1998 Dodge Ram Problems

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 1998 DODGE RAM VAN WITH AFTERMARKET BENDIX BRAKES (MODEL NUMBER: 13481).THE CONTACT WAS DRIVING 10 MPH WHEN THE BRAKES WERE APPLIED BUT THE VEHICLE DID NOT RESPOND, CAUSING THE CONTACT CRASHED INTO THE REAR OF ANOTHER VEHICLE. THERE WERE NO INJURIES.THE CONTACT DID NOT CALL THE MANUFACTURER OF THE VEHICLE OR THE BRAKES IN REGARD TO THE FAILURE. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 90,000. THE VIN WAS NOT AVAILABLE.

TL*THE CONTACT OWNS A 1998 DODGE RAM 1500. THE CONTACT STATED THAT WHILE DRIVING AT APPROXIMATELY 40 MPH, THE BRAKE PEDAL WENT TO THE FLOORBOARD WHEN DEPRESSED. THE BRAKE INDICATOR LIGHT ALSO ILLUMINATED. THE BRAKES ALSO FAILED INTERMITTENTLY. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO AN AUTHORIZED DEALERSHIP FOR A DIAGNOSTIC TEST AND THE CONTACT WAS INFORMED THAT THE BRAKING SYSTEM WAS FUNCTIONING PROPERLY BUT THE FAILURES WERE CAUSING BY AN ELECTRIC COMPONENT. THE VEHICLE WAS AT THE DEALERSHIP FOR REPAIR AT THE TIME OF THE COMPLAINT. THE CURRENT AND FAILURE MILEAGES WERE APPROXIMATELY 115,000.

TL*THE CONTACT OWNS A 1998 DODGE RAM. WHILE DRIVING VARIOUS SPEEDS, THE AIR BAG WARNING INDICATOR RANDOMLY ILLUMINATES AND THE AIR BAG CHIME WILL BEGIN TO SOUND. THE HORN IN THE VEHICLE HAS ALSO STOPPED WORKING. THE CONTACT TOOK THE VEHICLE TO THE DEALER AND PROVIDED THEM WITH INFORMATION HE FOUND ONLINE REGARDING NHTSA CAMPAIGN ID NUMBER 01V153000 (AIR BAGS). HE WAS INFORMED THAT THE VIN WAS NOT INCLUDED IN THE RECALL, ALTHOUGH THE FAILURES WERE IDENTICAL. THE CONTACT WOULD BE RESPONSIBLE FOR THE REPAIR COSTS. THE VEHICLE IS CURRENTLY AT THE DEALER AND THEY STATED THAT THE CLOCK SPRINGS WERE THE CAUSE OF THE FAILURES IN THE HORN AND THE AIR BAGS. THE AIR BAG SYSTEM WAS COMPLETELY DISABLED AND WOULD NOT DEPLOY IN THE EVENT OF A CRASH. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 124,000 AND CURRENT MILEAGE WAS 125,000. UPDATED 10/20/08. *LJ UPDATED 10/21/08. *JB

TL*THE CONTACT OWNS A 1998 DODGE RAM. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE AIR BAG INDICATOR LIGHT ILLUMINATES AND AN ALARM SOUNDS FOUR TIMES INTERMITTENTLY. EVENTUALLY, THE AIR BAG LIGHT DIMS. THE CONTACT WILL HAVE THE VEHICLE INSPECTED. THERE ARE TWO AIR BAG RECALLS (NHTSA CAMPAIGN ID NUMBERS 01V153000 AND 99V002000); HOWEVER, THE MANUFACTURER STATED THAT HIS VEHICLE WAS NOT INCLUDED IN EITHER ONE. THE CURRENT MILEAGE WAS 120,000 AND FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 119,800.

