S AND OTHER PLASTICS WHEN USING THE BLOWER ON HIGH, AND/OR THE STEERING WHEEL COLUMN OR THE WIRING IN THE DASH IS OVERHEATING GROSSLY. *NM
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.