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1994 Dodge RAM 3500Problems, recalls & complaints

NHTSA has logged 70 owner complaints about the 1994 Dodge RAM 3500, most often about the service brakes, hydraulic. It is covered by 1 safety recall.

66
CarFlaw IndexSolid year48% below the RAM 3500 median · #17 of 20 years by complaints
Safety recalls1Free fix at dealersOwner complaints7010 with a crash, fire or injuryTypical failure mileage87kService brakes, hydraulic, median miles

Source: NHTSA complaints, recalls, investigations and manufacturer recall reports, through August 2, 2020. Updated daily.

Complaints by system

Where the 1994 Dodge RAM 3500 has problems

70 complaints grouped by the system owners reported.

Box size = number of complaints naming that system. Darker = larger share. One complaint can name more than one system.
Complaints by system
SystemComplaintsCrash, fire or injury
Service brakes, hydraulic163
Electrical system147
Suspension110
Power train100
Steering70
Fuel system, gasoline61
Exterior lighting51
Structure40
Visibility31
10 other systems180

Source: NHTSA Office of Defects Investigation. Complaints are submitted by the public and are not verified by NHTSA.

1 recall

1994 Dodge RAM 3500 recalls and how many were fixed

Each ring shows the share of affected cars repaired, from the manufacturer’s latest quarterly report to NHTSA. Recall repairs are free at authorized dealers.

–no report yet

Headlights: switch

Recall 99V-024 · Feb 5, 1999 · 79,366 vehicles

Risk. IF THE LIGHTS FAIL, A VISIBILITY PROBLEM COULD OCCUR, INCREASING THE RISK OF A VEHICLE CRASH.

Problem, fix and repair progress →

Recalls apply to specific cars. To see whether a recall is still open on yours, enter the 17-character VIN at nhtsa.gov/recalls or with Dodge.

Best & worst years

1994 vs. every other RAM 3500 year

Bars show complaints per model year. Colors show the CarFlaw verdict: complaints weighted for crashes, fires and injuries, adjusted for years on the road and compared with the RAM 3500 median. How we score

'93'94'95'96'97'98'99'00'01'02'03'04'05'06'07'08'09'10'11'12
  • Avoid
  • Caution
  • Solid
  • Best
  • Not rated
7 investigations

NHTSA defect investigations

Federal investigations that included the 1994 Dodge RAM 3500, and the recalls they led to.

  1. STEERING COLUMN SEPARATIONDP03002 · closed Jul 22, 2003
    No recall
  2. SEAT BACK FAILUREDP03006 · closed Apr 8, 2004
    No recall
  3. HEADLIGHT CIRCUITEA98010 · closed Dec 10, 1999
    Led to recall 99V-024
  4. LOSS OF THROTTLE CONTROLPE00048 · closed Mar 7, 2001
    Led to recall 01V-037
  5. TRANS HOSE SEPARATIONPE94072 · closed Mar 22, 1995
    No recall
  6. HEADLIGHT CIRCUIT FAILUREPE98002 · closed May 8, 1998
    No recall
  7. FRONT SUSPENSION SPRING/SHOCK ABSORBERPE99026 · closed Aug 31, 1999
    Led to recall 99V-214
In owners' words

What RAM 3500 owners report

Recent service brakes, hydraulic complaints filed with NHTSA, shortened. Personal details are removed.

BRAKES FAILED; PEDAL WENT ALL THE WAY TO THE FLOOR DUE TO INTAKE MANIFOLD LEAK, D LEAK, RESULTING IN AN ACCIDENT/INJURIES. *AK
Complaint 963048 · Apr 4, 1995
ABS BRAKES PULSATE WHEN APPLYING BRAKES, PEDAL SINKS TO THE FLOOR. ONCE POWER BRAKES LOCKED, AND CONSUMER WENT INTO A SLIDE. *AK
Complaint 876628 · Dec 18, 2000
THE TRUCK LOSES IT'S BRAKING POWER WHEN BACKING UP. THE BRAKE PADS HAVE TO BE CHANGED EVERY 5 TO 10 THOUSAND MILES. THE BRAKES ON THE TRUCK ARE NOT LARGE ENOUGH FOR THAT SIZE TRUCK.*AK
Complaint 822007 · Mar 18, 1998

Own a 1994 RAM 3500?

Decode your VIN to see the recalls for your exact car, then confirm open recalls with NHTSA.