Dodge Ram Complaints (1998)

1,390 consumer complaints on file.

#10114135March 15, 2005
POWER TRAIN:AUTOMATIC TRANSMISSION
TRANSMISSION NO LONGER HAS REVERSE. THIS WAS REPAIRED ONCE AT DEALERSHIP IN FEBRUARY 04 AT COST OF $2135.41. NOW, TO REBUILD FOR SAME PROBLEM 13 MONTHS AND 22K MILES LATER IS $3064.47 AT SAME DEALER. THEY BLAME INCREASE IN COST OF PARTS. CONTACTED DODGE CONSUMER HELP LINE AND WAS TOLD THAT THERE WAS NOTHING THEY COULD DO DUE TO 12/12 WARRANTY EXPIRED. THEY BLAMED INCREASE COST ON INCREASED LABOR RATE AT DEALERSHIP. BOTH SUGGEST REMANUFACTURED TRANSMISSION AT COST OF $3857.95. CALLED LOCAL TRANSMISISON REPAIR SHOPS AND WAS QUOTED $1100 - $1700 FOR SAME REPAIR, AND BOTH OFFER SAME OR BETTER WARRANTY. SECOND SHOP TOLD ME WHAT MY PROBLEM WAS BY JUST KNOWING YEAR AND MAKE OF MY TRUCK. THERE IS A MANUFACTURER'S PROBLEM WITH THIS TRANSMISSION !!!!!!!!!*AK
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#10113969March 12, 2005
POWER TRAIN:AUTOMATIC TRANSMISSION:TORQUE CONVERTER
HAVING TRANSMISSION PROBLEMS WITH A 1998 DODGE RAM 2500. TRANSMISSION OVERHEATS AND "TRANSTEMP" LIGHT COMES ON AFTER OVERDRIVE SHUTS OF WHILE DOING HIGHWAY DRIVING. TRUCK HAS HIGH MILES BUT I BELIEVE THE PROBLEM IS ATTRIBUTED TO A POORLY DESIGNED TORQUE CONVERTER MALFUNCTIONING AND IS NOT DIRECTLY RELATED TO THE AGE, MILES OR NORMAL WEAR AND TEAR OF THE VEHICLE. I HAVE LEARNED IT IS COMMON TO HAVE THE TRANSMISSION REBUILT OR REPAIRED ONE OR MORE TIMES DURING THE DURATION OF THE TRUCKS LIFE. IF WHAT I HAVE LEARNED IS TRUE THEN THIS IS UNACCEPTABLE BUSINESS PRACTICE FROM DODGE AND THE CONSUMER SHOULD NOT HAVE TO PAY FOR A DEFECT IN MANUFACTURING.*AK
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#10109049March 2, 2005
SEAT BELTS:REAR/OTHER
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
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#10112203February 26, 2005
POWER TRAIN:AUTOMATIC TRANSMISSION, ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING
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
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#10112928February 23, 2005
ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING
THE VEHICLE WAS PARKED IN THE DRIVEWAY OVERNIGHT. WHEN THE CONSUMER WOKE IN THE MORNING THE VEHICLE HAD BURNED. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT TOTALED. PLEASE PROVIDE MILEAGE INFORMATION. *JB
Crash:
No
Fire:
Yes
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#10111583February 16, 2005
SERVICE BRAKES, HYDRAULIC:ANTILOCK/TRACTION CONTROL/ELECTRONIC LIMITED SLIP
WHILE TURNING LEFT AT 10 MPH THE BRAKES FAILED,CAUSING CONSUMER'S VEHICLE TO REAR END ANOTHER VEHICLE. THE VEHICLE WAS TOWED THE SECOND TIME. DEALERSHIP WAS NOTIFIED, BUT DID NOT RESOLVE THE PROBLEM. *AK
Crash:
Yes
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#10109820February 4, 2005
ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING:ENGINE:DIESEL
