1991 Dodge Ram

Routine

Owners filed 51 complaints about this vehicle with federal regulators, most often about the steering. It has been recalled 3 times.

Not among the Dodge Ram years to avoid. Which Dodge Ram years to avoid →

Most common 1991 Dodge Ram problems

11 of the 51 complaints (22%) are about the steering.

ComponentReportsCrashesFiresInjuries
Steering › Steering Wheel/Handle Bar7
100
Service Brakes, Hydraulic › Antilock/Traction Control/Electronic Limited Slip · brakes4
000
Tires3
001
Fuel System, Gasoline › Delivery › Fuel Pump · fuel system3
000
Tires › Tread/Belt2
000
Suspension › Front2
100
Steering › Gear Box (other Than Rack and Pinion)2
000
Fuel System, Gasoline › Storage › Tank Assembly · fuel system2
000
Equipment › Appliance › Air Conditioner2
100
Wheels › Hubcap/Cover1
000

3 safety recalls

Part 573 reports
Steering › Steering Wheel/Handle Bar95V089000
Filed May 12, 199578,000 vehiclesChrysler Corporation

Defect. THE STEERING WHEEL ARMATURE STAMPING CAN CRACK DUE TO FATIGUE AND SEPARATE FROM THE CENTER HUB ATTACHMENT TO THE STEERING COLUMN.

Risk. THIS CONDITION CAN CAUSE SEPARATION OF THE CENTER HUB ATTACHMENT TO THE STEERING COLUMN RESULTING IN A LOSS OF CONTROL AND AN ACCIDENT.

Remedy. DEALERS WILL INSPECT THE STEERING WHEEL FOR ARMATURE CRACKS AND REPLACE ANY WHEELS EXHIBITING CRACKS. ALL OTHER VEHICLES WILL HAVE A REINFORCEMENT PLATE INSTALLED TO PREVENT STEERING WHEEL SEPARATION IF CRACKING OCCURS.

Fuel System, Gasoline › Delivery › Fuel Pump93E034001
Filed Dec 7, 199335,000 vehiclesChrysler Corporation

Defect. BOSCH DISTRIBUTOR-TYPE FUEL PUMPS HAVE A MANUFACTURING DEFECT THAT CAN CAUSE THE BALL PIN, WHICH IS PART OF THE PUMP'S CONTROL LEVER ASSEMBLY, TO BREAK CAUSING THE LINK BETWEEN THE CONTROL SLEEVE AND THE CONTROL LEVER TO BECOME INOPERATIVE.

Risk. WHEN THE LINK BETWEEN THE CONTROL LEVER AND THE CONTROLSLEEVE BREAKS, THE SPEED CONTROL NO LONGER RESPONDS TO MOVEMENT OF THEACCELERATOR PEDAL, RESULTING IN LOSS OF SPEED CONTROL AND A POSSIBLE ACCIDENT.

Remedy. THE FUEL PUMPS WILL BE INSPECTED, AND IF NECESSARY, REPAIRED OR REPLACED.

Equipment › Other › Labels92V005000
Filed Jan 14, 19922,800 vehiclesChrysler Corporation

Defect. THE TIRE SELECTION AND RIMS CERITIFICATION LABEL MAY HAVE INCORRECT INFORMATION.

Risk. THE CERTIFICATION LABEL FAILS TO MEET THE REQUIREMENTS OFFMVSS 120.

Remedy. AN OVERLAY OF THE CORRECT TIRE AND RIM SELECTION INFORMATION CERTIFICATE WILL BE PROVIDED.

All 3 campaigns on file, newest first.

What owners reported

Newest filings
Tires1 injured
Filed Apr 19, 2006IN

DT*: THE CONTACT STATED WHILE APPLYING AIR TO THE LEFT REAR TIRE THE CONTACT NOTICED A BUBBLE IN THE SIDEWALL, AT THAT TIME THE TIRE BLEW UP. THERE WERE INJURIES AND THE CONTACT WENT TO THE HOSPITAL. THE TIRE IS COOPER MASTER CRAFT AS IV. THE SIZE IS 23575R15. THE DEALERSHIP HAS BEEN INFORMED. THERE IS A RECALL REGARDING COOPER TIRES, RECALL # 06T002000; TIRES: SIDEWALL, BUT DID NOT INCLUDE THE TIRE SIZE: 23575R15.

