Which parts fail
Components named in complaints (battery, alternator, wiring, ignition, instrument cluster, infotainment).
Mileage when the problem started
Owner reports
Selected complaints filed with NHTSA by 1995 Dodge Ram 1500 owners, lightly cleaned up (personal details are redacted by NHTSA).
On 3/09/05 we bought a 1995 Dodge Ram 1500 pickup from lee Dodge in farmingdale, ny. On 7/01/05 the vehicle began to have smoke come out of the steering column and then proceeded to ignite into flames. The entire truck was engulfed in minutes and this truck was totalled. After this incident we found out that there was a recall back in the year 2000 for ignition wires that were overheating! The Dodge manufacturer informed us that the recalls were never done and it was very possible that this problem caused the fire and is sending an inspector on 7/10/05 to determine this fact. According to the manufacturer lee Dodge was responsible to have done all the recalls before they sold the vehicle. Lee Dodge has been unresponsive to date. This truck is a total loss and our neighbor's tree went up in flames as well. It could have been our homes as well as family members inside the vehicle. …
On 3/09/05 we bought a 1995 Dodge Ram 1500 pickup from lee Dodge in farmingdale, ny. On 7/01/05 the vehicle began to have smoke come out of the steering column and then proceeded to ignite into flames. The entire truck was engulfed in minutes and this truck was totalled. After this incident we found out that there was a recall back in the year 2000 for ignition wires that were overheating! The Dodge manufacturer informed us that the recalls were never done and it was very possible that this problem caused the fire and is sending an inspector on 7/10/05 to determine this fact. According to the manufacturer lee Dodge was responsible to have done all the recalls before they sold the vehicle. Lee Dodge has been unresponsive to date. This truck is a total loss and our neighbor's tree went up in flames as well. It could have been our homes as well as family members inside the vehicle. …
My 1995 Dodge Ram 1500 burnt up-totaled-2 years ago. Dealer did not, would not, do the recall in 3 years of access. Not finding any reference from Chrysler or you, I suggest having talked to a mechanic 2 days ago, there are still many trucks burning up, with or without the recall, therefore there needs a new campaign, but also check into the toxicity of the situation. It is melting and burning pvc's and other plastics, very toxic and cancer causing. I am fighting terminal cancer also, proven to be linked to the dioxins, heavy metals,and vinyl chlorides found in melting and incinerating pvc's. …
Tl* the contact owns a 1995 Dodge Ram 1500. The contact stated there were two major cracks in the center of the dashboard that extended to the drivers side. Also, the contact stated that when the headlights were illuminated the dashboard would emit smoke. The vehicle was taken to a private mechanic where it was diagnosed that the light switch box, pigtail connector and the entire dashboard needed to be replaced. The manufacturer was not notified of the failure. The vehicle was not repaired. The approximate failure and current mileage was 168,356.
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.
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.
My Dodge dealership ignored a life threatening ' safety' recall on my 1995 Ram 1500, and it burnt up and I believe the 8+ years of breathing toxic hydrocarbons has caused me a very serious medical condition. The fire totaled the vehicle.
About a month ago my Dodge Ram 1500 trucks dash board cracked down the middle from the window to the front edge and all way through, then everyday it just started cracking all over the place, two large pieces are completely cracked out, leaving two huge holes. Now I've a crack going from passenger side to drivers side! I called Dodge and they said no on recall and it would cost me out of my pocket about 400.00 to replace it, aside from this when the first crack happened my stereo quit the next day and my air conditioning!
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.
The procedure that dealership performed for recall 00V135000 concerning ignition switch is causing other electrical system components to fail. There were two power failures, the brake lights had gone out along with the clock and radio. The mechanic discovered that all of the wires that had come from the back of the fuse panel had been cut very short and spliced into the wiring harness that the dealer replaced.
Electrical complaints in other Ram 1500 years
Frequently asked questions
How common are electrical problems on the 1995 Dodge Ram 1500?
NHTSA has 31 complaints about the electrical system of the 1995 Dodge Ram 1500, 15% of the model year's 213 complaints. The component named most often is ignition (7 mentions).
Is there a recall for 1995 Dodge Ram 1500 electrical problems?
No. NHTSA lists no electrical system recall for the 1995 Dodge Ram 1500. If the problem is widespread, a repair may still be covered by an extended warranty or a manufacturer service bulletin — ask a dealer.
At what mileage do 1995 Dodge Ram 1500 electrical problems start?
Half of the complaints with a recorded mileage happened before about 140,000 miles.
Is it dangerous?
Owners linked 1 crash, 12 fires and 1 injury to electrical system problems on this model year. If you notice symptoms, have the car checked before driving further.
Source: U.S. National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA) — owner complaints through October 20, 2026, recalls and defect investigations; fuel economy from the EPA. Complaints are unverified reports and are not proof of a defect. How we rate model years.