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CarsLore / Dodge / Ram / 1994

1994 Dodge Ram

469 owner complaints — #4 of 29 Ram model years, 11.7× the typical year. 18 recalls, 25 service bulletins.

469complaints · 47 crashes, 27 fires
18recalls
25manufacturer bulletins
125,254 mimedian mileage at failure

Problems owners report

Complaints filed with NHTSA about the 1994 Dodge Ram, by the system named in each complaint. One complaint can name several.

  • Service brakes, hydraulic86
  • Power train68
  • Electrical system64
  • Suspension47
  • Steering39
  • Fuel system, gasoline36
  • Visibility33
  • Vehicle speed control30
  • Engine and engine cooling28
  • Air bags27

NHTSA ODI complaints (public domain) · updated 23 Oct 2026 · 38 injuries and 2 deaths reported

Compared with other years

’81’84’87’90’93’94’96’99’02’05’08’11469’81’84’87’90’93’94’96’99’02’05’08’11469

NHTSA ODI complaints by model year

Fatal crashes in the US

From 2020 to 2023, 28 1994 Ram vehicles were involved in crashes on US public roads in which someone died; 10 people died inside them, and 2 of the vehicles rolled over. This is a count, not a crash rate: it grows with the number of cars on the road.

NHTSA Fatality Analysis Reporting System (FARS), crash years 2020–2023 (public domain)

New York safety inspections

At its first New York inspection the 1994 Dodge Ram failed the safety check 1.00% of the time — 25% less often than the average 1994 passenger car (1.33%). Median odometer at inspection: 157,380 miles.

1,601first inspections
1.00%failed on safety
157,380 mimedian odometer
0.0%0.8%1.6%’81’83’85’87’89’91’93’94’95’97’99’01’03’05’07’09’19’221.0%0.0%0.8%1.6%’81’84’87’90’93’94’96’99’02’05’08’19’221.0%

NY DMV Vehicle Inspections (vezn-fmmk), initial inspections since Aug 2021 · how we count

In New Zealand

5 1994 cars are on the New Zealand register; 100% arrived as used imports, 0% were sold new in New Zealand.