Steering
Filed Dec 14, 2004MI

WHILE MAKING A RIGHT TURN CONSUMER NOTICED THAT THE STEERING WHEEL WAS LOOSE WHILE TURNING. CONSUMER WAS ABLE TO MAINTAIN CONTROL, AND DROVE VEHICLE TO THE DEALER. MECHANIC INFORMED CONSUMER THAT THE PROBLEM COULD NOT DUPLICATED. *AK

Tires › Tread/Belt
Filed Feb 12, 2002MN

CONSUMER STATED THAT THE SUMMIT TRAIL CLIMBER, MANUFACTURED BY KELLY-SPRINGFIELD COMPANY, 4 TIRES WERE DEFECTIVE, THE RUBBER IS TEARING APART FROM SOME TYPE OF CIRCULAR SEAM, THE SERVICE STATION EXAMINED THE TIRES AND STATED, THEY ARE DANGEROUS AND NEED REPLACING IMMEDIATELY BUT THE REPRESENTATIVES OF KELLY-SPRINGFIELD HAVE REFUSED TO RETURN CONSUMERS PHONE CALLS OR EMAILS. (TIRE SIZE P235/75R15) *YD

Tires
Filed Nov 10, 2001MN

WE HAVE THREE DODGES PURCHASED NEW AND HAVE SALVAGE YARD PART ON THEM. WE HAVE 8 TIRES PUCHASED IN 1996 COMING APART AT THE SEAMS AND MAJOR CRACKS.*AK (DOT NUMBER: R39163 K84 TIRESIZE: P23575R15)

Equipment › Appliance › Air Conditioner
Filed Sep 13, 2001LA

VEHICLE KEEPS OVERHEATING. THERE IS A RECALL FOR AIR CONDITIONER BLOWER MOTOR OVER HEATING WHEN ON HIGH. CONSUMER IS HAVING SAME PROBLEM. *AK THE CONSUMER SAYS THAT CERTAIN VEHICLES WERE BUILT WITH IGNITION SWITCH AND WIRING THAT COULD OVER HEAT AND THAT WAS WHAT HE EXPERIENCED. *YH

Steering › Steering Wheel/Handle Bar
Filed Aug 2, 2001MT

STEERING COUPLER PREMATURELY WEARS OUT, CAUSING VEHICLE TO SEVERLY PULL TO RIGHT OR LEFT. PLEASE GIVE ANY FURTHER DETAILS.*AK

Service Brakes, Hydraulic › Antilock/Traction Control/Electronic Limited Slip
Filed Apr 26, 2001TX

ANTI LOCK BRAKE LIGHT ON FOR LAST 8 MONTHS. BRKES FAILED INTERMITTENTLY, AND PEDAL FELT HARD. TAKEN VEHICLE TO DEALER 6 TIMES, BLED BRAKES AND REPLACED MASTER CYLINDER; BUT, DID NOT REMEDY PROBLEM. *AK

Power Train › Automatic Transmission › Gear Position Indication (prndl)
Filed Mar 26, 2001CA

GEAR SHIFT BROKE OFF. GEAR SHIFT HAS BEEN REPAIRED. MANUFACTURER HAS BEEN NOTIFIED.*AK THE CONSUMER BELIEVES THE REPAIRED PART WAS DEFECTIVE. *YH

Steering › Steering Wheel/Handle Bar
Filed Feb 12, 2001IA

STEERING WHEEL BROKE THROUGH SPOT-WELDS HOLDING STAMPED SHEET-METAL PART OF WHEEL TO MACHINE NUT, WHICH IS BOLTED TO STEEERING COLUMN SHAFT, OWNER WOULD LIKE A RECALL AND REIMBURSMENT FOR REPAIRS. CJ

Tires › Tread/Belt
Filed Nov 21, 2000NV

2 CONTINENTAL GENERAL TIRES EXPERIENCED TREAD SEPARATION, CAUSING DAMAGE TO THE VEHICLE. *SLC

Engine and Engine Cooling › Engine › GasolineFire
Filed Jan 31, 2000NY

WHILE THE TRUCK WAS PARKED, NOT RUNNING, THERE WAS A FIRE IN THE ENGINE COMPARTMENT. THIS HAPPENED ABOUT 30 MINUTES AFTER PARKING THE TRUCK. DEALER WAS CALLED ABOUT THE PROBLEM. CLAIMED BEING HANDLED BY INSURANCE COMPANY. PLEASE PROVIDE ANY FURTHER INFORMATION. *AK

