Dodge Ram 1988

Model Ram made in 1988 by Dodge got 27 consumer complains as well as 1 service bulletin. Consumer complaints with reference, among others things, to engine and engine cooling and equipment. Technical service bulletines regarding steering. The car has 2 modeles with engines 2.0l and 2.6l.

Model 1988

Engine [L]CylindersTransmissionDriveEstimate MPG (city/highway/combined)Unadjusted MPG (city/highway/combined)FuelFuel costClassRelease date
( 2.0L) 4Automatic, 4 gearsRWD23/26/2426/34/29Regular$ 6261087 729
( 2.0L) 4Manual, 5 gearsRWD23/28/2526/36/30Regular$ 6001087 729
( 2.6L) 4Automatic, 4 gearsRWD20/22/2122/29/25Regular$ 7141087 729
( 2.6L) 4Manual, 5 gearsRWD20/25/2222/32/26Regular$ 6821087 729

Bulletins


BulletinBulletin dateReplacement BulletinItem no.SummaryAdded
STEERING - WHEEL AND HANDLE BAR
19039304/01/199339533Steering column coupler service. *tw11/01/1995

Consumer Complaints


Fail datemilesoccurencesPurchase date
ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING - ENGINE
04/07/19957
 Engine cylinder head replaced due to engine overheating/emitting foul odor, also #3 cylinder failed, antifreeze to leak into engine oil.. *aw
ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING - ENGINE - GASOLINE
03/10/2001111/01/1988
 Shortly after cold start vehicle caught fire. was completely consumed. *ak
01/21/199902/12/1997
 When it's raining or water gets into the distributor through the engine, the vehicle cuts completely off. dealer has not seen. *ak
ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING - EXHAUST SYSTEM - EMISSION CONTROL
06/01/1996
 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. *ak
EQUIPMENT - MECHANICAL - CARRIER/RACK
10/20/19941
 Vehicles spare tire carrier cable broke on hwy and tire rolled over top of another vehicle.tt *jb
EXTERIOR LIGHTING - TURN SIGNAL - SWITCH
10/16/2000110/01/1998
 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.*ak
FUEL SYSTEM, GASOLINE
06/01/1996
 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. *ak
FUEL SYSTEM, GASOLINE - CARBURETOR SYSTEM
06/01/1996
 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. *ak
FUEL SYSTEM, GASOLINE - DELIVERY - FUEL PUMP
06/01/1996
 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. *ak
POWER TRAIN - AUTOMATIC TRANSMISSION
0
 When the vehicle is in parking gear it makes horrible and bumping noise. dealership is aware of problem.*ak
08/08/20019
 Transmission failure. *ak
POWER TRAIN - AUTOMATIC TRANSMISSION - PARK/NEUTRAL START SWITCH
07/01/20010
 Vehicle was parked and running, and without prior warning, vehicle slipped into another gear and rolled back, hitting another vehicle.*ak
SEAT BELTS - FRONT - ANCHORAGE
01/01/19941
 Seat belt latches broke prior to recall. *sd
SEAT BELTS - FRONT - BUCKLE ASSEMBLY
01/01/19951
 Drivers seat belt buckle would not latch. *dsh
03/01/1996
 Passenger side seat buckle will not latch properly. *ak
SEATS
11/09/19959
 Passenger's seat hinge that tilts forward is made of weak material causing hinge to break. *sd
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. *ak
STEERING - WHEEL AND HANDLE BAR
12/23/1997
 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. *ak
STRUCTURE - BODY
 Factory paint on top and sides is peeling off in sheets.
SUSPENSION - FRONT - CONTROL ARM - UPPER ARM
01/01/1999112/27/1988
 Left upper control arm crossmember rusted through causing the coil spring to push up through the top.
TIRES
10/10/1997109/01/1996
 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: )
08/06/20001
 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 )
TIRES - TEMPORARY/EMERGENCY SPARE TIRE
1
 Spare tire cable rusted off causing tire to fall off of vehicle.
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.
08/23/19961
 Vehicle was in park, put into drive, vehicle went into open throttle position, speed unknown, impact 11:00 position. *ak
VEHICLE SPEED CONTROL - LINKAGES
12/14/1990107/01/1988
 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).