1998 Dodge Ram complaints

THE LEFT FRONT WHEEL OF THE VEHICLE CAME OFF CAUSING DAMAGE TO THE VEHICLE (OHIO TRAFFIC CRASH REPORT). NLM

TRANSMISSION OVERHEATED ,OVERDRIVE AUTOMATICALLY DISENGAGED. THE ODOR OF BURNED TRANSMISSION OIL WAS EVIDENT.THIS WAS A NEW TRANSMISSION AND WAS REPLACED WITH A REBUILT TRANSMISSION BY THE DEALER AT $50 DEDUCTIBLE. THE REBUILT WILL ONLY BE WARRANTED FOR THE FIRST 12 MONTHS OR 12000 MILES.I SUSPECT THE TRANSMISSION IS EITHER UNDERCOOLED OR A FAILURE TO USE THE PROPER ATF FLUID CAUSED THIS.VEHICLE IS UNDER SERVICE CONTRACT AND IS SERVICED FOR ALL FLUID CHANGES BY THE DEALER. *AK

WE PURCHASED A 1998 DODGE CONVERSION VAN AS OUR FAMILY VEHICLE. ON SEPT 21,2000 MY WIFE LOADED OUR CHILDREN, AGES 7,6, & 2, INTO THE VEHICLE. SHE THEN WENT & LOCKED THE HOUSE DOOR. OUR 2 YEAR OLD GOT OUT OF HER CAR SEAT, WENT TO THE FRONT OF THE VAN, & PULLED DOWN ON THE GEAR SHIFT PULLING IT INTO GEAR. THE VEHICLE ROLLED OVER A 3 FOOT WALL, DOWN A STEEP HILL, THROUGH A 2 FOOT DITCH, AND THEN STRUCK A TELEPHONE POLE. THANK GOODNESS NO ONE WAS SERIOUSLY INJURED, BUT THIS CONDITION COULD HAVE TRAGIC. I OWN AN INSURANCE AGENCY SO I STARTED TO CHECK AROUND TO SEE IF THIS WAS A DEFECT THAT THE VEHICLE COULD BE PUT INTO GEAR WITHOUT FIRST APPLYING THE BRAKE. WHAT I FOUND OUT WAS SHOCKING, I WAS INFORMED BY THE DODGE DEALER THAT THIS SAFETY FEATURE WAS AN OPTION ON THIS VEHICLE, WHICH I WAS NOT INFORMED OF AT TIME OF PURCHASE , THIS IS LUDICROUS!!! IN MY RESEARCH I HAVE YET TO FIND A PRIVATE PASSENGER VEHICLE THAT IS NOT EQUIPPED WITH THIS SAFETY FEATURE AND TO DECLARE IT AN OPTION ON A FAMILY USE VEHICLE IS IRRESPONSIBLE. THANK GOODNESS THE LORD WAS LOOKING OVER MY FAMILY THAT DAY, BUT WHAT ABOUT THE NEXT FAMILY. PLEASE LOOK INTO THIS SITUATION, SO NO FAMILY HAS TO NEEDLESSLY ENDURE A TRAGEDY.*AK

DEFECTIVE WHEEL BEARING

ENGINE FAILED. NLM

AIR BAG WARNING LIGHT AND ALARM SOUNDS . RETURNDE TRUCK TO MOSS MOTORS (DODGE DEALER IN RIVERSIDE) THEY RESET THE ALARM AND LIGHT BUT DID NOT HAVE AN ANSWER SA TO WHAT WAS WRONG . THE WARNING LIGHT AND ALARM RETURNED THE FOLLOWING DAY. THEY CHARGED ME $50.00 TO RESET THE ALARM? WITH NO FIX! NOW WHAT. SHOULDN'T THE DEALER FIX SAFTY ITEMS AT NO CHARGE!!!! PLEASE RETURN AN ANSWER VIA E-MAIL THANK YOU L.W. BAKER?

