DodgeRAM Pickup19945.9L V8/dodge/ram-pickup/1994/5-9l-v8/
BR platform

1994 Dodge RAM Pickup — 5.9L V8

Factory specifications, fluid capacities, torque values, EPA fuel economy and the federal safety record for the 1994 RAM Pickup 5.9L V8. Covers both the standard and High Output 5.9L V8.

Body TRUCKEngine 5.9L V8Transmission Automatic 4-spd

The 1994 Dodge RAM Pickup, built on the BR platform, was powered by a 5.9L V8 engine paired with a 4-speed automatic transmission, requiring 5 quarts of 10W-30 API oil for service, and achieved EPA fuel economy ratings of 11/15/12 mpg across driving cycles; with 710 total owner complaints on record and 23 recalls, this model year sits notably higher in complaint volume than the peak and trough years documented in its model lineage (1999 at 33 complaints being the highest, 2000 at 8 being the lowest among 1995–2002), indicating that the 1994 generation experienced more widespread issues—particularly in the Service Brakes, Hydraulic category—compared to subsequent years, making it a model year that warrants careful consideration during pre-purchase evaluation despite its robust powertrain specifications.

Model year199919981997199619951994

Quick specs

Fluid capacities, tune-up values and fuel economy at a glance.

Engine oil capacity5 qt w/ filterOEM · verified
Engine oil type10W-30 APIOEM · verified
EPA fuel economy11/15/12 mpgEPA · verified

Fitment & sizes

Replacement part sizes and factory part numbers — battery, bulbs, filters and belts.

From the factory this vehicle uses OE oil filter 05281090AB. Note the factory fuel filter, front wiper blades and serpentine belt are now discontinued — plan on a superseded or quality aftermarket equivalent, which the part pages below list where known. Each part links to every other vehicle that shares it, so a part you already stock may fit more of your fleet than you'd expect.

OE service part numbers OEM · verified

Engine oil filter05281090AB
Engine air filter53004383AC
Fuel filter04864849AB discontinued · alt 04864307
Spark plug68308887AA alt 68305411AA
BatteryBB27F101AA alt BB34U900AA
Front wiper blades55076910AA discontinued
Serpentine belt53010286AB discontinued · alt 53010277
Thermostat52028185AC alt 53021051AB

Full specifications

Engine, drivetrain, dimensions and economy.

Engine & drivetrain NHTSA vPIC

TransmissionAutomatic 4-spd

Dimensions & weight NHTSA vPIC

Overall length220.1 in
Overall width78.3 in
Overall height73.6 in
Wheelbase135 in
Curb weight4341 lb
Track (front / rear)68.5 / 68.1 in

Ratings & economy EPA / vPIC

EPA city / highway / combined11 / 15 / 12 mpg
DrivetrainRear-Wheel Drive
Recommended fuelRegular Gasoline

Service quick specs OEM factory data

Capacities, torques and tune-up values from the factory service manual.

This engine holds 5 qt w/ filter of 10W-30 API engine oil, 80W-90 · GL-5 in the differential, DOT 3 brake fluid.

Lubricants & capacities

Brake FluidDOT 3
Differential Gear Oil80W-90 · GL-5
Differential Gear Oil Capacity7 Pints,
Differential Gear Oil80W-90 · GL-5
Differential Gear Oil Capacity4.4 pints
Engine CoolantETHYLENE GLYCOL
Engine Oil10W-30 · API
Engine Oil Capacity5 qt w/ filter

Factory maintenance schedule OEM · verified

Normal service, condensed from the factory interval matrix.

Under the factory schedule, replace the engine oil and filter every 7,500 mi; spark plugs every 30,000 mi; coolant every 30,000 mi. The big-interval services (every 30,000 mi for coolant, and the transmission fluid) are the ones owners most often skip — on a lower-mileage example, assume the original fluids are still in it and check them first.

Every 6,000 miBrake Hydraulic System (inspect fluid level) · Brake Line (inspect) · CV Joint Boot (inspect) · Differential (inspect fluid level) · Driveshaft U-Joint (lubricate) · Engine Coolant System (leak inspection)
Every 7,500 miEngine Oil (drain & refill) · Fuel Line (inspect)
Every 12,000 miAccessory Drive Belt (inspect) · Fuel Filter (replace) · Water Pump (inspect)
Every 18,000 miRadiator Fan Clutch (inspect)
Every 24,000 miBrake Linings (inspect) · Crankshaft Vibration Damper (inspect) · Engine Air Filter Element (replace) · Engine Breather Filter (clean) · Engine Valves (inspect valve lash)
Every 30,000 miEngine Coolant System (drain, flush & refill) · Spark Plugs (replace)
At 60,000 miEngine Coolant System (drain, flush & refill) · PCV Valve (inspect)
Every 60,000 miBattery (replace) · PCV Valve (inspect) · Spark Plug Wires (replace)
Every 82,500 miOxygen Sensor (replace)

Owner how-tos

Condensed service procedures for routine maintenance. Procedures that require dealer diagnostic equipment are identified and summarized only.

Common procedures

Key fob — remote (RKE) programming programming new fob buttons Dealer tool OEM · verified
Tool requiredDRBIII scan tool (dealer / locksmith)
WhyTransmitter codes are written into the receiver in the passenger door module
Anti-theft (SKIS) — module initialization after immobilizer module replacement Dealer tool OEM · verified
When neededAfter Sentry Key Immobilizer Module (SKIM) replacement
Tool requiredDRBIII scan tool
Also requiredThe vehicle's four-digit PIN code

Reliability & federal safety record

Owner-reported issues, recalls, investigations and service bulletins on record with NHTSA — an unfiltered look at what owners actually experience.

