RoadVitals

1994 Dodge Ram 3500 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.
70
Latest Aug 2, 2020
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.
9
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 Feb 28, 1995

What this page shows

Our database holds 70 NHTSA owner-reported complaints for the 1994 Dodge Ram 3500. 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 70 · page 1 of 3

BrakesElectricalPowertrain (other)
Filed Aug 2, 2020

IN A HARD RAIN OR EVEN WASHING UP UNDERNEATH THE TRUCK THE 4WD SERVICE LIGHT COMES ON AND IT WILL SAY IT'S TRYING TO TRANSFER OVER TO 4WD AND WHEN IT TRIED WITH ME I WAS RUNNING AROUND 55 MPH! IT JERKS THE [XXX] OUT OF THE TRUCK WITH A LOUD HAMMER NOISE! IT WILL CAUSE A PERSON TO WRECK IF YOU ARE NOT EXPECTING IT ! IT WAS BOUGHT NEW IN 2019 AND STARTED THE 4WD CRAP AT 4,500 MILES NOT TO MENTION THE TRAILER BRAKE CONTROLLER DOESN'T WORK EITHER NOW, FOUND THAT OUT THE HARD WAY WITH 22 ROLLS OF HAY AND NO IT'S NOT THE TRAILER MY FORD TRUCK HAS TRAILER BRAKES, SAME TRAILER. INFORMATION REDACTED PURSUANT TO THE FREEDOM OF INFORMATION ACT (FOIA), 5 U.S.C. 552(B)(6). *TR

NHTSA ID
11342811
Incident
Sep 25, 2019
Mileage
4,500 mi
AirbagsBrakesSeat belts
Filed Dec 15, 2017

2 OUT OF THE 3 MAIN TRANSPIRATION AND DELIVERY SERVICE VEHICLES THAT I PERSONALLY USED TO GET TO THE JOB SITE AND TO DELIVER HEAVY METAL STRUCTURES ARE IN VERY BAD SHAPE, PARTICULARLY DODGE RUM 1994 PLATE NUMBER (74R 300). THE MAIN PROBLEMS ON THIS TRUCK ARE THE BAD BRAKES, ESPECIALLY WHEN CARRYING HEAVY METAL MATERIALS. ABS LIGHT ON, NO HORN, BROKEN SPEEDOMETER, AIR BAG LIGHT ON, BROKEN TURNING SIGNALS, SPECKS OF RED PAINT ON THE WINDSHIELD, WINDSHIELD WIPER FLUID NOT WORKING, NO A/C, TURNING SIGNALS NOT ALL WORKING, WEAR OUT TIRES, ETC. EVEN THOUGH I POINT OUT TO THEM THAT THE BREAKS WERE NOT GOOD, THEY STILL NEVER PAID ANY ATTENTION TO WHAT I SAID. THEY PROBABLY DID NOT PAY MUCH ATTENTION TO ME BECAUSE THEY NEVER EXPERIENCED ANY VEHICLE RELATED ACCIDENTS. BUT KNOWING THAT THEY AREA ALWAYS CARING HEAVY METALS, THEY SHOULD BE A LITTLE MORE CONCERN ABOUT THE SAFETY OF THEIR WORKERS IN GENERAL BUT CLEARLY THEY DO NOT CARE A BIT AND THAT REALLY BOTHERED ME VERY MUCH. IN THIS EMAIL, I AM MOSTLY POINTING OUT THE DODGE RUM 1994 PLATE NUMBER (74R-300), UNFORTUNATELY I DON'T HAVE THE EXACT PLATE NUMBER OF THE OTHER 2 VEHICLES. I AM SURE THAT IF SOMEONE WHO KNOWS ABOUT TRUCK SAFETY AND MECHANICS TAKES A LOOK AT ALL 3 VEHICLES, THEY WILL SE THAT WHAT I AM SAYING IS TRUE. I AM ALSO ATTACHING A FEW IMAGES TO BACKUP MY STATEMENT.

