AI Damage1987 Dodge RAM 50: common problems
Owners of the 1987 Dodge RAM 50 filed 9 complaints with NHTSA, most often about seat belts and engine and cooling. Details by component below, with sources.
Key figures
- Owner complaints
- 9
What fails most often
- 1 Seat belts 100% of all complaints
- 2 Engine and cooling 11% of all complaints
- 3 Fuel system 11% of all complaints
- 4 Steering 11% of all complaints
- Seat belts: 9 complaints (100% of all).
- Engine and cooling: 1 complaints (11% of all).
- Fuel system: 1 complaints (11% of all).
- Steering: 1 complaints (11% of all).
Engines and transmissions
US-market versions per EPA. On the right: how many NHTSA complaints name this engine or transmission type.
- 2 L · petrol · 4 cyl
- 2.6 L · petrol · 4 cyl
- automatic, 4-speed
- manual, 5-speed
Drive: RWD
Components owners complain about
| Component | Owner complaints | involving a crash | Technical service bulletins (TSB) |
|---|---|---|---|
| Seat belts | 9 | 0 | 0 |
| Engine and cooling | 1 | 0 | 0 |
| Fuel system | 1 | 0 | 0 |
| Steering | 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.
Seat belt buckle recall work not done due to dealership having no knowledge of recall.
Recall 95v-103003 ; dealers have not serviced vehicle for recall on seatbelt buckles for 3 years because of parts.
Owner states that she received a recall notice for seat belt buckles and was told by the dealers that the work was repaired when it really wasn't. Owner also notes that dealers then told her that parts were not available.
When owners complained
NHTSA complaints by filing year. The peak shows at what age the problems show up most.
Comparison
By complaint count this model year ranks 11,366 of 36,656 model years in the NHTSA data (top 31% most complained about).
On average one model year of the RAM 50 has 4 complaints (7 years in the data). This year has 9, above average.
What to check before buying
- Seat belts. Belt pretensioners after airbag deployment, SRS codes.
- Engine and cooling. Radiator and fan after a frontal hit, coolant level and condition, overheating.
- Fuel system. Fuel smell, leaks, rough running, fuel-system codes.
- Steering. Steering play, power assist, rack and tie rods after a wheel impact.
Other years of this model
Questions and answers
What are the most common problems with the 1987 Dodge RAM 50?
Owner complaints to NHTSA most often mention: seat belts, engine and cooling, fuel system. Total complaints: 9. The most frequent symptoms in complaint texts: seat belts (89%).
How many service bulletins (TSB) were issued for the 1987 Dodge RAM 50?
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 1987 Dodge RAM 50 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 1987 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.