1991 Dodge Ram Problems
Owner-reported complaints filed with NHTSA, grouped by component
Data refreshed
What this page shows
Everything below is an owner-reported complaint submitted to NHTSA about the 1991 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
- Steering1118.6%
- Brakes1118.6%
- Fuel system813.6%
- Transmission610.2%
- Tires & wheels58.5%
- Electrical35.1%
- Suspension35.1%
- Body & structure35.1%
- Heating & air conditioning23.4%
- Visibility11.7%
- Driver assistance11.7%
- Engine11.7%
- Interior & seats11.7%
- Exterior lighting11.7%
- Other / unspecified11.7%
- Seat belts11.7%
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
Steering
Reports naming the steering system — racks, columns, power-steering assist and steering linkage.
From owner reports, verbatim
WHILE MAKING A RIGHT TURN CONSUMER NOTICED THAT THE STEERING WHEEL WAS LOOSE WHILE TURNING. CONSUMER WAS ABLE TO MAINTAIN CONTROL, AND DROVE VEHICLE TO THE DEALER. MECHANIC INFORMED CONSUMER THAT THE PROBLEM COULD NOT DUPLICATED. *AK
STEERING COUPLER PREMATURELY WEARS OUT, CAUSING VEHICLE TO SEVERLY PULL TO RIGHT OR LEFT. PLEASE GIVE ANY FURTHER DETAILS.*AK
Brakes
Reports naming service brakes, the antilock braking system, brake hoses, master cylinders or the parking brake.
From owner reports, verbatim
CONSUMER STATED THAT THE SUMMIT TRAIL CLIMBER, MANUFACTURED BY KELLY-SPRINGFIELD COMPANY, 4 TIRES WERE DEFECTIVE, THE RUBBER IS TEARING APART FROM SOME TYPE OF CIRCULAR SEAM, THE SERVICE STATION EXAMINED THE TIRES AND STATED, THEY ARE DANGEROUS AND NEED REPLACING IMMEDIATELY BUT THE REPRESENTATIVES OF KELLY-SPRINGFIELD HAVE REFUSED TO RETURN CONSUMERS PHONE CALLS OR EMAILS. (TIRE SIZE P235/75R15) *YD
ANTI LOCK BRAKE LIGHT ON FOR LAST 8 MONTHS. BRKES FAILED INTERMITTENTLY, AND PEDAL FELT HARD. TAKEN VEHICLE TO DEALER 6 TIMES, BLED BRAKES AND REPLACED MASTER CYLINDER; BUT, DID NOT REMEDY PROBLEM. *AK
Fuel system
Reports naming fuel storage or delivery — tanks, pumps, lines, injectors and fuel leaks.
From owner reports, verbatim
CONSUMER STATED THAT THE SUMMIT TRAIL CLIMBER, MANUFACTURED BY KELLY-SPRINGFIELD COMPANY, 4 TIRES WERE DEFECTIVE, THE RUBBER IS TEARING APART FROM SOME TYPE OF CIRCULAR SEAM, THE SERVICE STATION EXAMINED THE TIRES AND STATED, THEY ARE DANGEROUS AND NEED REPLACING IMMEDIATELY BUT THE REPRESENTATIVES OF KELLY-SPRINGFIELD HAVE REFUSED TO RETURN CONSUMERS PHONE CALLS OR EMAILS. (TIRE SIZE P235/75R15) *YD
STEERING WHEEL BROKE THROUGH SPOT-WELDS HOLDING STAMPED SHEET-METAL PART OF WHEEL TO MACHINE NUT, WHICH IS BOLTED TO STEEERING COLUMN SHAFT, OWNER WOULD LIKE A RECALL AND REIMBURSMENT FOR REPAIRS. CJ
Transmission
Reports naming the automatic or manual transmission, including shifting behaviour, shudder, slipping and transmission control modules.
From owner reports, verbatim
GEAR SHIFT BROKE OFF. GEAR SHIFT HAS BEEN REPAIRED. MANUFACTURER HAS BEEN NOTIFIED.*AK THE CONSUMER BELIEVES THE REPAIRED PART WAS DEFECTIVE. *YH
DUE TO A DEFECTIVE TORQUE CONVERTER, THE TRANSMISSION FLUIDS ARE PUSHED OUT THROUGH THE HOSES AND SEALS WHICH CAUSES A TRANSMISSION LEAK AND COULD POSSIBLY START A FIRE. DEALER REPLACED TORQUE CONVERTER TWICE. PROBLEM STILL OCCURRING. PLEASE PROVIDE FURTHER INFORMATION AND VIN#. *AK
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.
From owner reports, verbatim
DT*: THE CONTACT STATED WHILE APPLYING AIR TO THE LEFT REAR TIRE THE CONTACT NOTICED A BUBBLE IN THE SIDEWALL, AT THAT TIME THE TIRE BLEW UP. THERE WERE INJURIES AND THE CONTACT WENT TO THE HOSPITAL. THE TIRE IS COOPER MASTER CRAFT AS IV. THE SIZE IS 23575R15. THE DEALERSHIP HAS BEEN INFORMED. THERE IS A RECALL REGARDING COOPER TIRES, RECALL # 06T002000; TIRES: SIDEWALL, BUT DID NOT INCLUDE THE TIRE SIZE: 23575R15.
