1998 Dodge Ram 1500 complaints

DT*: THE CONTACT STATED THE HEADLIGHT COVERS HAVE YELLOWED WHICH REDUCED VISIBILITY ON THE ROAD AT NIGHT. THE SERVICE DEALER OFFERED NO SOLUTION. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOT CONTACTED.

IN NOV. 2005 ANOTHER DRIVER RUN A STOP SIGN DIRECTLY IN FRONT OF ME. I HIT A SMALL PICK UP BROADSIDE AT 30 MPH. IT DID $2500 DAMAGE. NEITHER RIGHT OR LEFT SIDE AIR BAG DEPLOYED. *NM

HORN BUTTON DOESN'T WORK. WHEN IT DOES WORK, IT WON'T TURN OFF. HORN BUTTON IS CONNECTED TO THE AIRBAG ON MY TRUCK. *NM

DT*: THE CONTACT STATED WHILE PULLING OUT FROM A STOP AND TURNING EITHER RIGHT OR LEFT THERE WAS A GRINDING NOISE COMING FROM THE FRONT OF THE VEHICLE. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO AN INDEPENDENT REPAIR SHOP. BOTH FRONT BALL JOINTS AND PITTMAN ARM WERE REPLACED. THERE IS NHTSA RECALL, # 04V596000, REGARDING THE SUSPENSION: UPPER BALL JOINTS. THE VEHICLE HAS THE SAME PROBLEMS AS INDICATED IN THE RECALL; HOWEVER IT IS NOT INCLUDED IN THE RECALL DUE YEAR, MODEL AND VIN.

(1) STARTED TO PULL AS IF IT WERE NOT GETTING FUEL (2) THE TRANS TEMP LIGHT CAME ON (3)THE OVERDRIVE LIGHT CAME ON (4) PERIODICALLY THERE WAS A GRINDING NOISE (5) TRUCK WOULD DELAY OR JERK WHEN PUT IN DRIVE (6)WILL NO LONGER GO IN DRIVE OR REVERSE (7) TRUCK HAS STALLED AND IS NO LONGER RUNNING. *JB

LOUD DRIVE TRAIN NOISE COMING FROM TRUCK. SERVICED AT 70K BY DODGE DEALERSHIP, REPLACING REAR DIFFERENTIAL/BEARINGS. TRUCK IS NOW MAKING SAME NOISE AT 99K AND FIRST ESTIMATE OF REPAIR INDICATES REAR DIFFERENTIAL/BEARINGS AGAIN. *NM

THE HORN ON MY 1998 DODGE RAM 1500 WILL ONLY BLOW WITH ABOUT 50 LBS OF PRESSURE APPLIED TO THE STEERING WHEEL AND ONLY IF YOU PUSH ON THE EXACT SPOT. THIS IS A BIG SAFETY ISSUE A GUY BACKED OUT OF A PARKING SPOT AND RIGHT INTO THE SIDE OF MY TRUCK . I TRIED TO BLOW THE HORN BUT I COULDN'T GET IT TO WORK UNTIL IT WAS TO LATE. *JB

THE DASH ON THE 94-01 DODGE RAM 1500 HAVE A PROBLEM WITH CRACKING AS MINE DID. NOT SURE IF THIS WILL CAUSE A SAFETY ISSUE OR CAUSE THE UNSAFE DEPLOYMENT OF THE AIR BAGS IN CASE OF AN ACCIDENT. *JB

DT*: THE CONTACT STATED THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO THE SERVICE DEALER BECAUSE THE CHECK ENGINE LIGHT ILLUMINATED. THE DEALER DETERMINED THE CATALYTIC CONVERTER WAS BAD AND NEED TO BE REPLACED, BUT THE VEHICLE WAS NOT REPAIRED. ADDITIONALLY, THE DEALER INFORMED THE CONTACT OF A WARRANTY EXTENSION ON THE CATALYTIC CONVERTER IN THE 1500 SERIES WITH A LARGER ENGINE. DT*: THE CONTACT STATED THE LATCH THAT HOLDS THE CHILD IN THE CHILD SAFETY SEAT COMES UNLATCHED VERY EASILY. THE STRAPS BECOME VERY LOOSE WHEN THIS HAPPENS. THE MANUFACTURER HAS NOT BEEN ALERTED. UPDATED 3/22/2006 - THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOTIFIED OF THE PROBLEM. A RECALL HAD BEEN INITIATED FOR THIS PROBLEM BUT THE CONSUMER SEAT WAS NOT INCLUDED. THE CONSUMER SENT THE CONSUMER A REPAIR KIT FOR THE DESIGNER 22'S WHICH FIXED THE PROBLEM WITH IS SEAT (22-390-VIN, OG2B, 1/28/2004). *NM

