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Dodge RAM 50 VIN Check

NHTSA holds 24 owner complaints on the Dodge RAM 50 from 22 production runs; the worst run has 2, the typical one 1.1.

NHTSA complaint records · 24 complaints · 22 runs · 1987–1991 · Updated Nov 4, 2026
Quick answer

The most-reported RAM 50 run is JB7FL24D1HP (1987 builds) with 2 complaints, 1.8× the typical run. Seat belts problems make up 54% of reports; 1989 is the worst model year at 1.3 complaints per run; NHTSA lists 1 recall campaign for RAM 50 model years 1987–1991.

Which build runs owners report most

A production run is the first 11 characters of the VIN: plant, model year, body and engine. The Dodge RAM 50 has 22 of them on record. The five runs at the top of this table hold 29% of every RAM 50 complaint on file.

FIG.01·Dodge RAM 50 — complaints by production run
Production run (VIN 1–11)YearComplaintsInvolved a crashFire
JB7FL24D1HP••••••19872——
JB7FL24D8KP••••••19892——
JB7FL24D6HP••••••19871——
JB7FL24D0HT••••••19871——
JB7FL24D5HP••••••19871——
JB7FM29E2HP••••••19871——
JB7SL24D9HP••••••19871——
1B7HD24Y7JS••••••19881——
JB7FL29E9JP••••••19881——
J671L29E2JP••••••19881——
2B5WB35Z0MK••••••19911——
JB7FL54E5JP••••••19881——
ROWS 12·SOURCE NHTSA complaint records, grouped by VIN prefix

Each of the other 10 RAM 50 runs has 1 complaint or fewer.

Which model years to check twice

Complaints per production run, so a year that simply sold more does not top the list. On the Dodge RAM 50 the gap between build years is 1.3×: a 1989 car draws 1.3 complaints per run, a 1988 one 1.

FIG.02·Dodge RAM 50 — complaint rate by model year
YearPer runComplaintsRunsCrashes
1990144—
19891.343—
19881771
19871.276—
ROWS 4·SOURCE NHTSA complaint records

Heaviest year here is 1989 at 1.3 complaints per run; lightest is 1988 at 1.

What to inspect on this car

One system accounts for 54% of everything Dodge RAM 50 owners report: Seat Belts, 15 of 24 complaints. Start the pre-purchase inspection there.

FIG.03·Dodge RAM 50 — most-reported systems
SystemComplaintsInvolved a crashFire
Seat Belts151—
Service Brakes3——
Hydraulic3——
Fuel System2——
Gasoline2——
Engine And Engine Cooling1——
Unknown Or Other1——
Electrical System1——
ROWS 8·SOURCE NHTSA complaint records

Recalls to check against your VIN

NHTSA has 1 recall campaign on the Dodge RAM 50; the 1 below cover build years 1987 to 1991. These are for the model and year; whether one is still open on a given car, only that VIN can tell.

FIG.04·Dodge RAM 50 — recall campaigns
CampaignComponentModel years
95V103003Seat Belts:front:buckle Assembly1987–1991
ROWS 1·SOURCE NHTSA recall campaigns

95V103003 was opened in 1995 on cars built from 1987: 8 years on the road before the recall.

How serious were they

Of the 24 reports on the Dodge RAM 50, 4.2% involved a crash against 5.8% across all vehicles, below the norm.

FIG.06·Dodge RAM 50 — complaint severity
OutcomeDodge RAM 50All vehicles
Complaints filed241,115,966
Involved a crash1 (4.2%)64,194 (5.8%)
Involved a fire0 (0%)26,974 (2.4%)
Injuries reported158,013
Deaths reported02,728
ROWS 5·SOURCE NHTSA complaint records

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How this check works

The file behind this page holds 1,115,966 complaints filed with NHTSA between 1981 and 2026, across 298,921 production runs. The Dodge RAM 50 share of that is 24 complaints over 22 runs, 0% of everything on record.

Everything on the Dodge RAM 50
Recalls5 campaignsFuel economy23 mpg bestReliability4.0/5Common problems32 complaintsDimensionsSize, weight, generationsWindow stickerOriginal Monroney labelDecode a VINWhat each character meansAbout this car1987–1993

Frequently asked questions

How do I check a Dodge RAM 50 VIN for free?

Enter the 17 characters above. ForCar matches the first eleven, the production run, against 24 NHTSA complaints from 22 RAM 50 runs and 1 recall campaigns. No account, no card.

Which RAM 50 production run has the most complaints?

JB7FL24D1HP, a 1987 build, with 2 complaints. The typical RAM 50 run has 1.1.

Which RAM 50 years have the most complaints?

Per production run, 1989 is heaviest at 1.3 complaints per run and 1988 lightest at 1.

How many RAM 50 complaints involve a crash?

4.2% of 24 reports, against 5.8% across all vehicles; 0 involved a fire.

Complaint and recall records from NHTSA, grouped by VIN production run (characters 1–11). Per-run rates computed by ForCar. Federal data covers safety only — title, odometer and insurance history are not included. Last updated Nov 2026. — ForCar Reviewed by , founder of ForCar.
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