10.0

really awful
Crashes / Fires:
6 / 0
Injuries / Deaths:
4 / 0
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 Van 3500:

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

problem #18

Jul 052002

Ram Van 3500

  • miles
While driving accelerator stuck, unable to stop vehicle, resulting in an accident.

- Oakdale, IL, USA

problem #17

Dec 041999

Ram Van 3500 Diesel

  • miles
Cruise control intermittently shuts down, causing vehicle to slow down. Safety factor is that there is no indication to following vehicles that a problem exissts. For instance, I passed a truck on I81 in wva with the cruise set at 70 mph the trucks speed was approx 67 mph. When I pulled back into the right lane the cruise control shut down. There was absolutly no indication to the truck driver that this was happening. I barely had time to hit accelerator in time to avoid being rearended by the truck.

- Hammondsport, NY, USA

problem #16

Apr 242002

(reported on)

Ram Van 3500

  • miles
Throttle stuck on vehicle. Took to dealer, and dealer indicated spring in the belt crank was faulty.

- Tillamook, OR, USA

problem #15

May 102000

(reported on)

Ram Van 3500

  • miles
When placing transmission gear in reverse vehicle took off at a high rate of speed, crashing into a brick fence. Also, consumer stepped on brake pedal and rear wheels were spinning. Consumer has contacted dealer. Dealer has made some adjustments, but problem still occurs.

- Houston, TX, USA

problem #14

Oct 251999

(reported on)

Ram Van 3500 Diesel

  • miles
No summary

- Mauldin, SC, USA

problem #13

Dec 121998

Ram Van 3500

  • Automatic transmission
  • miles
The design of horn button hardens in cold weather causing difficulties locating horn in a emergency. Occasionally the horn fails to work properly. The cruise control would gradually decrease without brakes being applied. Taken vehicle to dealer to check.

- Milwaukee, WI, USA

problem #12

Aug 021999

Ram Van 3500 4WD

  • miles
Vehicle accelerated from stop to high speed at engine startup. "burned rubber" for 30 feet before vehicle was stopped. Driver refused to drive vehicle after incident. Dealer contacted but advised that no previous event similar to this had ever occured to their knowledge. Is this similar to any other event with 1998 Dodge Ram 1500 with 360 cid engine?

- Garden City, ID, USA

problem #11

Jul 011998

Ram Van 3500 4WD Diesel

  • Manual transmission
  • miles
Ongoing/intermittent problem with cruise control, whenever cruise control is engaged, vehicle will go beyond control setting. Consumer has an appiontment for vehicle inspection.

- Moses Lake, WA, USA

problem #10

Apr 191999

Ram Van 3500

  • Automatic transmission
  • miles
When consumer turned on engine and moved the transmission pawl from park to drive, and upon stepping on brake pedal, vehicle took off in reverse, crashing into another vehicle.

- Hinckley, IL, USA

problem #9

May 301999

Ram Van 3500 Diesel

  • miles
Headlight switch failed to connect 3 or 4 times when pulled as though shaft was simply in a hole. Accelerator stuck and I had to brake heavily before it released.

- Chesapeake, VA, USA

problem #8

Aug 141998

Ram Van 3500

  • Automatic transmission
  • miles
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.

- Lafayette, TN, USA

problem #7

Jul 011998

Ram Van 3500 4WD Diesel

  • miles
Speed control adds an additional 7 to 12 mph when it is set. If set at 65 it will go to 72 to 77 before stopping. It stays at 72 to 77 mph for 5 to 10 minutes and then will drop back to the original setting of 65. This is a very dangerous situation and is common in all '98 and '99 Dodge Ram. Dodge must do something to fix this situation.

- Springfield, MO, USA

problem #6

Jan 211998

(reported on)

Ram Van 3500 4WD

  • miles
Vehicleloses accelerationand has gasps in the gas pedal upon acceleration.

- Moscow, ID, USA

problem #5

Oct 051998

Ram Van 3500

  • miles
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.

- Greenville, TX, USA

problem #4

May 011998

Ram Van 3500

  • miles
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.

- Oxford, AL, USA

problem #3

Oct 291998

(reported on)

Ram Van 3500

  • miles
Recall remedy did not correct the problem. The vehicle continues to accelerate at high speeds. Recall number 98V20900.

- Copopaxi, CO, USA

problem #2

Jul 011998

(reported on)

Ram Van 3500

  • Automatic transmission
  • miles
Fuel throttle body failed.

- West Fork, AR, USA

problem #1

Feb 171997

Ram Van 3500 4WD

  • Automatic transmission
  • miles
Consumer's wife experienced acceleration after shifting gear into drive. Vehicle went out of control, causing consumer to strike a tree. Also both air bags did not deploy. Dealer/manufacturer notified.

- Colchestre, VT, USA