NZ Transport Agency Waka Kotahi, Motor Vehicle Register (March 2026) · CC BY 4.0

Recalls in Canada

20 Transport Canada recalls for the 1994 Dodge Ram.

2001052
8 Mar 2001
Engine
On certain diesel pickup trucks, the throttle cable can unravel (fray) or break, which could result in loss of throttle control and loss of power. Correction:…
2001055
8 Mar 2001
Structure
On certain pickup trucks located in Ontario, Quebec and the Maritime provinces, corrosion of the hood secondary latch return spring may cause the hood secondary…
2000144
30 Jun 2000
Electrical
Certain pickup trucks were built with an ignition switch and wiring that may overheat under certain operating conditions. High electrical current loads pass th…
1999158
27 Aug 1999
Suspension
On certain pickup trucks equipped with a diesel or V-10 engine, the front suspension spring/shock towers may crack and eventually separate from the vehicle fram…
1999132
28 Jun 1999
Structure
On certain 4 x 4 pickups equipped with an 8.0 litre V10 engine, Under certain heavy duty applications, such as driving up a steep grade in four wheel drive with…
1999027
23 Feb 1999
Electrical
On certain Ram 3500 vehicles, the headlamp switches used in this truck series operate under a high current load which results in switch internal temperatures ab…
1998123
17 Jun 1998
Emissions
Certain vehicles may not comply with CMVSS 1105 - evaporative emissions. The evaporative canister may allow migration of its contents (charcoal) through the pur…
1997206
20 Nov 1997
Fuel System
On certain vehicles, the fuel tank mounted rollover valve may allow liquid fuel to leak onto the ground under certain conditions. In the presence of an ignition…
1997178
16 Oct 1997
Emissions
Certain vehicles do not comply with CMVSS 1103 - exhaust emissions. The elbow containing the crankcase ventilation orifice was installed on the wrong valve cov…
1997096
7 May 1997
Powertrain
On certain vehicles, the transmission fluid temperature could exceed the melting point of the connector which retains the fluid line to the transmission. Should…
1996187
20 Nov 1996
Steering
On certain vehicles, the plastic pins and metal clip that retain the steering column lower shaft could break, causing the lower shaft to separate from the upper…
1995108
19 Jun 1995
Steering
On certain vehicles, the operator's key ring keys may bind on the steering wheel back cover while turning and hamper steering wheel return. This could adversely…
1995063
7 Apr 1995
Structure
On certain vehicles, the secondary hood latch rod may bind on the guide bracket and prevent secondary latch engagement. If this condition occurs simultaneously …
1995009
31 Jan 1995
Seats And Restraints
Certain vehicles do not comply with CMVSS 208 - Seatbelt installations. Under severe collision conditions, the passenger side seat belt may may release as the r…
1994156
26 Oct 1994
Suspension
On certain Ram 3500 vehicles, the front suspension track bar bracket attachment may have inadequate fatigue strength which may result in long range durability f…
1994133
24 Aug 1994
Steering
On certain vehicles, the extra keys operator's key ring may become temporarily lodged in the airbag screw access holes on the steering wheel back cover, hamperi…
1994119
26 Jul 1994
Fuel System
THESE VEHICLES DO NOT COMPLY WITH C.M.V.S.S. 301 - FUEL SYSTEM INTEGRITY. A ROUTINE REAR IMPACT COMPLIANCE TEST RESULTED IN FUEL LEAKAGE DURING ROLLOVER STAGE …
1994104
3 Jun 1994
Suspension
On certain vehicles, the front suspension track bar may have inadequate fatigue strength and may eventually fail. This could result in front axle vibration and …
1994009
17 Jan 1994
Seats And Restraints
THESE VEHICLES DO NOT COMPLY WITH C.M.V.S.S. 207 - ANCHORAGE OF SEATS. SEAT BACK LATCH LEVER COULD BIND DUE TO DISTORTION OF THE RIVET FOR THE LATCH LEVER PIVO…
1993149
5 Nov 1993
Suspension
ON RAM 4X4 VEHICLES, THE FRONT SUSPENSION TRACK BAR ATTACHMENT TO THE AXLE MAY BECOME LOOSE. LOSS OF THE ATTACHMENT MAY RESULT IN FRONT AXLE VIBRATION WITH THE …

Transport Canada Vehicle Recalls Database · Contains information licensed under the Open Government Licence – Canada

Recalls

01V040000 · Latches/locks/linkages12 Feb 2001 · 701,000 vehicles

ON CERTAIN PICKUP TRUCKS ORIGINALLY SOLD IN OR CURRENTLY REGISTERED IN THE FOLLOWING "SALT BELT" STATES: MAINE, NEW HAMPSHIRE, VERMONT, MASSACHUSETTS, RHODE ISLAND, CONNECTICUT, NEW YORK, NEW JERSEY, PENNSYLVANIA, DELAWARE, MARYLAND, THE DISTRICT OF COLUMBIA, WEST VIRGINIA, OHIO, INDIANA, MICHIGAN, ILLINOIS, WISCONSIN, MINNESOTA, IOWA, AND MISSOURI. CORROSION OF THE RETURN SPRING ON THE HOOD SECONDARY LATCH COULD CAUSE THE MECHANISM TO BIND IN THE "RELEASE POSITION."

01V037000 · Vehicle speed control12 Feb 2001 · 157,000 vehicles

VEHICLE DESCRIPTION: PICKUP TRUCKS EQUIPPED WITH DIESEL ENGINES. THE THROTTLE CABLE COULD UNRAVEL (FRAY) OR BREAK RESULTING IN LOSS OF THROTTLE CONTROL.

