10.0

really awful
Crashes / Fires:
14 / 1
Injuries / Deaths:
7 / 2
Average Mileage:
0 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 2500:

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

« Read the previous 20 complaints

problem #41

Feb 092000

Ram 2500 4WD

  • miles
These are the last two of the seven incidents of total brake failure for this vehicle. All incidents occurred at speeds of 25 - 60 mph. 6 of the 7 were during normal stopping conditions; 1 emergency stop. When stepping on the brake pedal there is no braking action. The pedal does not go to the floor. Stepping on the brake pedal 1-2 more times and the brakes then grab. 1 incident failed to stop at a stop sign; 1 neccesitated veering out of lane.

- Pine Bush, NY, USA

problem #40

Oct 051999

Ram 2500 4WD

  • miles
The vehicle makes right turns upon braking, at any speed. Of course the faster the speed the more dangerous the problem, esp. If you are also making a right turn or there are any imperfections in the road such as dirt, gravel, bumps, or holes, at which this point the steering wheel jerks, sometimes completly from your hand, whih was experienced buy the tech. Dodge asked to test drive w/ me. I was told Chrysler is aware of the problem but is unable, ( does not know how ) to fix the problem, they will put my name on a list and when they figure out how to fix it and to engine noise they will call me. I asked them to put in writing my truck was safe to drive ( knowing it isn't) they refused but again said Chrysler is aware. When I bought the truck we were aware of this problem, but they assured me they would fix it 5 times in the shop now they tell me they can't, and will not talk the truck back, I'm out 26,000.00$ and I need a truck for my business. I just want my truck fixed or replaced, or them to purchase it back so that I may purchase yet another truck.

- Woodbridge, VA, USA

problem #39

Jun 011998

Ram 2500 4WD Diesel

  • miles
Severe brake pull, nearly uncontrollable when braking from highway speeds.

- Omaha, NE, USA

problem #38

Mar 201998

Ram 2500 4WD Diesel

  • miles
The brakes pull to the right when applied creating a very dangerous driving hazzard. The truck has been to three different Dodge dealers in a total of seven (7) times in an attempt to obtain a satisfactory repair. The dealers have done steering alignment and replace brake parts on many occausions. However, the problem is a factory design deficiency which is not repairable at the dealer level. Dodge should be forced to redesign the front brake - steering system to correct this problem in a nationwide recall. This problem has become a joke in the automotive industry. The dot should proceed to force Dodge to redesign the brake system and correct the problem. This brake pull problem is a serious driving hazzard which causes the vehicle to steer unexpectantly into other traffic lanes when the brakes are applied. The dealers admit that they cannot make a satisfactory repair given the existing parts available from the factory. The other dealers have been: Valley boulder Dodge, 2100 30th street boulder, co 80301, tel: 303-381-1184 and prestige Dodge, 200 alpine street, longmont, co 80501, tel: 303-651-3000. The Colorado "lemon law" is not effective since the amount given is trade is less that normal trade-in negotiationed amounts. The dot should proceed to recall all Dodge 1998 Ram pickups. Sincerely, kent R. rieske, 5086 cottonwood drive, boulder, co 80301. Tel: 303-530-1551.

- Boulder, CO, USA

problem #37

Dec 211999

(reported on)

Ram 2500

  • Automatic transmission
  • miles
ABS brakes failed to operate properly, and vehicle pulled to the right.

- Lexington, SC, USA

problem #36

Nov 261999

Ram 2500

  • Automatic transmission
  • miles
Intermittently when brakes are applied pedal becomes hard, resulting in extended stopping distance. Dealer has duplicated problem, but doesn't have a clue what is causing it.

- Seattle, WA, USA

problem #35

Nov 231998

Ram 2500 4WD Diesel

  • Automatic transmission
  • miles
Anti-lock brake malfunctioned.

- Foothill R, CA, USA

problem #34

Nov 231999

Ram 2500 4WD Diesel

  • miles
I have had the steering damper replaced several times. It is unknown to me why this happens and the dealer has no answer either. All the components on this vehicle are "heavy-duty". braking is becoming more of a problem as the brakes wear down. The truck only has 21,000 miles on it. The power door locks I have no idea about they just stopped working one day, but, they do work w/ the remote entry. I also noticed the horn actuator is hard to activate due to the hard "leather" for the airbag cover. The driver's door keeps getting missaligned, I have never heard of a vehicle having this much of a problem like it.

