EXTERIOR LIGHTING:HEADLIGHTS
1994 Dodge Ram
Recalls, owner-reported complaints, investigations and safety data
Data refreshed
Overview
Our database contains 469 NHTSA owner-reported complaints for the 1994 Dodge Ram, most frequently naming the brakes, electrical and transmission categories. 22 safety recalls have been issued covering this model year; 13 NHTSA investigations name it; and 92 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 |
|---|---|---|
| Sep 1998 | 5 | 299 |
| Oct 1998 | 2 | 301 |
| Nov 1998 | 3 | 304 |
| Jan 1999 | 2 | 306 |
| Feb 1999 | 5 | 311 |
| Mar 1999 | 3 | 314 |
| Apr 1999 | 1 | 315 |
| Jun 1999 | 4 | 319 |
| Jul 1999 | 4 | 323 |
| Aug 1999 | 2 | 325 |
| Sep 1999 | 4 | 329 |
| Oct 1999 | 3 | 332 |
| Nov 1999 | 4 | 336 |
| Dec 1999 | 3 | 339 |
| Jan 2000 | 4 | 343 |
| Feb 2000 | 2 | 345 |
| Mar 2000 | 1 | 346 |
| Apr 2000 | 3 | 349 |
| May 2000 | 4 | 353 |
| Jun 2000 | 3 | 356 |
| Jul 2000 | 13 | 369 |
| Aug 2000 | 7 | 376 |
| Sep 2000 | 5 | 381 |
| Oct 2000 | 5 | 386 |
| Nov 2000 | 4 | 390 |
| Dec 2000 | 1 | 391 |
| Jan 2001 | 3 | 394 |
| Feb 2001 | 5 | 399 |
| Mar 2001 | 5 | 404 |
| Apr 2001 | 3 | 407 |
| May 2001 | 3 | 410 |
| Jun 2001 | 4 | 414 |
| Jul 2001 | 1 | 415 |
| Aug 2001 | 5 | 420 |
| Sep 2001 | 2 | 422 |
| Oct 2001 | 2 | 424 |
| Nov 2001 | 1 | 425 |
| Dec 2001 | 1 | 426 |
| Jan 2002 | 6 | 432 |
| Feb 2002 | 2 | 434 |
| Mar 2002 | 5 | 439 |
| Apr 2002 | 6 | 445 |
| May 2002 | 2 | 447 |
| Jun 2002 | 2 | 449 |
| Jul 2002 | 1 | 450 |
| Aug 2002 | 1 | 451 |
| Sep 2002 | 1 | 452 |
| Nov 2002 | 3 | 455 |
| Dec 2002 | 1 | 456 |
| Feb 2003 | 1 | 457 |
| Mar 2003 | 1 | 458 |
| Apr 2003 | 1 | 459 |
| Jun 2003 | 1 | 460 |
| Aug 2003 | 2 | 462 |
| Dec 2003 | 1 | 463 |
| Mar 2004 | 1 | 464 |
| Jul 2004 | 2 | 466 |
| Sep 2004 | 1 | 467 |
| Dec 2004 | 1 | 468 |
| Oct 2024 | 1 | 469 |
What owners report
Complaints grouped by the component NHTSA recorded
- Brakes9116.1%
- Electrical5910.4%
- Transmission5810.2%
- Suspension478.3%
- Fuel system407.1%
- Steering396.9%
- Visibility335.8%
- Driver assistance305.3%
Percentages are of component mentions. A single complaint can name more than one component, so these do not sum to the total complaint count.
Safety recalls
22 campaigns 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.govEXTERIOR LIGHTING
EXTERIOR LIGHTING:HEADLIGHTS
Safety investigations
NHTSA inquiries naming this vehicle. An investigation is not a finding of a defect.
