1998 Dodge 1500 Powertrain (other) Problems

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

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

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

WHEN BACKING THE VEHICLE OUT OF THE GARAGE, I NOTICED AN OILY SUBSTANCE IN THE CENTER OF THE VEHICLE DIRECTLY BELOW THE REAR DIFFERENTIAL. INSPECTING THE VEHICLE, I COULD SEE THERE IS A LEAK EMANATING FROM THE DRIVE-SHAFT AND DIFFERENTIAL WHERE THE PINION SEAL IS LOCATED. THERE IS A RECALL ON THE PINION SEAL FOR THE 2009 AND 2010 MODEL YEARS THAT DOES NOT COVER MY 2008 DODGE RAM 1500. I BELIEVE THE RECALL NEEDS TO EXTEND TO THE 2008 MODEL YEAR ALSO.

NHTSA ID

10747167

Incident

Aug 6, 2015

Mileage

41,000 mi

I WAS DRIVING DOWN A 45MPH ROAD AND THE TRUCK WAS NOT SHIFTING SO I PULLED TO THE SIDE SHUT IT OFF TURNED IT BACK ON THE CHECKED ALL THE GEARS AND EVERYTHING SEEMED FINE THEN I TRIED DRIVING AGAIN AND IT STALLED WHILE DRIVING DOWN THE ROAD AND WILL NOT START AND THE ENGINE MAKES A WEIRD RUMBLE NOISE. *TR

NHTSA ID

10572941

Incident

Mar 17, 2014

Mileage

211,077 mi

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 1998 DODGE RAM 1500. THE CONTACT STATED THAT HE RECEIVED NOTIFICATION OF NHTSA CAMPAIGN ID NUMBER: 13V038000 (POWER TRAIN) SEVERAL MONTHS AGO AND WAS INFORMED BY THE DEALER THAT THE PART FOR THE REPAIR WAS NOT AVAILABLE. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOT CONTACTED ABOUT THE ISSUE. THE CONTACT HAD NOT EXPERIENCED A FAILURE.

NHTSA ID

10535132

Incident

Aug 13, 2013

THE CONTACT OWNS A 1998 DODGE RAM 1500. THE CONTACT STATED THE STRUCTURE BODY OF THE VEHICLE HAS ROTTED AWAY. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO A MECHANIC FOR ROUTINE MAINTENANCE AND WAS INFORMED THAT THE STRUCTURE WAS RUSTED AND CORRODED. THE VEHICLE WAS UNDRIVABLE. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOT NOTIFIED. THE VIN WAS UNKNOWN. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 98,000. MW

NHTSA ID

10460447

Incident

May 30, 2012

Mileage

98,000 mi

TRANSMISSION SLIPS INTO NEUTRAL WHEN TURNING CORNERS. WE HAVE TO LET THE ENGINE IDLE DOWN AND WAIT 15 TO 30 SECONDS BEFORE TRANSMISSION CATCHES. *TR

NHTSA ID

10455048

Incident

Jan 2, 2012

Mileage

90,000 mi

I OWN A 1998 DODGE RAM 1500 EXTENDED CAB. I BOUGHT THE VEHICLE NEW. FOR SEVERAL YEARS THE DASH HAS BEEN CRACKING AND THE PLASTIC AIR CONDITIONING VENTS ARE FALLING APART. I HAVE MADE NO REPAIRS AND IT NEEDS FIXING. ALSO THE REAR END IS ROARING PROBABLY FROM A BEARING GOING BAD. OTHER THAN THIS PROBLEM, IT HAS BEEN A GOOD TRUCK. *TR

NHTSA ID

10421089

Incident

Aug 22, 2011

Mileage

130,000 mi

THE DRIVER SEAT BELT BECAME UNBUCKLED VARIOUS TIMES. I HAVE REPLACE THE BUCKLE SIDE OF IT ON MY OWN. ALSO THE REAR END IS MAKING NOISE RIGHT AFTER WARRANTY EXPIRED, NOW I'M SUPPOSED TO REPLACE IT ONMY OWN. *TR

NHTSA ID

10261919

Incident

Aug 12, 2005

Mileage

39,898 mi

REAR END LOCKUP GEARS WORN TO LOCKUP. *TR

NHTSA ID

10219767

Incident

Feb 19, 2008

Mileage

64,437 mi

LOUD DRIVE TRAIN NOISE COMING FROM TRUCK. SERVICED AT 70K BY DODGE DEALERSHIP, REPLACING REAR DIFFERENTIAL/BEARINGS. TRUCK IS NOW MAKING SAME NOISE AT 99K AND FIRST ESTIMATE OF REPAIR INDICATES REAR DIFFERENTIAL/BEARINGS AGAIN. *NM

