1994 Dodge Ram 2500: problems, recalls and reliability
1 recall and 168 owner complaints on record; the weakest area is service brakes, hydraulic (19% of complaints); the 1992 and 1993 model years look more trouble-free.
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 168 owner complaints filed with NHTSA for this exact model year.
“I was driving home at night with $105 worth of groceries and all of a sudden my headlights just quit working and it was pretty dark couldn't see anything so I had to pull over and stop and wait for someone to come pick me and all my groceries up because I couldn't drive home without headlights”Owner report · Electrical System · Dec 2020
“I was driving down an old country road around 8:30 pm on my way home from a doctor's appointment. My wife was in front of me and I was luckily following her home instead of vice versa. My headlights would go on and off with no consistent time on or off. It was very radical and unpredictable. I was able to use my emergency lights and able to see enough with them to stop the vehicle safely. You know how country roads are ....narrow and large ditches on either side. Thank you god!”Owner report · Exterior Lighting · Sep 2018
“Tl* the contact owns a 1994 dodge ram 2500. While driving 60 mph, the vehicle made an abnormal noise without warning and the steering wheel seized. The vehicle was towed to the contact's residence. The vehicle was not diagnosed or repaired. The manufacturer was notified of the failure. The failure mileage was 150,000.”Owner report · Steering · Feb 2015
Show 7 more owner reports
“I exited a department store;got into my vehicle,put my key in the ignition ,and when I turned the key to the on position my drivers side air bag deployed.I received numerous abrasions to my chin and neck,broken nose,black eye,and a head concussion. *tr”Owner report · Air Bags · Jan 2015
“Top of dashboard is cracked and coming to pieces. The rattling is distracting and loose flying sharp pieces would be a danger in any minor accident or even a bad bump. The dealer cost of $647 to replace it is ridiculous, especially since it's a factory defect. *tr”Owner report · Structure · May 2012
“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 report · Power Train · Jan 2011
“After driving approximately 30 min, the headlamps intermittently lose power, sometimes staying off until the switch is manipulated to re-establish the electrical connection. Slight burning odor accompanies incident. *tr”Owner report · Exterior Lighting · Dec 2010
“Cable that holds full size spare tire rusted through and broke in which my spare tire went flying through traffic. Luckily no one was killed. Vehicle is a 1994 dodge ram 2500 pick-up truck. I feel cables should not be used to secure spare tires under a vehicle. Very dangerous especially if you live in an area that salts the roads every winter. *tr”Owner report · Tires · Nov 2010
“While driving pickup truck on interstate I experienced a sudden "bouncing" from the rear end that felt like a flat tire. I stopped and all tires were visually examined no flats. I started to drive down the interstate and the "bouncing" started immediately. I stopped and checked all the lug nuts, all were tight. Being within 5 miles of home I decided to drive slowly home with 4-way flasher on. Within a few yards while traveling at about 35mph the left rear tire experienced tread separation bending the truck's sheet metal around the left rear quarter panel area. The tire was still full of air when I put on the spare. *tr”Owner report · Tires · Apr 2007
“The hood on my 1994 dodge ram pickup came open as I was driving down a highway, now I have a hood that will not shut and a truck that is not drivable. I have owned this truck for 2 1/2 years and have never heard of the recall that was done on the hood latch. *jb”Owner report · Latches/Locks/Linkages · Jan 2007
When filing, owners marked a crash in 14 of these complaints and injuries in 9 - 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 2500 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 2500 reliable?
NHTSA has 168 owner complaints and 1 recall campaign on record for the 1994 Dodge Ram 2500. The most complained-about area is service brakes, hydraulic (19% of complaints).
At what mileage do 1994 Dodge Ram 2500 problems usually appear?
Half of the complaints that mention mileage were filed at 117,945 miles or less.
Does the 1994 Dodge Ram 2500 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.