NHTSA ID
11054912
Incident
May 1, 2017
Driver assistance
Filed Dec 1, 2017

TL-CONTACT OWNS A 1994 DODGE RAM PICKUP TRUCK.... INQUIRED ABOUT GENERAL RECALLS... CONTACT HAD VEHICLE TOWED TO DODGE DEALERSHIP AFTER CATCHING FIRE DUE TO RECALL... DASHBOARD CAUGHT ON FIRE WHILE DRIVING... DEALERSHIP HAD INVESTIGATIONS TEAM COME OUT TO INSPECT TRUCK AFTER FIRE... TRUCK HAD BEEN REPAIRED AFTER FIRE... DEALERSHIPHAS DEAD ENGINE CABLE ... THROTTLE OF TRUCK IS FAILING... DEALERSHIP IS REFUSING TO FIX RECALL DUE TO TRUCK BEING REPAIRED AFTER FIRE.... DEALERSHIP STATED INSPECTION NEEDS TO BE DONE BEFORE THROTTLE CAN BE FIXED.... CONTACT WAS GIVEN NUMBER TO FEDERAL TRADE COMMISSION AT 202-366-2222 MAY 10,2000 MANUFACTURER RECALL NUMBER875 NHTSA RECALL NUMBER00V-135 RECALL STATUSRECALL INCOMPLETE SUMMARYTHE AFFECTED VEHICLES WERE BUILT WITH AN IGNITION SWITCH AND WIRING THAT COULD OVERHEAT. 853-1403. PLEASE HAVE YOUR VIN READY WHEN CALLING.NHTSA. YOU CAN PROVE THE REPAIRS WERE MADE.) HOWEVER, IF THE COURT ULTIMATELY RULES THE DEFECT IS NOT SAFETY-RELATED, FEDERAL LAW DOES NOT REQUIRE THAT THE MANUFACTURER REIMBURSE YOU FOR THE REPAIR WORKCHAPTER 301 OF TITLE 49 OF THE UNITED STATES CODE (U.S.C.) REQUIRES A MANUFACTURER OF MOTOR VEHICLES OR ITEMS OF MOTOR VEHICLE EQUIPMENT THAT CONTAIN A DEFECT RELATING TO MOTOR VEHICLE SAFETY TO REMEDY THE DEFECT WITHOUT CHARGE.

NHTSA ID
11051783
Incident
Jul 21, 2017
Fuel system
Filed Sep 18, 2015

PULLING INTO TRAFFIC VEHICLE SUDDENLY HAS NO POWER AND WILL NOT ACCELERATE NEARLY CAUSED A ACCIDENT. THROTTLE BECOMES UNRESPONSIVE. BROUGHT VEHICLE TO DODGE DEALER. DODGE SAYS THIS IS DUE TO A THROTTLE POSITION SENSOR WHICH HAS BEEN ON BACK-ORDER SINCE MAY. WE RECEIVE A E-MAIL FROM DODGE CORPORATE REPRESENTATIVE APPROXIMATELY EVERY 2 WEEKS SAYING THANKS FOR YOU PATIENCE BUT THERE STILL IS NO DELIVERY DATE FOR THIS PART. THIS VEHICLE HAS BEEN PARKED SINCE MAY BECAUSE IT IS UNSAFE TO DRIVE. I FEEL THIS IS UNACCEPTABLE TO EXPECT A VEHICLE TO BE PARKED FOR 4 MONTHS WITH NO SOLUTION FROM DEALER FOR A REPAIR PART.

