1995 Dodge RAM Problems

What owners report

Owners of this model year most often describe brake problems — a pedal that sinks or fades, pulling to one side, and loss of power assist — along with automatic transmission shifting and cooling-line troubles, mostly on higher-mileage trucks. Electrical complaints center on the ignition switch and wiring overheating, sometimes with smoke or fire from the steering column area, and several owners report recall repairs that could not be completed because parts were unavailable or their VIN was not covered.

1. 1
   Electrical system

   Ignition switch and dash wiring overheating

   • 71 complaints (12%)
   • median 216,325 mi at 7.9 yrs old (2 state mileage, few)
   • 23 mention a crash, fire or injury
   • filed 1995–2005

   Owners describe the ignition switch and wiring under the steering column getting hot, melting the column cover, smoking, and in some cases a fire in the cab or under the dash. Complaints note the condition appearing or worsening when the blower motor runs on high for long periods. Some report the switch or headlight switch wiring burned and left the truck without lights. Reported on trucks with no mileage listed through very high mileage; several describe the problem recurring after wiring or switch repairs.

   Recall 00V135000

   What to check: Check the steering column cover and ignition switch area for discoloration, melted plastic, or a burnt smell, and confirm whether the ignition switch wiring recall was performed.

   2 excerpts from owner complaints in NHTSA records

   “Vehicle experiencing problem with lower cover of the streeing column overheating from the inside of vehicle. Believed this condition is a result of ignition wiring runing through the cover. Cover was removed and connector was cleaned off and cover replaced. But condition still occurs whenever the fan to the A/C is used. Dealer/manufacturer were not notified at this time.”

   NHTSA complaint #838858, filed 1999-06

   “Pe 99 031, ignition switch; vehicle experiencing problem with ignition switch causing smoke from steering column; also when condition gets too hot it melts the bottom of steering column cover, and unable to remove from ignition switch. Seeking help from NHTSA in this matter .”

   NHTSA complaint #851382, filed 1999-10
2. 2
   Brakes

   Brake pedal fades or sinks; loss of power assist

   • 101 complaints (17%)
   • median 52,688 mi at 7.7 yrs old (1 states mileage, few)
   • 19 mention a crash, fire or injury
   • filed 1995–2003

   Complaints describe a brake pedal that goes to the floor or fades and then returns, sometimes with the truck pulling hard to one side under braking or calipers dragging and damaging rotors. Several owners link the loss of assist to a collapsed vacuum hose between the engine-driven vacuum pump and the brake booster on diesel trucks. Owners report dealers sometimes said the braking system was working normally, and that repairs at independent shops did not fully resolve the problem. Reported across a wide mileage range, from trucks with no mileage listed up to well over 100,000 miles, and often described as intermittent before becoming consistent.

   Recall 97V068000

   What to check: On a diesel truck, inspect the vacuum hose from the pump to the brake booster for swelling or collapse, and test the pedal for a firm, consistent feel. Ask whether the vacuum hose recall work was completed.

   2 excerpts from owner complaints in NHTSA records

   “When the brakes are applied to slow down the vehicle pulls to the left. Consumer states that sometimes vehicle will pull slightly and sometimes it will pull so bad that the vehicle will turn a corner on its own, this has been an ongoing problem since two months after purchase. Transmission has leaked three times. Radio broke. Power windows failed. Fuel pump failed. Knocking noise in engine. Weather stripping falling off.”

   NHTSA complaint #806093, filed 1996-12

   “Consumer says while driving under any driving conditions the brakes fade out and come back in when applied,the pedal goes to the floor, giving no response and then it will pump back up on its own to respond. The dealer has not been contacted.”

   NHTSA complaint #832295, filed 1998-12
3. 3
   Transmission and drivetrain

   Automatic transmission hard or delayed shifting

   • 64 complaints (10%)
   • median 86,000 mi at 9.2 yrs old (3 state mileage, few)
   • 7 mention a crash, fire or injury
   • filed 1995–2005

   Complaints describe intermittent rough or unusual shifting that worsened until the truck would not come out of low gear, and transmissions replaced more than once without the problem going away. Some owners report the truck creeping forward when placed in reverse on an incline or failing to move at all in reverse on level ground. Others describe transmission fluid lines leaking at the heat exchanger and dripping onto the exhaust. Mostly reported between roughly 85,000 and 300,000 miles, with some complaints filed soon after purchase.

   Recall 97V084000

   What to check: Drive the truck from cold through all gears, check for delayed or harsh engagement, and look under the truck for fluid weeping at the transmission cooler lines and fittings.

   2 excerpts from owner complaints in NHTSA records

   “Nhtsa campaign id number 97v084000 - our Dodge diesel pick up had the exact problems described in th afore mentiond campaign number. Beacuse it as a diesel, doge never issued a recall or took any action to correct the problem . As a result we had to have all of the transmission cooling lines and fittings replaced at a cost of $640.00.”

   NHTSA complaint #710556, filed 1999-08

   “The vehicle experienced the same defect with the transmission cooling lines as stated in recall 97 v 084 000. The vehicles VIN was not included in the recall.”

   NHTSA complaint #10015515, filed 2003-04, 86,000 miles
4. 4
   Vehicle speed control

   Throttle and cruise control cable fraying

   • 37 complaints (6%)
   • median 182,500 mi at 8.0 yrs old (2 state mileage, few)
   • 2 mention a crash, fire or injury
   • filed 1995–2022

   Owners report the throttle cable fraying, sticking, or failing, and in some cases cruise control failing to disengage at highway speed because its cable was also frayed. Complaints describe recall repairs that could not be done because parts were on back order or discontinued, and at least one owner reported the cable failing again shortly after the recall repair. Reported from low mileage up to about 300,000 miles, including preventive replacement noticed during routine maintenance.

   Recall 01V037000

   What to check: Inspect the throttle and cruise control cables for frayed strands or binding, and check with a dealer whether the throttle cable campaign is open or already completed for that VIN.

   2 excerpts from owner complaints in NHTSA records

   “Although throttle cable was frayed (4 strands of the cable) it did not fail at the time I replaced it. I just noticed it while performing some preventive maintenance and was afraid that it could stick in the wide open throttle position if not repaired. **dimsii ivoq entry posted after 12/12/02 cut-over to artemis*734289”

   NHTSA complaint #10006996, filed 2000-10, 65,000 miles

   “The dealership was unable to perform the ignition switch wiring recall #00v135000, and the throttle cable recall# 01v037000 because the parts were not available. It has been 60 days. Recall campaign; the consumer stated that it has now been 3 months and the parts are still not available. The consumer has since found a part on his own.”

   NHTSA complaint #10107299, filed 2005-03, 300,000 miles

Buying note. These trucks are old enough that condition and repair history matter more than the model's reputation, so ask for records of the brake vacuum hose, ignition switch wiring, hood latch, and throttle cable recall work and verify the parts were actually installed. A thorough test drive covering cold starts, hard braking, and all gears, plus a look for melted wiring and fluid leaks, will tell you more than the odometer alone.

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.