REAR DIFFERENTIAL BROKE. VEHICLE HAS BEEN INSPECTED. DEALER AND MANUFACTURER WILL BE NOTIFIED. *AK

VEHICLE WAS PARKED AND WAS IN NEUTRAL WHILE WARMING UP. EMERGENCY BRAKE WAS ON. ALSO, CONSUMER WENT INSIDE OF HOUSE, AND WHEN SHE CAME BACK OUT VEHICLE VEHICLE HAD ROLLED DOWN STREET/ HIT A TIRE WALL, AND WENT INTO A ENBANKMENT. *AK

HEAD GASKET IS LEAKING ONTO EXHAUST. *AK THE OIL LEAKING ON TO THE EXHAUST PIPE COULD CAUSE FIRE WHEN THE EXHAUST PIPE BECOMES HOT. *YH

DEFECTIVE WHEEL BEARING

DEFECTIVE WHEEL BEARING

DEFECTIVE WHEEL BEARINGS

DEFECTIVE WHEEL BEARINGS

FUEL LINE FAILURE CAUSED FUEL LEAKAGES UNDER VEHICLE WHILE DRIVING. VEHICLE TOWED TO DEALER FOR REPAIRS. *AK THE FUEL FEED LINE BROKEN BETWEEN INJEDCTOR PUMP AND RETURN FITTING. CONSUMER CHECKING INTERNET, DODGE HAD A RECALL FOR 98 DODGE. BUT THEY TOLD HIM THE VEHICLE MISSED THE RECALL BY 30 DAYS. *YH

AFTER A MAJOR RAINSTORM, I DISCOVERED THAT BOTH FRONT AND REAR WINDSHIELDS LEAK. DEALER SAYS THIS IS NOT A WARRANTY PART. I BELIEVE THIS TO BE A MANUFACTURER'S DEFECT. *AK

STEERING COLUMN MADE A GRINDING NOISY WHEN TURNING STEERING WHEEL OR SITTING STILL. DEALER THINKS IT WAS CAUSED BY DEFECTIVE AXLE SHAFT BEARINGS. CHRYSLER HAS CHANGED THEM IN NEW MODELS.THEY WERE AWARE OF PROBLEM, BUT NO RECALL HAS BEEN ANNOUCED. *AK

WHEN PUTTING GAS IN TANK WILL NOT REGISTER. CONSUMER WOULDN'T KNOW HOW MUCH GAS WAS IN TANK. *AK

MAJOR TRANSMISSION REPAIR/OVERALL NEEDED. OVERDRIVE REMAINED ON, FLUID HEATED UP QUICKLY. REPAIRS BILL OVER $1890. VEHICLE HAS 46,000 MILE AND ONLY 2 1/2 YRS OLD. *AK

THE TRAILER HITCH FAILED PER RECALL NOTICE 00V-107, THE CONSUMER REQUESTED A BRAND NEW REPLACEMENT BUT WAS DENIED. NLM *CB

TREAD SEPARATION ON MY GOODYEAR WRANGLERS RT/S LT245-75R16 LOAD E. CONTACTED GOODYEAR CUSTOMER SERVICE HOWEVER THEY STATED NOTHING IS WRONG WITH THOSE TIRES. TIRES ARE ON A DODGE RAM 2500 HD, DIESEL. DISCOVERED FLAW WHEN AFTER NOTICING THE TIRE WAS LOW ON AIR. *AK (TIRESIZE: LT24575R16)( DOT NUMBER: TIRE SIZE: LT24575R16 )

TRAILER HITCH IS CRACKING/COMING APART WITHOUT BEEN RUSTED. DEALER AGREED TO REPAIR VEHICLE, BUT THEY NEED TO ADOPT A SUPPORT ON BUMPER, AND NEED TO WORK THE PIPE. CONSUMER WILL BE CHARGED FOR IT.*AK

INTERMITTENTLY WHEN BRAKES ARE APPLIED ON WET PAVEMENTS THEY LOCK UP, RESULTING IN EXTENDED STOPPING DISTANCE. DEALER HAS REPLACED FRONT BRAKE PADS THREE TIMES, AND BRAKE CALIPERS ONCE. MANFACTURER HAS BEEN NOTIFIED. *AK

HEATER CORE FAILED. WAS DRIVING WHEN IT BURSTED & FOGGED UP WINDSHIELD WITHOUT WARNING. THIS CAUSED A HAZARD OF POOR VISIBILITY FOR DRIVER. THIS HAS HAPPENED 5 TIMES, AND HAD BEEN REPLACED EACH TIME. *AK