MY 1998 DODGE RAM 1500 PICKUP DASH HAS A LARGE CRACK IN IT. AFTER DOING SOME RESEARCH ON THIS I FOUND THAT THERE ARE A LOT OF OTHER DODGE RAM TRUCK OWNERS WITH THIS PROBLEM. I FEEL THAT THIS IS A DEFECT IN MANUFACTURING AND SHOULD BE REPLACED BY THE FACTORY. *JB

1998 DODGE RAM 1500 WAS INVOLVED IN A FOUR-CAR COLLISION-MINE BEING THE THIRD IN THE SERIES. THE TRUCK WAS REAR-ENDED WHICH PUSHED ME INTO THE CAR AHEAD. THE AIRBAG DID NOT DEPLOY ON EITHER PASSENGER'S SIDE OR DRIVER'S SIDE. VEHICLE WAS TOTALLED.*AK

TIRE FAILURES-GOODYEAR WRANGLER HT. ALL 4 TIRES SUFFERED TREAD SEPARATIONS WITHIN A 6 MONTH PERIOD. *JB

TREAD SEPARATIONS/BLOWOUT TRAVELING 62 MPH, HAZLETON, BRITISH COLUMBIA CANADA. OLD TIRES HAD TO BE LEFT AT TETLOW TIRES IN SMITHERS, B.C. CANADA. *JB

TREAD SEPARATION AND SIDEWALL FAILURE, INSIDE EDGE OF TIRE NEXT TO RIM. THIS IS THE FINAL TIRE TO FAIL PREMATURELY OF FOUR. THESE TIRES WERE RATED AS 60,000 MILE TIRES, THIS ONE FAILED AT 54,532. TIRE 1 FAILED 5/10/05 AT 40,838 MI WITH TREAD SEPARATION. TIRE 2 SUFFERED TREAD SEPARATION AND BLOWOUT EAST OF HAZLETON, BRITISH COLUMBIA CANADA. THIS WAS ON THE RIGHT REAR. THE THIRD TIRE ALSO SUFFERED TREAD SEPARATION AT THIS TIME ON THE RIGHT FRONT. THIS TIRE WAS ON VEHICLE LEFT FRONT AND IS AVAILABLE FOR INSPECTION AT THIS TIME. *JB

I HAVE A 1998 DODGE RAM 1500. THE DASH CRACKED IN SEVERAL PLACES A COUPLE OF YEARS AGO ALONG WITH THE BEZEL. ALSO HAVE A PROBLEM WITH HORN, IT IS VERY HARD TO ACTIVATE WHEN PUSHED. THESE ITEMS ARE A CONCERN BEING NEAR OR PART OF THE AIR BAG DEPLOYMENT IF IN A CRASH. I BELIEVE THE DASH AND BEZEL ARE CHEAPLY MADE AND DODGE NEEDS TO REPLACE THESE AT WHAT EVER COST TO PREVENT POSSIBLE INJURY IF PERSONS ARE IN A CRASH WHILE OPERATING OR RIDING IN THEIR VEHICLES. *NM

HIT A CURB GOING AROUND A CORNER AT ABOUT 15 MPH WITH THE REAR TIRE OF TRUCK. THIS CAUSED THE DASH TO CRACK FROM WINDSHIELD ALL THE WAY TO THE AIRBAG ENCLOSURE. I WAS TOLD THIS COULD CAUSE AN AIRBAG FAILURE IF THE PASSENGER AIRBAG DEPLOYED. *NM

SEAT BELT BEGAN TO REFUSE TO COME OUT OF IT'S ROLLED-UP, UNUSED POSITION, UNTIL IT COMPLETELY QUIT COMING OUT. BUZZER QUIT SOUNDING, BUT RED SEAT BELT ALERT THAT SEAT BELT IS NOT IN USE REMAINS ON. THIS IS THE DRIVER SIDE SEAT BELT. *JB

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

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

DT: THE CONSUMER OWNS A 1998 DODGE RAM PICKUP TRUCK. HE STATED THE BRACKET THAT HOLDS THE LOWER CONTROL ARM ON THE RIGHT SIDE BROKE. THE DEALER AND THE BODY SHOP SAID IT LOOKED LIKE A DEFECT IN THE METAL. THE BODY SHOP SAID THE ONLY PROPER WAY TO FIX IT WAS TO GET A NEW FRAME. CHRYSLER SAID THAT BECAUSE THE CAR WAS OUT OF WARRANTY, THEY WOULD NOT DO ANYTHING ABOUT IT. *JB

THE "AIR BAG" LIGHT REMAINS ON.

