10.0

really awful
Crashes / Fires:
4 / 0
Injuries / Deaths:
0 / 0
Average Mileage:
43,416 miles

About These NHTSA Complaints:

The NHTSA is the US gov't agency tasked with vehicle safety. Complaints can be spread across multiple & redundant categories, & are not organized by problem. See the Back button — blue bar at the very top of the page — to explore more.

Get notified about new defects, investigations, recalls & lawsuits for the 1998 Dodge Ram 1500:

Unsubscribe any time. We don't sell/share your email.

problem #15

Jan 102010

Ram 1500

  • 90,000 miles
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.

- Los Angeles , CA, USA

problem #14

Sep 062010

Ram 1500

  • miles
I own a 1998 Dodge Ram 1500 4X4 pickup I was driving a friend and her daughter to the dentist I passed a logging truck when I got back in my lane as I was slowing down the truck shuddered and lost power I pulled off the road the only place I could pull off I hit it the was almost off the nut holding the tire rotor on the shaft snapped off the tow home was over 500 dollars after getting truck I broke out my shop manuals out the brg pack was burned I replaced from front differential out to tires with oem parts to the tune of 1100 dollars within a mth the left front tire came off as I was turning into my drive way again replaced from front differential out to tire this time cost about 850 6 mths latter coming home I feel front vibration hang on to wheel my drivers side front tire rotor caliper fly off I slide better part of 75 feet grinding off lower ball joint after being towed home looking at tire rim caliper rotor I decide to replace the entire front end cost of 650 dollars from a wrecking yard believe the problem front to light for weight also the viscosity of greese in brg pack to light breaking down causing brg to get hot and seize up causing tire rim caliper H rotor to fly off have saved all old parts.

- Copperopolis, CA, USA

problem #13

Apr 092010

Ram 1500

  • 115,000 miles
The contact owns a 1998 Dodge Ram 1500. The contact stated that while driving at approximately 40 mph, the brake pedal went to the floorboard when depressed. The brake indicator light also illuminated. The brakes also failed intermittently. The vehicle was taken to an authorized dealership for a diagnostic test and the contact was informed that the braking system was functioning properly but the failures were causing by an electric component. The vehicle was at the dealership for repair at the time of the complaint. The current and failure mileages were approximately 115,000.

- Obetz, OH, USA

problem #12

Sep 282009

Ram 1500

  • 149,000 miles
Brakes failed due to corroded rear brake line!!!!!

- Mentor, OH, USA

problem #11

Jul 092008

Ram 1500

  • 150,086 miles
The contact owns a 1998 Dodge Ram 1500 club cab. The contact stated that the vehicle has faulty brake lines. While driving 25 mph, the hard line failed. The brake lines were replaced once before. The contact stated that the weather conditions were not a factor, and she feels that this is a safety issue because it could lead to a serious crash. The current and failure mileages were 150,086.

- Nicholasville, KY, USA

problem #10

Jan 202005

Ram 1500 4WD 6-cyl

  • Automatic transmission
  • 55 miles
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.

- Killeen, TX, USA

problem #9

May 062004

(reported on)

Ram 1500

  • miles
Consumer depressed the brakes to come to a stop. In the process, the vehicle hopped up and down. Vehicle was serviced, and the problem was due to the rear brake adjuster malfunctioning.

- Victorville, CA, USA

problem #8

Apr 152004

Ram 1500

  • miles
While driving on a hill consumer depressed the brake pedal to come to a stop and brakes failed to respond once the speed dropped between 10-15 mph. Consumer veered the vehicle off the road, crashing into a guard rail.

- Avoca, PA, USA

problem #7

Feb 152003

Ram 1500

  • Automatic transmission
  • 50,100 miles
My husband ordered this truck in late 1997. We purchased it new and have had numerous problems with the vehicle. The biggest problem we have faced is the transmission. Mid-April 1998 the first problems occured with slippage, the transmission cooling lines were replaced, one month later the torque converter went and repairs were made. Now at 51,000 miles and very little driving for the last 2 yrs (since my husband has been sick with cancer) it has blown again. The front seals are leaking profusely. The rear window was leaking so badly at one point the entire ceiling inside was soaded. The ABS computer went wacky on us early on also. The seatbelt has been twisted since we purchased the vehicle and we have not successfully fixed it. The extended warranty we purchased has gone out of business. I will not likely buy another Dodge ever again. Mercedes takes the cake.

- Austin, TX, USA

problem #6

Mar 212003

Ram 1500

  • miles
From the day I saw that 96 Dodge truck rolling down the street I fell in love. I saved every way possible to purchase the big bad 1500 4X4 5.9(98)with every option avail. Had everything and from week 1 had problems. Front windshield cracked while driving "due to frame stress" it about 2 weeks into it. Brake failure cause serious assault on guard rail, and Dodge said I must have been driving to fast (@ 30 mph). They refused any warranty because "nothing can touch the wheel" and since the incident occurred after 93 days lemon laws did not apply so after (2) $900 brake jobs two weeks apart everything was fine. Not to mention damage to body I paid for out of pocket. Now I just go through an entire set of brakes every 6 months. But I stop until then.. I replaced the transmission at 38 K miles, note the warranty on that is 36 K miles. I have had steering linkage become so loose instantaneously (or 3 separate occasions) that it felt like I was running over my own axle, which is another $1000 each time. For the past three emissions inspections the on board computer fails so I have to take it to the dealer while they charge $200 to fix it, but will not give straight answer to what is problem. And to night as I type, I spread the grime of engine crud across my keyboard as I try to figure out why the fuel filter suddenly stopped. Amazingly I have had this truck for 5 years because it has kept me too broke to buy something else. Any "legal" suggestions on what can be done would be appreciated. I recognize I have spent more than $15,000 trying to keep this thing running right, and that is too much for a "late model" truck. I would love to blame a dealer but I have been to just about all of them around here and with the smiles on there faces I hear "that will be another $950 sir".. good grief.

- Acworth, GA, USA

problem #5

Oct 252001

Ram 1500 4WD 6-cyl Diesel

  • Manual transmission
  • 97,000 miles
Vehicle brakes failed. Scc

- Silver Springs , NV, USA

problem #4

Nov 072002

(reported on)

Ram 1500

  • miles
Consumer called complaining about having intermediate brake failure ever since he bought the vehicle. Dealer was contacted and has stated that they wanted to service the vehicle but it was not going to replace the problem so consumer refuse to have anything done on the vehicle.

- Lowory, MN, USA

problem #3

Mar 181998

(reported on)

Ram 1500

  • miles
Problematic steering and braking systems.

- Aurora, CO, USA

problem #2

Jun 031998

(reported on)

Ram 1500 4WD

  • miles
While slowing, the brakes sometimes makes the vehicle feels as though it's bouncing. They also squeal when in use.

- Winchester, IN, USA

problem #1

Nov 011997

Ram 1500 4WD

  • miles
Vehicle pulls to the extreme right when braking.

- Aurora, CO, USA