1998 Dodge Dodge Truck Owner Complaints

I OWN A1998 DODGE RAM TRUCK THAT I PURCHASED 5 YEARS AGO WITHIN THIS PAST YEAR IV NOTICED MY DASH BOARD CRACKING AND IT SEEMED TO BE GETTING WORSE TILL I WAS DRIVING HOME FROM WORK A BIG CHUNK OF DASH BOARD BLEW UP AND HIT ME RIGHT IN THE FACE I ALMOST WRECKED MY TRUCK IT COULD HAVE BEEN FATAL SOMETHING HAS TO BE DONE ABOUT THIS BEFORE SOMEONE IS KILLED IF THERE IS A DEFECT IN THESE DODGE TRUCKS DASHBOARDS THEY SHOULD LET THE OWNER OR PUBLIC AWARE SO THEY CAN BE FIXED. *TR

NHTSA ID

10276363

Incident

Jun 15, 2009

Mileage

135,000 mi

DODGE 1500 RAM SPORT PICK UP. DASH COVER BROKE IN PIECES. A WHILE LATER I NOTICE THE TWO FRONT SPEAKERS STOP WORKING, THE SPEEDOMETER STOP WORKING, EVERY ONCE IN A WHILE THE DASH LIGHTS GO CRAZY, THE TOP 12 VOLT ADAPTER STOPS WORKING, ETC. ALSO SEAT BELTS DON'T RETRACT CORRECTLY, AND DRIVER SIDE BUCKLE HAD TO BE REPLACED. *TR

NHTSA ID

10276346

Incident

Jul 10, 2007

Mileage

97,348 mi

CRACKED AND BROKEN DASH. *TR

NHTSA ID

10189637

Incident

Jan 1, 2007

DEFECTIVE DRIVER AND PASSENGER SEAT BELT, IN 98 DODGE RAM. I HAVE CONTACTED THE DODGE HEADQUARTERS, WHEN THE SEATBELTS FAILED THE FIRST TIME TWO YEARS AGO, HQ STATED THAT THEY WOULD PAY FOR LABOR ONLY, AND NOT REPLACE THE PART. DODGE REPLACED THE SEATBELT SENSOR WHICH IS ELECTRONIC UNDER THE SEATS, THE WIRES GET PINCHED OFF, WHEN THE SEATS ARE MOVED FORWARD AND BACK THEREFORE CREATING A SHORT IN THE WIRES, AND THUS THE SEATBELTS FAIL B/C THEY ARE ON AN ELECTRONIC WEIGHT SYSTEM. I DO NOT HAVE THE MONEY IT TAKES TO CONTINUALLY REPLACE THESE EVERY TWO YEARS, I THINK THIS SHOULD BE LOOKED INTO SINCE IT IS A SAFETY HAZARD. *TR

NHTSA ID

10188901

Incident

Feb 13, 2007

Mileage

65,000 mi

ON MARCH 8,2002 A SHORT TIME AFTER TAKING DELIVERY OF USED 1998 DODGE GRAND CARAVAN SE VIN # G WITH ONLY 41,950 MILES. IN FEBRUARY ,2002 THE ENGINE BEGAN MAKING A LOUD PRONOUNCED TAPPING SOUND. AFTER I RETURNED THE VEHICLE TO THE DEALER PLAZA MOTORS OF BROOKLYN INC.(AKA) PLAZA DODGE LTD. AND WAS TOLD THE ENGINE HAD TO BE REPLACE. AND THE DEALER ABOVE INSTALLED A USED ENGINE FROM VIN#R WITH 58,310 MILES AND LESS THEN 12 MONTHS THE SECOND ENGINE HEAD GASKET FAIL. THEN THE TRANSMISSION. BASE ON THE INFORMATION ABOVE AND THE REPORTS FROM OTHER CONSUMERS NHTSA SHOULD INVESTIGATE THESE DEFECTS AS A REAL TIME SAFETY PROBLEM. *NM

