IllustrationHAD A RECALL ON IGNITION WIRING & ABS---REPLACED WIRING HARNESS UNDER DASH ONLY WITH THE STEERING COLUMN---A MONTH OR SO LATER BATTERY COMPLETELY MELTED, THE CHECK ENGINE LIGHT WAS STAYING ON---THEY WERE TO RESET THE COMPUTER--INSTEAD WITHOUT BEING CONSULTED TOOK THE TRUCK MOTOR APART
1995 Dodge RAM 1500
Owner reports · Recalls · Investigations
Similar to other model years
Owner complaints for the 1995 Dodge RAM 1500 do not stand out strongly from the model-year median of 520.
About this comparison →How this year compares
Owner complaints by model year
Compare all RAM 1500 years →Counts vary with age, sales and reporting. They are not failure rates.
What owners reported most
All reported categories
Tap a category to read its complaints. One report may name several components.
When problems were reported
Mileage at the reported incident
20–25K
425–50K
750–75K
1075–100K
15100–150K
20150K+
58 reports with mileage · 155 unknown
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.
- Structure. Review the 36 owner reports in this category and discuss these concerns during a pre-purchase inspection. Read reports →
- Electrical System. Review the 31 owner reports in this category and discuss these concerns during a pre-purchase inspection. Read reports →
- Power Train. Review the 30 owner reports in this category and discuss these concerns during a pre-purchase inspection. Read reports →
NHTSA owner reports · September 18, 2026 snapshot.
13 crash reports14 fire reports8 injury reports
What owners actually said
213 reportsTHE REAR BUMPER CRACKED FROM A HIT AND RAN ACCIDENT WHILE THE VEHICLE WAS PARKED. *YH
IN JANUARY OF THIS YEAR, THE DRIVERS SEAT BELT TENTIONER FAILED. THE SEAT BELT IF OF NO USE IN THE EVENT OF AN ACCIDENT AS THE BELT IS LOOSE AND DOES NOT STOP THE PROGRESS OF A BODY GOING FORWARD IN THE EVENT OF A FRONTAL COLLISION. IS IT THE RESPONSIBILITY OF THE MANUFACTURER TO REPAIR THIS FAILURE?
CONSUMER WAS TRAVELING 55MPH ON HIGHWAY AND SMELLED SMOKE INSIDE OF VEHICLE. HE PULLED OVER TO THE SHOULDERS, AND NOTICED THAT SMOKE WAS COMING FROM REAR DRIVER SIDE TAIL LIGHT. *AK
AIRBAG & ABS LIGHT CAME ON, NO POWER WINDOWS, NO RADIO, WOULD NOT START, SHORTED WIRES IN STEERING COLUMN AND HEAT DAMAGE TO COLUMN COVER AND IGNITION SWITCH TERMINALS, NO FIRE. *AK
LUGS: NUTS ARE RUSTED, CAUSE UNKNOWN. PLEASE GIVE ANY FURTHER DETAILS.*AK
WHILE TRAVELING AT 60 MPH AND WHEN PASSING ANOTHER VEHICLE, VEHICLE SHIFTED UP, CAUSING TRANSMISSION TO LOSE ALL POWER . *AK TRANSMISSION SHIFTED DOWN INTO PASSING GEAR, THEN WHEN CONSUMER PASSED VEHICLE, HE LET UP ON THE ACCELERATOR AND THE TRANSMISSION SHIFTED UP INTO DRIVE AND ALL POWER WAS LOST. *SLC
THE OVERDRIVE ENGAGES WITHOUT WARNING WHILE DRIVING AT SPEEDS OF 65 MPH OR GREATER. THIS CAUSES THE RPM TO JUMP FROM 2000 TO 3500 AND THE SPEED INSTANTLY DECLINES. THIS IS VERY FRIGHTENING AND COULD CAUSE US TO BE REAR ENDED BY THE CAR BEHIND US.*AK
CONSUMER WAS APPROACHING A TRAFFIC LIGHT HAVING ENOUGH TIME TO BRAKE.PEDAL WENT STRAIGHT TO THE FLOOR, AND VEHICLE HAD TO SWERVE AND RUN INTO A SMALL DITCH TO AVOID A COLLISON. DEALER STATED THEY HAVE NEVER SEEN ANYTHING LIKE IT. INNER AND OUTER ROTORS WERE CASTING IN ONE PIECE.*AK ONE OF THE ROTORS SPLIT INTO TWO PARTS, AND…
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CONSUMER WAS APPROACHING A TRAFFIC LIGHT HAVING ENOUGH TIME TO BRAKE.PEDAL WENT STRAIGHT TO THE FLOOR, AND VEHICLE HAD TO SWERVE AND RUN INTO A SMALL DITCH TO AVOID A COLLISON. DEALER STATED THEY HAVE NEVER SEEN ANYTHING LIKE IT. INNER AND OUTER ROTORS WERE CASTING IN ONE PIECE.*AK ONE OF THE ROTORS SPLIT INTO TWO PARTS, AND THE OTHER ROTOR RUSTED. BOTH WERE REPLACED. *YH
WHILE DRIVING ON INTERSTATE AT 55 MPH A MERCEDES BENZ SLAMMED ON BRAKES TO AVOID SOMETHING IN THE ROAD, CONSUMER ALSO PRESSED ON BRAKES, AND WAS REAR ENDED BY ANOTHER DRIVER. CONSUMER SLAMMED INTO MERCEDES BENZ, AND NONE OF AIRBAGS DEPLOYED. PRIOR TO THIS INCIDENT, AIRBAG LIGHT HAD BEEN COMING ON AND OFF/ ON AND OFF. *AK …
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WHILE DRIVING ON INTERSTATE AT 55 MPH A MERCEDES BENZ SLAMMED ON BRAKES TO AVOID SOMETHING IN THE ROAD, CONSUMER ALSO PRESSED ON BRAKES, AND WAS REAR ENDED BY ANOTHER DRIVER. CONSUMER SLAMMED INTO MERCEDES BENZ, AND NONE OF AIRBAGS DEPLOYED. PRIOR TO THIS INCIDENT, AIRBAG LIGHT HAD BEEN COMING ON AND OFF/ ON AND OFF. *AK *JB
Official recalls
0No 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
4DP03006 · 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.