DodgeRAM Pickup19953.9L V6/dodge/ram-pickup/1995/3-9l-v6/
BR platform

1995 Dodge RAM Pickup — 3.9L V6

Factory specifications, fluid capacities, torque values, EPA fuel economy and the federal safety record for the 1995 RAM Pickup 3.9L V6.

Engine 3.9L V6Transmission Automatic 4-spd

The 1995 Dodge RAM Pickup is a BR-platform truck powered by a 3.9L V6 mated to a 4-speed automatic transmission, returning EPA figures of 14 city and 18 highway mpg for a 15 mpg combined average, with routine maintenance kept straightforward by a 4-quart oil capacity (with filter) using 10W-30 API viscosity. Across the 1995–2002 model years covered by owner complaint data, this inaugural year sits at the lower end of the spectrum with just 9 total complaints—dominated by Electrical System issues and accompanied by zero recalls—making it one of the more trouble-free years in the generation, especially when compared to the 1999 model year's peak of 33 complaints, though the later 2000 model year edges it out slightly with only 8. For a researcher weighing the 3.9L V6 RAM's long-term dependability, the 1995 model year stands as a relatively solid baseline in the BR platform's reliability history, suggesting that early-production examples held up better than mid-generation iterations even if electrical concerns remained a consistent thread throughout.

Model year199919981997199619951994

Quick specs

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

Engine oil capacity4 qt w/ filterOEM · verified
Engine oil type10W-30 APIOEM · verified
Lug nut torque130-160 ft-lbsOEM · verified
EPA fuel economy14/18/15 mpgEPA · verified

Fitment & sizes

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

From the factory this vehicle uses a BCI 24 CANADA · 580 CANADA CCA battery, OE oil filter 05281090AB. Note the factory fuel filter, front wiper blades and serpentine belt are now discontinued — plan on a superseded or quality aftermarket equivalent, which the part pages below list where known.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.

Battery groupBCI 24 CANADA · 580 CANADA CCAOEM · verified
Tire sizeLT225-75R16DOEM · verified
Wheel / rim6.5 inOEM · verified

OE service part numbers OEM · verified

Engine oil filter05281090AB
Engine air filter53004383AC
Fuel filter04864849AB discontinued · alt 04864307
BatteryBB27F101AA alt BB34U900AA
Front wiper blades55076910AA discontinued
Serpentine belt53010286AB discontinued · alt 53010277
Thermostat52028185AC alt 53021051AB

Full specifications

Engine, drivetrain, dimensions and economy.

Engine & drivetrain NHTSA vPIC

TransmissionAutomatic 4-spd

Dimensions & weight NHTSA vPIC

Overall length240.2 in
Overall width78.3 in
Overall height71.7 in
Wheelbase154.7 in
Curb weight4654 lb
Track (front / rear)66.1 / 66.9 in

Ratings & economy EPA / vPIC

EPA city / highway / combined14 / 18 / 15 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 4 qt w/ filter of 10W-30 API engine oil, 80W-90 · GL-5 in the differential, DOT 3 brake fluid. Torque lug nuts to 130-160 ft-lbs, the oil drain plug to 25.0 ft-lbs.

Lubricants & capacities

Brake FluidDOT 3
Differential Gear Oil80W-90 · GL-5
Differential Gear Oil Capacity7 Pints,
Differential Gear Oil80W-90 · GL-5
Differential Gear Oil Capacity4.4 pints
Engine CoolantETHYLENE GLYCOL
Engine Oil10W-30 · API
Engine Oil Capacity4 qt w/ filter

Engine torques

Connecting Rod (Large End) Bearings45 ft-lbs
Engine Flywheel Bolts55 ft-lbs
Main Bearings85 ft-lbs
Engine Oil Pan Drain Plug25.0 ft-lbs
Oil Pump to Cylinder BLock Bolts/Studs30 ft-lbs

Chassis torques

Leaf Spring to Axle (U-bolts)6010
Leaf Spring to Chassis Bracket6010
Leaf Spring to Rear Shackle6010
Leaf Spring Rear Shackle to Chassis Bracket6010
Lug Nuts130-160 ft-lbs
Transfer Case Fill Plug35.0 ft-lbs
Transfer Case Drain Plug35.0 ft-lbs

Ignition

Spark Plug Gap0.040 in
Spark Plug Torque30.0 ft-lbs

Battery & A/C

RefrigerantR134a
Refrigerant Capacity2.00 lbs
Oil GroupPAG
Oil TypeND 8 oil
Oil Capacity7.75 oz
Standard BCI Group Number24 CANADA
Standard BCI Cranking Performance580 CANADA cca
Optional BCI Group Number51 - U.S.