Power Train › Automatic Transmission › Torque Converter
Filed Sep 28, 1999IL

DUE TO A DEFECTIVE TORQUE CONVERTER, THE TRANSMISSION FLUIDS ARE PUSHED OUT THROUGH THE HOSES AND SEALS WHICH CAUSES A TRANSMISSION LEAK AND COULD POSSIBLY START A FIRE. DEALER REPLACED TORQUE CONVERTER TWICE. PROBLEM STILL OCCURRING. PLEASE PROVIDE FURTHER INFORMATION AND VIN#. *AK

Fuel System, Gasoline › Storage › Tank Assembly
Filed Jul 20, 1999IN

GAS TANK HAS DEVELOPED CRACKS AROUND THE BRACKET THAT SUSPENDS IT FROM THE VEHICLE, AND IS LEAKING AN EXCESSIVE AMOUNT OF FUEL. DEALER HAS NOT SEEN VEHICLE. *AK

Power Train › Manual Transmission
Filed May 12, 1998WA

MANUAL TRANSMISSION REPLACE SEVERAL TIMES DUE TO PROBLEMS SUCH AS GRINDING, WORN CLUTCHES, BAD FLYWHEELS AND THROWING OF THE BEARINGS.

Fuel System, Gasoline › Storage › Tank Assembly
Filed Apr 24, 1998CA

RECEIVED RECALL NOTICE (#97V199000). CALLED DEALER FOR APPOINTMENT. TOOK VEHICLE IN. WAITED AWHILE UNTIL MECHANIC REFUSED TO DO RECALL REPAIRS. WAS TOLD WOULD TAKE AT LEAST 8 HOURS OR MORE BEFORE FUEL TANK IS REPAIRED. *AK

Service Brakes, Hydraulic › Foundation Components › Hoses, Lines/Piping, and Fittings
Filed Mar 20, 1998MO

WHILE DRIVING THE FRONT BRAKE LINES BROKE. OWNER HAS HAD BRAKE LINES RECONNECTED . THE MANUFACTURER HAS NOT BEEN NOTIFIED. *AK

Service Brakes, Hydraulic › Antilock/Traction Control/Electronic Limited Slip
Filed Oct 15, 1997PA

REAR ABS BRAKES FAILED. *AK

Equipment › Appliance › Air ConditionerCrash
Filed Aug 28, 1997AL

WHEN AIR CONDITIONER IS ON WIND COMES THROUGH THE DOOR.

Power Train › Clutch Assembly
Filed Jun 2, 1997OR

THE SUPPORT BRACKET FOR CLUTCH AND BRAKE COLLAPSED CAUSING LOSS OF CLUTCHING CAPABILITY, LOSS OF BRAKE AND LOSS OF ABILITY T START THE ENGINE. *YH

Vehicle Speed Control
Filed May 15, 1997NY

WHILE DRIVING THE VEHICLE TOOK OFF WITHOUT ANY WARNING. *AK

Electrical System › Ignition
Filed May 13, 1997IN

CONSUMER STATES THAT THEIGNITION WIRING HARNESS OVERHEATS, RESULTING IN THE PLASTIC COVER AROUND THE SWITCH MELTING. CONSUMER ALSO STATED THAT THE IGNITION SWITCH HAS BEEN REPLACED ON A NUMBER OF OCCASIONS. *AK

Steering › Steering Wheel/Handle BarCrash
Filed Jan 2, 1997PA

THE STEERING ROD ON THE FRONT OF THE VEHICLE BROKE IN HALF, CAUSING AN ACCIDENT. RECALL NOTICE WAS MAILED, BUT VEHICLE HAD AN ACCIDENT BEFORE LETTER WAS RECIEVED. *AK

Suspension › FrontCrash
Filed Dec 2, 1996KS

WHEN GOING DOWN A SNOW COVERED ROAD WITH 4 WHEEL DRIVE ENGAGED , SPEED WAS (40) MPH AND ALL (4) WHEELS LOCK UP. THE VEHICLE WENT INTO A UNCONTROLLABLE LEFT SKID, HIT A DITCH AND ROLLED OVER. *AK

