Total Complaints
20 filings
DODGE RAM · model year
1986 DODGE RAM
20 NHTSA complaints, 3 crash reports for this specific cohort.
NHTSA overall rating
Not crash-tested
New Car Assessment Program
The 1986DODGERAM carries 20 consumer safety complaints in NHTSA's Office of Defects Investigation database for this specific model-year cohort. Within that volume, owners reported 3 crashes, 5 fires, 4 injuries, and 1 fatality. No NCAP 5-star crash-test rating is available for this model year in the federal database.
Component-level analysis is where model-year complaints become actionable: the top complaint category for the 1986 RAM is seat belts:front:buckle assembly with 6 filings, followed by electrical system:wiring (3) and tires (2). Concentration in one or two component groups is the classic signature of a systemic defect; a flat distribution usually reflects normal aging, warranty complaints, or isolated build-plant variability.
NHTSA currently has 20 investigation files overlapping the 1986 RAM, and 1 remain open. Owners comparing this cohort against neighboring years should pair the counters above with the complaint-by-year trend on the parent model page — a spike in a single year often tracks to a platform refresh, a new transmission supplier, or an updated ECU calibration. Use the related-complaint feed below to read raw owner narratives before deciding whether any pattern here affects your specific use case.
20
Complaints
3
Crashes
5
Fires
4
Injuries
1
Deaths
Crashes Reported
3 reports
Source
NHTSA ODI
Federal complaints database
Complaints vs. fleet median (215)
At or below the fleet median complaint volume.
Complaints by Component
| Component | Count |
|---|---|
| SEAT BELTS:FRONT:BUCKLE ASSEMBLY | 6 |
| ELECTRICAL SYSTEM:WIRING | 3 |
| TIRES | 2 |
| UNKNOWN OR OTHER | 2 |
| LATCHES/LOCKS/LINKAGES:DOORS:LATCH | 1 |
| ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING:ENGINE:GASOLINE | 1 |
| WHEELS | 1 |
| SEAT BELTS:REAR/OTHER | 1 |
| FUEL SYSTEM, GASOLINE:STORAGE:TANK ASSEMBLY:FILLER PIPE AND CAP | 1 |
| TIRES:TREAD/BELT | 1 |
| ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING:ENGINE | 1 |
Recent Complaints
20041122FireENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING:ENGINE
VEHICLE ENGINE FIRE. NAR 07/02/2003.*MR WHILE DRIVING THE VEHICLE RAN OUT OF GAS. WHILE ATTEMPTING TO RESTART THE VEHICLE, AFTER PUTTING SOME FUEL IN IT, A FIRE ERUPTED IN THE ENGINE COMPARTMENT (OHIO TRAFFIC CRASH REPORT). *NM
20020820FireELECTRICAL SYSTEM:WIRING
WHILE IN MOTION, CONSUMER NOTICED SMOKE COMING FROM THE ENGINE COMPARTMENT. CONSUMER STOPPED VEHICLE AND REALIZED THE VEHICLE WAS ON FIRE. THE FIRE DEPARTMENT AT THE SCENE INFORMED CONSUMER THAT THE FIRE WAS CAUSED BY THE WIRING TO THE AUDIO EQUIPMENT FROM THE BATTERY. *JG
20010618TIRES:TREAD/BELT
TIRE TREAD AND BELT SEPARATION. BELTS EXPOSED; RAPID DEFLATION. TIRE DESTROYED. NOT THE FIRST SIMILAR PROBLEM I'VE HAD WITH THIS MODEL OF TIRE. IT HAPPENED ONCE BEFORE A FEW YEARS AGO. *AK (DOT NUMBER: M3H3 AKYX TIRESIZE: 205-70R15)
20010119SEAT BELTS:FRONT:BUCKLE ASSEMBLY
THERE IS A SEAT BELT RECALL FOR SEAT BELT COMING UNLATCHED WHILE DRIVING. THIS VEHICLE IS NOT INCLUDED IN RECALL DUE TO VIN ALTHOUGH IT HAS THE SAME PROBLEM. DEALER HAS BEEN CONTACTED.*AK
20000905TIRES
I WAS DRIVING HOME FROM VISITING FRIENDS WHO LIVE ABOUT 13 MILES FROM ME ON A HOT SUN. AFTERNOON ON A 2-LANE COUNTRY ROAD. I BEGAN TO NOTICE SOME SWAY ON THE CURVES ABOUT 1/3 OF THE WAY HOME. AS I WAS DRIVING INTO THE CITY LIMITS I REALIZED THE REAR TIRE HAD GONE FLAT BUT DROVE ABOUT 1 BLOCK SO I COULD PULL OFF SAFELY. AS A RESULT THE TIRE RECEIVED SOME DAMAGE WHICH MADE IT DIFFICULT TO DETERMINE THE EXACT CAUSE OF THE FLAT. I HAD IT REPLACED AT THE SAME FIRESTONE DEALER I BOUGHT IT FROM BUT WAS PUZZLED BECAUSE IT SEEMED TO BE VERY CHEWED UP FOR THE SHORT DISTANCE I CONTINUED TO DRIVE ONCE I NOTICED THE FLAT. THE TIRE WAS ONE OF FOUR I BOUGHT TOGETHER LESS THAN A YEAR AGO BUT THE ONE WHICH WENT FLAT WAS REPLACED BEFORE WORD OF THE PROBLEMS WITH SIMILAR TIRES WAS PUBLICIZED. I AM STILL DRIVING ON THE OTHER 3 PLUS THE REPLACEMENT. I AM VERY CONCERNED BECAUSE ONE OF THE TIRES (LEFT FRONT) HAS NEVER HELD AIR WELL, IN SPITE OF TAKING IT BACK FOR REMOUNTING, AND IT IS ONCE AGAIN LOSIN
20000831UNKNOWN OR OTHER
NO SUMMARY
20000823FUEL SYSTEM, GASOLINE:STORAGE:TANK ASSEMBLY:FILLER PIPE AND CAP
FUEL TANK SEEMS TO BE LEAKING FROM THE BOTTOM AND NEAR THE SEAM OF THE TANK. IF AN IGNITION SOURE WAS PRESENT IT COULD CAUSE A FIRE. THIS WAS FOUND WHEN OIL WAS BEING CHANGED. ABOUT A YEAR AGO, FUEL WAS LEAKNG FROM FILLER TUBE. OWNER WAS NOT ABLE TO FIND A REPLACEMENT. FUEL TANK HAS NOT BEEN REPLACED. OWNER HAS NOT BEEN ABLE TO REACH THE MANUFACTURER. *AK
19990908SEAT BELTS:FRONT:BUCKLE ASSEMBLY
SEAT BELT RELEASE BUTTON BROKE--REPAIRED AND LATER RECEIVED RECALL NOTICE. WANT REFUND.
