NHTSA owner reports · September 18, 2026 snapshot.
What owners actually said
168 reports300,000 miles · Mar 1, 2012
Air BagsInjury
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 1994 DODGE RAM 2500 DIESEL. AFTER SHIFTING THE VEHICLE INTO DRIVE AND WITHOUT ACCELERATING, THE CONTACT NOTICED THAT THE DRIVER SIDE AIR BAG SUDDENLY EXPLODED WITHOUT WARNING, CAUSING A INJURY TO THE CONTACTS EYE. MOMENTS LATER THE CONTACT NOTICED A BURNING SMELL COMING FROM THE CENTER OF THE STEERING WHE…
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TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 1994 DODGE RAM 2500 DIESEL. AFTER SHIFTING THE VEHICLE INTO DRIVE AND WITHOUT ACCELERATING, THE CONTACT NOTICED THAT THE DRIVER SIDE AIR BAG SUDDENLY EXPLODED WITHOUT WARNING, CAUSING A INJURY TO THE CONTACTS EYE. MOMENTS LATER THE CONTACT NOTICED A BURNING SMELL COMING FROM THE CENTER OF THE STEERING WHEEL. THE VEHICLE WAS NEITHER DIAGNOSED NOR REPAIRED. THE CURRENT AND THE FAILURE MILEAGES WERE 300,000. UPDATED 4/2/12 *CN UPDATED 05/02/12 *BF THE CONSUMER STATED AFTER REVERSING AND PUTTING THE TRUCK IN DRIVE THE AIR BAG DEPLOYED AND EXPLODED. THE INSIDE OF THE STEERING WHEEL WHERE THE AIR BAG WAS IS A ROUND METAL PIECE THAT WAS UNDER THE AIR BAG AND A PART OF THE STEERING WHEEL. THE PIECE WAS HOT RED AND UNTOUCHABLE. IT APPEARED THAT SOMETHING HAD MELTED AND TURNED BLACK. UPDATED 05/12/2012 *JS
NHTSA ODI #10449977
137,000 miles · Feb 10, 2011
Steering
VIOLENT SHAKING IN THE FRONT END/ STEERING, AFTER DRIVING OVER A BUMP OR POTHOLE AT SPEEDS OVER 40MPH.
NHTSA ODI #10382232
350,000 miles · Jan 24, 2011
Power Train
THE TRANSMISSION MOUNT FAILED CAUSING THE DRIVE-SHAFT COUNTER BALLANCE TO MOVE APPROX. 4" TO THE LEFT. THIS CAUSED THE DRIVE-SHAFT COUNTER BALLANCE TO WEAR A HOLE ABOUT 3' LONG AND 1' WIDE IN THE FUEL TANK. THE RESULT WAS LOST FUEL SPRAYING UNDER TRUCK, COATING REAR TIRES AND BRAKES. THIS COULD HAVE CAUSED A FIRE OR POSSIBLE EXP…
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THE TRANSMISSION MOUNT FAILED CAUSING THE DRIVE-SHAFT COUNTER BALLANCE TO MOVE APPROX. 4" TO THE LEFT. THIS CAUSED THE DRIVE-SHAFT COUNTER BALLANCE TO WEAR A HOLE ABOUT 3' LONG AND 1' WIDE IN THE FUEL TANK. THE RESULT WAS LOST FUEL SPRAYING UNDER TRUCK, COATING REAR TIRES AND BRAKES. THIS COULD HAVE CAUSED A FIRE OR POSSIBLE EXPLOSION. *TR
NHTSA ODI #10378371
Mileage unknown · Dec 30, 2010
StructureTires
CABLE THAT HOLDS FULL SIZE SPARE TIRE RUSTED THROUGH AND BROKE IN WHICH MY SPARE TIRE WENT FLYING THROUGH TRAFFIC. LUCKILY NO ONE WAS KILLED. VEHICLE IS A 1994 DODGE RAM 2500 PICK-UP TRUCK. I FEEL CABLES SHOULD NOT BE USED TO SECURE SPARE TIRES UNDER A VEHICLE. VERY DANGEROUS ESPECIALLY IF YOU LIVE IN AN AREA THAT SALTS THE …
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CABLE THAT HOLDS FULL SIZE SPARE TIRE RUSTED THROUGH AND BROKE IN WHICH MY SPARE TIRE WENT FLYING THROUGH TRAFFIC. LUCKILY NO ONE WAS KILLED. VEHICLE IS A 1994 DODGE RAM 2500 PICK-UP TRUCK. I FEEL CABLES SHOULD NOT BE USED TO SECURE SPARE TIRES UNDER A VEHICLE. VERY DANGEROUS ESPECIALLY IF YOU LIVE IN AN AREA THAT SALTS THE ROADS EVERY WINTER. *TR
NHTSA ODI #10373408
344,000 miles · Dec 26, 2010
