1994 Dodge RAM Problems

What owners report

Complaints on this 1994 Dodge Ram cluster around four areas: repeat hood-latch failures, transmission cooler lines that leak or come apart, ignition/headlight wiring that overheats and burns, and brake complaints including rear ABS and rusted lines. Many filings reference open recalls that owners say were never completed or that their truck was excluded from by VIN, and most sampled reports arrive after 100,000 miles, though some transmission and brake complaints come in much earlier.

1. 1
   Electrical system

   Ignition switch and headlight wiring overheating

   • 46 complaints (10%)
   • typically at 4.8 yrs old
   • 19 mention a crash, fire or injury
   • filed 1995–2003

   Owners report smoke or fire at the steering column, melted plastic around the column, and headlights that flicker or go out while driving. Complaints tie the ignition switch and headlight switch wiring to overheating, with repeat switch replacements in some trucks. Several owners say the dealer told them their VIN was not included in the ignition switch campaign. Spread broadly with no clear mileage pattern in the sample; reports span the late 1990s and early 2000s.

   Recall 00V135000

   What to check: Ask whether the ignition switch campaign was applied, and have an independent shop inspect the ignition and headlight switch connectors and the column wiring for heat damage or melted insulation.

   2 excerpts from owner complaints in NHTSA records

   “While driving smoke was coming from steering column shroud, vehicle was on fire. Upon pulling over, pulled battery cables from the battery. Took shroud off. Problem has not reoccurred. Dealer not aware of the problem. Problem may still exist. Provide further information.”

   NHTSA complaint #834683, filed 1999-02

   “Pe99031; while driving vehicle stalled unexpectedly which could have caused a crash. Also, steering column plastic melted, and wire burnt. Vehicle lost power steering/ power light,etc., and smoke came from the column. Please provide further information.”

   NHTSA complaint #841228, filed 1999-06
2. 2
   Brakes

   Brake complaints: rear ABS and poor stopping

   • 67 complaints (14%)
   • median 87,608 mi at 9.0 yrs old (1 states mileage, few)
   • 14 mention a crash, fire or injury
   • filed 1995–2003

   Owners describe the ABS light coming on with the brakes failing or the front brakes locking and the rear brakes not holding. Others report the pedal going soft or stopping distance lengthening, sometimes traced to a rusted brake line or a failed master cylinder. Some say the dealer characterized the behavior as normal or made no repair. Reported at low speeds as well as highway speeds, with no consistent mileage in the sample.

   What to check: Inspect brake lines for corrosion, check that the rear ABS works, and be wary of a soft pedal or long stopping distance on a test drive.

   2 excerpts from owner complaints in NHTSA records

   “Consumer stated that while driving and without warning the brake line had rusted causing fluid to leak out and extend stopping distance. Ts dealership installed new brake line. Dealership stated started needed to be replaced, however consumer declined.”

   NHTSA complaint #8022330, filed 2002-11, 87,608 miles

   “Having brake problems every time applying them. While driving in low speed 15 MPH or lower , especially during bumper to bumper traffic or praking the brakes failed to stop vehicle, but no corrections have been made. Dealer notified.”

   NHTSA complaint #822798, filed 1998-05
3. 3
   Transmission and drivetrain

   Transmission cooler line leaks and separates

   • 27 complaints (6%)
   • median 122,627 mi at 10.1 yrs old (2 state mileage, few)
   • 2 mention a crash, fire or injury
   • filed 1995–2004

   Complaints describe transmission fluid leaking underneath the truck, in some cases after a cooler-line connector or quick-connect fitting cracked or let go. Owners report the fluid loss leading to loss of drive or the transmission locking up, and some mention fluid reaching hot exhaust parts. Several say the dealer declined free repair because their VIN was not covered by the related campaign. Mostly reported between roughly 120,000 and 140,000 miles, though one owner reported transmission failure at about 30,000 miles.

   Recall 97V084000Recall 99V115000

   What to check: Check the cooler lines and their retaining clips for weeping, cracks or missing retainers, and ask whether the truck was ever covered by the transmission cooler line campaign.

