1998 Dodge 1500 Owner Complaints

The seatbelt timer module is failing, resulting in the seatbelts staying locked even when fully retracted. This means sometimes I as the driver as well as my front seat passenger cannot buckle up and drive the vehicle safely. I have not reproduced or confirmed this issue with a dealership or independent service center. The component has not been inspected by the manufacturer, police, or insurance agency. A red seatbelt warning light will appear when the seatbelts lock up and goes away when it unlocks.

NHTSA ID

11579005

Incident

Mar 22, 2024

The drivers side and passanger side seat belts are locked in the seats. There is no fix, you cant drive truck because you can not use the seat belts, they are made into the seats. No one sells part for it. The seat belts will not extend. The seat belts just stopped working, no warning.

NHTSA ID

11573494

Incident

Jan 21, 2024

I PURCHASED A TRUCK ABOUT 6 MONTHS AGO AND I HAD NOTHING BUT PROBLEMS WITH IT. I HAD TO REPLACED SO MANY THINGS ON IT. I WAS TOLD THAT THE TRUCK ONLY HAD 72,000 MILES ON IT WHEN I BOUGHT IT, AFTER DRIVING IT FOR A FEW MONTHS. I ENCOUNTERED PROBLEMS WITH IT. I ENDED UP RUNNING CARFAX ON IT AND FOUND OUT THE ODOMETER WAS ROLLED BACK TWO WEEKS BEFORE I PURCHASED IT. IT HAD ORIGINALLY 167,000 MILES

NHTSA ID

11404603

Incident

Mar 3, 2021

Mileage

82,000 mi

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 1998 DODGE RAM 1500. THE CONTACT STATED THE ENTIRE DASHBOARD WAS CRACKED. THE CONTACT STATED AN OCCUPANT SUSTAINED AN INJURY DUE TO THE SHARP DASHBOARD PIECES. THE CONTACT CALLED PIEDMONT CHRYSLER DODGE JEEP RAM AEV (4015 CLEMSON BLVD, ANDERSON, SC 29621, (864) 305-4234) AND WAS INFORMED THAT THE DASHBOARD COULD BE REPLACED OR A CAP COVER INSTALLED. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT DIAGNOSED NOR REPAIRED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOT CONTACTED. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 200,000.

NHTSA ID

11378640

Incident

Mar 1, 2018

Mileage

200,000 mi

TO DATE, NOTHING HAS HAPPENED, HOWEVER A RECALL WAS ISSUED SAYING THE SECONDARY HOOD LATCH MUST BE REPLACED, AS IT CAN FLY OPEN. WE WERE UNAWARE OF THE RECALL.

NHTSA ID

11377405

Incident

Jan 1, 1998

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 1998 DODGE RAM 1500. THE CONTACT STATED THAT AFTER HIS WIFE WAS PARKED THE VEHICLE AND ATTEMPTED TO SHIFT THE GEAR SHIFTER INTO PARK, THE GEAR SHIFTER INSTEAD SHIFTED INTO REVERSE. THE CONTACT'S WIFE EXITED THE VEHICLE AND THE VEHICLE STARTED ROLLING BACKWARDS. THE CONTACT USED A BRICK TO CHOCK THE PASSENGER'S SIDE FRONT TIRE TO PREVENT THE VEHICLE FROM ROLLING. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT TAKEN TO BE DIAGNOSED NOR REPAIRED. NEITHER THE DEALER NOR THE MANUFACTURER WERE NOTIFIED OF THE FAILURE. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 98,000.

