1998 Dodge 1500 Steering Problems

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

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

THE PIVOT POINT IN THE STEERING SYSTEM ALLOWS THE WHEELS IF NOT IN PERFECT CONDITION, THE OPPORTUNITY TO TURN INWARDS. THIS INWARD MOTION THE FRONT WHEELS PERFORM AT 40 MPH-50MPH IS UNACCEPTABLE. ALSO THE DASHBOARD CRACKS LIKE PEANUT BRITTLE, ALLOWING PIECES OF SHARP HARD PLASTIC TO FLY INTO THE WINDSHIELD, WHICH AS PER STANDARD NO. 219 IS NOT MEETING REGULATIONS. IN THE EVENT OF A CRASH, METAL IS NOW EXPOSED TO THE PASSENGERS DUE TO THIS CRACKING AND BREAKING APART. DO SOMETHING BEFORE PEOPLE GET SERIOUSLY INJURED BECAUSE CHRYSLER WANTS TO MAKE MONEY. HELP US. THIS IS A LEMON 2ND GENERATION RAM MODEL AND NO ONE IS TAKING RESPONSIBILITY. *TR

NHTSA ID

10651275

Incident

Oct 14, 2013

Mileage

100,000 mi

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 1998 DODGE RAM 1500. THE CONTACT STATED THAT WHILE DRIVING APPROXIMATELY 10 MPH, THE DRIVER SIDE AIR BAG ERRONEOUSLY DEPLOYED. THE CONTACT INDICATED THAT DURING THE INCIDENT THE VEHICLE HAD NOT MADE CONTACT WITH ANYTHING TO CAUSE THE AIR BAG TO DEPLOY. THE DRIVER SUFFERED AN INJURY TO THE LEFT. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT DIAGNOSED OR REPAIRED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOTIFIED OF THE FAILURE BUT NO REMEDY WAS OFFERED. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 165,000. UPDATED 8/28/14*CN THE CONSUMER STATED THE MANUFACTURER DID NOT OFFER ANY ASSISTANCE. THE AIR BAG MODEL NECESSARY FOR THE REPAIR IS NO LONGER AVAILABLE. THE VEHICLE WAS WITHOUT A HORN. THE ENTIRE STEERING COLUMN NEEDED TO BE REPAIRED. UPDATED 11/6/2014 *JS

NHTSA ID

10615078

Incident

Jul 18, 2014

Mileage

165,000 mi

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 1998 DODGE RAM 1500. THE CONTACT STATED THAT WHILE DRIVING 5 MPH IN REVERSE, HE NOTICED THAT THE STEERING WHEEL HAD BECOME ABNORMALLY LOOSE. THE CONTACT ATTEMPTED TO DRIVE FORWARD BUT HE TURNED THE WHEEL RIGHT AND THE VEHICLE WENT LEFT. THE CONTACT THEN EXITED THE VEHICLE AND NOTICED THAT THE SUB FRAME WAS RUSTED. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT TAKEN TO THE DEALER FOR INSPECTION. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT REPAIRED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOT NOTIFIED. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 130,000. UPDATED 11-04-13 *BF UPDATED 11/8/2013 *JS

NHTSA ID

10543420

Incident

Jul 26, 2013

Mileage

130,000 mi

LOWER STEERING COLUMN SEPARATED FROM THE UPPER STEERING COLUMN. UPON INSPECTION BOLT ON THE UNIVERSAL JOINT OF THE LOWER STEERING COLUMN, BOLT WAS NEVER SEATED PROPERLY FROM THE FACTORY. IT WAS CROSS THREADED IN THE ALUMINUM U JOINT. THE BOLT WAS NEVER SEATED ALL THE WAY, THERE IS BLACK PAINT ON THE BOLT WERE THIS IS EVIDENT. *JB