NHTSA ID

10139217

Incident

Mar 8, 2002

Mileage

42 mi

I OWN 1998 DODGE SPORT FULL SIZED PICKUP THAT HAS A LOUD BANG WHEN TURNING CORNERS. THE CONSUMER WANTS TO KNOW IF THE TRUCK IS COVERED UNDER SOME RECALL THAT WAS POSTED IN THE PAST. *BF *NM THE SHAKING WAS COMING FROM THE STEERING. *SC *TC *JB

NHTSA ID

10108702

Incident

Jan 1, 1901

AT APPROXIMATELY 40,000 MILES I HAD TO HAVE THE BALL JOINTS REPLACED ON MY 1998 DODGE DAKOTA. MY MECHANIC ADVISED ME THAT BEFORE CHANGE THE BALL JOINTS THAT I SHOULD TAKE MY VEHICLE TO MY LOCAL DODGE DEALERSHIP AND SEE IF THEY WOULD COVER THE COST. THEY RESPONDED BY TELLING ME THAT MY BALL JOINTS WERE FINE. THE REASON I WENT TO MY MECHANIC WAS BECAUSE I HAD HAD MY VEHICLE ALIGNED FOUR TIMES IN THE FIRST 30,000 MILE AND MY TRUCK STILL PULLED TO ONE SIDE. THAT WAS WHEN I WENT TO AN UNBIASED PARTY TO TELL WHAT THE PROBLEM WAS. I HAD THIS REPAIR WORK DONE IN LATE 2002 OR EARLY 2003. *AK

NHTSA ID

10051281

Incident

Jan 1, 2003

Mileage

40,000 mi

I HAVE A '98 DODGE DAKOTA PICKUP TRUCK WITH APPROXIMATELY 58,000 MILES ON IT. THIS PAST JUNE I HAD TO REPLACE A FRONT END BALL JOINT ON THIS VEHICLE. AT THAT TIME THERE WAS APPROXIMATELY 52,000 MILES ON THE TRUCK. THE SAME SYMPTOMS ARE STARTING TO OCCUR AGAIN THAT ACCOMPANIED THE LAST BALL JOINT PROBLEM. SO IT'S LIKELY I WILL HAVE TO REPLACE ANOTHER ONE OF THE JOINTS ON THE SUSPENSION OF THIS TRUCK IN THE NEAR FUTURE. IT SEEMS TO ME THAT CONSIDERING THERE COULD BE DIRE CONSEQUENCES WITH BALL JOINT FAILURE (THE SUSPENSION COLLAPSING AT HIGH SPEED) THAT THE GOVERNMENT WOULD REQUIRE DODGE TO FIX THIS PROBLEM BY IMPROVING THE DESIGN OF THESE JOINTS AND ISSUE A RECALL. I URGE THE NTSB, NTSA, OR WHOEVER TO INVESTIGATE THESE PROBLEMS BEFORE ANYONE ELSE GETS KILLED OR SERIOUSLY INJURED. IF YOU RESEARCH THE WEB, YOU WILL FIND THAT THIS IS A WIDESPREAD PROBLEM ON THESE VEHICLES. *LA

