RoadVitals

1994 Dodge 1500 Owner Complaints

Reports submitted to NHTSA by owners and drivers, shown in full

Data refreshed

Complaints on fileComplaints are reports submitted to NHTSA by owners and drivers. NHTSA does not verify most reports before publishing them, and a complaint does not establish that a defect exists. Volume is influenced by how many of a vehicle were sold, how long it has been on the road, and how much attention an issue has received.
116
Latest Dec 7, 2021
Crash or fire reportedComplaints whose submitter recorded that a crash or a fire occurred. These are the reporter's own answers on the NHTSA form, not verified findings.
18
Filed in the last 12 monthsReports filed with NHTSA in the trailing 365 days. Recent volume reflects attention and vehicle age as much as anything else.
0
Reports on file since Jan 4, 1995

What this page shows

Our database holds 116 NHTSA owner-reported complaints for the 1994 Dodge 1500. Each one is a report filed by an owner or driver and published by NHTSA without most of them being verified. A complaint is not a confirmed defect, not a recall and not a manufacturer bulletin. Narratives are shown exactly as filed.

Complaints are reports submitted by owners and drivers to NHTSA. They are not verified and do not establish that a defect exists.

Complaints, most recent first

Showing 1–25 of 116 · page 1 of 5

Electrical
Filed Dec 7, 2021
Fire reported

Went to crank the truck one day and all of a sidden the igniton switch started smoking . It burnt the whole entire wire from the top all the way to the PCM

NHTSA ID
11442956
Incident
Jul 24, 2021
AirbagsElectricalExterior lighting
Filed Oct 21, 2020
Crash reported

I HAVE HAS ISSUES WITH ELECTRICAL ONY DODGE TRUCK, THE LIGHT SWITCH FOR HEADLIGHTS BURNING WIRES FROM NOWHERE WHEN DRIVING FROM LIGHT SWITCH.ARIL OF 2020 I WAS INVOLVED IN AN AUTO ACCIDENT WHICH WAS A RESULT OF MY AIR BAG STEERING WHEEL WENT OFF BY ITSELF, THE LIGHT FOR THE AIR BAG WAS ON FOR AIR BAG WAS INTERMITTENT, BUT LATELY IT WOULDN'T TURN OFF ANYMORE A MECHANIC CHECKED SAID EVERYTHING WAS FINE,AND WOULD ERASE THE LITE, BUT WOULD COME BACK ON, I CALLED DODGE AND WAS TOLD IT WOULD AT THE TIME A LOT OF MONEY TO ME TO HAVE ALL THE ELECTRICAL CHECKED AT MY EXPENSE AND THE LIGHT SWITCH WAS AN ISSUE FROM MFC.I WAS DRIVING AROUND 30 MILES MORE OR LESS AN HOUR WHEN THE BAG WENT OFF AND I WAS STRUCK IN THE FACE, AND COLLIDED WITH AN ON COMMING CAR ON A 2 LANE STREET.I WANT TO KNOW IF THERE IS A RECALL ON THE 94 DODGE RAM TRUCK. THANK YOU

NHTSA ID
11365590
Incident
Apr 10, 2020
Steering
Filed Sep 8, 2020

LOWER INTERMEDIATE STEERING SHAFT BROKE, CAUSING COMPLETE LOSS OF STEERING CONTROL. FORTUNATELY, WAS JUST MOVING FARM PICKUP OUT OF BARN AND NOT ON ROAD AT THE TIME. BARELY MOVING WHEN CONTROL WAS LOST TRYING TO TURN.

