1998 Dodge Ram complaints

HEADLIGHT SWITCH AND CONNECTOR FAILED CAUSING OVERHEATING.

WHILE DRIVING ABOUT 5 TO 10 MPH AND COMING TO A STOP THE BRAKE PEDAL WENT DOWN TO THE FLOOR, VEHICLE DID NOT STOP. DEALER AND MANUFACTURER HAVE BEEN NOTIFIED. *AK *ML

MY 1998 DODGE RAM EQUIPPED WITH AN AUTOMATIC TRANSMISSION SHIFTS INTO NEUTRAL WHEN HITTING HARD BUMPS IN THE ROAD. CHRYSLER DISTRICT MANAGER SAYS ALL DODGE RAMS DO THIS AND I OUGHT TO DRIVE A LITTLE SLOWER. THE ABS BRAKES HAVE ALSO FAIRLED ON A STEEP DECLINE. THE NOISE FROM THE FRONT END WAS HORRENDOUS AND THE WHEELS CONTINUED TO ROLL WITH NO EFFORT TO STOP. ALSO THE FRONT END OF THIS TRUCK CANNOT BE ALIGNED. DODGE HAS ATTEMPTED TO CORRECT THE PROBLEM BY INSTALLING AFTERMARKET BALL JOINTS, HOWEVER PROBLEM STILL EXISTS AND I HAVE GONE THRU 3 SETS OF TIRES. IF ALL RAM TRUCKS SHIFT INTO NEUTRAL THEN ALL SHOULD BE OFF THE ROAD AS MINE IS. I HAVE RECEIVED SEVERAL CALLS FROM OTHER OWNERS HAVING THE SAME PROBLEM.

VEHICLE DOES NOT STOP IN A PANIC SITUATION WHEN BRAKES ARE APPLIED, EXTENDED STOPPING DISTANCE OCCURS. DEALER CONTACTED, AND STATES BRAKES MEET MANUFACTURER'S SPECIFICATIONS AND CANNOT REMEDY THE PROBLEM. *AK.ET.

CONSUMER EXPRIENCING ON GOING PROBLEM WITH TRANSMISSION JUMPING OUT OF GEAR INTERMITTENTLY. VEHICLE BEEN IN/OUT DEALER SHOP ON FIVE OCCASIONS AND PROBLEM STILL OCCURS. DEALER/MFR. NOTIFIED. *AK THE FRONT RIGHT SPRING FAILED. THE RELAY ROD AND THE CAMBER MALFUNCTIONS. *YH

THE HORN IS VERY HARD TO PUSH TO MAKE IT SOUND. IN AN EMGERENCY SITUATION IT IS VERY DANGEROUS. THE DEALER IS WELL AWARE OF THE PROBLEM. *AK

HORN BUTTON HARD TO PUSH IN PANIC SITUATION. MUST USE EXTREAM PRESSURE TO ENGAGE.

SUSPENSION IN FRONT BOUNCES VIOLENTLY ON FREEWAY CAUSING TEMPORARY LOSS OF CONTROL.

VAN LEANS LOW ON DRIVERS SIDE ALSO LOUD CLANGING SPRING NOISES WHEN DRIVING AND MAKEING TURNS. THIS CONDITION IS FROM FACTORY. NOTICED PROBLEM 2 DAYS AFTER TAKING VAN HOME FROM DEALER.

THIS B150 CONVERSION VEHICLE (STAR CUSTOM INDUSTRY) REAR ELECTRIC SEAT, CAUSING THE SEATBELT TO BE INOPERABLE BECAUSE WHEN MOVING THE SEATS, THE SEATBELT BUCKLE AND RETRACTOR WILL BREAK, WHICH WILL NOT PROTECT THE OCCUPANT IN EVENT OF AN ACCIDENT. *AK

ABNORMALITY/DEFECT WITHIN ABS IS CAUSING A LONGER STOPPING DISTANCE ,TAKES ABOUT 20-30 FEET BEFORE VEHICLE WILL STOP, WHICH COULD RESULT IN AN ACCIDENT. *AK

