1994 Dodge RAM problems and owner complaints
Explore the records behind recurring owner reports.
Key facts
314 owner complaints analyzed
18 distinct recall campaigns
125,254 mi median reported failure mileage
Scope: 1994 model year. Data snapshot: . 7 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 35 of 314 complaints (11.1%). A complaint can name multiple components.
| Topic | Matching reports | Share of complaints |
|---|---|---|
| Braking behavior | 70 | 22.3% |
| Transmission and shifting | 32 | 10.2% |
| Steering behavior | 26 | 8.3% |
| Electrical and battery issues | 18 | 5.7% |
| Fuel system concerns | 13 | 4.1% |
| Engine operation | 4 | 1.3% |
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 | 35 |
| Electrical System:Ignition:Switch | 22 |
| Power Train:Automatic Transmission | 22 |
| Vehicle Speed Control | 18 |
| Air Bags:Frontal | 17 |
| Suspension:Front | 15 |
| Service Brakes, Hydraulic:Foundation Components | 13 |
| Steering: Steering Wheel/Handle Bar | 12 |
Service Brakes, Hydraulic:Antilock/Traction Control/Electronic Limited Slip: 35; Electrical System:Ignition:Switch: 22; Power Train:Automatic Transmission: 22; Vehicle Speed Control: 18; Air Bags:Frontal: 17; Suspension:Front: 15; Service Brakes, Hydraulic:Foundation Components: 13; Steering: Steering Wheel/Handle Bar: 12
Reported problems by failure mileage
Complaint counts in mileage bands. These are not failure rates per vehicle or mile.
| Category | Count |
|---|---|
| Under 25,000 | 0 |
| 25,000 to 49,999 | 1 |
| 50,000 to 74,999 | 0 |
| 75,000 to 99,999 | 1 |
| 100,000 to 149,999 | 5 |
| 150,000 and above | 0 |
Under 25,000: 0; 25,000 to 49,999: 1; 50,000 to 74,999: 0; 75,000 to 99,999: 1; 100,000 to 149,999: 5; 150,000 and above: 0
100,000 to 149,999 miles has the most reports with usable mileage (5). 307 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 | 99 |
| 1996 | 85 |
| 2000 | 52 |
| 2001 | 35 |
| 2002 | 30 |
| 2003 | 7 |
| 2004 | 5 |
| 2024 | 1 |
1995: 99; 1996: 85; 2000: 52; 2001: 35; 2002: 30; 2003: 7; 2004: 5; 2024: 1
Pattern summary
Service Brakes, Hydraulic:Antilock/Traction Control/Electronic Limited Slip leads the component reports. Braking behavior appears in 70 complaint narratives. Transmission and shifting appears in 32 complaint narratives. Steering behavior appears in 26 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 10006592 · 2003-02-05 (February 5, 2003)
BRAKES WILL PULSATE CAUSING EXTENDED STOPPING DISTANCE. DEALER NOTIFIED. PH
Owner-reported narrative. Look up ODI 10006592 at NHTSA ↗
Owner report 10037773 · 2003-08-27 (August 27, 2003)
THE ABS LIGHT ILLUMINATED ON THE DASH. THEN VEHICLE SUDDENLY ACCELERATED TOWARDS TRAFFIC WHICH RESULTEDC IN AN A COLLISION WITH ANOTHER VEHICLE. *AK
Owner-reported narrative. Look up ODI 10037773 at NHTSA ↗
Owner report 10049958 · 2003-12-03 (December 3, 2003)
RECALL NO. 97V084000: CONSUMER NOTICED THAT ON SEVERAL OCCASIONS TRANSMISSION FLUID WAS LEAKING ON THE GROUND UNDER THE VEHICLE. UPON LOOKING UNDER THE VEHICLE IT WAS DISCOVERED THAT THE COOLING UNIT LINE RETAINER WAS MISSING, CAUSING THE FLUID TO LEAK. DEALER INSPECTED THE VEHICLE, AND INFORMED THE CONSUMER THAT THE AUTOMATIC COOLING UNIT LINE WAS LEAKING. A RECALL FOR THIS PROBLEM WAS ISSUED, BUT CONSUMER'S VEHICLE WAS NOT INCLUDED DUE TO VIN. *AK
