Owners have filed 17 complaints
about the 1995 Dodge RAM VAN with NHTSA between 1997 and 2006.
The largest single group is the transmission & drivetrain.
Across this model's run it ranks 9 of 9 worst.
The letter says how bad. This says what kind — whether this year drew
an unusual number of complaints, unusually dangerous
ones, or failures that arrived unusually early.
The dashed ring is 50 — the national norm. Further out is worse.
Complaint volume — 27
Against the median year of the Dodge RAM VAN. 50 means typical for this
model; 100 means roughly double.
Severity — 30
5.9% of these complaints
involved a crash, fire, injury or death, against a national rate of
9.7%.
Early failure — not reported
Too few complaints recorded a mileage to measure this.
Complaints filed with NHTSA, by model year. Bar colour is the FaultScore grade:
A
B
C
D
F
ungraded
What breaks on a 1995 Dodge RAM VAN
Every complaint is filed against a part. Follow any row for the complaints about that part alone.
Transmission & Drivetrain
423.5%
Seats
211.8%
Tires
211.8%
Suspension
211.8%
Other & Unspecified
15.9%
Seat Belts
15.9%
Windows, Mirrors & Wipers
15.9%
Body & Structure
15.9%
Median failure at 144,000 miles
Brakes
15.9%
Airbags
15.9%
Electrical System
15.9%
0 crashes, 1 fires
When owners complained
A spike years after the car went on sale usually means a part wearing
out on schedule across the whole fleet — the kind of pattern no single
owner can see from inside their own car.
Sep 1997peak 2Nov 2006
NHTSA investigations into the 1995 Dodge RAM VAN
An investigation is the step before a recall: the agency has seen enough
complaints to look into a pattern itself. An open one means it thinks
something may be wrong and nothing has been fixed yet.
DP03002Opened 7 May 2003Closed 22 Jul 2003STEERING:COLUMN
STEERING COLUMN SEPARATION
MR. LARRY A. SACKEY SUBMITTED A PETITION TO THE NATIONAL HIGHWAY TRAFFIC SAFETY ADMINISTRATION (NHTSA) BY LETTER DATED APRIL 18, 2003, REQUESTING THAT NHTSAFURTHER INVESTIGATE THE DEFECTIVE COLLAPSIBLE STEERING SHAFT SYSTEM ON 1987-1995 VEHICLES MANUFACTURED BY THE DAIMLERCHRYSLER CORPORATION.IN PART BECAUSE OF 49 CFR ? 30120(G), NHTSA HAS DECIDED TO LIMIT THE SCOPE OF THE PETITION VEHICLES TO 1993-1995 MODELS, EXCLUDING THE 1993 JEEP GRAND CHEROKEE AND 1994-1995 DODGE RAM SERIES TRUCKS THAT WERE RECALLED (93V210 & 96V230) FOR STEERING COLUMN FAILURE.IF THE ANALYSIS OF THESE VEHICLES HAD IDENT...
PE02082Opened 6 Nov 2002Closed 23 Apr 2003SEAT BELTS
SAFETY BELT CINCHING LATCH PLATE
THERE ARE NO INJURIES OR FATALITIES ASSOCIATED WITH THIS ALLEGED DEFECT.WHILE CONDUCTING THIS INVESTIGATION, ODI FOUND THAT THE SUBJECT CINCHES MEET THE LOAD BEARING REQUIREMENTS OF FEDERAL MOTOR VEHICLE SAFETY STANDARD 208, AND THAT MANY OF THE REPORTED FAILURES WERE DUE TO INCORRECT CHILD SAFETY SEAT INSTALLATIONS. ADDITIONALLY, THE REPORT RATE IS LOW (1.60/100K).THE INFORMATION AVAILABLE FAILS TO ESTABLISH THE EXISTENCE OF A DEFECT TREND AT THIS TIME.FURTHER ALLOCATION OF AGENCY RESOURCES TO THIS ISSUE IS UNWARRANTED AND THE PRELIMINARY EVALUATION IS BEING CLOSED.
Recalls on the 1995 Dodge RAM VAN
A complaint is one owner's allegation. A recall is the point at which
the manufacturer or a regulator agreed the defect is real and dangerous
enough to fix for free — however old the car is.
Canada — Transport Canada
Canada runs its own recall programme, and its campaigns do not
always mirror the American ones.
Recall 199902612,845 units in Canada
Seats And Restraints
On certain vehicles, the air bag electronic control module (AECM) will corrode if water/road salt is introduced onto the interior floor in the proximity of the AECM. The resulting corrosion of the AECM could cause the driver's side air bag to deploy inadvertently. Correction: Dealers will replace the existing AECM with one that is sealed from moisture intrusion.