NHTSA ID

10046843

Incident

Jul 15, 2003

Mileage

52,000 mi

THE PRIMARY TRANSFER PUMP HAS A DEFECTIVE DESIGN IN THE ROTARY VANS FILTER WIRE MESS. THE ENDS ARE NOT WELDED. THE WIRE MESS WEAVE ENDS ARE UNDO DUE TO NORMAL DIESEL VIBRATION. THE WIRE MESS FILTER ENDS ARE HITTING ROTARY VANE PUMP. THE RUBBER SEAL MATERIAL IS VERY HARD WITH NO ELASTIC SPRING TO IT. THIS VERY DANGEROUS PUMP DESIGNED. THE MAIN INJECTION WILL LOSE POWER WITH NO WARNING. THE PUMP UNIT IS MADE BY CARTER PART#43188C27B 12 VDC IS POWER SOURCE. THE PUMP IS SOLD THROUGH MOPAR BY CUMMINS ENGINE. THE NEW PUMP #05080885AA PUMP FUEL SECOND #14073001. THE REPLACEMENT COST IS $160.88. ITS DEALER ITEM ONLY. THE LABOR TIME TO INSTALL IS 1 HOUR 65$ TO $75 IS STANDARD CHARGE TO INSTALL THIS UNIT. THE FUEL PUMP DOES NOT COME WITH NEW COPPER GASKETS IT REQUIRE AT LEAST FOUR TO SEAL THE FUEL FITTING. THE PART IS AVAILABLE FOR VIEWING. THE DEALERSHIP WOULD NOT COVER IT DUE TO NO ROAD SIDE TOW. THE VEHICLE MILEAGE WAS APPROXIMATELY 67,740 MILES VID [XXX]. I WOULD LIKE TO POINT OUT THAT THIS VEHICLE HAD FOUR MAJOR FUEL INJECTION PUMPS REPLACED DUE TO ELECTRONIC BOARD FAILURE. IN ALL CASES THE PROBLEM HAPPENED WITH NO WARNING. GMC HAS EXTENDED THEIR 6.5L DIESEL PUMP TO 120,000 MILES OR 12 YEAR TIME PERIOD. *AK INFORMATION REDACTED PURSUANT TO THE FREEDOM OF INFORMATION ACT (FOIA), 5 U.S.C. 552(B)(6). *TR

NHTSA ID

10033413

Incident

Apr 2, 2003

Mileage

67,741 mi

I, NEAL DARSTEIN, AM A PROUD OWNER OF A 1998 DODGE RAM 1500 SLT LARAMIE. I HAVE A COMPLAINT REGARDING THE ABILITY TO USE MY HORN. PLEASE BEAR WITH ME AS THIS IS DIFFICULT TO EXPLAIN CLEARLY WITHOUT ACTUALLY DEMINSTRATING EXACTLY WHAT I MEAN. SINCE THE PURCHASE OF MY TRUCK THE STEERING WHEEL PAD (WHICH IS WERE THE HORN IS LOCATED) IS VERY STIFF/SOLID MAKING IT IMPOSSIBLE TO "USE" OR "SOUND" MY HORN IN THE EVENT OF AN EMERGENCY. I FEEL IT'S A SAFETY HAZARD. EVERY VEHICLE SHOULD HAVE EASY ACCESSIBITY AND USE OF HORN. PLEASE CONTACT ME REGARDING THIS ISSUE. THANK YOU.

NHTSA ID

10000714

Incident

Aug 12, 1998

Mileage

20 mi

NOTICE A OIL RESDUE ON THE INSIDE OF THE FRONT WINDSHIELD. POSSIBLE COMING FROM THE A/C SYSTEM, SECOND OPINION SAID IT WAS COMING FROM THE EVAPERATOR COIL. ON THE WAY TO THE DEALER A LOT OF SMOKE CAME OUT OF THE DASH AND THE A/C STOP COOLING.

NHTSA ID

9002376

Incident

Oct 1, 1999

WAS DRIVING 35 MPH AND ROAD HAD ICY SPOTS. HIT ONE ICY SPOT, BUT RETAINED CONTROL. THEN, HIT ANOTHER ICY SPOT AND LOST CONTROL/ WENT INTO A DITCH ON PASSENGER'S FRONT. VEHICLE WENT AIR BORNE AND HIT FRONT OF VEHICLE ON GROUND. IT THEN ROLLED TWICE. AIR BAGS FAILED TO DEPLOY. VEHICLE LANDED ON ITS PASSENGER SIDE. DRIVER WAS STRAPPED IN. VEHICLE WAS TOTALED. *AK

NHTSA ID

879819

Incident

Feb 4, 2001

TRUCK HESITATES AND BUCKS BETWEEN 40-60 MPH, AT TIMES SEVERE, MFGR CANNOT IDENTIFY PROBLEM, FUEL MILEAGE GETTING WORSE OVERTIME. *AK

NHTSA ID

715183

Incident

May 25, 1999

ANTI LOCK BRAKES DOES NOT ENGAGE. THE BRAKE PEDAL CONTINUES TO GO DOWN AND BRAKING ACTION IS SEVERALLY DOWNGRADED REQUIRING A SUBSTANTIAL ADDITIONAL DISTANCE IN WHICH TO BRING THE VECHILE TO A COMPLETE STOP.

