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
What owners actually said
213 reports
Mileage unknown · Sep 30, 1999
Power Train
THE TRANSMISSION COOLING LINE RUNNIG FROM TRANSMISSION TO THE RADIATOR RUSTED THROUGH AND WAS LEAKING ON THE UNDERSIDE OF THE TRUCK, COVERING THE WHOLE BOTTOM REAR END WITH TRANSMISSION FLUID. THIS COULD HAVE CAUSED A FIRE IF ENOUGH OF FLUID HAD SPILLED ONTO THE EXHAUST SYSTEM. THE DEALER HAS BEEN CONTACTED AND REPAIRED THE V…
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THE TRANSMISSION COOLING LINE RUNNIG FROM TRANSMISSION TO THE RADIATOR RUSTED THROUGH AND WAS LEAKING ON THE UNDERSIDE OF THE TRUCK, COVERING THE WHOLE BOTTOM REAR END WITH TRANSMISSION FLUID. THIS COULD HAVE CAUSED A FIRE IF ENOUGH OF FLUID HAD SPILLED ONTO THE EXHAUST SYSTEM. THE DEALER HAS BEEN CONTACTED AND REPAIRED THE VEHICLE. *AK
NHTSA ODI #849473
Mileage unknown · Jul 15, 1999
Electrical System
IGNITION SWITCH WIRING HARNESS SHORTED OUT,CAUSING POWER WINDOWS TO GO OUT, AIR BAG LIGHT/ ABS LIGHT TO COME ON ,AND CONSOLE TO BURN OUT. DEALER HAS NOT BEEN CONTACTED. *AK
NHTSA ODI #842435
Mileage unknown · Jun 21, 1999
Electrical System
WIRING HARNESS FAILED AND MELTED CAUSING A/C, POWER WINDOWS, AIR BAG LIGHT FAILURES. MJS
NHTSA ODI #546225
Mileage unknown · Jun 16, 1999
Electrical System
WIRING HARNESS IN THE DASH FAILED, OVERHEATED AND CAUSED DISCOLORING IN STEERING COLUMN. MJS
NHTSA ODI #546126
Mileage unknown · Jun 14, 1999
Fuel System, Gasoline
STALLS AND BACKFIRES THOUGH THE INTAKE DURING ACCELARATION. *AK
NHTSA ODI #707554
Mileage unknown · Jun 2, 1999
Equipment
AIR CONDITIONER EVAPORATOR IS DEFECTIVE. ACCORDING TO A LOCAL AC SERVICE TECHNICIAN, THIS IS AN ONGOING PROBLEM W/CHRYSLER PRODUCTS. THEY HAVE RECEIVED MAINTENANCE BULLETINS TO THAT EFFECT. I CONSIDER THIS A SAFETY PROBLEM BECAUSE THE DEFECTIVE EVAPORATOR CAUSES AIR CONDITIONER TO FAIL. *AK
NHTSA ODI #707117
Mileage unknown · May 3, 1999
Electrical System
SHORTED IGNITION WIRING DUE TO POOR ENGINEERING OF WIRE SIZE AND AMP DRAW FROM HVAC FAN. WHILE BACKING OUT OF A PARKING SPACE, THE TRUCK STALLED. THE TRUCK COULD NOT BE RESTARTED. AFTER DISCUSSING THE FAILURE WITH THE DEALER, I WAS ABLE TO RETAIN THE DAMAGED IGNITION SWITCH AND THE CAUSE OF THE FAILURE. THERE TECHNICIAN STAT…
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SHORTED IGNITION WIRING DUE TO POOR ENGINEERING OF WIRE SIZE AND AMP DRAW FROM HVAC FAN. WHILE BACKING OUT OF A PARKING SPACE, THE TRUCK STALLED. THE TRUCK COULD NOT BE RESTARTED. AFTER DISCUSSING THE FAILURE WITH THE DEALER, I WAS ABLE TO RETAIN THE DAMAGED IGNITION SWITCH AND THE CAUSE OF THE FAILURE. THERE TECHNICIAN STATED THAT DUE TO AN UNDERSIZING OF THE WIRE WHICH FEEDS POWER TO THE HVAC FAN, THROUGH THE IGNITION NO LESS, THE INSULATION HEATS UP AND DETIORATES TO THE POINT AT WHICH IT SHORTS WITH THE SURROUNDING THE WIRES. THE TECHNICIAN HAD CUT THE WORST WIRES AWAY FOR OBVIOUS REASONS BUT THE REMAINING WIRES SHOW SIGNS OF OVERHEATING. I HAVE READ A COUPLE OF INCIDENTS LIKE THIS EXACT ONE ON THE NHTSA TROUBLE PAGE. I WAS VERY LUCKY THAT I WAS ONLY TRAVELING AT 5MPH BECAUSE AT A HIGH RATE OF SPEED IN HEAVY TRAFFIC, THIS COULD HAVE BEEN A MUCH BIGGER INCIDENT. CHRYSLER HAS NO INTENTION ON REIMBURSING THIS OR FIXING OTHER OWNERS WHICH WILL ULTIMATELY HAVE THIS FAILURE. THEY NEED TO REASSESS THE POSSIBLE SAFETY ISSUE THIS FAILURE COULD CREATE. THANKS CRAIG DIXON. *AK
NHTSA ODI #706215
Mileage unknown · Feb 9, 1999
Engine And Engine CoolingPower TrainService Brakes, Hydraulic
ENGINE NEEDS TO BE REPLACED.
NHTSA ODI #530850
Mileage unknown · Feb 1, 1999
Latches/locks/linkages
2 SPOT WELDS THAT HOLD THE DOOR LATCH HAVE CRACKED, CAUSING THE DOOR TO BECOME DIFFICULT TO CLOSE AND OPEN. *AK
NHTSA ODI #834329
Mileage unknown · Jan 7, 1999
Steering
DEFECTIVE STEERING COLUMN.
NHTSA ODI #781787
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.
1995 Dodge RAM 1500 Problems, Complaints & Recalls | Skip That Year
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