The 1987 Dodge Ram 50 has 1 NHTSA recall campaign affecting an estimated 920,000 vehicles. Recall repairs are always free at any authorized dealer. Owners have filed 12 complaints with NHTSA, most often about the seat belts. Last updated July 5, 2026.
Recall campaigns
SEAT BELTS95V1030031995-05-24920,000 affected
Defect
THE FRONT SAFETY BELT BUCKLE RELEASE BUTTONS CAN BREAK. THESE RED PLASTIC RELEASE BUTTONS ARE MARKED "PRESS." IF A BUTTON BREAKS, PIECES CAN FALL INTO THE BUCKLE ASSEMBLY CAUSING THE BUCKLE TO OPERATE IMPROPERLY.
Consequence
THE SAFETY BELTS WOULD NOT PROVIDE ADEQUATE PROTECTION TO AN OCCUPANT IN A VEHICLE CRASH.
Remedy
OWNERS SHOULD PROMPTLY CHECK THE CONDITION AND OPERATION OF BOTH FRONT SAFETY BELT BUCKLES AND CAREFULLY INSPECT THE RED RELEASE BUTTON FOR ANY BREAKS OR CRACKS. THEY SHOULD ENSURE THAT BOTH BUCKLES ARE OPERATING PROPERLY BY INSERTING EACH LATCH PLATE INTO ITS BUCKLE, TUGGING ON THE BELT TO MAKE SURE THE LATCH IS…
Complaints by component
SEAT BELTS:FRONT:BUCKLE ASSEMBLY
9
ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING:ENGINE
1
FUEL SYSTEM, GASOLINE:CARBURETOR SYSTEM
1
STEERING:GEAR BOX (OTHER THAN RACK AND PINION)
1
Total complaints12
What owners report
Verbatim reports filed with NHTSA, lightly edited for readability and with personal
information removed.
“The driver's seatbelt buckle is broken and will not latch.please describe. *ak”
“Two of three seat belts will not latch, two have broken pieces inside. Tt”
“The middle seat belt buckle never locked at 68,66o miles. Tt”
“Carburetor failed due to corrosion. *ak”
“Two replacements of passenger side seat belt because of latching deficiency. Tt”
“Replaced noisy steering box gear. *ak”
“Engine oil leak. *ak”
“Mr. Bentti called dodge and dodge said that there isn't a recall on the seat belts. *ak”
Defect investigations
InvestigationPE87037 Opened 1987-07-01 · closed 1987-11-03
PITMAN ARM FAILURE
SUMMARY OF INFORMATION FROM MANUFACTURER:BOTH CHRYSLER AND MITSUBISHIINDEPENDENTLY CONCLUDED THAT THE FAILURES WERE DUE TO SEVERE IMPACT LOADINGTRANSMITTED TO THE SHAFT BY THE STEERING LINKAGE SYSTEM -- IN OTHER WORDSSHAFT FAILURE IS THE RESULT, NOT THE CAUSE, OF THE ALLEGED COLLISIONCIRCUMSTANCES.MITSUBISHI DID…
Recall, complaint, and investigation records from official NHTSA datasets (FLAT_RCL,
FLAT_CMPL, FLAT_INV), synced weekly. Counts reflect NHTSA records for the 1987 Dodge Ram 50 as of
July 5, 2026. Complaint narratives are consumer-submitted and unverified. This page
contains ads and affiliate links. Full methodology.