NHTSA ID
10765221
Incident
May 15, 2015
Mileage
200,000 mi
Seat belts
Filed May 28, 2015

TLA* THE CONTACT OWNS A 1994 DODGE RAM 3500. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE SEAT BELT RETRACTED, BUT FAILED TO STOP WHEN PULLED FORCEFULLY. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO THE DEALER WHERE IT WAS DIAGNOSED THAT THE THREE POINT SEAT BELT SYSTEM IN THE FLOORBOARD WAS DEFECTIVE AND NEEDED TO BE REPLACED. THE MANUFACTURER STATED THAT THE PARTS NEEDED TO REPAIR THE VEHICLE WERE NO LONGER PRODUCED. THE VEHICLE COULD NOT BE REPAIRED. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 120,000. UPDATED 7/16/15*CN THE CONSUMER STATED THE SEAT BELT WOULD NOT LOCK AND THE TENSION SPRING HAD BECOME VERY WEAK. . UPDATED 07/28/15

NHTSA ID
10721869
Incident
Apr 1, 2015
Mileage
120,000 mi
Electrical
Filed Apr 15, 2015
Fire reported

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 1994 DODGE RAM 3500. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE VEHICLE FAILED TO START. THE VEHICLE WAS TOWED TO THE DEALER WHERE IT WAS DIAGNOSED THAT THE BLOWER MOTOR AND WIRING HARNESS MELTED AND NEEDED TO BE REPLACED. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT REPAIRED. THE VEHICLE WAS INCLUDED IN NHTSA CAMPAIGN NUMBER: 00V135000 (ELECTRICAL SYSTEM). THE MANUFACTURER WAS MADE AWARE OF THE FAILURE. THE APPROXIMATE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 148,639. UPDATED 6/18/15*CN UPDATED 10/05/2017*CN

NHTSA ID
10705827
Incident
Apr 10, 2015
Mileage
148,639 mi
Powertrain (other)SteeringSuspension
Filed Mar 21, 2014

TL* THE CONTACT STATED WHILE DRIVING 60 MPH, THE FRONT END OF THE VEHICLE STARTED TO SHAKE. AS A RESULT OF THE FAILURE, THE TRANSFER CASE FAILED . THE CONTACT STATED HE HAD TO APPLY THE BREAKS AND TURN THE ENGINE OFF IN ORDER TO STOP THE VEHICLE FROM SHAKING . THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOTIFIED MANY TIMES.. UPDATED 05/12/2014*LJ

NHTSA ID
10574078
Incident
Mar 13, 2007
Mileage
60,000 mi
Brakes
Filed Oct 14, 2011

BRAKE LINE RUSTED INTO BETWEEN FUEL TANK AND FRAME. *TR

NHTSA ID
10430246
Incident
Oct 11, 2011
Mileage
86,879 mi
Electrical
Filed May 16, 2007

TL*THE CONTACT OWNS A 1994 DODGE RAM 3500. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE VEHICLE'S DASHBOARD HAS CRACKED AND FALLEN APART. HE STATED THAT THE DASHBOARD IS NO LONGER A COSMETIC ISSUE, BUT A SAFETY ISSUE. WHILE DRIVING, THE DASHBOARD FELL DOWN IN THE AREA WHERE THE ACCELERATOR AND BRAKE PEDALS ARE LOCATED. THE CONTACT STATED THAT PLASTIC PIECES OF THE DASHBOARD HAVE FALLEN OUT. THE HANDS ON THE DASHBOARD THAT INDICATE THE VEHICLE SPEED ARE LOOSE. THE # OF CYLINDERS IS UNKNOWN. THE CURRENT AND FAILURE MILEAGES WERE 200,014.

NHTSA ID
10190957
Incident
Nov 1, 2006
Mileage
200,014 mi
Suspension
Filed Jul 25, 2006

DT*: THE CONTACT STATED THAT WHILE DRIVING AT 50 MPH, THE VEHICLE HIT A BUMP, WHICH STARTED A VIOLENT SHAKING OR "DEATH WOBBLE" IN THE FRONT OF THE VEHICLE. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO A SERVICE DEALER, WHERE THE DEALER REINFORCED THE SHOCK TOWER, AND DETERMINED THAT THE TRACK BAR WAS LOOSE. THERE IS A NHTSA RECALL # 94V097000 WHICH PERTAINS TO THE FRONT SUSPENSION. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT INCLUDED IN THE RECALL DUE TO THE VIN.

