1994 Dodge RAM 3500: complaints, problems and recalls
Explore the records behind recurring owner reports.
Key facts
40 owner complaints analyzed
1 distinct recall campaigns
120,000 mi median reported failure mileage
Scope: 1994 model year. Data snapshot: . 9 complaints include usable failure mileage.
Most common problems
Structure:Frame And Members is the most frequently named component, appearing in 4 of 40 complaints (10.0%). A complaint can name multiple components.
| Topic | Matching reports | Share of complaints |
|---|---|---|
| Braking behavior | 9 | 22.5% |
| Electrical and battery issues | 3 | 7.5% |
| Steering behavior | 3 | 7.5% |
| Transmission and shifting | 1 | 2.5% |
| Engine operation | 1 | 2.5% |
| Fuel system concerns | 1 | 2.5% |
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 |
|---|---|
| Structure:Frame And Members | 4 |
| Electrical System | 3 |
| Suspension | 3 |
| Suspension:Front | 3 |
| Electrical System:Wiring:Interior/Under Dash | 2 |
| Power Train | 2 |
| Seat Belts | 2 |
| Service Brakes | 2 |
Structure:Frame And Members: 4; Electrical System: 3; Suspension: 3; Suspension:Front: 3; Electrical System:Wiring:Interior/Under Dash: 2; Power Train: 2; Seat Belts: 2; Service Brakes: 2
Reported problems by failure mileage
Complaint counts in mileage bands. These are not failure rates per vehicle or mile.
| Category | Count |
|---|---|
| Under 25,000 | 1 |
| 25,000 to 49,999 | 0 |
| 50,000 to 74,999 | 1 |
| 75,000 to 99,999 | 2 |
| 100,000 to 149,999 | 2 |
| 150,000 and above | 3 |
Under 25,000: 1; 25,000 to 49,999: 0; 50,000 to 74,999: 1; 75,000 to 99,999: 2; 100,000 to 149,999: 2; 150,000 and above: 3
150,000 and above miles has the most reports with usable mileage (3). 31 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 | 9 |
| 1996 | 6 |
| 2000 | 3 |
| 2001 | 4 |
| 2002 | 4 |
| 2003 | 1 |
| 2004 | 1 |
| 2005 | 2 |
| 2006 | 1 |
| 2007 | 1 |
| 2011 | 1 |
| 2014 | 1 |
| 2015 | 3 |
| 2017 | 2 |
| 2020 | 1 |
1995: 9; 1996: 6; 2000: 3; 2001: 4; 2002: 4; 2003: 1; 2004: 1; 2005: 2; 2006: 1; 2007: 1; 2011: 1; 2014: 1; 2015: 3; 2017: 2; 2020: 1
Pattern summary
Structure:Frame And Members leads the component reports. Braking behavior appears in 9 complaint narratives. Electrical and battery issues appears in 3 complaint narratives. Steering behavior appears in 3 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.
Examples from the source records
Examples provide context, not a representative sample or a verified diagnosis.
Owner report 10014305 · 2003-04-12 (April 12, 2003)
PAINT BUBBLING AND PEELING ON CAB AND DISCOLORATION OF PAINT ON FENDERS. *NLM
Owner-reported narrative. Look up ODI 10014305 at NHTSA ↗
Owner report 10099292 · 2004-11-03 (November 3, 2004)
WHILE DRIVING 35-40 MPH VEHICLE RAN OVER A SMALL BUMP. THIS CAUSED THE VEHICLE TO VIBRATE SEVERELY. VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO THE DEALER, WHO INFORMED CONSUMER THAT THE STABILIZE BAR BRACKET WAS RIPPED FROM THE FRAME. *AK
Owner-reported narrative. 173,000 miles reported. Look up ODI 10099292 at NHTSA ↗
Owner report 10124685 · 2005-05-25 (May 25, 2005)
FAILURE OF TRAILER HITCH ON THE BACK OF THE 1994 DODGE PICKUP TRUCK.*MR THE TRUCK HITCH EXTENDED TOO FAR OUT FROM THE MOUNTS, PUTTING UNDUE LEVERAGE AND STRESS ON THE METAL WHICH RESULTED IN IT FAILING. A RECALL WAS ISSUED FOR MODEL YEAR 1998-2000 BUT NOT FOR EARLIER MODEL YEARS. THE CONSUMER HAD THE HITCHES REPLACED AT HIS EXPENSE AND REQUEST REIMBURSEMENT FROM THE MANUFACTURER. *NM
