24 of the 148 complaints about the 1994 Dodge RAM 1500 are about the electrical system — 16% of everything reported for this model year. Half of the failures with a mileage on record happened before 142,367 miles.
24
Complaints
2
Crashes
5
Fires
1
Injuries
Filed with NHTSA, in their own words.
ELECTRICAL SYSTEM
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
NHTSA complaint #11442956 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
ELECTRICAL SYSTEM
I HAVE HAS ISSUES WITH ELECTRICAL ONY DODGE TRUCK, THE LIGHT SWITCH FOR HEADLIGHTS BURNING WIRES FROM NOWHERE WHEN DRIVING FROM LIGHT SWITCH.ARIL OF 2020 I WAS INVOLVED IN AN AUTO ACCIDENT WHICH WAS A RESULT OF MY AIR BAG STEERING WHEEL WENT OFF BY ITSELF, THE LIGHT FOR THE AIR BAG WAS ON FOR AIR BAG WAS INTERMITTENT, BUT LATELY IT WOULDN'T TURN OFF ANYMORE A MECHANIC CHECKED SAID EVERYTHING WAS FINE,AND WOULD ERASE THE LITE, BUT WOULD COME BACK ON, I CALLED DODGE AND WAS TOLD IT WOULD AT THE TIME A LOT OF MONEY TO ME TO HAVE ALL THE ELECTRICAL CHECKED AT MY EXPENSE AND THE LIGHT SWITCH WAS AN ISSUE FROM MFC.I WAS DRIVING AROUND 30 MILES MORE OR LESS AN HOUR WHEN THE BAG WENT OFF AND I WAS STRUCK IN THE FACE, AND COLLIDED WITH AN ON COMMING CAR ON A 2 LANE STREET.I WANT TO KNOW IF THERE IS A RECALL ON THE 94 DODGE RAM TRUCK. THANK YOU
NHTSA complaint #11365590 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
ELECTRICAL SYSTEM
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.
NHTSA complaint #10956446 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
ELECTRICAL SYSTEM
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.
NHTSA complaint #10455302 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
ELECTRICAL SYSTEM
TL*THE CONTACT OWNS A 1994 DODGE RAM 1500. THE CONTACT STATED THAT HE RECEIVED A NHTSA RECALL NOTICE REGARDING THE ELECTRICAL IGNITION WHICH WAS ALSO RELATED TO THE HOOD SAFETY LATCH. THE VEHICLE WAS IN THE DEALERS POSSESSION SINCE NOVEMBER 22, 2010. THE DEALER INFORMED THE CONTACT THAT THEY DO NOT HAVE THE PART TO REPAIR THE ELECTRICAL COMPONENT. THE CONTACT WAS CONCERNED THAT THE DEALER HAD NOT REPAIRED THE VEHICLE. THERE ARE NO FAILURES AT THIS TIME.
NHTSA complaint #10368678 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
ELECTRICAL SYSTEM:IGNITION:SWITCH
PRIOR TO RECALL NOTIFICATION (00V135000) CONSUMER STATES HE HAD THE HEAT ON AND THE WIRING STARTED TO SHORT OUT AND VEHICLE CAUGHT ON FIRE, VEHICLE WAS DEEMED AS TOTALED.
