The 1988 Dodge Ram 50 has 1 NHTSA recall campaign affecting an estimated 920,000 vehicles. Recall repairs are always free at any authorized dealer. Owners have filed 10 complaints with NHTSA, most often about the seat belts. Last updated July 5, 2026.
Recall campaigns
SEAT BELTS95V1030031995-05-24920,000 affected
Defect
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.
Consequence
THE SAFETY BELTS WOULD NOT PROVIDE ADEQUATE PROTECTION TO AN OCCUPANT IN A VEHICLE CRASH.
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 ENSURE THAT BOTH BUCKLES ARE OPERATING PROPERLY BY INSERTING EACH LATCH PLATE INTO ITS BUCKLE, TUGGING ON THE BELT TO MAKE SURE THE LATCH IS…
Verbatim reports filed with NHTSA, lightly edited for readability and with personal
information removed.
“Rear gas tank bracket failed (rusted trhough) allowing tank to swing down and skid along pavement. Accident avoided due to low speed and rapid stop. *tt”
“Tread completely sheared off on highway( dot number: )”
“Consumer was in a 4 car pile-up crash, her vehicle was the fourth car. Was driving approx. 20-32 mph. Wearing seat belt when the the crash occurred. The shoulder strap of driver side collapsed, allowing consumer's 110lbs upper body to hit the steering area and wheel; thighs bruised on arm rest . *ak”
“#95v103003 the driver side seat belt buckle will not unlatch . Tt consumer states the plastic looks like it has broken and lodged in mechanism causing to not to unlatch. *slc”
“#95v103003 the driver side seat belt buckle will not unlatch . Tt consumer states the plastic looks like it has broken and lodged in mechanism causing to not to unlatch. *slc”
“Model #524 seatbelt buckle jams and is difficult to release.”
“Both front seat belts wouldn't lock like something that is jammed inside. Tt”
“All the seat belt buckles in the vehicle do not work received recall # 95v183000 there are no parts . Please describe . *ak”
Recall, complaint, and investigation records from official NHTSA datasets (FLAT_RCL,
FLAT_CMPL, FLAT_INV), synced weekly. Counts reflect NHTSA records for the 1988 Dodge Ram 50 as of
July 5, 2026. Complaint narratives are consumer-submitted and unverified. This page
contains ads and affiliate links. Full methodology.