NHTSA ID

10152075

Incident

Feb 20, 2006

Mileage

99,000 mi

TRANSMISSION LEAKAGE..AXEL FLUID LEAKAGE..THIS IS THE THIRD VECHILE THAT THIS DEALERSHIP HAS PUT US IN IN 15 MONTHS!!THE TRUCK WE HAVE NOW ISNT SAFE AND THEY REFUSE TO FIX IT AND THEY ARE RESPONSIBLE BECAUSE THEY DID NOT GIVE US A WARRANTY LIKE THEY TOLD US WHEN WE BOUGHT TRUCK IN APRIL. *AK

NHTSA ID

10088572

Incident

May 1, 2004

Mileage

13,100 mi

HORN IS HARD TO BLOW. REAR END MAKES WHINING NOISE AND IT STARTED USING 5 QUARTS OF OIL BETWEEN OIL CHANGES. I ONLY HAVE 36000 MILES ON IT. THEY REPLACED MANIFOLD INTAKE GASKET AT MY EXPENSE. THE FUEL GAUGE DOES NOT WORK RIGHT. LUCKILY I DIDN'T RUIN THE ENGINE THAT I KNOW OF. I UNDERSTAND THERE HAVE BEEN A LOT OF PROBLEMS WITH INTAKE GASKETS. HOW LONG DOES IT TAKE TO GET A RECALL ON DEFECTIVE PARTS? *JB

NHTSA ID

10055028

Incident

Jan 26, 2004

98 DODGE RAM 1500 QUAD CAB - THE BEARINGS IN THE REAR END AXLE ASSEMBLIES OF THESE TRUCKS FAIL PREMATURELY. I HAVE FOUND MANY INQUIRIES OVER THE INTERNET ABOUT THIS PROBLEM. ALL OF THE VEHICLES HAVE LOW MILEAGE (LESS THAN 100000 MILES) AND THE BEARINGS HAVE WORN OUT. THERE IS A LOUD WHINING NOISE FROM THE REAR END ASSEMBLY. *JB

NHTSA ID

10038965

Incident

Sep 15, 2003

Mileage

98,600 mi

HAVE EXPERIENCED FAILURE IN PASSENGER SIDE REAR AXLE 1998 DODGE RAM. GOING TO OPEN REAR END ON 5/26/03 FOR INSPECTION. HAVE APPROX. 1/4 IN HORIZONTAL MOVEMENT IN AXLE. FROM CHECKING SITE CONCLUDE THAT THIS MAY NOT BE ISOLATED FAILURE AS FIRST SUSPECTED BUT MAY BE FAILURE IN HEAT TREAT OF AXLE OR BEARING NOT SET CORRECTLY. VEHICLE HAS 68,200 MILES. *NLM

NHTSA ID

10019285

Incident

May 25, 2003

Mileage

68,200 mi

WHILE DRIVING THE REAR DIFFERENTIAL BROKE. THE DEALER WAS NOTIFIED. *NLM

NHTSA ID

10015559

Incident

Apr 9, 2003

FROM THE DAY I SAW THAT 96 DODGE TRUCK ROLLING DOWN THE STREET I FELL IN LOVE. I SAVED EVERY WAY POSSIBLE TO PURCHASE THE BIG BAD 1500 4X4 5.9(98)WITH EVERY OPTION AVAIL. HAD EVERYTHING AND FROM WEEK 1 HAD PROBLEMS. FRONT WINDSHIELD CRACKED WHILE DRIVING "DUE TO FRAME STRESS" IT ABOUT 2 WEEKS INTO IT. BRAKE FAILURE CAUSE SERIOUS ASSAULT ON GUARD RAIL, AND DODGE SAID I MUST HAVE BEEN DRIVING TO FAST (@ 30 MPH). THEY REFUSED ANY WARRANTY BECAUSE "NOTHING CAN TOUCH THE WHEEL" AND SINCE THE INCIDENT OCCURRED AFTER 93 DAYS LEMON LAWS DID NOT APPLY SO AFTER (2) $900 BRAKE JOBS TWO WEEKS APART EVERYTHING WAS FINE. NOT TO MENTION DAMAGE TO BODY I PAID FOR OUT OF POCKET. NOW I JUST GO THROUGH AN ENTIRE SET OF BRAKES EVERY 6 MONTHS. BUT I STOP UNTIL THEN.. I REPLACED THE TRANSMISSION AT 38 K MILES, NOTE THE WARRANTY ON THAT IS 36 K MILES. I HAVE HAD STEERING LINKAGE BECOME SO LOOSE INSTANTANEOUSLY (OR 3 SEPARATE OCCASIONS) THAT IT FELT LIKE I WAS RUNNING OVER MY OWN AXLE, WHICH IS ANOTHER $1000 EACH TIME. FOR THE PAST THREE EMISSIONS INSPECTIONS THE ON BOARD COMPUTER FAILS SO I HAVE TO TAKE IT TO THE DEALER WHILE THEY CHARGE $200 TO FIX IT, BUT WILL NOT GIVE STRAIGHT ANSWER TO WHAT IS PROBLEM. AND TO NIGHT AS I TYPE, I SPREAD THE GRIME OF ENGINE CRUD ACROSS MY KEYBOARD AS I TRY TO FIGURE OUT WHY THE FUEL FILTER SUDDENLY STOPPED. AMAZINGLY I HAVE HAD THIS TRUCK FOR 5 YEARS BECAUSE IT HAS KEPT ME TOO BROKE TO BUY SOMETHING ELSE. ANY "LEGAL" SUGGESTIONS ON WHAT CAN BE DONE WOULD BE APPRECIATED. I RECOGNIZE I HAVE SPENT MORE THAN $15,000 TRYING TO KEEP THIS THING RUNNING RIGHT, AND THAT IS TOO MUCH FOR A "LATE MODEL" TRUCK. I WOULD LOVE TO BLAME A DEALER BUT I HAVE BEEN TO JUST ABOUT ALL OF THEM AROUND HERE AND WITH THE SMILES ON THERE FACES I HEAR "THAT WILL BE ANOTHER $950 SIR".. GOOD GRIEF. *NLM