I DROVE THE TRUCK AS NORMAL AND THE BLOCK DEVELOPED A CRACK IN THE RIGHT SIDE THE FAILURE IS THE WATER JACKET OF THE BLOCK THAT KEEPS THE COOLING FLUID INSIDE THE ENGINE. THIS MEANS I AM NOT ABLE TO DRIVE THE TRUCK WITHOUT FILLING THE COOLING FLUID EVERY 300 MILES. THIS IS A 53 BLOCK MANY PEOPLE HAVE HAD PROBLEMS WITH THESE!!!!! I CONTACTED DODGE AND THE SAY THERE IS NOTHING THEY CAN DO. I WILL NEED A NEW BLOCK/ENGINE...$6500 FOR A NEW ONE..$3500 FOR USED. *JB
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#10111198January 26, 2005
POWER TRAIN:MANUAL TRANSMISSION
THE VEHICLE'S MANUAL TRANSMISSION FAILED. *NM THE LOCKNUT WAS INADEQUATE TO ENSURE THAT THE 5TH GEAR WAS FULLY ENGAGED. THE TRANSMISSION FAILED WHILE PULLING A 5TH WHEEL RV. *SC
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#10108778January 24, 2005
SERVICE BRAKES, HYDRAULIC:ANTILOCK/TRACTION CONTROL/ELECTRONIC LIMITED SLIP, AIR BAGS
WHILE DRIVING,THE CONSUMER TRIED TO AVOID ANOTHER VEHICLE THAT WAS COMING INSIDE OF THE LANE. WHEN THE CONSUMER APPLIED THE BRAKES, THE PEDAL WENT TO THE FLOOR. THE CONSUMER WAS UNABLE TO MAINTAIN CONTROL OF THE VEHICLE AND HIT A GUARD RAIL AND FLIPPED INTO A DITCH. BOTH AIR BAGS DID NOT DEPLOY. THE DRIVER SUSTAINED HEAD INJURIES. THE DRIVER WENT TO THE HOSPITAL ON HIS OWN. THE VEHICLE WAS TOWED AND TOTALED BY THE INSURANCE COMPANY. PLEASE PROVIDE ADDITIONAL INFORMATION. *JB
Crash:
Yes
Fire:
No
Injuries:
1
Deaths:
0
#10107640January 20, 2005
EXTERIOR LIGHTING:HEADLIGHTS:SWITCH
HEADLIGHT SWITCH OVERHEAT/FIRE NO HEADLIGHTS, DRIVING LIGHTS. FAILURE WITHOUT WARNING REPLACED WIRING AND HEADLIGHT SWITCH WITH FACTORY NEW PARTS. NO RECALL AVAILABLE FOR MY MODEL, PREVIOUS YEARS HAD RECALL FOR HEADLIGHT SWITCH BURNOUT. *JB
Crash:
No
Fire:
Yes
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#10105862January 6, 2005
STRUCTURE:BODY:BUMPERS
SEVERE CORROSION OF PAINTED FRONT AND REAR BUMPERS COMPOMISES THE STRUCTURAL INTEGRITY OF THE BUMPERS.*AK
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#10105865January 6, 2005
SEAT BELTS:REAR/OTHER
98 DODGE RAM 1500 PICK-UP. SEAT BELT FAILURE LEADING TO THE RELEASE OF INFANT CAR SEAT. CALLED CHRYSLER CUSTOMER SERVICE ON MORE THAN ONE OCCASION ONLY TO BE TREATED LIKE A CHILD AND TOLD THERE WAS NOTHING THEY COULD DO.*AK WHILE DRIVING MY PICK UP AND STOPPING AT A TRAFFIC LIGHT, MY SONS INFANT SEAT CAME LOOSE AND LUNGED FORWARD. HE WAS ABOUT1 YEAR OLD AT THE TIME AND AS A RESULT, HIT HIS HEAD ON THE BACK OF THE PASSENGER SEAT. THE SEAT BELTS ARE DESIGNED IN A MANNER THAT THERE IS A LITTLE PEICE OF PLASTIC THAT RETAINS THE BELT PORTION, IN TURN, THIS IS WHAT RETAINS THE INFANT SEAT. BOTH MY WIFE AND I TOOK CLASSES AT THE LOCAL DEALARSHIP SO AS TO BE ABLE TO DO THE INSTALLATION CORRECTLY LONG PRIOR TO THIS EVENT. I DID TAKE THE TRUCK IN TO TRY AND HAVE THE NOW FAULTY BELTS REPLACED ONLY TO BE TURNED AWAY. I NOW HAVE TO COMB THROUGH THE LOCAL JUNK YARDS FREQUENTLY TO FIND NEW BELTS WITH ALL THE CORRECT PIECES. I STILL HAVE THE TRUCK AND ONLY RECENTLY LEARNED OF YOUR SITE. HOW CAN FAULTY SEAT BELTS BE IGNORED. CURRENTLY, BOTH THE DRIVERS AND PASSENGERS BELTS DO NOT FUNCTION CORRECTLY. THE DATE BELOW AND THE FOLLOWING MILAGES ARE APPROX. GUESSES. I HAVE ALSO PUT (1) FOR NUMBERED OF PERSONS INJURED, BUT IT WAS NOTHING SEVERE LUCKILY.
