1986 Dodge Ram problems
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 1986 Dodge Ram problems
Based on the search results, there are several common problems with the 1986 Dodge Ram that owners have reported. Here are the details of these issues:
- Squealing Noise: A loud squealing noise when revving the engine and accelerating while driving can occur due to various reasons, such as worn-out belts, a damaged pulley, or misaligned components. In the search result, the owner had replaced the alternator, power steering pump, belts, and cleaned up the water pump pulley and camshaft pulley, but the squealing noise persisted.
- Fuel Problems: The 1986 Dodge Ram may experience fuel problems, causing the engine to stumble, run rough, and lose power going uphill. This can be due to a clogged carburetor, a leak in the carburetor, or issues with the fuel filter. In the search result, the owner had replaced the fuel pump, fuel filter, air filter, spark plugs, and wires, distributor cap, and the alternator, but the problem persisted.
- Brake Light Problem: The brake light may not come on when the brake pedal is pressed, but it turns on when the key is turned on or into the accessory position. This issue can be due to a faulty brake light switch or a wiring problem.
- Air Conditioning System: The air conditioning system may not work, with nothing happening when the AC button is turned on. This issue can be due to a faulty air compressor, low refrigerant levels, or problems with the electrical system.
- Vacuum Harness Issue: The vacuum hoses may fail to change air direction, indicating a vacuum harness issue. This can affect the performance of the vehicle and may require replacement or repair of the vacuum hoses.
In summary, the 1986 Dodge Ram can experience several common problems, including ignition issues, squealing noise, fuel problems, brake light problems, air conditioning system issues, and vacuum harness problems. These issues can be caused by various factors and may require different solutions, such as replacing faulty parts, cleaning or adjusting components, or repairing wiring or vacuum hoses.
What is the biggest problem with Dodge Ram?
Engine Problems
Many of the Ram truck problems we've seen involve exhaust manifold failures, compression issues, leaks, stalls, cylinder head malfunctions, and more. These Ram customer service complaints have been relatively common in recent years. If something seems off with your engine, get it inspected ASAP.
What years did Dodge Ram have transmission problems?
What Went Wrong with the Transmissions in the Dodge Ram Trucks? The transmissions that are related to common complaints and recalls for Dodge Ram trucks are five and six-speed automatic transmissions. These were found in the 2009 Dodge Ram and 2010 through 2017 Ram models 1500, 2500, 3500, 4500, and 5500.
What are good years for Dodge Ram?
5 of the Most Reliable Used RAM Trucks
- 2020 RAM 1500 Classic. For the 2020 model year, RAM redesigned the appearance and features of its trucks. ...
- 2016 RAM 1500. Slightly earlier into the fourth generation, we can recommend shopping for a 2016 RAM 1500 for a couple of reasons. ...
- 2021 RAM 1500. ...
- 2018 RAM 1500.
How much horsepower does a 1986 Dodge Ram have?
1986 Dodge RAM 150 is 2 doors Pickup available in 2 variants MSRP ranges from $8740 to $11454. Dodge RAM 150 offers 95 horsepower with the 4-Speed Manual transmission. It features 6 cylinder 3L NA I6 overhead valves (OHV) 12V engine .
What was the worst year for the Dodge Ram?
The worst years
A few model years, in particular, have proven more problematic than others. Model years 2011 and 2012 stand out when it comes to bad years for the 5.7L HEMI, with 2012 being an especially lousy period for Ram pickups. The biggest issue with the 2012 Ram 1500 is the infamous "HEMI tick."
What is the biggest problem with Dodge Ram?
Engine Problems
Many of the Ram truck problems we've seen involve exhaust manifold failures, compression issues, leaks, stalls, cylinder head malfunctions, and more. These Ram customer service complaints have been relatively common in recent years. If something seems off with your engine, get it inspected ASAP.
Which year Ram is the most reliable?
