RoadVitals

1978 Dodge Ramcharger

Recalls, owner-reported complaints, investigations and safety data

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.
0
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.
2
Latest Feb 17, 1978
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.
0

Overview

Our database contains no NHTSA owner-reported complaints for the 1978 Dodge Ramcharger. 2 safety recalls have been issued covering this model year; and 1 manufacturer communication is on file.

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

Safety recalls

2 campaigns cover this model year

Recalls apply to specific vehicles, not to every vehicle of a model year. Check your VIN with NHTSA or your manufacturer's dealer to confirm whether a recall affects your vehicle.

Check a VIN on NHTSA.gov
78V038000

STEERING: STEERING WHEEL/HANDLE BAR

Feb 17, 1978
9,000 units potentially affected
The defect: AN INTERMEDIATE STEERING SHAFT CONTAINING A MISMATCHED POT COUPLING ASSEMBLY MAY HAVE BEEN INSTALLED ON THE INVOLVED VEHICLES. THIS COUPLING MAY HAVE AN OVERSIZED SERRATION DIAMETER. AN OVERSIZED SERRATION COULD PREVENT THE COUPLING FROM ADEQUATELY TIGHTENING ONTO THE GEAR OR SHAFT SPLINES.
The remedy: THE DEALER WILL INSPECT AND, IF NECESSARY, INSTALL A REPLACEMENT SHAFT COUPLING.
CHRYSLER CORPORATIONView on NHTSA.gov
77V176000

STEERING:COLUMN

Oct 14, 1977
600 units potentially affected
The defect: THE STEERING COLUMNS ON THE INVOLVED VEHICLES MAY HAVE BEEN MISASSEMBLED, RESULTING IN THE MASTER SERRATION FOR STEERING WHEEL INDEXING BEING MISLOCATED BY 180 DEGREES. THE TIE ROD MAY HAVE BEEN ADJUSTED IN ATTEMPTING TO OVERCOME THIS CONDITION AND THIS MAY HAVE CAUSED INSUFFICIENT TIE ROD THREAD ENGAGEMENT TO THE SLEEVE ATTACHMENT.
The remedy: DEALER WILL REPLACE THE LOWER STEERING SHAFT ASSEMBLY WITH A CORRECTLY INDEXED ASSEMBLY WHICH WILL LOCATE THE STEERING WHEEL IN THE CORRECT POSITION. TIE ROD ASSEMBLY WILL ALSO BE INSPECTED AND ADJUSTED TO ENSURE PROPER THREAD ENGAGEMENT.
CHRYSLER CORPORATIONView on NHTSA.gov

Recent owner complaints

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

No owner complaints recorded for this model year

Either none have been filed with NHTSA, or this vehicle is too new for reports to have accumulated.

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.~

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 Ramcharger by model year
YearComplaintsRecallsInvestigationsIssue Index
1993001—
1992000—
1991401—
1990200—
1989100—
1988300—
1987401—
1986201—
1985421—
1984021—
1983020—
1982020—
1981110—
1980010—
1979200—
1978Viewing020—
1974010—

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.