NHTSA ID
10163383
Incident
May 15, 2006
Mileage
95,000 mi
Electrical
Filed Oct 11, 2005
Fire reported

DT: CONSUMER'S VAN HEATS UP EVERY NOW AND THEN. NOTICED SMOKE COMING FROM THE FRONT OF THE CAR, INSIDE AND OUT. THE CONSUMER HAD FIRES AS WELL, HAD TO PUT THEM OUT WITH FIRE EXTINGUISHERS. TOOK VEHICLE TO A MECHANIC, AND HE CHANGED THE VEHICLE'S COMPUTER, AND THEN IT HAPPENED AGAIN.*AK UPDATED 11/29/05. *JB

NHTSA ID
10139319
Incident
Nov 15, 2003
Other / unspecified
Filed May 25, 2005

FAILURE OF TRAILER HITCH ON THE BACK OF THE 1994 DODGE PICKUP TRUCK.*MR THE TRUCK HITCH EXTENDED TOO FAR OUT FROM THE MOUNTS, PUTTING UNDUE LEVERAGE AND STRESS ON THE METAL WHICH RESULTED IN IT FAILING. A RECALL WAS ISSUED FOR MODEL YEAR 1998-2000 BUT NOT FOR EARLIER MODEL YEARS. THE CONSUMER HAD THE HITCHES REPLACED AT HIS EXPENSE AND REQUEST REIMBURSEMENT FROM THE MANUFACTURER. *NM

NHTSA ID
10124685
Incident
Jul 7, 2004
Suspension
Filed Nov 3, 2004

WHILE DRIVING 35-40 MPH VEHICLE RAN OVER A SMALL BUMP. THIS CAUSED THE VEHICLE TO VIBRATE SEVERELY. VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO THE DEALER, WHO INFORMED CONSUMER THAT THE STABILIZE BAR BRACKET WAS RIPPED FROM THE FRAME. *AK

NHTSA ID
10099292
Incident
Nov 1, 2004
Mileage
173,000 mi
Filed Apr 12, 2003

PAINT BUBBLING AND PEELING ON CAB AND DISCOLORATION OF PAINT ON FENDERS. *NLM

NHTSA ID
10014305
Incident
Apr 9, 2003
Interior & seatsExterior lighting
Filed Nov 19, 2002
Fire reported

NHTSA RECALL CAMPAIGN 99V024000 HEADLAMP SWITCH; THE HEADLIGHT SWITCH FAILED SHORTING OUT WHICH CAUSED THE HEADLIGHTS TO GO OUT WHILE IN USE. THE SWITCH FAILED AGAIN BUT THIS TIME THE WIRING HARNESS UNDER THE DASH CAUGHT FIRE WHILE BEING DRIVEN. THERE WAS A RECALL ISSUED ON THE RAM 3500 FOR THIS PROBLEM BUT THE SAME FAILURE HAS OCCURED ON THIS RAM 2500 PICKUP. PLEASE DESCRIBE DETAILS TS

NHTSA ID
8022960
Fuel system
Filed Oct 25, 2002

CONSUMER NOTICED THE A FUEL LINE FITTING CONNECTOR, AND AUXILIARY COOLER ON TRANSMISSION IS NOT WORKING PROPERLY. DEALER HAS BEEN NOTIFIED. PLEASE PROVIDE FURTHER INFORMATION. TS

NHTSA ID
8021632
Incident
Oct 22, 2002
Body & structureSuspension
Filed Aug 8, 2002

