1979 Dodge Ram problems

General information about Dodge-Ram
Overview of popular issues
Analysis of common problems
Сomplaints list

The Ram pickup (marketed as the Dodge Ram until 2010) is a full-size pickup truck manufactured by Stellantis North America (formerly Chrysler Group LLC and FCA US LLC) and marketed from 2010 onwards under the Ram Trucks brand. The current fifth-generation Ram debuted at the 2018 North American International Auto Show in Detroit, Michigan, in January of that year.

Previously, Ram was part of the Dodge line of light trucks. The name Ram was first used in 1981 model year Dodge Trucks in October 1980, following the retiring and rebadging of the Dodge D series pickup trucks as well as B-series vans, though the company had used a ram's-head hood ornament on some trucks as early as 1933.

Ram trucks have been named Motor Trend magazine's Truck of the Year eight times; the second-generation Ram won the award in 1994, the third-generation Ram heavy-duty won the award in 2003, the fourth-generation Ram Heavy Duty won in 2010 and the fourth-generation Ram 1500 won in 2013 and 2014, and the current fifth-generation Ram pickup became the first truck in history to win the award three times, winning in 2019, 2020, and 2021.

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Common 1979 Dodge Ram problems

The Dodge Ram 1979, a classic model in the Dodge lineup, has its fair share of common problems reported by its owners. These issues range from electrical problems to engine concerns, and some of them can significantly impact the vehicle's reliability and safety.

Engine Knocking Noises: Engine knocking noises, often caused by carbon buildup, have been reported by Dodge Ram 1979 owners. This issue can lead to decreased engine performance and potentially severe engine damage if not addressed promptly.

Fuel Gauge Malfunctions: Some Dodge Ram 1979 owners have reported issues with their fuel gauges, which may not read correctly. This can lead to inaccurate fuel level readings, potentially causing inconvenience and safety concerns.

Transmission Issues: Transmission problems, such as difficulty shifting or unexpected shifting, have been reported by Dodge Ram 1979 owners. These issues can significantly impact the vehicle's drivability and safety, especially during heavy-duty hauling and towing.

Cruise Control Malfunctions: Malfunctioning cruise control functions have been reported in the Dodge Ram 1979, which can lead to inconvenience and safety concerns while driving.

Engine Knocking: Engine knocking, often caused by ignition timing issues or using fuel with a lower octane rating than recommended, has been reported by Dodge Ram 1979 owners. This issue can lead to decreased engine performance and potentially severe engine damage if not addressed promptly.

These common problems with the Dodge Ram 1979 can significantly impact the vehicle's reliability, safety, and overall driving experience. Therefore, it is essential for Dodge Ram 1979 owners to address these issues promptly to ensure their vehicles remain safe and reliable.

1979 Dodge Ram car problems categorized by type of issue

After analyzing all complaints sent to the NHTSA and researching popular Dodge Ram problems, we found that the most common problems with these 2023 model year vehicles are:

Electrical system problems
Structure problems
Vehicle speed control problems

The graph below shows statistics for all 1979 Dodge Ram vehicle components and the number of complaints received.

1979 Dodge Ram complaints

The NHTSA has received 4 complaints about various vehicle components related to the 1979 Dodge Ram.

2002-02-14

ELECTRICAL SYSTEM PROBLEM

Date Of Incident: 2001-11-11
Fire: 1
Components: ELECTRICAL SYSTEM
Summary: VEHICLE WAS DESTROYED DUE TO FIRE WHICH STARTED IN THE REAR OF VEHICLE NEAR AN ELECTRICAL OUTLET. *JG

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2002-02-14

ELECTRICAL SYSTEM PROBLEM

Date Of Incident: 2001-11-11
Fire: 1
Components: ELECTRICAL SYSTEM
Summary: VEHICLE WAS DESTROYED DUE TO FIRE WHICH STARTED IN THE REAR OF VEHICLE NEAR AN ELECTRICAL OUTLET. *JG

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2001-09-04

STRUCTURE PROBLEM

Date Of Incident: 2001-08-27
VIN: 1B6KF26DOVJ
Components: STRUCTURE
Summary: THE PICKUP IS VERY DANGEROUS AND IS NOT TO BE ON THE ROAD, ACCORDING TO CHRYSLER BODY SHOP MANAGER. THE FRAME SEPARATED 2" AT THE WELD, JUST UNDER THE DRIVERS DOOR AND ON THE OTHER SIDE OF THE VEHICLE THE WELD IS CRACKED. THE FRAME IS READY TO BREAK IN 2. LUCKILY IT WAS FOUND BEFORE SOMEONE DRIVING IT GOT KILLED OR KILLED SOMEONE ELSE ON THE HIGHWAY. CHRYSLER WAS NOTIFIED BUT IT HAS BEEN 8 DAYS AND STILL HAVE NOT HEARD WHAT THEY ARE GOING TO DO TO TAKE CARE OF THE PROBLEM. THE TRUCK IS NOT UNDER WARRANTY, BUT ANYONE CAN SEE THAT WHEN IT WAS WELDED BY THE MANUFACTURER, THE WELDING DID NOT PENETRATE THE METAL. ANOTHER WORDS, A VERY POOR WELDING JOB. I HAVE BEEN TOLD BY MANY PEOPLE THAT OWN DODGE TRUCKS THAT THE FRAME IS VERY WEAK. THEY ARE NOT TOUGH TRUCKS AS THEY ADVERTISE THEM TO BE. NOW I HAVE A TRUCK SITTING IN MY YARD THAT IS STILL FINANCED AND NOT ABLE TO USE. PEOPLE NEED TO BE AWARE. IF THAT FRAME WOULD OF BROKE IN 2 GOING DOWN THE HIGHWAY AT HIGH SPEEDS, CAN YOU IMAGINE WHAT WOULD OF HAPPENED?*AK

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1997-10-20

VEHICLE SPEED CONTROL PROBLEM

Date Of Incident: 2024-11-24
Number Of Deaths: 2
Crash: 1
Components: VEHICLE SPEED CONTROL
Summary: THE VEHICLE SELF STARTED AND DROVE THROUGH A GLASS ENTRANCE OF A STORE, AND KILLED 2 CHILDREN. PROBLEM HAS BEEN FOUND. *AK

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Additional sources

More sources of information about 1979 Dodge Ram problems:

Q&A: 1979 Dodge Pickup Truck - Common Issues & Solutions

https://www.justanswer.com/dodge/0lh08-1979-dodge-pickup-truck-318-auto-i-replaced.html

Feb 17, 2007 ... Was this answer helpful? up Yes. down No. Finish.

just bought this for 800, what are some common issues with this ...

https://www.reddit.com/r/MechanicAdvice/comments/11qsluw/just_bought_this_for_800_what_are_some_common/

Mar 14, 2023 ... The Dodge Ram 50 pickup (known as the Dodge D50 from 1979 – 1980) was manufactured by the Japanese car manufacturer Mitsubishi Motors and ...

Starting Problem 1979 Dodge D200 - Maintenance/Repairs - Car ...

https://community.cartalk.com/t/starting-problem-1979-dodge-d200/15739

Jun 23, 2008 ... This is a pretty common problem with the old Chrysler ignition switches. The outside trim thingee wiggles loose so you can't turn the key ...