RoadVitals

1994 Dodge Ram 2500

Recalls, owner-reported complaints, investigations and safety data

Data refreshed

Owner complaintsComplaints 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.
168
Latest Aug 17, 2021
Safety recallsA safety recall is issued when a manufacturer or NHTSA determines that a vehicle has a safety-related defect or does not comply with a federal motor vehicle safety standard. Recall repairs are free. Whether a specific vehicle is covered depends on its VIN — a recall listed for a model year does not necessarily apply to every vehicle of that year.
1
Latest Mar 15, 2006
InvestigationsNHTSA opens an investigation to examine whether a safety defect may exist. An open investigation is not a determination that a defect exists, and many investigations close without a recall. Investigations can, however, lead to one.
8
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.
20
9 injuries, 0 deaths reported

Overview

Our database contains 168 NHTSA owner-reported complaints for the 1994 Dodge Ram 2500, most frequently naming the brakes, transmission and steering categories. 1 safety recall has been issued covering this model year; 8 NHTSA investigations name it; and 6 manufacturer communications are on file.

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

What owners report

Complaints grouped by the component NHTSA recorded

Percentages are of component mentions. A single complaint can name more than one component, so these do not sum to the total complaint count.

Safety recalls

1 campaign cover this model year

Recalls apply to specific vehicles, not to every vehicle of a model year. Check your VIN with NHTSA or your manufacturer's dealer to confirm whether a recall affects your vehicle.

Check a VIN on NHTSA.gov

ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING

Mar 15, 2006
44,386 units potentially affected
The defect: CERTAIN REPLACEMENT K&N FUEL PERFORMANCE KITS, P/NOS. 57-1509, 57-1511, 57-1511-1, 57-1517, 57-1517-1, 57-1527, AND 57-1530. ALSO, A SMALL PERCENTAGE OF THESE KITS WERE SOLD UNDER THE MOPAR PERFORMANCE PARTS BRAND NAME (P/NOS. P5007069 AND P5007070). ALL KITS WERE MANUFACTURED FROM APRIL 20, 1999, THROUGH SEPTEMBER 23, 2004. THESE ASSEMBLIES WERE MANUFACTURED AS REPLACEMENT EQUIPMENT FOR CERTAIN DODGE PICKUP TRUCKS AND SUVS. A SMALL PIECE OF MATERIAL FROM THE TUBE WALL COULD BE SUCKED INTO THE ENGINE THROTTLE BODY, WHICH COULD CAUSE THE THROTTLE TO BECOME JAMMED IN THE OPEN POSITION.
The risk: A JAMMED OPEN THROTTLE COULD CAUSE UNINTENDED ACCELERATION OF THE VEHICLE, POSSIBLY RESULTING IN A CRASH OR INCREASED STOPING DISTANCES WHEN BRAKING.
The remedy: K&N WILL PROVIDE OWNERS WITH A FREE REPAIR KIT ALONG WITH REPAIR INSTRUCTIONS. THE RECALL BEGAN ON APRIL 20, 2006.
K&N ENGINEERING, INC.View on NHTSA.gov

Safety investigations

NHTSA inquiries naming this vehicle. An investigation is not a finding of a defect.

DP03006ClosedDefect Petition

SEAT BACK FAILURE

Opened Sep 23, 2003
Closed Apr 8, 2004

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
DP03002ClosedDefect Petition

STEERING COLUMN SEPARATION

Opened May 7, 2003
Closed Jul 22, 2003

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.

STEERING:COLUMN
PE00048ClosedPreliminary Evaluation

LOSS OF THROTTLE CONTROL

Opened Dec 11, 2000
Closed Mar 7, 2001

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.

VEHICLE SPEED CONTROL:LINKAGESLed to recall 01V037000
PE99026ClosedPreliminary Evaluation

FRONT SUSPENSION SPRING/SHOCK ABSORBER

Opened Apr 16, 1999
Closed Aug 31, 1999

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

SUSPENSIONLed to recall 99V214000

Recent owner complaints

Reports submitted to NHTSA, shown in the owner's own words

Body & structure
Filed Aug 17, 2021

Dash panel is completely broken in 20 to 30 pieces including part that holds Vin plate. I the event of a accident these pieces could be shrapnel that can cause death or serious injury to passengers.

