Illustration1985 DODGE RAM 3500 PICKUP, STEERING LINKAGE BROKE CAUSING THE VEHICLE TO STRIKE A CONCRETE WALL. *BF OHIO TRAFFIC CRASH REPORT # 10-0190-91. *JB
1985 Dodge RAM
Owner reports · Recalls · Investigations
Limited comparison data
There is not enough comparable history to draw a useful model-year comparison.
About this comparison →How this year compares
Owner complaints by model year
Compare all RAM years →Counts vary with age, sales and reporting. They are not failure rates.
What owners reported most
All reported categories
Tap a category to read its complaints. One report may name several components.
When problems were reported
Mileage at the reported incident
Limited mileage data: 0 of 10 reports include usable mileage. There isn’t enough coverage to show a useful chart.
NHTSA’s mileage field refers to the reported incident, not necessarily the filing date. This shows report counts, not the likelihood of a failure.
What to inspect
Issues worth paying extra attention to based on owner reports.
- Engine And Engine Cooling. Review the 2 owner reports in this category and discuss these concerns during a pre-purchase inspection. Read reports →
- Steering. Review the 2 owner reports in this category and discuss these concerns during a pre-purchase inspection. Read reports →
- Electrical System. Review the 1 owner reports in this category and discuss these concerns during a pre-purchase inspection. Read reports →
NHTSA owner reports · September 18, 2026 snapshot.
1 crash reports0 fire reports0 injury reports
What owners actually said
10 reportsPOOR BRAKE PERFORMANCE CAUSING VEHICLE TO PROLONG THE STOP. CAUSE UNKNOWN. DEALER NOTIFIED. *AK
BRAKE SYSTEM FAILURE DUE TO BRAKE VACUUM PUMP AND HOSES HAVING OIL IN THEM. ACCORDING TO NHTSA'S RECORDS RECALL 97V06800 SHOULD COVER THIS VEHICLE, CHRYSLER CLAIMS IT DOES NOT APPLY.
CONSUMER NOT SATISFIED WITH RECALL REPAIR WORK, STEERING SHAFT COULD COME LOOSE, THE REPAIR WAS TO ATTACH TWO PLASTIC STRAPS AROUND STEERING SHAFT.
OIL HOSE FAILED, CAUSING LEAKAGE/ENGINE FIRE.
WHILE DRIVING VEHICLE ABOUT 25 MPH THE FRONT WHEELS LOCKED UP BECAUSE THE BOLTS THAT HOLD THE GEARS IN FRONT DIFFERENTIAL SHEARED OFF. *AK
THE VEHICLE ROLLED OVER AT ABOUT 45MPH, AT WHICH TIME FOUR LAP SEAT BELTS FAILED TO HOLD THE PASSENGERS IN PLACE, THEY DISCONNECTED/CAME APART. *AK
FRONT DOORS ARE ALMOST FALLING OFF DUE TO WEAK WELDING OR LACK OF RESTRAINT ON FRONT DOOR HINGES (OTHER VEHICLE FROM 486925). *AK
IN ORDER TO TAKE THE COOLING SYSTEM LEVEL THE BIKE SHOULD BE 90 DEGREES BUT THERE IS NO SUPPORT TO KEEP IT FROM FALLING ON YOU. TT
ENGINE FAILURE
Official recalls
0No recalls in this snapshot.
Model-level recall history does not show whether a particular VIN is affected or has received a repair. Check a VIN with NHTSA ↗
NHTSA investigations
0No exact-year investigations in this snapshot.