The 2024 Ram 1500 is unmatched when it comes to reliability. With a J.D. Power quality and reliability score of 88/100, the 2024 model is not only the most reliable Ram 1500 ever but it's also one of the most reliable American trucks in 2024.
What years did Dodge Ram have transmission problems?
What Went Wrong with the Transmissions in the Dodge Ram Trucks? The transmissions that are related to common complaints and recalls for Dodge Ram trucks are five and six-speed automatic transmissions. These were found in the 2009 Dodge Ram and 2010 through 2017 Ram models 1500, 2500, 3500, 4500, and 5500.
1986 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:
- Seat belts problems
- Electrical system problems
- Tires problems
- Engine and engine cooling problems
- Unknown or other problems
The graph below shows statistics for all 1986 Dodge Ram vehicle components and the number of complaints received.
1986 Dodge Ram complaints
The NHTSA has received 22 complaints about various vehicle components related to the 1986 Dodge Ram.
ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING PROBLEM
- Date Of Incident: 2002-10-06
- Fire: 1
- Components: ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING
- Summary: VEHICLE ENGINE FIRE. NAR 07/02/2003.*MR WHILE DRIVING THE VEHICLE RAN OUT OF GAS. WHILE ATTEMPTING TO RESTART THE VEHICLE, AFTER PUTTING SOME FUEL IN IT, A FIRE ERUPTED IN THE ENGINE COMPARTMENT (OHIO TRAFFIC CRASH REPORT). *NM
ELECTRICAL SYSTEM PROBLEM
- Date Of Incident: 2002-05-18
- Fire: 1
- Components: ELECTRICAL SYSTEM
- Summary: WHILE IN MOTION, CONSUMER NOTICED SMOKE COMING FROM THE ENGINE COMPARTMENT. CONSUMER STOPPED VEHICLE AND REALIZED THE VEHICLE WAS ON FIRE. THE FIRE DEPARTMENT AT THE SCENE INFORMED CONSUMER THAT THE FIRE WAS CAUSED BY THE WIRING TO THE AUDIO EQUIPMENT FROM THE BATTERY. *JG
TIRES PROBLEM
- Date Of Incident: 2001-06-06
- VIN: MICHELIN XH
- Components: TIRES
- Summary: TIRE TREAD AND BELT SEPARATION. BELTS EXPOSED; RAPID DEFLATION. TIRE DESTROYED. NOT THE FIRST SIMILAR PROBLEM I'VE HAD WITH THIS MODEL OF TIRE. IT HAPPENED ONCE BEFORE A FEW YEARS AGO. *AK (DOT NUMBER: M3H3 AKYX TIRESIZE: 205-70R15)
SEAT BELTS PROBLEM
- Date Of Incident: 2024-11-24
- Components: SEAT BELTS
- Summary: THERE IS A SEAT BELT RECALL FOR SEAT BELT COMING UNLATCHED WHILE DRIVING. THIS VEHICLE IS NOT INCLUDED IN RECALL DUE TO VIN ALTHOUGH IT HAS THE SAME PROBLEM. DEALER HAS BEEN CONTACTED.*AK
FUEL SYSTEM, GASOLINE PROBLEM
- Date Of Incident: 2024-11-24
- VIN: JB7FP44E5GP
- Components: FUEL SYSTEM, GASOLINE
