RoadVitals

1989 Dodge Ram Problems

Owner-reported complaints filed with NHTSA, grouped by component

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.
28
Latest Oct 15, 2003
Components namedHow many of our component categories appear on at least one report for this model year. One report can name several.
11
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.
6

What this page shows

Everything below is an owner-reported complaint submitted to NHTSA about the 1989 Dodge Ram, grouped by the component NHTSA recorded on the report. These are not confirmed defects, and they are not recalls. NHTSA does not verify most reports before publishing them, and a category with more reports in it is not evidence that a part is defective.

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

Reports by component

Ranked by how many owner reports name each component category

  • Seat belts929.0%
  • Fuel system722.6%
  • Tires & wheels39.7%
  • Transmission39.7%
  • Steering26.5%
  • Interior & seats26.5%
  • Visibility13.2%
  • Electrical13.2%
  • Engine13.2%
  • Suspension13.2%
  • Body & structure13.2%

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

Each component in detail

What the reports in each category say, in the owners' own words

Seat belts

Reports naming seat belts, buckles, retractors and pretensioners.

9
reports

From owner reports, verbatim

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

NHTSA ID 605553 · filed Nov 5, 1997

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

NHTSA ID 807212 · filed Jun 24, 1997
All 9 reports naming seat belts →

Fuel system

Reports naming fuel storage or delivery — tanks, pumps, lines, injectors and fuel leaks.

7
reports

From owner reports, verbatim

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

NHTSA ID 8004726 · filed Feb 28, 2002

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

NHTSA ID 751139 · filed Aug 26, 2001

Too few reports in this category for a page of its own — they appear in the full complaint list.

Tires & wheels

Reports naming tires, wheels, hubs, or the tire-pressure monitoring system.

3
reports

From owner reports, verbatim

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

NHTSA ID 10043926 · filed Oct 15, 2003

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: TIRE SIZE: 15 )

NHTSA ID 732045 · filed Sep 20, 2000

Too few reports in this category for a page of its own — they appear in the full complaint list.

Transmission

Reports naming the automatic or manual transmission, including shifting behaviour, shudder, slipping and transmission control modules.

3
reports

From owner reports, verbatim

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

NHTSA ID 848852 · filed Sep 28, 1999

THE TRANSMISSION QUITE WHILE DRIVING. PLEASE DESCRIBE. *AK

NHTSA ID 971488 · filed Sep 1, 1995

Too few reports in this category for a page of its own — they appear in the full complaint list.

Steering

Reports naming the steering system — racks, columns, power-steering assist and steering linkage.

2
reports

From owner reports, verbatim

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

NHTSA ID 835964 · filed Mar 18, 1999

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

NHTSA ID 810325 · filed Mar 24, 1997

Too few reports in this category for a page of its own — they appear in the full complaint list.

Interior & seats

Reports naming seats, latches, locks, linkages and interior fittings.

2
reports

From owner reports, verbatim

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

NHTSA ID 605553 · filed Nov 5, 1997

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

NHTSA ID 814725 · filed Jul 21, 1997

Too few reports in this category for a page of its own — they appear in the full complaint list.

Visibility

Reports naming windshields, glass, wipers, defrosters and mirrors.

1
report

From owner reports, verbatim

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

NHTSA ID 810110 · filed Mar 18, 1997

Too few reports in this category for a page of its own — they appear in the full complaint list.

Electrical

Reports naming the electrical system — wiring, battery, charging, control modules, infotainment and electrical accessories.

1
report

From owner reports, verbatim

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

NHTSA ID 8004726 · filed Feb 28, 2002

Too few reports in this category for a page of its own — they appear in the full complaint list.

Engine

Reports naming the engine itself — including stalling, misfires, oil consumption, cooling and internal engine components.

1
report

From owner reports, verbatim

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

NHTSA ID 851013 · filed Oct 18, 1999

Too few reports in this category for a page of its own — they appear in the full complaint list.

Suspension

Reports naming suspension components — springs, struts, shocks, control arms and related hardware.

1
report

From owner reports, verbatim

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

NHTSA ID 707232 · filed Jun 5, 1999

Too few reports in this category for a page of its own — they appear in the full complaint list.

Body & structure

Reports naming the vehicle structure, frame, body panels, doors, hood and trim.

1
report

From owner reports, verbatim

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

NHTSA ID 707232 · filed Jun 5, 1999

Too few reports in this category for a page of its own — they appear in the full complaint list.

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.

Elsewhere on this vehicle

Data sources

Data on this page last refreshed .