FaultScore
See all results →
All makes Worst years, ranked Problems by part Problems by model year Recalls in Canada Compare two cars How we grade

FaultScore report

1988 Dodge RAM problems

Owners have filed 27 complaints about the 1988 Dodge RAM with NHTSA between 1995 and 2001. The largest single group is the engine & cooling.

Read the complaints What breaks Worst years for the Dodge RAM
—

Not graded

Too few complaints, or too short a model run, to compare fairly.

How this is worked out

The numbers

27

Complaints

4

Crashes reported

1

Fires reported

1

Injuries reported

How 1988 compares with every other Dodge RAM

Click any bar to open that year's report.

Complaints filed with NHTSA, by model year. Bar colour is the FaultScore grade: A B C D F ungraded

What breaks on a 1988 Dodge RAM

Every complaint is filed against a part. Follow any row for the complaints about that part alone.

Seat Belts 4 14.8%
Engine & Cooling 4 14.8%

0 crashes, 1 fires

Tires 3 11.1%

1 crashes, 0 fires

Fuel & Propulsion 3 11.1%
Acceleration & Cruise Control 3 11.1%

1 crashes, 0 fires

Transmission & Drivetrain 3 11.1%

2 crashes, 0 fires

Steering 2 7.4%
Equipment & Accessories 1 3.7%
Seats 1 3.7%
Lights 1 3.7%
Suspension 1 3.7%
Body & Structure 1 3.7%

When owners complained

A spike years after the car went on sale usually means a part wearing out on schedule across the whole fleet — the kind of pattern no single owner can see from inside their own car.

Mar 1995 peak 4 Sep 2001

Recalls on the 1988 Dodge RAM

A complaint is one owner's allegation. A recall is the point at which the manufacturer or a regulator agreed the defect is real and dangerous enough to fix for free — however old the car is.

Canada — Transport Canada

Canada runs its own recall programme, and its campaigns do not always mirror the American ones.

Recall 1995087 12,080 units in Canada

Seats And Restraints

On certain vehicles, the (takata) ABS plastic front seat belt release buttons may break allowing plastic pieces to fall into the buckle assembly. If this should happen, a no latch, false latch or failure to unlatch condition could occur creating the risk of personal injury in the event of a crash or sudden stop. Correction: Front seat belt buckles will be repaired or replaced as necessary.

Recalls cover specific build ranges, so check your own vehicle by VIN at nhtsa.gov/recalls or, in Canada, Transport Canada.

Complaints that involved harm

Reports where the owner recorded a crash, a fire, an injury or a death.

Seattle, WA Crash

POWER TRAIN:AUTOMATIC TRANSMISSION

TRANSMISSION FAILURE.

NHTSA complaint #895622 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.

Seattle, WA Crash

POWER TRAIN:AUTOMATIC TRANSMISSION:PARK/NEUTRAL START INTERLOCK SWITCH

VEHICLE WAS PARKED AND RUNNING, AND WITHOUT PRIOR WARNING, VEHICLE SLIPPED INTO ANOTHER GEAR AND ROLLED BACK, HITTING ANOTHER VEHICLE.

NHTSA complaint #893899 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.

Neptune, NJ Fire

ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING:ENGINE:GASOLINE

SHORTLY AFTER COLD START VEHICLE CAUGHT FIRE. WAS COMPLETELY CONSUMED.

NHTSA complaint #742967 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.

