IllustrationDEALER PERFORMED TSB 21-10-98, 5TH GEAR CAME APART DUE TO THE SELF LOCKING NUT ON THE SHAFT CAME OFF. *SLC
1995 Dodge RAM 2500
Owner reports · Recalls · Investigations
Similar to other model years
Owner complaints for the 1995 Dodge RAM 2500 do not stand out strongly from the model-year median of 275.
About this comparison →How this year compares
Owner complaints by model year
Compare all RAM 2500 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
Limited mileage data: 52 of 267 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.
- Service Brakes, Hydraulic. Review the 59 owner reports in this category and discuss these concerns during a pre-purchase inspection. Read reports →
- Power Train. Review the 39 owner reports in this category and discuss these concerns during a pre-purchase inspection. Read reports →
- Vehicle Speed Control. Review the 34 owner reports in this category and discuss these concerns during a pre-purchase inspection. Read reports →
NHTSA owner reports · September 18, 2026 snapshot.
18 crash reports12 fire reports8 injury reports
Power Train complaints
39 reportsWHILE DRIVING 50 MPH TRANSMISSION LINE BLEWOUT, DEALER REPLACED TRANSMISSION LINE. THIS HAPPENED AGAIN ON 12 AUG 2001. *AK
WHILE DRIVING TRANSMISSION FLUID POURED OUT OF VEHICLE ONTO THE ROAD, AND CAUSED VEHICLE TO SMOKE. THIS WAS DUE TO THE RETAINING CLIP COMING LOOSE. DEALER HAS SEEN. *AK
GEARS IN REAR DIFFENTIAL WOULD MAKE HUMMING NOISES, LIKE GRINDING METAL. INDEPENDENT MECHANIC PLACED VEHICLE ON HOIST AND LOCATED PROBLEM IN TRANSFER CASE. HAD BROKEN GEAR, BUT PARTS WERE REMOVED. INFORMED IT WAS CLEANED OUT PREVIOUSLY AND PARTS REMOVED.*AK
TRANSMISSION HAS ALWAYS HAD PROBLEMS. REBUILT ONCE 1 YEAR BEFORE TOTAL FAILURE. DODGE DEALER ADMITS THAT IT SHOULD NOT HAVE HAPPENED, BUT WHEN THEY CONTACTED DODGE CORP, THEY WOULD NOT REIMBURSE FOR ANY PART OF THE COST. TRANSMISSIONS DO NOT COMPLETELY FAIL THAT EARLY, ESPECIALLY SINCE IT HAD BEEN SERVICED 11 MONTHS BEFORE FA…
Read full complaint
TRANSMISSION HAS ALWAYS HAD PROBLEMS. REBUILT ONCE 1 YEAR BEFORE TOTAL FAILURE. DODGE DEALER ADMITS THAT IT SHOULD NOT HAVE HAPPENED, BUT WHEN THEY CONTACTED DODGE CORP, THEY WOULD NOT REIMBURSE FOR ANY PART OF THE COST. TRANSMISSIONS DO NOT COMPLETELY FAIL THAT EARLY, ESPECIALLY SINCE IT HAD BEEN SERVICED 11 MONTHS BEFORE FAILURE. THIS TRANSMISSION IS OBVIOUSLY DEFECTIVE AND IN GOING INTO OTHER WEB SIGHTS ( LEMON-AID) WE FIND WE ARE NOT THE ONLY ONES THIS HAPPENED TO. SOMETHING NEEDS TO BE DONE TO MAKE DODGE ADMIT THERE'S A PROBLEM, AND REIMBURSE US AND OTHERS WHO HAD TO PAY $4000.00 TO REPLACE A TRANSMISSION AT SUCH AN EARLY STAGE.*AK
WIRING HARNESS IN STEERING COLUMN WAS SMOKING AND BURNING AND REQUIRED IMMEDIATE REPAIRS, WHICH OWNER MADE WITH PARTS FROM DEALERSHIP, A MONTH LATER THE PROBLEM WAS CONSIDERED A RECALL (00V-135), CONSUMER REQUESTING REIMBURSEMENT. CJ
SECOND TRANSMISSION FOR CONSUMER TO REPLACE, 2 TRANSMISSIONS REPLACED BY PREVIOUS OWNER. TRANSMISION SHOP SAID THEY WILL NOT WARRANTY TRANSMISSION. IT WOULD NOT LAST MORE THAN 12000 MILES. CONSUMER CONTACTED DODGE, WHO AFTER FIRST PHONE CALL "RED FLAGGED" CONSUMER AND SAID HIS CASE WAS CLOSED. *AK
SOUND PAD TO CLOSE TO THE EXAUST PIPE HEADER ON 5.9 CUM. DIESEL ENGINE. BRAKES ARE VERY BAD IF YOU HAVE TO STOP QUICK. FROUNT WHEELS LOCK UP IN NORMAL BRAKING ON WET ROAD AND IN HARD STOPS WITH A LOAD OR TRAILER REAR BRAKES ARE WORTHLESS. TRANS MISSION LINES RUB TOGETHER WEARING HOLES IN THE IN THE LINES
TRANSMISSION LINES ARE LEAKING BECAUSE OF DEFECTIVE FITTINGS. DODGE IS AWARE OF PROBLEM BECAUSE OF RECALL CAMPAIGN # 97V084000. BUT, RECALL ONLY CONCERNS GAS ENGINES AND NOT DIESEL. *AK THE TRANSMISSION LINES ARE RUSTING DUE TO INFERIOR QUALITY OF ORIGINAL PARTS. *YH
MY AUTOMATIC TRANSMISSION COOLING LINE ON THE PRESSURE SIDE HAS SPRUNG A MAJOR LEAK. IT WOULD APPEAR TO BE THE SAME AS AND BE COVERED BY YOUR CAMPAIGN NUMBER 97V084000. CHRYSLER TELLS ME THAT MY TRUCK IS NOT AFFECTED. IF NOT, I DON'T UNDERSTAND WHY. IS THERE ANY WAY TO OBTAIN AN OFFICIAL LIST OF THE VEHICLES AFFECTED?*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
6DP03006 · 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