72 of the
645 complaints about the 1998 Dodge RAM 1500 are about the
braking system — 11% of everything
reported for this model year.
Half of the failures with a mileage on record happened before
132,500 miles.
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 1998 DODGE RAM 1500. WHILE DRIVING APPROXIMATELY 25 MPH, THE ABS INDICATOR ILLUMINATED. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO AUTONATION CHRYSLER DODGE JEEP RAM AND FIAT AT 200 AUTOMALL DR ROSEVILLE, CA 95661. AND THE CONTACT WAS INFORMED THAT THERE WAS NO RECALL. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOT MADE AWARE OF THE FAILURE. THE VEHICLE WAS DIAGNOSED REPAIRED. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 32,000. *TT
NHTSA complaint #11128133 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
at 166,977 milesCedar Rapids, IA
SERVICE BRAKES
REAR BRAKE LINE IS WELL KNOWN TO FAIL.
NHTSA complaint #10971986 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
at 150,000 milesWillard, MO
SERVICE BRAKES
DRIVING APPOROXIMATELY 35 MPH WAS GOING TO MAKE LEFT TURN WENT TO SLOW DOWN TO MAKE THE TURN AND THE BRAKES WERE VERY SOFT AND I MISSED THE TURN. GOT HOME AND LOOKED UNDER THE TRUCK TO SEE A LARGE AMOUNT OF BRAKE FLUID LEAKING OUT FROM AROUND THE HARD BRAKE LINES ON THE FRAME BY DRIVERS REAR TIRE. THE LINES WERE VERY CORRODED.
NHTSA complaint #10743452 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
at 120,000 milesWare, MACrash
SERVICE BRAKES
TO WHOM IT MAY CONCERN, THESE RUBBER BRAKE LINES ALMOST KILLED ME BARRELING THRU A DOWNHILL RED LIGHT. FIXED BAD PART,THEN HIT GUARD RAIL,DAMAGED FRONT GRILLE,BUMPER AND FENDER WHEN THE OTHER LINE POPPED WHILE DRIVING. I WAS TOLD THIS IS A NOTORIOUS PROBLEM WITH DODGE TRUCKS. I'M NOT AS ANGRY ABOUT THE FILLER NECK WHICH ROTTED AND FILED TANK W RUST CHUNKS,REPLACED FUEL PUMP. BUT I THINK MORE PPL NEED TO B AWARE OF THIS BRAKE PROBLEM WITH THESE TRUCKS, AS FAR AS I'M CONCERNED, THIS IS INCREDIBLY DANGEROUS, AND I MIGHT SCRAP IT BECAUSE IT'S PROBLEMS 120K MILE TRUCK I CAN'T EVEN GET 700$ FOR AFTER THE $ I'VE INVESTED TO KEEP IT SAFE. I THINK THE BRAKES NEED TO BE RECALLED WITH THESE TRUCKS. OWNERS LIKE ME JUST LET THEM SIT BECAUSE THEY ROSY SO EASY THEIR NOT WORTH FIXING ANYMORE, I REGULARLY MAINTENENCE MY VEHICLES,THESE ARE EXPENSIVE TO KEEP SAFE, THANK YOU. SCOTT KIMBALL.120K 98 RAM
NHTSA complaint #10725151 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
at 178,000 milesAnnawan, IL
SERVICE BRAKES
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 1998 DODGE RAM 1500. THE CONTACT STATED THAT WHILE DRIVING APPROXIMATELY 70 MPH, THE BRAKES BECAME INOPERABLE. THE FAILURE RECURRED SEVERAL TIMES OVER A PERIOD OF ONE MONTH. THE VEHICLE WAS REPAIRED HOWEVER, THE FAILURE RECURRED. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT FURTHER REPAIRED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOT MADE AWARE OF THE PROBLEM. THE VIN WAS NOT AVAILABLE. THE APPROXIMATE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 178,000.
NHTSA complaint #10564854 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
at 117,370 milesAustintown, OHCrash
SERVICE BRAKES
DRIVING TRUCK TO AN INTERSECTION WENT SLOW DOWN BRAKE PEDAL WENT TO FLOOR AND I PROCEEDED INTO INTERSECTION AND WAS HIT ON DRIVER SIDE OF TRUCK AND CAME TO REST AGAINST LARGE STEEL FENCE POST.