WHILE DRIVING VEHICLE STALLED. DRIVER WAS UNABLE TO RESTART VEHICLE, AND HAD IT TOWED TO DEALER. MECHANIC DETERMINED THAT TRANSMISSION AND ENGINE NEEDED TO BE REPLACED DUE TO WEAR AND TEAR. *AK

THE RPMS INCREASED, AND THE GEARS POPPED ON THE VEHICLE ON THEIR OWN. TOOK VEHICLE TO REPAIR SHOP FOR CHECK UP, AND RESULTS SHOWED THAT A NEW TRANSMISSION NEEDED TO BE REPLACED.*AK

TL*THE CONTACT OWNS A 1998 DODGE RAM 1500. THE CONTACT STATED THAT WHILE DRIVING AT APPROXIMATELY 40 MPH, THE BRAKE PEDAL WENT TO THE FLOORBOARD WHEN DEPRESSED. THE BRAKE INDICATOR LIGHT ALSO ILLUMINATED. THE BRAKES ALSO FAILED INTERMITTENTLY. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO AN AUTHORIZED DEALERSHIP FOR A DIAGNOSTIC TEST AND THE CONTACT WAS INFORMED THAT THE BRAKING SYSTEM WAS FUNCTIONING PROPERLY BUT THE FAILURES WERE CAUSING BY AN ELECTRIC COMPONENT. THE VEHICLE WAS AT THE DEALERSHIP FOR REPAIR AT THE TIME OF THE COMPLAINT. THE CURRENT AND FAILURE MILEAGES WERE APPROXIMATELY 115,000.

TL*THE CONTACT OWNS A 1998 DODGE RAM. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE BRAKE LIGHTS AND INTERIOR LIGHTING FAIL TO DIM WHEN THE VEHICLE IS TURNED OFF. PRIOR TO THE FAILURES, SHE NOTICED THAT THE INSTRUMENT PANEL LIGHTS WOULD NOT DIM. THE VEHICLE HAS NOT BEEN DIAGNOSED BY THE DEALER. THE CURRENT AND FAILURE MILEAGES WERE 132,216. UPDATED 07/28/09. *LJ UPDATED 07/30/09.*JB

WHILE DRIVING VEHICLE STALLED. DRIVER WAS UNABLE TO RESTART VEHICLE, AND HAD IT TOWED TO DEALER. MECHANIC DETERMINED THAT TRANSMISSION AND ENGINE NEEDED TO BE REPLACED DUE TO WEAR AND TEAR. *AK

TRUCK HAS BEEN NOTHING BUT PROBLEMS REPLACED MANY PARTS FOR LEAKS AND TRANSMISSION PROBLEMS ENGINE LIGHT CONSISTENTLY COMES ON EVEN AFTER REPAIRS. TRUCK BUCK WHEN ACCELERATING LOOSES ENGINE POWER. WOULD LIKE IT FIXED I READ OTHER COMPLAINTS AND THEY HAD THE SAME PROBLEM. I PUT A LOT OF MONEY INTO THE TRUCK AND HAVE NOT YET BEEN ABLE TO FIX PROBLEM BECAUSE THEY CANT SEEM TO FIGURE OUT THE CAUSE. PROBLEM HAS BEEN ON GOING SINCE VEHICLE WAS PURCHASED. *JB

ALL WARRANTY SERVICE AT CLIFFS AUTOSVR-GOODYEAR-SPRINGTOWN.*MR THE VEHICLES REAR END HAD TO BE REPLACED DUE TO WEAR. *NM

CONSUMER STATES THAT THE REAR END FAILED WHILE DRIVING 50 MPH. DEALER NOTIFIED. FEEL FREE TO PROVIDE ANY FURTHER INFORMATION. MR

