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1994 Dodge RAMProblems, recalls & complaints

NHTSA has logged 469 owner complaints about the 1994 Dodge RAM, most often about the service brakes, hydraulic. It is covered by 18 safety recalls.

12
CarFlaw IndexYear to avoid7.4× the RAM median · #4 of 22 years by complaints
Safety recalls18Free fix at dealersOwner complaints469100 with a crash, fire or injuryTypical failure mileage88kService brakes, hydraulic, median miles

Source: NHTSA complaints, recalls, investigations and manufacturer recall reports, through October 31, 2024. Updated daily.

Complaints by system

Where the 1994 Dodge RAM has problems

469 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, hydraulic8613
Power train685
Electrical system6419
Suspension470
Steering393
Fuel system, gasoline362
Visibility330
Vehicle speed control307
Engine and engine cooling281
13 other systems13533

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

18 recalls

1994 Dodge RAM 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

Vehicle speed control

Recall 01V-037 · Feb 12, 2001 · 157,000 vehicles

Risk. A THROTTLE THAT DOES NOT RETURN TO IDLE COULD RESULT IN UNEXPECTED ACCELERATION, INCREASING THE RISK OF A CRASH.

Problem, fix and repair progress →

Show 14 more recalls
–no report yet

Delivery: hoses, lines/piping, and fittings

Recall 97V-199 · Nov 13, 1997 · 497,000 vehicles

Risk. FUEL LEAKAGE COULD RESULT IN A FIRE IF AN IGNITION SOURCE WAS PRESENT.

Problem, fix and repair progress →

–no report yet

Automatic transmission: cooling unit and lines

Recall 97V-084 · May 5, 1997 · 960,000 vehicles

Risk. WHEN THESE TEMPERATURES OCCUR, THE FLUID LINE WILL NOT STAY CONNECTED WITH THE TRANSMISSION AND FLUID CAN SPRAY ONTO THE EXHAUST MANIFOLD, RESULTING IN SMOKE…

Problem, fix and repair progress →

–no report yet

Steering: steering wheel/handle bar

Recall 96V-230 · Nov 18, 1996 · 475,000 vehicles

Risk. IF THE LOWER STEERING SHAFT SEPARATES FROM THE UPPER SHAFT, LOSS OF VEHICLE CONTROL CAN OCCUR INCREASING THE RISK OF A VEHICLE ACCIDENT.

Problem, fix and repair progress →

–no report yet

Steering: steering wheel/handle bar

Recall 95V-088 · May 12, 1995 · 293,043 vehicles

Risk. THIS CONDITION CAN HAMPER THE STEERING WHEEL RETURN ORCAUSE THE IGNITION TO BE TURNED OFF, RESULTING IN LOSS OF VEHICLE CONTROL AND AN ACCIDENT.

Problem, fix and repair progress →

–no report yet

Hood: latch

Recall 95V-056 · Mar 21, 1995 · 175,000 vehicles

Risk. THIS CONDITION CAN CAUSE THE HOOD TO FLY UP OBSTRUCTING THE DRIVER'S VISION INCREASING THE POTENTIAL FOR A VEHICLE ACCIDENT.

Problem, fix and repair progress →

–no report yet

Rearview mirrors/devices: exterior

Recall 94V-025 · Feb 14, 1995 · 90 vehicles

Risk. CONSEQUENCE OF NON-COMPLIANCE: THE IMAGES PRESENTED IN THE MIRROR ARE CLOSER THAN THEY APPEAR WHICH MAY CAUSE THE DRIVER TO MISJUDGE THE DISTANCE FROM THE…

Problem, fix and repair progress →

–no report yet

Front: buckle assembly

Recall 95V-005 · Jan 18, 1995 · 185,000 vehicles

Risk. THE PASSENGER WOULD NOT BE PROPERLY RESTRAINED AND COULD BE INJURED IN THE EVENT OF A SUDDEN STOP OR ACCIDENT.

Problem, fix and repair progress →

–no report yet

Interior lighting

Recall 94V-128 · Jul 11, 1994 · 6,088 vehicles

Risk. THE OVERHEATING AND FIRES CAUSED BY THE NEON TRANSFORMER CAN RESULT IN DAMAGE TO THE LIGHTBEAM ASSEMBLY, THE ROOF OF THE VEHICLE, AND COULD RESULT IN A VEHICLE…

Problem, fix and repair progress →

–no report yet

Fuel system, gasoline

Recall 94V-113 · Jun 20, 1994 · 7,000 vehicles

Risk. CONSEQUENCE OF NON-COMPLIANCE: THE VEHICLE S HAVE AN INCREASED RISK OF A FUEL SPILL IN THE EVENT OF A REAR END COLLISION.