NHTSA ID
11353674
Incident
Jul 30, 2020
Mileage
300,004 mi
Driver assistance
Filed Jun 25, 2020

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 1994 DODGE RAM. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE BALL JOINT THAT SECURE THE THROTTLE CABLE WAS WORN AND NEEDED TO BE REPLACED. THE CONTACT TOOK THE VEHICLE TO AN INDEPENDENT MECHANIC WHO LINKED THE FAILURE TO NHTSA CAMPAIGN NUMBER: 01V037000 (VEHICLE SPEED CONTROL). THE CONTACT REACHED OUT TO DCH CHRYSLER DODGE JEEP RAM FIAT OF TEMECULA (26845 YNEZ RD, TEMECULA, CA 92591) WHERE HE WAS INFORMED THAT THE PREVIOUS OWNER HAD THE RECALL REPAIR PERFORMED. THE MECHANIC INFORMED THE CONTACT THAT THE RECALL REPAIR PERFORMED FAILED TO FIX THE VEHICLE. THE CONTACT ALSO SPOKE TO LARRY H. MILLER DODGE RAM PEORIA (8665 W BELL RD, PEORIA, AZ 85382) AND LARRY H. MILLER CHRYSLER JEEP DODGE RAM SURPRISE (13165 N AUTOSHOW AVE, SURPRISE, AZ 85388) WHO BOTH DISPUTED THE INDEPENDENT MECHANIC'S CLAIMS. THE DEALERS STATED THAT THE FAILURE WAS CERTAIN TO RECUR DUE TO THE HIGH MILEAGE ON THE VEHICLE. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOTIFIED OF THE FAILURE AND INFORMED THE CONTACT THAT A RECALL REPAIR WAS A ONE-TIME FREE REPAIR AND THAT ANY ADDITIONAL REPAIRS WERE DONE AT THE VEHICLE OWNER'S EXPENSE. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT REPAIRED. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 255,000.

NHTSA ID
11330847
Incident
Jun 24, 2020
Mileage
255,000 mi
Airbags
Filed Jun 19, 2018
1 injury reported

TRAUMATIC INJURIES TO ARM AND ABDOMEN; FAINT SOUND BRIEFLY WAS NOTICEABLE FROM CLOCKSPRING AREA PRIOR TO AIRBAG EXPLOSION; VEHICLE MOVING AT 5 MPH, SLIGHTLY TURNING RIGHT; NEVER A COLLISION OR MAINTENANCE PERFORMED ON STEERING COLUMN; WITH AIRBAG REMOVED THE PARTICULAR SOUNDS ARE MUCH MORE PRONOUNCED. THEREFORE, I SUSPECT CLOCK SPRING MAY HAVE TRIGGERED EXPLOSION. WIRE INSULATION APPEARS WORN AWAY. I RECEIVED NO NOTICE OF THIS LIKELIHOOD OR POSSIBILITY OF FAILURE. ALLEGEDLY, SPECIAL INVESTIGATIONS GROUP <[email protected]> WILL PROPERLY LOOK INTO THIS. I QUESTION WHETHER BREACH OF THE DUTY OF CARE, AND HARM CAUSED BY THE BREACH HAS OCCURRED. I NO LONGER FEEL RELATIVELY SAFE WITH DODGE RAM 1500 OR THAT CHRYSLER IS HONORING THEIR OBLIGATION TO PROVIDE A REASONABLY SAFE ENVIRONMENT FOR THE DRIVER. *TT *TR

NHTSA ID
11102705
Incident
Jun 2, 2018
Mileage
64,000 mi
ElectricalVisibility
Filed Feb 23, 2017
Fire reported

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 1994 DODGE RAM 1500. WHILE USING THE TRUCK TO PLOW WITH THE HEATER BLOWER ON HIGH, THE VEHICLE CAUGHT ON FIRE. THE CONTACT WAS ABLE TO EXTINGUISH THE FIRE. THE VEHICLE WAS TOWED TO THE DEALER TO BE DIAGNOSED. THE CONTACT WAS INFORMED THAT THE INSPECTOR WAS NOT ABLE TO LOOK AT THE VEHICLE FOR TWO WEEKS. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT REPAIRED. THE VEHICLE WAS INCLUDED IN NHTSA CAMPAIGN NUMBER: 00V135000 (ELECTRICAL SYSTEM). THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOTIFIED OF THE FAILURE. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS UNAVAILABLE.

NHTSA ID
10956446
Incident
Feb 10, 2017
Interior & seats
Filed Apr 25, 2016

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 1994 DODGE RAM 1500. WHILE DRIVING APPROXIMATELY 40 MPH, THE HOOD OF THE VEHICLE UNLATCHED INDEPENDENTLY AND CAUSED THE FRONT WINDOW TO SHATTER. THE VEHICLE WAS TOWED TO THE CONTACT'S RESIDENCE. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT DIAGNOSED NOR REPAIRED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOT NOTIFIED OF THE FAILURE. THE APPROXIMATE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 300,000.