AT 58,000 MILES, THE STEERING COLUMN IN MY DODGE RAM 1500 PICK UP NEEDS TO BE REPLACED. THERE IS A NOISE WHEN THE WHEEL IS TURNED IN EITHER DIRECTION. I WAS TOLD BY THE DEALER THAT THE ENTIRE STEERING COLUMN NEEDS TO BE REPLACED. I WROTE A LETTER TO CHRYSLER ABOUT THE PROBLEM BECAUSE MY EXTENDED SERVICE CONTRACT DOES NOT COVER THE STEERING COLUMN. THE LETTER WAS WRITTEN ON APRIL 5TH OF THIS YEAR AND I JUST CALLED CHRYSLER TO INQUIRE ABOUT AN ANSWER AND WAS TOLD MY REQUEST FOR "GOOD FAITH" ASSISTANCE HAS BEEN DENIED. I DO NOT USE THIS VEHICLE FOR COMMERCIAL OR OFF ROAD DRIVING AND DO NOT FEEL THE STEERING COLUMN SHOULD FAIL WITH ONLY 58,000 MILES OF NORMAL DRIVING. THE MANUFACTURER WANTS NOTHING TO DO WITH THE REPAIR OTHER THAN TAKE MY $400-$500 FOR THE REPAIR. I HAVE SEARCHED YOUR DATABASE AND HAVE FOUND NO OTHER ISSUES SIMILAR TO MINE WITH THE YEAR AND MODEL OF MY TRUCK. I AM ALSO RECEIVING NO ASSISTANCE FROM THE DEALER. ACCORDING TO THE SERVICE MANAGER AT THE DEALER THIS IS NOT A SAFETY ISSUE AND I DO NOT NEED TO WORRY ABOUT ANY FAILURE.*AK

WHEN THE TEMPERATURE WAS COLD OUTSIDE IT WAS DIFFICULT TO STEER THE VEHICLE. THE PROBLEM CONTINUED UNTIL THE OUTSIDE TEMPERATURE WARMED UP. THE DEALERSHIP REPLACED THE PARTS 3 TIMES BUT THE PROBLEM STILL OCCURRED. *AK *NLM

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 1998 DODGE RAM VAN WITH AFTERMARKET BENDIX BRAKES (MODEL NUMBER: 13481).THE CONTACT WAS DRIVING 10 MPH WHEN THE BRAKES WERE APPLIED BUT THE VEHICLE DID NOT RESPOND, CAUSING THE CONTACT CRASHED INTO THE REAR OF ANOTHER VEHICLE. THERE WERE NO INJURIES.THE CONTACT DID NOT CALL THE MANUFACTURER OF THE VEHICLE OR THE BRAKES IN REGARD TO THE FAILURE. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 90,000. THE VIN WAS NOT AVAILABLE.

1998 DODGE RAM TIRE FELL OFF WHILE DRIVING. CONSUMER STATES THAT THE TIRE FELL OFF WHILE DRIVING ON THE HIGHWAY. THIS CAUSED THE VEHICLE TO STOP IN THE CENTER LANE OF THE HIGHWAY. *KB THE LUG NUTS WERE MISSING. THE VEHICLE WAS ALSO STRUCK MY ANOTHER VEHICLE. (OHIO TRAFFIC CRASH REPORT # 10-0246-90) *JB

DT*: THE CONTACT STATED WHILE DRIVING THE VEHICLE WITH THE CRUISE CONTROL SET ON 70 MPH IT BECAME STUCK. THE VEHICLE'S SPEED KEPT ACCELERATING, THE ENGINE REVVED. THE BRAKE PEDAL HAD TO BE DEPRESSED VERY HARD TO GET THE VEHICLE TO SLOW DOWN. AFTER SLOWING DOWN THE VEHICLE IT WAS PUT INTO NEUTRAL. THE VEHICLE WAS THEN SHUT OFF; AND TAKEN TO A DEALERSHIP. UPON INSPECTION THE PROBLEM WAS THE CRUISE CONTROL VALVE THAT WAS LOCATED UNDER THE BATTERY. ACID FROM THE BATTERY LEAKED DOWN ONTO THE CRUISE CONTROL VALVE CAUSING IT TO STICK. THE DEALER DISCONNECTED THE CRUISE CONTROL. UPDATED 04/11/06. *JB

WHILE DRIVING ACCELERATOR STUCK, UNABLE TO STOP VEHICLE, RESULTING IN AN ACCIDENT.*AK

WHILE DRIVING 70 MPH VEHICLE VIBRATED VIOLENTLY. THEN , DRIVER NOTICED FLAMES COMING FROM THE REAR OF THE VEHICLE. VEHICLE WAS TOTALED DUE TO SEVERE DAMAGE. *AK

RETURN FUEL LINE CORRODED AND HAD BEGUN TO LEAK RESULTING IN FUEL LEAKING ONTO THE ENGINE, THIS FAILURE COULD HAVE RESULTED IN AN ENGINE FIRE.*AK *NLM

