Selling a dead or junk Dodge Ram Van

Two generations in this data

The EPA lists the Ram Van, along with the Ram Wagon and the B-series names, from 1984 through 2003. Wikipedia splits those years into two generations. Chrysler built every one of them at the Pillette Road Truck Assembly plant in Windsor, Ontario, which has since been torn down.

The van was rear-wheel drive with the engine up front, on the Chrysler B platform. The Sprinter replaced it.

1984-1997: few complaints, many small recalls

For most of these years owners filed only a handful of complaints. The 1984 through 1990 vans total 29. But 1989 stands out in a strange way: just 8 complaints, yet they report 19 injuries and 3 deaths.

The drivetrain changed along the way. The Slant Six was the base engine until 1988, when a 3.9-liter V6 from the Dakota replaced it and a 5-speed manual became standard. A heavy-duty 4-speed automatic arrived for the 5.9 V8 in 1990. Manual transmissions were dropped in 1994, which Wikipedia says made Dodge the last full-size van line to go all-automatic.

Several recalls in these years are small campaigns:

• 84V047000 (1984): the piston seal inside the master cylinder could leak, and the front brakes could cut out now and then. Campaign: 1,800 vehicles.
• 84V040000 (1984): some altered vans were missing rear couch seat belts or had belts that did not comply. Campaign: 181 vehicles.
• 87V194000 (1988): the automatic's park sprag rod could stick without engaging. Campaign: 3,500 vehicles.
• 88V073000 (1988): the battery's vent cap could hit the inner hood panel. Campaign: 2,200 vehicles.
• 93V082000 (1993): some vans with ABS got an undersized brake return check valve that could fail under hard braking on slick roads. Campaign: 2,000 vehicles.
• 94V163000 (1994): the parking brake cable could rub through the steel brake line and leak brake fluid. Campaign: 271 vehicles.

The 1994 is the busiest year of this generation, at 43 complaints. Structure leads with 7, and it had three recalls: the brake cable above, plus door armrests and seat back heights that did not meet federal interior standards.

1998-2003: fires and wiring

The third generation brought Magnum engines and a choice of 3- or 4-speed automatics. It also brought most of the fire reports. Of the 44 complaints that mention a fire, 37 are on 1998-2003 vans.

The 1999 leads with 73 complaints: electrical system 18, tires 8, structure 7. The 1998 has 7 fire reports and 10 injury reports. On the 1998, recall 98V076000 says the driver's power seat riser welds were not correct; campaign: 3,500 vehicles.

Recall 07V555000 covers 2001-2002 vans and pickups with automatics. The ignition and park interlock could stop working, so the shifter could come out of Park. The campaign lists 576,418 vehicles, and that number covers pickups as well as vans. Steering leads the 2001 complaints with 6.

Complaints and recalls by model year

We pulled the Ram Van counts from NHTSA records dated October 10, 2026. The 2003 vans have been out for less time than the 1984s, so they've had fewer years to draw reports. The quiet 1984-1990 run shares one row.

Over the full run, owners named the electrical system 60 times, the power train 37, structure 34, hydraulic brakes and tires 32 apiece, and steering 24.

Selling the van whole

1. Write down the basics: VIN, mileage, the B-number or 1500/2500/3500 badge, and what's wrong.
2. Get an offer online, or call (877) 421-6008.
3. Describe the spot. A long van in a tight driveway or behind a gate needs the right truck. Mention a frozen brake or a flat so the driver comes prepared. We offer free pickup anywhere in the US.
4. Leave it together. Sell the whole car as it sits, seats, conversion parts and all. If the engine or wheels are already gone, say so; missing parts explains why it matters.
5. Have the Ram Van title and a photo ID ready. Title missing? See selling with no title.

Worth fixing?

Check the VIN on NHTSA's recall page before anything else. Then price the repair on paper and set it beside what vans like yours fetch when they run. On a 1998-2003 van with wiring trouble, read electrical problems before chasing it part by part. If the engine is gone, blown engine covers the choice. Our guide to junk trucks and SUVs covers big vehicles that won't move.

Other Dodge vans and trucks: the Sprinter, Ram 1500 and Grand Caravan, or every Dodge we cover.