Which parts fail
Components named in complaints (automatic and manual transmissions, CVT, axles, driveshaft, 4WD/AWD).
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 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
Got into vehicle and started it up, was moving out of yard, co-worker noticed flames under vehicle, told the driver who got out and saw it; tried putting flames but to no avail; transmission fluid was leaking; front area only was engulfed in flames.
2500 within two months of purchasing my 1995 Dodge Ram I began to feel an unusual shifting in the transmission on an intermittent basis. I carried the vehicle to huntsville Dodge at 6519 university dr. Huntsville, al 35806, telephone [phone]. The vehicle was carried to this dealership since it is much closer to my home. They could find no problem. At first the shifting was on an intermittent basis but continued to progess in frequency until it finally would not shift out of low gear. This is the point when I could finally get someone at the dealership in the vehicle when the problem was present. They replace the transmission and now with less than 10,000 miles on the new transmission I am beginning to see the same problem again. It has once again started off on an intermittent basis. …
The name on this report is [redacted] not [redacted] sorry I didn't want to erase everything by going back. Rearend pinion pin broke into 3 pieces and axle was on the way out as I stopped.very dangerous I could of been killed if I was on the freeway doing 70-80 MPH and the axles fell out .I think the pinion pin is faulty or some other components are at fault.this truck has never been abused and only 52000 original miles and owner.no warranty on it. Do you know if there are any recalls on this vehicle 4x4 Ram 1500 with 3:55 ratio Chrysler 9.25 rearend.there should be if there isn't! Also most junk yards don't have one and if they do its usually shot when you pull the cover off the unit to inspect it.and they want 700.00 -900.00 for it used. I think that Chrysler should pay for replacing this bad poor dangerous faulty part with a new one.or rebuilt with non Chrysler components? …
While driving and when brakes were applied they did not hold, pedal went all the way to the floor, consumer stated the vehicle coasted through a red light through a busy intersection, this was caused by a hole in the brake line, which was the result of the way the brake line was assembled. Consumer stated the 4x4 did not work, the tire blew out, there was a water leak and the carpet had to be replaced twice, the rear window was replaced, the rear brakes never worked, the radio was inoperative, the hood light flickered while driving, and also vehicle experienced transmission problems.
After elec. Ingnition harness replaced under recall vehicle has had numerous electrical related faliures. Headlight switch melted in dash 2x's causing smoke and or fire condition. A/C failure, no power to compressor. Bucking, missing, hesitation at idle and all speeds. Buck, miss, hesistation can not be diagnoised by numerous dealers or private mechanics. Have spent over 1700.00 replacing parts (PCM, EGR selonoid, EGR gasket, tps sensor, iat motor, o2 sensor, fuel pump, fuel regulator) to remedy problem. So far no help. Any help would be greatly appreciated.
95v056ooo/hood assembly:latches; 97V084000/transmission cooling line; 97V199 000/fuel tank rollover valve, and 00V135000/ignition swtich wiring. Consumer received recall notices since mar 1995, and still was unable to get dealer to honor the recalls because of no parts being available. Dealer would call and tell consumer to bring vehicle in for a part that was available. However, when consumer arrived the part was already given to someone else. Asking help from NHTSA in this matter. Feel free to provide any further details.
Premature tranmission failure caused by direct clutch pack drum machining defect resulting in outer lip seal failure. This will cause the transmission to loose 3rd gear. Chrysler does not acknowledge this common problem that ocurs with this transmissions. The aftermarket transmission rebuild kit companies have all intorduced improved(larger thicker stronger) direct clutchdrum outer lip seals to help address a problem Chrysler says does not exist.
The automatic transmission still over heats when decending a long 7% grade while towing my fifth wheel trailer in second gear. It is not safe to be decending mountain grades, and have to keep looking at the transmission warning light. When the light comes on, you are to stop and cool the trans. It is almost impossible to find a safe area to pull off the road. Dodge cheched out the truck, and stated that it is OK. The truck is not overloaded.
When the brakes are applied to slow down the vehicle pulls to the left. Consumer states that sometimes vehicle will pull slightly and sometimes it will pull so bad that the vehicle will turn a corner on its own, this has been an ongoing problem since two months after purchase. Transmission has leaked three times. Radio broke. Power windows failed. Fuel pump failed. Knocking noise in engine. Weather stripping falling off.
Related recalls
Power train › Clutch assembly
Vehicle description: pickup trucks equipped with manual transmission, v10 engines and four-wheel-drive transfer cases. Under sustained maximum rated vehicle load, while driving up a steep grade in four-wheel-drive low range in hot ambient conditions, the local exhaust temperature proximate to the hydraulic clutch line can…
Remedy: Dealers will replace the hydraulic clutch assembly.
Power train › Automatic transmission › Cooling unit and lines
Under certain high load operating conditions, the transmission fluid temperature can exceed the melting point of the material used in the connector to retain the fluid line to the transmission.
Remedy: Dealers will replace the high temperature side of the transmission fluid cooler line connector fittings with connectors that incorporate a stainless steel retainer.
NHTSA investigations
Transmission quick connectors
On April 17, 1997, the Chrysler corporation filed a defect information report concerning approximately 800,000 1994 through 1997 Dodge Ram pickups equipped with v6 or v8 engines and automatic transmissions, 1995 through 1997dodge Ram pickups equipped with the v10 engine and automatic transmission, and the 1995 and 1996 Dodge Ram van/wagon equipped with automatic transmission.odi has received eleven reports…
Ignition switch
Complainants allege fires, melting, smoke or excessive heat in the vicinity of the ignition switch
Transmission fluid fires
TRANSMISSION FLUID LEAKAGE AT COOLER TUBE DISCONNECTS IS ALLEGED TO HAVE RESULTED IN VEHICLE FIRES.(this resume was revises on 12/3/96 to include the 1996 model year truck equipped with the subject equipment)
Steering column fires
ODI has received 33 complaints alleging excessive heat in the ignition switch and related circuitry in 1994-1996 Dodge Ram trucks.The root cause is an excessive current draw through the ignition switch result in fire, smoke, melting of surrounding plastics, stalling and the illumination of air bag and anti-lock brake system (ABS) warnig lights.
Transmission complaints in other Ram years
Frequently asked questions
How common are transmission problems on the 1995 Dodge Ram?
NHTSA has 91 complaints about the transmission & drivetrain of the 1995 Dodge Ram, 15% of the model year's 619 complaints. The component named most often is automatic transmission (42 mentions).
Is there a recall for 1995 Dodge Ram transmission problems?
Yes — NHTSA recall 99V-115 (clutch assembly, May 6, 1999); NHTSA recall 97V-084 (cooling unit and lines, May 5, 1997). Recall repairs are free at authorized dealers.
At what mileage do 1995 Dodge Ram transmission problems start?
Half of the complaints with a recorded mileage happened before about 114,000 miles.
Is it dangerous?
Owners linked 4 crashes, 4 fires and 1 injury to transmission & drivetrain 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.