1985 Dodge Ram Recalls

No recalls on record Updated July 2026

No NHTSA recalls on record for the 1985 Dodge Ram. That means NHTSA has no open safety campaign for this vehicle — it does not guarantee the absence of problems. Owners have filed 14 complaints with NHTSA, most often about the engine and engine cooling. Last updated July 5, 2026.

Complaints by component

ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING:ENGINE
3
1fires
ELECTRICAL SYSTEM:IGNITION
1
ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING:COOLING SYSTEM:HOSES/LINES/PIPING/FITTINGS
1
FUEL SYSTEM, GASOLINE:DELIVERY:HOSES, LINES/PIPING, AND FITTINGS
1
POWER TRAIN:DRIVELINE:DIFFERENTIAL UNIT
1
SEAT BELTS:REAR/OTHER
1
SERVICE BRAKES, AIR
1
SERVICE BRAKES, HYDRAULIC:ANTILOCK/TRACTION CONTROL/ELECTRONIC LIMITED SLIP
1
STEERING: STEERING WHEEL/HANDLE BAR
1
STEERING:LINKAGES
1
1crashes
Total complaints14

What owners report

Verbatim reports filed with NHTSA, lightly edited for readability and with personal information removed.

“1985 dodge ram 3500 pickup, steering linkage broke causing the vehicle to strike a concrete wall. *bf ohio traffic crash report # 10-0190-91. *jb”

STEERING:LINKAGES · reported 2010-04-19

“Poor brake performance causing vehicle to prolong the stop. Cause unknown. Dealer notified. *ak”

SERVICE BRAKES, HYDRAULIC:ANTILOCK/TRACTION CONTROL/ELECTRONIC LIMITED SLIP · reported 2002-05-12

“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.”

SERVICE BRAKES, AIR · reported 1997-11-01

“While driving vehicle about 25 mph the front wheels locked up because the bolts that hold the gears in front differential sheared off. *ak”

POWER TRAIN:DRIVELINE:DIFFERENTIAL UNIT · reported 1997-03-01

“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”

SEAT BELTS:REAR/OTHER · reported 1996-11-27

“Oil hose failed, causing leakage/engine fire.”

ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING:ENGINE · reported 1996-06-21

“Fuel return line burned through.”

FUEL SYSTEM, GASOLINE:DELIVERY:HOSES, LINES/PIPING, AND FITTINGS · reported 1996-06-21

“Spark plug/wires failed.”

ELECTRICAL SYSTEM:IGNITION · reported 1996-06-21
Sources & methodology

Recall, complaint, and investigation records from official NHTSA datasets (FLAT_RCL, FLAT_CMPL, FLAT_INV), synced weekly. Counts reflect NHTSA records for the 1985 Dodge Ram as of July 5, 2026. Complaint narratives are consumer-submitted and unverified. This page contains ads and affiliate links. Full methodology.