DODGE RAM 1500 · model year

1995 DODGE RAM 1500

273 NHTSA complaints, 14 crash reports for this specific cohort.

NHTSA overall rating

Not crash-tested

New Car Assessment Program

The 1995DODGERAM 1500 carries 273 consumer safety complaints in NHTSA's Office of Defects Investigation database for this specific model-year cohort. Within that volume, owners reported 14 crashes, 16 fires, 10 injuries, and 0 fatalities. No NCAP 5-star crash-test rating is available for this model year in the federal database.

Component-level analysis is where model-year complaints become actionable: the top complaint category for the 1995 RAM 1500 is structure with 24 filings, followed by power train:automatic transmission (18) and unknown or other (12). Concentration in one or two component groups is the classic signature of a systemic defect; a flat distribution usually reflects normal aging, warranty complaints, or isolated build-plant variability.

NHTSA currently has 1 investigation file overlapping the 1995 RAM 1500. Owners comparing this cohort against neighboring years should pair the counters above with the complaint-by-year trend on the parent model page — a spike in a single year often tracks to a platform refresh, a new transmission supplier, or an updated ECU calibration. Use the related-complaint feed below to read raw owner narratives before deciding whether any pattern here affects your specific use case.

273
Complaints
14
Crashes
16
Fires
10
Injuries
0
Deaths

Total Complaints

273 filings

Crashes Reported

14 reports

Source

NHTSA ODI

Federal complaints database

Complaints vs. fleet median (215)

Above median complaint volume — review patterns below.

Complaints by Component

ComponentCount
STRUCTURE24
POWER TRAIN:AUTOMATIC TRANSMISSION18
UNKNOWN OR OTHER12
SERVICE BRAKES, HYDRAULIC:ANTILOCK/TRACTION CONTROL/ELECTRONIC LIMITED SLIP10
AIR BAGS:FRONTAL9
TIRES9
STRUCTURE:BODY9
ELECTRICAL SYSTEM8
LATCHES/LOCKS/LINKAGES:HOOD:LATCH7
STEERING: STEERING WHEEL/HANDLE BAR7
ELECTRICAL SYSTEM:IGNITION7
EXTERIOR LIGHTING:HEADLIGHTS:SWITCH6
POWER TRAIN:MANUAL TRANSMISSION4
FUEL SYSTEM, GASOLINE:DELIVERY:FUEL PUMP4
ELECTRICAL SYSTEM:WIRING:INTERIOR/UNDER DASH4

Recent Complaints

20210124STRUCTURE:BODY

WHEN I STARTED DRIVING THE TRUCK THE DASH WAS JUST CRACKED UP THEN I HAD TO CHANGE THE HEATER CORE AND WHILE PUTTING THE DASH BACK IN IT BROKE ALL UP AND NOW THERE ARE SHARP EDGES ALL ACROSS THE TOP AT THIS TIME THE TRUCK WAS PARKED AND THE YARD BUT NOW HOW IT IS WHILE DRIVING I HAVE TO HOLD THE RADIO AND THE GAUGES BACK

Mileage: 243,674

20200610FireELECTRICAL SYSTEM

VEHICLE WAS OFF AND PARKED IN DRIVEWAY, UPON ENTRY THE NEXT MORNING FOUND A SMOLDERING FIRE AND A BURNED IGNITION/STEERING COLUMN W/ EXTENSIVE FIRE DAMAGE. *TR

Mileage: 194,000

20190723FUEL/PROPULSION SYSTEM

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 1995 DODGE RAM 1500. THE CONTACT NOTICED A FUEL ODOR COMING FROM THE VEHICLE WHILE PARKING. HE THEN NOTICED FUEL LEAKING FROM THE TOP ROLLOVER VALVE. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT DIAGNOSED OR REPAIRED. THE DEALER AND MANUFACTURER WERE NOT NOTIFIED. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 205,000.

Mileage: 205,000

20180927STRUCTURE:BODY

THE DASH STARTED CRACKING ABOUT 4 MONTHS AGO, AND THEN STARTED BREAKING INTO SHARP, JAGGED PIECES THAT JUMP OUT AT ME WHEN DRIVING DOWN THE ROAD, AND THE TRUCK HAS HIT ANY KIND OF UNEVEN ROAD OR BUMP. NOT ONLY IS IT VERY DISTRACTING, BUT THE PIECES ARE VERY SHARP.