- Summary: FUEL TANK SEEMS TO BE LEAKING FROM THE BOTTOM AND NEAR THE SEAM OF THE TANK. IF AN IGNITION SOURE WAS PRESENT IT COULD CAUSE A FIRE. THIS WAS FOUND WHEN OIL WAS BEING CHANGED. ABOUT A YEAR AGO, FUEL WAS LEAKNG FROM FILLER TUBE. OWNER WAS NOT ABLE TO FIND A REPLACEMENT. FUEL TANK HAS NOT BEEN REPLACED. OWNER HAS NOT BEEN ABLE TO REACH THE MANUFACTURER. *AK
TIRES PROBLEM
- Date Of Incident: 2000-07-02
- VIN: 2B6FB13H7GK
- Components: TIRES
- Summary: I WAS DRIVING HOME FROM VISITING FRIENDS WHO LIVE ABOUT 13 MILES FROM ME ON A HOT SUN. AFTERNOON ON A 2-LANE COUNTRY ROAD. I BEGAN TO NOTICE SOME SWAY ON THE CURVES ABOUT 1/3 OF THE WAY HOME. AS I WAS DRIVING INTO THE CITY LIMITS I REALIZED THE REAR TIRE HAD GONE FLAT BUT DROVE ABOUT 1 BLOCK SO I COULD PULL OFF SAFELY. AS A RESULT THE TIRE RECEIVED SOME DAMAGE WHICH MADE IT DIFFICULT TO DETERMINE THE EXACT CAUSE OF THE FLAT. I HAD IT REPLACED AT THE SAME FIRESTONE DEALER I BOUGHT IT FROM BUT WAS PUZZLED BECAUSE IT SEEMED TO BE VERY CHEWED UP FOR THE SHORT DISTANCE I CONTINUED TO DRIVE ONCE I NOTICED THE FLAT. THE TIRE WAS ONE OF FOUR I BOUGHT TOGETHER LESS THAN A YEAR AGO BUT THE ONE WHICH WENT FLAT WAS REPLACED BEFORE WORD OF THE PROBLEMS WITH SIMILAR TIRES WAS PUBLICIZED. I AM STILL DRIVING ON THE OTHER 3 PLUS THE REPLACEMENT. I AM VERY CONCERNED BECAUSE ONE OF THE TIRES (LEFT FRONT) HAS NEVER HELD AIR WELL, IN SPITE OF TAKING IT BACK FOR REMOUNTING, AND IT IS ONCE AGAIN LOSING AIR REGULARLY WHICH MAKES IT DIFFICULT TO KEEP IT PROPERLY INFLATED. THE EARLIEST APPOINTMENT I COULD GET AT ANOTHER LOCAL FIRESTONE STORE IS SEPT. 9. THE ONLY DOCUMENTATION WHICH MIGHT BE AVAILABLE OF THIS EVENT, BESIDES MY RECEIPTS, WOULD BE THE AAA RECORDS WHEN I CALLED FOR ASSISTANCE WITH CHANGING THE TIRE.( DOT NUMBER: TIRE SIZE: P235/75R15 )
UNKNOWN OR OTHER PROBLEM
- Date Of Incident: 2024-11-24
- VIN: 2B6HB23T3GK
- Components: UNKNOWN OR OTHER
- Summary: NO SUMMARY
SEAT BELTS PROBLEM
- Date Of Incident: 1998-09-01
- Components: SEAT BELTS
- Summary: CENTER SEAT BELT WAS NOT PROPERLY INSTALLED AFTER RECALL REPAIR.
UNKNOWN OR OTHER PROBLEM
- Date Of Incident: 2024-11-24
- Components: UNKNOWN OR OTHER
- Summary: ALL THE LIGHTS ON THE DASH DO NOT FUNCTION, INCLUDING THE WIPERS. DEALER WILL NOT FIX. *AK
SEAT BELTS PROBLEM
- Date Of Incident: 1996-02-01
- VIN: 1JB7FL24D3J
- Components: SEAT BELTS
- Summary: SEAT BELT RELEASE BUTTON BROKE--REPAIRED AND LATER RECEIVED RECALL NOTICE. WANT REFUND.
SEAT BELTS PROBLEM
- Date Of Incident: 1996-02-01
- Components: SEAT BELTS
- Summary: SEAT BELT RELEASE BUTTON BROKE PRIOR TO RECALL.
