Total Complaints
35 filings
DODGE RAM · model year
1989 DODGE RAM
35 NHTSA complaints, 6 crash reports for this specific cohort.
NHTSA overall rating
Not crash-tested
New Car Assessment Program
The 1989DODGERAM carries 35 consumer safety complaints in NHTSA's Office of Defects Investigation database for this specific model-year cohort. Within that volume, owners reported 6 crashes, 2 fires, 1 injury, and 0 fatalities. 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 1989 RAM is seat belts:front:buckle assembly with 7 filings, followed by tires (3) and fuel system, gasoline:fuel injection system (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 1989 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.
35
Complaints
6
Crashes
2
Fires
1
Injuries
0
Deaths
Crashes Reported
6 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 | 7 |
| TIRES | 3 |
| FUEL SYSTEM, GASOLINE:FUEL INJECTION SYSTEM | 2 |
| FUEL SYSTEM, GASOLINE:STORAGE:TANK ASSEMBLY | 2 |
| SEAT BELTS:FRONT:RETRACTOR | 2 |
| POWER TRAIN:AUTOMATIC TRANSMISSION | 2 |
| SEAT BELTS:FRONT:WEBBING | 2 |
| STEERING:GEAR BOX (OTHER THAN RACK AND PINION) | 2 |
| SEATS:FRONT ASSEMBLY:RECLINER | 2 |
| POWER TRAIN:AUTOMATIC TRANSMISSION:PARK/NEUTRAL START INTERLOCK SWITCH | 1 |
| FUEL SYSTEM, GASOLINE | 1 |
| VISIBILITY:REARVIEW MIRRORS/DEVICES | 1 |
| FUEL SYSTEM, GASOLINE:DELIVERY:FUEL PUMP | 1 |
| STEERING: STEERING WHEEL/HANDLE BAR | 1 |
| STEERING:GEAR BOX:SHAFT SECTOR | 1 |
Recent Complaints
20031015TIRES
WHILE TRAVELING 70 MPH REAR PASSENGER'S SIDE TIRE BLEW OUT. CONSUMER MANAGED TO PULL OVER. CAUSE HAS YET TO BE DETERMINED. TIRE SIZE P26570R16. *AK
20020228FUEL SYSTEM, OTHER
AFTER FUELING VAN THERE IS NO REGISTRATION ON THE DASHBOARD OF FUEL GAUGE. MECHANIC HAS REPLACED FUEL GAUGE AND NEEDLE 3 TIMES, HOWEVER IT STILL MALFUNCTIONED. *AK CONSUMER STATED ELECTRICAL WORK WAS DONE TO THE GAS GAUGE.*JB
20020228ELECTRICAL SYSTEM
AFTER FUELING VAN THERE IS NO REGISTRATION ON THE DASHBOARD OF FUEL GAUGE. MECHANIC HAS REPLACED FUEL GAUGE AND NEEDLE 3 TIMES, HOWEVER IT STILL MALFUNCTIONED. *AK CONSUMER STATED ELECTRICAL WORK WAS DONE TO THE GAS GAUGE.*JB
20010828FUEL SYSTEM, GASOLINE:STORAGE:TANK ASSEMBLY
FUEL TANK HAS PULLED AWAY FROM HOLD AND FUEL LEAKS ON THE GROUND FROM SMALL HOLD ON TOP OF FUEL TANK. *AK
20010111FUEL SYSTEM, GASOLINE:FUEL INJECTION SYSTEM
VEHICLE WAS LEAKING FUEL. THEN TOOK VEHICLE TO DEALER WHERE THEY FOUND THAT LEAK WAS COMING FROM FUEL INJECTION SYSTEM WHERE"O" RING WORE OUT.THEY CHARGED CONSUMER FOR REPAIRS. *AK
20000928CrashTIRES
QUOTE FROM POLICE REPORT : "INVESTIGATION AT THE SCENE SHOWED THAT THE RIGHT REAR TIRE OF VEHICLE #1 LOST TREAD AND BLEW, CAUSING THIS ACCIDENT". THIS INCIDENT DOES NOT FIT THE "PROFILE" PUT FORTH BY FIRESTONE, I.E. NOT A FORD EXPLORER, NOT DRIVEN OFF RAOD, NOT USED IN EXTREME HEAT.( DOT NUMBER: TIRE SIZE: 15 )
20000906TIRES
THIS IS THE NORMAL TYPE VAN AND TIRES FOR CHURCHES, SCHOOLS, DAYCARES...THIS TIRE HAS BLOWN 7 TIMES WHEN VANS WERE AT HWY SPEEDS WITH FULL LOADS...DUNLOP HAS REFUSED TO PAY DAMAGES OR ADMIT THIS TIRE HAS PROBLEM...WE THANK GOD OUR YOUTH WERE NOT INJURED...BUT SOMEONES WILL BE IF THIS IS NOT CORRECTED( DOT NUMBER: DAIL821 TIRE SIZE: LT22575R16 )
19991018ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING:ENGINE
VEHICLE KEEPS CUTTING OFF DUE TO SOME TYPE OF PLUGS THAT WEREN'T PUT INTO THE VEHICLE. ALSO, VEHICLE ISN'T PULLING, AND THERE IS A LOSS OF POWER. *AK
19990928POWER TRAIN:AUTOMATIC TRANSMISSION
AUTOMATIC TRANSMISSION MALFUNCTIONED DUE TO THE GOVERNOR STICKING WHICH MAY CAUSE LOSS OF VEHICLE CONTROL AND CRASH. PLEASE PROVIDE FURTHER INFORMATION. *AK
19990605STRUCTURE:FRAME AND MEMBERS
FRONT MAIN CROSSMEMBER STRUCTURALLY FAILED, ALLOWING RIGHT FRONT LOWER CONTROL ARM BRACKET TO BREAK FREE.
