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1987 Dodge Ram 50

Factory specifications, fluid capacities, torque values, EPA fuel economy and the federal safety record for the 1987 Ram 50.

The 1987 Dodge Ram 50, a compact pickup, requires 5 quarts of engine oil with a filter and accepts 20W-20, 15W-40, or 5W-30 viscosity. With only 12 total owner complaints and a single recall, this model year sits as a relatively reliable entry in the Ram 50’s history, though seat belt issues were the most common concern.

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 capacity5 qt w/ filterOEM · verified

Engine oil type20W-20 / 15W-40 / 5W-30OEM · verified

Full specifications

Engine, drivetrain, dimensions and economy.

Dimensions & weight NHTSA vPIC

Overall length	193.7 in
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 5 qt w/ filter of 20W-20 / 15W-40 / 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	20W-20 · 15W-40 · 5W-30 · 5W-40
Engine Oil Capacity	5 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) · Drive Axle Assembly (drain & refill) · 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) · Driveshaft U-Joint (inspect) · Engine Air Filter Element (replace)
Every 50,000 mi	Carburetor Mounting Fasteners (inspect) · EGR Valve (replace) · Engine Coolant System Hoses (inspect) · Fuel Evaporative Canister (replace) · Fuel Evaporative Emission Control System Lines (inspect) · Fuel Filter (replace)
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)

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 provided year-by-year federal record covers only 1990 and 1991, so 1987 predates the available longitudinal data, which documents total complaints easing from 4 to 2 while recalls hold steady at 1 per year. For 1987 specifically, the dataset identifies seat belts as the dominant complaint area with 9 reports, alongside 1 each for steering, engine and engine cooling, and fuel system, with zero crash or fire complaints. Because the federal arc does not include 1987 or its adjacent model years, the target year sits outside the recorded generation trend, and the data does not specify a root cause for the seat-belt concentration. The 1987 profile shows no severe-safety complaints and a narrow concentration of reported issues. With zero crash and fire incidents and the majority of concerns isolated to seat belts, 1987 presents a relatively favorable risk profile for a buyer willing to inspect those components, though the absence of contiguous federal data tempers year-over-year comparability.

Open recalls

NHTSA campaigns

Service bulletins

Manufacturer communications

ODI investigations

Office of Defects Investigation

Owner complaints

0 involved a crash · 0 a fire

Owner complaints filed with NHTSA, by component

All 12 complaints on record, top 4 components.

Seat Belts9

Steering1

Engine & Engine Cooling1

Fuel System, Gasoline1

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 5 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 1987 Ram 50 take?

5 qt w/ filter of ABOVE 20 degrees F: 30, 20 degrees F TO 80 degrees F: 20W-20, ABOVE 10 degrees F: 15W-40, BELOW 100 degrees F 5W-30 OR 5W-40, BELOW 60 degrees F: 5W-30, 5W-40, per the factory manual.

Does the 1987 Ram 50 have open recalls?

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