Mileage: 154,000

20180531UNKNOWN OR OTHER

DASH IS CRACKING EVERYWHERE. ALSO THE VIN PLATE HAS ALSO FALLEN AND CANNOT BE READ BY POLICE AND OR STATE PATROL. THIS IS NOW AN ISSUE BECAUSE OF THAT AND THE SHARP PIECES THAT KEEP FALLING OFF.

Mileage: 60,000

20171128FUEL/PROPULSION SYSTEM

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 1995 DODGE RAM 1500. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE DEALER (BERT OGDEN CHRYSLER DODGE JEEP RAM, 8421 W EXPY 83, HARLINGEN, TX 78552, (956) 734-2462) INSPECTED THE VEHICLE AND INDICATED THAT THE VAPOR CANISTER PURGE VALVE NEEDED TO BE REPLACED; HOWEVER, THE PART WAS NO LONGER IN PRODUCTION. THE CONTACT WAS UNABLE TO DETERMINE IF THE MANUFACTURER WOULD BE ABLE TO PROVIDE THE PART FOR THE DEALER TO COMPLETE THE REPAIR. IN ADDITION, THE VEHICLE WAS INCLUDED IN NHTSA CAMPAIGN NUMBER: 00V135000 (ELECTRICAL SYSTEM). THE MANUFACTURER WAS CONTACTED TO DETERMINE A SOLUTION. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS UNKNOWN.

20171128ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING:EXHAUST SYSTEM:EMISSION CONTROL

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 1995 DODGE RAM 1500. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE DEALER (BERT OGDEN CHRYSLER DODGE JEEP RAM, 8421 W EXPY 83, HARLINGEN, TX 78552, (956) 734-2462) INSPECTED THE VEHICLE AND INDICATED THAT THE VAPOR CANISTER PURGE VALVE NEEDED TO BE REPLACED; HOWEVER, THE PART WAS NO LONGER IN PRODUCTION. THE CONTACT WAS UNABLE TO DETERMINE IF THE MANUFACTURER WOULD BE ABLE TO PROVIDE THE PART FOR THE DEALER TO COMPLETE THE REPAIR. IN ADDITION, THE VEHICLE WAS INCLUDED IN NHTSA CAMPAIGN NUMBER: 00V135000 (ELECTRICAL SYSTEM). THE MANUFACTURER WAS CONTACTED TO DETERMINE A SOLUTION. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS UNKNOWN.

20170928STRUCTURE:BODY

DASH BOARD CRUMBLES, WE HAVE LOOKED TO FIND ANOTHER DASH BOARD AND FOUND OUT THIS IS A PROBLEM, ALMOST A JOKE, WE HAVE BEEN TOLD IT'S A DODGE DASH BOARD.. THEY ALL DO THIS. I BELIEVE IT'S A SAFETY ISSUE IF THE TRUCK WERE INVOLVED IN A MVC THEN THE PIECES OF THE DASH WOULD BECOME FLYING OBJECTS.. AND INJURY ANY ONE SITTING IN THE TRUCK. WE HAVE OWNED SEVERAL DODGE CARAVANS AND NEVER HAD A PROBLEM LIKE THIS OR SEEM SUCH AN ACROSS THE BOARD PROBLEM WITH SO MANY VECHLIES. DODGE NEEDS TO OFFER A REPLACEMENT A FIX.. BEFORE THE WORST HAPPENS.

20170323ELECTRICAL SYSTEM

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 1995 DODGE RAM 1500. WHILE THE VEHICLE WAS STATIONARY, THE HEADLIGHT SWITCH BURNED OUT AND CAUSED THE HEADLIGHTS TO BECOME INOPERATIVE. THE DEALER REPLACED THE IGNITION SWITCH, BUT THE FAILURE RECURRED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS MADE AWARE OF THE FAILURE. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 264,000.

Mileage: 264,000

20170323EXTERIOR LIGHTING

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 1995 DODGE RAM 1500. WHILE THE VEHICLE WAS STATIONARY, THE HEADLIGHT SWITCH BURNED OUT AND CAUSED THE HEADLIGHTS TO BECOME INOPERATIVE. THE DEALER REPLACED THE IGNITION SWITCH, BUT THE FAILURE RECURRED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS MADE AWARE OF THE FAILURE. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 264,000.

