1994 Dodge Ram 1500

Routine

Owners filed 116 complaints about this vehicle with federal regulators, most often about the electrical system › ignition › switch. It has been recalled 1 time.

When it fails
020k40k60k90k120k200k
114,500 milesMedian miles at failure

28 complaints record an odometer reading. Failures cluster around 200,000+ miles.

What fails
ComponentReportsCrashesFiresInjuries
Electrical System › Ignition › Switch9
020
Suspension › Front5
000
Structure5
101
Service Brakes, Hydraulic › Antilock/Traction Control/Electronic Limited Slip5
202
Steering › Steering Wheel/Handle Bar4
111
Steering4
000
Latches/Locks/Linkages › Hood › Latch4
000
Air Bags › Frontal4
303
Exterior Lighting › Headlights › Switch3
000
Exterior Lighting3
010

1 safety recall

Part 573 reports
Engine and Engine Cooling06E024000
Filed Mar 15, 200644,386 vehiclesK&n Engineering, Inc.

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.

Risk. A JAMMED OPEN THROTTLE COULD CAUSE UNINTENDED ACCELERATION OF THE VEHICLE, POSSIBLY RESULTING IN A CRASH OR INCREASED STOPING DISTANCES WHEN BRAKING.

Remedy. K&N WILL PROVIDE OWNERS WITH A FREE REPAIR KIT ALONG WITH REPAIR INSTRUCTIONS. THE RECALL BEGAN ON APRIL 20, 2006.

What owners reported

Newest filings
Electrical SystemFire
Filed Dec 7, 2021GA

Went to crank the truck one day and all of a sidden the igniton switch started smoking . It burnt the whole entire wire from the top all the way to the PCM

Air BagsCrash
Filed Oct 21, 2020CA

I HAVE HAS ISSUES WITH ELECTRICAL ONY DODGE TRUCK, THE LIGHT SWITCH FOR HEADLIGHTS BURNING WIRES FROM NOWHERE WHEN DRIVING FROM LIGHT SWITCH.ARIL OF 2020 I WAS INVOLVED IN AN AUTO ACCIDENT WHICH WAS A RESULT OF MY AIR BAG STEERING WHEEL WENT OFF BY ITSELF, THE LIGHT FOR THE AIR BAG WAS ON FOR AIR BAG WAS INTERMITTENT, BUT LATELY IT WOULDN'T TURN OFF ANYMORE A MECHANIC CHECKED SAID EVERYTHING WAS FINE,AND WOULD ERASE THE LITE, BUT WOULD COME BACK ON, I CALLED DODGE AND WAS TOLD IT WOULD AT THE TIME A LOT OF MONEY TO ME TO HAVE ALL THE ELECTRICAL CHECKED AT MY EXPENSE AND THE LIGHT SWITCH WAS AN ISSUE FROM MFC.I WAS DRIVING AROUND 30 MILES MORE OR LESS AN HOUR WHEN THE BAG WENT OFF AND I WAS STRUCK IN THE FACE, AND COLLIDED WITH AN ON COMMING CAR ON A 2 LANE STREET.I WANT TO KNOW IF THERE IS A RECALL ON THE 94 DODGE RAM TRUCK. THANK YOU

Steering
Filed Sep 8, 2020300,004 milesOK

LOWER INTERMEDIATE STEERING SHAFT BROKE, CAUSING COMPLETE LOSS OF STEERING CONTROL. FORTUNATELY, WAS JUST MOVING FARM PICKUP OUT OF BARN AND NOT ON ROAD AT THE TIME. BARELY MOVING WHEN CONTROL WAS LOST TRYING TO TURN.