Service checks

Pressure Test16 psi
Radiator Cap Pressure Relief16 psi
Thermostat Opening Temperature192 °F
Engine Compression100 Minimum psi
Intake Valve LashHydraulic in
Exhaust Valve LashHydraulic in

Brakes

Torque to Knuckle38 ft-lbs
Torque to Knuckle38 ft-lbs
OtherLight Duty / Heavy Duty
OtherHeavy Duty
Torque to Knuckle38 ft-lbs
Rotor Max Parallel Variation0.001 in
Rotor Runout Limit0.005 in
Rotor Nominal Thickness From1.26 in / 1.578 in

Factory maintenance schedule OEM · verified

Normal service, condensed from the factory interval matrix.

Under the factory schedule, replace the 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 miBrake Line (inspect) · CV Joint Boot (inspect) · Differential (inspect fluid level) · Engine Coolant System (leak inspection) · Exhaust System (Complete) (inspect) · Steering Linkage (inspect)
Every 7,500 miPower Steering Line (inspect)
Every 18,000 miBrake Linings (inspect)
Every 24,000 miBands (adjust) · Engine Air Filter Element (replace) · Transmission Fluid & Filter (replace)
Every 30,000 miEngine Coolant System (drain, flush & refill)
At 60,000 miEngine Coolant System (drain, flush & refill) · PCV Valve (inspect)
Every 60,000 miPCV Valve (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 1995 model year sits at the start of the available record with only 9 complaints, the second-lowest count after 2000 (8), and well below the peak of 33 in 1999. However, it is the only year with two federal investigations, and it logged two fire complaints and one crash complaint—issues that appear to have been addressed in later years, as no other year in the data has more than one investigation. The complaint trend across the generation rises sharply after 1995, hitting 20 in 1998 and 33 in 1999, before dropping again, suggesting that early problems may have been partially resolved but that later model years experienced more frequent owner-reported issues. With zero recalls and a moderate 10 TSBs, the 1995 model does not stand out as a particularly problematic year, but the two investigations and the fire/crash complaints indicate that some safety-related concerns were flagged early on. Given the low complaint volume relative to later years, the 1995 Dodge RAM Pickup is a reasonable used choice, but the presence of those investigations means a thorough pre-purchase inspection—especially of the electrical system and speed control—is essential.

0
Open recalls
NHTSA campaigns
10
Service bulletins
Manufacturer communications
2
ODI investigations
Office of Defects Investigation
9
Owner complaints
1 involved a crash · 2 a fire
Owner complaints by model year NHTSA · this generation & adjacent

Owner complaints filed with NHTSA, by component

All 9 complaints on record, top 6 components.

Electrical System3
Vehicle Speed Control2
Air Bags1
Unknown Or Other1
Fuel System, Other1
Service Brakes, Air1

Source: NHTSA Office of Defects Investigation complaint database.

Recalls NHTSA · verified

No recall campaigns on record with NHTSA for this vehicle as of the last data refresh.

Technical service bulletins NHTSA · verified

Showing 5 of 10 bulletins on record with NHTSA.

BulletinDateComponentSummary
90028492014-09-03EquipmentPart Description: Insulator on Lever Assy Manual Valve - Valve Body - RWD Transmission…
08010012001-05-25Electrical SystemSUBJECT REGARDING AIRBAG / CLOCK SPRING SERVICE FOR VARIOUS MODELS INCLUDING 2002 MODEL…
0827002000-09-29Air BagsSUBJECT REGARDING NON-DEPLOYED AIRBAG HANDLING PROCEDURES. *TT
2308002000-03-03SeatsSUBJECT REGARDING CHILD SEAT TETHER ANCHORS. *TT
0837991999-11-12Air BagsDAIMLERCHRYSLER CORPORATION IS NOW OFFERINB AIRBAG ON / OFF SWITCHES FOR SELECTED…

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

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VIN
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Recalls
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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 1995 RAM Pickup 3.9L V6 take?

4 qt w/ filter of 10W-30 API, per the factory manual.

Does the 1995 RAM Pickup have open recalls?

NHTSA lists 0 recall campaign(s) for this model year. Check your specific vehicle by VIN.

What gas mileage does the 3.9L V6 get?

EPA figures are 14 city / 18 highway / 15 combined mpg.