1989 DODGE RAM

0 recalls, 35 complaints - 14 TSBs

No recalls found for this vehicle.

Complaint Statistics

35 total complaints 6 crashes 2 fires 1 injuries

Top Reported Components

Component	Complaints
SEAT BELTS:FRONT:BUCKLE ASSEMBLY	7
TIRES	3
FUEL SYSTEM, GASOLINE:FUEL INJECTION SYSTEM	2
FUEL SYSTEM, GASOLINE:STORAGE:TANK ASSEMBLY	2
SEAT BELTS:FRONT:RETRACTOR	2
POWER TRAIN:AUTOMATIC TRANSMISSION	2
SEAT BELTS:FRONT:WEBBING	2
STEERING:GEAR BOX (OTHER THAN RACK AND PINION)	2
SEATS:FRONT ASSEMBLY:RECLINER	2
POWER TRAIN:AUTOMATIC TRANSMISSION:PARK/NEUTRAL START INTERLOCK SWITCH	1

Incident date: Oct 11, 2003

WHILE TRAVELING 70 MPH REAR PASSENGER'S SIDE TIRE BLEW OUT. CONSUMER MANAGED TO PULL OVER. CAUSE HAS YET TO BE DETERMINED. TIRE SIZE P26570R16. *AK

AFTER FUELING VAN THERE IS NO REGISTRATION ON THE DASHBOARD OF FUEL GAUGE. MECHANIC HAS REPLACED FUEL GAUGE AND NEEDLE 3 TIMES, HOWEVER IT STILL MALFUNCTIONED. *AK CONSUMER STATED ELECTRICAL WORK WAS DONE TO THE GAS GAUGE.*JB

Incident date: Aug 25, 2001

FUEL TANK HAS PULLED AWAY FROM HOLD AND FUEL LEAKS ON THE GROUND FROM SMALL HOLD ON TOP OF FUEL TANK. *AK

Incident date: Jan 10, 2001

VEHICLE WAS LEAKING FUEL. THEN TOOK VEHICLE TO DEALER WHERE THEY FOUND THAT LEAK WAS COMING FROM FUEL INJECTION SYSTEM WHERE"O" RING WORE OUT.THEY CHARGED CONSUMER FOR REPAIRS. *AK

Incident date: Jan 14, 2000

QUOTE FROM POLICE REPORT : "INVESTIGATION AT THE SCENE SHOWED THAT THE RIGHT REAR TIRE OF VEHICLE #1 LOST TREAD AND BLEW, CAUSING THIS ACCIDENT". THIS INCIDENT DOES NOT FIT THE "PROFILE" PUT FORTH BY FIRESTONE, I.E. NOT A FORD EXPLORER, NOT DRIVEN OFF RAOD, NOT USED IN EXTREME HEAT.( DOT NUMBER: T... Read more

Crash 1 injured

THIS IS THE NORMAL TYPE VAN AND TIRES FOR CHURCHES, SCHOOLS, DAYCARES...THIS TIRE HAS BLOWN 7 TIMES WHEN VANS WERE AT HWY SPEEDS WITH FULL LOADS...DUNLOP HAS REFUSED TO PAY DAMAGES OR ADMIT THIS TIRE HAS PROBLEM...WE THANK GOD OUR YOUTH WERE NOT INJURED...BUT SOMEONES WILL BE IF THIS IS NOT CORRECTE... Read more

Incident date: May 21, 1999

VEHICLE KEEPS CUTTING OFF DUE TO SOME TYPE OF PLUGS THAT WEREN'T PUT INTO THE VEHICLE. ALSO, VEHICLE ISN'T PULLING, AND THERE IS A LOSS OF POWER. *AK

Incident date: Aug 20, 1999

AUTOMATIC TRANSMISSION MALFUNCTIONED DUE TO THE GOVERNOR STICKING WHICH MAY CAUSE LOSS OF VEHICLE CONTROL AND CRASH. PLEASE PROVIDE FURTHER INFORMATION. *AK

Incident date: Jun 4, 1999

FRONT MAIN CROSSMEMBER STRUCTURALLY FAILED, ALLOWING RIGHT FRONT LOWER CONTROL ARM BRACKET TO BREAK FREE.