NHTSA ID
10861350
Incident
Apr 21, 2016
Mileage
300,000 mi
Other / unspecifiedTires & wheels
Filed Jan 21, 2015

I WAS DRIVING ALONG AT ABOUT 50-55 MPH WHEN SUDDENLY THE REAR OF THE TRUCK IS VIOLENTLY PROPELLED UPWARDS, LIFTING THE REAR WHEELS UP OFF THE PAVEMENT. I LOOK UP IN THE REAR VIEW MIRROR TRYING TO MAKE SENSE OF WHAT JUST HAPPENED AND I SEE MY SPARE TIRE STANDING STRAIGHT UP IN THE MIDDLE OF THE ROAD AND OTHER VEHICLES BRAKING AND WEAVING TO AVOID THE DUMP MY TRUCK JUST TOOK IN THE MIDDLE OF THE ROAD. ONCE I LOOKED UNDER THE BED OF THE TRUCK I NOTICED A 4 TO 5 INCH PIECE OF FRAYED CABLE IS ALL THAT'S LEFT WHERE MY SPARE TIRE USED TO BE. IT MUST HAVE GOTTEN HUNG UP UNDER THE BUMPER WHEN IT DROPPED BECAUSE THE BUMPER IS NOW PUSHED UP TOWARDS THE TAILGATE IN THE CENTER. MY SPARE WAS A BRAND NEW TIRE AS WELL. *TR

NHTSA ID
10676872
Incident
Jan 4, 2015
Mileage
97,350 mi
Fuel system
Filed Dec 22, 2014

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 1994 DODGE RAM 1500. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE VEHICLE LEAKED FUEL FROM THE CYLINDER WALL FUEL INJECTOR. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT DIAGNOSED OR REPAIRED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOT NOTIFIED OF THE FAILURE. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS NOT AVAILABLE. UPDATED 02/18/15*LJ UPDATED 9/17/2017*CN

NHTSA ID
10667583
Incident
Oct 30, 2014
Body & structure
Filed Oct 8, 2014

THE RAM 1500 DASHBOARD HAS DEVELOPED SEVERAL CRACKS. THIS WAS NOT MY EXPERIENCE WITH THE DAKOTA. *TR

NHTSA ID
10643310
Incident
Sep 19, 2013
Mileage
151,765 mi
Other / unspecifiedSteeringSuspension
Filed Jul 26, 2014

WE ( MY FAMILY AND I) WERE DRIVING EAST ON I40 GETTING ON THE INTERSTATE AT PAPERMILL ROAD. THERE WAS AS SHIMMY, THEN A POP, BANG CLANK AND SHUDDER AND THEN WE LOST STEERING. IT ALMOST CAUSED A WRECK. I HAD TO SLAM ON THE BRAKES,AND HAD TO TROUBLE STEERING IT TO THE TO THE EMERGENCY LANE CROSSING OVER INFRONT OF OTHER CARS. I LOST STEERING ABILITY IN THE TRUCK WE HAD TO DRIVE IT HOME AT 25 MILES PER HOUR. WHEN WE WOULD HIT A SMALL BUMP IN THE ROAD IT WOULD SHIMMY AND SHAKE. IT TAKES THREE ROTATIONS OF THE STEERING WHEEL TO MAKE EVEN A GENTLE CURVE. *TR

NHTSA ID
10616551
Incident
Jul 21, 2014
Mileage
283,502 mi
Tires & wheels
Filed Oct 12, 2013

WHILE PARKED, A MICHELIN 245/75-16 LT M/S SPONTANEOUSLY FAILED. I HAVE IMAGES OF THE FAILURE FROM DIFFERENT ANGLES, AND HAVE RETAINED THE TIRE. *TR

NHTSA ID
10547729
Incident
Oct 11, 2013
Fuel system
Filed Nov 6, 2012

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 1994 DODGE 1500. THE CONTACT STATED THAT HE NOTICED THAT THE FUEL MILEAGE HAD SIGNIFICANTLY REDUCED. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO AN INDEPENDENT MECHANIC FOR DIAGNOSIS WHERE THE CONTACT WAS ADVISED THAT THE FUEL PUMPED WOULD HAVE TO BE REPLACED. THE VEHICLE WAS REPAIRED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOTIFIED BUT OFFERED NO ASSISTANCE. THE FAILURE AND CURRENT MILEAGE WAS 45,000.

