1988 Dodge RAM 50: complaints, problems and recalls
Explore the records behind recurring owner reports.
Key facts
9 owner complaints analyzed
1 distinct recall campaigns
Not available median reported failure mileage
Scope: 1988 model year. Data updated: . 0 complaints include usable failure mileage. View data status.
This selection has limited data. It remains available for lookup but is excluded from search indexing.
Most common problems
Seat Belts:Front:Buckle Assembly is the most frequently named component, appearing in 5 of 9 complaints (55.6%). A complaint can name multiple components.
| Topic | Matching reports | Share of complaints |
|---|---|---|
| Steering behavior | 1 | 11.1% |
| Fuel system concerns | 1 | 11.1% |
Topic matches use published keyword rules. They describe mentions, including negations or comparisons, and do not confirm a diagnosis. Read the matching rules.
Component breakdown
Number of unique complaints naming each component. Top eight shown.
| Category | Count |
|---|---|
| Seat Belts:Front:Buckle Assembly | 5 |
| Engine And Engine Cooling:Engine:Gasoline | 1 |
| Fuel System, Gasoline:Storage:Tank Assembly:Mounting | 1 |
| Seat Belts:Front:Anchorage | 1 |
| Seat Belts:Front:Webbing | 1 |
| Tires | 1 |
Seat Belts:Front:Buckle Assembly: 5; Engine And Engine Cooling:Engine:Gasoline: 1; Fuel System, Gasoline:Storage:Tank Assembly:Mounting: 1; Seat Belts:Front:Anchorage: 1; Seat Belts:Front:Webbing: 1; Tires: 1
Reported problems by failure mileage
Complaint counts in mileage bands. These are not failure rates per vehicle or mile.
| Category | Count |
|---|---|
| Under 25,000 | 0 |
| 25,000 to 49,999 | 0 |
| 50,000 to 74,999 | 0 |
| 75,000 to 99,999 | 0 |
| 100,000 to 149,999 | 0 |
| 150,000 and above | 0 |
Under 25,000: 0; 25,000 to 49,999: 0; 50,000 to 74,999: 0; 75,000 to 99,999: 0; 100,000 to 149,999: 0; 150,000 and above: 0
No usable failure mileage is recorded. 9 complaints have missing, zero or invalid mileage.
Complaints over time
Year the complaint was filed, not the vehicle model year or incident year. The snapshot year is partial.
| Category | Count |
|---|---|
| 1995 | 3 |
| 1996 | 1 |
| 1997 | 2 |
| 1998 | 1 |
| 2000 | 1 |
| 2002 | 1 |
1995: 3; 1996: 1; 1997: 2; 1998: 1; 2000: 1; 2002: 1
Pattern summary
Seat Belts:Front:Buckle Assembly leads the component reports. Steering behavior appears in 1 complaint narratives. Fuel system concerns appears in 1 complaint narratives. Use these patterns to inspect individual reports and prepare questions for a mechanic.
Calculated from recorded counts. An AI narrative has not been published for this selection.
Examples from the source records
Examples provide context, not a representative sample or a verified diagnosis.
Owner report 535851 · 1998-05-18 (May 18, 1998)
ENGINE MAKING NOISE.
Owner-reported narrative. Look up ODI 535851 at NHTSA ↗
Owner report 733420 · 2000-10-04 (October 4, 2000)
TREAD COMPLETELY SHEARED OFF ON HIGHWAY( DOT NUMBER: )
Owner-reported narrative. Look up ODI 733420 at NHTSA ↗
Owner report 786438 · 2002-08-20 (August 20, 2002)
REAR GAS TANK BRACKET FAILED (RUSTED TRHOUGH) ALLOWING TANK TO SWING DOWN AND SKID ALONG PAVEMENT. ACCIDENT AVOIDED DUE TO LOW SPEED AND RAPID STOP. *TT
Owner-reported narrative. Look up ODI 786438 at NHTSA ↗
Owner report 805639 · 1996-11-26 (November 26, 1996)
ALL THE SEAT BELT BUCKLES IN THE VEHICLE DO NOT WORK RECEIVED RECALL # 95V183000 THERE ARE NO PARTS . PLEASE DESCRIBE . *AK
Owner-reported narrative. Look up ODI 805639 at NHTSA ↗
Owner report 815814 · 1997-08-28 (August 28, 1997)
RECALL 95V-103003, WAITING ON PARTS. *AK
Owner-reported narrative. Look up ODI 815814 at NHTSA ↗
Owner report 816032 · 1997-09-04 (September 4, 1997)
CONSUMER WAS IN A 4 CAR PILE-UP CRASH, HER VEHICLE WAS THE FOURTH CAR. WAS DRIVING APPROX. 20-32 MPH. WEARING SEAT BELT WHEN THE THE CRASH OCCURRED. THE SHOULDER STRAP OF DRIVER SIDE COLLAPSED, ALLOWING CONSUMER'S 110LBS UPPER BODY TO HIT THE STEERING AREA AND WHEEL; THIGHS BRUISED ON ARM REST . *AK
Owner-reported narrative. Look up ODI 816032 at NHTSA ↗
Owner report 960409 · 1995-02-22 (February 22, 1995)
MODEL #524 SEATBELT BUCKLE JAMS AND IS DIFFICULT TO RELEASE.