RECALL 98 V 209 000/HIGH ENGINE IDLE SPEED: VEHICLE TAKEN TO DEALER, ZANGARN DODGE; ALBUQUERQUE, NM; PHONE # 505/262-5480 FOR RECALL REPAIRS. BUT, VEHICLE IS STILL EXPERIENCING SAME PROBLEM. DEALER NOTIFIED, AND REFUSED TO REINSPECT VEHICLE. PLEASE FEEL FREE TO PROVIDE ANY FURTHER DETAILS ON THIS MATTER. *AK

CONSUMER'S VEHICLE NOT INCLUDED IN RECALL 98V-208 CONCERNING THE BOLTS THAT ATTACH THE CAB TO THE FRAME DUE TO VIN, CONSUMER HAS BEEN UNABLE TO OBTAIN DETAILED WRITTEN EXPLANATION AS TO WHY THE VEHICLE IS NOT INCLUDED. NLM

ENGINE FAILURE RESULTED IN VEHICLE FIRE. *MJS

FUEL PUMP FAILED WHILE DRIVING ON HIGHWAY WITHOUT WARNING, CAUSING ENGINE TO STALL OUT . FUEL PUMP FAILED AT ONLY 40,000 MILES. *AK

PE00.046; CONSUMER WAS TRAVELING ABOUT 65MPH ON HIGHWAY AND SUDDENLY DRIVER'S FRONT SIDE TIRE EXPLODED. HE WAS ABLE TO PULL OVER TO SHOULDERS. GOODYEAR, LT245/75R16, THERE WERE NO INJURIES. RIGHT REAR TIRE TREAD HAD SEPARATED FROM RIM. THERE WERE TWO TIRE TREAD SEPARATIONS. GOODYEAR LT245/7516. THERE WERE NO INJURIES.*AK

I RETURNED SEVERAL TIMES TO HAVE MY TRUCK REPAIRED YET THEY FAILED TO REPAIR THE BRAKES TO DATE. I HAD TO REPLACE THE TIRES DUE TO THE SEVERAL PANIC STOPS THEY MADE WHILE SERVICING MY TRUCK. THEY KEPT GUESSING WHAT COULD BE WRONG AND THEY NEVER CORRECTED THE PROBLEM. THE TRUCK STILL PULLS TO THE RIGHT AND THEY CLAME THEY DON'T HAVE A FIX FOR THE PROBLEM. I HAVE HAD SEVERAL NEAR MISS SITUATIONS WHERE THERE COULD BE AN ACCIDENT. I LIVE IN THE MOUNTAINS WHERE THE ROADS ARE COVERED WITH BLACK ICE IN THE WINTER AND I HAVE NO DOUBT THAT SOMETIME THIS WINTER I WILL HIT THE GARD RAIL WHILE APPLYING MY BRAKES. IVE ALSO HAD OTHER PANIC STOPS WHERE THE TRUCK HAS ENDED UP IN THE RIGHT LANE OUT OF CONTROL AND IVE ENDED UP ON THE SHOULDER OF THE HIGHWAY UNDER A HARD BRAKE. I WAS IN THE TRUCK WHILE THE DEALER SERVICE PERSONEL TEST DROVE THE TRUCK AND WE ENDED UP OFF THE ROAD ON THE SHOULDER. I WAS TOLD THAT MY TRUCK HAD A DANGEROUS PROBLEM AND THEY CAN'T FIX IT. THAT SAME TRIP TO THE DEALER, THE SERVICE MANAGER TOLD ME TO JUST PARK IT AND GET A LAWYER, "WE CAN'T FIX YOUR TRUCK". IVE ALSO BEEN TOLD TO PARK IT IN A BAD PART OF TOWN WITH THE KEYS IN IT AND HOPE THAT IT WILL BE GONE IN THE MORNING. IT STILL PULLS. AS FOR THE FUEL SENDER, IVE HAD THEM REPLACED SO MANY TIMES ITS HARD TO SAY HOW MANY. THEY HAVE LASTED AS LITTLE AS 1 WEEK AND AS LONG AS 4 MONTHS. ONE WENT OUT THE MORNING WE WERE HEADED TO L. A. ON VACATION, 4 DAYS AFTER THEY HAD JUST REPLACED IT, AND THE SERVICE PERSONEL TOLD ME IT