THE CONSUMER HAS BEEN EXPERIENCING PROBLEMS WITH ANTI-LOCK BRAKES. WHEN CONSUMER APPLIES THE BRAKES HEARS A SCREECHING SOUND. THE MANUFACTURER HAS YET TO BE CONTACTED. *AK

CONSUMER WAS DRIVING ON STREET AT APPROX. 35-40 MPH, NORMAL ROAD CONDITION. CONSUMER APPLIED BRAKES IN AN EMERGENCY SITUATION, VEHICLE WAS DELAYED IN STOPPING, CAUSING CONSUMER TO HIT THE REAR END OF ANOTHER VEHICLE. DEALER/MFR. NOTIFIED. *AK

SINCE THE 1ST PUMP FAILED I HAVE SERIOUSLY DIMINISHED POWER AND MILEAGE. AFTER CHRYSLER GOT INVOLVED...THEY KEPT THROWING PARTS AT IT BUT HANDED ME A LOT OF STORIES. WOULD NOT SEND TO CUMMINS. CUMMINS AGREED TO DIAGNOSE THE PROBLEM AFTER SEVERAL MONTHS OF RUN AROUND WITH CHRYSLER. STILL NOT RESOLVED.

TRUCK VIBRATES BETWEEN 30-67 MPH. DEALER HAS CHANGED THE TORQUE CONVERTER, DRIVERSHAFT, REPLACED RING AND PINION, YOKE, BEARINGS AND SEALS. TRUCK HAS BURNED 1/2 QT OF OIL PER 1000 MILES SINCE NEW. *AK *ML

RAM 2500, OUR 12 YEAR OLD SON WAS RIDING IN THE BACK SEAT OF THIS EXTENDED CAB PICKUP TRUCK AND WAS SECURELY FASTENED INTO THE 3-POINT SEATBELT BEHIND THE DRIVER'S SEAT. WHEN WE HIT A LARGE POTHOLE, HIS HEAD SNAPPED BACK AND HIT THE GLASS REAR WINDOW. THERE IS NO HEAD RESTRAINT OR HEAD PROTECTION OF ANY KIND FOR THE REAR SEAT PASSENGER. HE SUFFERED A MILD CONTUSION. IF THIS WAS A MORE SEVERE EPISODE, OR AN ACCIDENT, THE INJURIES WOULD HAVE BEEN SEVERE. WE NEED TO HAVE HEAD RESTRAINT PROTECTION MADE AVAILABLE TO US FOR REAR SEAT PASSENGERS IMMEDIATELY. THIS IS A VERY DANGEROUS SITUATION THAT WE WERE UNAWARE OF WHEN WE PURCHASED THIS VEHICLE. OUR DEALER TELLS US THERE IS NOTHING AVAILABLE THROUGH CHRYSLER TO FIX THIS PROBLEM.

I JUST BOUGHT A NEW 1998 DODGE RAM 1500 TRUCK HAVE JUST PUT 100 MILES ON THE TRUCK I HAVE BEEN UABLE TO DRIVE BECAUSE OF A NECK INJURIE AND THE TRUCK HAS BEEN PARK IN MY GARAGE AND NOW IT IS IN THE SHOP WITH A PIN HOLE IN TRANSMISSION CASING SO I AM WITH OUT A TRUCK BECAUSE THE TRANSMISSION IS ON BACK ORDER AND HAVE NO IDEA WEEN IT IS GOING TO BE IN NOW I CAN DRIVE BUT I HAVE NO TRUCK TO DRIVE

CONSUMER WAS INVOLVED IN A FRONTAL COLLISION IN WHICH THE RIGHT AND LEFT SIDES OF THE VEHICLE WERE HIT, AND THE DRIVER AND PASSENGER AIR BAGS DID NOT DEPLOY. PLEASE GIVE ANY FURTHER DETAILS. *AK

HAD CRUISE CONTROL ON AT 60MPH. ROAD WET/SLICK. VEHICLE STARTED HYDROPLANING. MADE FUNNY NOISES. LOST TRACTION. SPUN AROUND & FRONT END HIT GUARD RAIL. AIR BAGS DID NOT DEPLOY. DRIVER HAS BRUISES FROM SEAT BELT. PASSENGER NOT RESTRAINED. HIT WINDSHIELD. EMERGENCY ROOM TREATMENT. *AK

I WAS HIT HEAD ON BY A DRUNK DRIVER ON OCTOBER 23, 1998, AND MY AIR BAG FAILED TO DEPLOY. I HAD TURNED THE PASENGER SIDE OFF, BU THE DRIVER'S SIDE DID NOT DEPLOY.