Electrical SystemExterior Lighting
AFTER DRIVING APPROXIMATELY 30 MIN, THE HEADLAMPS INTERMITTENTLY LOSE POWER, SOMETIMES STAYING OFF UNTIL THE SWITCH IS MANIPULATED TO RE-ESTABLISH THE ELECTRICAL CONNECTION. SLIGHT BURNING ODOR ACCOMPANIES INCIDENT. *TR
NHTSA ODI #10372460
5,000 miles · Dec 30, 2008
Structure
TL*THE CONTACT OWNS A 1994 DODGE RAM 2500. WHILE DRIVING AT AN UNKNOWN SPEED, THE VEHICLE WOULD ACCELERATE RAPIDLY WHENEVER THE CONTACT DROVE OVER A BUMP. THE FRONT END OF THE VEHICLE WAS REBUILT SEVERAL TIMES; HOWEVER, THE GEAR SHIFTER CONTINUES TO WOBBLE. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS LESS THAN 5,000 AND CURRENT MILEAGE WAS 185,0…
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TL*THE CONTACT OWNS A 1994 DODGE RAM 2500. WHILE DRIVING AT AN UNKNOWN SPEED, THE VEHICLE WOULD ACCELERATE RAPIDLY WHENEVER THE CONTACT DROVE OVER A BUMP. THE FRONT END OF THE VEHICLE WAS REBUILT SEVERAL TIMES; HOWEVER, THE GEAR SHIFTER CONTINUES TO WOBBLE. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS LESS THAN 5,000 AND CURRENT MILEAGE WAS 185,000.
NHTSA ODI #10253197
5,000 miles · Dec 30, 2008
Structure
TL*THE CONTACT OWNS A 1994 DODGE RAM 2500. WHILE DRIVING VARIOUS SPEEDS, THE VEHICLE WOULD ACCELERATE RAPIDLY WHEN DRIVING OVER BUMPS IN THE ROAD. THE FRONT END OF THE VEHICLE HAS BEEN REBUILT SEVERAL TIMES, BUT THE GEAR SHIFTER CONTINUES TO WOBBLE. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS LESS THAN 5,000 AND CURRENT MILEAGE WAS 185,000.
NHTSA ODI #10253193
Mileage unknown · Dec 9, 2008
Engine And Engine Cooling
WHILE DRIVING MY RAM 2500 DIESEL TRUCK AND HAULING TRAILER THROUGH CLEBURNE, TEXAS MY VEHICLE DIED WITHOUT WARNING. I HAD NO POWER FOR STEERING AND WAS BARLEY ABOUT TO PULL INTO A DRIVEWAY AND PARKING LOT TO GET OUT OF FLOW OF TRAFFIC. THIS OCCURRED ON A SATURDAY AND I HAD TRUCK TOWED TO DEALERSHIP. IT WOULD BE MONDAY BEFORE…
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WHILE DRIVING MY RAM 2500 DIESEL TRUCK AND HAULING TRAILER THROUGH CLEBURNE, TEXAS MY VEHICLE DIED WITHOUT WARNING. I HAD NO POWER FOR STEERING AND WAS BARLEY ABOUT TO PULL INTO A DRIVEWAY AND PARKING LOT TO GET OUT OF FLOW OF TRAFFIC. THIS OCCURRED ON A SATURDAY AND I HAD TRUCK TOWED TO DEALERSHIP. IT WOULD BE MONDAY BEFORE PROBLEM WAS RESOLVED-- IT WOULD BE MONDAY BEFORE PROBLEM DETERMINED, IT WAS THE LIFT PUMP A $ 1100 FIX. ALL LATER VEHICLES I BELIEVE AFTER 2004 WERE MODIFIED TO PUT LIFT PUMP IN GAS TANK FOR PURPOSE OF KEEPING COOLER. MY VEHICLE HAD 134,000 MILES BUT IT WOULD HAVE BEEN HELPFUL HAVE KNOW ABOUT THIS TYPE OF FAILURE. I WAS VERY FORTUNATE I WAS NOT ON FREEWAY AND TRAVELING AT A HIGHER RATE OF SPEED. I DO FEEL THAT THIS SHOULD HAVE BEEN A RECALL. THERE WAS ANOTHER INDIVIDUAL WHO HAD SAME PROBLEM WITH HIS 2003 DIESEL. CRB. *TR
NHTSA ODI #10251248
1 miles · Dec 4, 2008
SuspensionCrashInjury
DODGE DEATH WOBBLE PICKUP. *TR
NHTSA ODI #10250692
Mileage unknown · Feb 14, 2008
Exterior LightingFire
HEADLIGHT QUIT WORKING AS I'M DRIVING DOWN THE ROAD AT NIGHT.... SMELLED A FAINT PLASTIC BURNING SMELL. *TR
NHTSA ODI #10218095
NHTSA investigations
8DP03006 · 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.