Owner-reported narrative. Look up ODI 960409 at NHTSA ↗
Owner report 960900 · 1995-02-28 (February 28, 1995)
BOTH FRONT SEAT BELTS WOULDN'T LOCK LIKE SOMETHING THAT IS JAMMED INSIDE. TT
Owner-reported narrative. Look up ODI 960900 at NHTSA ↗
Recall history
1 distinct campaigns affect this selection. Announcement dates below are different from vehicle model years. A campaign may cover multiple years.
95V103003 · Seat Belts:Front:Buckle Assembly
Reported: 1995-05-24 (May 24, 1995)
THE FRONT SAFETY BELT BUCKLE RELEASE BUTTONS CAN BREAK. THESE RED PLASTIC RELEASE BUTTONS ARE MARKED "PRESS." IF A BUTTON BREAKS, PIECES CAN FALL INTO THE BUCKLE ASSEMBLY CAUSING THE BUCKLE TO OPERATE IMPROPERLY.
Consequence: THE SAFETY BELTS WOULD NOT PROVIDE ADEQUATE PROTECTION TO AN OCCUPANT IN A VEHICLE CRASH.
Remedy: OWNERS SHOULD PROMPTLY CHECK THE CONDITION AND OPERATION OF BOTH FRONT SAFETY BELT BUCKLES AND CAREFULLY INSPECT THE RED RELEASE BUTTON FOR ANY BREAKS OR CRACKS. THEY SHOULD ENSURE THAT BOTH BUCKLES ARE OPERATING PROPERLY BY INSERTING EACH LATCH PLATE INTO ITS BUCKLE, TUGGING ON THE BELT TO MAKE SURE THE LATCH IS SECURELY LOCKED, AND THEN PRESSING THE RELEASE BUTTON. THE LATCH PLATE SHOULD POP OUT OF THE BUCKLE WHEN THE BUTTON IS PRESSED. IF EITHER RELEASE BUTTON SHOWS A SIGN OF BREAKING OR CRACKING OR IF EITHER BUCKLE FAILS TO OPERATE PROPERLY, OWNERS SHOULD PROMPTLY CONTACT THEIR AUTHORIZED DEALER TO SCHEDULE AN APPOINTMENT TO HAVE THE BUCKLE REPLACED OR REPAIRED, FREE OF CHARGE. THE MANUFACTURER IS DEVELOPING A REMEDY DESIGNED TO PREVENT FAILURE OF THE BUTTONS THAT ARE NOT CURRENTLY BROKEN.
NHTSA campaign record ↗Vehicle analysis explorer
Inspect model-year patterns, reported mileage, monthly activity and the evidence behind each signal.
Data completeness
9 unique complaints in this selection. Analysis snapshot: 2026-10-01.
Missing, zero and invalid mileage is excluded. Dates after the snapshot are excluded. Examples are limited selections, not a representative sample.
Problems by model year
Model-wide comparison of the eight most reported components across the model. Cells show counts and shares within each model year. Open a cell for source examples.