THE TRUCK WE PURCHASED HAD A TOWING PACKAGE AS ORDERED. WHAT THEY DIDN'T TELL US IS THAT THE WIRING ISN'T HEAVY ENOUGH FOR PROLONGED USE. WE TOW A 50' TRAILER WITH OUR TRUCK FOR A LIVING. RIGHT AFTER WE PURCHASED IT WE HAD TO REPLACE THE TRAILER RELAY SWITCH AND THEN MANY, MANY FUSES. THEN WE STARTED SMELLING HOT WIRING. THE HEADLIGHT SWITCH WAS HOT AND LIGHTS INSIDE STARTED GOING LIGHT TO DARK. THEN THEY WENT OUT COMPLETELY. WE LOST ALL TRUCK LIGHTS AND TRAILER LIGHTS GOING DOWN THE HIGHWAY AT 55 MILES AN HOUR. WE TOOK IT INTO THE DEALERSHIP AND THEY HAD TO REPLACE THE MAIN TRUCK WIRING HARNESS AND THE LIGHT SWITCH AND THE SHORT PIGTAIL BETWEEN THEM. DODGE KNOWS THIS HAS BEEN A COMMON PROBLEM WITH RAMS USED FOR TOWING. THE CONSUMER WAS EXPERIENCING WIRING PROBLEM ( NOT HEAVY ENOUGH WIRES) WITH ALL THREE VEHICLES OWNED. *YH

ENGINE IDLE SPEED SET TO FACTORY SPECS (750-850 RPM)CAUSES VEHICLE TO ACCELERATE TO APPROX 25MPH WITHOUT ANY PRESSURE ON ACCELERATOR (AUTOMATIC TRANSMISSION). THIS ALSO CAUSES MORE DIFFICULT BRAKING AND INCREASED BRAKE WEAR.

WHILE TRAVELING APPROXIMATELY 35MPH, DRUNK DRIVER TURNED IN FRONT OF RAM. THE VEHICLE WAS BROADSIDED BY RAM & THE DUEAL AIR BAGS DID NOT DEPLOY UPON IMPACT. *AK

WHILE DRIVING UPHILL OR AT HIGH ALTITUDE, THE VEHICLE SURGES OR DECELERATES WHICH MAY CAUSE AN ACCIDENT. MANUFACTURER IS AWARE OF THE PROBLEM, BUT THERE IS NO SOLUTION TO THE PROBLEM. PLEASE PROVIDE FURTHER DETAILS. *AK

RECALL REMEDY DID NOT CORRECT THE PROBLEM. THE VEHICLE CONTINUES TO ACCELERATE AT HIGH SPEEDS. RECALL NUMBER 98V20900. PLEASE GIVE ANY FURTHER DETAILS. *AK

1. OUTSIDE PADS COMPLETELY WORN OUT, INSIDE PADS NOT WORN. REPLACED PAD. 2. ROTORS WARPED, TURNED ROTORS 3. ROTORS WARPED, REPLACED ROTORS 4. COMPLETE BRAKE FAILURE, REPLACED FRONT ROTORS, CALIPERS, ROTORS, PADS, PROPORTIONING VALVE, REPLACED REAR SHOES, ADJUSTERS, HARDWARE 5. TRUCK PULLED TO LEFT, TO RIGHT, BRAKE FADE, BRAKES OVERHEATING, TRUCK STILL IN REPAIR SHOP OUTCOME UNKNOWN.