NHTSA ID

10202321

Incident

Sep 6, 2007

Mileage

81,650 mi

STEERING PROBLEMS WONDERING NEEDED NEW STEERING BOX ROD AND PIN AND TIE RODS ON FRONT ALSO PAINT IS ALL COMING OFF. *JB

NHTSA ID

10138487

Incident

May 15, 2004

Mileage

45,000 mi

MY GIRLFRIEND'S SON WAS DRIVING OUR 1998 DODGE RAM 1500 GOING ABOUT 35 OR 40 MILES PER HOUR (HE AND HIS GIRLFRIEND WERE TAKING A RIDE WAITING FOR A PIZZA) SO JUST MOSING ALONG THANK GOD . HE ROUNDED A CURVE AND LOST STEERING HE TRIED TO JERK IT BACK AND SAID IT MADE A CRACKING NOISE AND HE HAD NO STEERING ABILITY. HE RAN OFF THE ROAD STRIKING TREES, KNOCKED HIMSELF OUT BY HITTING HIS HEAD ON THE DRIVERS SIDE WINDOW. WHEN HE CAME TO, HIS GIRLFRIEND WAS KNOCKED OUT. HE GOT HER ALERT AND CALLED 911. SHE WAS LIFE FLIGHTED, 5 BROKEN RIBS, MAJOR CONCUSSION AND HE HAD CUTS AND SCRATCHES AND A CONCUSSION. HE WAS TREATED AND RELEASED. I ASKED THE INSURANCE ADJUSTER TO CHECK IT BUT HE LOOKED AT IT (NEVER TORE THE STEERING COLUMN APART) AND SAID IT LOOKED OK. THEY MOVED IT TO A SALVAGE YARD. SINCE THE ACCIDENT 3 PEOPLE HAVE TOLD ME THEY HAD THE SAME PROBLEM WITH THEIR RAM 1500. NOW HER SON IS BEING FINED FOR DRIVING TOO FAST AROUND THE CURVE..GUESS IT IS ALWAYS A FINE NEVER A TRUE ACCIDENT ANYMORE, BUT I AM JUST THANKFUL THAT THE KIDS ARE BOTH ALIVE AS THE TRUCK WAS TOTALED FROM THE TREES AND STUMPS THEY HIT. HER SON FEELS HE MAY HAVE LEANED ON THE GAS PEDAL WHEN HE WAS KNOCKED OUT BUT KNOWS HE WAS ONLY GOING 40 MPH TOPS PRIOR TO THE STEERING FAILING. *JB

NHTSA ID

10118290

Incident

Mar 8, 2005

Mileage

58,000 mi

CONSUMER NOTICED WHILE SHIFTING VEHICLE OUT OF PARK INTO DRIVE GEARS POSITION WERE SWITCHED AROUND, MAKING IT IMPOSSIBLE FOR CONSUMER TO SHIFT TO CORRECT GEAR. VEHICLE WAS SERVICED, TECHNICIAN NOTICED STEERING COLUMN NEEDED TO BE REPLACED. *AK

NHTSA ID

10038332

CONSUMER STATES THAT THE VEHICLE IS SHAKING AND SHIMMERING DUE TO DEFECTIVE TIE ROD ENDS. DEALER HAS BEEN CONTACTED.*AK

NHTSA ID

10029529

Mileage

51,000 mi

BROKENT TIE ROD AT 53,000 MILES. *AK

NHTSA ID

10028432

Incident

Jul 13, 2003

Mileage

53,379 mi

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

ON JULY 22ND 2002 I WAS STOPPED IN TRAFFIC, A FORD TRUCK HIT ME FROM BEHIND DOING 35MPH. THE IMPACT PUSHED ME INTO THE CAR AHEAD OF ME IT ENDED UP BEING A 5 CAR PILE UP. IN WHICH MY TRUCK FRONT AND REAR BUMPER WAS SMASHED IN. I WAS THROWN FORWARD INTO THE STEERING WHEEL CAUSING SEVERE PAIN DAYS LATER. I WAS REALLY SURPRISED THE AIR BAGS DID NOT DEPLOY. THE REAR DRIVERS PANEL BENT AND ALSO THE TRANSMISSION COOLANT RADIATOR WAS SMASHED IN.. IT CAUSED 3700.00 DAMAGES TO MY TRUCK AND 2500.00 TO THE CAR(HONDA) IN FRONT OF ME.*AK

