1988 DODGE RAM

0 recalls, 27 complaints - 4 TSBs

No recalls found for this vehicle.

Complaint Statistics

27 total complaints 4 crashes 1 fires 1 injuries

Top Reported Components

Component	Complaints
SEAT BELTS:FRONT:BUCKLE ASSEMBLY	3
VEHICLE SPEED CONTROL	2
POWER TRAIN:AUTOMATIC TRANSMISSION	2
TIRES	2
ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING:ENGINE:GASOLINE	2
EQUIPMENT:MECHANICAL:CARRIER/RACK	1
ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING:ENGINE	1
SEATS	1
SEAT BELTS:FRONT:ANCHORAGE	1
ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING:EXHAUST SYSTEM:EMISSION CONTROL	1

WHEN THE VEHICLE IS IN PARKING GEAR IT MAKES HORRIBLE AND BUMPING NOISE. DEALERSHIP IS AWARE OF PROBLEM.*AK

Incident date: Aug 8, 2001

TRANSMISSION FAILURE. *AK

Crash

Incident date: Jul 1, 2001

VEHICLE WAS PARKED AND RUNNING, AND WITHOUT PRIOR WARNING, VEHICLE SLIPPED INTO ANOTHER GEAR AND ROLLED BACK, HITTING ANOTHER VEHICLE.*AK

Crash

Incident date: Mar 10, 2001

SHORTLY AFTER COLD START VEHICLE CAUGHT FIRE. WAS COMPLETELY CONSUMED. *AK

Fire

Incident date: Oct 16, 2000

DUE TO FAILURE OF TURN SWITCH, I WAS TICKETED FOR NO BRAKE LIGHTS AND TURN SIGNALS, AND FORCED TO HAVE $366.48 IN REPAIRS FOR A FAULTY SWITCH THAT SHOULD HAVE BEEN RECALLED AT INITIAL RELEASE OF VEHICLE IN 1988.*AK

Incident date: Oct 10, 1997

3 YEARS AGO, I WAS RETURNING FROM HOUSTON TX WHEN THE TREAD ON THE LEFT FRONT TIRE OF MY DODGE RAM CHARGER PEELED OFF. FORTUNETALLY, THE PIECES OF THE TIRE WENT UNDER THE TRUCK AND OUT THE BACK. WHEN I STOPPED AND CHECKED THE TIRE, IT WAS INFLATED YET MISSING ALL OF THE TREAD MINUS THE WALLS. THE... Read more

Incident date: Aug 6, 2000

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 ... Read more

Crash 1 injured

Incident date: Jan 1, 1999

LEFT UPPER CONTROL ARM CROSSMEMBER RUSTED THROUGH CAUSING THE COIL SPRING TO PUSH UP THROUGH THE TOP.

Incident date: Dec 14, 1990

CABURETOR CORRODED SHUT DURING THE NORMAL USE OF THE TRUCK, RESULTING IN THE PRIMARY THROTTLE LINKAGE STICKING AGAINST THE SECONDARY THROTTLE PLATE CAUSING VEHICLE TOO ACCELERATE AND VEHICLE TO RUN INTO STORE. (ATTORNEY FOR CONSUMER).

Incident date: Jan 21, 1999

WHEN IT'S RAINING OR WATER GETS INTO THE DISTRIBUTOR THROUGH THE ENGINE, THE VEHICLE CUTS COMPLETELY OFF. DEALER HAS NOT SEEN. *AK

VEHICLE SUDDENLY ACCELERATED OUT OF CONTROL, RESULT OF A DEFECTIVE CARBURETOR, SECONDARY THROTTLE PLATE ON THE CARBURETOR CORRODED SHUT DURING THE NORMAL, THROTTLE LINKAGE STICKING AGAINST THE SECONDARY THROTTLE LINKAGE.

SPARE TIRE CABLE RUSTED OFF CAUSING TIRE TO FALL OFF OF VEHICLE.

FACTORY PAINT ON TOP AND SIDES IS PEELING OFF IN SHEETS.

