1994 Dodge RAM: complaints, problems and recalls

BRAKES WILL PULSATE CAUSING EXTENDED STOPPING DISTANCE. DEALER NOTIFIED. PH

Owner-reported narrative. Look up ODI 10006592 at NHTSA ↗

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 ↗

THE VEHICLE CAUGHT FIRE. THE FIRE DEPARTMENT STATED THE FIRE BEGAN IN AREA OF FUSE BOX. *JB

Owner-reported narrative. Look up ODI 10017203 at NHTSA ↗

WHILE DRIVING DRIVER SIDE REAR TIRE OUTTER TREAD FLEW OFF AND IMPACTED THE SIDE OF THE VEHICLE.*AK

Owner-reported narrative. 143,000 miles reported. Look up ODI 10026247 at NHTSA ↗

TRUCK WAS IN PARK AND WITHOUT PRIOR WARNING IT SUDDENLY JUMPED OUT GEAR, ACCELERATING UP TO 50 MPH. UPON UNCONTROLLABLE ACCELERATION THE TRUCK HIT A TREE. *AK

Owner-reported narrative. Look up ODI 10033952 at NHTSA ↗

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 ↗

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 ↗

WHILE DRIVING 45 MPH HOOD LATCH SNAPPED. THIS CAUSED THE HOOD TO FLY BACK ONTO THE WINDSHIELD. CONSUMER MANAGED TO PULL OVER. DEALERSHIP WAS NOTIFIED, BUT DID NOT RESOLVE THE PROBLEM. THE CONSUMER HAD THE PROBLEM RESOLVED BY AN INDEPENDENT MECHANIC. *AK

Owner-reported narrative. 133,000 miles reported. Look up ODI 10064696 at NHTSA ↗

Reported: 2000-05-10 (May 10, 2000)

VEHICLE DESCRIPTION: LIGHT DUTY PICKUP TRUCKS. THE AFFECTED VEHICLES WERE BUILT WITH AN IGNITION SWITCH AND WIRING THAT COULD OVERHEAT. HIGH ELECTRICAL CURRENT LOADS PASS THROUGH THE SWITCH WHEN THE BLOWER MOTOR IS OPERATED ON HIGH FOR AN EXTENDED PERIODS OF TIME.

Consequence: THIS COULD CAUSE THE IGNITION SWITCH AND WIRING TO OVERHEAT.

Remedy: DEALERS WILL INSTALL A RELAY AND OVERLAY HARNESS.

Reported: 2001-02-12 (February 12, 2001)

VEHICLE DESCRIPTION: PICKUP TRUCKS EQUIPPED WITH DIESEL ENGINES. THE THROTTLE CABLE COULD UNRAVEL (FRAY) OR BREAK RESULTING IN LOSS OF THROTTLE CONTROL.

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

Remedy: DEALERS WILL INSPECT AND REPLACE THE THROTTLE CABLE AND UPPER BELL CRANK LEVER. OWNER NOTIFICATION BEGAN AUGUST 3, 2001. OWNERS WHO TAKE THEIR VEHICLES TO AN AUTHORIZED DEALER ON AN AGREED UPON SERVICE DATE AND DO NOT RECEIVE THE FREE REMEDY WITHIN A REASONABLE TIME SHOULD CONTACT DAIMLERCHRYSLER AT 1-800-853-1403.

Reported: 2001-02-12 (February 12, 2001)

ON CERTAIN PICKUP TRUCKS ORIGINALLY SOLD IN OR CURRENTLY REGISTERED IN THE FOLLOWING "SALT BELT" STATES: MAINE, NEW HAMPSHIRE, VERMONT, MASSACHUSETTS, RHODE ISLAND, CONNECTICUT, NEW YORK, NEW JERSEY, PENNSYLVANIA, DELAWARE, MARYLAND, THE DISTRICT OF COLUMBIA, WEST VIRGINIA, OHIO, INDIANA, MICHIGAN, ILLINOIS, WISCONSIN, MINNESOTA, IOWA, AND MISSOURI. CORROSION OF THE RETURN SPRING ON THE HOOD SECONDARY LATCH COULD CAUSE THE MECHANISM TO BIND IN THE "RELEASE POSITION."

Consequence: IF THE PRIMARY LATCH IS NOT ENGAGED, THE HOOD COULD OPEN UNEXPECTEDLY.

Remedy: DEALERS WILL REPLACE THE SECONDARY HOOD LATCH. OWNER NOTIFICATION BEGAN SEPTEMBER 17, 2001. OWNERS WHO TAKE THEIR VEHICLES TO AN AUTHORIZED DEALER ON AN AGREED UPON SERVICE DATE AND DO NOT RECEIVE THE FREE REMEDY WITHIN A REASONABLE TIME SHOULD CONTACT DAIMLERCHRYSLER AT 1-800-853-1403.