Incident date: Jun 4, 1999

FRONT MAIN CROSSMEMBER STRUCTURALLY FAILED, ALLOWING RIGHT FRONT LOWER CONTROL ARM BRACKET TO BREAK FREE.

Incident date: May 1, 1991

SEAT BELT LATCH STRIPPED.

Incident date: May 1, 1991

LATCHING DEVICE FOR MIDDLE BENCH AND SEAT COVERS DO NOT FIT PROPERLY.

Incident date: Dec 29, 1997

WHILE DRIVING THE TRUCK ABOUT 45-50 MPH, THE STEERING COUPLING BROKE DOWN BY THE AXLE. STEERING BECAME IMPOSSIBLE, AND DRIVER RAN OFF THE ROAD INTO A FIELD. THE TRUCK WAS TOWED TO A DEALERSHIP.THE STEERING SHAFT AND BOX WERE REPLACED BY A DEALER. PLEASE PROVIDE ANY FURTHER DETAILS. *AK

Crash

Incident date: Dec 29, 1997

Crash

Incident date: Dec 29, 1997

Crash

Incident date: Aug 6, 1998

WHILE FILLING VEHICLE WITH GAS TANK FUEL TANK EXPLODED, CAUSING FUEL TANK TO DEVELOP A HOLE . POSSIBLE CAUSE ELECTRIC FUEL PUMP FAILURE. DEALERS WILL NOT ADDRESS PROBLEM. *AK

WHILE DRIVING DRIVER'S SEAT BACK COLLAPSED 2 INCHES AT THE BASE AND THE BACK PORTION 8 TO 10 INCHES. PLATE THAT SUPPORTS BACK PORTION OF SEAT BROKE INTERNALLY. PLEASE DESCRIBE DETAILS. *AK

CONSUMER HAS BEEN WAITING FOR SEAT BELT BUCKLE(S) AT LEAST (3) MONTHS. *AK

Incident date: Mar 13, 1997

STEERING GEAR BOX: MAKING A RIGHT HAND TURN, HEARD LOUD BUMP, LOST STEERING AND RAN INTO GUARD RAIL. TOOK IN FOR REPAIRS AND DEALER SAID THE PROBLEM WAS IN THE STEERING BOX, STEEL HAD CRYSTALIZED AND CAUSED IT TO BREAK. *AK

Crash

THE REMOTE SIDE VIEW MIRRORS CANNOT BE ADJUSTED BECAUSE OF A DEFECTIVE GEAR. WHEN ADUSTING THE MIRRORS, ONE CAN HEAR THE MOTOR RUNNING, BUT THERE IS NO MOVEMENT OF MIRRORS. PROBLEM NOT CORRECTED BY DEALER. *AK

Incident date: Dec 27, 1996

PASSENGER'S SIDE LAP/SHOULDER BUCKLE RED RELEASE BUTTON WILL NOT LATCH, BUCKLE WILL NOT STAY CLOSED. *AK

Incident date: Jan 1, 1991

ORANGE RELEASE BUTTON ON SEAT BELT BUCKLE BROKE, CAUSING THEM TO JAM.

Incident date: Jan 1, 1991

PASSENGERS SEAT BELT RETRACTOR FAILED. *DSH

THE CONSUMER FELT THE SEAT BELT TIGHTENED AS HE WAS DRIVING. THEN THE SEAT BELT WOULDN'T RELEASE. PLEASE DESCRIBE. *AK

Incident date: Oct 1, 1995

PASSENGER SIDE SEAT BELT WILL NOT LATCH AND LOCK. TT

Incident date: Jul 1, 1995

DEALER AND MANUFACTURER SAID THERE IS NO TAKATA SEATBELT RECALL, RECALL #95V103003. TT

Incident date: May 1, 1995

SEAT BELT BUCKLE FAILURE, RED RELEASE BUTTON BROKE, UNABLE TO LATCH SEAT BELT. TT CONSUMER STATES RED PLASTIC RELEASE BUTTON DETERIORATED, CAUSING MALE PART TO HANG IN RECEPTICAL, IN ORDER TO FIX FAILED PART, CONSUMER HAS TO HAVE THE ENTIRE SIDE BELT SYSTEM REPLACED WHEN ALL THAT IS NEEDED IS THE ... Read more