DT: CONTACT STATES THAT EARLY IN THE MORNING WHEN SHE GOT IN HER CAR AND WAS PUTTING THE SEAT BELT ON, THE SHOULDER PART TIGHTENED UP THE LAP BELT AND SHE NOTICED A BOLT HOLE. THERE WAS A METAL BAR AND THE BOLT HOLE HAD BROKEN. SHE CONTACTED CHRYSLER, AND THEY TOLD HER THAT THE TRUCK WAS A 1998 MODEL AND HAD A LOT OF MILEAGE ON IT. THEY COULDN'T FIX IT. *AK (THE BELT WAS IN PROPERLY BUT THE METAL STRAP HOLDING THE SEAT BELT TO THE FLOOR HAD SHEARED AT THE BOLT HOLE WHICH WAS COMING APART) *SC

PROBLEMS WITH WEAR OF BRAKE SHOES. SINCE I PURCHASED MY DODGE RAM 1500 IN JUNE 1998 I HAVE HAD CONSTANT PROBLEMS WITH MY FRONT BRAKES. I AM HAVING TO REPLACE THEM AT LEAST 3 TIMES A YEAR. I UNDERSTAND THAT NORMAL WEAR AND TEAR ON THIS PART BUT HAVING TO REPLACE THEM THIS MUCH IN ONE YEAR. I DO NOT RIDE MY BRAKES LIKE I HAVE BEEN TOLD I DO. EVEN RIDING MY BRAKES I STILL DO NOT THINK REPLACING THEM THIS MUCH IS NECESSARY. *NM

DT: BOTH FRONT SEAT BELTS RETRACTOR/LOCK INTERCHANGES BUCKLE ASSEMBLY BROKE. THIS WAS DISCOVERED WHEN TRYING TO BUCKLE UP WITH THE SEAT BELTS, NO INCIDENT WHERE THIS COULD HAVE OCCURRED. CONSUMER FELT THIS WAS DEFECTIVE. SPOKE TO DEALER, WHO SAID THIS WAS OUT OF WARRANTY, BUT WAS TOLD SOME TIME AGO SAID SAFETY FEATURES WERE COVERED. HAS NOT CONTACTED MANUFACTURER AT THIS TIME. *AK

WAS IN A HEAD ON COLLISION WITH THE SIDE OF A CHEVY BLAZER AT APPROX. 50 MPH. NO AIR BAG DEPLOYMENT ON MY VEHICLE, AND MY WIFE WAS EJECTED OUT OF THE PASSENGERS WINDOW.

ACCORDING TO THE NHSTA RECALL DATABASE, A RECALL (01V153000) ALREADY EXISTS FOR 1998 DODGE RAM TRUCK CONCERNING THE AIR BAG AND IS SPECIFIC TO MY VIN NUMBER OF [XXX]. HOWEVER, UPON CALLING DODGE AT THE NUMBER SPECIFIED IN THE FILING, MY VEHICLE IS NOT COVERED UNDER THIS RECALL ALTHOUGH IT IS EXPERIENCING THE SYMPTOMS ADDRESSED IN THE NOTIFICATION. NO ACTION WAS AVAILABLE FROM DAIMLER CHRYSLER. *JS INFORMATION REDACTED PURSUANT TO THE FREEDOM OF INFORMATION ACT (FOIA), 5 U.S.C. 552(B)(6)

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

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

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

SEVERE CORROSION OF PAINTED FRONT AND REAR BUMPERS COMPOMISES THE STRUCTURAL INTEGRITY OF THE BUMPERS.*AK

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.

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

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

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

WAS DRIVING 45 MPH ENTERING AN INTERSECTION, THE CONSUMER ATTEMPTED TO APPLY THE BRAKES, THERE WAS A NOISE AND THE CONSUMER THEN REALIZED THE VEHICLE HAD NO BRAKES. THE CONSUMER MANAGED TO GET HOME AND UPON INSPECTION OF THE VEHICLE HE NOTICED A BOLT THAT ATTACHED TO THE MASTER CYLINDER AND POWER BOOSTER HAD BROKEN. THE BOLT HAD SHOWN STRESS FRACTURES. *JB

WE HAVE NOT HAD A CRASH, BUT MY DODGE RAM HAS BEEN IN OUR GARAGE SINCE APRIL WE ARE AFRAID TO DRIVE IT, THE ABS BREAKS ARE ON AND THE TRANSMISSION IS GOING OUT ALSO SMELLS LIKE FIRE CRACKERS AT TIMES. *NM