Vehicle Speed Control
Filed Jun 25, 2020255,000 milesAZ

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 1994 DODGE RAM. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE BALL JOINT THAT SECURE THE THROTTLE CABLE WAS WORN AND NEEDED TO BE REPLACED. THE CONTACT TOOK THE VEHICLE TO AN INDEPENDENT MECHANIC WHO LINKED THE FAILURE TO NHTSA CAMPAIGN NUMBER: 01V037000 (VEHICLE SPEED CONTROL). THE CONTACT REACHED OUT TO DCH CHRYSLER DODGE JEEP RAM FIAT OF TEMECULA (26845 YNEZ RD, TEMECULA, CA 92591) WHERE HE WAS INFORMED THAT THE PREVIOUS OWNER HAD THE RECALL REPAIR PERFORMED. THE MECHANIC INFORMED THE CONTACT THAT THE RECALL REPAIR PERFORMED FAILED TO FIX THE VEHICLE. THE CONTACT ALSO SPOKE TO LARRY H. MILLER DODGE RAM PEORIA (8665 W BELL RD, PEORIA, AZ 85382) AND LARRY H. MILLER CHRYSLER JEEP DODGE RAM SURPRISE (13165 N AUTOSHOW AVE, SURPRISE, AZ 85388) WHO BOTH DISPUTED THE INDEPENDENT MECHANIC'S CLAIMS. THE DEALERS STATED THAT THE FAILURE WAS CERTAIN TO RECUR DUE TO THE HIGH MILEAGE ON THE VEHICLE. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOTIFIED OF THE FAILURE AND INFORMED THE CONTACT THAT A RECALL REPAIR WAS A ONE-TIME FREE REPAIR AND THAT ANY ADDITIONAL REPAIRS WERE DONE AT THE VEHICLE OWNER'S EXPENSE. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT REPAIRED. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 255,000.

Air Bags › Frontal › Driver Clockspring/Spiral Cassette1 injured
Filed Jun 19, 201864,000 milesNE

TRAUMATIC INJURIES TO ARM AND ABDOMEN; FAINT SOUND BRIEFLY WAS NOTICEABLE FROM CLOCKSPRING AREA PRIOR TO AIRBAG EXPLOSION; VEHICLE MOVING AT 5 MPH, SLIGHTLY TURNING RIGHT; NEVER A COLLISION OR MAINTENANCE PERFORMED ON STEERING COLUMN; WITH AIRBAG REMOVED THE PARTICULAR SOUNDS ARE MUCH MORE PRONOUNCED. THEREFORE, I SUSPECT CLOCK SPRING MAY HAVE TRIGGERED EXPLOSION. WIRE INSULATION APPEARS WORN AWAY. I RECEIVED NO NOTICE OF THIS LIKELIHOOD OR POSSIBILITY OF FAILURE. ALLEGEDLY, SPECIAL INVESTIGATIONS GROUP <[email protected]> WILL PROPERLY LOOK INTO THIS. I QUESTION WHETHER BREACH OF THE DUTY OF CARE, AND HARM CAUSED BY THE BREACH HAS OCCURRED. I NO LONGER FEEL RELATIVELY SAFE WITH DODGE RAM 1500 OR THAT CHRYSLER IS HONORING THEIR OBLIGATION TO PROVIDE A REASONABLY SAFE ENVIRONMENT FOR THE DRIVER. *TT *TR

Visibility › Defroster/Defogger/Hvac System › Fan/MotorFire
Filed Feb 23, 2017NY

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 1994 DODGE RAM 1500. WHILE USING THE TRUCK TO PLOW WITH THE HEATER BLOWER ON HIGH, THE VEHICLE CAUGHT ON FIRE. THE CONTACT WAS ABLE TO EXTINGUISH THE FIRE. THE VEHICLE WAS TOWED TO THE DEALER TO BE DIAGNOSED. THE CONTACT WAS INFORMED THAT THE INSPECTOR WAS NOT ABLE TO LOOK AT THE VEHICLE FOR TWO WEEKS. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT REPAIRED. THE VEHICLE WAS INCLUDED IN NHTSA CAMPAIGN NUMBER: 00V135000 (ELECTRICAL SYSTEM). THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOTIFIED OF THE FAILURE. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS UNAVAILABLE.

Latches/Locks/Linkages › Hood › Latch
Filed Apr 25, 2016300,000 milesFL

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 1994 DODGE RAM 1500. WHILE DRIVING APPROXIMATELY 40 MPH, THE HOOD OF THE VEHICLE UNLATCHED INDEPENDENTLY AND CAUSED THE FRONT WINDOW TO SHATTER. THE VEHICLE WAS TOWED TO THE CONTACT'S RESIDENCE. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT DIAGNOSED NOR REPAIRED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOT NOTIFIED OF THE FAILURE. THE APPROXIMATE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 300,000.

