Tap a category to read its complaints. One report may name several components.
When problems were reported
Mileage at the reported incident
Limited mileage data: 28 of 116 reports include usable mileage. There isn’t enough coverage to show a useful chart.
NHTSA’s mileage field refers to the reported incident, not necessarily the filing date. This shows report counts, not the likelihood of a failure.
What to inspect
Issues worth paying extra attention to based on owner reports.
Electrical System. Review the 22 owner reports in this category and discuss these concerns during a pre-purchase inspection. Read reports →
Steering. Review the 17 owner reports in this category and discuss these concerns during a pre-purchase inspection. Read reports →
Suspension. Review the 16 owner reports in this category and discuss these concerns during a pre-purchase inspection. Read reports →
NHTSA owner reports · September 18, 2026 snapshot.
11 crash reports7 fire reports11 injury reports
What owners actually said
116 reports
190,560 miles · Apr 18, 2005
Latches/locks/linkagesTires
I OWN AND DRIVE A 1994 DODGE RAM 1500. ON 4/13/05 I WAS DRIVING ON A FOUR LANE HIGHWAY WHEN THE SMALL CABLE THAT HOLDS THE SPARE TIRE UNDER THE TRUCK BED IN PLACE SNAPPED. THE TIRE EXITED FROM UNDERNEATH THE VEHICLE AND ENTERED TRAFFIC. MIRACULOUSLY, FELLOW MOTORIST TOOK EVASIVE MANEUVERS AND MISSED THIS TIRE AND WHEEL BOUNCING …
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I OWN AND DRIVE A 1994 DODGE RAM 1500. ON 4/13/05 I WAS DRIVING ON A FOUR LANE HIGHWAY WHEN THE SMALL CABLE THAT HOLDS THE SPARE TIRE UNDER THE TRUCK BED IN PLACE SNAPPED. THE TIRE EXITED FROM UNDERNEATH THE VEHICLE AND ENTERED TRAFFIC. MIRACULOUSLY, FELLOW MOTORIST TOOK EVASIVE MANEUVERS AND MISSED THIS TIRE AND WHEEL BOUNCING ALL OVER FOUR LANES OF ACTIVE TRAFFIC. I SPENT AN EXTENSIVE AMOUNT OF TIME UNTIL I LOCATED THE FAILED PART FROM MY TRUCK. I WAS VERY DISMAYED WHEN I DISCOVERED THIS TINY CABLE WAS ALL THAT RETAINED THE SPARE TIRE UNDER THE TRUCK. UPON INSPECTING EQUAL MODEL TRUCKS AT CAR LOTS I FOUND THAT THERE WERE NO SAFETY DEVICES TO PREVENT THIS FROM HAPPENING IN THE EVENT OF CABLE FAILURE. THIS PARTICULAR INCIDENT SHOWED NO SIGNS OF CORROSION, FRAY OR ANY RUBBING OF THE CABLE. IT SIMPLY BROKE CLEAN. I MERE SECOND EITHER WAY COULD HAVE BEEN THE DIFFERENCE BETWEEN THE ACTUAL EVENT OR IT BEING FATAL. I AM A SWORN PUBLIC SAFETY OFFICIAL, AND IT HORRIFIED MY THAT THIS COULD HAPPEN. ALSO, I AM VERY UPSET AT THE LIABILITY THAT THIS COULD HAVE PUT ME IN. I HAVE NOT HAD THE TRUCK REPAIRED NOR WILL I HAVE THE TRUCK REPAIRED WITH THE ONGOING FEAR IT COULD HAPPEN AGAIN. I WROTE CHRYSLER ABOUT IT ONLY TO BE INSULATED AND APALLED AT THEIR RESPONCE. I FEEL VERY CONFIDENT THAT I AM NOT THE ONLY ONE THIS HAS HAPPENED TO. I INTEND TO PURSUE IT TO THE END. ANY ADVICE, INFORMATION OR ASSISTANCE PUBLIC SAFETY DIVISION ANDERSON, SOUTH CAROLINA 864-617-0889
NHTSA ODI #10118065
70,000 miles · Feb 28, 2005
Service Brakes, Hydraulic
THE STEEL BRAKE LINE TO THE REAR BAKES ON MY TRUCK HAS RUSTED OUT RESULTING IN TOTAL FAILURE OF THE REAR BRAKES. LUCKLY, THE PROBLEM WAS NOTICED WHILE IN MY DRIVEWAY AND NOT ON THE ROAD.