   2 excerpts from owner complaints in NHTSA records

   “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.”

   NHTSA complaint #10049958, filed 2003-12, 120,000 miles

   “Consumer's vehicle experienced the same problems as mentioned in recall 97v084000 concerning transmission cooling lines. Dealership would not repair vehicle free of charge because the VIN was not included. The truck's transmission locked up while driving which caused the it to stall. The vehicle was taken to the dealer who determined that the cooling line connection came apart from the transmission which cause all the transmission fluid to leak from the vehicle.”

   NHTSA complaint #10099874, filed 2004-12, 125,254 miles
4. 4
   Fuel system

   Fuel and diesel return line leaks

   • 29 complaints (6%)
   • typically at 4.0 yrs old
   • 1 mention a crash, fire or injury
   • filed 1995–2002

   Complaints describe fuel leaking from the return line, the line to the pressure regulator, or around the tank area, with some owners reporting repeated failures of the same short hose section. A few mention fuel spilling out during refueling. Owners describe the leaks as a fire concern and say dealers often could not resolve them. Reported from the mid-1990s into the early 2000s, with no consistent mileage in the sample.

   Recall 97V199000Recall 94V113000

   What to check: Look for wet or weeping fuel lines and hose splices along the frame and at the tank, check for a fuel smell after filling, and confirm the fuel system campaign status by VIN.

   2 excerpts from owner complaints in NHTSA records

   “When the vehicle is moving, the fuel line that is connected to diesel fuel will leak diesel fuel under the floor. It spills onto other parts of vehicle. The metal overflow fuel line from the injector pump to the main fuel tank is joined mid way bya a 5/16 inch rubber hose, this hose has failed 4 times and consumer feels it is a fire hazard.”

   NHTSA complaint #897545, filed 2001-10

   “Fuel pump failed to pump gas to the engine, the engine shut off without any indication. Dealer contacted and was aware of the problem. Dropped the gas tank to get the fuel pump out, repair work done.”

   NHTSA complaint #828053, filed 1998-09
5. 5
   Visibility (wipers, defrost, mirrors)

   Hood latch releases and hood flies up

   • 16 complaints (3%)
   • median 133,000 mi at 10.5 yrs old (1 states mileage, few)
   • 1 mention a crash, fire or injury
   • filed 1996–2004

   Owners describe the hood coming open while driving, sometimes folding back against the windshield. Several say the factory latch or the secondary latch failed, and some had already been through a hood-latch recall before the problem returned. Complaints also record dealers lacking latch parts or delaying the repair. Reported across a wide mileage range, including trucks past 130,000 miles.

   Recall 01V040000Recall 95V056000

   What to check: Ask whether both hood-latch campaigns were completed and inspect the latch and secondary catch for corrosion and free movement, especially on a truck from a salt-belt state.

   2 excerpts from owner complaints in NHTSA records

   “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.”

   NHTSA complaint #10064696, filed 2004-03, 133,000 miles

   “Had recallwork done last year., recall #9v056.and on 02-jan-97; same problem occurred as was driving down the highway. Took to dealer and they say it will be 2-3 weeks before they decide who is responsible for repairs.”

   NHTSA complaint #807391, filed 1997-01

Buying note. On this model year the most practical checks are hood latch condition, transmission cooler line fittings, and heat damage in the ignition and headlight wiring. Ask for documentation that the truck's open campaigns were completed, and have a shop inspect the brake lines and fuel lines before purchase.

Summary written with AI from a sample of 60 NHTSA complaints for this model year (picked at random, with complaints that state a mileage and recent ones taken first), then checked automatically against the source records. Where a problem shows a complaint count, every complaint for this model year was matched with fixed keyword rules (written with AI and tested against the sample), and the mileage, age and repair figures are calculated from those complaints; owners' figures are as stated, not verified. Other counts refer to the sample. The excerpts come from NHTSA's public complaint records and are unverified; capitalisation is normalised, NHTSA staff notes are removed, and shortened text ends with “…”. Something wrong? Request a correction.