1994 Dodge RAM 2500 problems and owner complaints
Explore the records behind recurring owner reports.
Key facts
113 owner complaints analyzed
0 distinct recall campaigns
114,000 mi median reported failure mileage
Scope: 1994 model year. Data snapshot: . 29 complaints include usable failure mileage.
Most common problems
Service Brakes, Hydraulic:Antilock/Traction Control/Electronic Limited Slip is the most frequently named component, appearing in 14 of 113 complaints (12.4%). A complaint can name multiple components.
| Topic | Matching reports | Share of complaints |
|---|---|---|
| Braking behavior | 27 | 23.9% |
| Steering behavior | 12 | 10.6% |
| Transmission and shifting | 9 | 8.0% |
| Fuel system concerns | 8 | 7.1% |
| Electrical and battery issues | 6 | 5.3% |
| Engine operation | 2 | 1.8% |
Topic matches use published keyword rules. They describe mentions, including negations or comparisons, and do not confirm a diagnosis. Read the matching rules.
Component breakdown
Number of unique complaints naming each component. Top eight shown.
| Category | Count |
|---|---|
| Service Brakes, Hydraulic:Antilock/Traction Control/Electronic Limited Slip | 14 |
| Steering | 8 |
| Vehicle Speed Control | 8 |
| Exterior Lighting:Headlights | 6 |
| Latches/Locks/Linkages:Hood:Latch | 5 |
| Power Train:Automatic Transmission | 5 |
| Structure:Body | 5 |
| Air Bags | 4 |
Service Brakes, Hydraulic:Antilock/Traction Control/Electronic Limited Slip: 14; Steering: 8; Vehicle Speed Control: 8; Exterior Lighting:Headlights: 6; Latches/Locks/Linkages:Hood:Latch: 5; Power Train:Automatic Transmission: 5; Structure:Body: 5; Air Bags: 4
Reported problems by failure mileage
Complaint counts in mileage bands. These are not failure rates per vehicle or mile.
| Category | Count |
|---|---|
| Under 25,000 | 4 |
| 25,000 to 49,999 | 1 |
| 50,000 to 74,999 | 1 |
| 75,000 to 99,999 | 3 |
| 100,000 to 149,999 | 11 |
| 150,000 and above | 9 |
Under 25,000: 4; 25,000 to 49,999: 1; 50,000 to 74,999: 1; 75,000 to 99,999: 3; 100,000 to 149,999: 11; 150,000 and above: 9
100,000 to 149,999 miles has the most reports with usable mileage (11). 84 complaints have missing, zero or invalid mileage.
Complaints over time
Year the complaint was filed, not the vehicle model year or incident year. The snapshot year is partial.
| Category | Count |
|---|---|
| 1995 | 25 |
| 1996 | 4 |
| 2000 | 14 |
| 2001 | 19 |
| 2002 | 11 |
| 2003 | 7 |
| 2004 | 4 |
| 2005 | 4 |
| 2006 | 1 |
| 2007 | 4 |
| 2008 | 5 |
| 2010 | 2 |
| 2011 | 2 |
| 2012 | 2 |
| 2013 | 1 |
| 2014 | 2 |
| 2015 | 3 |
| 2018 | 1 |
| 2020 | 1 |
| 2021 | 1 |
1995: 25; 1996: 4; 2000: 14; 2001: 19; 2002: 11; 2003: 7; 2004: 4; 2005: 4; 2006: 1; 2007: 4; 2008: 5; 2010: 2; 2011: 2; 2012: 2; 2013: 1; 2014: 2; 2015: 3; 2018: 1; 2020: 1; 2021: 1
Pattern summary
Service Brakes, Hydraulic:Antilock/Traction Control/Electronic Limited Slip leads the component reports. Braking behavior appears in 27 complaint narratives. Steering behavior appears in 12 complaint narratives. Transmission and shifting appears in 9 complaint narratives. Use these patterns to inspect individual reports and prepare questions for a mechanic.
Calculated from recorded counts. An AI narrative has not been published for this selection.