NHTSA complaint #10488892 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
at 145,000 milesWestport, IN
SERVICE BRAKES
MY REAR BRAKE LINE BY THE GAS TANK BLEW OUT TODAY.
NHTSA complaint #10470687 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
Copperopolis, CA
SERVICE BRAKES, HYDRAULIC
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.
NHTSA complaint #10366499 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
at 149,000 milesMentor, OH
SERVICE BRAKES, HYDRAULIC
BRAKES FAILED DUE TO CORRODED REAR BRAKE LINE!!!!!
NHTSA complaint #10286833 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
at 150,086 milesNicholasville, KY
SERVICE BRAKES, HYDRAULIC
TL*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.
NHTSA complaint #10233817 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
at 180,000 milesMilford, NJ
SERVICE BRAKES, HYDRAULIC:FOUNDATION COMPONENTS:HOSES, LINES/PIPING, AND FITTINGS
1998 DODGE RAM 1500 PICKUP BLOWING OUT A BRAKE LINE ALL BRAKES LOST.
NHTSA complaint #10173720 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
at 55 milesKilleen, TX
SERVICE BRAKES, HYDRAULIC
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.
NHTSA complaint #10132753 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
NEW Port Richey, FL
SERVICE BRAKES, HYDRAULIC:FOUNDATION COMPONENTS:MASTER CYLINDER
WAS DRIVING 45 MPH ENTERING AN INTERSECTION, THE CONSUMER ATTEMPTED TO APPLY THE BRAKES, THERE WAS A NOISE AND THE CONSUMER THEN REALIZED THE VEHICLE HAD NO BRAKES. THE CONSUMER MANAGED TO GET HOME AND UPON INSPECTION OF THE VEHICLE HE NOTICED A BOLT THAT ATTACHED TO THE MASTER CYLINDER AND POWER BOOSTER HAD BROKEN. THE BOLT HAD SHOWN STRESS FRACTURES.
NHTSA complaint #10096853 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
at 108,650 milesYork, NE
PARKING BRAKE
WE HAVE NOT HAD A CRASH, BUT MY DODGE RAM HAS BEEN IN OUR GARAGE SINCE APRIL WE ARE AFRAID TO DRIVE IT, THE ABS BREAKS ARE ON AND THE TRANSMISSION IS GOING OUT ALSO SMELLS LIKE FIRE CRACKERS AT TIMES.
NHTSA complaint #10093807 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
Victorville, CA
SERVICE BRAKES, HYDRAULIC:ANTILOCK/TRACTION CONTROL/ELECTRONIC LIMITED SLIP
I HAD A PROBLEM WITH THE RIGHT BRAKE EVER SINCE I BOUGHT THE TRUCK. I TOOK IT INTO THE DODGE DEALER IN VICTORVILLE WHO TOLD ME THAT I DID NOT HAVE A RECALL SO IT WOULD COST ME TO CHNAGE THE ROTORS SINCE IT WAS DAMAGED. I JUST HAD MY HUSBAND REPLACE IT WITH A NEW ROTOR WHICH WAS VERY COSTLY SINCE I WAS NOT ABLE TO STOP ANYMORE BECAUSE I HAD NO BRAKE PAD ON THE INSIDE OF THE RIGHT ROTOR SINCE IT HAS ALWAYS BEEN STUCK AND JUST FINALLY WORE OUT EVERYTHING.
NHTSA complaint #10078585 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
Victorville, CA
SERVICE BRAKES, HYDRAULIC:FOUNDATION COMPONENTS:DISC:ROTOR
I HAD A PROBLEM WITH THE RIGHT BRAKE EVER SINCE I BOUGHT THE TRUCK. I TOOK IT INTO THE DODGE DEALER IN VICTORVILLE WHO TOLD ME THAT I DID NOT HAVE A RECALL SO IT WOULD COST ME TO CHNAGE THE ROTORS SINCE IT WAS DAMAGED. I JUST HAD MY HUSBAND REPLACE IT WITH A NEW ROTOR WHICH WAS VERY COSTLY SINCE I WAS NOT ABLE TO STOP ANYMORE BECAUSE I HAD NO BRAKE PAD ON THE INSIDE OF THE RIGHT ROTOR SINCE IT HAS ALWAYS BEEN STUCK AND JUST FINALLY WORE OUT EVERYTHING.