Safety Harbor, FL Crash 1 injured

TIRES

ON AUGUST 6, 2000, TRAVELING NORTH ON I-75 NEAR BELLVIEW FORIDA I EXPERIENCED A COMPLETE TREAD SEPARATION ON THE RIGHT REAR TIRE. THE TREAD TORE AWAY FROM THE TIRE CASING WHILE TRAVELING AT A RATE OF 75 MPH LEAVING THE TIRE STILL INFLATED WITH THE STEEL BELTS SHOWING. THE VEHICLE RAN OVER THE SEPARATED TREAD THROWING THE MATERIAL INTO THE UNDERBODY CAUSING DAMAGE TO THE TAILPIPE /MUFFLER ASSEMBLY. THE FORCE OF THE INCIDENT CAUSED THE RIGHT REAR OF THE VEHICLE TO JUMP UPWARDS APPROXIMATELY 3 FEET CAUSING A UNCONTROLLED SKID INTO THE LEFT LANE SLIGHTLY ONTO THE LEFT PAVEMENT EDGE AND THEN BACK INTO RIGHT LANE AND CONTINUED OFF THE LEFT EDGE OF THE PAVEMENT. AS THE WHEEL TWISTED DURING THE SKIDDING I EITHER SPRAINED OR BROKE MY RIGHT WRIST . THE ACCIDENT CAUSED NO DAMAGE TO OTHER VEHICLES OR PROPERTY AND A LETTER DESCRIBING THE ACCIDENT WAS HAND DELIVERED TO OLSON TIRE, COUNTRYSIDE OFFICE, CLEARWATER FLORIDA. THE VEHICLE'S OTHER TIRES ARE THE SAME MAKE AND SIZE BUT ARE MADE IN CANADA AND NOT BEARING THE DOT VDHL CODE, EACH TIRE HAS APPROXIMATELY TWO THIRDS REMAING TREAD AS COMPARED TO NEW AND ALL TIRES WERE INFLATED PROPLERLY. I VISITED THE OLSON STORE TWICE MAKING AN APPOINTMENT TO HAVE THE TIRE INSPECTED EXLAINING THE DEFECTIVE TIRE WAS AVAILABLE TO SEE, HOWEVER THE EMPLOYEE DECLINED TO LOOK AT THE TIRE INSTRUCTING ME TO BRING IT BACK WHEN NEW TIRES WERE AVAILABLE. HE WAS NOT IMPRESSED THAT THE EXHAUST SYSTEM WAS DAMAGED AND MAY BE A SAFETY HAZARD WITH EXHAUST FUMES , NEITHER DID HE ADVISE WHAT INFORMATION MIGHT BE NEEDED REGARDING THE WRIST INJURY.THE TIRE IS AVAILABLE FOR INSPECTION AND I HAVE MADE AN APPOINTMENT FOR REPAIRS TO THE EXHAUST AND HAVE SCHEDULED A PHYSICIAN OFFICE VISIT TO EXAMINE AND XRAY WRIST IF REQUIRED.( DOT NUMBER: VDHL1PY157 TIRE SIZE: P235/75R15 )

NHTSA complaint #728862 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.

Bismarck, ND Crash

VEHICLE SPEED CONTROL

VEHICLE WAS IN PARK, PUT INTO DRIVE, VEHICLE WENT INTO OPEN THROTTLE POSITION, SPEED UNKNOWN, IMPACT 11:00 POSITION.

NHTSA complaint #801297 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.

The most recent complaints

In the owners' own words, exactly as filed with NHTSA.

Seattle, WA

POWER TRAIN:AUTOMATIC TRANSMISSION

WHEN THE VEHICLE IS IN PARKING GEAR IT MAKES HORRIBLE AND BUMPING NOISE. DEALERSHIP IS AWARE OF PROBLEM.

NHTSA complaint #896463 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.

Seattle, WA Crash

POWER TRAIN:AUTOMATIC TRANSMISSION

TRANSMISSION FAILURE.

NHTSA complaint #895622 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.

Seattle, WA Crash

POWER TRAIN:AUTOMATIC TRANSMISSION:PARK/NEUTRAL START INTERLOCK SWITCH

VEHICLE WAS PARKED AND RUNNING, AND WITHOUT PRIOR WARNING, VEHICLE SLIPPED INTO ANOTHER GEAR AND ROLLED BACK, HITTING ANOTHER VEHICLE.

NHTSA complaint #893899 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.

Neptune, NJ Fire

ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING:ENGINE:GASOLINE

SHORTLY AFTER COLD START VEHICLE CAUGHT FIRE. WAS COMPLETELY CONSUMED.

NHTSA complaint #742967 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.

Lindley, NY

EXTERIOR LIGHTING:TURN SIGNAL:SWITCH

DUE TO FAILURE OF TURN SWITCH, I WAS TICKETED FOR NO BRAKE LIGHTS AND TURN SIGNALS, AND FORCED TO HAVE $366.48 IN REPAIRS FOR A FAULTY SWITCH THAT SHOULD HAVE BEEN RECALLED AT INITIAL RELEASE OF VEHICLE IN 1988.

NHTSA complaint #737294 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.