Structure
Filed Oct 30, 1996CO

THE METAL WELDS THAT CONNECT THE BED TO THE FRAME ARE STARTING TO CRACK. PLEASE DESCRIBE. *AK

Fuel System, Gasoline › Storage › Tank Assembly › Filler Pipe and Cap
Filed Sep 25, 1996AR

FILLED UP TANK, PARKED VEHICLE, SMELLED GAS, RETURNED TO VEHICLE, NOTICED GAS LEAKED ON GROUND CAUSED BY CRACK ALONG TOP CORNER EDGE OF TANK TOP, FIRE HAZARD.**AK CONSUMER FEELS THE WEIGHT OF A FULL TANK IS MORE THAN WHAT THE PLASTIC GAS TANK CAN WITHSTAND WHILE SUPPORTED BY THE TWO METAL RETAINING STRAPS, THIS IS THE SECOND TIME THIS FAILURE HAS OCCURRED. *SLC

Wheels › Hubcap/Cover
Filed Sep 23, 1996UT

LUG PATTERN ON THE HUB IS DRILLED OUT OF ROUND WHICH RESULTS IN EXCESSIVE STEERING/ SHIMMIES ONCE REACHING SPEED 55 MPH. THE GREATER THE SPEED THE SEVERE THE SHIMMY. PLEASE DESCRIBE DETAILS.

Steering › Gear Box (other Than Rack and Pinion)
Filed Sep 23, 1996OH

DEFECTIVE STEERING BOX, ALLOWING TIRES TO TURN WITHOUT MOVING STEERING WHEEL.

Fuel System, Gasoline › Delivery › Fuel Pump
Filed May 22, 1996CA

THE DEALERSHIP HASN'T HAD THE PARTS FOR THE RECALL FOR ALMOST 2 MONTHS (93E034001). PLEASE DESCRIBE. *AK

Electrical System › Wiring › Interior/Under DashFire
Filed May 5, 1996NC

WIRING HARNESS CAUGHT FIRE. *SD

Steering › Steering Wheel/Handle Bar
Filed Apr 28, 1996GA

STEERING WHEEL/COLUMN FAILED. *DSH

Structure › Frame and Members
Filed Apr 9, 1996NH

THE FRAME ON THE VEHICLE IS CRACKED IN TWO DIFFERENT PLACES DUE TO A BROKEN WELD. *AK

Suspension › Front › Springs › Coil Springs
Filed Mar 13, 1996LA

WHILE DRIVING, AT APPROX. 20MPH, SUDDENLY HEARD LOUD NOISE, THEN VEHICLE FRONT END DROPPED TO RIGHT SIDE, DUE TO BROKEN COIL SPRING. *AK

Steering › Steering Wheel/Handle Bar
Filed Feb 14, 1996TX

DEALER REFUSES TO REPLACE STEERING WHEEL ON VEHICLE EVEN IF ITS EXHIBITING CRACKS, RECALL 95V089000 CLEARLY STATES THAT THEY MUST INSPECT & REPLACE BROKEN WHEEL. CONSUMER STATES DEALER REPLACED PLATE UNDER STEERING WHEEL, WHICH MAKES IT WORSE STEERING WHEEL NOT CENTERED TIGHT, HAS A LARGE GAP AT THE TOP AND RUBS ON THE BTTOM .*JB

Steering › Steering Wheel/Handle Bar
Filed Feb 7, 1996AL

SUSAN SHIEN DODGE MFR 641. OWNER HAS CONVERSED WITH THE DEALERSHIP ON NUMEROUS OCCASIONS AND ADVISED PARTS ARE STILL NOT AVAILABLE. TT

Service Brakes, Hydraulic › Foundation Components › Drum
Filed Feb 6, 1996CA

PLASTIC COVER WHICH SECURES CABLE IN EMERGENCY BRAKE LINE CAME LOOSE. NO RESPONSE FROM ANTI LOCK BRAKING SYSTEM. RENDERING REAR BRAKES INOPERATIVE. TT

Steering › Rack and Pinion
Filed Jan 17, 1996NY

THE RACK AND PINION HAS BLOWN OUT AND MELTED THE REAR OF THE TRUCK AND CAUSED A POTENTIAL FIRE HAZARD. PLEASE DESCRIBE. TT

