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1988 Dodge Ram 50

Factory specifications, fluid capacities, torque values, EPA fuel economy and the federal safety record for the 1988 Ram 50.

The 1988 Dodge Ram 50 calls for 4 quarts of engine oil with each filter change, using 15W-40, 10W-30, or 5W-30 viscosity depending on climate and operating conditions. Its reliability record is notably narrow, with owner data totaling just nine complaints—seat belts standing out as the top reported area—and a single recall on file. Those figures place the 1988 model among the more stable entries in the Ram 50’s history, meaning researchers can treat its documented issues as a small, discrete set rather than a broad pattern of systemic trouble.

Model year1991 1990 1989 1988 1987 1986 1985 1984 1983

Quick specs

Fluid capacities, tune-up values and fuel economy at a glance.

Engine oil capacity4 qt w/ filterOEM · verified

Engine oil type15W-40 / 10W-30 / 5W-30OEM · verified

Full specifications

Engine, drivetrain, dimensions and economy.

Dimensions & weight NHTSA vPIC

Overall width	65 in
Overall height	65.7 in
Wheelbase	116.1 in
Curb weight	3131 lb

Service quick specs OEM factory data

Capacities, torques and tune-up values from the factory service manual.

This engine holds 4 qt w/ filter of 15W-40 / 10W-30 / 5W-30 engine oil, Front: 90 in the differential, DOT 3 brake fluid.

Lubricants & capacities

Brake Fluid	DOT 3
Differential Gear Oil	Front: 90
Differential Gear Oil Capacity	3 Pints
Differential Gear Oil	Front: 90
Differential Gear Oil Capacity	4 Pints,
Engine Coolant	ETHYLENE GLYCOL
Engine Oil	15W-40 · 10W-30 · 5W-30
Engine Oil Capacity	4 qt w/ filter

Factory maintenance schedule OEM · verified

Normal service, condensed from the factory interval matrix.

Under the factory schedule, replace the engine oil and filter every 7,500 mi.

Every 7,500 mi	Body Latches, Locks & Hinges (inspect) · Brake Hydraulic System (inspect fluid level) · Engine Oil (drain & refill) · Power Steering System (inspect) · Weatherstrip Seal (inspect)
Every 15,000 mi	Brake Line (inspect) · Engine Oil Filter (replace) · Engine Valves (inspect valve lash) · Exhaust System (Complete) (inspect) · Universal Vehicle Operation (inspect idle speed)
Every 30,000 mi	Accessory Drive Belt (inspect) · Brake Linings (inspect) · Choke System (inspect) · Differential (inspect fluid level) · Drive Axle Assembly (drain & refill) · Driveshaft U-Joint (inspect)
Every 50,000 mi	Carburetor Mounting Fasteners (inspect) · EGR Valve (replace) · Engine Coolant System Hoses (inspect) · Fuel Evaporative Emission Control System Lines (inspect) · Fuel Filter (replace) · Fuel Line (inspect)
Every 60,000 mi	Air Injection System (inspect) · Air Injection System Solenoid Control Valve Air (replace) · Distributor Cap (inspect) · Distributor Rotor (inspect) · Distributor Vacuum Advance (inspect) · Fuel Evaporative Emission Control System (inspect)
Every 80,000 mi	Oxygen Sensor (inspect)
Every 100,000 mi	Fuel Evaporative Canister (replace)

Owner how-tos

Condensed service procedures for routine maintenance. Procedures that require dealer diagnostic equipment are identified and summarized only.

Common procedures

Key fob — remote (RKE) programming programming new fob buttons Dealer tool OEM · verified

Tool required	DRBIII scan tool (dealer / locksmith)
Why	Transmitter codes are written into the receiver in the passenger door module

Anti-theft (SKIS) — module initialization after immobilizer module replacement Dealer tool OEM · verified

When needed	After Sentry Key Immobilizer Module (SKIM) replacement
Tool required	DRBIII scan tool
Also required	The vehicle's four-digit PIN code

Reliability & federal safety record

Owner-reported issues, recalls, investigations and service bulletins on record with NHTSA — an unfiltered look at what owners actually experience.

The available federal record indicates a downward trend in reported issues following the 1988 model year, as the six seat belt complaints alone for 1988 exceed the total complaint counts of four in 1990 and two in 1991. Beyond restraint systems, the 1988 data includes isolated reports involving the fuel system, tires, and engine cooling, alongside one crash complaint and zero fire complaints. While the 1990 and 1991 model years show consistent recall activity with one recall each, the provided data does not specify recall counts or root causes for the 1988 seat belt concerns. This concentration of safety-related complaints suggests the 1988 model falls at the higher end of the reliability arc compared to the subsequent years listed in the record. Buyers should note that later models demonstrate significantly lower complaint volumes in the federal record. Therefore, the 1988 Dodge Ram 50 is not the recommended year to buy when lower-risk alternatives from 1990 or 1991 are available.

Open recalls

NHTSA campaigns

Service bulletins

Manufacturer communications

ODI investigations

Office of Defects Investigation

Owner complaints

1 involved a crash · 0 a fire

Owner complaints filed with NHTSA, by component

All 9 complaints on record, top 4 components.

Seat Belts6

Fuel System, Gasoline1

Tires1

Engine & Engine Cooling1

Source: NHTSA Office of Defects Investigation complaint database.

Recalls NHTSA · verified

Showing 1 of 1 campaigns on record for this vehicle.

95V103003Seat Belts:Front:Buckle AssemblyReported 24/05/1995

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. 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…

Technical service bulletins NHTSA · verified

Showing 1 of 1 bulletins on record with NHTSA.

Bulletin	Date	Component	Summary
9002688	2013-02-13	Engine And Engine Cooling	68069384A$, R8069384A$, 68086182A$, R8027067A$, RL002012A$ - Gasket, Cylinder Head Cover…

Common OBD-II trouble codes

The most common OBD-II codes for this vehicle's emissions system. These are standardized SAE J2012 definitions, not vehicle-specific fault reports.

P0420

Catalyst system efficiency below threshold — Bank 1

P0300

Random / multiple cylinder misfire detected

P0171

System too lean — Bank 1

P0455

Evaporative emission system leak detected — large leak

P0128

Coolant thermostat below regulating temperature

P0442

Evaporative emission system leak detected — small leak

VIN tools

Decode factory build data for a specific vehicle by VIN.

VIN

Decode a VIN to confirm the transmission and build data for a specific Ram 50. OEM

Build data

Plant, GVWR class, engine and body data for any 17-character VIN.

Recalls

Check open recall campaigns against a specific vehicle by VIN.

Vehicles with shared specs

Find every vehicle that shares this one's battery, bulbs, oil capacity, platform or parts.

Vehicles taking 4 qt w/ filter

Reference guides

Cross-vehicle references for the kinds of data on this page.

Vehicle recalls & TSBs OBD-II trouble codes Maintenance schedules Fluid capacities & specs

Frequently asked

How much oil does the 1988 Ram 50 take?

4 qt w/ filter of ABOVE 20 degrees F: 30, ABOVE 10 degrees F: 15W-40, ABOVE 0 degrees F: 10W-30, BELOW 100 degrees F: 5W-30, per the factory manual.

Does the 1988 Ram 50 have open recalls?

NHTSA lists 1 recall campaign(s) for this model year. Check your specific vehicle by VIN.