Safety Harbor, FL Crash 1 injured

TIRES

ON AUGUST 6, 2000, TRAVELING NORTH ON I-75 NEAR BELLVIEW FORIDA I EXPERIENCED A COMPLETE TREAD SEPARATION ON THE RIGHT REAR TIRE. THE TREAD TORE AWAY FROM THE TIRE CASING WHILE TRAVELING AT A RATE OF 75 MPH LEAVING THE TIRE STILL INFLATED WITH THE STEEL BELTS SHOWING. THE VEHICLE RAN OVER THE SEPARATED TREAD THROWING THE MATERIAL INTO THE UNDERBODY CAUSING DAMAGE TO THE TAILPIPE /MUFFLER ASSEMBLY. THE FORCE OF THE INCIDENT CAUSED THE RIGHT REAR OF THE VEHICLE TO JUMP UPWARDS APPROXIMATELY 3 FEET CAUSING A UNCONTROLLED SKID INTO THE LEFT LANE SLIGHTLY ONTO THE LEFT PAVEMENT EDGE AND THEN BACK INTO RIGHT LANE AND CONTINUED OFF THE LEFT EDGE OF THE PAVEMENT. AS THE WHEEL TWISTED DURING THE SKIDDING I EITHER SPRAINED OR BROKE MY RIGHT WRIST . THE ACCIDENT CAUSED NO DAMAGE TO OTHER VEHICLES OR PROPERTY AND A LETTER DESCRIBING THE ACCIDENT WAS HAND DELIVERED TO OLSON TIRE, COUNTRYSIDE OFFICE, CLEARWATER FLORIDA. THE VEHICLE'S OTHER TIRES ARE THE SAME MAKE AND SIZE BUT ARE MADE IN CANADA AND NOT BEARING THE DOT VDHL CODE, EACH TIRE HAS APPROXIMATELY TWO THIRDS REMAING TREAD AS COMPARED TO NEW AND ALL TIRES WERE INFLATED PROPLERLY. I VISITED THE OLSON STORE TWICE MAKING AN APPOINTMENT TO HAVE THE TIRE INSPECTED EXLAINING THE DEFECTIVE TIRE WAS AVAILABLE TO SEE, HOWEVER THE EMPLOYEE DECLINED TO LOOK AT THE TIRE INSTRUCTING ME TO BRING IT BACK WHEN NEW TIRES WERE AVAILABLE. HE WAS NOT IMPRESSED THAT THE EXHAUST SYSTEM WAS DAMAGED AND MAY BE A SAFETY HAZARD WITH EXHAUST FUMES , NEITHER DID HE ADVISE WHAT INFORMATION MIGHT BE NEEDED REGARDING THE WRIST INJURY.THE TIRE IS AVAILABLE FOR INSPECTION AND I HAVE MADE AN APPOINTMENT FOR REPAIRS TO THE EXHAUST AND HAVE SCHEDULED A PHYSICIAN OFFICE VISIT TO EXAMINE AND XRAY WRIST IF REQUIRED.( DOT NUMBER: VDHL1PY157 TIRE SIZE: P235/75R15 )

NHTSA complaint #728862 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.

College Station, TX

TIRES

3 YEARS AGO, I WAS RETURNING FROM HOUSTON TX WHEN THE TREAD ON THE LEFT FRONT TIRE OF MY DODGE RAM CHARGER PEELED OFF. FORTUNETALLY, THE PIECES OF THE TIRE WENT UNDER THE TRUCK AND OUT THE BACK. WHEN I STOPPED AND CHECKED THE TIRE, IT WAS INFLATED YET MISSING ALL OF THE TREAD MINUS THE WALLS. THERE WAS NO SERIOUS DAMAGE, NOR AM I LOOKING FOR ANY COMPENSATION. BUT GIVEN THE CURRENT INVESTIGATION REGARDING FIRESTONE TIRES, I FELT IT COULDN'T HURT TO SUBMIT THIS. I AM NOT SURE HOW OLD THE TIRES WERE WHEN WE BOUGHT THE TRUCK IN 1996 (USED). AFTER THE INCIDENT, I REPLACED ALL THE TIRES (SPARE INCLUDED) WITH BRAND NEW *COUGH* FIRESTONE TIRES, AND SOLD THE TRUCK IN APRIL.( DOT NUMBER: )

NHTSA complaint #728928 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.

Sunbury, OH

SUSPENSION:FRONT:CONTROL ARM:UPPER ARM

LEFT UPPER CONTROL ARM CROSSMEMBER RUSTED THROUGH CAUSING THE COIL SPRING TO PUSH UP THROUGH THE TOP.

NHTSA complaint #544439 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.

Cincinnati, OH

VEHICLE SPEED CONTROL:LINKAGES

CABURETOR CORRODED SHUT DURING THE NORMAL USE OF THE TRUCK, RESULTING IN THE PRIMARY THROTTLE LINKAGE STICKING AGAINST THE SECONDARY THROTTLE PLATE CAUSING VEHICLE TOO ACCELERATE AND VEHICLE TO RUN INTO STORE. (ATTORNEY FOR CONSUMER).

NHTSA complaint #511589 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.

Pittson, PA

ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING:ENGINE:GASOLINE

WHEN IT'S RAINING OR WATER GETS INTO THE DISTRIBUTOR THROUGH THE ENGINE, THE VEHICLE CUTS COMPLETELY OFF. DEALER HAS NOT SEEN.

NHTSA complaint #833906 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.

Cincinnati, OH

VEHICLE SPEED CONTROL

VEHICLE SUDDENLY ACCELERATED OUT OF CONTROL, RESULT OF A DEFECTIVE CARBURETOR, SECONDARY THROTTLE PLATE ON THE CARBURETOR CORRODED SHUT DURING THE NORMAL, THROTTLE LINKAGE STICKING AGAINST THE SECONDARY THROTTLE LINKAGE.