NHTSA ODI #10112263
70,000 miles · Oct 21, 2004
Seat Belts
THE DEFECTIVE SEAT BELT SLEVE INHIBITS THE LATCHING OF THE SEAT BELT BUCKEL
NHTSA ODI #10096161
83,000 miles · Aug 25, 2004
Suspension
WHEN DRIVING 30 MPH OR MORE FRONT END VIBRATED. VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO TA REPAIR SHOP ON TWO OCCASIONS, BUT PROBLEM RECURRED. *AK
NHTSA ODI #10089696
100,000 miles · Jun 25, 2004
SteeringCrashInjury
WHILE DRIVING 35-40 MPH ON A WET ROAD VEHICLE SUDDENLY DID A COMPLETE 90-DEGREE SPIN , AND ROLLED OVER SEVERAL TIMES BEFORE STOPPING. CONSUMER SUSTAINED 10 BROKEN RIBS, AND WAS TRANSPORTED BY AN AMBULANCE TO A LOCAL HOSPITAL. *AK
NHTSA ODI #10079954
Mileage unknown · Jun 23, 2004
Engine And Engine Cooling
I HAVE A 1994 DODGE TRUCK. IT HAS A DEFECTIVE RADIATOR. THE END CAP ( PLASTIC HAS DEVELOPED A HAIRLINE CRACK. I UNDERSTAND THAT THIS IS A CHRONIC PROBLEM WITH THESE TRUCKS. WHY IS PLASTIC JOINED TO METAL IN THE FIRST PLACE? SEEMS LIKE PLANNED OBSOLESCENCE TO ME.*AK
NHTSA ODI #10078659
75,000 miles · Jun 18, 2004
Steering
CONSUMER COMPLAINED ABOUT STEERING COLUMN PROBLEM. STEERING COLUMN KEPT BREAKING THE CLOCK SPRING. VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO THE DEALER ON 3 SEPARATE OCCASIONS. *AK
NHTSA ODI #10079500
Mileage unknown · Mar 10, 2004
SteeringSuspension
DRIVER SIDE FRONT WHEEL DISCONNECTED FROM VEHICLE AT 40 MPH. REPAIR SHOP REPLACED THE TIE ROD AND BALL JOINTS. CONSUMER WAS NOT SURE IF UPPER OR LOWER BALL JOINTS WERE REPLACED.*AK
NHTSA ODI #10062863
Mileage unknown · Sep 30, 2003
Exterior Lighting
HEADLIGHT SWITCH WOULD OVERHEAT AND WOULD CAUSE THE HEADLIGHTS TO FLICKER OFF AND ON. CONSUMER HAD MANAGED TO PULL OVER, AND TRIED TO FLICK HEADLIGHTS BACK ON. *AK
NHTSA ODI #10041972
88,500 miles · Jul 18, 2003
Tires
TREAD SEPARATION OF SENTRY LT TIRE, SIZE LT 265/75 R16 AT LOW SPEED CAUSING DAMAGE TO FENDER WELL OF BED OF PICKUP. A PRIOR FAILURE IN ANOTHER OF THESE TIRES WAS SIDEWALL SEPARATION CAUSING SEVERE UNBALANCE. I HAVE TWO OTHER TIRES WHICH HAVEN'T FAILED BUT HAVE BEEN REMOVED. THE SELLER OF THESE TIRES WAS WESTERN AUTO STORES (A SE…
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TREAD SEPARATION OF SENTRY LT TIRE, SIZE LT 265/75 R16 AT LOW SPEED CAUSING DAMAGE TO FENDER WELL OF BED OF PICKUP. A PRIOR FAILURE IN ANOTHER OF THESE TIRES WAS SIDEWALL SEPARATION CAUSING SEVERE UNBALANCE. I HAVE TWO OTHER TIRES WHICH HAVEN'T FAILED BUT HAVE BEEN REMOVED. THE SELLER OF THESE TIRES WAS WESTERN AUTO STORES (A SEARS SUBSIDIARY). THERE IS ADEQUATE TREAD LEFT ON THE TIRES. *JB
NHTSA ODI #10028573
Official recalls
0
No recalls in this snapshot.
Model-level recall history does not show whether a particular VIN is affected or has received a repair. Check a VIN with NHTSA ↗
NHTSA investigations
4
DP03006 · Seat Back Failure
Opened Sep 23, 2003 · Closed Apr 8, 2004
Status: closed (inferred from source dates) · Seats; Seats:front Assembly:recliner
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.
Additional source detail variants (2)
Seats
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.
Seats:front Assembly:recliner
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.
DP03002 · Steering Column Separation
Opened May 7, 2003 · Closed Jul 22, 2003
Status: closed (inferred from source dates) · Steering:column
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.
EA98010 · Headlight Circuit
Opened May 8, 1998 · Closed Dec 10, 1999
Status: closed (inferred from source dates) · Exterior Lighting
THE HEADLAMP SWITCH IN THE SUBJECT VEHICLES CAN OVER-HEAT AND FAIL RESULTING IN LOSS OF HEAD LAMPS AND POSSIBLY OTHER LIGHTS.DAIMLERCHRYSLER CONDUCTED A SERIES OF TESTS AND DETERMINED THAT THE 3500 SERIES IS PRONE TO GENERATING HEAD LAMP SWITCH TEMPERATURES IN EXCESS OF THE SWITCH LUBRICANT THRESHOLD OF 100 DEGREES CENTIGRADE.WHEN THIS OCCURS, THE LUBRICANT SOLIDIFIES AND ADHERES TO THE SWITCH CONTACH SURFACES INCREASING INTERNAL RESISTANCE AND THERFORE, TEMPERATURE.DAIMLERCHRYSLER INFORMED THE NHTSA THAT IT WOULD INITIATE A RECALL OF 79,3665 MODEL YEAR 1994-1997 DODGE 3500 SERIES RAM TRUCKS ONLY BASED ON ADDITIONAL TESTING FROM WHICH IT DETERMINED THAT THE 1500/2500 SERIES VEHICLES NOMINALLY OPERATE SIGNIFICANTLY BELOW THE TEMPERATURE THRESHOLD OF THE SWITCH LUBRICANT.OWNERS OF 1500/2500 SERIES TRUCKS WERE SENT A NOTIFICATION LETTER ADVISING OF THE PROPER METHODS FOR ADDING AFTERMARKET LIGHTING ACCESSORIES.
PE96022 · Alleged Failure Of Steering Pitman Shaft
Opened Mar 22, 1996 · Closed Jul 31, 1996
Status: closed (inferred from source dates) · Steering:gear Box:shaft Pitman
STEERING BOX OUTPUT (PITMAN) SHAFT BREAKAGE RESULTING IN LOSS OF CONTROL.
1994 Dodge RAM 1500 Problems, Complaints & Recalls | Skip That Year
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