DodgeRAM19935.9L/dodge/ram/1993/5-9l/
AD platform

1993 Dodge RAM — 5.9L

Factory specifications, fluid capacities, torque values, EPA fuel economy and the federal safety record for the 1993 RAM 5.9L. Covers both the standard and High Output 5.9L.

Body TRUCKEngine 5.9LTransmission Automatic 4-spd

The 1993 Dodge RAM, built on the AD platform, pairs a 5.9L engine with a 4-speed automatic transmission and calls for 5 quarts of 10W-30 or 5W-30 oil with a filter change. EPA estimates for this configuration come in at 17 mpg city and 21 mpg highway, for a combined 19 mpg. Within the model’s 1990–2011 complaint history, this year’s 66 recorded issues place it among the quieter entries, though service brake hydraulics remain the most frequently cited concern.

Model year19931992

Quick specs

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

Engine oil capacity5 qt w/ filterOEM · verified
Engine oil type10W-30 / 5W-30 APIOEM · verified
EPA fuel economy17/21/19 mpgEPA · verified

Fitment & sizes

Replacement part sizes and factory part numbers — battery, bulbs, filters and belts.

From the factory this vehicle uses OE oil filter 05281090AB. Note the factory engine air filter, fuel filter, spark plug and serpentine belt are now discontinued — plan on a superseded or quality aftermarket equivalent, which the part pages below list where known. Each part links to every other vehicle that shares it, so a part you already stock may fit more of your fleet than you'd expect.

OE service part numbers OEM · verified

Engine oil filter05281090AB
Engine air filter05016646AA discontinued · alt 04300787
Fuel filter04549712 discontinued
Spark plug68305411AA discontinued
Front wiper blades4334667
Serpentine belt53010286AB discontinued · alt Q4070975
Thermostat52028185AC alt 53021051AB

Full specifications

Engine, drivetrain, dimensions and economy.

Engine & drivetrain NHTSA vPIC

TransmissionAutomatic 4-spd

Dimensions & weight NHTSA vPIC

Overall length189 in
Overall width79.5 in
Overall height69.7 in
Wheelbase105.9 in
Curb weight4189 lb

Ratings & economy EPA / vPIC

EPA city / highway / combined17 / 21 / 19 mpg
DrivetrainRear-Wheel Drive
Recommended fuelRegular Gasoline

Service quick specs OEM factory data

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

This engine holds 5 qt w/ filter of 10W-30 / 5W-30 API engine oil, 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,
Differential Gear Oil80W-90 · GL-5
Differential Gear Oil Capacity4.5 Pints, mvc Rear, non_mvc
Differential Gear Oil80W-90 · GL-5
Differential Gear Oil Capacity7 Pints,
Engine CoolantETHYLENE GLYCOL

Factory maintenance schedule OEM · verified

Normal service, condensed from the factory interval matrix.

Under the factory schedule, replace the engine oil and filter every 12,000 mi; spark plugs every 30,000 mi; coolant every 30,000 mi. The big-interval services (every 30,000 mi for coolant, and the transmission fluid) are the ones owners most often skip — on a lower-mileage example, assume the original fluids are still in it and check them first.

Every 6,000 miAir Injection System (inspect) · Air Intake System (inspect) · Brake Hydraulic System (inspect fluid level) · Brake Line (inspect) · CV Joint Boot (inspect) · Differential (inspect fluid level)
Every 7,500 miBody Latches, Locks & Hinges (inspect) · Weatherstrip Seal (inspect)
Every 12,000 miAccessory Drive Belt (inspect) · Bands (adjust) · Engine Oil Filter (replace) · Fuel Filter (replace) · Transmission Fluid & Filter (replace) · Wheel Bearing (inspect)
Every 15,000 miAxle Shaft Oil Seal (inspect)
Every 22,500 miBrake Linings (inspect) · Shift Linkage (inspect) · Suspension Ball Joint (inspect)
Every 24,000 miAir Injection System Air Pump Filter Element (replace) · Crankshaft Vibration Damper (inspect) · Engine Breather Filter (clean) · Engine Valves (inspect valve lash) · Radiator Fan Clutch (inspect)
Every 30,000 miDrive Axle Assembly (drain & refill) · Engine Coolant System (drain, flush & refill) · Fuel Line (inspect) · Spark Plugs (replace)
Every 37,500 miTransmission Assembly (drain & refill)
Every 50,000 miFuel Tank Filler Cap (inspect)

