Dodge RAM 50 Problems by Model Year
NHTSA recorded 23 consumer complaints across the 3 model years of the Dodge RAM 50 (1987–1989) that have at least 5 complaints. 1988 has the most, with 9. Across all years, the part named most often is seat belts (19 mentions). Pick a model year below to see its parts, mileage, recalls and service bulletins.
All RAM 50 model years
Years with fewer than 5 complaints are not listed. The score compares years of the same model, allowing for the era and for how long each year has collected complaints: 50 is a typical year, lower means fewer complaints. It is not adjusted for sales volume.
| Year | Complaints | Median mi | Recalls | TSBs | Score (50 = typical) | Trend |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1989 | 5 | — | 1 | 1 | — | Not enough data |
| 1988 | 9 | — | 1 | 1 | — | Not enough data |
| 1987 | 9 | — | 1 | 1 | — | Not enough data |
Parts named most often, all years
Counts add up complaint mentions across the listed years. A complaint can name several parts.
- Seat belts19 73%
- Fuel system2 7.7%
- Engine cooling2 7.7%
- Tires1 3.8%
- Steering1 3.8%
- Other or unknown1 3.8%
Example complaints
One per model year, chosen for length and detail. Personal details are removed. They are consumer reports, not findings.
1988: “Consumer was in a 4 car pile-up crash, her vehicle was the fourth car. Was driving approx. 20-32 MPH. Wearing seat belt when the the crash occurred. The shoulder strap of driver side collapsed, allowing consumer's 110lbs upper body to hit the steering area and wheel; thighs bruised on arm rest .”
NHTSA complaint #816032, filed 1997-091987: “Owner states that she received a recall notice for seat belt buckles and was told by the dealers that the work was repaired when it really wasn't. Owner also notes that dealers then told her that parts were not available.”
NHTSA complaint #810762, filed 1997-041989: “Recall does not apply to vehicle but seat belts are broken and are takata manufacturer offers no assistance. Tt the latch plate cannot be inserted into the buckle, dealer looked up VIN and stated there were no recalls.”
NHTSA complaint #972827, filed 1995-10Other Dodge models
13,779 complaintsDodge Grand Caravan
13,511 complaintsDodge RAM 1500
12,422 complaintsDodge Caravan
10,523 complaintsDodge Dakota
6,626 complaintsDodge RAM 2500
6,443 complaintsDodge Intrepid
6,223 complaintsDodge Charger
5,732 complaints
About this data. Data from NHTSA (ODI) complaints, recalls, TSBs and investigations, updated Oct 27, 2026. Complaints are unverified consumer reports and may be duplicated or inaccurate. Methodology