1994 Dodge Ram Van Problems
Owner-reported complaints filed with NHTSA, grouped by component
Data refreshed
What this page shows
Everything below is an owner-reported complaint submitted to NHTSA about the 1994 Dodge Ram Van, grouped by the component NHTSA recorded on the report. These are not confirmed defects, and they are not recalls. NHTSA does not verify most reports before publishing them, and a category with more reports in it is not evidence that a part is defective.
Complaints are reports submitted by owners and drivers to NHTSA. They are not verified and do not establish that a defect exists.
Reports by component
Ranked by how many owner reports name each component category
- Body & structure114.3%
- Engine114.3%
- Interior & seats114.3%
- Powertrain (other)114.3%
- Steering114.3%
- Suspension114.3%
- Tires & wheels114.3%
Percentages are of component mentions. A single complaint can name more than one component, so these do not sum to the total complaint count.
Each component in detail
What the reports in each category say, in the owners' own words
Body & structure
Reports naming the vehicle structure, frame, body panels, doors, hood and trim.
From owner reports, verbatim
I HAD PROBLEMS FROM DAY 1. BATTERY WENT DEAD THE VERY NEXT MORNING AFTER I BROUGHT THE VAN HOME. I KEPT RECHARGING IT UNTILL IT FAILED COMPLETLY ON A TRIP TO FRORIDA. I FIGUIRED OUT THE BUILT IN VACUUM CLEANER HAD A SHORT. I TOOK IT OUT. THE FRONT TIRES SHOWED EXCESSIVE WEAR ON OUTER EDGES. I KEPT ROTATING THEM. I WENT TO A FRONT END SHOP FOR A WHEEL ALIGNMENT, THEY TOLD ME THE WHEEL BEARINGS WERE BAD AND BALL JOINTS WERE WORN, THEY SUGGESTED I GO TO A CHRYSLER DEALER SINCE IT WAS STILL UNDE WARRANTY. THEY DID NOTHING, TIGHTENING UP THE BEARINGS SO THE WHEELS WOULDNT WOBBLE AND SENT ME ON MY WAY, SAYING IT'S JUST NORMAL. TIRES ARE STILL WEARING OUT ON OUTER EDGES. PAINT STARTED PEELING ALONG ROOF EDGES AFTER A COUPLE OF YEARS. WHEN I VERBALY COMPLAINED TO CHRYSLER, THEY SAID ACID RAIN IS CAUSING THIS PROBLEM AND THEY WILL DO NOTHING TO CORRECT AUTO TRANSMISSION HAS BEEN MAKING CLUNKING NOISES WHEN I SHIFT FROM PARK TO NEUTRAL AND DRIVE. THAT IS ONLY SOME OF MY TALE OF WOE.
Too few reports in this category for a page of its own — they appear in the full complaint list.
Engine
Reports naming the engine itself — including stalling, misfires, oil consumption, cooling and internal engine components.
From owner reports, verbatim
THE SERPENTINE BELT WILL DISENGAGE FROM THE ENGINE, CAUSING LOSS OF STEERING ABILITY. *AK WHILE FIRST STARTING VEHICLE AND PUTTING INTO REVERSE, LOUD NOISES CAME FROM THE SERPENTINE BELT AREA, DEALER REPLACED FAULTY SERPENTINE BELT. *SLC
Too few reports in this category for a page of its own — they appear in the full complaint list.
Interior & seats
Reports naming seats, latches, locks, linkages and interior fittings.
From owner reports, verbatim
THE METAL ON THE DOOR WHERE THE LATCH MECHANISM ATTACHES IS CRACKING. PROBLEM IS WORSE ON THE DRIVER'S SIDE. VAN WAS TAKEN TO THE DEALERSHIP, AND PROBLEM HAS NOT BEEN CORRECTED. *ML
Too few reports in this category for a page of its own — they appear in the full complaint list.
Powertrain (other)
Powertrain reports that are not specifically the engine or transmission — driveshafts, axles, transfer cases and differentials.
