The Dodge Mini Ram is a vehicle built from 1984 to 1988 over 2 generations. Between 1987 and 1990 it grew 18 cm longer and gained -23 kg. Worth buying? It scores near the top of what we track at 4.5/5 — and the year you pick matters far more than the badge (best and worst years →).
What the Mini Ram is
The Dodge Mini Ram is a vehicle that Dodge built from 1984 to 1988 — 5 model years. Our measurements put it at 2 generations, the current one starting in 1988. Its closest siblings in the Dodge range: Charger, Ram, Challenger.
Mini Ram generations, and what changed
These boundaries are not copied from a brochure — they fall out of the measurements. Where the Mini Ram's length or wheelbase jumps between consecutive model years the platform changed: a facelift moves a bumper by centimetres, a new generation moves the whole car — for the Mini Ram that gives 2 distinct generations below.
| Generation | Length | Wheelbase | Weight | vs previous | Weight change |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1987 | 447 cm | 285 cm | 1289 kg | - | - |
| 1988-1990 | 465 cm | 294 cm | 1266 kg | +18 cm | -23 kg |
Between 1987 and 1990 the Mini Ram gained 18 cm in length (+4.0%) and -23 kg in weight (-1.8%). Cars did not so much grow as thicken — crash structures, airbags and equipment weigh more than the metal they replaced, and on the Mini Ram that is -23 kg against 18 cm. Full dimensions by year →
Dodge Mini Ram tire size, oil type & owner specs
The fitment Mini Ram owners look up most — tires, wheels, oil and batteries. Exact wheel and tire sizes decode from your VIN or the driver's door-jamb placard; the universal items are listed below.
Exact tire, wheel, oil grade, capacity and battery group are added per trim and model year — decode your VIN above for the factory fitment. Universal items shown as-is.
What engines does the Dodge Mini Ram have? Power & range
Powertrain data warming… reload in a moment.
The Mini Ram by the numbers
What the federal and market records say about the Dodge Mini Ram. Each line opens the full breakdown by year.
| Topic | Mini Ram | Detail |
|---|---|---|
| Recalls | 3 campaigns | NHTSA, all years |
| Reliability | 4.5 / 5 | Best and worst years |
Frequently asked questions
What kind of car is the Dodge Mini Ram?
The Mini Ram is a vehicle, built from 1984 to 1988 across 2 generations.
How many generations does the Mini Ram have?
2 by our measurements, the latest starting in 1988. We draw the boundaries where length or wheelbase jumps between model years — a facelift moves a bumper, a new generation moves the whole car. Over its life the Mini Ram grew 18 cm longer and gained -23 kg.
What is the Dodge Mini Ram warranty?
New models carry 3 years / 36,000 miles basic cover and 5 years / 60,000 miles on the powertrain. Worth knowing: across our complaint records the typical car reaches the halfway point of its faults at five years, so most repairs land after the basic warranty ends.
Is the Mini Ram reliable?
It scores 4.5/5 in our data. The honest answer depends on the year far more than the model — see the best and worst years, and when this car starts to break.
How do I check a specific Mini Ram?
This page describes the model; it cannot tell you whether that car has an open recall or a branded title. Run its VIN against the records — free, and matched to the exact production run.
More in Dodge
| Model | Years | Recalls | Best MPG | ForCar score |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Dodge Charger | 1983–2026 | 133 | 98 mpg | 4.0/5 |
| Dodge Ram | 1994–2012 | 188 | 17 mpg | 3.5/5 |
| Dodge Challenger | 1981–2026 | 77 | 23 mpg | 4.5/5 |
| Dodge Durango | 1995–2026 | 160 | 21 mpg | 4.0/5 |
| Dodge Viper | 1992–2017 | 45 | 16 mpg | 3.5/5 |
| Dodge Caravan | 1984–2008 | 208 | 35 mpg | 3.5/5 |
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