NHTSA ID

11343738

Incident

Jul 30, 2020

Mileage

98,000 mi

I WAS DRIVING DOWN THE ROAD AT ABOUT A BOUT 50 MPH DOWN THE ROAD AND STARTED HEARING A NOISE WHEN LETTING OFF THE THROTTLE AND SLOWED DOWN A LIL GAVE IT SOME GAS THEN LET OFF AGAIN NEXT THING I HEAR IS THE DRIVE SHAFT HITTING THE ROAD AND THE TIRES SLIDING ACROSS THE ROAD AND CAUSING ME TO SLIDE ACROSS THE ROAD LOCALLY THERE WAS NO TRAFFIC COMING TOWARDS ME I WAS ABLE TO CONTROL THE SLIDE OF THE REAR TIRES TO A STOP ON THE SIDE OF THE ROAD. I GOT OUT AND WAS LOOKING WHAT HAPPEN THE PION NUT CAME OFF THE PION GEAR LOCKING UP THE REAR DIFFERENTIAL I THINK THIS IS A SAFETY ISSUE BECAUSE IT COULD HAVE ENDED UP SOMEONE GETTING HURT AND OR KILLING SOMEONE IN A CRASH. THE TRUCK IS VERY WELL TAKING CARE OF AND HAS 108K MILES LOW FOR ITS AGE AND THERE WAS A RECALL ON THIS BEFORE BUT ON THE 05 DODGE RAM TRUCK'S THAT WAS MADE IN 04 IS WHAT SOMEONE TOLD ME

NHTSA ID

11231648

Incident

Jul 8, 2019

Mileage

108,000 mi

YOU SHOULDN'T BE ABLE TO PULL THE GEAR SHIFTER FROM PARK TO REVERSE WITHOUT YOUR FOOT BEING ON THE BREAK. PLUS THE EMERGENCY BREAK DOES NOT WORK AS WELL.

NHTSA ID

11165599

Incident

Jan 2, 2019

Mileage

155,000 mi

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 1998 DODGE RAM 1500. WHILE DRIVING AT ANY SPEED, THE VEHICLE HESITATED, SPUTTERED, AND ALMOST STALLED. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE INTAKE SECTION OF THE ENGINE HAD AN ALUMINUM PLATE THAT BECAME WARPED WITH USAGE. THE CONTACT WAS A MECHANIC AND REPLACED THE GASKET SEVERAL TIMES, BUT THE FAILURE RECURRED AFTER APPROXIMATELY ONE YEAR. THE DEALER (VALLEY DODGE, 320 LEE JACKSON HWY, STAUNTON, VA 24401, (540) 213-8800) CONFIRMED THAT THERE WAS NO RECALL FOR THE FAILURE. THE MANUFACTURER STATED THERE WAS NO RECALL AND REFERRED THE CONTACT TO NHTSA. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 202,156. THE VIN WAS UNKNOWN.

NHTSA ID

11151692

Incident

Nov 15, 2017

Mileage

202,156 mi

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 1998 DODGE RAM 1500. WHILE DRIVING APPROXIMATELY 25 MPH, THE ABS INDICATOR ILLUMINATED. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO AUTONATION CHRYSLER DODGE JEEP RAM AND FIAT AT 200 AUTOMALL DR ROSEVILLE, CA 95661. AND THE CONTACT WAS INFORMED THAT THERE WAS NO RECALL. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOT MADE AWARE OF THE FAILURE. THE VEHICLE WAS DIAGNOSED REPAIRED. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 32,000. *TT*JB

NHTSA ID

11128133

Incident

Jul 18, 2018

Mileage

32,000 mi

IN MOTION THE STEERING IS VERY LOOSE. THE STEERING WHEEL WILL TRAVEL VERY OFTEN FROM 3 O'CLOCK TO 9 O'CLOCK AND HOPEFULLY, I AM STILL GOING STRAIGHT. THE TRUCK WILL DRIFT TO THE RIGHT AND HAVE TO OVERSTEER TO GET THE TRUCK IN THE TRAVEL LANE. I REPLACED STEERING GEAR BOX, BALL JOINTS, TIE RODS, STEERING ROD, TRACK BAR, RACK, AND PINION. THIS IS AN ONGOING PROBLEM FOR A NUMBER OF YEARS. TRANSMISSION PLASTIC PART IS BROKEN SO THERE HAS TO BE REPLACED.

NHTSA ID

11098881

Incident

Feb 4, 2018

Mileage

180,000 mi

TL* THE CONTACT OWNED A 1998 DODGE RAM 1500. WHILE DRIVING 70 MPH, THE CONTACT FELL ASLEEP AND CRASHED INTO THE MEDIAN. THE AIR BAGS FAILED TO DEPLOY. THERE WERE NO WARNING INDICATORS ILLUMINATED PRIOR TO THE CRASH. THE CONTACT WAS TAKEN TO THE HOSPITAL BY A FRIEND, BUT THERE WERE NO INJURIES SUSTAINED. A POLICE REPORT WAS FILED. THE VEHICLE WAS TOWED TO AN IMPOUND LOT AND DEEMED DESTROYED. THE DEALER WAS NOT CONTACTED AND THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOT NOTIFIED OF THE FAILURE. THE VIN AND FAILURE MILEAGE WERE UNKNOWN.