MY HUSBAND ORDERED THIS TRUCK IN LATE 1997. WE PURCHASED IT NEW AND HAVE HAD NUMEROUS PROBLEMS WITH THE VEHICLE. THE BIGGEST PROBLEM WE HAVE FACED IS THE TRANSMISSION. MID-APRIL 1998 THE FIRST PROBLEMS OCCURED WITH SLIPPAGE, THE TRANSMISSION COOLING LINES WERE REPLACED, ONE MONTH LATER THE TORQUE CONVERTER WENT AND REPAIRS WERE MADE. NOW AT 51,000 MILES AND VERY LITTLE DRIVING FOR THE LAST 2 YRS (SINCE MY HUSBAND HAS BEEN SICK WITH CANCER) IT HAS BLOWN AGAIN. THE FRONT SEALS ARE LEAKING PROFUSELY. THE REAR WINDOW WAS LEAKING SO BADLY AT ONE POINT THE ENTIRE CEILING INSIDE WAS SOADED. THE ABS COMPUTER WENT WACKY ON US EARLY ON ALSO. THE SEATBELT HAS BEEN TWISTED SINCE WE PURCHASED THE VEHICLE AND WE HAVE NOT SUCCESSFULLY FIXED IT. THE EXTENDED WARRANTY WE PURCHASED HAS GONE OUT OF BUSINESS. I WILL NOT LIKELY BUY ANOTHER DODGE EVER AGAIN. MERCEDES TAKES THE CAKE.

THE TRANSMISSION FAILED DUE TO LACK OF LUBRICATION. JUST GO TO JASPER.COM. THEY SAY THAT 1995 TO 2001 DODGE TRUCK TRANSMISSIONS HAVE A HIGH RATE OF FAILURE DUE TO LACK OF LUBRICATION. SEEMS THAT DODGE PUT TO LOW A VOLUME PUMP IN ALL THESE TRANSMISSIONS. LOCAL TRANSMISSION REBUILDERS TELL ME THAT YOU CAN NOT LET THE TRUCK IDLE BECAUSE THE TRANNY GETS NO LUBRICATION AT LOW RPM'S. SO DURING THE WINTER WHILE YOU ARE WAITING FOR THE WINDSHEILD TO CLEAR OFF TO DRIVE IN THE NORTHEAST WHERE IT SNOWS. YOU ARE DAMAGING YOUR TRANNY. THE TRANNY OVER HEAT LIGHT NEVER CAME ON JUST THE SERVICE ENGINE LIGHT.DODGE SAYS THERE IS NOTHING WRONG. I HAVE A LIST OF OTHER PEOPLE WHO HAVE HAD DODGE TRANNY PROBLEMS. ONE IS MY BROTHER-IN-LAW.

THE SPARE TIRE MECHANISM THAT HOLD THE TIRE UNDER THE BED BROKE. THIS FAILURE WAS VERY DANGEROUS SINCE IT OCCURRED WHILE I WAS DRIVING, MY SPARE TIRE FELL ONTO THE STREET AND ROLLED. LUCKILY I WAS IN A 35 MPH AREA, BUT CARS STILL HAD TO MOVE OUT OF THE WAY OF THE ROLLING TIRE. HAD I BEEN ON THE INTERSTATE, IT COULD HAVE BEEN DISASTROUS. *TR

GOODYEAR, WRANGLER, P265/75R16 , DOT#4B73D5DR1900 SIDEWALL SEPARATION ON FRONT PASSENGER'S SIDE. CONSUMER WAS DRIVING AT HIGHWAY SPEED WHEN SEPARATION OCCURRED. TIRES HAD LESS THAN 20,000 MILES ON THEM. *AK

THE SPARE TIRE MECHANISM THAT HOLD THE TIRE UNDER THE BED BROKE. THIS FAILURE WAS VERY DANGEROUS SINCE IT OCCURRED WHILE I WAS DRIVING, MY SPARE TIRE FELL ONTO THE STREET AND ROLLED. LUCKILY I WAS IN A 35 MPH AREA, BUT CARS STILL HAD TO MOVE OUT OF THE WAY OF THE ROLLING TIRE. HAD I BEEN ON THE INTERSTATE, IT COULD HAVE BEEN DISASTROUS. *TR