STEERING GEAR BOX IS CRACKED WHICH CAUSES A LOSS OF POWER STEERING. DEALER SAYS THE CHASSIS NEEDS TO BE REPLACED. *AK

Incident date: Dec 23, 1997

STEERING WHEEL HAS PLAY IN IT, AND DRIVER HAD TO MOVE IT LIKE A FOOT BEFORE ANYTHING HAPPENED,. SPEED APPROXIMATELY 25-60 MPH, NO CHANGE IN WET OR DRY PAVEMENTS, NO WARRANTY ON VEHICLE. DEALER CONTACTED AND TIGHTENED BOLTS, COSTS WERE $62. CONSUMER STATES THAT THE COST WAS TOO MUCH. *AK

Incident date: Jun 1, 1996

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. *AK

Incident date: Jun 1, 1996

Incident date: Aug 23, 1996

VEHICLE WAS IN PARK, PUT INTO DRIVE, VEHICLE WENT INTO OPEN THROTTLE POSITION, SPEED UNKNOWN, IMPACT 11:00 POSITION. *AK

Crash

Incident date: Jan 1, 1994

SEAT BELT LATCHES BROKE PRIOR TO RECALL. *SD

Incident date: Jan 1, 1995

DRIVERS SEAT BELT BUCKLE WOULD NOT LATCH. *DSH

Incident date: Nov 9, 1995

PASSENGER'S SEAT HINGE THAT TILTS FORWARD IS MADE OF WEAK MATERIAL CAUSING HINGE TO BREAK. *SD

Incident date: Mar 1, 1996

PASSENGER SIDE SEAT BUCKLE WILL NOT LATCH PROPERLY. *AK

Incident date: Mar 1, 1996

PASSENGER SIDE SEAT BUCKLE WILL NOT LATCH PROPERLY. *AK

Incident date: Apr 7, 1995

ENGINE CYLINDER HEAD REPLACED DUE TO ENGINE OVERHEATING/EMITTING FOUL ODOR, ALSO #3 CYLINDER FAILED, ANTIFREEZE TO LEAK INTO ENGINE OIL.. *AW

Incident date: Oct 20, 1994

VEHICLES SPARE TIRE CARRIER CABLE BROKE ON HWY AND TIRE ROLLED OVER TOP OF ANOTHER VEHICLE.TT *JB

Technical Service Bulletins, 1988 DODGE RAM

4 manufacturer communications from 2 unique bulletins. TSBs describe known problems and recommended fixes from the manufacturer.

Most Affected Components

Component	Bulletins
011000 STEERING: STEERING WHEEL/HANDLE BAR	1
060000 ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING	1
114000 ELECTRICAL SYSTEM:WIRING	1
350000 EQUIPMENT	1

060000 ENGINE AND 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, please make sure that the wiring loom and/or

114000 ELECTRICAL SYSTEM:WIRING

350000 EQUIPMENT

011000 STEERING: STEERING WHEEL/HANDLE BAR

STEERING COLUMN COUPLER SERVICE. *TW

NHTSA Safety Investigations, DODGE RAM

Investigations opened by NHTSA into potential safety defects. These are separate from recalls and may or may not result in a recall.

PE, Closed , Model Year: 2008

Outer Tie Rod Failure

ODI received complaints regarding failing tie rod ball studs on Model Year 2008-2011 Dodge Ram 2500 and 3500 vehicles resulting in loss of steering control.Chrysler concluded that misalignment of the left (driver side) ball stud on vehicles built with the Cross Car steering linkage system could allo... Read more

