1994 Dodge Pickup problems
The Ram pickup (marketed as the Dodge Ram until 2010) is a full-size pickup truck manufactured by Stellantis North America (formerly Chrysler Group LLC and FCA US LLC) and marketed from 2010 onwards under the Ram Trucks brand. The current fifth-generation Ram debuted at the 2018 North American International Auto Show in Detroit, Michigan, in January of that year.
Previously, Ram was part of the Dodge line of light trucks. The name Ram was first used in 1981 model year Dodge Trucks in October 1980, following the retiring and rebadging of the Dodge D series pickup trucks as well as B-series vans, though the company had used a ram's-head hood ornament on some trucks as early as 1933.
Ram trucks have been named Motor Trend magazine's Truck of the Year eight times; the second-generation Ram won the award in 1994, the third-generation Ram heavy-duty won the award in 2003, the fourth-generation Ram Heavy Duty won in 2010 and the fourth-generation Ram 1500 won in 2013 and 2014, and the current fifth-generation Ram pickup became the first truck in history to win the award three times, winning in 2019, 2020, and 2021.
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Common 1994 Dodge Pickup problems
The 1994 Dodge Pickup 1500, now known as the RAM pickup, is known for several common issues that owners have reported over the years. Here are some of the most frequently mentioned problems and their details:
- No Spark or Fire from Coil or Plugs: Several owners have reported that their 1994 Dodge Pickup 1500 suddenly shut off while driving and wouldn't start back up, with no spark or fire from the coil or plugs. In one case, the problem was resolved by checking all the fuses, including in-line fuses and connections, and finding a dangling wire with a cap on the end behind the alternator. Plugging it in solved the issue.
- Transmission Issues: Some owners have experienced transmission problems, such as the truck not starting after replacing the transmission, no fire anywhere, or the engine turning over but not starting. These issues may be caused by various factors, including problems with the crankshaft sensor, coil, distributor cap, rotor, or even the ECU.
- Front Dash Rupture: The second-generation Dodge Ram Pickup's dash was made of low-quality plastic, which tends to dry up, get brittle, and fracture, eventually turning into holes if the vehicle is parked off-road. The only solution is to swap out the stock dashboard for an aftermarket model made of a more resilient material.
- Rust: Rust is a common problem that plagues the 2nd generation Dodge Ram, particularly in the rocker panels. The solution is to sand it out and recoat the panel or swap out the panels for aftermarket ones if the rust is intense.
- 4WD Disconnector: Sometimes, the 4WD disconnector may fail, making it impossible to shift into 4WD or 2WD. This issue is often caused by a vacuum leak on the disconnector's supply lines. Clearing the debris from the disconnector intake and fixing any holes in the lines can solve the problem.
- Steering Ramble: Some owners have reported that the steering wheel tends to drift side to side when traveling quickly on straight highways. This issue is more common in trucks with large tires and wheel spacers. Installing an aftermarket bracket that connects to the sway bars can fix the problem by providing a more solid front frame.
- Transmission Regulator Valve: The regulator valve inside the transmission is prone to breaking, causing a whining sound from the defective regulator valve when the vehicle is in reverse. Dodge introduced a new version of the regulator valve that made no noise to address this issue.
These are some of the most common problems reported by owners of the 1994 Dodge Pickup 1500. While these issues can be frustrating, many of them can be resolved with the right knowledge and tools.
1994 Dodge Pickup car problems categorized by type of issue
After analyzing all complaints sent to the NHTSA and researching popular Dodge Pickup problems, we found that the most common problems with these 2023 model year vehicles are:
- Suspension problems
- Electrical system problems
- Service brakes problems
- Hydraulic problems
- Latches/locks/linkages problems
The graph below shows statistics for all 1994 Dodge Pickup vehicle components and the number of complaints received.
1994 Dodge Pickup complaints
The NHTSA has received 10 complaints about various vehicle components related to the 1994 Dodge Pickup.
ELECTRICAL SYSTEM PROBLEM
- Date Of Incident: 2008-10-26
- Fire: 1
- Components: ELECTRICAL SYSTEM
- Summary: TL*THE CONTACT OWNS A 1994 DODGE PICKUP. THE CONTACT NOTICED THAT THE INSTRUMENT PANEL WAS SMOKING FOLLOWED BY FLAMES. THE ENGINE WAS NOT TURNED ON AT THE TIME. THE CONTACT EXTINGUISHED THE FIRE. THE FIRE MELTED THE INSTRUMENT PANEL LINER AND THE FRONT CARPET WAS DESTROYED. IN ADDITION, THE FRONT PASSENGER AND DRIVER SEATS WERE SCORCHED AND THE FRONT WINDSHIELD WAS CRACKED. THERE WERE NO PERSONAL INJURIES OR PROPERTY DAMAGE. ONE WEEK PRIOR TO THE FAILURE, THE CONTACT SMELLED A BURNING ODOR INSIDE THE VEHICLE. THE FAILURE ORIGINATED IN THE HEADLIGHT SWITCH WIRING HARNESS. THE AUTHORIZED DEALER WAS NOTIFIED OF THE FAILURES. THE VEHICLE HAS NOT BEEN REPAIRED. THE VIN WAS UNKNOWN. THE FAILURE AND CURRENT MILEAGES WERE 160,000.