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
1
Deaths:
0
#10101656January 5, 2005
AIR BAGS:FRONTAL
CONSUMER'S VEHICLE REAR ENDED ANOTHER VEHICLE IN FRONT AT AN IMPACT OF 30-40 MPH, AND NEITHER FRONTAL AIR BAG DEPLOYED. CONSUMER REPORTED NO INJURIES. DEALER WAS NOTIFIED.*AK THE CONSUMER STATED THAT DAMAGE TO VEHICLE $9607.80 USING RECYCLED PARTS. CHRYSLER NOTIFIED THE DEALER STATING PARAMETERS FOR AIRBAG DEPLOYMENT WERE NOT MET. THE CONSUMER STATED THE THE VEHICLE HAS BEEN REPAIRED BUT DOES NOT KNOW IF THE AIR BAGS WORK OR NOT. *TC
Crash:
Yes
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#10103730December 14, 2004
SERVICE BRAKES, HYDRAULIC:ANTILOCK/TRACTION CONTROL/ELECTRONIC LIMITED SLIP
WHILE BRAKING LOW SPEED ABS BRAKES ENGAGED. THIS CAUSED EXTENDED STOPPING DISTANCE. DEALERSHIP WAS NOTIFIED, BUT DID NOT RESOLVE THE PROBLEM. *AK
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#10100565November 26, 2004
SEAT BELTS:FRONT:RETRACTOR
SEAT BELT FAILURE IN 1998 DODGE RAM--ONLY 13000 MILES, NEVER IN AN ACCIDENT. I GOT IN VEHICLE ONE DAY, AND SEAT BELT WAS LOCKED IN RETRACTED POSITION--CAN NOT FREE. CURIOUSLY ENOUGH, PASSENGER SEATBELT WOULD ALSO NOT UNREEL FOR ANYONE ELSE TO USE. SIMULTANEOUS FAILURE OF BOTH SEATBELTS? I HAVE NEVER OWNED A VEHICLE WHERE EVEN ON HAS DONE MORE THAT BE A LITTLE SLOW ON THE UPTAKE, BUT FOR BOTH TO FAIL OVERNIGHT LEADS ME TO BELIEVE THERE MAY BE A DESIGN FLAW.*AK
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#10098719November 12, 2004
POWER TRAIN:AUTOMATIC TRANSMISSION
AT 35 DEGREE OR COLDER ORJUST RAINY DAYS WITH WARM TEMP.TRANSMISSION WILL NOT SHIFT INTO OVERDRIVE ,CAN DRIVE 15 MILES ON HIGHWAY IN 3RD GEAR. WHEN IT DOES SHIFT INTO OVERDRIVE AND I HIT A BUMP IN ROAD IT WILL GO OUT OF OVERDRIVE. ALSO THE ENGINE WILL REV AS IF IT IS TRYING TO SWITCH OUT OF OVERDRIVE. ALL OF THESE FACTORS ARE RESULTING IN INCREASED FUEL USAGE, WHICH AT $2 A GALLON IS BECOMING AN EXPENSIVE PROBLEM. I WAS TOLD AT TIME OF PURCHASE,THIS WAS A NORMAL FUCTION OF THE TRANSMISSION, BOUGHT TRUCK FEB. 2003 AND BROUGHT TRUCK BACK 2 TIMES TO A CHYSLER DEALER AND WAS TOLD SAME STORY, DEALER IS NOW NO LONGER IN BUSINESS AND MY WARRANTY HAS EXPIRED, BUT STILL HAVE PROBLEM. *JB
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#10098662November 11, 2004