NHTSA ID

767041

Incident

Jul 22, 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

HEARING NOISES IN STEERING COLUMN CAN RESULT IN A VEHICLE CRASH. CAUSE UNKNOWN. DEALER NOTIFIED.*AK

NHTSA ID

8014142

Incident

Jun 26, 2002

LOST CONTROL WHILE DRIVING /STRUCK A PHONE POLE, AND ROLLED OVER. UPON IMPACT, NEITHER AIR BAG DEPLOYED. FEEL FREE TO PROVIDE ANY FURTHER INFORMATION.*AK

NHTSA ID

8011478

Incident

Jun 7, 2002

I HAD TO REPLACE THE STEERING COLUMN AND COCKSPRING AT 62237 MILES IN OCT 2000. MY FIRST INDICATION SOMETHING WAS WRONG WAS DRIFTING AT SPEED AND A GRINDING NOISE FROM THE STEERING COLUMN. MY CHOICE THE FIRST TIME ACCORDING TO THE DODGE DEALER WAS TO LET IT GO AND RISK COMPLETE FAILURE OF THE STEERING OR REPLACE IT. I REPLACED IT. NOW 17 MONTHS LATER IN MAR 2002 THE GRINDING HAS RETURNED. WHILE I FACE THE PROSPECT OF REPLACING THE STEERING ONCE AGAIN IT IS NOT NORMAL FOR FREQUENT WEAR AND TEAR OF A STEERING SYSTEM. I PURCHASED THE VEHICLE IN SC, BUT HAVE SINCE MOVED TO UTAH. I DO NOT USE THE VEHICLE FOR OFF-ROAD RECREATION OR FOR HEAVY LOADS. I HAVE ONLY USED THE VEHICLE ON 3 OCCASIONS FOR TOWING. ANY ASSISTANCE WOULD BE GREATLY APPRECIATED. *AK

NHTSA ID

759659

Incident

Mar 18, 2002

VEHICLE WAS IN REVERSE, ATTEMPTED TO DRIVE BACK IN REVERSE, BUT VEHICLE WAS STILL IN DRVE. CONSUMER SLAMMED ON BRAKES, AND WENT BACK TO REVERSE, AND DROVE. BUT VEHICLE WAS STIL THE SAME. CONSUMER HAD TO TURN VEHICLE OFF TO GET IT CORRECTLY INTO GEAR. SERVICE MANAGER REFERRED THE CONSUMER TO TO ANOTHER MECHANIC, WHO HAD TO REPLACE STEERING COLUMN.*AK

NHTSA ID

895670

Incident

Aug 31, 2001

CRONIC PROBLEMS IN SAFTEY RELATED ITEMS: STEERING, TIRES, MIRRORS FUEL SYSTEM

NHTSA ID

746543

FUEL SENDING UNIT WENT OUT. THIS INDICATED THAT TANK WAS EMPTY. TOOK VEHICLE TO DEALER . DLR PUT IN A FUEL PUMP,.BUT PUMP WAS DEFECTIVE, AND DEALER SENT PART BACK. CONSUMER HAS BEEN OUT OF A CAR 2 WEEKS. *AK FUEL SENSOR FAILED AND LATER ON THE FUEL PUMP FAILED TOO. *YH

NHTSA ID

877153

Incident

Oct 15, 2000

ANY TIME WHEN TURNING VEHICLE WOULD MAKE NOISES. WHEN MAKING A SHARP TURN AND GOING SLOWLY IT WILL CONTINUE TO MAKE NOISES. CONTACTED DEALER, THEY REPLACED THE STEERING COLUMN. *AK

