Dodge Ram Complaints (1998)

1,390 consumer complaints on file.

#10465768July 16, 2012
SEAT BELTS
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 1998 DODGE RAM 1500. THE CONTACT STATED THAT WHILE PARKED, THE NEITHER FRONT SEAT BELT WOULD EXTEND FROM THEIR RETRACTORS. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT TAKEN TO THE DEALER FOR A DIAGNOSTIC TEST. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT REPAIRED. THE APPROXIMATE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 35,000.
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#10465674July 14, 2012
SERVICE BRAKES, HYDRAULIC, SUSPENSION, STEERING
WHILE TURNING LEFT AT ANY SPEED HAVE A SERIOUS SHUDDER. TRUCK HAS NEW WHEEL BEARINGS TIE ROD ENDS ROTORS AND CALIPERS DONE AT DODGE DEALERSHIP. THE SHUDDER IS HEARD AND FELT IN FLOOR BOARD NOTHING IN BRAKE PEDAL OR STEERING WHEEL. SHUDDER IS LESS AUDIBLE WHEN PUT INTO NEUTRAL AND COASTING WHILE TURNING LEFT. *TR
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#10460447June 4, 2012
POWER TRAIN
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
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#10459238May 22, 2012
FUEL/PROPULSION SYSTEM
I AM AMAZED THERE ARE NO REPORTS ON 1998 1/2 - 2001 MODEL DODGE PICKUPS WITH THE CUMMINS DIESEL ENGINE AS THE BOSCH VP44 MAIN (INJECTOR) FUEL PUMP HAS A FAILURE RATE OF 100%. I'VE HAD 3 FAIL SO FAR & FOR DIESEL MECHANICS IT'S COMMON KNOWLEDGE THAT IT'S NOT A MATTER OF IF THE THE VP44 PUMP WILL FAIL, IT'S JUST A MATTER OF WHEN. THE LAST TIME A PUMP DIED ON ME WAS WHEN I WAS GOING DOWN THE INTERSTATE @ 70 MPH & THE ENGINE JUST SHUT OFF. I KNEW IMMEDIATELY IT WAS ANOTHER FUEL PUMP FAILURE, BUT OTHER DRIVERS MAY NOT REALIZE WHAT WENT WRONG & I'D BE SURPRISED IF THERE HAVEN'T BEEN ANY WRECKS DUE TO VP44 PUMP FAILURE, WHICH GIVES YOU NO ADVANCE WARNING - IT JUST QUITS. IN 2002 DODGE/CUMMINS CHARGED THE FUEL SYSTEM ON THE DIESEL ENGINE FOR DODGE PICKUPS (INCLUDING A DIFFERENT FUEL PUMP), BUT ALL 1998 1/2 THRU 2001 MODELS CAME WITH THE SAME BOSCH VP44 MAIN INJECTOR PUMP. *TT
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#10455048April 12, 2012
POWER TRAIN
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
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#10453808April 2, 2012
TIRES, TIRES:SIDEWALL
ON A 1998 DODGE RAM 2500 THREE OF THE FIVE STOCK GOODYEAR WRANGLER RT/S 245/75 R16 TIRES HAVE BEEN VOLUNTARILY REPLACED BY THE MANUFACTURER FOR SIDEWALL SEPARATION. THE FOURTH TIRE BLEW ONE WEEK AGO WHILE TOWING A LIGHT BOAT (2000LBS) AT APPROXIMATELY 65MPH. I WAS ABLE TO MAINTAIN CONTROL, BUT I HAD MY WIFE AND TWO CHILDREN ABOARD AND AM UPSET THAT THE SAME PROBLEM HAS OCCURRED REPEATEDLY DUE TO AN ADMITTED MANUFACTURER ERROR. THE TIRES HAVE LESS THAN 45,000 MILES ON THEM AND THE REPLACEMENTS ARE SHOWING MINUTE SIGNS OF SIDEWALL SEPARATION WITH LESS THAN 10,000 MILES. TO REPLACE THESE TIRES WOULD COST APPROXIMATELY $800, $1000 WITH THE SPARE. I FEEL ENDANGERED BY THE REPUTATION OF THE TIRES AND TRULY FEEL THAT THE PRODUCT THAT I HAVE PAID FOR HAS FALLEN WOEFULLY SHORT OF EXPECTATION, WHILE OPERATED UNDER VERY LIGHT WORKLOADS AND VERY LOW MILEAGE. I FEEL IT IS THE RESPONSIBILITY FOR GOODYEAR TO PROVIDE A SAFE AND QUALITY PRODUCT THAT MEETS THE DEMANDS OF A LOAD RANGE E TIRE. *TR
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#10453676March 31, 2012
STRUCTURE
THE DASH HAS STARTED CRACKING IN TWO PLACES. *JS
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#10452730March 22, 2012