Complaint evidence
Examples provide context, not a representative sample or a verified diagnosis.
Owner report 10004810 · 2003-01-28 (January 28, 2003)
CHILD SHIFTED INTO GEAR, BRAKE WAS NOT DEPRESSED. CONSUMER WAS ABLE TO STOP THE VEHICLE. VEHICLE NOT AFFECTED BY RECALL. TS
Owner-reported narrative. Look up ODI 10004810 at NHTSA ↗
Owner report 10028493 · 2003-07-17 (July 17, 2003)
BRAKE SYSTEM ON DODGE RAM 2500 CAUSES A DANGEROUS PULLING CONDITION. I HAVE NEARLY BEEN IN SEVERAL ACCIDENTS WHEN PULLING A TRAILER, AS THE ADDITIONAL WEIGHT CAUSES THE PULLING CONDITION TO BECOME VERY SEVERE. I FEEL THIS IS A SECURITY RISK TO MYSELF AND OTHER MOTORISTS.*AK
Owner-reported narrative. 125,000 miles reported. Look up ODI 10028493 at NHTSA ↗
Owner report 10024732 · 2003-07-18 (July 18, 2003)
THE CONSUMER STATED WHEN THE VEHICLE HIT THE CURVE AT 30 MPH HE LOSS STEERING CONTROL, WHICH CAUSED A DISTRACTION TO THE CONSUMER. DEALER NOTIFIED. *AK THE STEERING SHAFT AND THE DRAG LINK WERE REPLACED. *SCC *JB
Owner-reported narrative. 112,752 miles reported. Look up ODI 10024732 at NHTSA ↗
Owner report 10251248 · 2008-12-09 (December 9, 2008)
WHILE DRIVING MY RAM 2500 DIESEL TRUCK AND HAULING TRAILER THROUGH CLEBURNE, TEXAS MY VEHICLE DIED WITHOUT WARNING. I HAD NO POWER FOR STEERING AND WAS BARLEY ABOUT TO PULL INTO A DRIVEWAY AND PARKING LOT TO GET OUT OF FLOW OF TRAFFIC. THIS OCCURRED ON A SATURDAY AND I HAD TRUCK TOWED TO DEALERSHIP. IT WOULD BE MONDAY BEFORE PROBLEM WAS RESOLVED-- IT WOULD BE MONDAY BEFORE PROBLEM DETERMINED, IT WAS THE LIFT PUMP A $ 1100 FIX. ALL LATER VEHICLES I BELIEVE AFTER 2004 WERE MODIFIED TO PUT LIFT PUMP IN GAS TANK FOR PURPOSE OF KEEPING COOLER…
Owner-reported narrative. Look up ODI 10251248 at NHTSA ↗
Owner report 10378371 · 2011-01-24 (January 24, 2011)
THE TRANSMISSION MOUNT FAILED CAUSING THE DRIVE-SHAFT COUNTER BALLANCE TO MOVE APPROX. 4" TO THE LEFT. THIS CAUSED THE DRIVE-SHAFT COUNTER BALLANCE TO WEAR A HOLE ABOUT 3' LONG AND 1' WIDE IN THE FUEL TANK. THE RESULT WAS LOST FUEL SPRAYING UNDER TRUCK, COATING REAR TIRES AND BRAKES. THIS COULD HAVE CAUSED A FIRE OR POSSIBLE EXPLOSION. *TR
Owner-reported narrative. 350,000 miles reported. Look up ODI 10378371 at NHTSA ↗
Owner report 10002602 · 2003-01-13 (January 13, 2003)
CONSUMER STATED THERE IS A PROTECTIVE SHIELD AROUND THE BACK OF THE GAS TANK THAT IS VIBRATING. CONSUMER TIED A WIRE AROUND THE SHIELD, AND THE FRONT STARTED VIBRATING. THE CAUSE IS UNKNOWN. PLEASE PROVIDE ANY FURTHER INFORMATION.*JB
Owner-reported narrative. Look up ODI 10002602 at NHTSA ↗