Wheels
Filed Jan 21, 201597,350 milesVA

I WAS DRIVING ALONG AT ABOUT 50-55 MPH WHEN SUDDENLY THE REAR OF THE TRUCK IS VIOLENTLY PROPELLED UPWARDS, LIFTING THE REAR WHEELS UP OFF THE PAVEMENT. I LOOK UP IN THE REAR VIEW MIRROR TRYING TO MAKE SENSE OF WHAT JUST HAPPENED AND I SEE MY SPARE TIRE STANDING STRAIGHT UP IN THE MIDDLE OF THE ROAD AND OTHER VEHICLES BRAKING AND WEAVING TO AVOID THE DUMP MY TRUCK JUST TOOK IN THE MIDDLE OF THE ROAD. ONCE I LOOKED UNDER THE BED OF THE TRUCK I NOTICED A 4 TO 5 INCH PIECE OF FRAYED CABLE IS ALL THAT'S LEFT WHERE MY SPARE TIRE USED TO BE. IT MUST HAVE GOTTEN HUNG UP UNDER THE BUMPER WHEN IT DROPPED BECAUSE THE BUMPER IS NOW PUSHED UP TOWARDS THE TAILGATE IN THE CENTER. MY SPARE WAS A BRAND NEW TIRE AS WELL. *TR

Fuel/Propulsion System
Filed Dec 22, 2014MI

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 1994 DODGE RAM 1500. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE VEHICLE LEAKED FUEL FROM THE CYLINDER WALL FUEL INJECTOR. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT DIAGNOSED OR REPAIRED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOT NOTIFIED OF THE FAILURE. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS NOT AVAILABLE. UPDATED 02/18/15*LJ UPDATED 9/17/2017*CN

Structure
Filed Oct 8, 2014151,765 milesVA

THE RAM 1500 DASHBOARD HAS DEVELOPED SEVERAL CRACKS. THIS WAS NOT MY EXPERIENCE WITH THE DAKOTA. *TR

Steering
Filed Jul 26, 2014283,502 milesTN

WE ( MY FAMILY AND I) WERE DRIVING EAST ON I40 GETTING ON THE INTERSTATE AT PAPERMILL ROAD. THERE WAS AS SHIMMY, THEN A POP, BANG CLANK AND SHUDDER AND THEN WE LOST STEERING. IT ALMOST CAUSED A WRECK. I HAD TO SLAM ON THE BRAKES,AND HAD TO TROUBLE STEERING IT TO THE TO THE EMERGENCY LANE CROSSING OVER INFRONT OF OTHER CARS. I LOST STEERING ABILITY IN THE TRUCK WE HAD TO DRIVE IT HOME AT 25 MILES PER HOUR. WHEN WE WOULD HIT A SMALL BUMP IN THE ROAD IT WOULD SHIMMY AND SHAKE. IT TAKES THREE ROTATIONS OF THE STEERING WHEEL TO MAKE EVEN A GENTLE CURVE. *TR

Tires
Filed Oct 12, 2013FL

WHILE PARKED, A MICHELIN 245/75-16 LT M/S SPONTANEOUSLY FAILED. I HAVE IMAGES OF THE FAILURE FROM DIFFERENT ANGLES, AND HAVE RETAINED THE TIRE. *TR

Fuel/Propulsion System
Filed Nov 6, 201245,000 milesMN

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 1994 DODGE 1500. THE CONTACT STATED THAT HE NOTICED THAT THE FUEL MILEAGE HAD SIGNIFICANTLY REDUCED. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO AN INDEPENDENT MECHANIC FOR DIAGNOSIS WHERE THE CONTACT WAS ADVISED THAT THE FUEL PUMPED WOULD HAVE TO BE REPLACED. THE VEHICLE WAS REPAIRED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOTIFIED BUT OFFERED NO ASSISTANCE. THE FAILURE AND CURRENT MILEAGE WAS 45,000.

Electrical SystemFire1 injured
Filed Apr 15, 2012142,367 milesGA

LIGHTS WOULD NOT COME ON JIGGLED KNOB THEY CAME ON WE DROVE ABOUT 4 MILES TURNED ON LEFT TURN SIGNAL LIGHTS FLICKERED AND TOP OF DASH AND VENT ON DRIVER SIDE WAS SMOKING SMELT LIKE RUBBER BURNING TOUCHED TOP OF DASH IT BURNED MY HAND PULLED OVER SHUT ENGINE AND LIGHTS OFF BOYFRIEND/HUSBAND TOOK DASH OFF TO STOP FIRE IT WAS THE LIGHT SWITCH BURNED COMPLETELY INSIDE. *TR