EA, Closed , Model Year: 2003

FALSE PARK

THE SUBJECT VEHICLES ARE HEAVY DUTY PICKUP TRUCKS WITH DIESEL ENGINES AND AUTOMATIC TRANSMISSIONS COMMONLY USED FOR COMMERCIAL AND WORK PURPOSES.A COLUMN MOUNTED SHIFT LEVER IS USED FOR GEAR SELECTION AND AN ELECTRONIC PRNDL ON THE INSTRUMENT PANEL PROVIDES GEAR POSITION INFORMATION TO THE DRIVER.TH... E SUBJECT VEHICLES ARE ALSO EQUIPPED WITH A BRAKE-TRANSMISSION SHIFT INTERLOCK THAT PREVENTS THE SHIFT LEVER FROM BEING MOVED FROM THE PARK POSITION (WHEN THE ENGINE IS ON) UNLESS THE BRAKE PEDAL IS DEPRESSED AND AN IGNITION-SHIFT INTERLOCK THAT PREVENTS KEY REMOVAL UNLESS THE TRANSMISSION IS IN THE PARK POSITION.COMPLAINANTS GENERALLY REPORT THAT THE VEHICLE WAS BEING OPERATED IN A FORWARD GEAR AND BROUGHT TO A STOP THROUGH BRAKE APPLICATION ON ALEVEL SURFACE, AT WHICH TIME THE OPERATOR MOVED THE SHIFT LEVER TO ENGAGE THE PARK POSITION.THE OPERATOR THEN OPENED THE DRIVER SIDE DOOR AND, WITHOUT VERIFYING PARK ENGAGEMENT (E.G., PRNDL GEAR INDICATION), SECURING THE PARK BRAKE, OR TURNING THE ENGINE OFF, EXITED THE VEHICLE.INITIALLY, NO VEHICLE MOVEMENT WAS APPARENT, HOWEVER, A SHORT TIME LATER, TYPICALLY REPORTED AS 10 TO 30 SECONDS, THE VEHICLE MOVED REARWARD UNDER ENGINE POWER.THE INCIDENT OFTEN ENDED IN A VEHICLE CRASH, AND SOMETIMES INVOLVED SERIOUS INJURY.TWO FATALITIES ARE ALLEGED.ODI?S ANALYSIS OF TEST VEHICLES AND SOME INCIDENT VEHICLES FOUND NO EVIDENCE TO INDICATE THAT A SHIFT LEVER PROPERLY PLACED IN PARK COULD UNINTENTIONALLY (I.E., WITHOUT DRIVER INPUT) DISENGAGE FROM THAT POSITION.HOWEVER, ODI DID FIND THAT THE SHIFT LEVER COULD BE INADVERTENTLY PLACED, AND REMAIN AT REST, WITHIN AN INTERMEDIATE POSITION BETWEEN THE PARK AND REVERSE GEAR POSITIONS.WHEN PLACED IN SUCH AN INTERMEDIATE POSITION, THE VEHICLE CAN EXPERIENCE A DELAYED PRESSURIZATION OF THE REVERSE HYDRAULIC CIRCUIT THAT IS SUFFICIENT TO CAUSE THE VEHICLE TO ROLL REARWARD UNDER POWER.THE DELAY PERIOD ALLOWS SUFFICIENT TIME FOR OPERATORS TO EXIT THE STATIONARY VEHICLE WITHOUT PERCEIVING THAT THE SHIFTER IS NOT IN PARK.THE SUMMARY REPORT DISCUSSES THE TECHNICAL ANALYSIS OF THIS ISSUE IN GREATER DETAIL AND COMPARES THE FREQUENCY OF THESE INCIDENTS IN THE SUBJECT VEHICLES TO OTHER PEER VEHICLES THAT ODI EXAMINED.AS DESCRIBED IN THEIR OCTOBER 4, 2005 LETTER TO NHTSA, DAIMLERCHRYSLER CORPORATION (DCC) WILL CONDUCT A SAFETY RECALL (NHTSA RECALL NO. 05V-462, DCC NO. E17) TO INSTALL AN OUT-OF-PARK ALARM SYSTEM IN THE SUBJECT VEHICLES.THE ALARM WILL PROVIDE AUDIBLE AND VISUAL FEEDBACK TO ALERT THE DRIVER, AND OTHERS, IF THE DRIVER ATTEMPTS TO EXIT THE VEHICLE WHILE THE ENGINE IS RUNNING AND THE SHIFT LEVER IS NOT IN THE PARK POSITION.THE TIMING OF DCC?S ACTION HAS YET TO BE DETERMINED.Read more

RQ, Closed , Model Year: 1994

HOOD LATCH

ONMARCH 20, 1995, DAIMLERCHRYSLER FILED A DEFECT REPORT FOR 181,008 1994 AND 1995 DODGE RAM TRUCKS MANUFACTUREDC FROM JANUARY 21, 1994 - OCTOBER 25, 1994 AT THE DODGE CITY ASSEMBLY PLANT AND FROM MARCH 26, 1994 - DECEMBER 8, 1994 AT THE LAGO ALBERTO ASSEMBLY PLANT.THE SECONDARY HOOD LATCH ROD COULD ... Read more

