FaultScore

1994 Dodge RAM acceleration problems

30 of the 623 complaints about the 1994 Dodge RAM are about the throttle and cruise control — 5% of everything reported for this model year.

F

30

Complaints

6

Crashes

1

Fires

3

Injuries

Exactly what failed

Vehicle Speed Control 24 80.0%
Cables 3 10.0%
Linkages 2 6.7%
Accelerator Pedal 1 3.3%

Acceleration & Cruise Control across every Dodge RAM year

1994 30 15.8%
1995 50 26.3%
1996 34 17.9%
1997 25 13.2%
1998 25 13.2%
1999 11 5.8%
2001 15 7.9%

What owners said

Filed with NHTSA, in their own words.

Wills Point, TX

VEHICLE SPEED CONTROL

The contact owns a 1994 Dodge Ram 2500. The contact became aware that the VIN was included in NHTSA Campaign Numbers: 01V037000 (Vehicle Speed Control) and 99V214000 (Suspension); however, the parts to do the recall repairs were not yet available. The local dealer and a second dealer, Chrysler Dodge Jeep Ram (5401 I-30 Frontage Rd, Greenville, TX 75402), were contacted. The contact stated that the manufacturer had exceeded a reasonable amount of time for the recall repair. The manufacturer was made aware of the issue and informed the contact that they were not required to perform the recall repair because the vehicle was more than 10 years old. However, the vehicle was not more than 10 years old on the date the defect or noncompliance was determined. The contact had not experienced a failure. Parts distribution disconnect.

NHTSA complaint #11622978 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.

Holy Cross, AK Crash

VEHICLE SPEED CONTROL

THE ABS LIGHT ILLUMINATED ON THE DASH. THEN VEHICLE SUDDENLY ACCELERATED TOWARDS TRAFFIC WHICH RESULTEDC IN AN A COLLISION WITH ANOTHER VEHICLE.

NHTSA complaint #10037773 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.

Homer, AK Crash

VEHICLE SPEED CONTROL

TRUCK WAS IN PARK AND WITHOUT PRIOR WARNING IT SUDDENLY JUMPED OUT GEAR, ACCELERATING UP TO 50 MPH. UPON UNCONTROLLABLE ACCELERATION THE TRUCK HIT A TREE.

NHTSA complaint #10033952 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.

ELK City, KS

VEHICLE SPEED CONTROL

WHILE DRIVING 65 MPH ACCELERATOR PEDAL WENT TO THE FLOOR AND VEHICLE STARTED TO SLOW DOWN. CONSUMER INSPECTED VEHICLE AND FOUND THROTTLE LINKAGE HAD BROKEN AT THREAD. RECALL ON THROTTLE CABLE WAS DONE IN THE FALL OF 2001. CONSUMER REPAIRED PART.*AK

NHTSA complaint #8009140 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.

Inglewood, CO

VEHICLE SPEED CONTROL:CABLES

ACCELERATOR CABLE IS FREYED. PLEASE PROVIDE ANY FURTHER INFORMATION.

NHTSA complaint #8006918 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.

Twisp, WA

VEHICLE SPEED CONTROL

BECAUSE OF LINKAGE SOCKET THROTTLE LINKAGE UNEXPECTEDLY SEPARATED FROM VEHICLE.THE DEALER PRIOR TO THIS INCIDENT REPAIRED VEHICLE FOR SAME PROBLEM. PLEASE PROVIDE ADDITIONAL INFORMATION.

NHTSA complaint #8006095 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.

Phoenix, AZ Crash

VEHICLE SPEED CONTROL:ACCELERATOR PEDAL

VEHICLE WAS PARKED INSIDE OF PARKING LOT, CONSUMER STARTED VEHICLE AND PUT IT INTO REVERSE. HE WENT A COUPLE OF FEET AND THE GAS PEDAL WAS STUCK, AND HE RAN UP AGAINST A TELEPHONE POLE, HE SHIFTED VEHICLE INTO NEUTRAL, AND IT TOOK OFF AND RAN INTO OFFICE BUILDING. *AK

NHTSA complaint #8001501 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.

Oakridge, OR

VEHICLE SPEED CONTROL

TRACK BARS FAILED CAUSING THE VEHICLE TO WONDER.*AK CONSUMER STATES IF THE THROTTLE POSITION SWITCH FAILS THERE IS NO CONTROL OF VEHICLE SPEED.

NHTSA complaint #896636 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.