NHTSA ID

11083336

Incident

Oct 18, 2017

COIL SPRING TOWERS REINFORCEMENTS - AS PER THE RECALL FOR THE 1994 AND 1995 DODGE RAM 1500 PICKUPS (SAFETY RECALL 835) THE COIL SPRING TOWERS OF A 1998 HAS DEVELOPED CRACKS IN THE LEFT SIDE TOWER. THIS VEHICLE HAS NOT BEEN OFF ROAD, STRICTLY ON HIGHWAY AND STREET. THIS WAS FOUND DURING ANOTHER REPAIR OF SAID VEHICLE.

NHTSA ID

11080034

Incident

Mar 13, 2018

Mileage

227,000 mi

I WAS DRIVING ON THE HIGHWAY THEN HEARD A LOUD THUMP AND THE DRIVER SIDE REAR WHEEL IS PUSHED OUT AND IT NO LONGER ENGAGES

NHTSA ID

11052074

Incident

Dec 1, 2017

Mileage

1,700,000 mi

TRUCK SETTING STILL IN YARD, HORNS STARTING BLOWING WITHOUT ANYONE AROUND, PULLED FUSE TO STOP. TWO SHOPS HAVE BEEN UNABLE TO DIAGNOSE PROBLEM. HORNS DO NOT WORK AT ALL NOW. REPLACED WITH NEW HORNS AND STILL DON'T WORK.

NHTSA ID

11051620

Incident

Sep 8, 2016

Mileage

110,000 mi

WAS ON MY WAY TO WORK AND MY PINYON NUT COME OFF OFF DRIVE SHAFT AND PINYON GEAR BUSTED THROUGH THE REAR END HOUSING

NHTSA ID

11030087

Incident

Sep 27, 2017

Mileage

190,739 mi

DASH CAP AND BEZEL ARE CRACKED SO BAD THAT IF THE AIR BAG DEPLOYED, EVERYONE IN THE VEHICLE WOULD GET A FACE FULL OF SHARP PLASTIC.

NHTSA ID

11021302

Incident

Jan 1, 2005

Mileage

50,000 mi

REAR BRAKE LINE IS WELL KNOWN TO FAIL.

NHTSA ID

10971986

Incident

Apr 1, 2016

Mileage

166,977 mi

THE DASH ON MY 98 RAM 1500 IS VERY CRACKED AND FALLING IN... I ALSO OWN A 96 RAM 1500 WITH SAME PROBLEM... ALSO HAVE 2 - 97 RAM 1500 WITH SAME PROBLEM... THIS IS VERY BAD... I LOVE DODGE RAMS BUT THE DASH IS TERRIBLE...

NHTSA ID

10957219

Incident

Jun 7, 2000

Mileage

16,000 mi

THE DASHBOARD HAS FALLEN APART SHORTLY AFTER BUYING PICKUP.

NHTSA ID

10910790

Incident

Nov 10, 1999

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 1998 DODGE RAM 1500. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE AIR BAG WARNING INDICATOR ILLUMINATED AND THE STEERING FUNCTION INTERMITTENTLY FAILED. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO AN INDEPENDENT MECHANIC WHERE IT WAS DIAGNOISED THAT THE CLOCKSPRING MALFUNCTIONED AND NEEDED TO BE REPLACED. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT REPAIRED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOTIFIED OF THE FAILURE. THE CONTACT REFERENCED NHTSA CAMPAIGN NUMBER: 01V153000 (AIR BAGS). THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 129,915.

NHTSA ID

10875934

Incident

May 30, 2012

Mileage

129,915 mi

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 1998 DODGE RAM 1500. WHILE THE VEHICLE WAS AT A STOP LIGHT, THE AIR BAGS DEPLOYED WITHOUT WARNING OR IMPACT. THERE WERE NO INJURIES. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO THE DEALER TO BE INSPECTED. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT REPAIRED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOT NOTIFIED OF THE FAILURE. THE APPROXIMATE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 169,000.