Mileage: 264,000

20160504STRUCTURE:BODY

THE DASH ON MY 1995 DODGE RAM 1500 IS BROKEN INTO PIECES AND GETTING WORSE I AM WORRIED ABOUT WIRES SHORTING OUT AND CAUSEING A FIRE AND ALSO THE PAINT IS ALMOST GONE FROM THE ROOF AND HOOD OF THE TRUCK I HAVE SEEN BOTH ISSUSES ON MANY OTHER DODGE TRUCKS AND THINK SOMETHING SHOULD BE DONE TO COMPENSATE OWNERS FOR THE COST OF REPAIRES TO THERE TRUCKS ITS NOT OUR FAULT ITS A MANUFACTURE DEFECT

Mileage: 16,000

20160504UNKNOWN OR OTHER

THE DASH ON MY 1995 DODGE RAM 1500 IS BROKEN INTO PIECES AND GETTING WORSE I AM WORRIED ABOUT WIRES SHORTING OUT AND CAUSEING A FIRE AND ALSO THE PAINT IS ALMOST GONE FROM THE ROOF AND HOOD OF THE TRUCK I HAVE SEEN BOTH ISSUSES ON MANY OTHER DODGE TRUCKS AND THINK SOMETHING SHOULD BE DONE TO COMPENSATE OWNERS FOR THE COST OF REPAIRES TO THERE TRUCKS ITS NOT OUR FAULT ITS A MANUFACTURE DEFECT

Mileage: 16,000

20160115POWER TRAIN

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 1995 DODGE RAM 1500. WHEN THE VEHICLE WAS SHIFTED INTO THE REVERSE POSITION, THE ACCELERATOR PEDAL WAS DEPRESSED AND THE VEHICLE FAILED TO REVERSE. THE CONTACT SHIFTED BACK TO NEUTRAL AND THEN TO REVERSE, AND THE VEHICLE REVERSED. WHILE DRIVING AT APPROXIMATELY 45 MPH, THE VEHICLE STARTED TO SHIFT WITHOUT BEING PROMPTED. THE FAILURES RECURRED NUMEROUS TIMES. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO A DEALER, BUT WAS NOT DIAGNOSED OR REPAIRED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS MADE AWARE OF THE FAILURE AND STATED THAT THE VIN WAS INCLUDED IN NHTSA CAMPAIGN NUMBER: 97V084000 (POWER TRAIN). THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS APPROXIMATELY 125,000. THE VIN WAS UNAVAILABLE.

Mileage: 125,000

20151130UNKNOWN OR OTHER

THE DASH AND LOWER DASH BEZEL IN MY TRUCK ARE CRUMBLING MORE AND MORE EVERY DAY. PIECES FALL OF IF YOU HIT A BUMP IN THE ROAD. THE CUP HOLDERS ARE NO LONGER FUNCTIONAL BECAUSE OF THIS AND IF IT CONTINUES LIKE IT IS THE GAUGE CLUSTER WILL NO LONGER BE HELD IN PLACE. ONTOP OF ALL THIS IF THE VEHICLE WERE INVOLVED IN A WRECK WHERE THE AIR BAGS DEPLOYED THE PASSENGER WOULD GET A FACE FULL OF PLASTIC SHARDS FROM THE DASH ( WHAT LITTLE IS LEFT OF IT) RESULTING IN INJURY AND POSSIBLE BLINDNESS.DODGE HAS PLENTY OF RESOURCES AND MONEY TO FIX THIS ISSUE. YES THE VEHICLE IS 20 YEARS OLD AND OUT OF WARRANTY BUT THERE ARE PLENTY OF VEHICLES MUCH OLDER WITH SOLID DASHES STILL IN ONE PIECE. DODGE CLAIMS THIS IS JUST COSMETIC BUT AS BROKEN AS MINE ITS BECOME MORE THAN THAT. IM SURE THEY WOULD RATHER PAY TO HAVE SOME DASHES REPLACED WITH BETTER MATERIALS THAN A LAWSUIT WHEN SOMEONE IS INJURED BY THE DEFECTIVE PLASTIC.

Mileage: 200,000

20150821AIR BAGS

A MALE DRIVER WAS COMING TO A STOP ON A PAVED SURFACE AND BEFORE HE STOPPED COMPLETELY THE AIR BAG DEPLOYED AND INJURED THE DRIVER. NO OTHER VEHICLES OR OBJECTS WERE NEAR THE TRUCK WHEN THE AIR BAG DEPLOYED AND HE DID NOT SLAM ON THE BRAKES.