NEW Pine Creek, OR

VEHICLE SPEED CONTROL

CONSUMER IS CALLING DEALER IN REGARD TO MANUFACTURER'S RECALL 970 FOR THROTTLE CONTROL. DEALER HAS BEEN CONTACTED FOR REPAIRS, BUT IS UNABLE TO REMEDY BECAUSE PARTS WERE UNAVAILABLE UNTIL FURTHER NOTICE.

NHTSA complaint #894738 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.

Flint, MI

VEHICLE SPEED CONTROL:LINKAGES

THE INTAKE/OUTAKE EXHAUST VALVES WERE REPLACED AND THE THROTTLE BODY WAS REPLACED. *SLC

NHTSA complaint #556907 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.

Stillwater, OK

VEHICLE SPEED CONTROL

THROTLE ROD WITH THREADED ENDS HAVING BALL SOCKETS SCREWED ON, LOACATED DRIVER SIDE IN CENTER OF MOTER, TOP, HOOKS FOOT PEDDLE CABLE TO THROTTLE BODY LINKAGE AT INJECTION PUMP, BREAKS NEAR WHERE THREADING STOPS IN CENTER OF ROD, PURCHASE OF NEW ROD ALL WAYS GETS "NEW IMPROVED VERSION, PLEASE PAY AT FRONT COUNTER" WE PULL TRAILORS IN CITY TRAFFIC 90+% OF THE TIME AND LOSS OF THROTTLE PULLING OUT INTO TRAFFIC AT ON RAMP OR INTERSECTION IS NOT A GOOD EXPERINCE! SPEED CONTROL AND LOSS OF HVAC DUCT CONTROLS TO VENTS LOST DUE TO VACUME LINE SPLITING BEHIND DRIVER SIDE HEADLIGHT NEAR METAL "CAN" FUEL LINE SPLITS OR HOLES IN FRONT OF DRIVER SIDE, ABOVE TRANSMISSION, BELOW FUEL FILTER, FUEL LEAKS ALL OVER. ALL OF THESE PROBLEMS HAVE BEEN OCURRING SINCE VEHICLE NEW AND HAVE BEEN REPAIRED BY DEALER AND MECHANIC, WE NOW KEEP SPARE VACUME AND FUEL LINE AND THROTTLE LINKAGE IN TOOL BOX FOR ON SITE REPAIR, (IN INTERSECTION FOR ONE EXAMPLE) HEADLIGHT PROBLEM NEW BUT GETTING NO RESPONSE FROM DEALER ON FREE FIX, BUT I SEE ON THIS WEB SITE AND OTHERS THAT IT IS A COMMON PROBLEM. WHAT TO DO???? NONE OF THESE PARTS ARE MOVING PARTS AND SO WHY THE ONGOING PROBLEMS, EXCEPT FOR HEADLIGHT SWITCH, BUT WEB PAGES INDICATE WIRING PROBLEMS IN COLUMN OR LACK OF RELAY AND OVERLOAD DUE TO TRAILOR LIGHTS. THANKS AND PLASE LET ME KNOW HOW TO RESOLVE THIS. ROBERT ALEXANDER H 405-377-8120 W 405-377-8922 M 405-743-8822 FAX 405-377-9002

NHTSA complaint #731724 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.

Larksurg, CO Fire

VEHICLE SPEED CONTROL

THROTTLE ASSEMBLY KEEPS FAILING, CAUSING ENGINE TO GO BACK TO IDLE, AND WILL SHUTDOWN. DEALER CLAIMS IT IS A COMMON DEFECT. *AK

NHTSA complaint #862356 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.