NHTSA ID

712456

Incident

Aug 24, 1999

DRIVER'S SIDE SEAT BELT LOCKS WHEN ITS NOT SUPPOSED AND DOES NOT LET UP SLACK WHEN PULLED. *YC

NHTSA ID

548475

Incident

Aug 30, 1999

WHILE TRAVELING 45MPH IN A DODGE DUALEY, OVER A HILL, HIT A COW. UPON IMPACT, FRONT END WAS PUSHED INTO THE CAB OF VEHICLE & NEITHER AIR BAG DEPLOYED. THERE WERE NO INJURIES. *AK

NHTSA ID

842640

Incident

Apr 2, 1999

ENGINE NOCKING IN LOWER BOTTOM OF ENGINE REPEATED RETURN TO DEALER FOR REPAIRS AND THEY SAY NORMAL SOUND;;;AUTOMATIC TRANSMISSION LEAK ON PAN GASKET AND O-RING SEAL,RETURN TO DEALER FOR REPAIRS,TO NO AVAIL WAS IT FIX CORRECTLY,HAD TO TAKE TO ANOTHER DEALER IT WAS FIX RIGHT,FOR NOW,A/C WAS RECHARGE AT

NHTSA ID

708651

NO SUMMARY LISTED FOR THIS VEHICLE. *AK

NHTSA ID

707749

Incident

Nov 1, 1997

LARGE PIECE OF RUBBER CAME OUT OF TIRE DOWN TO THE STEEL CORDS. (MICHELIN LT 215/85 R16). MJS

NHTSA ID

608037

Incident

Dec 30, 1998

AIR CONDITIONER REFRIGERANT HOSE FAILED. MJS

NHTSA ID

608027

Incident

Sep 1, 1998

VEHICLE JUMPS OUT OF 5TH GEAR WHILE DRIVING. NLM

NHTSA ID

607800

Incident

Aug 25, 1998

ON SEVERAL OCCASIONS THE TRANSMISSION SLIPS OUT OF GEAR ON DIRT ROADS. *YC

NHTSA ID

606256

GREAT WEST VAN DODGE MOTOR HOME (CLASSIC SUPREME) WE DISCOVERED, LAST WEEK THAT THIS VAN SOLD TO US AS A 97(CHASSIS)/98(ALL OTHER) DEMO HAD BEEN INVOLVED IN AN ACCIDENT. HAD WE KNOWN THIS BEFORE, WE WOULD NOT HAVE PURCHASED. WE FELT WE WERE PAYING FOR A NEW VAN - THE $10,000 MILES PUT ON IT BY THE GREAT WEST VAN SALES REP." FOR DRIVING ONLY FROM RV SHOW TO RV SHOW ON WEST COAST." THE ACCIDENT REPORTEDLY OCCURRED IN TEXAS. WE'VE HAD SOME PROBLEMS, MOST OF WHICH WE REPAIRED OURSELVES AS WE DO NOT TRUST THE TECHNICIAN EMPLOYED BY THE DEALER. STILL HAVE A WATER LEAKAGE PROBLEM, BUT MAIN CONCERN IS THE ACCIDENT, AND THE FACT THAT NO HEADRESTS ARE ON THE SEATS. *AK

NHTSA ID

702638

RETURN FUEL LINE FAILED A SECOND TIME ON 11/30/98. THIS WAS THE SUBJECT OF RECALL # 788. REPALCEMENT PART FAILED QUICKER THAN ORIGINAL. DODGE DESCRIBED THIS AS A FIRE HAZZARD.

NHTSA ID

701514

Incident

Nov 9, 1998

POOR DESIGN OF HORN CAUSES DRIVER TO USE EXCESSIVE EFFORT IN AN ATTEMPT TO SOUND THE HORN, SOMETIMES WILL NOT ACTIVATE.

NHTSA ID

542844

Incident

May 1, 1998