LATCHES/LOCKS/LINKAGES, ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING
I HAVE HAD MY VAN SINCE 98 GOT IT NEW THE DEALERSHIP HAD MY VAN MORE THEN I HAVE, THEY FIXED ONLY A FEW PROBLEMS I HAVE HAD OTHER PROBLEMS THEY COULDN'T FIND. THE SIDE PASSENGER DOORS WOULDN'T UNLOCK, WHEN COMING TO A STOP SECONDS AFTER STOPPING I WOULD FEEL A HICK COMING FROM THE BACK END, ON VACATION AFTER RESTING AT A WAYSIDE WHILE ENTERING HIGHWAY THE YOU HEARD A CLICK FROM THE ENGINE THEN YOU LOSS ALL POWER IT WOULDN'T GO ANY FASTER THEN 30-35 MPH, TOOK VAN IN AFTER THIS ONE GUY AT SHOP SEEN MY HANDICAP DAUGHTER AND WENT IN BACK TO GET A PAPER HE THEN GAVE ME, PAPER WAS FROM DODGE TELLING OF THIS PROBLEM AND NOT TO SHOW TO ANY CUSTOMERS,HE GAVE THIS PAPER TO ME,AND TO THIS DAY I STILL HAVE SAME PROBLEMS,ALL PLASTIC LINING INSIDE OF VAN HAS CRACKED ABOUT 6 MONTHS AFTER GETTING VAN, GO THROUGH BRAKES LIKE CRAZY, AND VAN ALWAYS PULLS TO RIGHT . THERE ARE SO MANY PROBLEMS WITH THIS VAN I CAN'T LIST THEM ALL,TRIED TO RETURN VAN AFTER 7 MONTHS THEY WOULDN'T TAKE IT BACK. *JB
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#10092675November 3, 2004
FUEL SYSTEM, OTHER:DELIVERY:FUEL PUMP
THE LIFT PUMP THAT FEEDED THE INJECTOR PUMP FAILED, AND WAS COSTLY TO REPLACE IT. VEHICLE LOST POWER. *AK *SC
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#10092919November 1, 2004
FUEL SYSTEM, GASOLINE:DELIVERY:FUEL PUMP
ON MARCH 2003 WHILE DRIVING VEHICLE STALLED, AND WAS DRIVEN TO THE NEAREST DEALERSHIP, WHO REPLACED BOTH FUEL PUMPS AT MANUFACTURER'S EXPENSE. ONE YEAR LATER VEHICLE HAS THE SAME SYMPTOM AS THE PREVIOUS YEAR. DEALERSHIP INDICATED AGAIN IT WAS THE INJECTOR FUEL PUMP, BUT WAS NOT ANY LONGER UNDER WARRANNTY. JUST THE PART WILL COST CONSUMER $1400 PLUS LABOR. *AK *TC
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#10095899October 17, 2004
ELECTRICAL SYSTEM:HORN
HORN FAILS TO SOUND APPROXIMATELY 60% OF THE TIME. FORCE REQUIRED AND SIZE OF ACTIVATING AREA ON STEERING WHEEL WERE SEVERELY OVERLOOKED BY DESIGN ENGINEERS. I AM A 6' TALL PHYSICALLY ACTIVE MALE AND I HAVE A VERY DIFFICULT TIME SOUNDING HORN (VERY DANGEROUS) *JB
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0

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