Fuel System, Gasoline
Filed Aug 22, 2011102,000 milesWI

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 1994 DODGE RAM 1500. THE CONTACT WAS DRIVING 65 MPH WHEN THE FUEL TANK DROPPED TO THE GROUND. THE REAR STRAPS FRACTURED DUE TO RUST AND CORROSION. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT TAKEN TO THE DEALER AND THE MANUFACTURER WAS CONTACTED. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 102,000. UPDATED 09/21/11 *BF THE CONSUMER WAS INFORMED THE PROBLEM WAS NOT COVERED UNDER WARRANTY. THE CONSUMER REPLACED BOTH FUEL TANK STRAPS. UPDATED 09/28/11

Fuel System, Gasoline
Filed Aug 1, 201140,000 milesNY

THE STRAPS HOLDING THE GAS TANK IN OUR 1994 DODGE RAM 1500 PICKUP CORRODED, CAUSING THE FUEL TANK TO HANG DOWN BENEATH THE VEHICLE. WE NOTICED THIS PROBLEM BEFORE ANY DANGEROUS INCIDENT OCCURRED AND RIGGED A TEMPORARY NYLON STRAP. WE LATER REPLACED THE OEM RETAINING STRAPS AT A TOTAL COST OF APPROXIMATELY $300. *KB

Unknown or Other
Filed Jan 29, 2011221,643 milesGA

I HAVE A 1994 DODGE 1500 PICKUP TRUCK SINCE THE SUMMER OF 2009 THE DASHBOARD HAS BEEN CRACKING APART. IT STARTED AT THE MOUNTING SCREWS LOCATED AT THE LOWER WINDSHIELD WHICH SUPPORT THE UPPER PORTION OF THE DASHBOARD. THE DASHBOARD IN TURN SUPPORTS THE STEERING COLUMN. *LN

Electrical System
Filed Dec 2, 2010IL

TL*THE CONTACT OWNS A 1994 DODGE RAM 1500. THE CONTACT STATED THAT HE RECEIVED A NHTSA RECALL NOTICE REGARDING THE ELECTRICAL IGNITION WHICH WAS ALSO RELATED TO THE HOOD SAFETY LATCH. THE VEHICLE WAS IN THE DEALERS POSSESSION SINCE NOVEMBER 22, 2010. THE DEALER INFORMED THE CONTACT THAT THEY DO NOT HAVE THE PART TO REPAIR THE ELECTRICAL COMPONENT. THE CONTACT WAS CONCERNED THAT THE DEALER HAD NOT REPAIRED THE VEHICLE. THERE ARE NO FAILURES AT THIS TIME.

Exterior Lighting
Filed Sep 26, 2010TX

HEADLIGHTS GO OFF AFTER ABOUT 20 MINUTES EVERYTIME TURNED ON. *TR

Exterior Lighting
Filed Sep 15, 2010MO

HEADLIGHTS, WHEN I TURNED ON MY HEADLIGHTS THEY FLASHED AND WENT OFF WHILE I WAS DRIVING AT NIGHT I HAD TO STOP DEAD IN THE MIDDLE OF THE ROAD BECAUSE I COULD NOT SEE. THE NEXT DAY WHEN I WENT TO GET THE TRUCK I TURNED THEM ON DURING THE DAY AND SMELLED SOMETHING BURNING, I ASSUME IT WAS THE LIGHTS. *TR

20 of 116 complaints, reproduced as filed.

Across model years

Worst on record: 2003
YearComplaintsRecallsFiresDeathsAssessment
20141000Routine
20126977100Above average
2011688470Above average
2010486430Above average
2009670220Above average
2008554860Do not drive
2007517780Do not drive
20067921281Do not drive
20051,1687165Do not drive
20041,0978291Do not drive
20031,1705126Do not drive
20028156141Fatalities reported
20011,1123351Fatalities reported
2000513380Above average
19996101191Fatalities reported
19985201168Fatalities reported
19973611141Fatalities reported
19962981174Fatalities reported
19952131140Above average
1994 — this page116170Routine
19936010Routine
19920100Routine
19917000Routine

Compare every Ram 1500 year →

Reading this record

No unusual pattern of severe incidents in the complaint record.

Complaint counts track how many cars were sold and how long they have been on the road as much as they track quality. A common model from 2013 has had a decade to accumulate reports; a rare one from last year has not. The signal worth weighing is in the severity columns, in whether the same component keeps appearing, and in whether the manufacturer eventually opened a recall for it.

Recall repairs are free for as long as the recall stands. Check whether a specific car still has open work at NHTSA's VIN lookup.

Most recent recall on file: Mar 15, 2006. Source: NHTSA Office of Defects Investigation.