STRUCTURE
THIS IS MY SECOND DODGE RAM THAT MY DASH HAS CRACKED AND CAME APART. THE LAST ONE WAS A 2002 DODGE RAM. WITH THE SHARP EDGES THIS CAUSES AND THE WIRING DANGERS THIS IS DEFENATLY A HAZARD AND DODGE SHOULD RECALL ALL THESE TRUCKS AND REPLACE AT NO CHARGE. I HAVE SEEN COUNTLESS WEB SITES WITH SO MANY PEOPLE COMPLAINING ABOUT THE SAME THING ITS REDICULAS DODGE CAN GET BY WITH THIS... SO MUCH FOR AMERICAN WORKMANSHIP... *TR
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#10445720January 28, 2012
STRUCTURE
THE DASH BOARD BEGAN TO CRACK, NOW IT IS VIRTUALLY NON EXISTENT. I CANNOT PLACE ANYTHING ON THE DASH BECAUSE IT HAS HUGE CHUNKS MISSING. IF I ROLL DOWN MY WINDOWS ON THE INTERSTATE, SOME MORE PIECES OF THE DASH FALL OFF . IT IS UNUSABLE. IT MAY BE A HAZARD BECAUSE SMALL SHARP PLASTIC PARTS SHOULD NOT BE IN FRONT OF THE DRIVER. I HAVE CUT MY HAND ON THE EDGES WHEN I WAS PICKING UP ALL THE BROKEN SHARDS OF PLASTIC. I AM APPALLED THAT DODGE IS NOT ACCOUNTABLE FOR SHORTCOMINGS IN NEARLY EVERY SINGLE DODGE PICKUP TRUCK. I HAVE HAD MECHANICS THAT HAVE TOLD ME TO GO ELSEWHERE, BECAUSE THEY DID NOT WANT TO BE RESPONSIBLE FOR THE INEVITABLE BREAKING OF THE DASH THAT OCCURS WHEN YOU HAVE TO WORK ON THE INTERIOR. *TR
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#10445718January 28, 2012
STRUCTURE, TIRES:TEMPORARY/EMERGENCY SPARE TIRE
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
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#10444690January 20, 2012
SERVICE BRAKES, HYDRAULIC, EQUIPMENT ADAPTIVE/MOBILITY
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.
Crash:
Yes
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#10441668December 29, 2011
STRUCTURE:BODY, VISIBILITY
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 1998 DODGE RAM 1500. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE DASHBOARD FRACTURED INTO PIECES. THE CONTACT ALSO STATED THAT BOTH SIDE VIEW MIRRORS FRACTURED DOWN THE MIDDLE WHEN THE DEFROST SYSTEM WAS ACTIVATED. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT TAKEN TO HAVE THE FAILURE DIAGNOSED OR REPAIRED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS MADE AWARE OF THE FAILURE AND OFFERED NO ASSISTANCE. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 160,000.
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#10439912December 14, 2011
AIR BAGS
I WENT OFF THE ROAD GOING ABOUT 65 MPH AND HIT A TREE, HEAD ON. THE AIRBAGS DID NOT DEPLOY. I WAS NOT SERIOUSLY INJURED. I HAVE SEARCHED THE INTERNET AND HAVE FOUND THAT THIS IS NOT THE FIRST INCIDENT INVOLVING MY TYPE OF VEHICLE (DODGE RAM). *TR
Crash:
Yes
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#10438502December 4, 2011
EXTERIOR LIGHTING, EXTERIOR LIGHTING:HEADLIGHTS:SWITCH
THIS INCIDENT INVOLVED FAILURE OF THE HEADLIGHT SWITCH AS DESCRIBED IN SAFETY RECALL #819 FOR 1995-1997 MODEL VEHICLES, RESULTING IN SMOKE AND MELTING OF CONNECTOR AND WIRES. INACTION BY DODGE AND A COPY OF THE COMPLAINT FOLLOWS: THANK YOU FOR CONTACTING THE RAM CUSTOMER ASSISTANCE CENTER IN REGARDS TO YOUR 1998 RAM 3500. YOUR CONCERNS, PARTICULARLY IN VIEW OF THE EXPENSE AND INCONVENIENCE INVOLVED IN THIS ISSUE, ARE UNDERSTANDABLE. HOWEVER, YOUR REQUEST FOR CONSIDERATION IN THIS MATTER MUST BE DECLINED, BECAUSE THE VEHICLE IN QUESTION HAS EXCEEDED THE TIME OR MILEAGE LIMITATIONS OF THE MANUFACTURER'S WARRANTY AT THE TIME THE EXPENSE WAS INCURRED. ALTHOUGH A MORE FAVORABLE REPLY COULD NOT BE PROVIDED, SHARING YOUR CONCERN