19990605SUSPENSION:FRONT:CONTROL ARM:LOWER BALL JOINT
FRONT MAIN CROSSMEMBER STRUCTURALLY FAILED, ALLOWING RIGHT FRONT LOWER CONTROL ARM BRACKET TO BREAK FREE.
19990420SEATS:FRONT ASSEMBLY:RECLINER
LATCHING DEVICE FOR MIDDLE BENCH AND SEAT COVERS DO NOT FIT PROPERLY.
19990420SEAT BELTS:FRONT:BUCKLE ASSEMBLY
SEAT BELT LATCH STRIPPED.
19990318CrashSTEERING: STEERING WHEEL/HANDLE BAR
WHILE DRIVING THE TRUCK ABOUT 45-50 MPH, THE STEERING COUPLING BROKE DOWN BY THE AXLE. STEERING BECAME IMPOSSIBLE, AND DRIVER RAN OFF THE ROAD INTO A FIELD. THE TRUCK WAS TOWED TO A DEALERSHIP.THE STEERING SHAFT AND BOX WERE REPLACED BY A DEALER. PLEASE PROVIDE ANY FURTHER DETAILS. *AK
19990318CrashSTEERING:GEAR BOX (OTHER THAN RACK AND PINION)
WHILE DRIVING THE TRUCK ABOUT 45-50 MPH, THE STEERING COUPLING BROKE DOWN BY THE AXLE. STEERING BECAME IMPOSSIBLE, AND DRIVER RAN OFF THE ROAD INTO A FIELD. THE TRUCK WAS TOWED TO A DEALERSHIP.THE STEERING SHAFT AND BOX WERE REPLACED BY A DEALER. PLEASE PROVIDE ANY FURTHER DETAILS. *AK
19990318CrashSTEERING:GEAR BOX:SHAFT SECTOR
WHILE DRIVING THE TRUCK ABOUT 45-50 MPH, THE STEERING COUPLING BROKE DOWN BY THE AXLE. STEERING BECAME IMPOSSIBLE, AND DRIVER RAN OFF THE ROAD INTO A FIELD. THE TRUCK WAS TOWED TO A DEALERSHIP.THE STEERING SHAFT AND BOX WERE REPLACED BY A DEALER. PLEASE PROVIDE ANY FURTHER DETAILS. *AK
19980807FUEL SYSTEM, GASOLINE:DELIVERY:FUEL PUMP
WHILE FILLING VEHICLE WITH GAS TANK FUEL TANK EXPLODED, CAUSING FUEL TANK TO DEVELOP A HOLE . POSSIBLE CAUSE ELECTRIC FUEL PUMP FAILURE. DEALERS WILL NOT ADDRESS PROBLEM. *AK
19970721SEATS:FRONT ASSEMBLY:RECLINER
WHILE DRIVING DRIVER'S SEAT BACK COLLAPSED 2 INCHES AT THE BASE AND THE BACK PORTION 8 TO 10 INCHES. PLATE THAT SUPPORTS BACK PORTION OF SEAT BROKE INTERNALLY. PLEASE DESCRIBE DETAILS. *AK
19970624SEAT BELTS:FRONT:BUCKLE ASSEMBLY
CONSUMER HAS BEEN WAITING FOR SEAT BELT BUCKLE(S) AT LEAST (3) MONTHS. *AK
19970324CrashSTEERING:GEAR BOX (OTHER THAN RACK AND PINION)
STEERING GEAR BOX: MAKING A RIGHT HAND TURN, HEARD LOUD BUMP, LOST STEERING AND RAN INTO GUARD RAIL. TOOK IN FOR REPAIRS AND DEALER SAID THE PROBLEM WAS IN THE STEERING BOX, STEEL HAD CRYSTALIZED AND CAUSED IT TO BREAK. *AK
Compare 1989DODGERAM to Similar Vehicles
NHTSA Investigations 1 Open
Frequently Asked Questions
How many complaints does the 1989 DODGE RAM have?▼
The 1989 DODGE RAM has 35 NHTSA complaints, 6 crashes, 2 fires, 1 injuries, and 0 deaths reported.
What are the most common problems with the 1989 DODGE RAM?▼
The most-complained component for the 1989 DODGE RAM is SEAT BELTS:FRONT:BUCKLE ASSEMBLY with 7 complaints. Other frequently reported areas include TIRES and FUEL SYSTEM, GASOLINE:FUEL INJECTION SYSTEM.
Is the 1989 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.