1994 Dodge Ram 1500: problems, recalls and reliability
1 recall and 116 owner complaints on record; the weakest area is electrical system (16% of complaints).
Data updated weekly · latest recall Mar 2006
All counts are reports filed with NHTSA in the United States - US market only, not worldwide totals.
Common problems
Computed from 116 owner complaints filed with NHTSA for this exact model year.
“Went to crank the truck one day and all of a sidden the igniton switch started smoking . It burnt the whole entire wire from the top all the way to the PCM”Owner report · Electrical System · Jul 2021
“Lower intermediate steering shaft broke, causing complete loss of steering control. Fortunately, was just moving farm pickup out of barn and not on road at the time. Barely moving when control was lost trying to turn.”Owner report · Steering · Jul 2020
“Tl* the contact owns a 1994 dodge ram 1500. While using the truck to plow with the heater blower on high, the vehicle caught on fire. The contact was able to extinguish the fire. The vehicle was towed to the dealer to be diagnosed. The contact was informed that the inspector was not able to look at the vehicle for two weeks. The vehicle was not repaired. The vehicle was included in NHTSA campaign number: 00v135000 (electrical system). The manufacturer was notified of the failure. The failure mileage was unavailable.”Owner report · Electrical System · Feb 2017
Show 7 more owner reports
“Tl* the contact owns a 1994 dodge ram 1500. While driving approximately 40 mph, the hood of the vehicle unlatched independently and caused the front window to shatter. The vehicle was towed to the contact's residence. The vehicle was not diagnosed nor repaired. The manufacturer was not notified of the failure. The approximate failure mileage was 300,000.”Owner report · Latches/Locks/Linkages · Apr 2016
“Tl* the contact owns a 1994 dodge ram 1500. The contact stated that the vehicle leaked fuel from the cylinder wall fuel injector. The vehicle was not diagnosed or repaired. The manufacturer was not notified of the failure. The failure mileage was not available. Updated 02/18/15*lj updated 9/17/2017*cn”Owner report · Fuel/Propulsion System · Oct 2014
“We ( my family and I) were driving east on i40 getting on the interstate at papermill road. There was as shimmy, then a pop, bang clank and shudder and then we lost steering. It almost caused a wreck. I had to slam on the brakes,and had to trouble steering it to the to the emergency lane crossing over infront of other cars. I lost steering ability in the truck we had to drive it home at 25 miles per hour. When we would hit a small bump in the road it would shimmy and shake. It takes three rotations of the steering wheel to make even a gentle curve. *tr”Owner report · Steering · Jul 2014
“While parked, a michelin 245/75-16 lt m/s spontaneously failed. I have images of the failure from different angles, and have retained the tire. *tr”Owner report · Tires · Oct 2013
“Tl* the contact owns a 1994 dodge 1500. The contact stated that he noticed that the fuel mileage had significantly reduced. The vehicle was taken to an independent mechanic for diagnosis where the contact was advised that the fuel pumped would have to be replaced. The vehicle was repaired. The manufacturer was notified but offered no assistance. The failure and current mileage was 45,000.”Owner report · Fuel/Propulsion System · Oct 2012
“Lights would not come on jiggled knob they came on we drove about 4 miles turned on left turn signal lights flickered and top of dash and vent on driver side was smoking smelt like rubber burning touched top of dash it burned my hand pulled over shut engine and lights off boyfriend/husband took dash off to stop fire it was the light switch burned completely inside. *tr”Owner report · Exterior Lighting · Apr 2012
“Tl* the contact owns a 1994 dodge ram 1500. The contact was driving 65 mph when the fuel tank dropped to the ground. The rear straps fractured due to rust and corrosion. The vehicle was not taken to the dealer and the manufacturer was contacted. The failure mileage was 102,000. Updated 09/21/11 *bf the consumer was informed the problem was not covered under warranty. The consumer replaced both fuel tank straps. Updated 09/28/11”Owner report · Fuel System, Gasoline · Aug 2011
When filing, owners marked a crash in 11 of these complaints and injuries in 13 - self-reported to NHTSA, not verified accident statistics.
Recalls - 1 campaign
CERTAIN REPLACEMENT K&N FUEL PERFORMANCE KITS, P/NOS. 57-1509, 57-1511, 57-1511-1, 57-1517, 57-1517-1, 57-1527, AND 57-1530. ALSO, A SMALL PERCENTAGE OF THESE KITS WERE SOLD UNDER THE MOPAR PERFORMANCE PARTS BRAND NAME (P/NOS. P5007069 AND P5007070). ALL KITS WERE MANUFACTURED FROM APRIL 20, 1999, THROUGH SEPTEMBER 23, 2004. THESE ASSEMBLIES WERE MANUFACTURED AS REPLACEMENT EQUIPMENT FOR CERTAIN DODGE PICKUP TRUCKS AND SUVS. A SMALL PIECE OF MATERIAL FROM THE TUBE WALL COULD BE SUCKED INTO THE ENGINE THROTTLE BODY, WHICH COULD CAUSE THE THROTTLE TO BECOME JAMMED IN THE OPEN POSITION.
Remedy: K&N WILL PROVIDE OWNERS WITH A FREE REPAIR KIT ALONG WITH REPAIR INSTRUCTIONS. THE RECALL BEGAN ON APRIL 20, 2006.
How other years compare
Check your exact Ram 1500 by VIN
Recalls and equipment differ between individual vehicles. Decode your VIN to see what applies to yours.
Open VIN decoderFrequently asked questions
Is the 1994 Dodge Ram 1500 reliable?
NHTSA has 116 owner complaints and 1 recall campaign on record for the 1994 Dodge Ram 1500. The most complained-about area is electrical system (16% of complaints).
At what mileage do 1994 Dodge Ram 1500 problems usually appear?
Half of the complaints that mention mileage were filed at 108,250 miles or less.
Does the 1994 Dodge Ram 1500 have open recalls?
1 recall campaign has been issued, the latest concerning engine and engine cooling. Check your specific vehicle by VIN - recall repairs are free at franchised dealers.
Source: NHTSA recall campaigns and owner complaints (public domain). Counts reflect reports on file and are not a defect rate.