NHTSA ID
10483492
Incident
Oct 8, 2012
Mileage
45,000 mi
ElectricalExterior lighting
Filed Apr 15, 2012
Fire reported1 injury reported

LIGHTS WOULD NOT COME ON JIGGLED KNOB THEY CAME ON WE DROVE ABOUT 4 MILES TURNED ON LEFT TURN SIGNAL LIGHTS FLICKERED AND TOP OF DASH AND VENT ON DRIVER SIDE WAS SMOKING SMELT LIKE RUBBER BURNING TOUCHED TOP OF DASH IT BURNED MY HAND PULLED OVER SHUT ENGINE AND LIGHTS OFF BOYFRIEND/HUSBAND TOOK DASH OFF TO STOP FIRE IT WAS THE LIGHT SWITCH BURNED COMPLETELY INSIDE. *TR

NHTSA ID
10455302
Incident
Apr 14, 2012
Mileage
142,367 mi
Fuel system
Filed Aug 22, 2011

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 1994 DODGE RAM 1500. THE CONTACT WAS DRIVING 65 MPH WHEN THE FUEL TANK DROPPED TO THE GROUND. THE REAR STRAPS FRACTURED DUE TO RUST AND CORROSION. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT TAKEN TO THE DEALER AND THE MANUFACTURER WAS CONTACTED. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 102,000. UPDATED 09/21/11 *BF THE CONSUMER WAS INFORMED THE PROBLEM WAS NOT COVERED UNDER WARRANTY. THE CONSUMER REPLACED BOTH FUEL TANK STRAPS. UPDATED 09/28/11

NHTSA ID
10420948
Incident
Aug 20, 2011
Mileage
102,000 mi
Fuel system
Filed Aug 1, 2011

THE STRAPS HOLDING THE GAS TANK IN OUR 1994 DODGE RAM 1500 PICKUP CORRODED, CAUSING THE FUEL TANK TO HANG DOWN BENEATH THE VEHICLE. WE NOTICED THIS PROBLEM BEFORE ANY DANGEROUS INCIDENT OCCURRED AND RIGGED A TEMPORARY NYLON STRAP. WE LATER REPLACED THE OEM RETAINING STRAPS AT A TOTAL COST OF APPROXIMATELY $300. *KB

NHTSA ID
10416578
Incident
Apr 3, 2010
Mileage
40,000 mi
Filed Jan 29, 2011

I HAVE A 1994 DODGE 1500 PICKUP TRUCK SINCE THE SUMMER OF 2009 THE DASHBOARD HAS BEEN CRACKING APART. IT STARTED AT THE MOUNTING SCREWS LOCATED AT THE LOWER WINDSHIELD WHICH SUPPORT THE UPPER PORTION OF THE DASHBOARD. THE DASHBOARD IN TURN SUPPORTS THE STEERING COLUMN. *LN

NHTSA ID
10379563
Incident
Aug 15, 2009
Mileage
221,643 mi
Electrical
Filed Dec 2, 2010

TL*THE CONTACT OWNS A 1994 DODGE RAM 1500. THE CONTACT STATED THAT HE RECEIVED A NHTSA RECALL NOTICE REGARDING THE ELECTRICAL IGNITION WHICH WAS ALSO RELATED TO THE HOOD SAFETY LATCH. THE VEHICLE WAS IN THE DEALERS POSSESSION SINCE NOVEMBER 22, 2010. THE DEALER INFORMED THE CONTACT THAT THEY DO NOT HAVE THE PART TO REPAIR THE ELECTRICAL COMPONENT. THE CONTACT WAS CONCERNED THAT THE DEALER HAD NOT REPAIRED THE VEHICLE. THERE ARE NO FAILURES AT THIS TIME.

