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
Mileage unknown · Jun 29, 2000
Electrical SystemEngine And Engine CoolingVisibility
I HAVE HAD PROBLEMS WITH A LOOSE IGNITION SWITCH FOR SEVERAL YEARS. I HAVE NOT REPORTED IT UNTIL NOW BECAUSE I WAS UNAWARE THAT IT HAD BEEN A PROBLEM FOR OTHER OWNERS. I HAD SMOKE COME FROM THE STEERING COLUMN BUT THOUGHT THAT IT WAS JUST A FLUKE. THE FAN MOTOR FOR THE VENTILATION SYSTEM QUIT WORKING AT THE SAME TIME. UPON…
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I HAVE HAD PROBLEMS WITH A LOOSE IGNITION SWITCH FOR SEVERAL YEARS. I HAVE NOT REPORTED IT UNTIL NOW BECAUSE I WAS UNAWARE THAT IT HAD BEEN A PROBLEM FOR OTHER OWNERS. I HAD SMOKE COME FROM THE STEERING COLUMN BUT THOUGHT THAT IT WAS JUST A FLUKE. THE FAN MOTOR FOR THE VENTILATION SYSTEM QUIT WORKING AT THE SAME TIME. UPON MOVING THE STEERING COLUMN UP AND DOWN WITH THE TILT FEATURE I WAS ABLE TO GET THE FAN GOING AGAIN AND THE SMOKE STOPPED. THIS HAS HAPPEN ON SEVERAL OCCASIONS WITHOUT SMOKE HOWEVER. THIS HAPPENS ON A RANDOM CYCLE WITH NO APPARENT PATTERN OF FREQUENCY. IT ONLY SEEMS TO HAPPEN WHEN TILTING THE WHEEL FROM TIME TO TIME . AFTER HAVING READ ABOUT OTHERS VEHICLES WITH THE SAME PROBLEM I HAVE DECIDED TO REPORT THIS TO A LOCAL DEALER. I HAVE AN APPOINTMENT 7/6/00 TO REPLACE THE VAPOR CANISTER WHICH HAS BEEN RECALLED. I WILL REQUEST A REPLACEMENT OF THE IGNITION SWITCH FOR FREE BASED ON THE REPORTS IN YOUR WEB SITE WITH PREVIOUS OWNERS COMPLAINTS. NEW ISSUE THE VEHICLE HAS STARTED FAILING TO IDLE WHILE COMING TO A STOP AND THE ENGINE COMES TO A STOP OR DIES. THIS HAS NEARLY CAUSED TWO ACCIDENTS BECAUSE THE POWERING STEERING AND POWER BRAKES FAIL DUE TO THE ENGINE DYING IN THE MIDDLE OF HEAVY TRAFFIC. I MANAGED TO AVOID ACCIDENTS THANK GOODNESS. THE TRUCK THEN REFUSES TO START DISPITE THE ENGINE TURNING OVER WHEN ATTEPTING TO RESTART. I HAVE BEEN LUCKY TO MOVE THE TRUCK OUT OF TRAFFIC BOTH TIMES WITHOUT INCIDENT SO FAR. THE TRUCK WAS TOWED 6/28/00/TO A LOCAL REPAIR SHOP WHO HAS DONE REGULAR MAINTINANCE ON IT FOR SOMETIME. THIS TOW WAS THE RESULT OF THE SECOND FAILING OF THE ENGINE. THE SHOP HAS YET TO DETERMINE THE CAUSE AS OF THIS WRITING. NEW ISSUE THE STEERING COLUMN ALSO HAS A CLUNKING NOISE WHEN TURNING THE STEERING WHEEL AND WILL HAVE THE DEALER LOOK AT IT THE SAME TIME THE RECALL WORK WILL BE DONE AND WILL LET YOU KNOW FROM THERE. THANK YOU FOR YOUR HELP IN THIS MATTER. I DID'NT KNOW YOU COULD HELP PRIOR TO THIS DAY.*AK
NHTSA ODI #724749
Mileage unknown · May 16, 2000
Fuel System, Gasoline
OPERATER COULD RUN OUT OF FUEL NOT KNOWING HOW MUCH IS IN TANK. COULD CAUSE ACCIDENT.