LATCHES/LOCKS/LINKAGES PROBLEM
- Date Of Incident: 2005-09-28
- VIN: 1B7HC16X5RS
- Components: LATCHES/LOCKS/LINKAGES
- Summary: DT: THE CONSUMER STATED THAT WHILE DRIVING AT 25 MPH THE HOOD LATCH CAME LOOSE ON THE 1994 DODGE RAM. THE HOOD FLEW UP AND BUSTED THE WINDSHIELD. THE CONSUMER HAS TAKEN THE TRUCK TO THE DODGE DEALERSHIP TO HAVE IT REPAIRED FOR THE HINGE FAILURE. THE CONSUMER STATED THAT THE TRUCK WAS UNDER NHTSA RECALL 01V04000 CONCERNING THE HOOD LATCH. THE CONSUMER STATED THAT THE DEALERSHIP WAS TELLING HIM THAT THEY HAD THE WRONG ADDRESS, AND THAT WAS WHY HE WAS NOT INFORMED. THE CONSUMER SPECIFICALLY STATED THAT THE DEALERSHIP WILL NOT FIX HIS TRUCK NOW. THE DEALER REFERRED HIM TO THE DISTRICT MANAGER, AND HE CONCLUDED THAT THEY WERE NOT GOING TO FIX THE DAMAGES THAT THE LATCH FAILURE CAUSED. THEY WERE GOING TO ONLY REPLACE THE LATCH. THE CONSUMER CONTACTED CHRYSLER, AND THEY TOLD HIM TO GO TO DEALERSHIP.*AK
POWER TRAIN PROBLEM
- Date Of Incident: 2000-05-05
- VIN: 1B7KC26C8RS
- Components: POWER TRAIN
- Summary: RECALL 97V084000. TRANSMISSION COOLING LINE CONNECTOR CAME LOOSE, AND TRANSMISSION FLUID LEAKED ALL OVER. RECALL ISSUED FOR THIS PROBLEM, BUT THIS VEHICLE NOT INCLUDED. *AK *ML
SUSPENSION PROBLEM
- Date Of Incident: 1998-04-26
- VIN: 1B7HF16Z3RS
- Components: SUSPENSION
- Summary: SUSPENSION SUPER LIFT KIT FAILED CAUSING VEHICLE SUSPENSION TO COLLAPSE RESULTING IN DAMAGE.
ELECTRICAL SYSTEM PROBLEM
- Date Of Incident: 1997-06-01
- VIN: 1B7KF26C8RS
- Components: ELECTRICAL SYSTEM
- Summary: IGNITION PROBLEMS.
SUSPENSION PROBLEM
- Date Of Incident: 2024-11-24
- VIN: 387HF13Z2TM
- Components: SUSPENSION
- Summary: SHOCK ABSORBER FAILED, CAUSING VEHICLE TO LEAN TO THE LEFT/RIGHT SIDE TO BE HIGHER AND THE FRONT END TO BOUNCE.
SERVICE BRAKES, HYDRAULIC PROBLEM
- Date Of Incident: 2024-11-24
- VIN: 387HF13Z2TM
- Components: SERVICE BRAKES, HYDRAULIC
- Summary: ANTILOCK BRAKES FAILED.
SERVICE BRAKES, HYDRAULIC PROBLEM
- Date Of Incident: 2024-11-24
- VIN: 387HF13Z2TM
- Components: SERVICE BRAKES, HYDRAULIC
- Summary: BRAKE PEDAL GOES TO THE FLOOR.
SUSPENSION PROBLEM
- Date Of Incident: 1996-11-11
- VIN: IB7MF36C7RS
- Components: SUSPENSION
- Summary: AT 50 MPH VEHICLE'S FRONT END VIBRATES.
STEERING PROBLEM
- Date Of Incident: 1996-10-14
- VIN: 3B7HC16Y8RM
- Components: STEERING
- Summary: STEERING COLUMN BROKE, CAUSING ACCIDENT.
1994 Dodge Pickup recalls
The National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA) has issued 1 recalls for different components of the 1994 Dodge Pickup.
- Manufacturer: PRO-A MOTORS, INC.
- Components: EXTERIOR LIGHTING
- Summary: CERTAIN PRO-A MOTORS CORNER LAMPS, TURN SIGNALS, AND HEADLIGHTS SOLD AS REPLACEMENT LAMPS FOR USE ON CERTAIN PASSENGER VEHICLES LISTED ABOVE. SOME COMBINATION LAMPS THAT ARE NOT EQUIPPED WITH AMBER SIDE REFLECTORS FAIL TO CONFORM TO FEDERAL MOTOR VEHICLE SAFETY STANDARD NO. 108, LAMPS, REFLECTIVE DEVICES, AND ASSOCIATED EQUIPMENT.
- Consequence: WITHOUT THE AMBER REFLECTORS, THE VEHICLE WILL BE POORLY ILLUMINATED, POSSIBLY RESULTING IN A VEHICLE CRASH WITHOUT WARNING.
- Remedy: PRO-A MOTORS WILL NOTIFY OWNERS AND OFFER TO REPURCHASE THE LAMPS. THE RECALL BEGAN ON APRIL 3, 2006. OWNERS MAY CONTACT PRO-A MOTORS AT 323-838-2988.
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