NHTSA ID
11429518
Incident
Jul 5, 1997
ElectricalExterior lighting
Filed Dec 14, 2020

I WAS DRIVING HOME AT NIGHT WITH $105 WORTH OF GROCERIES AND ALL OF A SUDDEN MY HEADLIGHTS JUST QUIT WORKING AND IT WAS PRETTY DARK COULDN'T SEE ANYTHING SO I HAD TO PULL OVER AND STOP AND WAIT FOR SOMEONE TO COME PICK ME AND ALL MY GROCERIES UP BECAUSE I COULDN'T DRIVE HOME WITHOUT HEADLIGHTS

NHTSA ID
11383351
Incident
Dec 9, 2020
Mileage
88,956 mi
Exterior lighting
Filed Sep 26, 2018

I WAS DRIVING DOWN AN OLD COUNTRY ROAD AROUND 8:30 PM ON MY WAY HOME FROM A DOCTOR'S APPOINTMENT. MY WIFE WAS IN FRONT OF ME AND I WAS LUCKILY FOLLOWING HER HOME INSTEAD OF VICE VERSA. MY HEADLIGHTS WOULD GO ON AND OFF WITH NO CONSISTENT TIME ON OR OFF. IT WAS VERY RADICAL AND UNPREDICTABLE. I WAS ABLE TO USE MY EMERGENCY LIGHTS AND ABLE TO SEE ENOUGH WITH THEM TO STOP THE VEHICLE SAFELY. YOU KNOW HOW COUNTRY ROADS ARE ....NARROW AND LARGE DITCHES ON EITHER SIDE. THANK YOU GOD!

NHTSA ID
11131846
Incident
Sep 26, 2018
Mileage
200,000 mi
Steering
Filed Jul 29, 2015

VEHICLE INSPECTION INDICATED A PROBLEM WITH THE STEERING SYSTEM. THE STEERING ROD WAS COMING OUT OF THE GEAR BOX. STEERING BOX WAS REPLACED. TEST DRIVE OF VEHICLE WAS A DISASTER. THE VEHICLE WAS MOVING ABOVE 10 MPH AND ALMOST UNCONTROLLABLE. YOU WERE ALL OVER THE ROAD. THE STEERING GEAR BOX WAS REPLACED TWO MORE TIMES WITH LITTLE CHANGE. OLD GEAR BOX REINSTALLED AND VEHICLE WAS TAKEN HOME. VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO ANOTHER MECHANIC THAT WORKED FOR A CLOSED DEALERSHIP. GEAR BOX WAS REPLACED TWO OR THREE MORE TIMES. ALL ASSOCIATED STEERING COMPONENTS WERE REPLACED AT LEAST ONE TIME. PROBLEM STILL EXIST. VEHICLE IS USED SPARELY BECAUSE OF STEERING PROBLEM. IT IS ONLY DRIVEN ABOUT 4 MILES EVERY WEEK OR TWO TO KEEP THE ENGINE AND TRANSMISSION FROM GOING BAD. STEERING GEAR BOX IS A TOTAL ENGINEERING DISASTER. NO ONE YET HAS FOUND A CLEAR SOLUTION TO RESOLVING THIS ISSUE. THERE ARE NO REPLACEMENT ANYWHERE FOR THIS THAT WE HAVE BEEN ABLE TO FIND. CHRYSLER QUIT MAKING THIS GEAR BOX YEARS AGO. VEHICLE IS A $40,000 PIECE OF JUNK. UPDATED 9/21/15 *LN.....UPDATED 10/01/15*BF

NHTSA ID
10745301
Incident
May 15, 2013
Mileage
81,876 mi
Steering
Filed Feb 19, 2015

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 1994 DODGE RAM 2500. WHILE DRIVING 60 MPH, THE VEHICLE MADE AN ABNORMAL NOISE WITHOUT WARNING AND THE STEERING WHEEL SEIZED. THE VEHICLE WAS TOWED TO THE CONTACT'S RESIDENCE. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT DIAGNOSED OR REPAIRED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOTIFIED OF THE FAILURE. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 150,000.

NHTSA ID
10684248
Incident
Feb 18, 2015
Mileage
150,000 mi
Airbags
Filed Jan 20, 2015
1 injury reported

I EXITED A DEPARTMENT STORE;GOT INTO MY VEHICLE,PUT MY KEY IN THE IGNITION ,AND WHEN I TURNED THE KEY TO THE ON POSITION MY DRIVERS SIDE AIR BAG DEPLOYED.I RECEIVED NUMEROUS ABRASIONS TO MY CHIN AND NECK,BROKEN NOSE,BLACK EYE,AND A HEAD CONCUSSION. *TR

NHTSA ID
10676558
Incident
Jan 13, 2015
Mileage
127,627 mi
Driver assistanceSteeringSuspension
Filed Nov 13, 2014

EXPERIENCED AN EXTREME LOSS OF CONTROL DUE TO A WOBBLE/VIBRATION THAT WOULD ONLY STOP WHEN YOU SLOWED TO A SPEED UNDER 25 MPH. THE DEATH WOBBLE WOULD GO AWAY BUT A SLIGHT VIBRATION ASSOCIATED WITH A LOOSE FEELING IN THE STEERING IS NOW CONSTANT. #94V202000, 94V097000, 93V173000, AND 01V037000 ALL NEED REPLACING. THE LAST RECALL MENTIONED HERE IS THE SPEED CONTROL THROTTLE CABLE, AND SO FAR IT HAS NOT BEEN A PROBLEM. THE POSSIBLE EFFECTS DUE TO ITS FAILURE URGES ME TO REPLACE THIS PART.

