1991 Dodge RAM 1500: common problems

Owners of the 1991 Dodge RAM 1500 filed 7 complaints with NHTSA, most often about engine and cooling and electrical system. Details by component below, with sources.

Key figures

Owner complaints: 7

What fails most often

1 Engine and cooling 29% of all complaints
2 Electrical system 14% of all complaints
3 Exterior lighting 14% of all complaints
4 Fuel/propulsion system 14% of all complaints
5 Fuel system 14% of all complaints
6 Steering 14% of all complaints
7 Vehicle speed control 14% of all complaints

Circle size and colour show each component’s share of NHTSA complaints. Schematic only, not a drawing of the exact model.

Engine and cooling: 2 complaints (29% of all).
Electrical system: 1 complaints (14% of all).
Exterior lighting: 1 complaints (14% of all).
Fuel/propulsion system: 1 complaints (14% of all).
Fuel system: 1 complaints (14% of all).

Symptoms owners describe

How many of the 7 NHTSA complaints mention each symptom (automatic count from complaint text; one complaint can mention several).

steering or power steering problems2 · 29%
headlights and tail lights1 · 14%

Components owners complain about

Component	Owner complaints	involving a crash	Technical service bulletins (TSB)
Engine and cooling	2	0	0
Electrical system	1	0	0
Exterior lighting	1	0	0
Fuel/propulsion system	1	0	0
Fuel system	1	0	0
Steering	1	0	0
Vehicle speed control	1	0	0

What owners report

Short excerpts of NHTSA complaints in the original wording. These are owner statements not verified by NHTSA; personal data removed.

Nhtsa recall 93e-034 and chrysler recall #605. I contacted a dodge dealer in cordele, ga and he said he was not able to get the part to fix this dangerous recall on my truck. It is my understanding that this is a safety recall that does not expire. I need to get this resolved. The part number I found was c3906051.
Fuel/propulsion system · 2017-12-14 · NHTSA complaint #11054764
Engine completely shuts off, no power steering or brakes. Three different mech. Can not find problem.
Electrical system · 2004-11-22 · NHTSA complaint #10100357
Engine quits at 55 mhp, loss of steering and brake power assist.
Engine and cooling · 1999-04-17 · NHTSA complaint #705709
The crankshaft had its bearings replaced and the vehicle still doesn't work. Please explain. Tt
Engine and cooling · 1995-06-12 · NHTSA complaint #966660

When owners complained

NHTSA complaints by filing year. The peak shows at what age the problems show up most.

19953
19971
19991
20041
20171

Comparison

By complaint count this model year ranks 12,538 of 36,656 model years in the NHTSA data (top 34% most complained about).

On average one model year of the RAM 1500 has 540 complaints (23 years in the data). This year has 7, below average.

What to check before buying

Engine and cooling. Radiator and fan after a frontal hit, coolant level and condition, overheating.
Electrical system. Scan all modules, test the battery and alternator, inspect connectors near the impact zone.
Exterior lighting. Headlamps, leveling, sensors and mounts after a frontal hit.
Fuel/propulsion system. Fuel smell, leaks, rough running, fuel-system codes.

Questions and answers

What are the most common problems with the 1991 Dodge RAM 1500?

Owner complaints to NHTSA most often mention: engine and cooling, electrical system, exterior lighting. Total complaints: 7. The most frequent symptoms in complaint texts: steering or power steering problems (29%), headlights and tail lights (14%).

How many service bulletins (TSB) were issued for the 1991 Dodge RAM 1500?

NHTSA lists 0 manufacturer service bulletins for this year. A bulletin tells dealers how to diagnose or fix a known issue; it is not a recall.

Should I buy a 1991 Dodge RAM 1500 from a US auction?

Owner complaints describe defects, not crash damage. Before bidding, check the components listed above and review the lot photos: VinWind builds a report of visible and hidden damage by VIN.

Other 1991 models

Read also

Sources: public NHTSA data (USA): service bulletins and owner complaints; YouTube: links to videos credited to their authors. Complaints are owner statements not verified by NHTSA, and describe defects rather than crash damage. Data updated 2026-11-05.