NHTSA ID

10863192

Incident

Oct 1, 2015

Mileage

169,000 mi

THERE WAS A LOUD CLUNKING NOISE IN THE FRONT OVER BUMPS. I HAD IT INSPECTED AND WAS TOLD THE SWAY BAR WHERE IT MOUNTS TO THE FRAME HORN ON THE PASSENGER SIDE WAS RUSTED THROUGH. ALSO, THE IDLER ARM BRACKET IS IN DANGER OF FALLING OFF BECAUSE OF THE SEVERE RUST PROBLEM. THE DRIVERS SIDE FRAME HORN WHERE THE GEARBOX MOUNTS HAS A LARGE RUST HOLE ALSO. I HAD THE COMPLETE FRAME INSPECTED FOR RUST. THERE ARE RUST HOLES IN THE FRAME WHERE THE TRANSMISSION SUPPORT IS MOUNTED TO THE FRAME ON LEFT AND RIGHT SIDES. IS THIS TRUCK EVEN SAFE TO DRIVE IN THIS RUSTY CONDITION? IT HAS 146,000 MILES ON IT.. I BELIEVE THERE ARE MANY OTHER DODGE VEICHLES OUT THERE WITH THE SAME ISSUES. A CLASS ACTION LAWSUIT IS IN ORDER.

NHTSA ID

10785565

Incident

Jun 1, 2015

Mileage

140,000 mi

MY SON WAS DRIVING HOME FROM HIGH SCHOOL BAND PRACTICE WHEN HE LOST CONTROL AND HIT A TREE HEAD ON FIRE DEPARTMENT HAD TO BRAKE WINDOW TO GET HIM AND THE BOY WITH HIM OUT OF THE TRUCK. NEITHER AIR BAG WENT OFF.I CALLED THE 800 NUMBER AND REPORTED IT. WAS TOLD TRUCK TO OLD

NHTSA ID

10776440

Incident

Aug 26, 2015

Mileage

1,740,000 mi

DROVE MY 1998 DODGE RAM 1500 TO EMPTY MY TRASH, STARTED BACK HOME AND HAD DRIVEN LESS THAN 1/4 MILE WHEN THE TRUCK HESITATED LIKE IT WAS GOING TO STALL OUT AND THERE WAS SOME SMOKE BEGINNING TO COME UP THROUGH DASH AREA ON DRIVERS SIDE. THINKING I MIGHT HAVE A BUSTED RADIATOR HOSE I IMMEDIATELY PULLED OVER IN THE YARD OF PERSON DOING REPAIR WORK ON AN OLD BUILDING. WHEN I OPENED MY TRUCK DOOR ON DRIVERS SIDE FLAMES SHOT BETWEEN THE INSIDE OF THE DOOR AND SEAT. I JUMPED OUT OF THE TRUCK BUT WAS NOT INJURED. THE MAN SAW FLAMES SHOOTING FROM THE TRUCK AND I WAS VERY FORTUNATE HE HAD A FIRE EXTINGUISHER. HE KEPT SPRAYING THE TRUCK UNDER THE HOOD AND WAS ABLE TO GET THE FIRE UNDER CONTROL JUST AS THE VOLUNTEER FIRE DEPARTMENT TRUCK SHOWED UP. THERE WERE A LOT HOT SPOTS AND THE FIREMAN KEPT SPRAYING IT WITH WATER UNTIL IT FINALLY QUIT SMOKING. THE MAIN PART OF THE FIRE WAS RIGHT AT THE FRONT OF THE CAB OF THE TRUCK BELOW THE MOTOR. YOU COULD SEE THE FIRE BURNING FROM THE SIDE LOOKING THROUGH THE WHEEL WELLS. THEY SAID IT HAD TO BE CAUSED BY A FAULTY GAS LINE BECAUSE OF THE LOCATION. ALL THE ELECTRICAL WIRING INCLUDING THE WIRING HARNESS WAS MELTED. THANK GOODNESS THE MAN HAD THE FIRE EXTINGUISHER OR THE WHOLE TRUCK WOULD HAVE BURNED. VERY SCARY INCIDENT ESPECIALLY FOR A WOMAN.

NHTSA ID

10747239

Incident

Aug 8, 2015

Mileage

141,000 mi