Seat Belts › Front › Anchorage
Filed Jan 15, 1996IL

SEAT BELTS DO NOT FIT SECURELY. *AK

Steering › Steering Wheel/Handle Bar
Filed Jan 2, 1996AL

RECALL RELATED, 95V089000, STEERING WHEEL HAS BROKE TWICE, RECEIVED NOTICE BUT DEALER SAID PROBLEM IS NOT RELATED. TT

Service Brakes, Hydraulic › Foundation Components › Drum › Drum
Filed Dec 27, 1995GA

BRAKE DRUMS WERE MALFUNCTIONING AND LOCKING. TT

Power Train › Manual Transmission › Floor Shift Assembly
Filed Nov 24, 1995UT

GEAR SHIFT LEVER BROKE OFF. *DSH

Steering › Gear Box (other Than Rack and Pinion)
Filed Oct 13, 1995PA

STEERING BOX HAS FAILED ALLOWING TRUCK TO WANDER SEVERELY. PLEASE DESCRIBE DETAILS. TT

Power Train › Automatic Transmission › Park/Neutral Start Interlock Switch
Filed Oct 2, 1995NY

TRANSMISSION CAN BE SHIFTED INTO GEAR WITH KEY REMOVED. *DSH

Service Brakes, Hydraulic › Antilock/Traction Control/Electronic Limited Slip
Filed Sep 28, 1995IL

THE TRUCK HAS ABS BRAKES. WHEN THE ROAD WAS WET AND THE BRAKES WERE APPLIED THE VEHICLE WOULD NOT STOP. PLEASE DESCRIBE. TT

Suspension › Front
Filed Aug 22, 199500

WHEN DRIVING THE VEHICLE VEERS TO THE LEFT OR RIGHT. PLEASE DESCRIBE. TT

Service Brakes, Hydraulic › Antilock/Traction Control/Electronic Limited Slip
Filed Jul 10, 1995CA

WHEN DRIVING AT SPEEDS LOWER THAN 45 MPH, THE BRAKES FADE AND THE LIGHTS COME ON. *AK

Service Brakes, Hydraulic › Foundation Components › Disc › Pads
Filed Jun 14, 1995MI

BRAKE PADS REPLACED.

Electrical System › Wiring
Filed Jun 12, 1995FL

ELECTRICAL WIRE MELTING TOGETHER, RESULTING IN BLACK SMOKE COMING IN THE INSIDE OF THE VEHICLE, REPLACE FUSABLE LINK/WIRING HARNESS/STARTER SWITCH/IGNITION. TT

Tires
Filed Apr 13, 1995CA

DEFECTIVE FIRESTONE TIRES; THESE TIRES WERE DISCONTINUED. *AK

Fuel System, Gasoline › Delivery › Fuel Pump
Filed Mar 14, 1995CA

DIESEL FUEL PUMP FAILED 4 TIMES AFTER RECALL REPAIRS. (93E034001) *TW

Service Brakes, Hydraulic › Foundation Components
Filed Feb 23, 1995AR

CONTINUOUS BRAKE FAILURES/HARD PEDAL DURING COLD WEATHER, ALSO BRAKE LIGHT/ANIT-LOCK LIGHTS COME ON. *SKD

Complaints 1-50 of 51, newest first, reproduced as filed.

Across model years

Worst on record: 1996
YearComplaintsRecallsFiresDeathsAssessment
20110400Routine
201027520Routine
20099610Routine
200825410Routine
200717410Routine
200625410Routine
200540510Routine
200458702Fatalities reported
2003175730Routine
2002322671Fatalities reported
20014361492Fatalities reported
20001471160Routine
19993661361Fatalities reported
19984831763Fatalities reported
199739811184Fatalities reported
199662514232Fatalities reported
199561116332Fatalities reported
199446922272Fatalities reported
199354110Routine
199258220Routine
1991 — this page51320Routine
199023050Routine

Compare every Ram year →

Reading this record

No unusual pattern of severe incidents in the complaint record.

Complaint counts track how many cars were sold and how long they have been on the road as much as they track quality. A common model from 2013 has had a decade to accumulate reports; a rare one from last year has not. The signal worth weighing is in the severity columns, in whether the same component keeps appearing, and in whether the manufacturer eventually opened a recall for it.

Recall repairs are free for as long as the recall stands. Check whether a specific car still has open work at NHTSA's VIN lookup.

Most recent recall on file: May 12, 1995. Source: NHTSA Office of Defects Investigation.