Recall 199709650,846 units in Canada
Powertrain
On certain vehicles, the transmission fluid temperature could exceed the melting point of the connector which retains the fluid line to the transmission. Should this occur, the fluid line may become disconnected from the transmission and fluid may spray onto the exhaust manifold, possibly resulting in a fire. Correction: The connector fittings on the high temperature side of the transmission fluid cooler line will be replaced with connectors incorporating a stainless steel retainer.
Reports where the owner recorded a crash, a fire, an injury or a death.
Detroit, MIFire
ELECTRICAL SYSTEM:WIRING:FRONT UNDERHOOD
DRIVER NOTICED SMOKE COMING FROM DASH , DROVE LESS THAN 1/2 BLOCK AND THEN NOTICED SMOKE COMING FROM UNDERNEATH HOOD, WITHIN 1 MINUTE FLOORBOARD WAS ON FIRE. TOTAL LOSS OF VEHICLE.
NHTSA complaint #853574 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
The most recent complaints
In the owners' own words, exactly as filed with NHTSA.
at 144,000 milesAurora, IL
STRUCTURE:FRAME AND MEMBERS
FRAME FAILURE. RUSTED HOLES IN FRAME. FRONT SUSPENSION NOT SECURE. UNSAFE TO DRIVE. HOLE SIZE OF FIST. HOLES COVERED BY RUBBER TYPE FLAP THAT PREVENTS SPLASHING.
NHTSA complaint #10174038 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
Troy, MI
UNKNOWN OR OTHER
FOIA REQUEST (SUBPOENA WITHDRAWAL) TO PRODUCE DOCUMENTS, REPORTS, NOTES, MEMOS, PETITIONS, INVESTIGATIVE MATERIALS IN YOUR POSSESSION/CONTROL ASSOCIATED WITH [XXX] AND HIS 1995 DODGE RAM VAN VIN [XXX]. *MR *NM INFORMATION REDACTED PURSUANT TO THE FREEDOM OF INFORMATION ACT (FOIA), 5 U.S.C. 552(B)(6).
NHTSA complaint #10082166 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
Alcova, WY
SUSPENSION:FRONT:CONTROL ARM:UPPER BALL JOINT
CONSUMER STATES WHILE DRIVING, UPPER BALL JOINT CRACKED AND CAUSED THE FRONT WHEEL TO FALL OFF. NLM.
NHTSA complaint #8007877 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
Venice, FL
VISIBILITY:DEFROSTER/DEFOGGER/HVAC SYSTEM:WINDSHIELD:ELECTRICAL HEATING ELEMENT
FAN MOTOR SWITCH STOPPED WORKING SEVERAL MONTHS AGO. THE SWITCH MELTED. INDEPENDENT MECHANIC PULLED UP A UNIVERSAL RECALL ON MAKE/ MODEL. PROBLEM WAS CAUSED BY INADEQUATE HEATING TO SWITCH. CONSUMER'S VEHICLE WAS NOT PART OF RECALL DUE TO VIN. *AK RECALL NUMBER 00V135. *SLC
NHTSA complaint #893290 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
Marshall, AR
SEATS
CONSUMER WAS TOLD BY CUSTOMER SERVICE REPRESENTATIVE THAT NOTHING COULD BE DONE TO SATISFY THE RECALL UNLESS THE FACTORY INSTALLED SEAT WAS INSTALLED IN THE VAN.
NHTSA complaint #552970 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
Marshall, AR
SEATS
CONSUMER WAS TOLD BY CUSTOMER SERVICE REPRESENTATIVE THAT NOTHING COULD BE DONE TO SATISFY THE RECALL UNLESS THE FACTORY INSTALLED SEAT WAS INSTALLED IN THE VAN.
NHTSA complaint #552970 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
Nashville, TN
POWER TRAIN:AUTOMATIC TRANSMISSION
TRANSMISSION FAILURE EXPERIENCED AS SOON AS THE EXTENDED WARRANTY EXPIRED. I TOLD THE FACILITY WHERE I TOOK THE VAN THAT THE TORQUE CONVERTER NEEDED REPLACING, THEY DID EVERYTHING TO THE TRANSMISSION BUT THAT. I HAD TO TAKE IT BACK AND HAVE THAT DONE TO CORRECT THE PROBLEM. MY BILL WAS $1,593.44. I HAPPENED TO SEARCH THE INTERNET AND SAW THE DIFFICULTIES EXPERIENCED WITH THESE TRANSMISSIONS, SO WOULD LIKE TO HAVE MY MONEY BACK.