WITH US IS APPRECIATED. THANKS AGAIN FOR YOUR EMAIL. [XXX] CUSTOMER SERVICE REPRESENTATIVE RAM CUSTOMER ASSISTANCE CENTER FOR ANY FUTURE COMMUNICATIONS RELATED TO THIS EMAIL, PLEASE REFER TO THE FOLLOWING INFORMATION: REFERENCE NUMBER: [XXX] EMAIL CASE NUMBER:[XXX] REPLY LINK: HTTP://WWW.CHRYSLER.COM/WCCS/BRAND_FORMS/US/REPLY.JSP?TRK_ID=KMM7555581V19546L0KM& ORIGINAL MESSAGE FOLLOWS: ------------------------ US CUSTOMER SERVICE - DODGE BRAND SITE BRIEF DESCRIPTION: RECALL #819 HEADLIGHT SWITCH FAILURE COMMENTS: ALTHOUGH MY DEALER REP SAID THAT RECALL #819 DID NOT APPLY TO MY VEHICLE, I EXPERIENCED AN IDENTICAL FAILURE ON NOVEMBER 23, 2011 AFTER DRIVING THE VEHICLE FOR 16 HOURS WITH THE HEADLIGHTS ON. THE HEADLIGHT SWITCH CONNECTOR AND SEVERAL WIRES WERE BURNT. BECAUSE IT IS OBVIOUS THAT THIS ISSUE WAS NOT RESOLVED FOR MY VEHICLE (I AM THE ORIGINAL OWNER), I BELIEVE THAT DODGE SHOULD PROVIDE SUPPORT FOR THE REPAIR. INFORMATION REDACTED PURSUANT TO THE FREEDOM OF INFORMATION ACT (FOIA), 5 U.S.C. 552(B)(6). *TR
Crash:
No
Fire:
Yes
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#10430841October 19, 2011
SERVICE BRAKES, HYDRAULIC
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 1998 DODGE RAM 2500. WHILE THE CONTACT WAS DRIVING APPROXIMATELY 35 MPH, THE ABS WARNING INDICATORS ILLUMINATED ON THE INSTRUMENT PANEL AND REMAINED ILLUMINATED UNTIL THE ENGINE WAS TURNED OFF. THE FAILURE OCCURRED WHENEVER THE VEHICLE WAS IN OPERATION. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO AN INDEPENDENT MECHANIC WHO STATED THE ABS CONTROL MODULE WIRING HARNESS CONNECTOR EXHIBITED SEVERE CORROSION. THERE WAS A MANUFACTURER VOLUNTARY RECALL RELATED TO THE SIMILAR DEFECT ASSOCIATED WITH THE BATTERY TRAY AND ABS WIRING HARNESS CONNECTOR. THE VIN WAS INELIGIBLE FOR THE RECALL. THE VEHICLE WAS CURRENTLY BEING REPAIRED AT THE OWNER'S EXPENSE. THE APPROXIMATE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 89,000. THE VIN WAS UNAVAILABLE.
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#10429485October 11, 2011
STRUCTURE
UPON REMOVAL OF DASHBOARD TO REPLACE HEATER AND EVAPORATOR CORES WHILE REMOVING THE DASHBOARD IT CRUMBLED INTO DUST THE DASH HAD NO VISIBLE CRACKS UNTIL VIEW FROM BELOW SEEING ABOUT 200+ CRACKS FROM DASHBOARD BECOMING BRITTLE FROM BEING IMPROPERLY MADE, THIS OCCURS WITH ALL DODGE RAM DASHBOARDS FROM YEARS 94-98.5 AND YET NO RECALL HAS BEEN MADE, HAD THIS DASH SHATTERED WHILE DRIVING OR IN A CRASH I COULD HAVE HAD LOTS OF SHARP PLASTIC CUTS FROM THE SHATTERED DASHBOARD BUT IT SEEMS THAT THE NHTSA DOESN'T RESPOND TO THE AMOUNT OF PEOPLE SUBMITTING THE SAME PROBLEM. COST TO REPLACE DASH IS $600 FROM DEALER WITH THE SAME DASHBOARD THAT WILL LAST APPROX 3 YEARS ACCORDING TO DEALERSHIP. *KB
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#10428179October 2, 2011
UNKNOWN OR OTHER
I LIKE MANY OTHERS HAVE A DASH THAT HAS CRACKED AND NOW POSE'S A PROBLEM. AFTER DOING SOME ON-LINE AND LOCAL RESEARCH I HAVE FOUND EVERYONE THATS A '98 - '01 DODGE RAM HAS HAD THE SAME REPORTED PROBLEM. LOCAL DODGE SAID THEY CAN BE REPLACED OR REPAIRED BUT THEY WILL CRACK AGAIN.. DASH CAPS ARE BEING USED TO COVER THE PROBLEM. "COVERING" THE PROBLEM IS NOT A FIX. I WANT TO KNOW WHY THERE HAS NOT BEEN A RECALL FROM DODGE ON THIS ISSUE. JUST HOW MUCH DAMAGE WILL A DAMAGED DASH CAUSE IN THE EVENT OF A "JUST RIGHT" ACCIDENT THAT CAUSE A BODY PART THAT IS RIGHT IN FRONT OF DRIVER AND PASSENGER(S) IF IT SHATTERS? BROKEN PLASTIC CAN BE AS DAMAGEING AS GLASS.