Owner-reported narrative. 120,000 miles reported. Look up ODI 10049958 at NHTSA ↗
Owner report 10083814 · 2004-07-29 (July 29, 2004)
TRANSMISSION FAILED AFTER 30000 MILE WARRANTY PERIOD. CONSUMER STATED HE OWNED FOUR OF THE SAME VEHICLES, AND THE SAME THING HAPPENED WITH THE TRANSMISSION. *AK
Owner-reported narrative. 30,000 miles reported. Look up ODI 10083814 at NHTSA ↗
Owner report 10011236 · 2003-03-26 (March 26, 2003)
THERE WAS A PROBLEM WITH THE IGNITION SWITCH, THE KEY BECAME HARD TO TURN, AND THEN ALL OF A SUDDEN THERE WAS A BURNT WIRE SMELL COMING FROM THE STEERING WHEEL, AND A BURN HOLE WAS ON THE SIDE OF THE STEERING WHEEL COLUMN, SEVERAL WEEKS LATER, THE CONSUMER RECEIVED A RECALL NOTICE REGARDING THE IGNITION SWITCH. *AK *JB
Owner-reported narrative. Look up ODI 10011236 at NHTSA ↗
Owner report 480427 · 1995-01-09 (January 9, 1995)
OTHER KEYS ON KEY RING GET STUCK BETWEEN IGNITION AND STEERING WHEEL DUE TO IGNITION SWITCH BEING TOO CLOSE TO STEERING WHEEL. *SKD
Owner-reported narrative. Look up ODI 480427 at NHTSA ↗
Owner report 505014 · 1996-05-29 (May 29, 1996)
SHORT IN IGNITION SWITCH CAUSES ELECTRICAL COMPONENTS TO FAIL, ALSO CAUSES VEHICLE TO STALL OCCASIONALLY. *DH
Owner-reported narrative. Look up ODI 505014 at NHTSA ↗
Owner report 731724 · 2000-09-17 (September 17, 2000)
THROTLE ROD WITH THREADED ENDS HAVING BALL SOCKETS SCREWED ON, LOACATED DRIVER SIDE IN CENTER OF MOTER, TOP, HOOKS FOOT PEDDLE CABLE TO THROTTLE BODY LINKAGE AT INJECTION PUMP, BREAKS NEAR WHERE THREADING STOPS IN CENTER OF ROD, PURCHASE OF NEW ROD ALL WAYS GETS "NEW IMPROVED VERSION, PLEASE PAY AT FRONT COUNTER" WE PULL TRAILORS IN CITY TRAFFIC 90+% OF THE TIME AND LOSS OF THROTTLE PULLING OUT INTO TRAFFIC AT ON RAMP OR INTERSECTION IS NOT A GOOD EXPERINCE! SPEED CONTROL AND LOSS OF HVAC DUCT CONTROLS TO VENTS LOST DUE TO VACUME LINE SPLITI…
Owner-reported narrative. Look up ODI 731724 at NHTSA ↗
Owner report 502183 · 1996-03-13 (March 13, 1996)
FUEL TANK LEAKS. *SD
Owner-reported narrative. Look up ODI 502183 at NHTSA ↗
Owner report 505691 · 1996-06-18 (June 18, 1996)
GAS TANK INCORRECTLY INSTALLED AT FACTORY, CAUSING TANK TO FALL OUT WHEN MAKING A TURN. *DH
Owner-reported narrative. Look up ODI 505691 at NHTSA ↗
Owner report 10099874 · 2004-12-14 (December 14, 2004)
CONSUMER'S VEHICLE EXPERIENCED THE SAME PROBLEMS AS MENTIONED IN RECALL 97V084000 CONCERNING TRANSMISSION COOLING LINES. DEALERSHIP WOULD NOT REPAIR VEHICLE FREE OF CHARGE BECAUSE THE VIN WAS NOT INCLUDED. *AK THE TRUCK'S TRANSMISSION LOCKED UP WHILE DRIVING WHICH CAUSED THE IT TO STALL. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO THE DEALER WHO DETERMINED THAT THE COOLING LINE CONNECTION CAME APART FROM THE TRANSMISSION WHICH CAUSE ALL THE TRANSMISSION FLUID TO LEAK FROM THE VEHICLE. *NM
Owner-reported narrative. 125,254 miles reported. Look up ODI 10099874 at NHTSA ↗