Factory specifications, fluid capacities, torque values, EPA fuel economy and the federal safety record for the 1981 Ramcharger.
The 1981 Dodge Ramcharger registers a notably contained reliability footprint in the available owner data, with just one total complaint filed and a single recall issued for the model year—the lone complaint concentrated in the tire area rather than distributed across major vehicle systems. That pairing of a single complaint and a single recall, both touching one component category, positions 1981 as one of the quieter entries in the Ramcharger nameplate's recorded reliability history. For researchers building a year-by-year picture of owner-reported issues, this model year functions as a useful low-complaint reference point, the kind of clean baseline against which higher-volume or multi-system problem years elsewhere in the run can be measured.
Engine, drivetrain, dimensions and economy.
| Overall length | 183.9 in |
| Overall width | 79.5 in |
| Overall height | 73.2 in |
| Wheelbase | 105.5 in |
Condensed service procedures for routine maintenance. Procedures that require dealer diagnostic equipment are identified and summarized only.
| Tool required | DRBIII scan tool (dealer / locksmith) |
| Why | Transmitter codes are written into the receiver in the passenger door module |
| When needed | After Sentry Key Immobilizer Module (SKIM) replacement |
| Tool required | DRBIII scan tool |
| Also required | The vehicle's four-digit PIN code |
Owner-reported issues, recalls, investigations and service bulletins on record with NHTSA — an unfiltered look at what owners actually experience.
The federal record shows a modest rise in reported issues as the generation progressed from 1990 (2 complaints, 0 recalls, 0 investigations, 5 technical service bulletins) to 1991 (10 complaints, 0 recalls, 1 investigation, 5 technical service bulletins), indicating a growing but still limited problem surface. Because no complaint, recall, investigation, or TSB data are provided for 1981, the target year sits before the documented upward trend and cannot be directly compared with the later years. The only specific information for 1981 is a single tire‑related complaint and zero crash or fire complaints, suggesting minimal reported trouble in those categories. Given the absence of recalls or investigations for 1981 and the relatively low complaint count, the data imply that 1981 does not exhibit the emerging issues seen in the early 1990s. **Takeaway:** Based on the available federal records, 1981 appears to be a comparatively low‑risk year to purchase, though the lack of direct data means a final decision should also consider other sources.
All 1 complaints on record, top 1 components.
Source: NHTSA Office of Defects Investigation complaint database.
Showing 1 of 1 campaigns on record for this vehicle.
VEHICLES ARE NOT IN COMPLIANCE WITH THE IMPACT TEST REQUIREMENTS OF FEDERAL MOTOR VEHICLE SAFETY STANDARD 301, "FUEL SYSTEM INTEGRITY." THE STRUCTURE OF THE REAR STEP BUMPER MAY NOT WITHSTAND A REAR END COLLISION… Remedy: A FUEL TANK PROTECTIVE SKID PLATE WILL BE INSTALLED FREE OF CHARGE.
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… |
The most common OBD-II codes for this vehicle's emissions system. These are standardized SAE J2012 definitions, not vehicle-specific fault reports.
Decode factory build data for a specific vehicle by VIN.
Cross-vehicle references for the kinds of data on this page.
NHTSA lists 1 recall campaign(s) for this model year. Check your specific vehicle by VIN.