| Component | 1984 | 1985 | 1986 | 1987 | 1988 | 1989 | 1990 | 1991 |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Seat Belts:Front:Buckle Assembly | 0UnavailableNo examples available for this selection. | 00.0%No examples available for this selection. | 00.0%No examples available for this selection. | 9100.0%ODI 530964SEAT BELT BUCKLE RECALL WORK NOT DONE DUE TO DEALERSHIP HAVING NO KNOWLEDGE OF RECALL. | 555.6%ODI 805639ALL THE SEAT BELT BUCKLES IN THE VEHICLE DO NOT WORK RECEIVED RECALL # 95V183000 THERE ARE NO PARTS . PLEASE DESCRIBE . *AK | 240.0%ODI 967774THE FRONT PASSENGER SIDE SEAT BELT BUCKLE IT WILL NOT LOCK . TT | 00.0%No examples available for this selection. | 00.0%No examples available for this selection. |
| Seat Belts | 0UnavailableNo examples available for this selection. | 00.0%No examples available for this selection. | 00.0%No examples available for this selection. | 00.0%No examples available for this selection. | 00.0%No examples available for this selection. | 240.0%ODI 530321SEAT BELTS COULD NOT BE REPLACED AS PER RECALL AFTER APPOINTMENT WAS MADE. | 125.0%ODI 11183457 · 115,589 miTHE SEAT BELT FOR BOTH PASSANGERS, DOES NOT LOCK TO HOLD PASSANGERS IN PLACE IN CASE OF SUDDEN IMPACT. | 00.0%No examples available for this selection. |
| Electrical System:Wiring | 0UnavailableNo examples available for this selection. | 00.0%No examples available for this selection. | 00.0%No examples available for this selection. | 00.0%No examples available for this selection. | 00.0%No examples available for this selection. | 00.0%No examples available for this selection. | 125.0%ODI 10066922 · 62,000 miTHE ENGINE GROUND WIRE WAS INSTALLED INCORRECTLY, CAUSING THE SENSORS TO BURN OUT. THE GROUND WIRE SHOULD HAVE HAVE BEEN MOUNTED ON THE ENGINE BLOCK. INSTEAD, IT WAS MOUNTED ON THE EXHAUST MANIFOLD. *AK (PARTS AFFECTED: THROTTLE POSITION SENSOR/IDLE SPEED CONTROL MOTOR POSITION SENSOR/ENGINE COOLANT TEMPERATURE SENSER) *SC *JB | 00.0%No examples available for this selection. |
| Engine And Engine Cooling:Engine | 0UnavailableNo examples available for this selection. | 00.0%No examples available for this selection. | 00.0%No examples available for this selection. | 111.1% | 00.0%No examples available for this selection. | 00.0%No examples available for this selection. | 00.0%No examples available for this selection. | 00.0%No examples available for this selection. |
| Engine And Engine Cooling:Engine:Gasoline | 0UnavailableNo examples available for this selection. | 00.0%No examples available for this selection. | 00.0%No examples available for this selection. | 00.0%No examples available for this selection. | 111.1% | 00.0%No examples available for this selection. | 00.0%No examples available for this selection. | 00.0%No examples available for this selection. |
| Fuel System, Gasoline:Carburetor System | 0UnavailableNo examples available for this selection. | 00.0%No examples available for this selection. | 00.0%No examples available for this selection. | 111.1% | 00.0%No examples available for this selection. | 00.0%No examples available for this selection. | 00.0%No examples available for this selection. | 00.0%No examples available for this selection. |
| Fuel System, Gasoline:Storage:Tank Assembly | 0UnavailableNo examples available for this selection. | 1100.0% | 00.0%No examples available for this selection. | 00.0%No examples available for this selection. | 00.0%No examples available for this selection. | 00.0%No examples available for this selection. | 00.0%No examples available for this selection. | 00.0%No examples available for this selection. |
| Fuel System, Gasoline:Storage:Tank Assembly:Mounting | 0UnavailableNo examples available for this selection. | 00.0%No examples available for this selection. | 00.0%No examples available for this selection. | 00.0%No examples available for this selection. | 111.1%ODI 786438REAR GAS TANK BRACKET FAILED (RUSTED TRHOUGH) ALLOWING TANK TO SWING DOWN AND SKID ALONG PAVEMENT. ACCIDENT AVOIDED DUE TO LOW SPEED AND RAPID STOP. *TT | 00.0%No examples available for this selection. | 00.0%No examples available for this selection. | 00.0%No examples available for this selection. |
Darker cells indicate a larger share of submitted complaints. Components overlap. This measures complaint composition, not failure probability.
Failure mileage by component
Median and middle 50% of usable owner-reported mileages. Ranges require at least five records.
| Component | Mileage range (25th–75th percentile) | Median | Usable records | Examples |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| No usable records for this analysis. | ||||
Complaint and recall timeline
Explore monthly filing activity alongside recall announcements. Up to ten years of monthly history is available.
Solid line: filed complaints. Dashed amber lines: recall announcement dates for this vehicle selection; markers include all recall components. The latest month is partial. Temporal proximity does not establish causation.