From owner reports, verbatim
I HAD PROBLEMS FROM DAY 1. BATTERY WENT DEAD THE VERY NEXT MORNING AFTER I BROUGHT THE VAN HOME. I KEPT RECHARGING IT UNTILL IT FAILED COMPLETLY ON A TRIP TO FRORIDA. I FIGUIRED OUT THE BUILT IN VACUUM CLEANER HAD A SHORT. I TOOK IT OUT. THE FRONT TIRES SHOWED EXCESSIVE WEAR ON OUTER EDGES. I KEPT ROTATING THEM. I WENT TO A FRONT END SHOP FOR A WHEEL ALIGNMENT, THEY TOLD ME THE WHEEL BEARINGS WERE BAD AND BALL JOINTS WERE WORN, THEY SUGGESTED I GO TO A CHRYSLER DEALER SINCE IT WAS STILL UNDE WARRANTY. THEY DID NOTHING, TIGHTENING UP THE BEARINGS SO THE WHEELS WOULDNT WOBBLE AND SENT ME ON MY WAY, SAYING IT'S JUST NORMAL. TIRES ARE STILL WEARING OUT ON OUTER EDGES. PAINT STARTED PEELING ALONG ROOF EDGES AFTER A COUPLE OF YEARS. WHEN I VERBALY COMPLAINED TO CHRYSLER, THEY SAID ACID RAIN IS CAUSING THIS PROBLEM AND THEY WILL DO NOTHING TO CORRECT AUTO TRANSMISSION HAS BEEN MAKING CLUNKING NOISES WHEN I SHIFT FROM PARK TO NEUTRAL AND DRIVE. THAT IS ONLY SOME OF MY TALE OF WOE.
Too few reports in this category for a page of its own — they appear in the full complaint list.
Steering
Reports naming the steering system — racks, columns, power-steering assist and steering linkage.
From owner reports, verbatim
CONSUMER STATES THAT THE STEERING IS OVALED OUT. MR
Too few reports in this category for a page of its own — they appear in the full complaint list.
Suspension
Reports naming suspension components — springs, struts, shocks, control arms and related hardware.
From owner reports, verbatim
I HAD PROBLEMS FROM DAY 1. BATTERY WENT DEAD THE VERY NEXT MORNING AFTER I BROUGHT THE VAN HOME. I KEPT RECHARGING IT UNTILL IT FAILED COMPLETLY ON A TRIP TO FRORIDA. I FIGUIRED OUT THE BUILT IN VACUUM CLEANER HAD A SHORT. I TOOK IT OUT. THE FRONT TIRES SHOWED EXCESSIVE WEAR ON OUTER EDGES. I KEPT ROTATING THEM. I WENT TO A FRONT END SHOP FOR A WHEEL ALIGNMENT, THEY TOLD ME THE WHEEL BEARINGS WERE BAD AND BALL JOINTS WERE WORN, THEY SUGGESTED I GO TO A CHRYSLER DEALER SINCE IT WAS STILL UNDE WARRANTY. THEY DID NOTHING, TIGHTENING UP THE BEARINGS SO THE WHEELS WOULDNT WOBBLE AND SENT ME ON MY WAY, SAYING IT'S JUST NORMAL. TIRES ARE STILL WEARING OUT ON OUTER EDGES. PAINT STARTED PEELING ALONG ROOF EDGES AFTER A COUPLE OF YEARS. WHEN I VERBALY COMPLAINED TO CHRYSLER, THEY SAID ACID RAIN IS CAUSING THIS PROBLEM AND THEY WILL DO NOTHING TO CORRECT AUTO TRANSMISSION HAS BEEN MAKING CLUNKING NOISES WHEN I SHIFT FROM PARK TO NEUTRAL AND DRIVE. THAT IS ONLY SOME OF MY TALE OF WOE.
Too few reports in this category for a page of its own — they appear in the full complaint list.
Tires & wheels
Reports naming tires, wheels, hubs, or the tire-pressure monitoring system.
From owner reports, verbatim
DELAMINATION OF TREAD AND BELT FOR 1/2+ OF CIRCUMFERANCE CAUSED $850.00 VEHICLE DAMAGE. *AK( DOT NUMBER: VDHL TIRE SIZE: P235/75R15 )
Too few reports in this category for a page of its own — they appear in the full complaint list.
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.
Elsewhere on this vehicle
Data sources
- NHTSA Office of Defects Investigation — owner-reported complaints and the components recorded on them
Data on this page last refreshed .