Reported: 1993-10-22 (October 22, 1993)

FRONT SUSPENSION TRACK BAR ATTACHMENT TO THE AXLE MAY NOT BE ADEQUATELY TIGHTENED.

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

Remedy: TIGHTEN FRONT SUSPENSION TRACK BAR AXLE ATTACHMENT TO THE SPECIFIED TORQUE.

Reported: 1993-12-14 (December 14, 1993)

THE SEAT BACK LATCH LEVER PIVOT RIVETS ARE SUSCEPTIBLE TO DISTORTION. THE DISTORTED ASSEMBLIES ALLOW THE SEAT BACK RELEASE LATCH LEVER TO REMAIN IN THE RELEASED POSITION WHICH IS IN NON-COMPLIANCE WITH FMVSS NO. 207, "SEATING SYSTEMS."

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

Remedy: DEALERS WILL REPLACE THE SUSPECT SEAT BACK LATCH ASSEMBLY WITH A REVISED ASSEMBLY.

Reported: 1995-02-14 (February 14, 1995)

THE RIGHT OUTSIDE REARVIEW MIRROR CONTAINS CONVEX GLASS RATHER THAN FLAT. THEREFORE, THESE VEHICLES FAIL TO COMPLY WITH FMVSS NO. 111, "REARVIEW MIRRORS."

Consequence: 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 OBJECT TO THE REAR OF THE VEHICLE, AND COULD RESULT IN AN ACCIDENT.

Remedy: DEALERS WILL REPLACE THE RIGHT OUTSIDE REARVIEW MIRROR WITH A MIRROR HAVING A FLAT SURFACE.

Reported: 1994-05-20 (May 20, 1994)

THE FRONT SUSPENSION TRACK BAR HAS INADEQUATE FATIGUE STRENGTH.

Consequence: FAILURE OF THE TRACK BAR CAN RESULT IN FRONT AXLE VIBRATION AND LOSS OF STEERING CONTROL.

Remedy: DEALERS WILL REPLACE THE FRONT SUSPENSION TRACK BAR.

Reported: 1994-06-20 (June 20, 1994)

THESE VEHICLES DO NOT MEET THE REAR IMPACT TEST REQUIREMENTS OF FMVSS 301, "FUEL SYSTEM INTEGRITY."

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

Remedy: DEALERS WILL STRENGTHEN THE LEFT FRAME RAIL BY INSTALLING A FRAME RAIL REINFORCEMENT BRACKET.

Reported: 1994-07-11 (July 11, 1994)

THE TRANSFORMER USED TO POWER THE NEON CENTER LIGHTBEAM CAN OVERHEAT AND CATCH ON FIRE.

Consequence: 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 FIRE.

Remedy: MARK III DEALERS WILL MODIFY THE ASSEMBLIES TO ELIMINATE THE NEON LIGHTING FIXTURE IN THE VEHICLE AND REPLACE IT WITH INCANDESCENT LIGHTS OPERATING DIRECTLY FROM THE VEHICLE 12-VOLT BATTERY.

Reported: 1994-10-18 (October 18, 1994)

THE FRONT SUSPENSION TRACK BAR BRACKET ATTACHMENT HAS INADEQUATE FATIGUE STRENGTH AND CAN FAIL, CAUSING FRONT AXLE VIBRATION.

Consequence: THIS CAN RESULT IN LOSS OF STEERING CONTROL AND AN ACCIDENT.

Remedy: A FRONT SUSPENSION TRACK BAR BRACKET REINFORCEMENT STRUT WILL BE INSTALLED.

Reported: 1995-01-18 (January 18, 1995)

THE CINCH BAR COMPONENT WITHIN THE PASSENGER SIDE SAFETY BELT BUCKLE ASSEMBLY SHATTERS CAUSING THE BELT TO RELEASE.

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

Remedy: DEALERS WILL REPLACE THE CINCH BAR WITH A NEWLY DESIGNED PART.

Reported: 1995-03-21 (March 21, 1995)

THE SECONDARY HOOD LATCH ROD CAN BIND ON THE GUIDE BRACKET AND PREVENT ENGAGEMENT OF THE SECONDARY LATCH.

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

Remedy: DEALERS WILL REPLACE THE SECONDARY HOOD LATCH BRACKET.

Reported: 1995-05-12 (May 12, 1995)

WHILE MAKING A TURN, THE EXTRA KEYS ON A VEHICLE OPERATOR'S KEY RING CAN BECOME TEMPORARILY LODGED IN THE SCREW ACCESS HOLES IN THE BACK COVER OF THE STEERING WHEEL.