VEHICLE IS EXHIBITING POSSIBLE SUSPENSION PROBLEMS INCLUDING EXCESSIVE MOVEMENT BETWEEN THE PICKUP WHEN TOWING A CAMPER. THE TRUCK HAS SUDDENLY ROLLED TO THE RIGHT AS THOUGH A TIRE HAD ROLLED OOT OF THE RIM, THERE ARE CRACKS IN THE FRONT OF THE PICKUP BOX AND BOTTOM OF THE CAB. ALLOWING THE BOX TO TWIST IN RELATION TO THE FRAME AND THE HEIGHT OF THE CAMPER. THE MOTION IS EXTREME AND IS ACCOMPANIED BY CLICKS AND POPS OF THE SHEET METAL FROM THE AREA OF THE CRACKS. IT IS ALSO POSSIBLE THAT THE SUSPENSION PROBLEMS CAUSED THE DRIVER SIDE U BOLTS TO BE LOOSE. *TT

NHTSA ID
566931
Airbags
Filed Jun 20, 2002

DRIVER SIDE AIRBAG DEPLOYED WITHOUT VEHICLE BEING IN AN ACCIDENT.*AK

NHTSA ID
8012297
Incident
Jun 7, 2002
Engine
Filed Oct 10, 2001

VEHICLE OF WILL STALL INTERMITTENTLY. PROBLEM IS MORE FREQUENT DURING WARM WEATHER. DEALERSHIP HAS EXAMINED VEHICLE NUMEROUS TIMES, BUT COULD NOT DETERMINE CAUSE. PLEASE PROVIDE ANY ADDITIONAL INFORMATION / ATTACHMENTS.*AK

NHTSA ID
897569
Incident
Oct 1, 1999
Tires & wheels
Filed May 7, 2001

TIRE HAS SEPARATED IN THE MIDDLE OF TREAD. STEEL BELTS HAVE COMPLETELY SEPARATED AND THE TREAD IS COMPLETELY OPENED UP. *AK (DOT NUMBER: VD1L1XA TIRESIZE: 225 75R16)

NHTSA ID
745025
Incident
May 2, 2001
Body & structure
Filed Mar 14, 2001

VEHICLE THAT WAS SOLD TO CONSUMER AS A SALVAGED VEHICLE INVOLVED IN AN ACCIDENT. FRONT AND CENTER PARTS OF FRAME WERE CRUSHED, AND PUT BACK TOGETHER. PLEASE PROVIDE ANY ADDITIONAL INFORMATION/ATTACHMENTS.*AK

NHTSA ID
883059
Incident
Jul 1, 1999
Exterior lighting
Filed Jan 24, 2001

WHILE DRIVING HEADLIGHTS WILL GO OFF AND ON AT DIFFERENT TIMES, AND SOMETIMES WILL NOT WORK AT ALL. VEHICLE WAS RECALLED BEFORE FOR THIS PROBLEM UNDER RECALL 99V024000/ HEADLAMP SWITCH FAILURE. *AK

NHTSA ID
878969
Incident
Jan 24, 2001
Brakes
Filed Dec 18, 2000

ABS BRAKES PULSATE WHEN APPLYING BRAKES, PEDAL SINKS TO THE FLOOR. ONCE POWER BRAKES LOCKED, AND CONSUMER WENT INTO A SLIDE. *AK

NHTSA ID
876628
Incident
Jun 1, 2000
Interior & seats
Filed Feb 7, 2000
Fire reported

IT WAS RAINY DAY AND VEHICLE HAD BEEN DRIVEN ABOUT 2 HRS BEFORE INCIDENT. VEHICLE WAS PARKED AND CONSUMER NOTICED SMOKE INSIDE CAR. FIRE WAS COMING UP THROUGH THE DASHBOARD BETWEEN THE HEADLIGHT SWITCH AND VIN. CONTACTED DEALER AND MANUFACTURER. THEY INVESTIGATED, AND CLAIMED THEY WERE NOT RESPONSIBLE IF OVER 12 MONTHS. *AK

NHTSA ID
856417
Incident
Nov 5, 1999
Suspension
Filed Jan 3, 2000

FRONT AXLE SUPPORT UPPER TOWER SPRING WELDS ARE CRACKING ON L AND R SIDE.

NHTSA ID
550173
Incident
Oct 22, 1999

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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