NO SUMMARY LISTED FOR ABOVE VEHICLE. *AK

THE RING AND PINION GEAR AS WELL AS BOTH OUTER BEARINGS IN THE REAR AXLE FAILED AT 50000 MILES WITH SCHEDULED MAINTAINANCE. I HAD THE VEHICLE REPAIRED AT A LOCAL DRIVELINE SHOP BECAUSE THE DEALER TOLD ME THAT THEY WOULD NOT COVER THE REPAIR. I WAS TOLD BY THE REPAIR SHOP THAT THEY WERE DOING AS MANY AS FOUR DOZEN REAR END REPAIRS A MONTH ON DODGE TRUCKS AND FULL SIZE VANS FOR THE SAME ABOVE MENTIONED DEALER. THE ONLY REASON THEY ARE NOT DOING THEM ANY LONGER IS BECAUSE DODGE DECIDED TO START REPLACING THE ENTIRE REAR AXLE ASSEMBLY INSTEAD. I WAS ALSO TOLD THAT THIS COULD HAVE LEAD TO A LOCKING OF THE REAR AXLE ASSEMBLY WHILE DRIVING WHICH COULD HAVE PROVED FATAL. *AK

WHILE DRIVING AT 40 MPH REAR END OF THE TRUCK MAKES A GRINDING NOISE. *AK

TIRE SIZE IS LT265/75R-16/C. THE TIRE FAILED WHILE RETURNING FROM OMAHA WITH MY WIFE AND 8 MONTH OLD SON. I HAVE DIGITAL PICTURES OF THE TIRE AND TRUCK THAT CAN BE SENT OVER E-MAIL. I HAVE CONTACTED PIRELLI AND THEY WANT ME TO SEND THE TIRE ALONG WITH ESTIMATES TO FIX THE TRUCK. I SPOKE WITH NADINE CALDERWOOD AT 1-800-243-5105 EXT 387. SHE DID NOT SEEM TO CARE IF ANYONE WAS INJURED OR NOT AND SEEMED TO BE EXACTLY LIKE HER TITLE A RISK MANAGER. THE TIRES HAVE APROX 20,000 MILES ON THEM. I WAS DRIVING 75 MPH AND THE TRUCK HAD A SLIGHT VIBRATION I CHECKED TIRE PRESSURE WHEN WE STOPPED AND VISUALLY INSPECTED THE TIRES. AFTER WE FILLED WITH GAS THE VIBRATION WAS NO LONGER THERE. AFTER OUR SECOND STOP THE VIBRATION RETURNED AND THEN THE TREAD SEPARATED WITH A VIOLENT CRASH DESTROYING THE ENTIRE SIDE OF THE TRUCK AND CAUSING THE TRUCK TO ALMOST LOOSE CONTROL AND SHAKE VIOLENTLY. I UNDERSTAND THAT A LARGE TIRE CO LIKE PIRELLI HAS TO WATCH OUT FOR THEIR BEST INTEREST HOWEVER THEY SHOULD PUT THE CUSTOMERS WELL BEING AT THE TOP. I WOULD APPRECIATE ANY INFORMATION YOU HAVE ABOUT OTHER PIRELLI TIRE SEPARATIONS THAT HAVE BEEN FILED. THANK YOU. *AK (DOT NUMBER: CHW8GP4419 TIRESIZE: 265 75R16C)

I HAD TWO TIRE PROBLEMS ON MY TRUCK,ONE RIGHT REAR ONE LEFT REAR WHILE CACING MY CAMPER. THE LEFT REAR LOST ITS TREAD, BUT THE TIRE HELD TOGETHER. THE RIGHT REAR LOST ITS TREAD, AND ALSO DISTRUCTED CAUSING THE WHEEL TO LOCK UP AND SCRAPING AWAY PART OF THE WHEEL.*AK (TIRESIZE: 255/85R16)( DOT NUMBER: TIRE SIZE: 255/85R16 )

RING IN THE FUEL LINE SEPARATED FROM FUEL LINE, CAUSING FUEL SPILLAGE.*AK

SOUTHBOUND MUSTANG LOST CONTROL ON WET STREET, SPUN INTO OPPOSITE LANE OF TRAFFIC. NORTHBOUND DODGE RAM TRUCK T-BONED OUT OF CONTROL MUSTANG AT 50 MPH. BOTH DRIVER'S AND PASSENGER'S AIR BAGS OF DODGE TRUCK FAILED TO DEPLOY. BELTED DODGE RAM TRUCK DRIVER BROKE RIGHT LEG AND KNEECAP. *AK