Owner report 10087015 · 2004-08-17 (August 17, 2004)
REAR FUEL TANK STRAP BROKE OFF, WITHOUT REALIZING IT. HAPPEN TO NOTICE FUEL TANK HANGING DOWN FROM VEHICLE. HAD TO PUT A RACHET STRAP ON IT TO PULL IT BACK UP IN PLACE. THE BRACKET WAS STILL IN PLACE. LOOKS LIKE THE SPOT WELDING FROM THE STRAP TO THE BRACKET LET LOOSE. CALLED SEVERAL DODGE DEALERS, THEY HAD NONE IN STOCK OR THEY WERE ON BACKORDER. ONE DEALER EVEN MENTION HE NOTICE NATION WIDE THERE WAS 500 OF THESE STRAPS ON BACKORDER. THIS TELLS ME DODGE HAS A PROBLEM. IF I HADN'T NOTICE MY FUEL TANK AS SOON AS I DID, IT WOULD HAVE FALLEN OFF …
Owner-reported narrative. 168,347 miles reported. Look up ODI 10087015 at NHTSA ↗
Owner report 10106680 · 2005-02-11 (February 11, 2005)
THE HEADLIGHT WIRING HARNESS BURNED OUT. CONSUMER WAS DRIVING AND THE HEADLIGHTS BLINKED AND THEN THEY WOULD NOT COME ON. CONSUMER COULD NOT DRIVE AT NIGHT.*AK THE DEALER INSTALLED A RECALL KIT. *TC THE DEALER FOUND THE HEADLIGHT SWITCH AND CONNECTER HAD MELTED. *JB
Owner-reported narrative. 107,950 miles reported. Look up ODI 10106680 at NHTSA ↗
Owner report 10140915 · 2005-10-27 (October 27, 2005)
DRIVING DURING THE DAY WITH LIGHTS ON (LOW BEAM) AND SMOKE AND THE SMELL OF BURNING PLASTIC BEGAN POURING OUT OF THE UPPER LEFT PORTION OF THE DASH. THE FAILURE WAS THE LIGHT SWITCH WHICH WAS BURNT AND SO WAS THE PLASTIC CONNECTOR. THE DODGE DEALER WAS AWARE OF THE PROBLEM AND I WAS TOLD BY THE PARTS PERSON THAT IF I JUST REPLACED THE SWITCH WITH OUT PUTTING IN AN UPDATED WIRING HARNESS THAT THERE WAS A 100 % PROBABILITY THAT THIS INCIDENT WOULD OCCUR AGAIN. WAS TOLD THAT THERE WAS A REPLACEMENT PART (SWITCH AND WIRING HARNESS) FOR $88 WHICH…
Owner-reported narrative. 248,400 miles reported. Look up ODI 10140915 at NHTSA ↗
Owner report 8019448 · 2002-09-25 (September 25, 2002)
CONSUMER STATES THAT THE CLIPS ON THE LINE THAT GOES INTO THE TRANSMISSION, CAME OFF WHILE DRIVING, RESULTING IN LOST OF FUEL, VEHICLE STALLED OUT. REPLACED PART PROBLEM REACCURED.
Owner-reported narrative. Look up ODI 8019448 at NHTSA ↗
Owner report 893522 · 2001-08-06 (August 6, 2001)
WITH ENGINE IN IDLE AND APPLYING BRAKES MORE THAN TWICE, THE THIRD TIME LOSS OF POWER BRAKES WILL OCCUR. DEALER HAS INSTALLED NEW CHECK VALVE, BUT DEFECT KEEPS OCCURRING. CONSUMER FEELS DIESEL ENGINE DOES NOT PRODUCE ENOUGH VACCUM WHILE IN IDLE , 800 RPMS. CHRYSLER HAS NOW DEVELOPED A FIX TO INSTALL A VACCUM ACCUMALATOR AT CONSUMER COSTS.*AK
Owner-reported narrative. Look up ODI 893522 at NHTSA ↗