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#10427472September 26, 2011
STRUCTURE
I HAVE A 1998 DODGE RAM 1500 QUAD CAB SPORT 360 4X4 WITH THE 5.9. MY DASH HAS NOW STARTED CRACKING AND THE CRACK IS GETTING WORSE. AS OF RIGHT NOW, THE CRACK IS ABOUT 4 INCHES IN LENGTH AND IS SPREADING. IT IS LOCATED RIGHT ABOVE THE INSTRUMENT PANEL AND CLOSE TO THE VENT BY THE FRONT GLASS. I HAVE BEEN A DEDICATED DODGE OWNER ALONG WITH EVENING OWNING A DODGE WEBSITE (WWW.DODGE-CHAT.COM) AND I HAVE TO SAY THIS IS A BIG DISAPPOINTMENT THAT DODGE HAS NOT TAKEN CARE OF THIS ISSUE. I THINK DODGE NEEDS TO STEP UP TO THE PLATE AND ACKNOWLEDGE THAT THIS IS A BIG ISSUE. *TR
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#10425630September 15, 2011
STRUCTURE
DASH CRACKED AND IS CLOSE TO BECOMING A HOLE. WHY HAS THIS NOT BEEN A RECALL ISSUE I KNOW OF AT LEAST 200 OTHER DODGE RAM OWNERS WHO HAVE THE SAME PROBLEM AND THAT IS JUST IN TAMPA FL. STOP DRAGGING YOUR FEET AND SAVE US SOME MONEY FROM THEM CUTTING COST AND DOING IT WRONG THE FIRST TIME. *KB
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#10424118September 7, 2011
STRUCTURE
THE DASHBOARD ON MY 1998 DODGE RAM HAS CRACKED AND FALLEN INTO THE ELECTRICAL COMPONENTS IN SEVERAL PLACES. IT SEEMS TO BE A PROBLEM WITH THE PLASTIC ITSELF AS NO EXTERNAL SOURCES CAUSED THE DAMAGE. IT STARTED HAPPENING IN FEBRUARY OF 2009 AND HAS GOTTEN STEADILY WORSE.THE PLASTIC HAS BECOME SO SHARP AND BRITTLE THAT DRIVING ON A BUMPY ROAD WILL ACTUALLY CAUSE PIECES TO FALL INTO THE DASH.THIS COULD BE A SAFETY ISSUE IF THE VEHICLE WAS INVOLVED IN CRASH, THE DASHBOARD COULD BECOME AIRBORNE IN SHARDS. THESE SHARDS OF PLASTIC ARE SHARP ENOUGH TO CAUSE SERIOUS INJURY IF THEY WERE TO STRIKE YOUR FACE OR EYES. THE PIECES FALL INTO THE DASHBOARD AND ONTO ELECTRICAL COMPONENTS, ONCE THEY FALL INTO THIS POSITION IT IS ALMOST IMPOSSIBLE TO REMOVE THEM FROM THE INSIDE OF THE DASHBOARD. I CAN SEE FUTURE ELECTRICAL PROBLEMS SUCH AS A VEHICLE FIRE RESULTING FROM THE SHARP SHARDS OF PLASTIC BEING IN CONTACT WITH WIRING THAT IS NOW EXPOSED AS A RESULT OF THE PLASTIC FALLING AWAY. I HAVE CONTACTED DODGE BUT WAS ADVISED THAT NO RECALL EXISTS AND THEREFORE THEY WILL NOT REPLACE THE DASHBOARD. IT SEEMS THAT A SIMPLE FIX ON THEIR BEHALF COULD AVOID MAJOR PROBLEMS WITH SOMEBODY GETTING SERIOUSLY INJURED. AN INTERNET SEARCH HAS REVEALED THAT THERE ARE HUNDREDS OF COMPLAINTS OF THE SAME NATURE, I HAVE OWNED A DODGE VEHICLE FOR ALMOST MY ENTIRE ADULT LIFE AND I AM NOW LOOKING TO PURCHASE A NEW FORD THIS YEAR BECAUSE I AM SO CONCERNED ABOUT THIS PROBLEM. *TR
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0

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