I WAS DRIVING ON A 4 LANE HIGHWAY AT 65 MILES PER HOUR WHEN I SUDDENLY LOST SPEED AND THE RPM WERE HEADING TO REDLINE. I HIT MY BRAKE IN THE MIDDLE OF TRAFFIC TRYING TO KEEP FROM HURTING MY ENGINE. WHEN I GOT PULLED TO THE SIDE OF THE ROAD I CHECKED TO SEE IF I COULD GO AND I HAD NO TRANSMISSION. I ONLY HAVE 78,000 MILES ON MY TRUCK AND DON'T PULL HEAVY LOADS OR LOAD MY PICK-UP WITH HEAVY LOADS. I HAVE TALKED WITH OTHER PEOPLE THAT HAVE THE SAME YEAR DODGE PICK-UP AND THEY HAVE HAD SIMILAR PROBLEMS. I AM HAVING MY TRANSMISSION REPLACED ALONG WITH THE TRANSMISSION COOLER BECAUSE IT HAS PARTS OF MY CLUTCH IN IT. I FOUND 5 PEOPLE IN MY COUNTY THAT HAVE HAD PROBLEMS WITH THEIR 98 PICK-UPS AND HAVE HAD THEM FIXED AND THEN TRADED THEM FOR ANOTHER BRAND OF VEHICLE. I WOULD REALLY LIKE TO KNOW WHY NOBODY HAS INVESTIGATED THIS OR RECALLED THE VEHICLE BECAUSE OF THIS PROBLEM. *NM

GOODYEAR WRANGLER AP TIRES ON 1998 DODGE RAM 1500. I HAVE NOW HAD TO REPLACE ALL 5 (4+SPARE) DUE TO SPLITS IN THE SIDEWALL NEAR THE RIM. THE FIRST ONE WAS 2 SUMMERS AGO, 3 MORE TIRES LAST LAST SUMMER, AND THE LAST ONE NOW. I HAVE BEEN FORTUNATE ENOUGH TO FIND THE PROBLEM BEFORE BLOW OUTS.*AK

WHILE DRIVING AT 60 MPH VEHICLE SUDDENLY ACCELERATED BY ITSELF BETWEEN 70-75 MPH. THE BRAKES WERE APPLIED BUT FAILED TO SLOW DOWN THE VEHICLE. THEN, CONSUMER TURNED THE IGNITION OFF, AND CONTINUED DEPRESSING THE BRAKE PEDAL WHICH SLOWED THE VEHICLE DOWN. TWO DAYS LATER, THE SAME FAILURE OCCURRED WHILE DRIVING AT 30 MPH AND VEHICLE ACCELERATED TO 40-45 MPH. CONSUMER IMMEDIATELY PUT VEHICLE IN NEUTRAL AND TURNED THE IGNITION OFF. VEHICLE REVVED. VEHICLE WAS TOWED TO THE DEALERSHIP, AND 3 SEPARATE TESTS WERE DONE, BUT NO FAILURE CODE WAS FOUND. *AK

CONSUMER DROVE OFF THE ROAD WHEN BECOMING ILL THE AIR BAGS DID NOT DEPLOY AND THE SEAT BELTS DID NOT RESTRAIN PASSENGER AND DRIVER IN THE SEATS, BOTH OCCUPANTS HIT THE WINDSHIELD.*AK

TRANSMISSION LEAKAGE..AXEL FLUID LEAKAGE..THIS IS THE THIRD VECHILE THAT THIS DEALERSHIP HAS PUT US IN IN 15 MONTHS!!THE TRUCK WE HAVE NOW ISNT SAFE AND THEY REFUSE TO FIX IT AND THEY ARE RESPONSIBLE BECAUSE THEY DID NOT GIVE US A WARRANTY LIKE THEY TOLD US WHEN WE BOUGHT TRUCK IN APRIL. *AK

A RECALL LETTER WAS RECEIVED, AFTER TAKING THE VEHICLE TO THE DEALER THE CONSUMER WAS TOLD THAT HIS VEHICLE IDENTIFICATION NUMBER DID NOT COME UP IN THE COMPUTER. . RECALL 01V153000. *JB