NHTSA ID

858654

Incident

Jan 1, 2000

SUDDEN LOSS OF STEERING CONTROL ARMS CAUSED THE VEHICLE TO RUN INTO A DITCH RESULTLING IN MAJIOR DAMAGE FOR THE VEHICLE. YH

NHTSA ID

549341

Incident

Jun 28, 1999

WE STARTED TO HAVE PROBLEMS WITH THE VAN SINCE IT WAS PURCHASED, WE WENT BACK TO THE DEALER RIGTH AFTER WE NOTICED A FEW PROBLEMS WITH THE VAN, SUCH AS CAR PULLING TO THE RIGTH AND A LOUD THUMP SOUND COMING FROM THE RIGTH REAR SIDE EVERY TIME WE PASS THOSE SPEED BUMPS. AND WHEN THEY INSPECTED THE VAN THEY (THE DEALER TECHNICIANS), TOLD ME THAT A SHOCK ABSORVER NEEDED TO BE REPLACE AND ALIGNMENT WAS NEEDED AS WELL. AFTER THIS TWO THINGS WERE DONE, EVERYTHING WENT DOWN THE HILL....WHEN I DROVE HOME THE VAN I NOTICED THAT VAN WAS PULLING STILL TO THE RIGTH AND A NOISE WAS COMING FROM THE LEFT FRONT SUSPENSION WHEN BRAKING, IS MORE LIKE A CRACKING NOISE, I'LL MENTION THAT THIS WAS'T HAPPENING ALL THE TIME, BUT THE PULLING TO THE RIGTH WAS. WE WENT BACK WITH THEM, THEY ALIGNED AGAIN...BUT, THIS TIME THE VAN WAS NOT PULLING TO THE RIGTH BUT TO THE LEFT INSTEAD, THIS HAPPEND WHEN DRIVING STRAIGTH OR WHEN BRAKING AS WELL, WE WENT BACK TO THE SAME DEALER, BUT AFTER SOME ATTEMPSOF FIXING THIS PROBLEM AND A VERY UNPLEASENT EXPERIENCES WITH THEIR (CUSTOMER REPRESENTAIVES) AT DESPLAINES DODGE DEALER, NOT TO TRY AGAIN WIH THEM, WE CONTACTED CHRYSLER REPRESENTATIVES, AND TOLD THEM ABOUT THE VERY DUMB COMMENT THE CUSTOMER REPRESENTATIVE OF DESPLAINES DODGE DEALER, THAT THEY SUGGESTED TO TAKE THE VAN TO A 5 STARS SHOP THE COMMENT THE CUSTOMER REPRESENTATIVE MADE WAS (THAT THE VAN WAS PULLING TO THE RIGTH BECAUSE IT WAS A SAFETY FEATURE BUILD IN THE VAN TO PREVENT PEOPLE WANDER TO THE TO THE LEFT IN CASE THE FELL SLEEP, THIS WAS A VERY DUMB THING TO SAID. SO FINALLY WE WENT TO THAT 5 STARS DEALER, AND A (BIG) INPROVEMENT WAS ACHIEVE, THE VAN WAS PULLING LESS BUT ON THIS OCCASION INSTEAD OF PULLING TO RIGTH IT STARTED TO PULL TO THE LEFT AND THE STEERING WHEEL WAS NOT STRAIGHT, IT WAS CROOCKED TO THE LEFT AND BEFORE WAS TO THE RIGHT. I NOTICED MORE PLAY ON THE STEERING WHEEL. I'LL MENTION THAT EVER SINCE WE HAVE THIS VAN IN OUR POSSESSION THE STEERING WHEEL NEVER TH. *AK

NHTSA ID

708250

Incident

Jun 6, 1998

STEERING BUSHING COLLAR FAILED. MJS

NHTSA ID

608000

Incident

Jan 1, 1998

POWER STEERING HOSE FAILED. YH

NHTSA ID

607245

Incident

Mar 1, 1998