Problem, fix and repair progress →

–no report yet

Front assembly: recliner

Recall 93V-213 · Dec 14, 1993 · 17,000 vehicles

Risk. IN THE EVENT OF A SUDDEN STOP OR ACCIDENT THE FORCES ONTHE SEAT BACK MAY SUBJECT SEAT OCCUPANTS TO AN INCREASED RISK OF INJURY.

Problem, fix and repair progress →

–no report yet

Suspension: front

Recall 93V-173 · Oct 22, 1993 · 3,900 vehicles

Risk. LOSS OF THE TRACK BAR ATTACHMENT CAN CAUSE AXLEVIBRATION AND DIRECTIONAL CONTROL DIFFICULTY WHICH COULD RESULT IN LOSS OFVEHICLE CONTROL AND AN ACCIDENT.

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 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 median. How we score

'88'89'90'91'92'93'94'95'96'97'98'99'00'01'02'03'04'05'06'07'08'09'10'11
  • Avoid
  • Caution
  • Solid
  • Best
  • Not rated
NHTSA crash tests

1994 Dodge RAM safety ratings

1994 Dodge Ram 50 2-DR. in NHTSA's New Car Assessment Program. Photos are from NHTSA's crash tests.

  • Stability control: No
  • Forward collision warning: No
  • Lane departure warning: No
13 investigations

NHTSA defect investigations

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

  1. STEERING COLUMN FIREDP00002 · closed Apr 24, 2000
    No recall
  2. STEERING COLUMN SEPARATIONDP03002 · closed Jul 22, 2003
    No recall
  3. SEAT BACK FAILUREDP03006 · closed Apr 8, 2004
    No recall
  4. SEAT BELT BUCKLE FAILUREEA94019 · closed Jan 30, 1995
    Led to recall 95V-005
  5. EVAPORATIVE CANISTER LEAKAGEEA96018 · closed Nov 10, 1997
    Led to recall 97V-199
  6. STEERING COLUMN FIRESEA99027 · closed May 30, 2000
    Led to recall 00V-135
  7. SEAT BELTPE94008 · closed Jun 29, 1994
    No recall
  8. AIR BAG INFLATOR FAILUREPE96020 · closed Oct 29, 1996
    No recall
  9. TRANSMISSION FLUID FIRESPE96070 · closed May 15, 1997
    Led to recall 96V-084
  10. IGNITION SWITCHPE99031 · closed Sep 10, 1999
    No recall
  11. HOOD LATCHRQ00012 · closed Apr 20, 2001
    Led to recall 01V-040
  12. STEERING WHEEL AND COLUMNRQ97012 · still open
    Led to recall 95V-088
  13. TRANSMISSION QUICK CONNECTORSRQ98002 · still open
    Led to recall 97V-084
In owners' words

What RAM owners report

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

THE ABS LIGHT ILLUMINATED ON THE DASH. THEN VEHICLE SUDDENLY ACCELERATED TOWARDS TRAFFIC WHICH RESULTEDC IN AN A COLLISION WITH ANOTHER VEHICLE. *AK
Complaint 10037773 · Aug 27, 2003
CONSUMER STATED THAT WHILE DRIVING AND WITHOUT WARNING THE BRAKE LINE HAD RUSTED CAUSING FLUID TO LEAK OUT AND EXTEND STOPPING DISTANCE. TS DEALERSHIP INSTALLED NEW BRAKE LINE. DEALERSHIP STATED STARTED NEEDED TO BE REPLACED, HOWEVER CONSUMER DECLINED. *TT
Complaint 8022330 · Nov 7, 2002 · 87,608 miles
WHEN DRIVING AT HIGH SPEED THE OVERDRIVE BUTTON ON AND DOWN SHIFTING, WHEN APPLYING BBRAKE OR HITTING A BUMP THERE IS NO BRAKE. PLEASE DESCRIBE.
Complaint 980961 · Mar 20, 1996

Own a 1994 RAM?

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