00V135000 · Electrical system10 May 2000 · 690,000 vehicles

VEHICLE DESCRIPTION: LIGHT DUTY PICKUP TRUCKS. THE AFFECTED VEHICLES WERE BUILT WITH AN IGNITION SWITCH AND WIRING THAT COULD OVERHEAT. HIGH ELECTRICAL CURRENT LOADS PASS THROUGH THE SWITCH WHEN THE BLOWER MOTOR IS OPERATED ON HIGH FOR AN EXTENDED PERIODS OF TIME.

99V214000 · Suspension9 Aug 1999 · 49,066 vehicles

VEHICLE DESCRIPTION: LIGHT DUTY PICKUP TRUCKS. (2500 AND 3500 SERIES 4X4 REGULAR CAB PICKUP PRODUCED BEFORE MARCH 21, 1995; 2500 AND 3500 SERIES 4X4 CLUB CAB PICKUP PRODUCED BEFORE JUNE 8, 1995; AND 3500 SERIES 4X2/4X4 CHASSIS CAB TRUCKS PRODUCED BEFORE JUNE 21, 1995). THE FRONT SUSPENSION SPRING/SHOCK TOWERS CAN CRACK AND EVENTUALLY SEPARATE FROM THE VEHICLE FRAME. THE SHOCK TOWER COULD DAMAGE THE REAR WHEEL BRAKE LINES RESULTING IN LOSS OF REAR BRAKE SYSTEM PRESSURE.

99V115000 · Power train6 May 1999 · 8,883 vehicles

VEHICLE DESCRIPTION: PICKUP TRUCKS EQUIPPED WITH MANUAL TRANSMISSION, V10 ENGINES AND FOUR-WHEEL-DRIVE TRANSFER CASES. UNDER SUSTAINED MAXIMUM RATED VEHICLE LOAD, WHILE DRIVING UP A STEEP GRADE IN FOUR-WHEEL-DRIVE LOW RANGE IN HOT AMBIENT CONDITIONS, THE LOCAL EXHAUST TEMPERATURE PROXIMATE TO THE HYDRAULIC CLUTCH LINE CAN GENERATE LINE TEMPERATURES THAT EXCEED THE TEMPERATURE LIMIT OF THE CLUTCH LINE MATERIAL. IF THIS CONDITION OCCURS AND THE CLUTCH IS DEPRESSED, THE LINE COULD RUPTURE.

97V199000 · Fuel system, gasoline13 Nov 1997 · 497,000 vehicles

VEHICLE DESCRIPTION: LIGHT DUTY PICKUP TRUCKS EQUIPPED WITH GASOLINE ENGINES. THE FUEL TANK MOUNTED ROLLOVER VALVE CAN ALLOW LIQUID FUEL TO LEAK ONTO THE GROUND UNDER CERTAIN VEHICLE OPERATING CONDITIONS.

97V084000 · Power train5 May 1997 · 960,000 vehicles

UNDER CERTAIN HIGH LOAD OPERATING CONDITIONS, THE TRANSMISSION FLUID TEMPERATURE CAN EXCEED THE MELTING POINT OF THE MATERIAL USED IN THE CONNECTOR TO RETAIN THE FLUID LINE TO THE TRANSMISSION.

96V230000 · Steering18 Nov 1996 · 475,000 vehicles

IF THE PLASTIC PINS AND METAL CLIP THAT RETAIN THE LOWER STEERING SHAFT IN THE UPPER SHAFT BREAK, THE LOWER STEERING SHAFT CAN SEPARATE FROM THE UPPER SHAFT.

95V088000 · Steering12 May 1995 · 293,043 vehicles

WHILE MAKING A TURN, THE EXTRA KEYS ON A VEHICLE OPERATOR'S KEY RING CAN BECOME TEMPORARILY LODGED IN THE SCREW ACCESS HOLES IN THE BACK COVER OF THE STEERING WHEEL.