20150812FireELECTRICAL SYSTEM

I WAS WORKING AND A COUPLE OF EMPLOYEES CAME IN YELLING THE MY TRUCK WAS ON FIRE.THE KEYS WAS OUT OF THE VEHICLE YET A ELECTRICAL FIRE STARTED UNDER THE STEERING COLUMN BURNING ALL THE DRIVERS SIDE DASH. CRAKED THE FRONT WINDSHIELD AND BUBBLED IT UP. IT TOOK LESS THEN 10 MIN TO DO ALL OF IT IF IT WASN'T FOR PEOPLE AT MY WORK THERE IS NO TELLING WHAT WOULD HAVE HAPPENED.

20150314FUEL/PROPULSION SYSTEM

FILLED UP THE FUEL TANK WITH GAS AND IT JUST STARTED RUNNING ON THE GROUND FOR ABOUT A FEW MINUTES. *TR

Mileage: 162,293

20141128STRUCTURE

DASHBOARD HAS SIGNIFICANT CRACKS. THESE CRACKS RUN FROM THE WINDSHIELD TO FRONT OF DASH (PLASTIC PARTS) THE FAILURE OF THE INTEGRITY OF THE DASHBOARD COULD LEAD TO CORROSION OF WIRES AND OTHER SAFETY COMPONENTS THAT ARE UNDER THE DASHBOARD. *TR

20141003EXTERIOR LIGHTING:HEADLIGHTS

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 1995 DODGE RAM 1500. WHILE DRIVING AT AN UNKNOWN SPEED, THE HEADLIGHTS FAILED WITHOUT WARNING. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT DIAGNOSED OR REPAIRED. THE CONTACT MENTIONED THAT THE VEHICLE WAS EXPERIENCING THE SAME FAILURE SPECIFIED IN NHTSA CAMPAIGN NUMBER: 99V024000 (EXTERIOR LIGHTING). THE MANUFACTURER WAS MADE AWARE OF THE FAILURE. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 80,000.

Mileage: 80,000

20140616ELECTRICAL SYSTEM

WHILE DRIVING TO WORK...AT APPROX 40MPH MY LOW BEAM HEAD LIGHTS WENT OUT AND SMOKE CAME OUT OF THE OF THE DASH BOARD TO THE LEFT OF THE STEERING WHEEL...I WAS ABLE TO SHUT EVERYTHING DOWN AND NO OTHER DAMAGE WAS CAUSED HOWEVER AFTER GETTING THE TRUCK HOME IT WAS DISCOVERED THAT THE HEADLIGHT SWITCH HAD OVER HEATED AND MELTED DOWN AFTER MY EXPERIENCE AND OTHER REPORTS I HAVE READ ONLINE I WOULD LIKE TO ASK THAT NHTSA CAMPAIGN NUMBER: 99V024000 BE UPDATED TO INCLUDE 1500 MODELS AS WELL. *TR

Mileage: 165,394

Compare 1995DODGERAM 1500 to Similar Vehicles

NHTSA Investigations

Frequently Asked Questions

How many complaints does the 1995 DODGE RAM 1500 have?
The 1995 DODGE RAM 1500 has 273 NHTSA complaints, 14 crashes, 16 fires, 10 injuries, and 0 deaths reported.
What are the most common problems with the 1995 DODGE RAM 1500?
The most-complained component for the 1995 DODGE RAM 1500 is STRUCTURE with 24 complaints. Other frequently reported areas include POWER TRAIN:AUTOMATIC TRANSMISSION and UNKNOWN OR OTHER.
Is the 1995 DODGE RAM 1500 safe to buy?
Review the complaint history, crash and fire reports, safety ratings, and recall status on this page to make an informed decision. No NHTSA crash test rating is available for this model year. Compare with other model years using the links above.
Where does this data come from?
All complaint, recall, and safety rating data is sourced from the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA). Complaints are filed by vehicle owners through NHTSA's Office of Defects Investigation.

Vehicle Safety Guides

Data as of 2025. Sources: NHTSA Office of Defects Investigation (ODI) complaints database, NHTSA recall campaign API, NHTSA NCAP crash-test ratings, and NHTSA FARS for fatality cross-reference.