IllustrationWHILE TOWING A BOAT, THE TRANSMISSION OVER HEATED WHICH CAUSED THE TRANSMISSION FLUID TO LEAK/SPILL ON THE ROADWAY. THE PROBLEM RESULTED IN 3 REBUILT TRANSMISSIONS. *JB
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
What owners actually said
213 reportsWHILE DRIVING AND TOWING A BOAT, THE TRANSMISSION OVER HEATED WHICH CAUSED TRANSMISSION FLUID TO LEAK/SPILL ON THE ROADWAY. THE PROBLEM RESULTED IN 3 REBUILT TRANSMISSION. *JB
A BRAKE FAILURE DUE TO A RUPTURE IN THE FRONT PASSENGER SIDE BRAKE HOSE CONNECTED TO THE CALIPER. THIS FAILURE LED ME TO NARROWLY ESCAPE AN ACCIDENT WHEN ATTEMPTING TO STOP AT A RED LIGHT. THE FAILURE APPEARS TO BE CAUSED BY THE BRAKE LINE BEING TOO SHORT CAUSING EXCESSIVE FLEXING DURING TURNING AT THE CRIMP CONNECTOR ON THE C…
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A BRAKE FAILURE DUE TO A RUPTURE IN THE FRONT PASSENGER SIDE BRAKE HOSE CONNECTED TO THE CALIPER. THIS FAILURE LED ME TO NARROWLY ESCAPE AN ACCIDENT WHEN ATTEMPTING TO STOP AT A RED LIGHT. THE FAILURE APPEARS TO BE CAUSED BY THE BRAKE LINE BEING TOO SHORT CAUSING EXCESSIVE FLEXING DURING TURNING AT THE CRIMP CONNECTOR ON THE CALIPER END OF THE BRAKE LINE. *JB
WHEN I BOUGHT MY TRUCK IT WAS JUST THREE YEARS OLD AND 50% OF THE PAINT WAS PEELING OFF IT. IT'S SILVER AND SINCE THEN I'VE SEEN MANY OF THE SAME COLOR, HAVEING THIS PROBLEM: FORD AND CHEVY HAD A PAINT RECALL; WHY WON'T DODGE? NOW THE TRUCK IS 80% PEELING, PERSONALLY I THINK IT WAS BECAUSE OF BAD PRIMER. I HAVE TALKED TO FOUR…
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WHEN I BOUGHT MY TRUCK IT WAS JUST THREE YEARS OLD AND 50% OF THE PAINT WAS PEELING OFF IT. IT'S SILVER AND SINCE THEN I'VE SEEN MANY OF THE SAME COLOR, HAVEING THIS PROBLEM: FORD AND CHEVY HAD A PAINT RECALL; WHY WON'T DODGE? NOW THE TRUCK IS 80% PEELING, PERSONALLY I THINK IT WAS BECAUSE OF BAD PRIMER. I HAVE TALKED TO FOUR DODGE DEALERSHIPS IN THE AREA, THEY ALL TOLD ME THEY HAVE HAD A PROBLEM WITH THAT COLOR. THEY SAID THEY CAN'T BELIEVE THE MANUFACTURE WON'T STAND BEHIND THEIR WORK AND COMPENSATE THE OWNERS.
CLEAR COAT AND PAINT COMING OFF ON ROOF AND HOOD. THIS IS NOT SAFTY(A DEFECT)DT
WHILE TOWING A TRAILER MY TRUCK LOST COMPLETE POWER, ENGINE DID NOT DIE. I PULLED OVER TO SIDE OF THE ROAD AND IN JUST A MINUTE WAS ABLE TO DRIVE AWAY SIX TIMES NOW. TACOMA DEALERSHIP SAID NOTHING WAS WRONG. I KNOW OF ONE OTHER PERSON WITH SAME PROBLEM. DT
CONSUMER STATES OF HAVING PROBLEMS WITH THE TIRES. PLEASE ADD MORE INFORMATION. TS
NO SUMMARY LISTED FOR ABOVE VEHICLE. *AK
AIR BAGS DEPLOYED INADVERTENTLY WHILE PULLING INTO A PARKING LOT. DEALER CONTACTED. *AK
WAS GOING TO BUY ONE FROM JUNK YARD BUT THEY DIDNT HAVE ANY CALLED 3 YARDS AND THE COMMENTS WHERE ALL THE SAME AS SOON AS WE GET IN A DODGE TRUCK THAT IS ONE OF THE FIRST THINGS THEY SELL OFF OF IT AFTER THAT COMMENT I THOUGHT YOU SHOULD BE INFORMED OBVISLE THER IS A PROBLEM WITH THE REWIND SYSTEM THANK YOU NICK WUNDERLICH. …
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WAS GOING TO BUY ONE FROM JUNK YARD BUT THEY DIDNT HAVE ANY CALLED 3 YARDS AND THE COMMENTS WHERE ALL THE SAME AS SOON AS WE GET IN A DODGE TRUCK THAT IS ONE OF THE FIRST THINGS THEY SELL OFF OF IT AFTER THAT COMMENT I THOUGHT YOU SHOULD BE INFORMED OBVISLE THER IS A PROBLEM WITH THE REWIND SYSTEM THANK YOU NICK WUNDERLICH. NO SUMMARY LISTED FOR ABOVE VEHICLE. *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.