TRANSMISSION QUICK CONNECTORS
ON APRIL 17, 1997, THE CHRYSLER CORPORATION FILED A DEFECT INFORMATION REPORT CONCERNING APPROXIMATELY 800,000 1994 THROUGH 1997 DODGE RAM PICKUPS EQUIPPED WITH V6 OR V8 ENGINES AND AUTOMATIC TRANSMISSIONS, 1995 THROUGH 1997DODGE RAM PICKUPS EQUIPPED WITH THE V10 ENGINE AND AUTOMATIC TRANSMISSION, AND THE 1995 AND 1996 DODGE RAM VAN/WAGON EQUIPPED WITH AUTOMATIC TRANSMISSION.ODI HAS RECEIVED ELEVEN REPORTS CONCERNING TRANSMISSION LEAKAGES FROM THE QUICK CONNECTOR JOINTS RESULTING IN EIGHT FIRES.THE REPORTED VEHICLES INCLUDED ARE THE 1994 AND 1995 JEEP WRANGLER, 1995 AND 1996 CHEROKEE, 1993 THROUGH 1996 GRAND CHEROKEE, AND 1994 AND 1995 DODGE DAKOTA.THE PURPOSE OF THIS INVESTIGATION IS TO EXAMINE THE SCOPE OF RECALL 97V-084.CLOSING SUMMARY: FURTHER INVESTIGATION OF CONSUMER REPORTS REVEALED THAT SOME OF THE TRANSMISSION LEAKAGE WAS DUE TO OTHER CONNECTIONS ALONG THE COOLING LINES.IN THE FIRE INCIDENTS, THERE WERE INDICATIONS THAT SOME OF THESE VEHICLES WERE EITHER USED BEYOND THE VEHICLE'S TOWING CAPABILITY OR HAD IMPROPER TRANSMISSION REPAIR.IN ADDITION, THE RECALLED RAM PICKUP TRUCKS, 98V-084, HAVE AN EXHAUST MANIFOLD NEAR THE PLASTIC QUICK CONNECTOR JOINTS WHICH EFFECTIVELY PRESENTS A HEAT SOURCE TO IGNITE THE HOT TRANSMISSION FLUID IN THE EVENT OF A LEAKAGE.THE SUBJECT VEHICLES' QUICK CONNECTOR JOINTS ARE EITHER TOO FAR, OR POSITIONED COMPLETELY AWAY, FROM A HEAT SOURCE OR EXHAUST COMPONENTS.CONSEQUENTLY, THE FIRE REPORTS OF THE SUBJECT VEHICLES ARE SIGNIFICANTLY LESS THAN THOSE OF THE DODGE RAM PICKUP TRUCKS.BASED ON THE AVAILABLE INFORMATION, A SAFETY-RELATED DEFECT TREND HAS NOT BEEN IDENTIFIED AT THIS TIME AND FURTHER USE OF AGENCY RESOURCES DOES NOT APPEAR TO BE WARRANTED.THE CLOSING OF THIS INVESTIGATION DOES NOT CONSTITUTE A FINDING BY NHTSA THAT A SAFETY-RELATED DEFECT DOES NOT EXIST.THE AGENCY RESERVES THE RIGHT TO TAKE FURTHER ACTION IF WARRANTED BY FUTURE CIRCUMSTANCES.
STEERING WHEEL AND COLUMN
There is no summary currently available
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.
Recent owner complaints
Reports submitted to NHTSA, shown in the owner's own words
The contact owns a 1994 Dodge Ram 2500. The contact became aware that the VIN was included in NHTSA Campaign Numbers: 01V037000 (Vehicle Speed Control) and 99V214000 (Suspension); however, the parts to do the recall repairs were not yet available. The local dealer and a second dealer, Chrysler Dodge Jeep Ram (5401 I-30 Frontage Rd, Greenville, TX 75402), were contacted. The contact stated that the manufacturer had exceeded a reasonable amount of time for the recall repair. The manufacturer was made aware of the issue and informed the contact that they were not required to perform the recall repair because the vehicle was more than 10 years old. However, the vehicle was not more than 10 years old on the date the defect or noncompliance was determined. The contact had not experienced a failure. Parts distribution disconnect.
- NHTSA ID
- 11622978
- Incident
- Oct 31, 2024
CONSUMER'S VEHICLE EXPERIENCED THE SAME PROBLEMS AS MENTIONED IN RECALL 97V084000 CONCERNING TRANSMISSION COOLING LINES. DEALERSHIP WOULD NOT REPAIR VEHICLE FREE OF CHARGE BECAUSE THE VIN WAS NOT INCLUDED. *AK THE TRUCK'S TRANSMISSION LOCKED UP WHILE DRIVING WHICH CAUSED THE IT TO STALL. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO THE DEALER WHO DETERMINED THAT THE COOLING LINE CONNECTION CAME APART FROM THE TRANSMISSION WHICH CAUSE ALL THE TRANSMISSION FLUID TO LEAK FROM THE VEHICLE. *NM
- NHTSA ID
- 10099874
- Incident
- Oct 20, 2003
- Mileage
- 125,254 mi