NO SUMMARY LISTED FOR ABOVE VEHICLE. *AK

THIS PROBLEM HAS BEEN REPORTED TO DC SEVERAL TIMES. MANY OTHER DODGE RAM OWNERS HAVE THE SAME PROBLEM. NOW MY VEHICLE IS OUT OF WARRANTY AND I WILL BE FORCED TO PAY TO HAVE WHAT I BELIEVE IS A DEFFECTIVE STEERING GEAR BOX. THIS IS AN ISSUE THAT DC SHOULD PAY FOR.*AK

AS I WAS TURNING THE CORNER THE RIGHT REAR TIRE WHICH WAS FULLY INFLATED CAME OFF THE TRUCK & I WENT AROUND THE CORNER ON 3 WHEELS. I HAD IT TOWED TO RALLEY DODGE & THEY SAID THAT MY EXTENDED WARRENTY WOULDN'T COVER THE DAMAGE .*AK

LOST FIFTH GEAR - NUT SPUN OFF ALLOWING GEAR TO SLIP ON SHAFT.

WHENEVER BRAKES ARE APPLIED FRONT DRIVER'S SEAT WILL SLIDE BACK AND FORWARD. DEALER HAS BEEN CONTACTED.*AK

WHILE DRIVING 45MPH, HIT ANOTHER VEHICLE UNEXPECTEDLY AT A FRONTAL IMPACT WHICH CAUSED STEERING TO LOCK UP, AND BRAKES TO FAIL. UPON IMPACT, DRIVER AND PASSENGER AIRBAGS DID NOT DEPLOY, WHICH DID NOT PROTECT THE OCCUPANTS. NO PRIOR PROBLEMS WITH THE AIRBAG SYSTEM. *AK

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 ENG

OUR FRONT DRIVERS SIDE TIRE IS WEARING UNEVEN AND MAKING A THUMPING NOISE.( DOT NUMBER: VD TIRE SIZE: P265/75R16 )

CONSUMER WAS ON THE ON RAMP ,AND WENT TO YIELD FOR ONCOMING TRAFFIC, TOUCHED BRAKES AND IT WENT TO THE FLOOR. CONSUMER HAD TO COAST TO THE SIDE AND GET VEHICLE TOWED. DEALER INSPECTED VEHICLE AND DETERMINED DEFECT WAS DUE TO CONTAMINATION IN THE BRAKE FLUID, BUT VEHICLE HAS ONLY BEEN SERVICED AT SAME DEALER. *AK

VEHICLE PULLS HARD TO THE RIGHT WHEN BRAKING. THE DEALER AND A LOCAL REPAIR SHOP CLAIMS IT IS DUE TO A WORN FRONT TRACK BAR, FAILING U-JOINTS, AND SWAY BAR LINKS. THESE PARTS SHOULD NOT BE WEARING OUT AT THIS LOW OF MILEAGE. I AM CONCERNED WITH THE UPCOMING WINTER DRIVING CONDITIONS THAT LOSS OF CONTROL IS POSSIBLE DUE TO THE POOR HANDLING WITH THE DEFECTIVE PARTS.

NO SUMMARY

TIRE EXPLODED, LOOSING ITS TREAD THAT DAMAGED SHEET METAL & UNDERCARRIAGE OF PU. SPEED WAS 65 MPH, TIRE PRESSURE 75#. EXPLOSION TORE OUT FUEL FILLER HOSE & DAMAGED FUEL SENDER. SHEET METAL AND WHEEL SHROUD DAMAGE.( DOT NUMBER: TIRE SIZE: 145/75R16 )

AIRBAG LIGHT CONTINUES TO ILLUMINATE WHILE VEHICLE IS IN MOTION. DEALER HAS BEEN NOTIFIED. *AK

GAS GAUGE AND THE LOW INDICATOR LIGHT DID NOT CAME ON. VEHICLE STOPPED BECAUSE IT RAN OUT OF GASOLINE. THERE WAS FALSE READING OF GASOLINE GAUGE. *AK