19980921SEAT BELTS:REAR/OTHER
CENTER SEAT BELT WAS NOT PROPERLY INSTALLED AFTER RECALL REPAIR.
19971104UNKNOWN OR OTHER
ALL THE LIGHTS ON THE DASH DO NOT FUNCTION, INCLUDING THE WIPERS. DEALER WILL NOT FIX. *AK
19970527SEAT BELTS:FRONT:BUCKLE ASSEMBLY
SEAT BELT RELEASE BUTTON BROKE PRIOR TO RECALL.
19970325WHEELS
WHEEL FELL OFF, CAUSING AXLE DAMAGE. ( NEW JERSEY STATE POLICE REPORT)
19970210FireELECTRICAL SYSTEM:WIRING
FIRE STARTED IN THE ENGINE COMPARTMENT, CAUSING THE ENTIRE ELECTRICAL SYSTEM TO BURN. PLEASE GIVE FURTHER DETAILS. *AK
19970122FireENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING:ENGINE:GASOLINE
ENGINE COMPARTMENT FIRE. (OHIO STATE POLICE REPORT)
19961016LATCHES/LOCKS/LINKAGES:DOORS:LATCH
DOOR LATCH FAILURE. *AK
19961002FireELECTRICAL SYSTEM:WIRING
THE VEHICLE WAS IN THE PARK POSITION AND THE VEHICLE CAUGHT FIRE. *AK
19960509SEAT BELTS:FRONT:BUCKLE ASSEMBLY
DEALER INDICATES PER MFR. COMPUTER INFO, VIN'S NOT INVOLVED IN RECALL CAMPAIGN 95V103003, EVEN THOUGH BELTS DISPLAY TK ON THEM. *AK
19950621CrashSEAT BELTS:FRONT:BUCKLE ASSEMBLY
FRONT RIGHT SHOULDER/LAP BELT LATCH BROKE UPON IMPACT; RIGHT REAR TIRE BLEW; VEHICLE HIT DIRT BANK; TUMBLED OVER.; VEHICLE TOTALED. TT
19950621CrashTIRES
FRONT RIGHT SHOULDER/LAP BELT LATCH BROKE UPON IMPACT; RIGHT REAR TIRE BLEW; VEHICLE HIT DIRT BANK; TUMBLED OVER.; VEHICLE TOTALED. TT
19950328CrashFatalSEAT BELTS:FRONT:BUCKLE ASSEMBLY
TAKATA SEAT BELT. HIT OBJECT IN HIGHWAY, LOST CONTROL PASSENGERS SEAT BELT FAILED AND OCCUPANT WAS EJECTED. TT
Compare 1986DODGERAM to Similar Vehicles
NHTSA Investigations 1 Open
Frequently Asked Questions
How many complaints does the 1986 DODGE RAM have?▼
The 1986 DODGE RAM has 20 NHTSA complaints, 3 crashes, 5 fires, 4 injuries, and 1 deaths reported.
What are the most common problems with the 1986 DODGE RAM?▼
The most-complained component for the 1986 DODGE RAM is SEAT BELTS:FRONT:BUCKLE ASSEMBLY with 6 complaints. Other frequently reported areas include ELECTRICAL SYSTEM:WIRING and TIRES.
Is the 1986 DODGE RAM safe to buy?▼
Review the complaint history, crash and fire reports, safety ratings, and recall status on this page to make an informed decision. No NHTSA crash test rating is available for this model year. Compare with other model years using the links above.
Where does this data come from?▼
All complaint, recall, and safety rating data is sourced from the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA). Complaints are filed by vehicle owners through NHTSA's Office of Defects Investigation.
Vehicle Safety Guides
Data as of 2025. Sources: NHTSA Office of Defects Investigation (ODI) complaints database, NHTSA recall campaign API, NHTSA NCAP crash-test ratings, and NHTSA FARS for fatality cross-reference.
Read our methodology — how this data is sourced, computed, and verified.