WHILE RETURNING HOME FROM SEEING MY FIRST GRANDCHILD, SOUTH OF HERSHEY PA MY TRANSMISSION DIED AT APPROX. 50,000 MILES. I HAD TO HAVE THE VEHICLE TOWED FROM THE INTERSTATE AND THE TRANSMISSION REBUILT. THEY TOLD ME THERE WERE A LOT OF METAL SHAVINGS IN THE TRANSMISSION WHICH CLOGGED UP THE WORKS. THIS COST ME ALMOST $3,000.00 PLUS THE COST OF BEING STRANDED OUT OF TOWN FOR 5 DAYS. I NOW HAVE 92,000 MILES ON THE TRUCK AND HAVE TO HAVE THE TRANSMISSION REBUILT AGAIN. I DO NOT KNOW THE COST TO DO THIS YET. PLUS I HAVE THE COST OF OBTAINING ALTERNATE TRANSPORTATION TO GET TO WORK FOR ABOUT 14 DAYS UNTIL I GET THE WORK COMPLETED. THE FIRST REPAIR WORK WAS DONE BY AAMCO AND THE WARRANTY ON THEIR WORK WAS FOR 12 MONTHS OR 12,000 MILES, WHICHEVER CAME FIRST. I HAD AAMCO DO A DIAGNOSTIC ON THE VEHICLE AND THEY TOLD ME THE TRANSMISSION WAS "TOAST". *JB

LOWER BALL JOINTS FAILED AT 27000 MILES. NO FITTINGS FOR GREASE.*AK

DODGE TRUCK ENGINE SEIZED UP AFTER HAVING A COMPLETE OIL MAINTENANCE.*MR EIGHT DAYS PRIOR TO THE ENGINE SEIZING THE DEALER REPLACED THE OIL PAN, BELTS, OIL AND OIL PUMP. *NM

CONSUMER NOTICED IN COLD WEATHER HORN ASSEMBLY IS HARD TO DEPRESS IN AN EMERGENCY. *AK

I HAD A PROBLEM WITH THE RIGHT BRAKE EVER SINCE I BOUGHT THE TRUCK. I TOOK IT INTO THE DODGE DEALER IN VICTORVILLE WHO TOLD ME THAT I DID NOT HAVE A RECALL SO IT WOULD COST ME TO CHNAGE THE ROTORS SINCE IT WAS DAMAGED. I JUST HAD MY HUSBAND REPLACE IT WITH A NEW ROTOR WHICH WAS VERY COSTLY SINCE I WAS NOT ABLE TO STOP ANYMORE BECAUSE I HAD NO BRAKE PAD ON THE INSIDE OF THE RIGHT ROTOR SINCE IT HAS ALWAYS BEEN STUCK AND JUST FINALLY WORE OUT EVERYTHING. *AK

WHILE DRIVING AT 50 MPH DRIVER LOST CONTROL OF THE VEHICLE, CAUSING A HEAD ON COLLISION WITH A TREE. UPON IMPACT, BOTH FRONTAL AIR BAGS DID NOT DEPLOY. DRIVER SUSTAINED MINOR INJURIES. *ASK

I PURCHASED MY 1998 DODGE RAM 1500 IN THE SPRING OF 1998 AND HAVE BEEN TH ONLY OWNER. CURRENTLY, THE PAINT IS COMING OFF THE METAL ON THE HOOD AND ROOF OF THE TRUCK. THE DODGE REP IN THE AREA HAS INDICATED THAT DODGE WOULD PAY 1/3 OF THE COST TO FIX THE PROBLEM. I HAVE DONE NOTHING TO CAUSE THIS PROBLEM AND DO NOT BELIEVE DODGE IS STANDING BEHIND THEIR PRODUCT.*AK

I WAS DRIVING MY 1998 DODGE RAM 4X4 EXTENDED CAB 1500SLT 318 MOTOR ON THE FREEWAY DOING 70-75 MPH WHEN I LOST ALL POWER. I HAD NO POWER STEERING OR POWER BRAKES AND WAS STUCK IN THE FAST LANE ON THE INTERSTATE. I WAS FINALLY ABLE TO GET TO THE SHOULDER BY CUTTING OFF ANOTHER VEHICLE. I HAD MY TRUCK TOWED TO LITHIA DODGE OF ROSEBURG AND THEY SAID THE INTAKE MANIFOLD GASKET WAS LEAKING . THEY ALSO SAID THIS WAS A COMMON PROBLEM WITH THIS MODEL. IT CAUSED OIL TO BLOW DOWN MY EXHAUST AND PLUG MY CATALYTIC CONVERTER WHICH CHOKED OFF MY MOTOR AND CAUSED THE ENGINE TO DIE. THEY WOULD NOT WARRANTY THIS BECAUSE THE TRUCK HAS 46000 MILES ON IT. I DON'T UNDERSTAND WHY THIS WASN'T RECALLED AS I WAS LUCKY I DIDN'T GET IN A WRECK. I KNOW TWO OTHER PEOPLE THIS SAME PROBLEM HAS HAPPENED TO. *LA