1995 RAM 1500 Problems: 6 Issues Every Owner Should Know

1995 RAM 1500 Problems: 6 Issues Every Owner Should Know | Au7o

NHTSA Recalls4 recalls

POWER TRAIN:AUTOMATIC TRANSMISSION:LEVER AND LINKAGE:COLUMN SHIFT

Chrysler (FCA US LLC) is recalling certain 2016-2017 Ram 3500 Cab Chassis with a Gross Vehicle Weight Rating (GVWR) of less than 10,000 lbs, 2011-2017 Ram 3500, 4500 and 5500 Cab Chassis vehicles, 2009-2017 Ram 1500 and 2010-2017 Ram 2500 and 3500 pickup trucks, all equipped with a column shifter. Pushing the brake pedal for prolonged periods when the vehicle is running and in PARK may cause the Brake Transmission Shift Interlock (BTSI) pin to stick in the open position. With the pin in the open position, the transmission can be shifted out of PARK into any gear without pushing the brake pedal or having the key in the ignition.

Campaign #17V82100020/12/2017

FUEL SYSTEM, GASOLINE:STORAGE:TANK ASSEMBLY:MOUNTING

Chrysler (FCA US LLC) is recalling certain 2009-2012 Dodge Ram 1500 trucks currently, or ever registered, in Connecticut, Delaware, Illinois, Indiana, Iowa, Maine, Maryland, Massachusetts, Michigan, Minnesota, Missouri, New Hampshire, New Jersey, New York, Ohio, Pennsylvania, Rhode Island, Vermont, West Virginia, Wisconsin and the District of Columbia. Exposure to environmental conditions such as water mixed with road salt may cause the front fuel tank strap frame "T-Slot" bracket to corrode, possibly causing the fuel tank to drop and make contact with the ground.

Campaign #18V16000008/03/2018

POWER TRAIN:DRIVELINE:DIFFERENTIAL UNIT

Chrysler is recalling certain model year 2009-2012 Ram 1500 trucks manufactured from February 27, 2008, through June 30, 2009, and from December 1, 2009, through October 20, 2011; model year 2009-2011 Dodge Dakota trucks manufactured from February 27, 2007, through June 30, 2009, and from December 1, 2009, through September 30, 2011; model year 2009 Chrysler Aspen trucks manufactured from January 3, 2008, through December 18, 2008; and model year 2009 Dodge Durango trucks manufactured from January 3, 2008, through December 18, 2008. The rear axle pinion nut may loosen due to an undersized pinion spline that can allow relative motion between the nut and companion flange.

Campaign #13V03800006/02/2013

POWER TRAIN:DRIVELINE:DIFFERENTIAL UNIT

Chrysler is recalling certain model year 2009-2010, Ram 1500 and Dodge Dakota trucks, manufactured from July 1, 2009, through November 30, 2009, because the rear axle pinion nut may loosen due to a lack of adhesive.

Campaign #12V47400002/10/2012

Enter your VIN at NHTSA.gov to check recalls specific to your vehicle.

Frequently Asked Questions

What are the most common RAM 1500 problems?

According to Au7o's research across NHTSA recalls, manufacturer TSBs, and owner forum reports, the 1995 RAM 1500 has 6 documented issues. The most frequently reported are: 42RE/46RE Governor Pressure Solenoid and Sensor Failure — Limp Mode / Wrong-Gear Start, 5.2L/5.9L Magnum Intake Manifold Plenum Pan Gasket Failure (Oil Burning, Misfire, Cat Damage), Fuel Level Sending Unit Failure — Inaccurate, Stuck, or Erratic Fuel Gauge. Of these, 2 are rated critical and should be addressed promptly.

Is the RAM 1500 reliable?

The 1995 RAM 1500 has 6 known issues compiled from NHTSA recalls, manufacturer TSBs, and owner forum reports. 2 issues are rated critical: 42RE/46RE Governor Pressure Solenoid and Sensor Failure — Limp Mode / Wrong-Gear Start and 5.2L/5.9L Magnum Intake Manifold Plenum Pan Gasket Failure (Oil Burning, Misfire, Cat Damage). Prospective buyers should inspect for these issues and factor potential repair costs into their purchase decision. Regular maintenance following the manufacturer's schedule helps prevent many common problems.

How much does it cost to fix common RAM 1500 problems?

Repair costs for known RAM 1500 issues range from $50 to $3,000, depending on the specific problem and whether you choose DIY or professional repair. The most critical issue, 42RE/46RE Governor Pressure Solenoid and Sensor Failure — Limp Mode / Wrong-Gear Start, typically costs $150-$500 to repair. Au7o provides step-by-step DIY maintenance guides that can help reduce repair costs.

What is the 1994-2001 RAM 1500 42RE/46RE Governor Pressure Solenoid and Sensor Failure — Limp Mode / Wrong-Gear Start?