WHILE THE VEHICLE WAS PARKED AND RUNNING AND CONSUMER WAS STANDING IN THE REAR OF VEHICLE WHITE SMOKE CAME FROM THE REAR OF THE VEHICLE. THIS CAUSED HEALTH PROBLEMS TO THE CONSUMER. DEALERSHIP WAS NOTIFIED, BUT DID NOT RESOLVE THE PROBLEM. *AK
- NHTSA ID
- 10094285
- Incident
- Aug 11, 2004
- Mileage
- 139,000 mi
TRANSMISSION FAILED AFTER 30000 MILE WARRANTY PERIOD. CONSUMER STATED HE OWNED FOUR OF THE SAME VEHICLES, AND THE SAME THING HAPPENED WITH THE TRANSMISSION. *AK
- NHTSA ID
- 10083814
- Incident
- Jul 15, 2004
- Mileage
- 30,000 mi
WHILE DRIVING 45 MPH VEHICLE SHIMMIED VIOLENTLY. CONSUMER WAS ABLE TO MAINTAIN CONTROL OF THE VEHICLE, AND DROVE IT TO THE DEALER FOR INSPECTION. MECHANIC COULD NOT DUPLICATE THE PROBLEM. *AK
- NHTSA ID
- 10083586
- Incident
- Jun 5, 2004
WHILE DRIVING 45 MPH HOOD LATCH SNAPPED. THIS CAUSED THE HOOD TO FLY BACK ONTO THE WINDSHIELD. CONSUMER MANAGED TO PULL OVER. DEALERSHIP WAS NOTIFIED, BUT DID NOT RESOLVE THE PROBLEM. THE CONSUMER HAD THE PROBLEM RESOLVED BY AN INDEPENDENT MECHANIC. *AK
- NHTSA ID
- 10064696
- Incident
- Mar 14, 2004
- Mileage
- 133,000 mi
RECALL NO. 97V084000: CONSUMER NOTICED THAT ON SEVERAL OCCASIONS TRANSMISSION FLUID WAS LEAKING ON THE GROUND UNDER THE VEHICLE. UPON LOOKING UNDER THE VEHICLE IT WAS DISCOVERED THAT THE COOLING UNIT LINE RETAINER WAS MISSING, CAUSING THE FLUID TO LEAK. DEALER INSPECTED THE VEHICLE, AND INFORMED THE CONSUMER THAT THE AUTOMATIC COOLING UNIT LINE WAS LEAKING. A RECALL FOR THIS PROBLEM WAS ISSUED, BUT CONSUMER'S VEHICLE WAS NOT INCLUDED DUE TO VIN. *AK
- NHTSA ID
- 10049958
- Incident
- Nov 25, 2003
- Mileage
- 120,000 mi
THE ABS LIGHT ILLUMINATED ON THE DASH. THEN VEHICLE SUDDENLY ACCELERATED TOWARDS TRAFFIC WHICH RESULTEDC IN AN A COLLISION WITH ANOTHER VEHICLE. *AK
- NHTSA ID
- 10037773
- Incident
- Aug 27, 2003
Manufacturer communications
A bulletin sent by a manufacturer to its dealers. Not a recall, and repairs are not necessarily free.
FLASH PROGRAMMING FAILURE RECOVERY. *SLC
ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING:ENGINE:GASOLINE
CUSTOMER MAY COMPLAIN OF HIGH OIL CONSUMPTION, GREY OIL SMOKE COMING OUT OF THE EXHAUST OR BREATHER TUBE, OR MECHANICAL KNOCKING. *TT
POWER TRAIN:AUTOMATIC TRANSMISSION
AUTOMATIC TRANSMISSION FLUID USAGE ATF+4. *TT *MJ
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
ELECTRICAL SYSTEM
SUBJECT REGARDING WIRE SPLICE REPAIRS. *SB
SEATS
SUBJECT REGARDING CHILD SEAT TETHER ANCHORS. *TT
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 |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2011 | 0 | 4 | 1 | — |
| 2010 | 27 | 5 | 1 | 59.7 |
| 2009 | 9 | 6 | 1 | — |
| 2008 | 25 | 4 | 1 | 56.1 |
| 2007 | 17 | 4 | 0 | 49.2 |
| 2006 | 25 | 4 | 0 | 46.7 |
| 2005 | 40 | 5 | 0 | 53.1 |
| 2004 | 58 | 7 | 2 | 61.0 |
| 2003 | 53 | 7 | 1 | 59.0 |
| 2002 | 116 | 6 | 1 | 58.4 |
| 2001 | 318 | 14 | 1 | 62.0 |
| 2000 | 147 | 11 | 1 | 63.4 |
| 1999 | 366 | 13 | 0 | 56.1 |
| 1998 | 483 | 17 | 0 | 57.4 |
| 1997 | 398 | 11 | 5 | 65.2 |
| 1996 | 625 | 14 | 9 | 66.6 |
| 1995 | 611 | 16 | 10 | 66.9 |
| 1994Viewing | 469 | 22 | 13 | 66.6 |
| 1993 | 54 | 1 | 2 | 47.9 |
| 1992 | 58 | 2 | 1 | 53.5 |
| 1991 | 51 | 3 | 2 | 58.5 |
| 1990 | 23 | 0 | 0 | 44.4 |
| 1989 | 28 | 0 | 0 | 42.6 |
| 1988 | 22 | 0 | 0 | 42.6 |
| 1987 | 18 | 0 | 0 | 29.9 |
| 1986 | 18 | 0 | 0 | 49.3 |
| 1985 | 10 | 0 | 0 | 41.8 |
| 1984 | 2 | 0 | 0 | — |
| 1983 | 1 | 0 | 0 | — |
| 1982 | 0 | 0 | 0 | — |
| 1981 | 2 | 0 | 0 | — |
| 1980 | 0 | 0 | 0 | — |
| 1979 | 3 | 0 | 0 | — |
| 1977 | 2 | 0 | 0 | — |
| 1976 | 1 | 0 | 0 | — |
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.