Round Hill, VA

VEHICLE SPEED CONTROL

PROBLEM #1 ON 31 MARCH 1999, I VISITED MY GRANDSON IN CENTERVILLE, VA. I DROVE MY TRUCK THERE AND EXPERIENCED NO PROBLEMS. WHEN I LEFT TO GO HOME, I STARTED THE TRUCK, PLACED THE SHIFTER IN REVERSE AND LET IT ROLL BACKWARDS DOWN HIS SLOPED DRIVEWAY, BRAKING WHEN I GOT ON THE STREET. I PLACED THE SHIFTER IN DRIVE AND STEPPED ON THE ACCELERATOR BUT THE VEHICLE DID NOT RESPOND. IT CRAWLED FORWARD DOWN THE STREET. I PUMPED THE ACCELERATOR AND GOT NO RESPONSE. I STOPPED THE TRUCK, PLACED THE SHIFTER IN PARK, GOT OUT, AND THROUGH THE OPEN DOOR APPLIED PRESSURE TO THE ACCELERATOR WITH MY HAND. IT DID NOT HAVE ANY RESISTANCE. I OPENED THE HOOD AND LOOKED AT THE INJECTOR PUMP WITH MY FLASHLIGHT AND NOTICED A LINK HANGING DOWN FROM THE PUMP AND IT . THERE ALSO APPEARED THAT THERE WAS SLACK IN HE ACCELERATOR CABLE. I LET THE TRUCK IDLE BACK TO MY GRANDSON'S DRIVEWAY AND PULLED THE TRUCK OFF THE ROAD. HE DROVE ME HOME IN HIS CAR AND MADE ARRANGEMENTS TO HAVE THE TRUCK TOWED TO MY DEALER THE NEXT DAY, A DISTANCE OF OVER 50 MILES. THE SERVICE PEOPLE EXAMINED THE PROBLEM AND REPORTED THAT THE ACCELERATOR CABLE HAD SHREDDED AND WOULD HAVE TO BE REPLACED WITH A KIT THAT CHRYSLER PROVIDES. IT WAS NOT UNDER THE WARRANTY THEY SAID. THIS REPAIR COST ME $344.92. IT WAS COMPLETELY UNEXPECTED AND I WOULD HATE TO THINK OF THE POTENTIAL HAZAR IT WOULD HAVE CAUSED IF I HAD BEEN DRIVING 65 MPH IN THE FAST LANE OF AN INTERSTATE WHEN IT SNAPPED, REDUCING MY SPEED FROM 65 MPH TO IDLE. I ASKED THE SERVICE MANAGER IF THIS WAS A KNOWN PROBLEM AND SHE INDICATED THAT THEY HAD HAD THE CONDITION OCCUR PREVIOUSLY AND THAT CHRYSLER HAD A KIT TO REPAIR IT. IT WAS NEVER A RECALL SO FAR AS ANYONE KNEW. THEY ALSO SAID THAT CHRYSLER HAS MODIFIED THE INSTALLATION ON LATER MODELS TO PREVENT REOCCURANCE. I FEEL THAT (1) CHRYSLER SHOULD REPUIRE AN EXAMINATION OF ALL EARLY MODEL DODGE RAM TRUCKS WITH DIESEL ENGINES AND, (2) PROVIDE REIMBURSEMENT FOR MY COSTS IN HAVING THIS PROBLEM .

NHTSA complaint #712616 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.

Flagstaff, AZ Crash 2 injured

VEHICLE SPEED CONTROL

UPON TAPPING THE BRAKE PEDAL TO DISENGAGE THE CRUISE CONTROL, THE ENGINE SUDDENLY ACCELERATED TO FULL OPEN THROTTLE. UPON APPLICATION WITH BOTH FEET ON THE BRAKE PEDAL, VEHICLE CONTINUED TO BE STUCK IN THE FULL OPEN THROTTLE POSITION. AFTER GOING OFF THE ROAD AND HITTING A CONCRETE WALL, ENGINE WAS STILL WIDE OPEN, VEHICLE COULD NOT BE STOPPED. WAS PROJECTED INTO ONCOMING INTERSTATE TRAFFIC AND AN 18-WHEEL SEMI-TRUCK, COLLIDED WITH ME. THE DODGE IS DEMOLISHED AND I AM LUCKY TO BE ALIVE.

NHTSA complaint #708127 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.

Edwards, MS Crash 2 injured

VEHICLE SPEED CONTROL

DRIVING VERY SLOWLY ACROSS POND LEVEE, MASHED ACCELERATOR,ENGINE INCREASED SPEED TO APPROXIMATELY 70 MPH, BRAKES WOULD NOT STOP IT. VEHICLE PLUNGED INTO LAKE, SEVERLY INJURING DRIVER AND PASSENGER, AND HITTING DRAIN PLUG OF LAKE, CAUSING DRAINAGE AND LOSS OF FISH, ETC.,LAKE APPROXIMATELY 20 FEET DEEP AND, BOTH INJURED PASSENGERS ALMOST DROWNED. BOTH SUSTAINED PERMANENT INJURIES.

NHTSA complaint #707604 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.

Flagstaff, AZ Crash 3 injured

VEHICLE SPEED CONTROL

VEHICLE EXPRIENCED SUDDEN ACELERATION WHEN CRUISE CONTROL WAS ENGAGED. CRUISE CONTROL WOULD NOT DISENGAGE WHEN BRAKE PEDAL WAS APPLIED. CAUSING A HEAD-ON COLLISON WITH A TRACKER TRAILER AND A BRICK WALL. THREE PASSENGERS WERE INJURED. DEALER/MANUFACTURER WERE NOT NOTIFIED AT THIS TIME.