NHTSA complaint #511589 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.

Youngstown, OH

TIRES:TEMPORARY/EMERGENCY SPARE TIRE

SPARE TIRE CABLE RUSTED OFF CAUSING TIRE TO FALL OFF OF VEHICLE.

NHTSA complaint #540037 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.

Granada HI, CA

STRUCTURE:BODY

FACTORY PAINT ON TOP AND SIDES IS PEELING OFF IN SHEETS.

NHTSA complaint #536665 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.

Somerset, KY

STEERING:GEAR BOX (OTHER THAN RACK AND PINION)

STEERING GEAR BOX IS CRACKED WHICH CAUSES A LOSS OF POWER STEERING. DEALER SAYS THE CHASSIS NEEDS TO BE REPLACED.

NHTSA complaint #823716 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.

Warren, MI

STEERING: STEERING WHEEL/HANDLE BAR

STEERING WHEEL HAS PLAY IN IT, AND DRIVER HAD TO MOVE IT LIKE A FOOT BEFORE ANYTHING HAPPENED,. SPEED APPROXIMATELY 25-60 MPH, NO CHANGE IN WET OR DRY PAVEMENTS, NO WARRANTY ON VEHICLE. DEALER CONTACTED AND TIGHTENED BOLTS, COSTS WERE $62. CONSUMER STATES THAT THE COST WAS TOO MUCH.

NHTSA complaint #823331 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.

Moscow, ID

FUEL SYSTEM, GASOLINE:DELIVERY:FUEL PUMP

GASP IN FUEL INTAKE WHEN ACCELERATING OR SOMETIMES WHEN CRUISING ALONG 75 MPH UP AN INCLINE IN PASSING LANE, SPEEDOMETER DROPPED DOWN TO 35 MPH. PREVIOUSLY REPLACED OXYGEN SENSOR/FUEL PUMP/CARBURETOR TWICE.

NHTSA complaint #514170 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.

Moscow, ID

ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING:EXHAUST SYSTEM:EMISSION CONTROL

GASP IN FUEL INTAKE WHEN ACCELERATING OR SOMETIMES WHEN CRUISING ALONG 75 MPH UP AN INCLINE IN PASSING LANE, SPEEDOMETER DROPPED DOWN TO 35 MPH. PREVIOUSLY REPLACED OXYGEN SENSOR/FUEL PUMP/CARBURETOR TWICE.

NHTSA complaint #514170 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.

Moscow, ID

FUEL SYSTEM, GASOLINE

GASP IN FUEL INTAKE WHEN ACCELERATING OR SOMETIMES WHEN CRUISING ALONG 75 MPH UP AN INCLINE IN PASSING LANE, SPEEDOMETER DROPPED DOWN TO 35 MPH. PREVIOUSLY REPLACED OXYGEN SENSOR/FUEL PUMP/CARBURETOR TWICE.

NHTSA complaint #514170 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.

Moscow, ID

FUEL SYSTEM, GASOLINE:CARBURETOR SYSTEM

GASP IN FUEL INTAKE WHEN ACCELERATING OR SOMETIMES WHEN CRUISING ALONG 75 MPH UP AN INCLINE IN PASSING LANE, SPEEDOMETER DROPPED DOWN TO 35 MPH. PREVIOUSLY REPLACED OXYGEN SENSOR/FUEL PUMP/CARBURETOR TWICE.

NHTSA complaint #514170 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.

Bismarck, ND Crash

VEHICLE SPEED CONTROL

VEHICLE WAS IN PARK, PUT INTO DRIVE, VEHICLE WENT INTO OPEN THROTTLE POSITION, SPEED UNKNOWN, IMPACT 11:00 POSITION.

NHTSA complaint #801297 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.

Kettering, OH

SEAT BELTS:FRONT:ANCHORAGE

SEAT BELT LATCHES BROKE PRIOR TO RECALL.

NHTSA complaint #504007 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.

Frankfort, NY

SEAT BELTS:FRONT:BUCKLE ASSEMBLY

DRIVERS SEAT BELT BUCKLE WOULD NOT LATCH. *DSH

NHTSA complaint #487182 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.

Livingston, TX

SEATS

PASSENGER'S SEAT HINGE THAT TILTS FORWARD IS MADE OF WEAK MATERIAL CAUSING HINGE TO BREAK.

NHTSA complaint #500066 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.

Rockford, IL

SEAT BELTS:FRONT:BUCKLE ASSEMBLY

PASSENGER SIDE SEAT BUCKLE WILL NOT LATCH PROPERLY.

NHTSA complaint #980424 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.

Rockford, IL

SEAT BELTS:FRONT:BUCKLE ASSEMBLY

PASSENGER SIDE SEAT BUCKLE WILL NOT LATCH PROPERLY.

NHTSA complaint #980424 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.