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 1998 DODGE RAM. THE CONTACT STATED THAT WHILE THE VEHICLE WAS PARKED HE NOTICED THE DASH BOARD OF THE VEHICLE WAS CRACKED BADLY. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE WEATHER WAS NOT HOT AND WAS NOT A FACTOR WITH THE VEHICLE DASH BOARD DEFECT. THE CONTACT HAD PIECES OF THE DASHBOARD FLY INTO HIS EYES. HE TOOK THE VEHICLE TO THE DEALER FOR DIAGNOSTIC AND TESTING. THE DEALER STATED THAT THE OWNER OF THE VEHICLE WOULD HAVE TO PAY FOR THE REPAIRS. THERE HAD BEEN NO REPAIRS DONE AT THE TIME OF THE COMPLAINT. THE APPROXIMATE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 74,000. THE APPROXIMATE CURRENT MILEAGE WAS 85,000.

THE TODDLER WAS STRAPPED IN THE BOOSTER SEAT BY THE LAP AND SHOULDER BELTS IN THE REAR OF THE QUAD CAB. CONSUMER HAD TO HIT BRAKES SUDDENLY TO KEEP FROM BEING INVOLVED IN A COLLISION. AFTER APPLYING THE BRAKES THE SEAT BELT ALLOWED THE TODDLER TO STRIKE HIS HEAD ON THE FRONT SEAT. DEALER STATED THAT THE SEAT BELT WORKED PROPERLY.*AK THE CONSUMER STATED THAT THE FIRE DEPARTMENT WAS CONSULTED BUT DOES NOT HAVE A REMEDY. *TC

MY HUSBAND ORDERED THIS TRUCK IN LATE 1997. WE PURCHASED IT NEW AND HAVE HAD NUMEROUS PROBLEMS WITH THE VEHICLE. THE BIGGEST PROBLEM WE HAVE FACED IS THE TRANSMISSION. MID-APRIL 1998 THE FIRST PROBLEMS OCCURED WITH SLIPPAGE, THE TRANSMISSION COOLING LINES WERE REPLACED, ONE MONTH LATER THE TORQUE CONVERTER WENT AND REPAIRS WERE MADE. NOW AT 51,000 MILES AND VERY LITTLE DRIVING FOR THE LAST 2 YRS (SINCE MY HUSBAND HAS BEEN SICK WITH CANCER) IT HAS BLOWN AGAIN. THE FRONT SEALS ARE LEAKING PROFUSELY. THE REAR WINDOW WAS LEAKING SO BADLY AT ONE POINT THE ENTIRE CEILING INSIDE WAS SOADED. THE ABS COMPUTER WENT WACKY ON US EARLY ON ALSO. THE SEATBELT HAS BEEN TWISTED SINCE WE PURCHASED THE VEHICLE AND WE HAVE NOT SUCCESSFULLY FIXED IT. THE EXTENDED WARRANTY WE PURCHASED HAS GONE OUT OF BUSINESS. I WILL NOT LIKELY BUY ANOTHER DODGE EVER AGAIN. MERCEDES TAKES THE CAKE.

VEHICLE'S PASSENGER SIDE MIRROR SHOWS INACCURATELY. PLEASE PROVIDE ADDITIONAL INFORMATION. *PH

A SMALL CRACK WAS DEVELOPING ON REARVIEW WINDOW GOING DOWN TOWARDS DRIVER'S SIDE. CONSUMER HAS CONTACTED DEALER, WHO AGREED TO CORRECT THE PROBLEM. PLEASE PROVIDE ANY FURTHER DETAILS.*AK

WHILE DRIVING THE HEADLIGHT SWITCH ASSEMBLY HAS CAUGHT ON FIRE WITHOUT WARNING. *AK

HEADLIGHT "WINKED" OFF AND ON SEVERAL TIMES THEN QUIT WORKING, THEY RETURNED TO NORMAL OPERATION AFTER ABOUT 10 MIN. DT

TL*THE CONTACT OWNS A 1998 DODGE RAM. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE BRAKE LIGHTS AND INTERIOR LIGHTING FAIL TO DIM WHEN THE VEHICLE IS TURNED OFF. PRIOR TO THE FAILURES, SHE NOTICED THAT THE INSTRUMENT PANEL LIGHTS WOULD NOT DIM. THE VEHICLE HAS NOT BEEN DIAGNOSED BY THE DEALER. THE CURRENT AND FAILURE MILEAGES WERE 132,216. UPDATED 07/28/09. *LJ UPDATED 07/30/09.*JB