NHTSA complaint #724048 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
Nashville, TN
POWER TRAIN:AUTOMATIC TRANSMISSION:TORQUE CONVERTER
TRANSMISSION FAILURE EXPERIENCED AS SOON AS THE EXTENDED WARRANTY EXPIRED. I TOLD THE FACILITY WHERE I TOOK THE VAN THAT THE TORQUE CONVERTER NEEDED REPLACING, THEY DID EVERYTHING TO THE TRANSMISSION BUT THAT. I HAD TO TAKE IT BACK AND HAVE THAT DONE TO CORRECT THE PROBLEM. MY BILL WAS $1,593.44. I HAPPENED TO SEARCH THE INTERNET AND SAW THE DIFFICULTIES EXPERIENCED WITH THESE TRANSMISSIONS, SO WOULD LIKE TO HAVE MY MONEY BACK.
NHTSA complaint #724048 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
Yorba Lynda, CA
AIR BAGS:FRONTAL
RECALL 99V023000, AIRBAGS HAVE AN INTERNAL CORROSION OF THE ELECTRONIC CONTROL MODULE (AECM). UNABLE TO GET ORIGINAL DEALER TO CORRECT DEFECT (AECM) UNIT.
NHTSA complaint #862127 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
Portland, OR
TIRES:TEMPORARY/EMERGENCY SPARE TIRE
THE SPARE WHEEL ON THIS VEHICLE IS A REGULAR STEEL WHEEL WITH NO OPENING FOR VENTILATION CAUSING THE BRAKES TO OVERHEAT AND BECOME SO HOT WHILE DRIVING DOWN GRADE THAT THERE WAS NO BRAKE FUNCTION ON THAT WHEEL AT ALL. NLM
NHTSA complaint #550041 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
Newport Beach, CA
SUSPENSION:FRONT
NO SUMMARY LISTED FOR AVOVE VEHICLE.
NHTSA complaint #717093 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
Detroit, MIFire
ELECTRICAL SYSTEM:WIRING:FRONT UNDERHOOD
DRIVER NOTICED SMOKE COMING FROM DASH , DROVE LESS THAN 1/2 BLOCK AND THEN NOTICED SMOKE COMING FROM UNDERNEATH HOOD, WITHIN 1 MINUTE FLOORBOARD WAS ON FIRE. TOTAL LOSS OF VEHICLE.
NHTSA complaint #853574 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
Bellevue, NE
POWER TRAIN:AXLE ASSEMBLY:AXLE SHAFT:SEAL
AXLE SEAL HAS FAILED 3 TIMES FILLING DRUM BRAKE WITH GREASE. THIS RESULTS IN REDUCED BRAKING POWER, AND STICKING IN COLD WEATHER.
NHTSA complaint #713545 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
Lakeland, FL
POWER TRAIN:AUTOMATIC TRANSMISSION:COOLING UNIT AND LINES
TRANSMISSION LEAKING AND WOULD NOT MOVE DUE TO FAILURE OF THE COOLER LINE QUICK CONNECT FITTINGS (RECALL COMPONENT), RECALL PERFORMED HOWEVER FAILED DUE TO WRONG PART INSTALLATION AND NEEDED FULL REPLACEMENT OF TRANSMISSION DUE TO DAMAGE.
NHTSA complaint #542089 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
Blythewood, SC
SERVICE BRAKES, HYDRAULIC:FOUNDATION COMPONENTS:DISC:ROTOR
DRIVING THE VEHICLE AT 60MPH DOWN THE INTERSTATE AND THE RIGHT FRONT TIRE SHEARED OFF, CAUSING THE VEHICLE TO SKID. ALSO THE METAL PIECE CONNECTED TO THE ROTOR CAME OFF. THE VEHICLE HAD TO BE TOWED.
NHTSA complaint #823191 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
Blythewood, SC
TIRES
DRIVING THE VEHICLE AT 60MPH DOWN THE INTERSTATE AND THE RIGHT FRONT TIRE SHEARED OFF, CAUSING THE VEHICLE TO SKID. ALSO THE METAL PIECE CONNECTED TO THE ROTOR CAME OFF. THE VEHICLE HAD TO BE TOWED.
NHTSA complaint #823191 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
Cardiff BY THE SEA, CA
SEAT BELTS:FRONT:RETRACTOR
THE DRIVER SEAT BELT DOES NOT PULL OUT OF THE RETRACTOR ALL THE TIME, AND THE PASSENGER'S SIDE DOES NOT RETRACT BACK IN. THE DEALER STATED THAT THERE WAS NO PROBLEM WITH BELTS.
NHTSA complaint #816473 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.