The electronically-controlled 42RE/46RE automatics regulate shift points with a PWM governor pressure solenoid plus a governor pressure sensor/transducer in the valve body. These parts get contaminated by transmission varnish and wear out. When the sensor feedback no longer match… Repairs typically run $150-$500. Severity: high.

What is the 1994-2001 RAM 1500 5.2L/5.9L Magnum Intake Manifold Plenum Pan Gasket Failure (Oil Burning, Misfire, Cat Damage)?

On Magnum-engine Rams the intake manifold has a stamped-steel plenum pan sealed to the aluminum manifold by a one-piece gasket. Because steel and aluminum expand at different rates, the gasket tears over time and lets engine oil from the lifter valley get drawn into the intake pl… Repairs typically run $150-$600. Severity: high.

What is the 1994-2010 RAM 1500 Fuel Level Sending Unit Failure — Inaccurate, Stuck, or Erratic Fuel Gauge?

The in-tank fuel level sending unit (float arm and variable-resistor card, part of the fuel pump module) wears out and gives false readings — commonly reading full then dropping to empty, sticking, or bouncing. On OBD-II trucks it sets P0463/P0462. It is one of the most-searched… Repairs typically run $150-$500. Severity: medium.

What is the 1994-2008 RAM 1500 Body Rust — Rear Wheel Arches, Cab Corners, and Bed Rot?

These Rams are widely known for rust-through at the rear wheel arches, lower quarter panels, cab corners, rocker panels, and the bed (inner bedside rusts out to the exterior on trucks through ~2006 due to poor drainage and moisture-trapping foam in the bed rails). It is severe an… Repairs typically run $500-$3,000. Severity: medium.

What is the 1994-2001 RAM 1500 4WD Central Axle Disconnect (CAD) Vacuum Actuator / Line Failure — 4x4 Won't Engage?

Second-gen 4WD Rams use a vacuum-operated Central Axle Disconnect (CAD) on the front axle to lock the right axle shaft when 4x4 is selected. The rubber/plastic vacuum lines become brittle and crack, the vacuum switch fails, or the CAD diaphragm/actuator ruptures — so the transfer… Repairs typically run $100-$400. Severity: medium.

What is the 1994-2001 RAM 1500 Magnum Camshaft/Crankshaft Position Sensor Failure — Hot Stall and No-Restart?

The 3.9/5.2/5.9 Magnum uses a camshaft position sensor inside the distributor plus a crankshaft position sensor on the bell housing. These sensors are heat-sensitive and fail intermittently — the engine stalls or dies when hot and refuses to restart until it cools, or cranks-but-… Repairs typically run $50-$250. Severity: medium.

1995 RAM 1500 Problems: 6 Issues Every Owner Should Know

All 6 Known Issues

1994-2001 RAM 1500: 5.2L/5.9L Magnum Intake Manifold Plenum Pan Gasket Failure (Oil Burning, Misfire, Cat Damage)#

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1994-2001 RAM 1500: Magnum Camshaft/Crankshaft Position Sensor Failure — Hot Stall and No-Restart#

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1994-2001 RAM 1500: 42RE/46RE Governor Pressure Solenoid and Sensor Failure — Limp Mode / Wrong-Gear Start#

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1994-2010 RAM 1500: Fuel Level Sending Unit Failure — Inaccurate, Stuck, or Erratic Fuel Gauge#

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1994-2008 RAM 1500: Body Rust — Rear Wheel Arches, Cab Corners, and Bed Rot#

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1994-2001 RAM 1500: 4WD Central Axle Disconnect (CAD) Vacuum Actuator / Line Failure — 4x4 Won't Engage#

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Other RAM Models

Frequently Asked Questions

What are the most common RAM 1500 problems?

Is the RAM 1500 reliable?

How much does it cost to fix common RAM 1500 problems?

What is the 1994-2001 RAM 1500 42RE/46RE Governor Pressure Solenoid and Sensor Failure — Limp Mode / Wrong-Gear Start?

What is the 1994-2001 RAM 1500 5.2L/5.9L Magnum Intake Manifold Plenum Pan Gasket Failure (Oil Burning, Misfire, Cat Damage)?

What is the 1994-2010 RAM 1500 Fuel Level Sending Unit Failure — Inaccurate, Stuck, or Erratic Fuel Gauge?

What is the 1994-2008 RAM 1500 Body Rust — Rear Wheel Arches, Cab Corners, and Bed Rot?

What is the 1994-2001 RAM 1500 4WD Central Axle Disconnect (CAD) Vacuum Actuator / Line Failure — 4x4 Won't Engage?

What is the 1994-2001 RAM 1500 Magnum Camshaft/Crankshaft Position Sensor Failure — Hot Stall and No-Restart?