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 1993 Dodge RAM sits at the end of a relatively stable complaint period for the early-generation trucks. From 1990 through 1993, complaints held between 23 and 71 annually with 0–3 recalls per year, but 1994 then saw a dramatic surge to 710 complaints, 23 recalls, and 15 investigations—roughly ten times the 1993 rate. With only 1 recall and 66 complaints in 1993, this model year represents the final year before the platform's known issues became widespread; the data does not specify why the spike occurred in 1994, but the 1993 truck appears to share the same underlying problems. Top complaint areas—service brakes/hydraulic (14), powertrain (10), and steering (7)—suggest systemic durability concerns carried forward from earlier years. Additionally, 2 ongoing NHTSA investigations and 4 crash-related complaints indicate unaddressed safety concerns at this point in the generation. The presence of 18 TSBs documents known service procedures, consistent with early-generation refinements. Compared to the post-1994 era of exponentially higher complaint volumes, the 1993 RAM is comparatively less problematic within its generation, though buyers should note it is not immune to the platform's documented brake and powertrain issues.

1
Open recalls
NHTSA campaigns
18
Service bulletins
Manufacturer communications
2
ODI investigations
Office of Defects Investigation
66
Owner complaints
4 involved a crash · 1 a fire
NHTSA crash-test rating federal NCAP · out of 5 stars
Rollover★★★★★
Owner complaints by model year NHTSA · this generation & adjacent

Owner complaints filed with NHTSA, by component

All 66 complaints on record, top 8 components.

Service Brakes, Hydraulic14
Power Train10
Steering7
Structure6
Engine & Engine Cooling5
Visibility3
Electrical System3
Vehicle Speed Control3

Source: NHTSA Office of Defects Investigation complaint database.

Recalls NHTSA · verified

Showing 1 of 1 campaigns on record for this vehicle.

93E034001Fuel System, Gasoline:Delivery:Fuel PumpReported 07/12/1993

BOSCH DISTRIBUTOR-TYPE FUEL PUMPS HAVE A MANUFACTURING DEFECT THAT CAN CAUSE THE BALL PIN, WHICH IS PART OF THE PUMP'S CONTROL LEVER ASSEMBLY, TO BREAK CAUSING THE LINK BETWEEN THE CONTROL SLEEVE AND THE CONTROL LEVER… Remedy: THE FUEL PUMPS WILL BE INSPECTED, AND IF NECESSARY, REPAIRED OR REPLACED.

Technical service bulletins NHTSA · verified

Showing 5 of 18 bulletins on record with NHTSA.

BulletinDateComponentSummary
R2118796A2016-02-26Engine And Engine CoolingValve Body. These may cause over drive cycling.
09004012001-05-18Engine And Engine CoolingCUSTOMER MAY COMPLAIN OF HIGH OIL CONSUMPTION, GREY OIL SMOKE COMING OUT OF THE EXHAUST…
21006012001-03-16Power TrainAUTOMATIC TRANSMISSION FLUID USAGE ATF+4. *TT *MJ
0800600REV2000-12-29Electrical SystemSUBJECT REGARDING WIRE SPLICE REPAIRS. *SB
0806002000-02-25Electrical SystemTHIS BULLETIN PROVIDES A REVISED WIRE SPLICE PROCEDURE AND RELATED PARTS. *TT

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. 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 1993 RAM 5.9L take?

5 qt w/ filter of ABOVE 0 degrees F 10W-30 API, BELOW 32 degreesF 5W-30 API, per the factory manual.

Does the 1993 RAM have open recalls?

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

What gas mileage does the 5.9L get?

EPA figures are 17 city / 21 highway / 19 combined mpg.