- Wallingford, CT, USA

problem #33

Oct 251999

Ram 2500 4WD

  • Automatic transmission
  • miles
The anti-lock brake system is not working properly. Front brakes have pads, and the back brakes have ABS brakes. When consumer applies brakes the front of the car will skid, and vehicle wiil not stop. He has taken vehicle back to the dealer.they told him brakes were working just fine. The vehicle can not make a quick stop, even on loose gravel. The consumer had an accident as the result of brake failure.

- West Valley City, UT, USA

problem #32

Feb 081999

Ram 2500 4WD

  • Automatic transmission
  • miles
While driving at 50 mph and applying the brakes car vibrates.

- Mohave Valley, AZ, USA

problem #31

Sep 301999

(reported on)

Ram 2500

  • miles
When applying brakes, vehicle will pull hard to right. Or if vehicle has been serviced it willthen pull to left. Rotors are being replaced within 6-9 months.

- Norcross, GA, USA

problem #30

Sep 291999

(reported on)

Ram 2500

  • miles
When appyling ABS brakes on wet or dry pavement brakes lock up, cause unknown. Dealer cannot identify thecause of the problem.

- Mc Alester, OK, USA

problem #29

Sep 291999

(reported on)

Ram 2500

  • miles
When applying brakes vehicle severely pulls to the right or the left. Also, the front brake pads and rotors are prematurely wearing out, cause unknown. Vehicle checked for alignment and problem still exist.

- West Patterson, NJ, USA

problem #28

Nov 111997

Ram 2500 4WD

  • Automatic transmission
  • miles
When applying the brakes the truck pulled/skidded, and made a loud sound. This happened when applying the brakes under a panic stop. The truck would not stop in the amount of time that it should stop. Truck has been serviced 5 times for brake problems. On Aug 20, 1999, had a rear end crash. Dealer was not able to duplicate the problem with the ABS.

- Forest Grove, OR, USA

problem #27

Aug 291999

Ram 2500

  • miles
Vehicle was in the shop being repaired for brakes when the entire brake system, including rotors went out, and truck was pulling to one side.

- Birchville, MI, USA

problem #26

Aug 271999

(reported on)

Ram 2500 4WD Diesel

  • miles
No summary

- Annandale, MN, USA

problem #25

Apr 281998

Ram 2500 4WD Diesel

  • miles
My truck brakes pull severely to the right when braking. This problem exists in all Ram 2500 4X4 trucks I have encountered. The dealer has replaced rotors; calipers;alignment; etc. I have had the truck in 9 times (I have documentation) on the same problem with no relief. Dealer now refuses to look further into this problem. Brakes pull to right hard enough to slide truck sideways on wet pavement. Brake pads wear out faster on right front - there has been evidence of the right rotor getting hot (brakes dragging). This is a serious safety issue in a large tall and heavy truck! all Dodge Ram 2500 4X4 owners I have talked to report periodic or continuous similar problems with their brakes.

- Glendale, AZ, USA

problem #24

Aug 011998

Ram 2500 4WD Diesel

  • miles
Pulls serverely to left & right. Rotors/calipers/pads all replaced # of times, still pulls.

- Magna, UT, USA

problem #23

Jan 141999

Ram 2500 4WD Diesel

  • miles
Braking system causes severe vehicle pull to right side. At speeds greater than 30 mph, it is very difficult to maintain control of the truck. Dealer replaced parts on 1/14/99. Problem not fixed. District manager called to resolve problems. On 3/30/99 he worked for 2 days replacing parts. Problem still exists today. Dodge seems not to be able to resolve the problem. Brake pull is severe enough to be a huge safety problem for my family and I.

- Lexington, NC, USA

problem #22

Oct 281998

Ram 2500 4WD Diesel

  • miles
Brake pulling problem, however there is no consistancy as to when, starting at about 20000 miles 10/28/98, I have had it back at least 10 times, dealer has replaced calipers/ pads/steering box, and shims between right front rotor and rim. They now have a 5mm shim and say the next step is a 7.5 per their tsb. I don't like this shim business and the inconsistent braking pattern.

- Livonia, NY, USA

Read the next 20 complaints »