The 1994 Dodge RAM Pickup shows concentrated complaint activity in four key areas — service brakes hydraulic (104), electrical system (80), power train (70), and suspension (59) — alongside 65 crash-related and 38 fire-related complaints, though the federal year-by-year record does not include a 1994 summary row for total complaints, recalls, investigations, or TSBs. The subsequent generation data begins with 1995 at just nine complaints and two investigations, then rises to 20 complaints in 1998 and 33 in 1999 before dropping to eight in 2000 and climbing again to 24 with one recall in 2002, suggesting a volatile but generally low-to-moderate complaint trajectory after the target year. Without a 1994 baseline in the federal summary, it is impossible to quantify whether the target year's component-level complaint volumes reflect an above-average trend or simply detailed reporting for a high-volume model. The data does not specify root causes for the brake, electrical, power train, or suspension complaints, nor does it link the crash and fire reports to specific systems. Given the significant counts in safety-critical categories and the absence of a comparative 1994 federal summary, this year carries elevated risk and should only be considered with thorough pre-purchase inspection of braking, electrical, and suspension systems.

23
Open recalls
NHTSA campaigns
97
Service bulletins
Manufacturer communications
15
ODI investigations
Office of Defects Investigation
710
Owner complaints
65 involved a crash · 38 a fire
NHTSA crash-test rating federal NCAP · out of 5 stars
Rollover★★★★
Owner complaints by model year NHTSA · this generation & adjacent

Owner complaints filed with NHTSA, by component

All 710 complaints on record, top 8 components.

Service Brakes, Hydraulic104
Electrical System80
Power Train70
Suspension59
Steering50
Fuel System, Gasoline40
Visibility35
Air Bags33

Source: NHTSA Office of Defects Investigation complaint database.

Recalls NHTSA · verified

Showing 2 of 22 campaigns on record for this vehicle.

08E050000Exterior Lighting:HeadlightsReported 11/08/2008

K2 MOTOR IS RECALLING 1,921 AFTERMARKET HEADLAMPS OF VARIOUS MODELS SOLD FOR USE ON THE ABOVE LISTED VEHICLES. THESE HEADLAMPS ARE MISSING THE AMBER SIDE REFLEX REFLECTOR WHICH FAILS TO CONFORM WITH THE REQUIREMENTS OF… Remedy: K2 MOTOR WILL NOTIFY OWNERS AND OFFER A FULL REFUND. THE RECALL BEGAN ON DECEMEBER 17, 2008. OWNERS MAY CONTACT K2 MOTOR AT 1-909-839-2992.

09E012000Exterior LightingReported 07/04/2009

SABERSPORT IS RECALLING 16,270 COMBINATION CORNER AND BUMPER LAMP ASSEMBLIES OF VARIOUS PART NUMBERS SOLD FOR USE AS AFTERMARKET EQUIPMENT FOR VARIOUS PASSENGER VEHICLES. THESE HEADLAMPS FAIL TO CONFORM TO THE… Remedy: SABERSPORT WILL NOTIFY OWNERS AND OFFER A FULL REFUND FOR THE NONCOMPLIANT COMBINATION LAMPS. THE SAFETY RECALL BEGAN ON MAY 11, 2009. OWNERS MAY CONTACT SABERSPORT AT…

Technical service bulletins NHTSA · verified

Showing 5 of 97 bulletins on record with NHTSA.

BulletinDateComponentSummary
R2118796A2016-02-26Engine And Engine CoolingValve Body. These may cause over drive cycling.
90028492014-09-03EquipmentPart Description: Insulator on Lever Assy Manual Valve - Valve Body - RWD Transmission…
90026882013-02-13Engine And Engine Cooling68069384A$, R8069384A$, 68086182A$, R8027067A$, RL002012A$ - Gasket, Cylinder Head Cover…
18020022002-06-24Unknown Or OtherFLASH PROGRAMMING FAILURE RECOVERY. *SLC
09004012001-05-18Engine And Engine CoolingCUSTOMER MAY COMPLAIN OF HIGH OIL CONSUMPTION, GREY OIL SMOKE COMING OUT OF THE EXHAUST…

Common OBD-II trouble codes

The most common OBD-II codes for this vehicle's emissions system. These are standardized SAE J2012 definitions, not vehicle-specific fault reports.

P0420
Catalyst system efficiency below threshold — Bank 1
P0300
Random / multiple cylinder misfire detected
P0171
System too lean — Bank 1
P0455
Evaporative emission system leak detected — large leak
P0128
Coolant thermostat below regulating temperature
P0442
Evaporative emission system leak detected — small leak

VIN tools

Decode factory build data for a specific vehicle by VIN.

VIN
Decode a VIN to confirm the transmission and build data for a specific RAM Pickup. OEM
Build data
Plant, GVWR class, engine and body data for any 17-character VIN.
Recalls
Check open recall campaigns against a specific vehicle by VIN.

Vehicles with shared specs

Find every vehicle that shares this one's battery, bulbs, oil capacity, platform or parts.

Reference guides

Cross-vehicle references for the kinds of data on this page.

Frequently asked

How much oil does the 1994 RAM Pickup 5.9L V8 take?

5 qt w/ filter of 10W-30 API, per the factory manual.

Does the 1994 RAM Pickup have open recalls?

NHTSA lists 23 recall campaign(s) for this model year. Check your specific vehicle by VIN.

What gas mileage does the 5.9L V8 get?

EPA figures are 11 city / 15 highway / 12 combined mpg.