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1995 Dodge RAM 3500

Owner reports · Recalls · Investigations

Similar to other model years

Owner complaints for the 1995 Dodge RAM 3500 do not stand out strongly from the model-year median of 124.5.

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How this year compares

Owner complaints by model year

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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: 15 of 108 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 27 owner reports in this category and discuss these concerns during a pre-purchase inspection. Read reports →
  • Suspension. Review the 20 owner reports in this category and discuss these concerns during a pre-purchase inspection. Read reports →
  • Power Train. Review the 19 owner reports in this category and discuss these concerns during a pre-purchase inspection. Read reports →

NHTSA owner reports · September 18, 2026 snapshot.

7 crash reports6 fire reports3 injury reports

Electrical System complaints

8 reports
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227,000 miles · May 16, 2005
Electrical System

DT: FUEL PUMP, BLOWING FUSES, FAST AS FUSES ARE PUT IN THE ARE BLOWN AGAIN. AS SOON START THE VEHICLE THE FUSES BLOW. THE BOTTON FUSE BOX WHERE WIRE GO INTO ENGINE SHOUT OFF RELAY, BURNED RELAY. THIS WIRE STARTS OUT A 10- GAUGE WIRE, IT REDUSES DOWN WHEN IT GOES MAIN CONTROLL MODULE HALF THE SIZE. THIS ALSO RUNS BOTH COIL P…

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DT: FUEL PUMP, BLOWING FUSES, FAST AS FUSES ARE PUT IN THE ARE BLOWN AGAIN. AS SOON START THE VEHICLE THE FUSES BLOW. THE BOTTON FUSE BOX WHERE WIRE GO INTO ENGINE SHOUT OFF RELAY, BURNED RELAY. THIS WIRE STARTS OUT A 10- GAUGE WIRE, IT REDUSES DOWN WHEN IT GOES MAIN CONTROLL MODULE HALF THE SIZE. THIS ALSO RUNS BOTH COIL PACKS AND ALL THE FUEL INJECTORS. THE WIRING HARNESS NEED TO BE COMPLETELY REPLACE, AND THE MODLE NEEDS TO BE INSPECTED BY A CETRFIED DODGE MECHINE TO MAKE SURE WIRING IS PROPER SIZE AND MAKE SURE THERE ARE NOT SHORTS IN THIS.

NHTSA ODI #10121066

400,000 miles · Jan 30, 2003
Electrical SystemCrashFire

ELECTRICAL FIRE AND SMOKE UNDER DASH

NHTSA ODI #10004967

Mileage unknown · Jun 29, 2001
Electrical System

IGNITION SWITCH WAS REPLACED THREE TIMES. WHEN PUTTING KEY IN IGNITION THERE IS A CLINKING NOISE. DEALERSHIP IS AWARE OF PROBLEM.*AK

NHTSA ODI #891731

Mileage unknown · Nov 16, 2000
Electrical SystemFire

IN JULY I RECEIVED CHRYSLER RECALL #875 WHICH STATED:THE IGNITION SWITCH AND/OR STEERING COLUMN WIRING ON YOUR RAM TRUCK MAY OVERHEAT WHEN THE BLOWER MOTOR IS OPERATED AT HIGH SPEED FOR AN EXTENDED PERIOD OF TIME. THIS CAN CAUSE STALLING, LOSS OF BLOWER MOTOR OR POWER WINDOW OPERATION, ABS OR AIRBAG LAMP ILLUMINATION OR A STEERI…