95V056000 · Latches/locks/linkages21 Mar 1995 · 175,000 vehicles

THE SECONDARY HOOD LATCH ROD CAN BIND ON THE GUIDE BRACKET AND PREVENT ENGAGEMENT OF THE SECONDARY LATCH.

94V025002 · Visibility14 Feb 1995 · 90 vehicles

THE RIGHT OUTSIDE REARVIEW MIRROR CONTAINS CONVEX GLASS RATHER THAN FLAT. THEREFORE, THESE VEHICLES FAIL TO COMPLY WITH FMVSS NO. 111, "REARVIEW MIRRORS."

95V005000 · Seat belts18 Jan 1995 · 185,000 vehicles

THE CINCH BAR COMPONENT WITHIN THE PASSENGER SIDE SAFETY BELT BUCKLE ASSEMBLY SHATTERS CAUSING THE BELT TO RELEASE.

94V202000 · Suspension18 Oct 1994 · 1,500 vehicles

THE FRONT SUSPENSION TRACK BAR BRACKET ATTACHMENT HAS INADEQUATE FATIGUE STRENGTH AND CAN FAIL, CAUSING FRONT AXLE VIBRATION.

94V128000 · Interior lighting11 Jul 1994 · 6,088 vehicles

THE TRANSFORMER USED TO POWER THE NEON CENTER LIGHTBEAM CAN OVERHEAT AND CATCH ON FIRE.

94V113000 · Fuel system, gasoline20 Jun 1994 · 7,000 vehicles

THESE VEHICLES DO NOT MEET THE REAR IMPACT TEST REQUIREMENTS OF FMVSS 301, "FUEL SYSTEM INTEGRITY."

94V097000 · Suspension20 May 1994 · 400 vehicles

THE FRONT SUSPENSION TRACK BAR HAS INADEQUATE FATIGUE STRENGTH.

93V213000 · Seats14 Dec 1993 · 17,000 vehicles

THE SEAT BACK LATCH LEVER PIVOT RIVETS ARE SUSCEPTIBLE TO DISTORTION. THE DISTORTED ASSEMBLIES ALLOW THE SEAT BACK RELEASE LATCH LEVER TO REMAIN IN THE RELEASED POSITION WHICH IS IN NON-COMPLIANCE WITH FMVSS NO. 207, "SEATING SYSTEMS."

93V173000 · Suspension22 Oct 1993 · 3,900 vehicles

FRONT SUSPENSION TRACK BAR ATTACHMENT TO THE AXLE MAY NOT BE ADEQUATELY TIGHTENED.

Whether a recall was fixed on a particular car is known only to the manufacturer: check the VIN at nhtsa.gov/recalls.

NHTSA recalls · summaries in NHTSA's own words

Service bulletins

What Dodge told its dealers about the 1994 Dodge Ram: known faults, fixes and updates.

