ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING
1994 Dodge Ram 2500
Recalls, owner-reported complaints, investigations and safety data
Data refreshed
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.
Complaint activity over time
When owners filed reports about this model year
View as table
| Month | Complaints filed | Cumulative |
|---|---|---|
| May 1999 | 3 | 79 |
| Jun 1999 | 2 | 81 |
| Aug 1999 | 2 | 83 |
| Sep 1999 | 1 | 84 |
| May 2000 | 3 | 87 |
| Jun 2000 | 1 | 88 |
| Jul 2000 | 3 | 91 |
| Aug 2000 | 3 | 94 |
| Sep 2000 | 2 | 96 |
| Oct 2000 | 1 | 97 |
| Dec 2000 | 1 | 98 |
| Jan 2001 | 2 | 100 |
| Feb 2001 | 1 | 101 |
| Mar 2001 | 1 | 102 |
| Apr 2001 | 3 | 105 |
| Jul 2001 | 1 | 106 |
| Aug 2001 | 6 | 112 |
| Sep 2001 | 2 | 114 |
| Oct 2001 | 1 | 115 |
| Dec 2001 | 2 | 117 |
| Apr 2002 | 1 | 118 |
| Jun 2002 | 3 | 121 |
| Jul 2002 | 2 | 123 |
| Aug 2002 | 1 | 124 |
| Sep 2002 | 1 | 125 |
| Oct 2002 | 1 | 126 |
| Nov 2002 | 1 | 127 |
| Dec 2002 | 1 | 128 |
| Jan 2003 | 2 | 130 |
| Jun 2003 | 1 | 131 |
| Jul 2003 | 2 | 133 |
| Aug 2003 | 1 | 134 |
| Dec 2003 | 1 | 135 |
| Feb 2004 | 1 | 136 |
| Mar 2004 | 2 | 138 |
| Aug 2004 | 1 | 139 |
| Jan 2005 | 1 | 140 |
| Feb 2005 | 1 | 141 |
| Jul 2005 | 1 | 142 |
| Oct 2005 | 1 | 143 |
| Dec 2006 | 1 | 144 |
| Jan 2007 | 1 | 145 |
| May 2007 | 1 | 146 |
| Jul 2007 | 1 | 147 |
| Dec 2007 | 1 | 148 |
| Feb 2008 | 1 | 149 |
| Dec 2008 | 4 | 153 |
| Dec 2010 | 2 | 155 |
| Jan 2011 | 1 | 156 |
| Feb 2011 | 1 | 157 |
| Mar 2012 | 1 | 158 |
| Dec 2012 | 1 | 159 |
| Mar 2013 | 1 | 160 |
| Nov 2014 | 2 | 162 |
| Jan 2015 | 1 | 163 |
| Feb 2015 | 1 | 164 |
| Jul 2015 | 1 | 165 |
| Sep 2018 | 1 | 166 |
| Dec 2020 | 1 | 167 |
| Aug 2021 | 1 | 168 |
What owners report
Complaints grouped by the component NHTSA recorded
- Brakes4220.8%
- Transmission188.9%
- Steering157.4%
- Exterior lighting146.9%
- Suspension146.9%
- Driver assistance136.4%
- Body & structure136.4%
- Fuel system125.9%
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.govSafety investigations
NHTSA inquiries naming this vehicle. An investigation is not a finding of a defect.
SEAT BACK FAILURE
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.
STEERING COLUMN SEPARATION
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.
LOSS OF THROTTLE CONTROL
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.
FRONT SUSPENSION SPRING/SHOCK ABSORBER
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
Recent owner complaints
Reports submitted to NHTSA, shown in the owner's own words
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
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
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
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
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
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
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
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.
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.
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.
ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING
Valve Body. These may cause over drive cycling.
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.
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.~
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
| Year | Complaints | Recalls | Investigations | Issue Index |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2015 | 0 | 0 | 0 | — |
| 2014 | 0 | 0 | 0 | — |
| 2012 | 283 | 5 | 1 | 56.1 |
| 2011 | 297 | 4 | 1 | 52.8 |
| 2010 | 236 | 4 | 1 | 54.9 |
| 2009 | 214 | 5 | 3 | 58.5 |
| 2008 | 317 | 9 | 3 | 60.1 |
| 2007 | 361 | 11 | 4 | 61.5 |
| 2006 | 668 | 9 | 5 | 60.5 |
| 2005 | 422 | 9 | 8 | 66.0 |
| 2004 | 581 | 9 | 8 | 65.1 |
| 2003 | 661 | 9 | 6 | 60.4 |
| 2002 | 155 | 2 | 0 | 48.2 |
| 2001 | 468 | 2 | 1 | 53.2 |
| 2000 | 211 | 2 | 1 | 52.2 |
| 1999 | 313 | 2 | 1 | 52.3 |
| 1998 | 225 | 2 | 0 | 49.9 |
| 1997 | 213 | 1 | 1 | 49.8 |
| 1996 | 291 | 1 | 2 | 52.6 |
| 1995 | 267 | 1 | 6 | 55.2 |
| 1994Viewing | 168 | 1 | 8 | 56.0 |
| 1993 | 39 | 0 | 2 | 39.2 |
| 1992 | 32 | 0 | 3 | 47.5 |
| 1991 | 16 | 0 | 4 | 47.3 |
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.