NHTSA complaint #561086 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
ELECTRICAL SYSTEM:IGNITION:SWITCH
WHILE ATTEMPTING TO HAVE RECALL WORK 00V-135 PERFORMED THE CONSUMER WAS INFORMED THAT THE DEALER WOULD ONLY PROVIDE SERVICE BACK HOME AND NOT TO RETRIEVE THE VEHICLE FROM THE DEALER. NLM
NHTSA complaint #559962 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
ELECTRICAL SYSTEM:IGNITION
CONSUMER NOTICED THAT THE ENGINE SOUNDED MUFFLED AND VEHICLE WAS HESITATING, CONSUMER THOUGHT NOTHING OF IT DUE TO A HEAVY SNOW THE NIGHT BEFORE, HOWEVER WHEN UP TO 45 MPH, VEHICLE WOULD SHAKE, CONSUMER CHECKED OIL AND FOUND NO SIGN OF ANY ON THE DIPSTICK, A MECHANIC FOUND THAT THE COIL WIRE WAS RUNNING ALONG SIDE AND AGAINST THE SPARK PLUGS, THE COIL AND SPARK PLUG WIRES CAME INTO CONTACT WITH EATH OTHER, WETNESS OR A LOAD ON THE ENGINE CAUSED THE WIRE TO SEND A CHARGE INTO THE ENGINE BLOWING OUT THE NUMBER 5 PISTON, CONSUMER HAD TO HAVE ENGINE REBUILT. *SLC
NHTSA complaint #878966 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
ELECTRICAL SYSTEM:IGNITION:SWITCH
IGNITION WAS SMOKING, SWITCH AND WIRING TO SWITCH WERE REPLACED PRIOR TO RECALL NOTICE 00V-135. NLM
NHTSA complaint #555874 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
ELECTRICAL SYSTEM:IGNITION:SWITCH
VEHICLE EXPERIENCED FAILURE OF THE RECALL COMPONENT (00V-135) IGNITION SWITCH PRIOR TO RECALL NOTIFICATION, CONSUMER REQUESTING REIMBURSEMENT. *MJS
NHTSA complaint #554061 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
ELECTRICAL SYSTEM:IGNITION:SWITCH
CONSUMER IS REQUESTING REIMBURSEMENT FOR THE RENTAL CAR THAT WAS NECESSARY TO OBTAIN TO RECEIVE RECALL REPAIRS (00V-135- IGNITION SWITCH) AND EMISSION RECALL. *MJS
NHTSA complaint #554172 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
ELECTRICAL SYSTEM:IGNITION:SWITCH
CONSUMER IS REQUESTING REIMBURSEMENT FOR THE RENTAL CAR THAT WAS NECESSARY TO OBTAIN TO RECEIVE RECALL REPAIRS (00V-135- IGNITION SWITCH) AND EMISSION RECALL. *MJS
NHTSA complaint #554172 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
ELECTRICAL SYSTEM:WIRING:FRONT UNDERHOOD
WHEN TURNING ON HEADLIGHTS LIGHTS DID NOT COME ON. PRIOR TO THE HEADLIGHTS NOT COMING ON, OWNER WAS SMELLING A ELECTRICAL BURNING SMELL , FOR ABOUT A MONTH. WHEN PULLING OFF THE DASH COVER AND REMOVING LIGHT SWITCH, SWITCH WAS VERY HOT. DEALER WAS CALLED ABOUT HAVING THE SWTICH REPLACED. OWNER WAS INFORMED THAT THE SWITCH HAD BEEN UPGRADED, AND REPLACEMENT PART WOULD COST $102. 46, PLUS $65.00 LABOR. SWITCH HAS NOT BEEN REPLACED.
NHTSA complaint #869116 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
ELECTRICAL SYSTEM:IGNITION:SWITCH
I HAVE HAD PROBLEMS WITH A LOOSE IGNITION SWITCH FOR SEVERAL YEARS. I HAVE NOT REPORTED IT UNTIL NOW BECAUSE I WAS UNAWARE THAT IT HAD BEEN A PROBLEM FOR OTHER OWNERS. I HAD SMOKE COME FROM THE STEERING COLUMN BUT THOUGHT THAT IT WAS JUST A FLUKE. THE FAN MOTOR FOR THE VENTILATION SYSTEM QUIT WORKING AT THE SAME TIME. UPON MOVING THE STEERING COLUMN UP AND DOWN WITH THE TILT FEATURE I WAS ABLE TO GET THE FAN GOING AGAIN AND THE SMOKE STOPPED. THIS HAS HAPPEN ON SEVERAL OCCASIONS WITHOUT SMOKE HOWEVER. THIS HAPPENS ON A RANDOM CYCLE WITH NO APPARENT PATTERN OF FREQUENCY. IT ONLY SEEMS TO HAPPEN WHEN TILTING THE WHEEL FROM TIME TO TIME . AFTER HAVING READ ABOUT OTHERS VEHICLES WITH THE SAME PROBLEM I HAVE DECIDED TO REPORT THIS