Incident date: Jun 10, 1995

THE TRANSMISSION QUITE WHILE DRIVING. PLEASE DESCRIBE. *AK

Incident date: Aug 14, 1995

PASSENGERS COMPARTMENT FIRE, ELECTRICAL SYSTEM CAUSED FIRE. TT

Fire

BOTH SEATS DO NOT RETRACT OR THEY GET JAMMED-OR STAY LOOSE. TT

Incident date: Jul 1, 1993

GOT A FILL UP THAT DAY AND ONE HOUR LATER GAS WAS SPILLING ALL OVER THE EXHAUST SYSTEM. TT

Incident date: May 7, 1995

TWO-YEAR OLD CLIMBED INTO VEHICLE PULLESED SHIFT LEVER FROM PARK, LEVER MOVED INTO NEUTRAL, VEHICLE ACCELERATED OUT OF CONTROL, RESULTING IN AN ACCIDENT. *AK

Crash

Incident date: Apr 11, 1995

PRESSURE REGULATOR VALVE STUCK WIDE OPEN AND FLOODED OUT THE THROTTLE BODY ON TOP OF HOT ENGINE AND VEHICLE CAUGHT ON FIRE. *AK

Fire

Technical Service Bulletins, 1989 DODGE RAM

14 manufacturer communications from 11 unique bulletins. TSBs describe known problems and recommended fixes from the manufacturer.

Most Affected Components

Component	Bulletins
114000 ELECTRICAL SYSTEM:WIRING	2
060000 ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING	2
061000 ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING:ENGINE	1
011000 STEERING: STEERING WHEEL/HANDLE BAR	1
161000 STRUCTURE:FRAME AND MEMBERS	1
062000 ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING:COOLING SYSTEM	1
353400 EQUIPMENT:ELECTRICAL:RADIO/TAPE DECK/CD ETC.	1
110000 ELECTRICAL SYSTEM	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

061100 ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING:ENGINE:GASOLINE

CUSTOMER MAY COMPLAIN OF HIGH OIL CONSUMPTION, GREY OIL SMOKE COMING OUT OF THE EXHAUST OR BREATHER TUBE, OR MECHANICAL KNOCKING. *TT

103000 POWER TRAIN:AUTOMATIC TRANSMISSION

AUTOMATIC TRANSMISSION FLUID USAGE ATF+4. *TT *MJ

110000 ELECTRICAL SYSTEM

SUBJECT REGARDING WIRE SPLICE REPAIRS. *SB

114000 ELECTRICAL SYSTEM:WIRING

THIS BULLETIN PROVIDES A REVISED WIRE SPLICE PROCEDURE AND RELATED PARTS. *TT

353400 EQUIPMENT:ELECTRICAL:RADIO/TAPE DECK/CD ETC.

INFORMATION ON INSTALLATION OF RADIO TRANSMITTING EQUIPMENT. *AK

062000 ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING:COOLING SYSTEM

VARIOUS CAR OWNER'S HAVE EXPRESSED INTEREST IN USING ENGINE COOLANTS MADE WITH PROPYLENE GLYCOL INSTEAD OF ETHYLENE GLYCOL. *YC

060000 ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING

CONCERNS WITH ENGINE COOLANT USAGE. *NLM

102000 POWER TRAIN:MANUAL TRANSMISSION

INFORMATION ON TRANSMISSION COOLER REVERSE FLUSHING WITH COOLER BYPASS KIT INSTALLED. *NLM

161000 STRUCTURE:FRAME AND MEMBERS

DIFFICULT TO CLEAN LIGHT COLORED "CHALKY" RESIDUE FROM PLASTIC BODY COMPONENTS THAT ARE MOLDED IN BLACK. *TW

061000 ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING:ENGINE

OIL LEAK DIAGNOSIS OF THE REAR MAIN BEARING AREA. *TW

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 (current)	0	35
1988	0	27	View
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

1989 DODGE RAM

Complaint Statistics

Top Reported Components

Technical Service Bulletins, 1989 DODGE RAM

Most Affected Components

NHTSA Safety Investigations, DODGE RAM

DODGE RAM - All Years Overview

DODGE RAM - Year by Year

Other DODGE Models