ELECTRICAL SYSTEM PROBLEM
- Date Of Incident: 2024-11-24
- Fire: 1
- Components: ELECTRICAL SYSTEM
- Summary: FIRE STARTED IN THE ENGINE COMPARTMENT, CAUSING THE ENTIRE ELECTRICAL SYSTEM TO BURN. PLEASE GIVE FURTHER DETAILS. *AK
ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING PROBLEM
- Date Of Incident: 1996-11-10
- Fire: 1
- Components: ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING
- Summary: ENGINE COMPARTMENT FIRE. (OHIO STATE POLICE REPORT)
LATCHES/LOCKS/LINKAGES PROBLEM
- Date Of Incident: 1995-08-01
- Components: LATCHES/LOCKS/LINKAGES
- Summary: DOOR LATCH FAILURE. *AK
ELECTRICAL SYSTEM PROBLEM
- Date Of Incident: 1996-09-19
- Fire: 1
- VIN: 2B7FK13G3GR
- Components: ELECTRICAL SYSTEM
- Summary: THE VEHICLE WAS IN THE PARK POSITION AND THE VEHICLE CAUGHT FIRE. *AK
SEAT BELTS PROBLEM
- Date Of Incident: 2024-11-24
- VIN: JB7EK24EXGP
- Components: SEAT BELTS
- Summary: DEALER INDICATES PER MFR. COMPUTER INFO, VIN'S NOT INVOLVED IN RECALL CAMPAIGN 95V103003, EVEN THOUGH BELTS DISPLAY TK ON THEM. *AK
WHEELS PROBLEM
- Date Of Incident: 1995-08-10
- VIN: 2B6HB23T3GK
- Components: WHEELS
- Summary: WHEEL FELL OFF, CAUSING AXLE DAMAGE. ( NEW JERSEY STATE POLICE REPORT)
SEAT BELTS PROBLEM
- Date Of Incident: 1995-05-30
- Number Of Injuries: 2
- Crash: 1
- VIN: JB7FP24D26P
- Components: SEAT BELTS
- Summary: FRONT RIGHT SHOULDER/LAP BELT LATCH BROKE UPON IMPACT; RIGHT REAR TIRE BLEW; VEHICLE HIT DIRT BANK; TUMBLED OVER.; VEHICLE TOTALED. TT
TIRES PROBLEM
- Date Of Incident: 1995-05-30
- Number Of Injuries: 2
- Crash: 1
- VIN: JB7FP24D26P
- Components: TIRES
- Summary: FRONT RIGHT SHOULDER/LAP BELT LATCH BROKE UPON IMPACT; RIGHT REAR TIRE BLEW; VEHICLE HIT DIRT BANK; TUMBLED OVER.; VEHICLE TOTALED. TT
SEAT BELTS PROBLEM
- Date Of Incident: 1993-02-17
- Number Of Deaths: 1
- Crash: 1
- VIN: JB7FK44E8GP
- Components: SEAT BELTS
- Summary: TAKATA SEAT BELT. HIT OBJECT IN HIGHWAY, LOST CONTROL PASSENGERS SEAT BELT FAILED AND OCCUPANT WAS EJECTED. TT
POWER TRAIN PROBLEM
- Date Of Incident: 1994-10-05
- Fire: 1
- VIN: 1B7HW14TXGS
- Components: POWER TRAIN
- Summary: TRANSMISSION EXPLODED, RESULTING IN A FIRE WHEN METAL PIECES FLEW INTO CAB THROUGH A HOLE IN THE FLOOR CAUSED BY THE EXPLOSION. *AK
POWER TRAIN PROBLEM
- Date Of Incident: 1994-10-05
- Fire: 1
- VIN: 1B7HW14TXGS
- Components: POWER TRAIN
- Summary: TRANSMISSION COMBUSTED THEN BLEW UP, RIPPING LARGE HOLE IN FLOOR/METAL PIECES FLEW AROUND INSIDE OF CAB OF VEHICLE, CAUSING CAB TO CATCH FIRE. *SKD
Additional sources
More sources of information about 1986 Dodge Ram problems:
1986 Ramcharger - Known issues? | Dodge RamCharger Central
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Other years of Dodge Ram
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