BulletinSummary
634272FLASH PROGRAMMING FAILURE RECOVERY. *SLC
628237CUSTOMER MAY COMPLAIN OF HIGH OIL CONSUMPTION, GREY OIL SMOKE COMING OUT OF THE EXHAUST OR BREATHER TUBE, OR MECHANICAL KNOCKING. *TT
621898AUTOMATIC TRANSMISSION FLUID USAGE ATF+4. *TT *MJ
618392SOME 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
618049SUBJECT REGARDING WIRE SPLICE REPAIRS. *SB
615688SUBJECT REGARDING CHILD SEAT TETHER ANCHORS. *TT
612607SUBJECT PERTAINING TO AIR FILTER SERVICE. *TT
612606CONCERNS WITH A BUZZ NOISE COMING FROM THE FRONT DOOR SPEAKER(S). *TT
612160SUBJECT ON THE CHILD SEAT TETHER ANCHORS. *MJS
610616SOME CUSTOMERS MAY COMMENT ON A SQUEAKING / CLICKING NOISE FROM REAR LEAF SPRINGS. *TT
610005EXPERIENCING SPARK KNOCK AND ENGINE OIL CONSUMPTION DUE TO INTAKE MANIFOLD PAN GASKET OIL LEAK. *TT
609995THIS BULLETIN PROVIDES A REVISED WIRE SPLICE PROCEDURE AND RELATED PARTS. *TT
609987INFORMATION REGARDING A REVISED POWER BRAKE BOOSTER CHECK VALVE. *TT
6089735THIS BULLETIN MENTIONS THAT THE FRONT WHEEL BEARING GREASE IS EVIDENT ON THE BEARING SEAL AREA. *TT
6089139CONDITIONS ON FUEL DOO AND/OR FUEL DISCHARGING FROM THE EVAPORATIVE EMISSIONS CANISTER. *NLM
6089112THIS BULLETIN INVOLVES OIL CANNING NOISE COMING FROM BOX AREA. *NLM
6089062CONCERN WITH WATER LEAKING THROUGH REAR WINDOW. *NLM
6089056THIS BULLETIN INVOLVES DRIVER'S SIDE WIPER BLADE CONTRACTS A -PILLAR. *NLM
6088972THIS BULLETIN INVOLVES LOWER STEERING COLUMN NOISE AND/OR MINO LOWER STEERING COLUMN MOVEMENT. *NLM
6088962CUSTOMER MAY COMPLAIN OF STEERING WANDER. *NLM
6088882INFORMATION ON DIESEL FUEL INJECTION PUMP TAMPERING. *NLM
6088863CONCERNS WITH WHINE OR WOWL WHILE DRIVING AT HIGNWAY SPEEDS. *NLM
6088852THIS BULLETIN INVOLVES MOANING NOISE COMING FROM THE ACCESSORY DRIVE. *NLM
6088834INFORMATION REGARDING NHTSA AUTHORIZED AIRBAG DEACTIVATION FOR MEDICAL NECESSITY. *NLM
6088803INFORMATION REGARDING NO START - ENGIN FAILED TO CRANK. *NLM

NHTSA manufacturer communications (public domain)

NHTSA investigations

DP03006 · Seatsopened 23 Sept 2003 · closed 8 Apr 2004

SEAT BACK FAILURE

DP03002 · Steering:columnopened 7 May 2003 · closed 22 Jul 2003

STEERING COLUMN SEPARATION

RQ00012 · Structureopened 3 May 2000 · closed 20 Apr 2001

HOOD LATCH

DP00002 · Steeringopened 20 Jan 2000 · closed 24 Apr 2000

STEERING COLUMN FIRE

EA99027 · Power trainopened 10 Sept 1999 · closed 30 May 2000

STEERING COLUMN FIRES

PE99031 · Power trainopened 5 May 1999 · closed 10 Sept 1999

IGNITION SWITCH

RQ98002 · Power train:automatic transmission:cooling unit and linesopened 10 Mar 1998

TRANSMISSION QUICK CONNECTORS

RQ97012 · Steering: steering wheel/handle baropened 25 Sept 1997

STEERING WHEEL AND COLUMN

PE96070 · Power trainopened 26 Nov 1996 · closed 15 May 1997

TRANSMISSION FLUID FIRES

EA96018 · Vehicle speed control:linkagesopened 29 Jul 1996 · closed 10 Nov 1997

EVAPORATIVE CANISTER LEAKAGE

PE96020 · Air bags:frontal:driver side:inflator moduleopened 8 Mar 1996 · closed 29 Oct 1996

AIR BAG INFLATOR FAILURE

EA94019 · Seat belts:front:buckle assemblyopened 29 Jun 1994 · closed 30 Jan 1995

SEAT BELT BUCKLE FAILURE

PE94008 · Seat belts:front:buckle assemblyopened 28 Jan 1994 · closed 29 Jun 1994

SEAT BELT

NHTSA Office of Defects Investigation