NHTSA ID

10010863

Incident

Mar 21, 2003

REAR RIGHT AXLE SEAL HAS FAILED FOR THE SECOND TIME IN LESS THAN 2 YEARS. REAR RIGHT BRAKE IS RENDERED USELESS HENCE WAS A FACTOR IN AN ACCIDENT THE 1ST TIME THE SEALS FAILED. CORPORATE REJECTS THE CLAIM AS WELL AS THE DEALERSHIP WHICH "REPAIRED" THE SEALS LAST TIME. CUSTOMER IS LEFT TO EAT THE COST. NLM

NHTSA ID

767609

Incident

Sep 19, 2002

GEAR SELECTOR SHAFT BROKE INSIDE STEERING COLUMN HOUSING, 3 DEALERS COULD NOT FIX THE PROBLEM BECAUSE THE ENTIRE STEERING COLUMN HAS TO BE REPLACED. *TT . ZLSO, STEERING COLUMN/TRACK BAR FOR FRONT AXLE, AND CATALYTIC CONVERTER MALFUNCTIONED. *AK

NHTSA ID

566786

A LOUD HUMMIMG NOISE WOULD COME FROM VEHICLE WHILE DRIVING. DEALER NOTIFIED AND INFORMED CONSUMER THAT REAR BEARING AXLE SHAFT NEEDED TO BE REBUILT. *AK CONSUMER STATES THAT THIS IS THE SECOND TIME THE REAR BEARING AXLE SHAFT FAILED. *TT

NHTSA ID

8007366

Incident

Apr 5, 2002

DURING NORMAL OPERATION OF THE VEHICLE AT ANY SPEED, THERE IS A LOUD "HUMMING NOISE" COMING FROM REAR OF TRUCK. AN INDEPENDENT MECHANIC DIAGNOSED THAT BEARINGS AND GEARS FOR THE REAR AXLE HAVE TO BE REPLACED. PLEASE PROVIDE ANY ADDITIONAL INFORMATION / DOCUMENTATION.*AK

NHTSA ID

8002242

Incident

Jan 1, 2002

REAR AXLES SEALS LEAKED LUBRICANT ON THE BRAKE SHOES CAUSING LOSS OF BRAKING. THIS PROBLEM A VERY SERIOUS SAFETY CONCERN WHEN TOWING A TRAILER DUE TO LOSS OF BRAKING AND COULD CAUSE A POSSIBLE ACCIDENT. THE SECOND ISSUE IS THE FUEL SENDER IN THE FUEK TANK FAILING.THE FUEL GAUGE READING WILLINDICATE ZERO TO FULL RANDOMLY, THUS YOU NEVER KNOW HOW MUCH FUEL RESERVE YOU HAVE. THIS HAS BEEN REPLACED ONCE BEFORE UNDER WARRANTY. UPON INSPECTION THE THE SENDING UNIT THE WIPER MECHANISM APPEARS TO WEAR OUT PREMATURELY AND SENDING ERRONEOUS SIGNAL TO THE FUEL GAUGE IN THE DASH.*AK

NHTSA ID

754724

Incident

Oct 5, 2001

THE REAR AXLE BEARINGS AND SEAL HAD TO BE COMPLETELY REPLACED. THE PROBLEM WAS DETECTED FROM HEARING SOME REAR AXLE NOISE. PH *JB **DIMSII IVOQ ENTRY POSTED AFTER 12/12/02 CUT OVER TO ARTEMIS**753546

NHTSA ID

10006950

Incident

Oct 19, 2001

Mileage

41,642 mi