NHTSA complaint #839821 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.

Chippewa Falls, WI

VEHICLE SPEED CONTROL:CABLES

THROTTLE LINKAGE CABLE FRAYED WHICH CAUSED THROTTLE TO STICK OPEN. DEALER REPLACED THROTTLE CABLE.

NHTSA complaint #817651 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.

Aurora, CO

VEHICLE SPEED CONTROL:LINKAGES

EVERY 8,000 MILES BRAKE ROTORS AND CALIPERS NEED TO BE REPLACED. ALSO, ACCELERATOR LINKAGE ENDS FALL OFF IN HEAVY TRAFFIC, CAUSING VEHICLE TO SLOW DOWN/TRANSMISSION COOLING LINE BROKE LOOSE DUE TO VIBRATION FROM HIGHWAY DRIVING.

NHTSA complaint #809060 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.

Mountain View, OK

VEHICLE SPEED CONTROL

SUDDEN ACCELERATION WITH CRUISE CONTROL ENGAGED, CAUSING ACCIDENT.

NHTSA complaint #511872 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.

Cherryville, NC

VEHICLE SPEED CONTROL:CABLES

WHILE DRIVING OH HIGHWAY,ACCELERATOR CABLE WIRES BROKE, CAUSING CABLE TO HANG UP, DEPRESSED CLUTCH/BRAKES TO STOP VEHICLE, MEDIUM TRAFFIC, NEARLY CAUSED ACCIDENT, SPEED 45 TO 50 MPH.

NHTSA complaint #803355 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.

West Nyack, NY

VEHICLE SPEED CONTROL

WHEN DRIVING WITH CRUISE CONTROL ON, VEHICLE CUT OFF AND THE THEN RPMS RACED. PLEASE DESCRIBE .

NHTSA complaint #803428 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.

Burlington, WA

VEHICLE SPEED CONTROL

THROTTLE LINKAGE CAME APART, ACCELERATOR ARM , CAUSING A LOSS OF SPEED WHILE DRIVING.

NHTSA complaint #802383 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.

Marina DEL, CA

VEHICLE SPEED CONTROL

CONSUMER WAS DRIVING DOWN THE HIGHWAY AND THE THROTTLE LINKAGE AND CONTROL BROKE . PLEASE DESCRIBE .

NHTSA complaint #801067 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.

Glenbeulah, WI

VEHICLE SPEED CONTROL

DRIVING 5 SPEED VEHICLE, LEFT VEHICLE IN 4TH GEAR, VEHICLE STARTED TO ROLL BACKWARDS ABOUT 4 FT BEFORE APPLYING EMERGENCY PARKING BRAKE.

NHTSA complaint #984863 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.

Mckinney, TX

VEHICLE SPEED CONTROL

WHILE DRIVING, EXPERIENCES INTERMITTENT THROTTLE STICKING, WHEN UPON BRAKING VEHICLE SURGES FORWARD AND WON'T DECELERATE, RESULTING IN NEAR ACCIDENTS.

NHTSA complaint #984066 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.

Pinckney, MI

VEHICLE SPEED CONTROL

SPEED SENSOR FAILED, CAUSING SPEEDOMETER/OVERDRIVE TO FAIL.

NHTSA complaint #500970 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.

Cranston, RI

VEHICLE SPEED CONTROL

DRIVING THE VEHICLE AT LOW SPEED OF 10 MPH, VEHICLE WENT HIGH IDLE POSITION, OPEN THROTTLE, TO STOP THE VEHICLE TURN OFF THE IGNITION.

NHTSA complaint #971512 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.

Belair, MD

VEHICLE SPEED CONTROL

VEHICLE SLIPPED IN CRUISE CONTROL, WITHOUT CRUISE CONTROL ENGAGED, RESULTING IN HARD TO STOP THE VEHICLE, NO ACCIDENT. TT

NHTSA complaint #970814 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.

Knoxville, TN

VEHICLE SPEED CONTROL

REPLACED SPEED SENSOR.

NHTSA complaint #969522 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.

Golden, CO

VEHICLE SPEED CONTROL

ENGAGED CRUISE CONTROL FOR 1/2 HOUR, TRIED TO DISENGAGE WITH BRAKE PEDAL, DID NOT DISENGAGE UNTIL AFTER VEHICLE ACCELERATED, DEALER CAN'T LOCATE PROBLEM. TT

NHTSA complaint #962534 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.

Other 1994 Dodge RAM problems

← Full 1994 Dodge RAM report