DodgeRam 501989Overview/dodge/ram-50/1989/base/

1989 Dodge Ram 50

Factory specifications, fluid capacities, torque values, EPA fuel economy and the federal safety record for the 1989 Ram 50.

The 1989 Dodge Ram 50 is specified for 4 quarts of oil with a filter, utilizing 10W-30, 10W-40, or 10W-50 API viscosities. This model year's reliability record includes a total of five owner complaints and one recall. Within these reports, seat belts are identified as the top complaint area.

Model year199119901989198819871986198519841983

Quick specs

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

Engine oil capacity4 qt w/ filterOEM · verified
Engine oil type10W-30 / 10W-40 / 10W-50 APIOEM · verified

Full specifications

Engine, drivetrain, dimensions and economy.

Dimensions & weight NHTSA vPIC

Overall length176.8 in
Overall width65 in
Overall height60.6 in
Wheelbase105.1 in
Curb weight2560 lb
Track (front / rear)63.4 / 63.4 in

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 10W-30 / 10W-40 / 10W-50 API engine oil, 85W-90 · 80W-90 · GL-5 in the differential, DOT 3 brake fluid.

Lubricants & capacities

Brake FluidDOT 3
Differential Gear Oil85W-90 · 80W-90 · GL-5
Differential Gear Oil Capacity3.5 Pints,
Engine CoolantETHYLENE GLYCOL
Engine OilAPI · 10W-30 · 10W-40 · 10W-50 · 50W-30 · 5W-50
Engine Oil Capacity4 qt w/ filter
Engine OilAPI · 10W-30 · 10W-40 · 10W-50 · 50W-30 · 5W-50
Engine Oil Capacity5.1 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; spark plugs every 60,000 mi.

Every 7,500 miBody Latches, Locks & Hinges (inspect) · Brake Hydraulic System (inspect fluid level) · Engine Oil (drain & refill) · Power Steering System (inspect) · Weatherstrip Seal (inspect)
Every 15,000 miBrake Line (inspect) · Engine Oil Filter (replace) · Engine Valves (inspect valve lash) · Exhaust System (Complete) (inspect) · Universal Vehicle Operation (inspect idle speed)
Every 30,000 miAccessory 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 miEGR Valve (replace) · Engine Coolant System Hoses (inspect) · Fuel Evaporative Emission Control System Lines (inspect) · Fuel Filter (replace) · Fuel Line (inspect) · Fuel Tank (inspect)
Every 60,000 miAir Injection System Solenoid Control Valve Air (replace) · Distributor Cap (inspect) · Distributor Rotor (inspect) · Distributor Vacuum Advance (inspect) · Fuel Evaporative Emission Control System (inspect) · Spark Plug Wires (inspect)
Every 80,000 miOxygen Sensor (inspect) · PCV System (inspect)
Every 100,000 miFuel 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 requiredDRBIII scan tool (dealer / locksmith)
WhyTransmitter 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 neededAfter Sentry Key Immobilizer Module (SKIM) replacement
Tool requiredDRBIII scan tool
Also requiredThe 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 1989 Dodge Ram 50 records five complaints, the highest count among the years shown, with four tied to seat belts and one labeled "Unknown Or Other"; crash and fire complaints are both zero, though the data does not specify root causes. The provided year-by-year federal record covers only 1990 and 1991, so no before-1989 comparison is possible; against those later years—1990 with four complaints, one recall, and one TSB, and 1991 with two complaints, one recall, and one TSB—complaint volume trends downward while recall and TSB activity hold steady at one per year. That positions 1989 at the higher-complaint end of the visible arc, implying it generated more reported issues than the immediately following model years, even though the record does not state 1989 recall, investigation, or TSB counts. Without those figures, a full federal-risk assessment is incomplete. Based solely on the available data, 1989 is not the strongest year in this narrow window and should be treated as a moderate-risk buy, contingent on verifying that the seat-belt reports are isolated and already resolved.

1
Open recalls
NHTSA campaigns
1
Service bulletins
Manufacturer communications
0
ODI investigations
Office of Defects Investigation
5
Owner complaints
0 involved a crash · 0 a fire

Owner complaints filed with NHTSA, by component

All 5 complaints on record, top 2 components.

Seat Belts4
Unknown Or Other1

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.

BulletinDateComponentSummary
90026882013-02-13Engine And Engine Cooling68069384A$, R8069384A$, 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.

Reference guides

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

Frequently asked

How much oil does the 1989 Ram 50 take?

4 qt w/ filter of ABOVE 32 degrees F: 20W API ABOVE -10 degrees F: 10W-30 API, 10W-40 API,10W-50 API, ABOVE 60 degrees F 50W-30 API, 5W-50 API, per the factory manual.

Does the 1989 Ram 50 have open recalls?

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