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 owners, lightly cleaned up (personal details are redacted by NHTSA).
The ignition switch and wiring caught on fire while the truck was parked in the driveway. The ignition switch recall 00v13500 was issued, but this vehicle was not included in the recall due to VIN.
I have contacted Dodge regarding this failure, are tech or safety bulletins being generated, are others reporting the failure? Ram diesel model failure mode allows starter to remain engaged and engine running with vehicle key in the off position. After diagnosing and failure analysis it is apparent that this failure mode is not only common (input from various websites) but also extremely dangerous in my opinion. While the root cause (starter failure) is acceptable and understandable with age of the vehicle, the symptom and effect is not. Internal shorting of the starter causes 12vdc feedback through the control circuit and allows the starter to remain engaged and vehicle to remain running wit the key on!. …
This model truck had a history of under dash electrical fires, and ntsb ordered a recall no. 875 to correct the dangerous defect. I had this recall performed about one year ago when it was announced. The fire in my truck was concentrated in the same circuits involved in the recall, and in addition spread to the engine compartment where it ignited a pool of fuel which had leaked from a defective fuel line. At the time of the fire, the engine could not be shut down by the key, and firemen had to disconnect the batteries to stop it.
This is a an update of file #764788. Daimler-Chrysler customer service opened file #10265591 and sent an inspector to investigate the cause of the fire. The invesitgation was subcontrcted to a local man who is doing business illegally, he had orders not to open the ignition switch and could not determine the cause of the fire. On the basis of his report d-c disclaims any responsibility for the fire. The inspection and the d-c response was a fraud involving a saftey recall. NHTSA should investigate.
Temperature ouside was about 100 degrees on I-80 east of salt lake city climbing toward parley's summit. Engine was running a little bit warm as usual when climbing long steep grades, but was not overheating. Suddenly, I smelled smoke and the engine started to run roughly. I pulled over and opened the hood where the wiring harness at the base of the windshield was in flame. I had a fire extinguisher with which I put out the fire. Truck is still being repaired, $5000 and counting.
Fax fm noel & cynthia martinez (ny) request investigation into the recall of ignition switch/ steering column wiring of their 1995 Dodge Ram 1500 pickup truck which burned when the steering column caught on fire. The consumer was told there were two open recalls on the truck which had not been performed, however the consumer stated he had not received any information regarding the two recalls. The consumer had only owned the vehicle for 4 months.
Consumer changed fuses for tail and dash lights. Drove twenty five miles and noticed a smell. Consumer was driving through a grass fire. So the smell was normal. The driving twenty more miles down the road, consumer noticted that smoke coming from the the dashboard. Consumer pulled over, and flames started coming out fast. Entire dashboard and wires melted. The headlight switch started the fire.
While driving 30mph & started to smell an odor inside vehicle. Smoke was coming through the vents. Pulled to side of road & retrieved the fire extinguisher. After leaving vehicle, it was engulfed in flames. Fire department called & put out flames. Was extensive damage done to vehicle. Fire department suspected fire was caused by a short in electrical wirings, but not definite due to damage.
The dealership was unable to perform the ignition switch wiring recall #00V135000, and the throttle cable recall# 01V037000 because the parts were not available. It has been 60 days. Recall campaign; the consumer stated that it has now been 3 months and the parts are still not available. The consumer has since found a part on his own.
The problems are as followed: the brake light comes on when the clutch is engaged, hard to start, the bracket under dash was fractured-if this breaks, the clutch and brakes could loose control, fatigue and stress crack are visible, firewall flexes when using the clutch/lacks support, and poor quality of support bracket. Scc
Related recalls
Electrical system › Ignition › Switch
Vehicle description: light duty pickup trucks. The affected vehicles were built with an ignition switch and wiring that could overheat. High electrical current loads pass through the switch when the blower motor is operated on high for an extended periods of time.
Remedy: Dealers will install a relay and overlay harness.
Electrical complaints in other Ram years
Frequently asked questions
How common are electrical problems on the 1995 Dodge Ram?
NHTSA has 75 complaints about the electrical system of the 1995 Dodge Ram, 12% of the model year's 619 complaints. The component named most often is ignition › switch (21 mentions).
Is there a recall for 1995 Dodge Ram electrical problems?
Yes — NHTSA recall 00V-135 (switch, May 10, 2000). Recall repairs are free at authorized dealers.
At what mileage do 1995 Dodge Ram electrical problems start?
Half of the complaints with a recorded mileage happened before about 133,000 miles.
Is it dangerous?
Owners linked 1 crash, 22 fires and 1 injury and 1 death 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.