TO A LOCAL DEALER. I HAVE AN APPOINTMENT 7/6/00 TO REPLACE THE VAPOR CANISTER WHICH HAS BEEN RECALLED. I WILL REQUEST A REPLACEMENT OF THE IGNITION SWITCH FOR FREE BASED ON THE REPORTS IN YOUR WEB SITE WITH PREVIOUS OWNERS COMPLAINTS. NEW ISSUE THE VEHICLE HAS STARTED FAILING TO IDLE WHILE COMING TO A STOP AND THE ENGINE COMES TO A STOP OR DIES. THIS HAS NEARLY CAUSED TWO ACCIDENTS BECAUSE THE POWERING STEERING AND POWER BRAKES FAIL DUE TO THE ENGINE DYING IN THE MIDDLE OF HEAVY TRAFFIC. I MANAGED TO AVOID ACCIDENTS THANK GOODNESS. THE TRUCK THEN REFUSES TO START DISPITE THE ENGINE TURNING OVER WHEN ATTEPTING TO RESTART. I HAVE BEEN LUCKY TO MOVE THE TRUCK OUT OF TRAFFIC BOTH TIMES WITHOUT INCIDENT SO FAR. THE TRUCK WAS TOWED 6/28/00/TO A LOCAL REPAIR SHOP WHO HAS DONE REGULAR MAINTINANCE ON IT FOR SOMETIME. THIS TOW WAS THE RESULT OF THE SECOND FAILING OF THE ENGINE. THE SHOP HAS YET TO DETERMINE THE CAUSE AS OF THIS WRITING. NEW ISSUE THE STEERING COLUMN ALSO HAS A CLUNKING NOISE WHEN TURNING THE STEERING WHEEL AND WILL HAVE THE DEALER LOOK AT IT THE SAME TIME THE RECALL WORK WILL BE DONE AND WILL LET YOU KNOW FROM THERE. THANK YOU FOR YOUR HELP IN THIS MATTER. I DID'NT KNOW YOU COULD HELP PRIOR TO THIS DAY.
NHTSA complaint #724749 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
ELECTRICAL SYSTEM:STARTER ASSEMBLY
STARTER MOTOR FAILED. NLM
NHTSA complaint #552081 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
ELECTRICAL SYSTEM:STARTER ASSEMBLY
STARTER MOTOR FAILED. NLM
NHTSA complaint #552081 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
ELECTRICAL SYSTEM:IGNITION:SWITCH
POSSIBLE ELECTRICAL FAILURE CAUSED A FIRE BURNING THE WIRE LOOM TO THE IGNITION SWITCH & THE FUEL PUMP BURNED UP.
NHTSA complaint #852588 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
ELECTRICAL SYSTEM:IGNITION:SWITCH
WHILE DRIVING AT 25 MPH CONSUMER SMELLED SMOKE COMING FROM VEHICLE. PULLED OVER AND SAW SMOKE COMING FROM THE IGNITION SWITCH. CONSUMER CUT OFF THE VEHICLE, AND VEHICLE WAS NOT SMOKING. CONSUMER WAS ABLE TO START THE VEHICLE BACK UP AND DROVE IT TO THE DEALER.
NHTSA complaint #845630 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
ELECTRICAL SYSTEM:IGNITION
IGNITION CYLINDER LOCK ASSEMBLY FAILED. MJS
NHTSA complaint #545101 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
ELECTRICAL SYSTEM:IGNITION
POSSIBLE FIRE HAZARD. THE TECHNICIAN TOLD ME THE DODGE IGNITION HAD LESS WIRES GOING TO IT THAN MANY OTHER VEHICLES HE HAD WORKED ON. TWO OF THE PRONG IN THIS MODULE WERE CHARRED AND TWO WIRES WERE SLIGHTLY DAMAGED.
NHTSA complaint #704168 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
ELECTRICAL SYSTEM:STARTER ASSEMBLY
CAR STALLS WHILE DRIVING, PERSISTANTLY REFUSES TO START AS WELL. CAUSE UNKNOWN.
NHTSA complaint #811036 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
ELECTRICAL SYSTEM:IGNITION:SWITCH
THE IGNITION SWITCH CAUGHT ON FIRE AND BURNT OUT THE WIRING HARNESS. PLEASE DESCRIBE DETAILS.
NHTSA complaint #807358 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
ELECTRICAL SYSTEM:IGNITION:MODULE
COMPUTER PROBLEMS.
NHTSA complaint #503607 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
ELECTRICAL SYSTEM:IGNITION
TRUCK IS DESIGNED TO TOW 7800LBS BUT WHEN TOWING SUCH WEIGHT, VEHICLE WILL LOOSE SPEED AND POWER. TT
NHTSA complaint #962649 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.