DP, Closed , Model Year: 1994

STEERING COLUMN FIRE

ALLEGES THAT THE POOR DESIGN OF THE IGNITION SWITCH ASSEMBLY AND//OR THE KEY CYLINDER ASSEMBLY IN THE MODEL YEAR 1991-2000 VEHICLES MAY CAUSE THE STEERING COLUMN TO CATCH FIRE

EA, Closed , Model Year: 1994

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 a... Read more

PE, Closed , Model Year: 1994

IGNITION SWITCH

COMPLAINANTS ALLEGE FIRES, MELTING, SMOKE OR EXCESSIVE HEAT IN THE VICINITY OF THE IGNITION SWITCH

RQ, Open , Model Year: 1994

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, A... Read more

EA, Closed , Model Year: 1996

CLUTCH HYDRAULIC LINE

ALLEGED PLASTIC CLUTCH TUBE MAY FAIL FROM EXPOSURE TO EXHAUST HEAT, RESULTING IN LOSS OF CLUTCH FUNCTION AND POSSIBLE VEHICLE FIRE.

PE, Closed , Model Year: 1996

CLUTCH HYDRAULIC LINE FAILURE

ALLEGED CLUTCH LINE MAY MELT AND LEAK HYDRAULIC FLUID IN THE VICINITY OF THE EXHAUST MANIFOLD.LEAKED HYDRAULIC FLUID COULD IGNITE AND CAUSE A VEHICLE FIRE.

PE, Closed , Model Year: 1994

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)

EA, Closed , Model Year: 1994

EVAPORATIVE CANISTER LEAKAGE

FUEL MAY LEAK FROM THE EVAPORATIVE CANISTER AFTER TANK FILL.

PE, Closed , Model Year: 1994

AIR BAG INFLATOR FAILURE

There is no summary currently available

EA, Closed , Model Year: 1994

SEAT BELT BUCKLE FAILURE

There is no summary currently available

PE, Closed , Model Year: 1994

SEAT BELT

CHRYSLER IS CONTINUING ITS INVESTIGATION OF THE SUBJECT BUCKLE ENGAGMENT. UPGRADED TO EA94-019.

PE, Closed , Model Year: 1991

ROLL-OVER/VENT VALVE LEAK

There is no summary currently available

DODGE RAM - All Years Overview

Complete safety history for the DODGE RAM across all model years (1991, 2011).

176 Total Recalls

5,521 Total Complaints

15 Investigations

606 Reported Crashes

194 Reported Fires

26 Reported Deaths

DODGE RAM - Year by Year

Compare recalls and complaints across model years. Click any year to see full details.

Year	Recalls	Complaints
2011	4	0	View
2010	5	33	View
2009	6	13	View
2008	4	33	View
2007	4	20	View
2006	4	36	View
2005	5	47	View
2004	7	71	View
2003	7	65	View
2002	6	152	View
2001	14	417	View
2000	11	212	View
1999	13	496	View
1998	17	644	View
1997	11	513	View
1996	14	905	View
1995	16	852	View
1994	22	623	View
1993	1	66	View
1992	2	75	View
1991	3	63	View
1990	0	23	View
1989	0	35	View
1988 (current)	0	27
1987	0	21	View
1986	0	20	View
1985	0	14	View
1984	0	2	View
1983	0	1	View
1981	0	2	View
1979	0	4	View
1977	0	2	View
1976	0	2	View

Other DODGE Models

Model	Recalls	Complaints
DURANGO	234	19,190	View
CARAVAN	213	14,304	View
GRAND CARAVAN	203	18,754	View
CHARGER	200	8,152	View
DAKOTA	153	9,250	View
CHALLENGER	102	2,357	View
STRATUS	94	3,621	View
RAM 3500	91	3,817	View

Vehicle Safety

Consumer Safety

Infrastructure

Public Health

1988 DODGE RAM

Complaint Statistics

Top Reported Components

Technical Service Bulletins, 1988 DODGE RAM

Most Affected Components

NHTSA Safety Investigations, DODGE RAM

DODGE RAM - All Years Overview

DODGE RAM - Year by Year

Other DODGE Models