NHTSA ID
10658464
Incident
Dec 1, 2005
Mileage
100,000 mi
Powertrain (other)SteeringSuspension
Filed Nov 12, 2014

THE FRONT LEFT TIRE CAME INTO CONTACT WITH A SMALL BUMP WHILE SLIGHTLY TURNING LEFT. IT VIOLENTLY STARTED WOBBLING MAKING IT NEARLY IMPOSSIBLE TO MAINTAIN CONTROL, AND WILL ONLY STOP WHEN YOUR SPEED REACHES UNDER 25 MPH. THE DEATH WOBBLE WAS VERY UNPREDICTABLE WHEN IT FIRST STARTED HAPPENING, BUT NOW IT IS CONSTANTLY THREATENING. I TOOK THE TRUCK TO AUTO NATION DODGE RAM ON ARAPAHOE RD IN COLORADO BACK IN MAY OF 2014. I ASKED THEM TO FIX ALL RECALLS, AND DESCRIBED TO THEM WHAT WAS HAPPENING. THE INVOICE I RECEIVED CLAIMED TO HAVE FIXED JUST A FEW RECALLS THAT DID NOT FIX THE MAIN PROBLEM. WHILE I WAS DRIVING HOME FROM THE DEALERSHIP THE DEATH WOBBLE HAPPENED ONCE AGAIN, AND THE PARTS THAT WERE CLAIMED TO BE FIXED CLEARLY WAS INCORRECT. *TR

NHTSA ID
10654544
Incident
Mar 1, 2004
Mileage
100,000 mi

Manufacturer communications

A bulletin sent by a manufacturer to its dealers. Not a recall, and repairs are not necessarily free.

DOR-S3Q5A-11

POWER TRAIN

This SKU is an Automatic Transmission Oil Cooler Line. The Customer communication requested return of unsold inventory to inspect for improperly crimped hose fittings. Improperly crimped hose fittings could cause a potential fluid leak at the crimp.

DOR-F7R3P-11

SUSPENSION:FRONT:CONTROL ARM:LOWER BALL JOINT

This SKU is a front upper ball joint. The Customer communication requested return of unsold inventory to inspect for ball studs with excessive rotational friction in the ball joint assembly. Excessive friction in the ball joint assembly may cause a perceptible increase in steering effort.

R2118796A

ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING

Valve Body. These may cause over drive cycling.

9002849

EQUIPMENT; STRUCTURE

Part Description: Insulator on Lever Assy Manual Valve - Valve Body - RWD Transmission Issue Description: The manual valve insulator, attaching rivet and instruction sheet are now available as a kit. If the insulator requires replacement please order kit 68253161AA. Insulator only used on Auto-RWD transmission Note: The color of the insulator is not relevant for service.

9002688

ELECTRICAL SYSTEM:WIRING; ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING; EQUIPMENT

68069384A$, R8069384A$, 68086182A$, R8027067A$, RL002012A$ - Gasket, Cylinder Head Cover Before replacing injectors for Diagnostic Trouble Codes P0201, P0202, P0203, P0204, P0205, and/or P0206, please make sure that the wiring loom and/or connector in the valve cover gasket is not the root cause to your concern. In addition, make sure that the wiring attaching nuts are torqued to their proper value.~

0200101

SUSPENSION

SOME CUSTOMERS MAY EXPERIENCE A SITUATION IN WHICH THE REAR OF THE VEHICLE SITS TOO HIGH TO ATTACH THEIR FIFTH WHEEL OR GOOSE NECK TRAILER TO THE TRAILER HITCH TURNABLE. *JB

Manufacturers file copies of the bulletins they send to dealers with NHTSA. These often describe diagnostic or repair procedures for a known condition. They are not recalls: repairs described in a bulletin are usually only free if the vehicle is still under warranty or the manufacturer has extended coverage.

Compare model years

Complaint and recall counts across every year of this model

Dodge Ram 2500 by model year
YearComplaintsRecallsInvestigationsIssue Index
2015000
2014000
20122835156.1
20112974152.8
20102364154.9
20092145358.5
20083179360.1
200736111461.5
20066689560.5
20054229866.0
20045819865.1
20036619660.4
20021552048.2
20014682153.2
20002112152.2
19993132152.3
19982252049.9
19972131149.8
19962911252.6
19952671655.2
1994Viewing1681856.0
1993390239.2
1992320347.5
1991160447.3

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. Older model years have had longer for reports to accumulate.