10.0

really awful
Crashes / Fires:
2 / 0
Injuries / Deaths:
1 / 0
Average Mileage:
44,595 miles

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problem #21

Mar 222024

Ram 1500

  • miles
The seatbelt timer module is failing, resulting in the seatbelts staying locked even when fully retracted. This means sometimes I as the driver as well as my front seat passenger cannot buckle up and drive the vehicle safely. I have not reproduced or confirmed this issue with a dealership or independent service center. The component has not been inspected by the manufacturer, police, or insurance agency. A red seatbelt warning light will appear when the seatbelts lock up and goes away when it unlocks.

- Titusville , FL, USA

problem #20

Jan 212024

Ram 1500

  • miles
The drivers side and passanger side seat belts are locked in the seats. There is no fix, you cant drive truck because you can not use the seat belts, they are made into the seats. No one sells part for it. The seat belts will not extend. The seat belts just stopped working, no warning.

- Nunnelly, TN, USA

problem #19

Mar 022015

Ram 1500

  • miles
1998 Dodge Ram 1500. Consumer writes in regards to seat belt issues. Consumer sent additional correspondence. The consumer stated three years ago, the seat belt on both sides would not pull down out of the seat. The dealer informed the consumer the seat belts needed to be replaced at a cost of $1000. The consumer stated he went to a junk yard and purchased a seat belt module for $35. 00. updated 08/24/15

- Winston-Salem, NC, USA

problem #18

Dec 102014

Ram 1500

  • 78,000 miles
Seat belt control module will not release retracted belts to allow driver or passenger to wear seat belts. This makes the vehicle unsafe and illegal to properly operate. Module is no longer manufactured or carried by any national parts warehouse. Dodge advised for me to call a dedicated supplier of parts for older vehicles and was told these were not available anywhere on a database any longer. There are several blogs with owners stating same issues with their trucks and Dodge has not recalled this safety item or accommodated anyone with these problems as of date.

- Palmetto Bay, FL, USA

problem #17

Sep 192013

Ram 1500 8-cyl

  • 140,000 miles
Truck was park both times..one time over night..then second time parked at work for 8 hours..went to get into truck, nothing happen, no seat belt was working.. why there no recall on something like seat belt a big safety issue?? there was nothing I did wrong.

- Baytown, TX, USA

problem #16

Aug 012003

Ram 1500 4WD 8-cyl

  • 70,000 miles
Drivers side seat belt retractor has broken three times since 2003 (approximate date), leaving the seat belt paid-out (unable to retract) and useless. I replaced it last month for $185 plus tax. Parts salesman wasn't confident that it would be available for purchase (as some seat belts are discontinued). Safety items should have no expiration!

- North Augusta, SC, USA

problem #15

Jul 152012

Ram 1500

  • 35,000 miles
The contact owns a 1998 Dodge Ram 1500. The contact stated that while parked, the neither front seat belt would extend from their retractors. The vehicle was not taken to the dealer for a diagnostic test. The vehicle was not repaired. The approximate failure mileage was 35,000.

- Hudson, FL, USA

problem #14

Apr 122011

Ram 1500 4WD 8-cyl

  • 123,000 miles
The passenger and driver seat belts are locked in the retracted position. There wasn't any event that led to the failure, they both just quit working. I researched the issue on the internet and apparently it is something that happens quite often leaving both the driver and occupant without safety restraints. This is very dangerous and a safety recall needs to be issued to both notify and to protect the public.

- Interlochen, MI, USA

problem #13

Oct 252010

Ram 1500 8-cyl

  • 80,500 miles
1998 Dodge Ram 1500 seat belts remain in retractable position and cannot be used on both passenger and driver sides. Mileage 80500 this is a safety hazard because no matter how hard you pull on the seat belts they will not come loose from the retractable position.

- Moultonborough, NH, USA

problem #12

Feb 102010

Ram 1500

  • 205,000 miles
No accident as of yet. No reasonable cause of condition found at present time. Safety belts locked in fully retracted state, and are unable to extend for fastening. No accident has happened at current time to owners knowledge.

- Lewisburg, TN, USA

problem #11

Jul 102008

Ram 1500 4WD

  • 115,000 miles
1998 Dodge Ram 1500 4WD - driver and front passenger seatbelts do not work. This vehicle has never been wrecked, they just quit working one day. We called the local dealership and they said we could replace each seatbelt for $198.

- Ackerman, MS, USA

problem #10

Aug 122005

Ram 1500

  • 39,898 miles
The driver seat belt became unbuckled various times. I have replace the buckle side of it on my own. Also the rear end is making noise right after warranty expired, now I'm supposed to replace it onmy own.

- San Juan, PR, USA

problem #9

Jun 222005

Ram 1500 8-cyl

  • Automatic transmission
  • miles
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. (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)

- Liberty Township, OH, USA

problem #8

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 #7

Sep 232003

Ram 1500

  • miles
While driving at normal speed vehicle was involved in a frontal collision, and neither of the air bags deployed. Also, seat belts failed to hold driver and consumer. No air bag light warning light appeared prior to the crash.

- Cohocton, NY, USA

problem #6

Jun 012002

Ram 1500

  • miles
Seat belt retractor is defective. Passenger front belt will not retract. Driver's front belt extracts intermittently. Retractors are motorized. Consumer states motor makes strange grinding noise.

- Orange Grove, TX, USA

problem #5

Sep 062001

Ram 1500

  • Automatic transmission
  • miles
While driving 50 mph vehicle was hit head-on, and left rear passenger's seatbelt did not restrain child. Child hit his face on front passenger's seatback. One of the child's teeth cut through the lip.

- Blackshear, GA, USA

problem #4

Jul 012000

Ram 1500

  • miles
Seat belt control module caused current draw that depletes battery. Disconnecting the module stops current draw but deactivates the seat belts.

- Camarillo, CA, USA

problem #3

Aug 072000

(reported on)

Ram 1500 4WD

  • Automatic transmission
  • miles
Driver seatbelt will locks up without applying brakes/with or without the key in igniton, or if the consumer is sitting still or moving, causing consumer to be trapped against seat. Dealer has replaced seatbelt, but defect is still occurring. The dealer is unwilling to correct the problem. The unpredictability of when the belt will lock makes it particularily dangerous.

- Mclean, VA, USA

problem #2

Dec 291998

Ram 1500 4WD

  • miles
When system failed, we were unable to put seat belts on due to computers loss of programing. This is not only unsafe, but illegal in this state and many others.there sould be a default to a mechanical locking system, not just go inop. And leave us in a very unsafe situation.

- Grand Junction, CO, USA

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