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

Remedy: DEALERS WILL REPLACE THE STEERING WHEEL BACK COVER WITH A REDESIGNED COVER.

Reported: 1996-11-18 (November 18, 1996)

IF THE PLASTIC PINS AND METAL CLIP THAT RETAIN THE LOWER STEERING SHAFT IN THE UPPER SHAFT BREAK, THE LOWER STEERING SHAFT CAN SEPARATE FROM THE UPPER SHAFT.

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

Remedy: DEALERS WILL ADD A RESTRAINING SLEEVE TO THE INTERMEDIATE STEERING SHAFT TO LIMIT THE AMOUNT OF AXIAL STEERING COLUMN SHAFT MOVING IN THE EVENT THE PLASTIC PINS AND METAL CLIP ARE BROKEN.

Reported: 1997-05-05 (May 5, 1997)

UNDER CERTAIN HIGH LOAD OPERATING CONDITIONS, THE TRANSMISSION FLUID TEMPERATURE CAN EXCEED THE MELTING POINT OF THE MATERIAL USED IN THE CONNECTOR TO RETAIN THE FLUID LINE TO THE TRANSMISSION.

Consequence: 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 OR FIRE.

Remedy: DEALERS WILL REPLACE THE HIGH TEMPERATURE SIDE OF THE TRANSMISSION FLUID COOLER LINE CONNECTOR FITTINGS WITH CONNECTORS THAT INCORPORATE A STAINLESS STEEL RETAINER.

Reported: 1997-11-13 (November 13, 1997)

VEHICLE DESCRIPTION: LIGHT DUTY PICKUP TRUCKS EQUIPPED WITH GASOLINE ENGINES. THE FUEL TANK MOUNTED ROLLOVER VALVE CAN ALLOW LIQUID FUEL TO LEAK ONTO THE GROUND UNDER CERTAIN VEHICLE OPERATING CONDITIONS.

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

Remedy: DEALERS WILL REPLACE THE FUEL TANK ROLLOVER VALVE WITH A FLOAT TYPE ROLLOVER VALVE.

Reported: 1999-05-06 (May 6, 1999)

VEHICLE DESCRIPTION: PICKUP TRUCKS EQUIPPED WITH MANUAL TRANSMISSION, V10 ENGINES AND FOUR-WHEEL-DRIVE TRANSFER CASES. UNDER SUSTAINED MAXIMUM RATED VEHICLE LOAD, WHILE DRIVING UP A STEEP GRADE IN FOUR-WHEEL-DRIVE LOW RANGE IN HOT AMBIENT CONDITIONS, THE LOCAL EXHAUST TEMPERATURE PROXIMATE TO THE HYDRAULIC CLUTCH LINE CAN GENERATE LINE TEMPERATURES THAT EXCEED THE TEMPERATURE LIMIT OF THE CLUTCH LINE MATERIAL. IF THIS CONDITION OCCURS AND THE CLUTCH IS DEPRESSED, THE LINE COULD RUPTURE.

Consequence: THE FLUID COULD IGNITE ON THE HOT EXHAUST POSSIBLY RESULTING IN A VEHICLE FIRE.

Remedy: DEALERS WILL REPLACE THE HYDRAULIC CLUTCH ASSEMBLY.

Reported: 1999-08-09 (August 9, 1999)

VEHICLE DESCRIPTION: LIGHT DUTY PICKUP TRUCKS. (2500 AND 3500 SERIES 4X4 REGULAR CAB PICKUP PRODUCED BEFORE MARCH 21, 1995; 2500 AND 3500 SERIES 4X4 CLUB CAB PICKUP PRODUCED BEFORE JUNE 8, 1995; AND 3500 SERIES 4X2/4X4 CHASSIS CAB TRUCKS PRODUCED BEFORE JUNE 21, 1995). THE FRONT SUSPENSION SPRING/SHOCK TOWERS CAN CRACK AND EVENTUALLY SEPARATE FROM THE VEHICLE FRAME. THE SHOCK TOWER COULD DAMAGE THE REAR WHEEL BRAKE LINES RESULTING IN LOSS OF REAR BRAKE SYSTEM PRESSURE.

Consequence: THIS WOULD CREATE THE POTENTIAL FOR INCREASED STOPPING DISTANCES.

Remedy: DEALERS WILL INSPECT THE SPRING/SHOCK TOWER AND ANY VEHICLES EXHIBITING CRACKING WILL HAVE THE TOWER REPLACED. VEHICLES THAT ARE DO NOT SHOW ANY CRACKING WILL HAVE A WELD-ON REINFORCEMENT ADDED.