PE00048 · Loss Of Throttle Control
Opened Dec 11, 2000 · Closed Mar 7, 2001
Status: closed (inferred from source dates) · Vehicle Speed Control:linkages
ALLEGED THAT THE THROTTLE CABLE CAN FRAY OR SEVER DURING NORMAL USE RESULTING IN THE THROTTLE NOT RETURNING TO IDLE OR AN INABILITY TO ACCELERATE.
PE99026 · Front Suspension Spring/shock Absorber
Opened Apr 16, 1999 · Closed Aug 31, 1999
Status: closed (inferred from source dates) · Suspension
ALLEGE FAILURE OF THE COIL SPRING/SHOCK ABSORBER BRACKET AT ITS ATTACHMENT TO THE VEHICLE FRAME MAY ALLOW COLLAPSE OF THE FRONT SUSPENSION, AND POTENTIALLY AFFECT STEERING OR BRAKING SYSTEM PERFORMANCE
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.
PE98002 · Headlight Circuit Failure
Opened Jan 14, 1998 · Closed May 8, 1998
Status: closed (inferred from source dates) · Exterior Lighting
There is no summary currently available
PE96044 · Alleged Fuel Tank Leakage
Opened Jun 27, 1996 · Closed Nov 29, 1996
Status: closed (inferred from source dates) · Vehicle Speed Control:linkages
IN 1994, CHRYSLER INTRODUCTED A PLASTIC FUEL TANK, THAT WAS SHAPED DIFFERENTLY FROM THE METAL TANK IT REPLACED.DUE TO THE DIFFERENT SHAPE OF THE NEW TANK,GLAVAL HAD SOME PROBLEMS WITH SCREWS, THAT IT INSTALLS, RUPTURING THE FUEL TANK.THIS PROBLEM WAS IDENTIFIED DURING EARLY PRODUCTION AND GLAVAL CORRECTED THE SUBJECT UNITS PRIOR TO SHIPPING.GLAVAL ALSO DESIGNED A NEW TEMPLATE TO CORRECTLY LOCATE THE SCREWS TO MISS THE NEW STYLE TANK.EVIDENTLY A FEW EARLY PRODUCTION VEHICLES WERE NOT CAUGHT OR HAD SCREWS INSTALLED WITH THE WRONG TEMPLATE.ALL BUT ONE OF THESE VEHICLES WERE REPORTED AND CORRECTED UNDER WARRANTY IN 1994.ONLY ONE REPORT HAS BEEN RECEIVED SINCE 1994.NO. CRASH OR FIRE OCCURRED AND GLAVAL PAID FOR THE REPAIR OF THIS SINGLE UNIT.A SAFETY-RELATED DEFECT TREND HAS NOT BEEN IDENTIFIED AT THIS TIME AND FURTHER USE OF AGENCY RESOURCES DOES NOT APPEAR TO BE WARRANTED.THE CLOSING OF THIS INVESTIGATION DOES NOT CONSTITUTE A FINDING BY NHTSA THAT NO SAFETY-RELATED DEFECT EXISTS.THE AGENCY RESERVES THE RIGHT TO TAKE FURTHER ACTION IF WARRANTED BY THE CIRCUMSTANCES.
PE94072 · Trans Hose Separation
Opened Oct 3, 1994 · Closed Mar 22, 1995
Status: closed (inferred from source dates) · Power Train
There is no summary currently available
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