I THINK THAT A HORN THAT REQUIRES SO MUCH EFFORT THAT IT IS USELESS IS A SAFETY PROBLEM. ALTHOUGH THE DEALER AND THE COMPANY DISTRICT REPRESENTITIVE SAY THAT THE ALL OF THE 1998 HORNS ARE LIKE THAT. SOMETHING CAN BE DONE. CHRYSLER SAYS IN THEIR SPECS THAT THE HORN SHOULD OPERATE AT 2 LBS OF PRESSURE NOT, THE 10 LBS OR MORE THAT THEY REALLY TAKE. I WOULD LIKE TO KNOW WHY, IF THERE IS NO PROBLEM (THEY CLAIM) DID THEY FIX IT FOR 1999. SAME STEERING WHEEL AND PAD BUT IT NOW WORKS.

STEERING CENTERING VALVE CONTINUALLY PULLS TO THE LEFT CAUSING STEERING PROBLEMS AT HIGH SPEEDS, UNABLE TO CORRECT DESIGN DEFECT.

WHILE STARTING ACCELLERATOR GOT STUCK, AND VEHICLE TOOK OFF AT ABOUT 45MPH. BRAKES WERE APPLIED, NO CHANGE. THE VEHICLE HIT A FIRE HYDRANT AND STOPPED. DEALER CONTACTED, AND THEY HAVE BEEN CHECKING FOR ABOUT EIGHT WORKING DAYS, CANNOT DUPLICATE THE PROBLEM. *AK

IF HORN IS NOT PUSHED IN PARTICULAR WAY THE HORN WILL NOT WORK. DEALER NOTIFIED, AND INFORMED CONSUMER NOTHING COULD BE DONE BECAUSE THAT IS THE WAY IT WAS MADE. *AK

CONSUMER RECIVED A LETTER FROM DEALER SAYING THAT THEY HAD A RECALL ON THE ENIGINE COMPUTER, RECALL #799, AND ALSO A RECALL ON A DEFECTIVE FUEL PUMP, RECALL #788. CONSUMER SAYS THAT THE DEALER DOES NOT HAVE PARTS YET . *AK

HORN DIFFICULT TO HONK, OPERATES INTERMITTENTLY.

VERY HARD TO DEPRESS HORN BUTTONS. MUST USE EXCESSIVE FORCE IN CENTE ROF STEERING WHEEL TO HONK HORN.

POWER STEERING PUMP HAS BEEN REPLACED FOUR TIMES. DEALER NOTIFIED. *AK

BRAKES WERE GRINDING, A LINING WAS REPLACED, AND SINCE THEN FOUR SETS OF LININGS HAVE BEEN APPLIED. DEALER CONTACTED, AND ARE AWARE OF THE PROBLEM, VEHICLE WAS NOT UNDER WARRANTY, DEALER DID NOT REPAIR. ANOTHER DEALER CONTACTED AND REPLACED THE ROTORS AT OWNERS EXPENSE. *AK

WHEN DRIVING AT 40MPH IT VIBRATES. WHEN BRAKES APPLIED THE TRUCK WILL PULL TO THE RIGHT,.ON ANY PAVEMENT, DEALER CONTACTED THREE TIMES AND IN SHOP FOR OTHER REASONS, THE PROBLEM STILL EXISTS. DEALER CANNOT DUPLICATE THE PROBLEM.*AK

WHEN DRIVING THE TRUCK THE DRIVER'S OUTSIDE MIRROR ON THE DOOR SHAKES, CAUSING A BLUR IN THE MIRROR WHEN TRYING TO LOOK OUT OF IT. HAS TAKEN TO THE DEALER, BUT THEY CAN'T CORRECT THE PROBLEM. *AK *SLC

WHEN BRAKES ARE APPLIED VEHICLE PULLS TO THE LEFT OR RIGHT. ONE OF THE FRONT BRAKES LOCKS UP AND SKIDS, ANTI-LOCK BRAKES THEN DOES NOT WORK. THIS VEHICLE IS DANGEROUS TO MYSELF, MY FAMILY AND TO THE PUBLIC. SEEKING ARBITRATION UNDER MINNESOTA LEMON.