CONSUMER STATED THAT THE SUMMIT TRAIL CLIMBER, MANUFACTURED BY KELLY-SPRINGFIELD COMPANY, 4 TIRES WERE DEFECTIVE, THE RUBBER IS TEARING APART FROM SOME TYPE OF CIRCULAR SEAM, THE SERVICE STATION EXAMINED THE TIRES AND STATED, THEY ARE DANGEROUS AND NEED REPLACING IMMEDIATELY BUT THE REPRESENTATIVES OF KELLY-SPRINGFIELD HAVE REFUSED TO RETURN CONSUMERS PHONE CALLS OR EMAILS. (TIRE SIZE P235/75R15) *YD
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.
From owner reports, verbatim
VEHICLE KEEPS OVERHEATING. THERE IS A RECALL FOR AIR CONDITIONER BLOWER MOTOR OVER HEATING WHEN ON HIGH. CONSUMER IS HAVING SAME PROBLEM. *AK THE CONSUMER SAYS THAT CERTAIN VEHICLES WERE BUILT WITH IGNITION SWITCH AND WIRING THAT COULD OVER HEAT AND THAT WAS WHAT HE EXPERIENCED. *YH
CONSUMER STATES THAT THEIGNITION WIRING HARNESS OVERHEATS, RESULTING IN THE PLASTIC COVER AROUND THE SWITCH MELTING. CONSUMER ALSO STATED THAT THE IGNITION SWITCH HAS BEEN REPLACED ON A NUMBER OF OCCASIONS. *AK
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.
From owner reports, verbatim
WHEN GOING DOWN A SNOW COVERED ROAD WITH 4 WHEEL DRIVE ENGAGED , SPEED WAS (40) MPH AND ALL (4) WHEELS LOCK UP. THE VEHICLE WENT INTO A UNCONTROLLABLE LEFT SKID, HIT A DITCH AND ROLLED OVER. *AK
WHILE DRIVING, AT APPROX. 20MPH, SUDDENLY HEARD LOUD NOISE, THEN VEHICLE FRONT END DROPPED TO RIGHT SIDE, DUE TO BROKEN COIL SPRING. *AK
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.
From owner reports, verbatim
THE METAL WELDS THAT CONNECT THE BED TO THE FRAME ARE STARTING TO CRACK. PLEASE DESCRIBE. *AK
THE FRAME ON THE VEHICLE IS CRACKED IN TWO DIFFERENT PLACES DUE TO A BROKEN WELD. *AK
Too few reports in this category for a page of its own — they appear in the full complaint list.
Heating & air conditioning
Reports naming the heating, ventilation and air-conditioning system.
From owner reports, verbatim
VEHICLE KEEPS OVERHEATING. THERE IS A RECALL FOR AIR CONDITIONER BLOWER MOTOR OVER HEATING WHEN ON HIGH. CONSUMER IS HAVING SAME PROBLEM. *AK THE CONSUMER SAYS THAT CERTAIN VEHICLES WERE BUILT WITH IGNITION SWITCH AND WIRING THAT COULD OVER HEAT AND THAT WAS WHAT HE EXPERIENCED. *YH
WHEN AIR CONDITIONER IS ON WIND COMES THROUGH THE DOOR.
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.
From owner reports, verbatim
SEAT BELTS DO NOT FIT SECURELY. *AK
Too few reports in this category for a page of its own — they appear in the full complaint list.
Driver assistance
Reports naming forward-collision avoidance, lane keeping, back-over prevention, cruise control and related electronic driver-assistance systems.
From owner reports, verbatim
WHILE DRIVING THE VEHICLE TOOK OFF WITHOUT ANY WARNING. *AK
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.
From owner reports, verbatim
WHILE THE TRUCK WAS PARKED, NOT RUNNING, THERE WAS A FIRE IN THE ENGINE COMPARTMENT. THIS HAPPENED ABOUT 30 MINUTES AFTER PARKING THE TRUCK. DEALER WAS CALLED ABOUT THE PROBLEM. CLAIMED BEING HANDLED BY INSURANCE COMPANY. PLEASE PROVIDE ANY FURTHER INFORMATION. *AK
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.
From owner reports, verbatim
WIRING HARNESS CAUGHT FIRE. *SD
Too few reports in this category for a page of its own — they appear in the full complaint list.
Exterior lighting
Reports naming headlights, tail lights, turn signals and other exterior lighting.
From owner reports, verbatim
WIRING HARNESS CAUGHT FIRE. *SD
Too few reports in this category for a page of its own — they appear in the full complaint list.
Other / unspecified
Reports whose component NHTSA recorded as unknown, or that do not map to one of the categories above.
From owner reports, verbatim
LUG PATTERN ON THE HUB IS DRILLED OUT OF ROUND WHICH RESULTS IN EXCESSIVE STEERING/ SHIMMIES ONCE REACHING SPEED 55 MPH. THE GREATER THE SPEED THE SEVERE THE SHIMMY. PLEASE DESCRIBE DETAILS.
Too few reports in this category for a page of its own — they appear in the full complaint list.
Seat belts
Reports naming seat belts, buckles, retractors and pretensioners.
From owner reports, verbatim
SEAT BELTS DO NOT FIT SECURELY. *AK
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
- NHTSA Office of Defects Investigation — owner-reported complaints and the components recorded on them
Data on this page last refreshed .