Monthly counts, recall campaigns and complaint examples
| Month | Complaints | Campaigns announced | Examples |
|---|---|---|---|
| 2024-11 | 0 | None | No examples available for this selection. |
| 2024-12 | 0 | None | No examples available for this selection. |
| 2025-01 | 0 | None | No examples available for this selection. |
| 2025-02 | 0 | None | No examples available for this selection. |
| 2025-03 | 0 | None | No examples available for this selection. |
| 2025-04 | 0 | None | No examples available for this selection. |
| 2025-05 | 0 | None | No examples available for this selection. |
| 2025-06 | 0 | None | No examples available for this selection. |
| 2025-07 | 0 | None | No examples available for this selection. |
| 2025-08 | 0 | None | No examples available for this selection. |
| 2025-09 | 0 | None | No examples available for this selection. |
| 2025-10 | 0 | None | No examples available for this selection. |
| 2025-11 | 0 | None | No examples available for this selection. |
| 2025-12 | 0 | None | No examples available for this selection. |
| 2026-01 | 0 | None | No examples available for this selection. |
| 2026-02 | 0 | None | No examples available for this selection. |
| 2026-03 | 0 | None | No examples available for this selection. |
| 2026-04 | 0 | None | No examples available for this selection. |
| 2026-05 | 0 | None | No examples available for this selection. |
| 2026-06 | 0 | None | No examples available for this selection. |
| 2026-07 | 0 | None | No examples available for this selection. |
| 2026-08 | 0 | None | No examples available for this selection. |
| 2026-09 | 0 | None | No examples available for this selection. |
| 2026-10 (partial) | 0 | None | No examples available for this selection. |
Emerging complaint spikes
Complete months in the latest six months with at least 10 complaints, at least twice the preceding 12-month average, and at least three square-root deviations above that average.
This is a descriptive screening rule, not a statistical defect finding. Publicity and reporting changes can increase submissions.
No complete months meet the spike thresholds for this selection.
Equal-age model-year comparison
Model-wide cumulative reports during the first three or five calendar years, starting with the model year (age 0). Only fully elapsed windows are compared.
1990: 0 complaints · 1991: 0 complaints
| Model year | Through age 0 | Through age 1 | Through age 2 |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1990 | 0 | 0 | 0 |
| 1991 | 0 | 0 | 0 |
Date coverage across each selected cohort
| Year | Incident dates used | Filing date fallbacks | Excluded dates |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1990 | 4 | 0 | 0 |
| 1991 | 1 | 1 | 0 |
Incident date is preferred when valid and no later than filing; otherwise filing date is used. Model year approximates age. Equal observation time does not adjust for sales, distance driven or reporting delays. One complaint linked to multiple model years can appear in each cohort.
Components reported together
Each cell counts unique complaints naming both components. Open a nonzero cell for examples.
| Component | Seat Belts:Front:Buckle Assembly | Engine And Engine Cooling:Engine:Gasoline | Fuel System, Gasoline:Storage:Tank Assembly:Mounting | Seat Belts:Front:Anchorage | Seat Belts:Front:Webbing | Tires |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Seat Belts:Front:Buckle Assembly | — | 0 | 0 | 1ODI 973134#95V103003 THE DRIVER SIDE SEAT BELT BUCKLE WILL NOT UNLATCH . TT CONSUMER STATES THE PLASTIC LOOKS LIKE IT HAS BROKEN AND LODGED IN MECHANISM CAUSING TO NOT TO UNLATCH. *SLC | 0 | 0 |
| Engine And Engine Cooling:Engine:Gasoline | 0 | — | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 |
| Fuel System, Gasoline:Storage:Tank Assembly:Mounting | 0 | 0 | — | 0 | 0 | 0 |
| Seat Belts:Front:Anchorage | 1ODI 973134#95V103003 THE DRIVER SIDE SEAT BELT BUCKLE WILL NOT UNLATCH . TT CONSUMER STATES THE PLASTIC LOOKS LIKE IT HAS BROKEN AND LODGED IN MECHANISM CAUSING TO NOT TO UNLATCH. *SLC | 0 | 0 | — | 0 | 0 |
| Seat Belts:Front:Webbing | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | — | 0 |
| Tires | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | — |
Co-reporting does not establish that one component caused another concern.
Recurring narrative patterns
Specific keyword mentions beyond broad component labels. Matching includes negations and comparisons and does not confirm a diagnosis.
0 patterns with matching reports.
No narratives match the published patterns.