1994 Dodge RAM 3500 Electrical system Problems
- Complaints
- 14about this part
- Share
- 20%of 70 total for the year
- Median mileage
- 148,639miles
- Trend
- Not enough dataFewer than 15 complaints, too few for a reliable trend.
NHTSA recorded 14 complaints about the electrical system of the 1994 Dodge RAM 3500, 20% of the 70 complaints for this model year. Where a mileage was given, the median is 148,639 miles. 7 a fire, according to the filers.
Fewer than 15 complaints name this part, so treat the figures as a rough indication only.
Example complaints
Selected from NHTSA records; personal details are removed. They are consumer reports, not findings.
“The contact owns a 1994 Dodge RAM 3500. The contact stated that the vehicle failed to start. The vehicle was towed to the dealer where it was diagnosed that the blower motor and wiring harness melted and needed to be replaced. The vehicle was not repaired. The vehicle was included in NHTSA campaign number: 00v135000 (electrical system). The manufacturer was made aware of the failure. The approximate failure mileage was 148,639. Updated 6/18/15 updated 10/05/2017”
NHTSA complaint #10705827, filed 2015-04, 148,639 miles“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.”
NHTSA complaint #10190957, filed 2007-05, 200,014 miles“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. Updated 11/29/05.”
NHTSA complaint #10139319, filed 2005-10“Nhtsa recall campaign 99v024000 headlamp switch; the headlight switch failed shorting out which caused the headlights to go out while in use. The switch failed again but this time the wiring harness under the dash caught fire while being driven. There was a recall issued on the RAM 3500 for this problem but the same failure has occured on this ram 2500 pickup. Please describe details ts”
NHTSA complaint #8022960, filed 2002-11“It was rainy day and vehicle had been driven about 2 hrs before incident. Vehicle was parked and consumer noticed smoke inside car. Fire was coming up through the dashboard between the headlight switch and VIN. Contacted dealer and manufacturer. They investigated, and claimed they were not responsible if over 12 months.”
NHTSA complaint #856417, filed 2000-02Related service bulletins
- 10139009Feb 13, 201368069384A$, R8069384A$, 68086182A$, R8027067A$, RL002012A$ - Gasket, Cylinder Head Cover Before replacing injectors for Diagnostic Trouble Codes P0201, P0202, P0203, P0204…
Electrical system: other model years
| Year | Complaints | Share of year |
|---|---|---|
| 2012 | 45 | 12% |
| 2011 | 17 | 8% |
| 2010 | 17 | 11% |
| 2009 | 6 | 6% |
| 2008 | 18 | 10% |
| 2007 | 24 | 11% |
| 2006 | 53 | 21% |
| 2005 | 15 | 8% |
| 2004 | 15 | 7% |
| 2003 | 9 | 3% |
| 2002 | 2 | 5% |
| 2001 | 6 | 5% |
| 2000 | 7 | 12% |
| 1999 | 5 | 5% |
| 1998 | 14 | 13% |
| 1997 | 6 | 5% |
| 1996 | 10 | 8% |
| 1995 | 8 | 7% |
| 1994 | 14 | 20% |
| 1993 | 3 | 15% |
| 1992 | 1 | 10% |
Other parts of the 1994 Dodge RAM 3500
18 complaintsSuspension
11 complaintsTransmission and drivetrain
10 complaintsFuel system
7 complaintsSteering
7 complaintsExterior lighting
5 complaintsBody and structure
4 complaintsEngine cooling
3 complaintsSeat belts
3 complaintsVehicle speed control
3 complaintsVisibility (wipers, defrost, mirrors)
3 complaintsAir bags
2 complaints
← All problems reported for the 1994 Dodge RAM 3500
About this data. Data from NHTSA (ODI) complaints, recalls, TSBs and investigations, updated Oct 29, 2026. Complaints are unverified consumer reports and may be duplicated or inaccurate.
To check a specific vehicle for open recalls, use its VIN at nhtsa.gov/recalls. Methodology