RoadVitals

1985 Dodge Ram

Recalls, owner-reported complaints, investigations and safety data

Data refreshed

Owner complaintsComplaints are reports submitted to NHTSA by owners and drivers. NHTSA does not verify most reports before publishing them, and a complaint does not establish that a defect exists. Volume is influenced by how many of a vehicle were sold, how long it has been on the road, and how much attention an issue has received.
10
Latest Jun 2, 2010
Safety recallsA safety recall is issued when a manufacturer or NHTSA determines that a vehicle has a safety-related defect or does not comply with a federal motor vehicle safety standard. Recall repairs are free. Whether a specific vehicle is covered depends on its VIN — a recall listed for a model year does not necessarily apply to every vehicle of that year.
0
InvestigationsNHTSA opens an investigation to examine whether a safety defect may exist. An open investigation is not a determination that a defect exists, and many investigations close without a recall. Investigations can, however, lead to one.
0
Crash or fire reportedComplaints whose submitter recorded that a crash or a fire occurred. These are the reporter's own answers on the NHTSA form, not verified findings.
2

Overview

Our database contains 10 NHTSA owner-reported complaints for the 1985 Dodge Ram, most frequently naming the engine, brakes and steering categories. 2 manufacturer communications are on file.

Complaints are reports submitted by owners and drivers to NHTSA. They are not verified and do not establish that a defect exists.

What owners report

Complaints grouped by the component NHTSA recorded

  • Engine218.2%
  • Brakes218.2%
  • Steering218.2%
  • Powertrain (other)19.1%
  • Seat belts19.1%
  • Fuel system19.1%
  • Electrical19.1%
  • Body & structure19.1%

Percentages are of component mentions. A single complaint can name more than one component, so these do not sum to the total complaint count.

Safety recalls

No recalls in our database for this model year

That does not guarantee a specific vehicle is unaffected — recalls are issued against VINs, and new campaigns are announced regularly. Check a VIN on NHTSA.gov.

Recent owner complaints

Reports submitted to NHTSA, shown in the owner's own words

View all 10
Steering
Filed Jun 2, 2010
Crash reported

1985 DODGE RAM 3500 PICKUP, STEERING LINKAGE BROKE CAUSING THE VEHICLE TO STRIKE A CONCRETE WALL. *BF OHIO TRAFFIC CRASH REPORT # 10-0190-91. *JB

NHTSA ID
10334847
Incident
Apr 19, 2010
Brakes
Filed Jun 12, 2002

POOR BRAKE PERFORMANCE CAUSING VEHICLE TO PROLONG THE STOP. CAUSE UNKNOWN. DEALER NOTIFIED. *AK

NHTSA ID
8011678
Incident
May 12, 2002
Brakes
Filed Jun 25, 1998

BRAKE SYSTEM FAILURE DUE TO BRAKE VACUUM PUMP AND HOSES HAVING OIL IN THEM. ACCORDING TO NHTSA'S RECORDS RECALL 97V06800 SHOULD COVER THIS VEHICLE, CHRYSLER CLAIMS IT DOES NOT APPLY.

NHTSA ID
537491
Incident
Nov 1, 1997
Steering
Filed Apr 23, 1998

CONSUMER NOT SATISFIED WITH RECALL REPAIR WORK, STEERING SHAFT COULD COME LOOSE, THE REPAIR WAS TO ATTACH TWO PLASTIC STRAPS AROUND STEERING SHAFT.

NHTSA ID
534487
Engine
Filed Jan 9, 1998

ENGINE FAILURE/BURNING DUE TO DEFECTIVE HOSES AND FITTINGS IN AMSOIL BY-PASS KIT, RECALLED AFTER INCIDENT.

NHTSA ID
516906
ElectricalEngineFuel system
Filed Jul 1, 1997
Fire reported

OIL HOSE FAILED, CAUSING LEAKAGE/ENGINE FIRE.

NHTSA ID
603362
Incident
Jun 21, 1996
Powertrain (other)
Filed Mar 11, 1997

WHILE DRIVING VEHICLE ABOUT 25 MPH THE FRONT WHEELS LOCKED UP BECAUSE THE BOLTS THAT HOLD THE GEARS IN FRONT DIFFERENTIAL SHEARED OFF. *AK

NHTSA ID
809823
Incident
Mar 1, 1997
Seat belts
Filed Dec 6, 1996

THE VEHICLE ROLLED OVER AT ABOUT 45MPH, AT WHICH TIME FOUR LAP SEAT BELTS FAILED TO HOLD THE PASSENGERS IN PLACE, THEY DISCONNECTED/CAME APART. *AK

NHTSA ID
806000
Incident
Nov 27, 1996

Manufacturer communications

A bulletin sent by a manufacturer to its dealers. Not a recall, and repairs are not necessarily free.

9002688

ELECTRICAL SYSTEM:WIRING; ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING; EQUIPMENT

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 connector in the valve cover gasket is not the root cause to your concern. In addition, make sure that the wiring attaching nuts are torqued to their proper value.~

190393

STEERING: STEERING WHEEL/HANDLE BAR

STEERING COLUMN COUPLER SERVICE. *TW

Manufacturers file copies of the bulletins they send to dealers with NHTSA. These often describe diagnostic or repair procedures for a known condition. They are not recalls: repairs described in a bulletin are usually only free if the vehicle is still under warranty or the manufacturer has extended coverage.

Compare model years

Complaint and recall counts across every year of this model

Dodge Ram by model year
YearComplaintsRecallsInvestigationsIssue Index
2011041—
2010275159.7
2009961—
2008254156.1
2007174049.2
2006254046.7
2005405053.1
2004587261.0
2003537159.0
20021166158.4
200131814162.0
200014711163.4
199936613056.1
199848317057.4
199739811565.2
199662514966.6
1995611161066.9
1994469221366.6
1993541247.9
1992582153.5
1991513258.5
1990230044.4
1989280042.6
1988220042.6
1987180029.9
1986180049.3
1985Viewing100041.8
1984200—
1983100—
1982000—
1981200—
1980000—
1979300—
1977200—
1976100—

Higher-selling and older vehicles accumulate more reports. Counts are not failure rates and are not directly comparable between vehicles that sold in very different numbers. Older model years have had longer for reports to accumulate.