NHTSA ID
10368678
Incident
Nov 22, 2010
Exterior lighting
Filed Sep 26, 2010

HEADLIGHTS GO OFF AFTER ABOUT 20 MINUTES EVERYTIME TURNED ON. *TR

NHTSA ID
10357652
Incident
Sep 19, 2010
Exterior lighting
Filed Sep 15, 2010

HEADLIGHTS, WHEN I TURNED ON MY HEADLIGHTS THEY FLASHED AND WENT OFF WHILE I WAS DRIVING AT NIGHT I HAD TO STOP DEAD IN THE MIDDLE OF THE ROAD BECAUSE I COULD NOT SEE. THE NEXT DAY WHEN I WENT TO GET THE TRUCK I TURNED THEM ON DURING THE DAY AND SMELLED SOMETHING BURNING, I ASSUME IT WAS THE LIGHTS. *TR

NHTSA ID
10355696
Incident
Jul 12, 2010
Exterior lighting
Filed Dec 9, 2008
Fire reported

HEAD LAMP SWITCH AND HARNESS FRIED WHILE DRIVING AT NIGHT. *TR

NHTSA ID
10251194
Incident
Dec 7, 2008
Mileage
223,137 mi
Body & structure
Filed Nov 19, 2008
Crash reported1 injury reported

TL*THE CONTACT OWNS A 1994 DODGE RAM 1500. WHILE DRIVING LESS THAN 35 MPH, THE HOOD OF THE VEHICLE FLEW BACK INTO THE FRONT WINDSHIELD. THE CONTACT LOST CONTROL OF THE VEHICLE AND CRASHED INTO A DITCH AREA. THE WINDSHIELD WAS CRACKED AND THE VEHICLE SUSTAINED MAJOR BODY DAMAGE. THE CONTACT SUSTAINED MINOR INJURIES. THE FAILURE AND CURRENT MILEAGES WERE 213,000.

NHTSA ID
10249317
Incident
Oct 15, 2008
Mileage
213,000 mi
Body & structure
Filed Aug 6, 2008

MY 1994 DODGE RAM 1500 DASH HAS EXPLODED INTO 5 SEPARATE PIECES. I WAS DRIVING HOME FROM FT GORDON GA LAST WEEK AND ALL OF A SUDDEN THE DASH HEAVED UPWARD AND BURST THROWING PIECES OF PLASTIC EVERYWHERE. I ALMOST RAN OFF THE ROAD AS A RESULT. NOW THE ELECTRICAL MATERIALS UNDERNEATH THE DASH ARE EXPOSED TO THE SUN AND ELEMENTS. *TR

NHTSA ID
10237208
Incident
Aug 3, 2008
Mileage
204,195 mi
Tires & wheels
Filed May 14, 2008

TL*THE CONTACT OWNS A 1994 DODGE RAM 1500. THE VEHICLE HAS COOPER COBRA RADIAL G/T TIRES. WHILE DRIVING 67 MPH, THE REAR DRIVER SIDE TREAD HAD COMPLETELY SEPARATED FROM THE TIRE. THE FAILURE DAMAGED THE REAR WHEEL WELL. THE TIRE DID NOT DEFLATE AND NO CRASH OCCURRED. THE TIRES HAVE NOT BEEN DIAGNOSED BY THE DEALER. THE VIN AND FAILURE MILEAGE WERE UNAVAILABLE.

NHTSA ID
10227747
Incident
May 10, 2008
Body & structure
Filed May 9, 2007

THE DASHBOARD OF THE 1994 DODGE RAM 1500 PICKUP HAD THREE HUGE CRACKS ON THE DRIVER'S SIDE. NOW A PART OF THE TRIM ON THE DASHBOARD BROKE OFF. IT WAS SLOWLY FALLING APART.*AK

NHTSA ID
10190285
Incident
Mar 1, 2005

Higher-selling and older vehicles accumulate more reports. Counts are not failure rates and are not directly comparable between vehicles that sold in very different numbers.

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