HOOD LATCH POPPED OPEN WHILE DRIVING. WAS ABLE TO PULL OVER TO THE SHOULDER, CLOSED THE HOOD, AND DROVE VEHICLE TO THE DEALER FOR INSPECTION. MECHANIC INFORMED CONSUMER THAT THIS VEHICLE WAS NOT RECALLED. *AK

PRIOR TO THE RECALL, THE TRAILER HITCH ATTACHMENT WAS CRACKED AND DETERIORATED, THE DEALER REPLACED TRAILER HITCH.*AK CONSUMER ALSO STATED THAT THE AIR CONDITION WAS NOT BLOWING COLD. *YD

I BOUGHT THE DODGE JUNE 1998, FROM THE FIRST MONTH I HAVE HAD PROBLEMS.I HAD BOTH FRONT SIDE WINDOWS FALL DOWN, WIPER BLADE LINKAGE BREAKS, ENGINE SURGES, DOOR LIGHTS WON'T COME ON, THE AIR CONDITIONING BLOWER/MOTOR SHORTED OUT, AND THE INTERIOR LIGHTS/TV/VCP/CD PLAYER WILL SHUT OFF AT TIMES. EVERYTHING EXCEPT THE INTERIOR EQUIPMENT HAS BEEN CORRECTED, THEY STILL SHORT OUT. THE PROBLEM WITH ELECTRICAL SHORTS HAS EXPANDED. ON THE WAY HOME FROM VACATION JUST OUTSIDE OF ST. LOUIS ON INTERSTATE 44, WE WERE PASSING A DIESEL TRUCK GOING ABOUT 70 MPH WITH ANOTHER DIESEL TRUCK FOLLOWING US WHEN THE ENGINE SHUTS OFF. LUCKY FOR US THE TRUCK BEHIND US WAS PAYING ATTENTION. THE TRUCK CAME WITHIN INCHES OF HITTING US, IF IT DID MY WHOLE FAMILY COULD HAVE BEEN KILLED. MY SON MANAGED TO PULL THE VAN OVER TO THE SIDE OF THE ROAD. WE HAD AAA TOW THE VAN TO A DODGE DEALER IN BOURBON, MO. THE NEXT DAY THE MACHANIC FOUND THE PROBLEM. THE ASD 20AMP FUSE BLEW, THE ASD FUSE IS LOCATED UDER THE HOOD IN THE POWER DISTRIBUTION CENTER. THE ASD FUSE HANDLES ENGINE CONTROLS/FUEL PUMP. THE DEALERSHIP IN BURBON COULD NOT FIND THE PROBLEM, BUT HE DID GIVE US EXTRA FUSES TO GET US HOME. WE HAD TO STOP AT WALMARKS TO BUY EXTRA FUSES. ON THE WAY HOME THE ASD FUSE BLEW OUT 4 TIMES. WHEN WE GOT BACK HOME, I TOOK THE VAN BACK TO THE DEALER WHERE I BOUGHT IT FOR REPAIR, CUMBERLAND VALLEY MOTORS, THEY ANSWERED WITH THEIR STOCK QUOTE, UNABLE TO DUPLICATE AT THIS TIME. I DON'T KNOW IF THE ASD FUSE BLEW OUT DUE TO ENGINE HEAT, BAD WIRING, OR IF THE INTERIOR CONTROL PANEL WHICH HANDLES THE INTERIOR LIGHTS/TV/VCP HAS A SHORT IN IT. THE VEHICLE IS DANGEROUS TO DRIVE AND IF I HAVE THIS PROBLEM, THEN THEIR MIGHT BE OTHER DODGE VANS WITH THE SAME PROBLEM. HOW MANY ACCIDENTS HAPPENED ALREADY OR WILL HAPPEN?