1988 Dodge RAM Problems
- Complaints
- 22filed with NHTSA
- Median mileage
- —no mileage reported
- Recalls
- 0campaigns on record
- Trend
- StableComplaints filed in the last 3 full calendar years are within 25% of the 3 years before.
Sources: NHTSA records for the 1988 Dodge RAM (complaints, recalls, investigations). Report an error
NHTSA recorded 22 consumer complaints for the 1988 Dodge RAM. The part named most often is engine cooling, with 4 complaints (18% of the total), followed by seat belts (3) and tires (3). Of all complaints, 4 involved a crash, 1 a fire, 1 an injury, according to the filers. NHTSA lists 0 recall campaigns and 1 technical service bulletin for this model year. Engine cooling complaints overlap with 1 technical service bulletin filed under the same part.
This model year has fewer than 25 complaints on record, so the numbers below can change a lot with a few new reports.
Which parts are reported most
Complaints can name more than one part, so the counts add up to more than the total. Select a part to see its complaints, recalls and bulletins.
- Engine cooling4 18%
- Seat belts3 14%
- Tires3 14%
- Steering2 9.1%
- Vehicle speed control2 9.1%
- Equipment1 4.5%
- Exterior lighting1 4.5%
- Fuel system1 4.5%
- Seats1 4.5%
Also reported: Body and structure (1), Suspension (1).
Example complaints
Engine cooling: “Gasp in fuel intake when accelerating or sometimes when cruising along 75 MPH up an incline in passing lane, speedometer dropped down to 35 MPH. Previously replaced oxygen sensor/fuel pump/carburetor twice.”
NHTSA complaint #514170, filed 1997-04Tires: “On august 6, 2000, traveling north on I-75 near bellview forida I experienced a complete tread separation on the right rear tire. The tread tore away from the tire casing while traveling at a rate of 75 MPH leaving the tire still inflated with the steel belts showing. The vehicle ran over the separated tread throwing the material into the underbody causing damage to the tailpipe /muffler assembly. …”
NHTSA complaint #728862, filed 2000-08Complaints by year filed
Trend: stable. Complaints filed in the last 3 full calendar years are within 25% of the 3 years before.
Recalls and investigations
NHTSA lists no recall campaigns for the 1988 Dodge RAM in the data used here. A recall can apply to some vehicles of a model year and not others, so check a specific vehicle by VIN at nhtsa.gov/recalls.
Technical service bulletins
TSBs are manufacturer notes to dealers about known repair procedures. They are not recalls and do not by themselves mean a vehicle has a fault. 1 on record; the latest 1 are shown.
- 10139009Feb 13, 2013Electrical system, Equipment, Engine cooling. 68069384A$, R8069384A$, 68086182A$, R8027067A$, RL002012A$ - Gasket, Cylinder Head Cover Before replacing injectors for Diagnostic Trouble Codes P0201, P0202, P0203, P0204, P0205, and/or P0206…
Other model years of the Dodge RAM
| Year | Complaints | Median mi | Recalls | Crash ★ | MPG | Score (50 = typical) | Trend |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2010 | 27 | 10,025 | 5 | — | — | Not compared (fewer than 3 comparable model years) | Falling |
| 2009 | 9 | 43,992 | 5 | — | — | — | Not enough data |
| 2008 | 25 | 25,000 | 2 | — | — | Not compared (fewer than 3 comparable model years) | Falling |
| 2007 | 17 | 59,436 | 1 | — | — | — | Stable |
| 2006 | 25 | 36,470 | 0 | — | — | Not compared (before 2008) | Falling |
| 2005 | 40 | 22,500 | 0 | — | — | Not compared (before 2008) | Rising |
| 2004 | 58 | 37,000 | 1 | — | — | Not compared (before 2008) | Rising |
| 2003 | 53 | 38,750 | 2 | — | — | Not compared (before 2008) | Stable |
| 2002 | 116 | 37,827 | 2 | — | — | Not compared (before 2008) | Falling |
| 2001 | 318 | 45,000 | 9 | — | — | Not compared (before 2008) | Rising |
| 2000 | 147 | 63,000 | 6 | — | — | Not compared (before 2008) | Stable |
| 1999 | 366 | 78,000 | 9 | — | — | Not compared (before 2008) | Falling |
| 1998 | 483 | 74,000 | 13 | — | — | Not compared (before 2008) | Stable |
| 1997 | 398 | 80,000 | 7 | — | — | Not compared (before 2008) | Stable |
| 1996 | 625 | 81,500 | 10 | — | — | Not compared (before 2008) | Rising |
| 1995 | 611 | 102,398 | 12 | — | — | Not compared (before 2008) | Stable |
| 1994 | 469 | 125,254 | 18 | — | — | Not compared (before 2008) | Rising |
| 1993 | 54 | 111,275 | 0 | — | 19 | Not compared (before 2008) | Stable |
| 1992 | 58 | 87,000 | 1 | — | 19 | Not compared (before 2008) | Stable |
| 1991 | 51 | — | 2 | — | — | Not compared (before 2008) | Stable |
| 1990 | 23 | 17,000 | 0 | — | — | — | Stable |
| 1989 | 28 | — | 0 | — | — | Not compared (before 2008) | Stable |
| 1988 | 22 | — | 0 | — | — | — | Stable |
| 1987 | 18 | — | 0 | — | — | — | Stable |
| 1986 | 18 | — | 0 | — | — | — | Stable |
| 1985 | 10 | — | 0 | — | — | — | Not enough data |
All Dodge RAM model years · Best and worst years by complaints
Frequently asked questions
How many NHTSA complaints does the 1988 Dodge RAM have?
NHTSA recorded 22 consumer complaints for the 1988 Dodge RAM as of Oct 28, 2026. Complaints are unverified consumer reports and may be duplicated or inaccurate.
What part of the 1988 Dodge RAM is reported most often?
Engine cooling is named most often, in 4 complaints (18% of the total), followed by seat belts with 3.
Has the 1988 Dodge RAM been recalled?
NHTSA lists no recall campaigns for this model year in the data used here. To check a specific vehicle, enter its VIN at nhtsa.gov/recalls.
About this data. Data from NHTSA (ODI) complaints, recalls, TSBs and investigations, updated Oct 28, 2026. Complaints are unverified consumer reports and may be duplicated or inaccurate.
Complaint counts come from NHTSA’s public complaint database; we count each complaint once. The source records for this vehicle are on nhtsa.gov. Scores and trends are our own summaries of that data, described in the methodology. This page is not legal, safety or repair advice: for a specific vehicle, check its VIN at nhtsa.gov/recalls and ask a qualified mechanic. See an error? Tell us.