WHILE THE VEHICLE IS ON AND IN PARK POSITION THE DRIVER'S AND PASSENGER'S AIRBAGS DEPLOYED FOR NO APPARENT REASON AND WITHOUT ANY PRIOR WARNING, CAUSING INJURIES TO THE OCCUPANT. DEALER CANNOT DETERMINE PROBLEM. PLEASE PROVIDE DETAILS. *AK

WHEN HITTING A BUMP, A PULSATION IN THE BRAKES OCCURS, WHEN PUTTING FOOT ON THE BRAKES, AND HITTING A BUMP THE BRAKES DO NOT SEEM TO WORK. DEALER CONTACTED THREE TIMES, AND WILL NOT RESPOND. *AK CONSUMER STATES WHEN RIGHT FRONT TIRE HITS A BUMP, WITH SLIGHT FOOT (BRAKE) PRESSURE, THE TRUCK FEELS LIKE IT IS FREE WHEELING, DEALER INFORMED CONSUMER THAT IS THE WAY THE BRAKES ENGAGE.*JB

REAR ABS LOCK UP.

VEHICLE JUMPS CAUSING CONSUMER TO EXPERIENCE CONTROL PROBLEMS WHEN VEHICLE IS GOING 40MPH OR HIGHER.

VEHICLE'S LOCK DESIGN VERY EASILY BROKEN INTO.

A/C PERFORMANCE MARGINAL SINCE NEW. EXTREMELY POOR COOLING AT IDLE AND LOW ENGINE SPEED. DEALER REPLACED EVAPORATOR & CONDENSOR EVIDENTLY DUE TO REFRIGERANT LEAKS. ALSO REPLACED FAN CLUTCH PERFORMANCE SLIGHTLY IMPROVED BUT STILL RELATIVELY POOR.

DRIVER'S SIDE RESTRAINT SYSTEM MALFUNCTION.

INTERMITTENTLY WHEN BRAKES ARE APPLIED THE VEHICLE WILL PULL TO THE LEFT AND RIGHT. THE DEALER AND MANUFACTURER HAVE BEEN NOTIFIED. OWNER HAS FILED UNDER THE LEMON LAW. *AK

THE DEFECTIVE DRIVER'S AND PASSENGER'S SEATBELTS WILL NOT COME OUT IN ORDER TO USE THE SEATBELT SYSTEM. IT WILL NOT PROTECT THE OCCUPANT IN EVENT OF AN ACCIDENT. BEEN TO DEALER 3 TIMES. DEALER CANNOT DETERMINE PROBLEM. CAUSE UNKNOWN. *AK CONSUMER STATES THAT SEATBELTS WILL NOT EXTRACT FROM LOCK UP IN SEATS AT ALL WHEN VEHICLE IS STARTED, THE ONLY WAY TO UNLOCK IS TO RESTART THE ENGINE. *SLC

WHEN DRIVING VEHICLE AT ANY SPEED IT JUMPS OUT OF DRIVE INTO NEUTRAL WHEN HITTING A BUMP. DEALER'S INVESTIGATION REPRESENTATIVE CANNOT DUPLICATE THE PROBLEM. *AK

RETRACTORS ON SEAT BELTS FAILED.

CONSUMER WAS DRIVING, PULLING A 24FT PONTOON BOAT, TRAVELING 20MPH ON WET PAVEMENT, HIT BRAKES AND THE TRUCK STARTED GOING FASTER, 5-6 TIMES. HIT BRAKES, WENT DOWN HILL, RIGHT SIDE OF ROAD INTO DITCH, TRUCK TURNED OVER TWICE. TOTALLED TRUCK AND BOAT. POLICE ARRIVED TO SCENE, TURNED THE KEY AND TRUCK ROARED. ACCELECERATOR WAS STUCK. DEALER WAS NOT CONTACTED YET. MANUFACTURER WILL SENT INVESTIGATION TEAM, CANNOT DUPLICATE THE PROBLEM. *AK