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IN JULY I RECEIVED CHRYSLER RECALL #875 WHICH STATED:THE IGNITION SWITCH AND/OR STEERING COLUMN WIRING ON YOUR RAM TRUCK MAY OVERHEAT WHEN THE BLOWER MOTOR IS OPERATED AT HIGH SPEED FOR AN EXTENDED PERIOD OF TIME. THIS CAN CAUSE STALLING, LOSS OF BLOWER MOTOR OR POWER WINDOW OPERATION, ABS OR AIRBAG LAMP ILLUMINATION OR A STEERING COLUMN/INSTRUMENT PANEL FIRE.THE DAY I RECEIVED THE NOTICE, THE STARTER DIED BEFORE I COULD GET TO THE DEALER. I TRIED TO CALL CHRYSLER TO DETERMINE THE LIKELIHOOD OF A CONNECTION BETWEEN FAILURE AND RECALL. THE DEALER PERFORMED THE RECALL SERVICE AND REPLACED THE STARTER AND SOLENOID. BY THE TIME I REACHED CHRYSLER, THE REPAIRS WERE COMPLETE. THE MECHANIC, PERFORMING HIS FIRST 875 RECALL SAID NOCORRELATION. I ASKED IF THERE WERE OTHER STARTER FAILURES THAT MIGHT BE RELATED TO THE RECALL. THE DEALER SAID HE WOULD HAVE CHRYSLER CALL ME TO ANSWER THE QUESTION AND PROVIDE INFORMATION. THE DEALER CONTINUES TO SAY THAT ONLY CHRYSLER WOULD KNOW, CHRYSLER SAYS ONLY THE DEALER CAN ANSWER.BECAUSE FAILURE OF ELECTRIC MOTORS AND SOLENOIDS CAN OFTEN RESULT FROM LOW-VOLTAGE, OVER-HEATING, OR OVER-CURRENT OR RAPIDLY REPEATED VOLTAGE APPLICATION AND THE EXISTENCE OF SUCH CONDITIONS SEEMS TO BE WELL DOCUMENTED IN RECALL 875, THESE CONDITIONS ARE REASONABLE CAUSE OF STARTER FAILURE. CHRYSLER SHOULD PAY FOR THE ATARTER OR SHOW THERE IS NOT A HISTORY OF SIMILAR FAILURES OF OTHER TRUCKS RECALLED ON 875.

NHTSA ODI #736402

Mileage unknown · Oct 3, 1999
Electrical SystemService Brakes, HydraulicCrash

BRAKE LIGHT SWITCH KEEPS BURNING OUT. WIRE OVER HEATS AND MELTS PLUG AND SWITCH/ BRAKES DON'T STOP THE TRUCK LOADED. WE CHANGE THE FROUNT PADS 20 TO ONE SET OF REAR BRAKES. REAR BRAKES VERY IN AFECTIVE

NHTSA ODI #712708

Mileage unknown · Oct 3, 1999
Electrical SystemFire

IF YOU USE THE AIR CONDITIONING WHILE DRIVING THE SWITCH OVERHEATS AND BURNS OUT THE SWITCH AND YOU LOOSE THE ENGINE ALL TOGETHER. REAL BAD THING TO HAPPEN IN TRAFFIC.

NHTSA ODI #712707

Mileage unknown · Aug 25, 1999
Electrical System

WIRING HARNESS FAILURE CAUSING MULTIPLE SHORTS IN SYSTEM, RESULTING IN REPLACEMENT OF THE IGNITION SWITCH, LIGHT SWITCH AND BLOWN FUSES. MJS

NHTSA ODI #548168

Mileage unknown · Mar 5, 1997
Electrical System

WHILE DRIVING THE HEADLIGHT SWITCH IN THE DASH STARTED TO SMOKE, CAUSING THE WIRING TO MELT AND LOSS OF ALL LIGHTS EXCEPT THE HEADLIGHTS. DEALERS ARE REPLACING THE HEADLIGHT SWITCH AND THE WIRING HARNESS. PLEASE GIVE FURTHER DETAILS. *AK

NHTSA ODI #809714

Official recalls

1

99V024000 · Exterior Lighting:headlights:switch

Feb 5, 1999

VEHICLE DESCRIPTION: MODEL 3500 LIGHT DUTY TRUCKS ONLY. OPERATION OF THE HEADLAMPS OVER AN EXTENDED PERIOD OF TIME CAN RESULT IN HEADLAMP SWITCH FAILURE, CAUSING THE HEADLAMPS OR PARK LAMPS TO GO OUT.

Consequence & remedy

Consequence: IF THE LIGHTS FAIL, A VISIBILITY PROBLEM COULD OCCUR, INCREASING THE RISK OF A VEHICLE CRASH.

Remedy: DEALERS WILL REPLACE THE HEADLAMP SWITCH INCLUDING A RELAY IN THE PARK LAMP WIRING CIRCUIT.

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

6

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.

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