NHTSA ODI #722744
Mileage unknown · May 3, 2000
Electrical SystemEquipmentVisibility
RADIO FAILED. NLM
NHTSA ODI #552081
Mileage unknown · Apr 10, 2000
Service Brakes, Hydraulic
VACUUM BRAKE SYSTEM RESERVOIR THAT HOUSES THE BRAKE FLUID ON TOP OF THE MASTER CYLINDER APPEARS TO BE DETERIORATING FROM THE INSIDE DUE TO THE BRAKE FLUID. PLEASE GIVE ANY FURTHER DETAILS. *AK
NHTSA ODI #859958
Mileage unknown · Mar 1, 2000
SteeringCrashInjury
PITMAN SHAFT SHEARED OFF, RESULTING IN LOSS OF ALL STEERING.DURING MY PHONE CALL TO ORILLIA DODGE IN ORILLIA ONTARIO CANADA TO ORDER A NEW PART INFORMATION WAS GIVEN BY THE SERVICE MANAGER THAT DODGE NO LONGER USES THIS PIECE OF ORIGINAL EQUIPMENT WHICH IS THE COMPLETE STEERING BOX ASSEMBLY. ORILLIA DODGE ALSO INFORMED ME THAT …
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PITMAN SHAFT SHEARED OFF, RESULTING IN LOSS OF ALL STEERING.DURING MY PHONE CALL TO ORILLIA DODGE IN ORILLIA ONTARIO CANADA TO ORDER A NEW PART INFORMATION WAS GIVEN BY THE SERVICE MANAGER THAT DODGE NO LONGER USES THIS PIECE OF ORIGINAL EQUIPMENT WHICH IS THE COMPLETE STEERING BOX ASSEMBLY. ORILLIA DODGE ALSO INFORMED ME THAT A NEW UPGRADED MODEL IS NOW BEING USED FOR REPLACEMENT PART. THE SHAFT BROKE A NORMAL DRIVING CONDITIONS ,COUNTRY ROAD FRESHLY GRADED AT 30 KILOMETERS PER HOUR.THERE HAS BEEN INCIDENTS OF SIMILAR NATURE KNOWN OF ACROSS CANADA. ISEEM TO FEEL IF ORIGINAL EQUIPMENT IS NO LONGER RECOMMENDED FOR REPLACEMENT A RECALL SHOULD BE WARRENTED TO PREVENT FURTHER ACCIDENTS AN INJURY TO THE VEHICLE OWNER,PASSENGERS,AND OTHER PUBLIC ON OUR ROADS AND SIDEWALKS. PLEASE NOTE THAT MY ADRESS IS IN ORILLIA ONTARIO CANADA, POSTAL CODE L3V-6H2 P.S. I (KEVIN DRAPER) HAS ALSO FORWARDED A LETTER OS SIMILAR NATURE TO THE MINISTRY OF TRANSPORTATION OF CANADA. THANK YOU FOR YOUR TIME HOPE TO HEAR BACK FROM SOON ON YOUR INTENTIONS TO FOLLOW UP ON THIS MATTER.I FEEL I SHOULD BE ENTITLED TO HAVETHIS VEHILCE REPAIRED PARTS ALL BODY WORK AND LABOUR BACK TO THE CONDITION BEFORE THE ACCCIDENT COVERED BY CHRYLSER CORPORATION,BUMPER ,RIGHT FENDER,PASSENGER DOOR CAB CORNER,PASSENGER SIDE OF BOX,PLUSANY DAMAGE TO THE REST OF THE STEERING COMPONENTS LESS THE NORMAL WEAR . THE TRUCK IS NOT NEW BUT IT WAS NOT SMASHED UP BEFORE THIS INCIDENT. THANK YOU AGAIN. *AK
NHTSA ODI #719531
Mileage unknown · Nov 4, 1999
Electrical System
POSSIBLE ELECTRICAL FAILURE CAUSED A FIRE BURNING THE WIRE LOOM TO THE IGNITION SWITCH & THE FUEL PUMP BURNED UP. *YC
NHTSA ODI #852588
Mileage unknown · Sep 28, 1999
Latches/locks/linkages
WHIL EDRIVING DOWN THE ROAD AT APPROXIMATELY 30MPH HOOD LATCH POPPED OFF INADVERTENTLY, SMASHING THE WINDSHIELD AND DENTING THE HINGES TO THE HOOD. CONTACTED DEALER. *AK
NHTSA ODI #848987
Mileage unknown · Aug 23, 1999
Electrical System
WHILE DRIVING AT 25 MPH CONSUMER SMELLED SMOKE COMING FROM VEHICLE. PULLED OVER AND SAW SMOKE COMING FROM THE IGNITION SWITCH. CONSUMER CUT OFF THE VEHICLE, AND VEHICLE WAS NOT SMOKING. CONSUMER WAS ABLE TO START THE VEHICLE BACK UP AND DROVE IT TO THE DEALER. *AK
NHTSA ODI #845630
Mileage unknown · Jul 14, 1999
Steering
SEAL ON PITMAN ARM STEERING BOX COMPONENT FAILED, FLUID LOSS CAUSED LOSS OF CONTROL AND ACCIDENT. MJS
NHTSA ODI #546565
Mileage unknown · Jun 1, 1999
Service Brakes, Hydraulic
IN SUDDEN STOPS, THE BRAKING SYSTEM MALFUNCTIONED, CAUSING EXTENDED STOPPING DISTANCE AND MAY RESULT A CRASH. DLR CANNOT DETERMINE THE PROBLEM. THE MECHANIC SAID THERE WAS NOT ENOUGH OF VACUUM TO THE BRAKE BOOSTER., BUT CANNOT FIX THE PROBLEM. PLEASE PROVIDE FURTHER INFORMATION.
NHTSA ODI #838714
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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