Owner-reported narrative. Look up ODI 10124685 at NHTSA ↗
Owner report 10139319 · 2005-10-11 (October 11, 2005)
DT: CONSUMER'S VAN HEATS UP EVERY NOW AND THEN. NOTICED SMOKE COMING FROM THE FRONT OF THE CAR, INSIDE AND OUT. THE CONSUMER HAD FIRES AS WELL, HAD TO PUT THEM OUT WITH FIRE EXTINGUISHERS. TOOK VEHICLE TO A MECHANIC, AND HE CHANGED THE VEHICLE'S COMPUTER, AND THEN IT HAPPENED AGAIN.*AK UPDATED 11/29/05. *JB
Owner-reported narrative. Look up ODI 10139319 at NHTSA ↗
Owner report 10163383 · 2006-07-25 (July 25, 2006)
DT*: THE CONTACT STATED THAT WHILE DRIVING AT 50 MPH, THE VEHICLE HIT A BUMP, WHICH STARTED A VIOLENT SHAKING OR "DEATH WOBBLE" IN THE FRONT OF THE VEHICLE. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO A SERVICE DEALER, WHERE THE DEALER REINFORCED THE SHOCK TOWER, AND DETERMINED THAT THE TRACK BAR WAS LOOSE. THERE IS A NHTSA RECALL # 94V097000 WHICH PERTAINS TO THE FRONT SUSPENSION. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT INCLUDED IN THE RECALL DUE TO THE VIN.
Owner-reported narrative. 95,000 miles reported. Look up ODI 10163383 at NHTSA ↗
Owner report 10190957 · 2007-05-16 (May 16, 2007)
TL*THE CONTACT OWNS A 1994 DODGE RAM 3500. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE VEHICLE'S DASHBOARD HAS CRACKED AND FALLEN APART. HE STATED THAT THE DASHBOARD IS NO LONGER A COSMETIC ISSUE, BUT A SAFETY ISSUE. WHILE DRIVING, THE DASHBOARD FELL DOWN IN THE AREA WHERE THE ACCELERATOR AND BRAKE PEDALS ARE LOCATED. THE CONTACT STATED THAT PLASTIC PIECES OF THE DASHBOARD HAVE FALLEN OUT. THE HANDS ON THE DASHBOARD THAT INDICATE THE VEHICLE SPEED ARE LOOSE. THE # OF CYLINDERS IS UNKNOWN. THE CURRENT AND FAILURE MILEAGES WERE 200,014.
Owner-reported narrative. 200,014 miles reported. Look up ODI 10190957 at NHTSA ↗
Owner report 10430246 · 2011-10-14 (October 14, 2011)
BRAKE LINE RUSTED INTO BETWEEN FUEL TANK AND FRAME. *TR
Owner-reported narrative. 86,879 miles reported. Look up ODI 10430246 at NHTSA ↗
Owner report 10574078 · 2014-03-21 (March 21, 2014)
TL* THE CONTACT STATED WHILE DRIVING 60 MPH, THE FRONT END OF THE VEHICLE STARTED TO SHAKE. AS A RESULT OF THE FAILURE, THE TRANSFER CASE FAILED . THE CONTACT STATED HE HAD TO APPLY THE BREAKS AND TURN THE ENGINE OFF IN ORDER TO STOP THE VEHICLE FROM SHAKING . THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOTIFIED MANY TIMES.. UPDATED 05/12/2014*LJ
Owner-reported narrative. 60,000 miles reported. Look up ODI 10574078 at NHTSA ↗
Recall history
1 distinct campaigns affect this selection. Announcement dates below are different from vehicle model years. A campaign may cover multiple years.
99V024000 · Exterior Lighting:Headlights:Switch
Reported: 1999-02-05 (February 5, 1999)
VEHICLE DESCRIPTION: MODEL 3500 LIGHT DUTY TRUCKS ONLY. OPERATION OF THE HEADLAMPS OVER AN EXTENDED PERIOD OF TIME CAN RESULT IN HEADLAMP SWITCH FAILURE, CAUSING THE HEADLAMPS OR PARK LAMPS TO GO OUT.
Consequence: IF THE LIGHTS FAIL, A VISIBILITY PROBLEM COULD OCCUR, INCREASING THE RISK OF A VEHICLE CRASH.
Remedy: DEALERS WILL REPLACE THE HEADLAMP SWITCH INCLUDING A RELAY IN THE PARK LAMP WIRING CIRCUIT.
NHTSA campaign record ↗