NHTSA complaint #10078585 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
Avoca, PACrash
SERVICE BRAKES, HYDRAULIC
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.
NHTSA complaint #10071835 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
at 69,000 milesChesapeake, VACrash1 injured
SERVICE BRAKES, HYDRAULIC:ANTILOCK/TRACTION CONTROL/ELECTRONIC LIMITED SLIP
TOTAL LOSS ON 1998 DODGE RAM 1500 PICK-UP. ABS DID NOT WORK. WHEELS LOCKED, AND SKIDDED. LEFT ROAD. ENTIRE FRONT END, RIGHT SIDE, CENTER AND LEFTSIDE, WERE DESTROYED. AIR BAGS DID NOT DEPLOY. PHOTOGRAPHS AVAILABLE, INSIDE AND OUTSIDE OF VEHICLE.
NHTSA complaint #10064291 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
at 92,170 milesWest Townsend, MA
SERVICE BRAKES, HYDRAULIC:FOUNDATION COMPONENTS:DISC:ROTOR
WHILE BRAKING VEHICLE LOST BRAKE POWER, AND CONSUMER DROVE THE VEHICLE INTO SNOW ON THE SIDE OF THE ROAD TO STOP. VEHICLE WAS TOWED TO AN INDEPENDENT REPAIR SHOP, WHERE THE MECHANIC DETERMINED THAT RIGHT FRONT ROTOR BLEW APART, CAUSING THE LOSS OF BRAKE POWER.
NHTSA complaint #10059169 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
Bakersfield, CA
SERVICE BRAKES, HYDRAULIC:FOUNDATION COMPONENTS:DISC:ROTOR
WHIE DRIVING 45 MILES PER HOUR I HAD STEP ON MY BRAKE TO STOP THE TRUCK. I HAD TO SVERVE TO THE RIGHT SO I WOULDN'T HIT THE CAR. ALSO I HAD THE BRAKES WORKED AND NOW MY ROTORS HAVE HEAT CRACKS AFTER BEING REPLACED. NOW I HAVE TO REPLACE AGAIN THIS THE FOUTH TIME. DEALER SAY NOTHING WRONG WITH THE BRAKES JUST THAT THEY ARE WEARING OUT FRONT ROTORS.
NHTSA complaint #10032773 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
Acworth, GACrash
SERVICE BRAKES, HYDRAULIC
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. *NLM
NHTSA complaint #10010863 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
Lowory, MN
SERVICE BRAKES, HYDRAULIC
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. TS
NHTSA complaint #8022346 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
Dixon, CA
SERVICE BRAKES, HYDRAULIC:FOUNDATION COMPONENTS:DISC
SINCE NEW THE TRUCK HAS PULLED TO THE RIGHT. DEALER SAID THAT THERE WAS NOTHING WRONG. I NOW FIND THAT RIGHT OUTER BRAKE PAD IS WORN OUT WHERE ALL THE OTHERS ARE FINE. THIS TO ME MEANS THAT THE CALIPER ON THE RIGHT SIDE IS NOT DISENGAGING. IT HAS BEEN THIS WAY FROM THE MANUFACTURER.
NHTSA complaint #765508 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
Antioch, TN
SERVICE BRAKES, HYDRAULIC:FOUNDATION COMPONENTS:DISC:PADS
THE FRONT BRAKE PADS REQUIRED REPLACING AT 16,000 MILES, 8,500 MILES BEFORE SUGGESTED MAINTENANCE. AT 35,975 MILES THE FRONT BRAKE PADS AND ROTORS REQUIRED REPLACING. DODGE INFORMED ME THIS WAS NORMAL WEAR, NOT WITHIN WARRANTY AND NOT CONSIDERED A PROBLEM. THEY DID NOT INFORM ME OF THE TSB ALREADY RELEASED STATING THE KNOWN PROBLEM OF EARLY WEAR ON FRONT BRAKE PADS.
NHTSA complaint #753545 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
Jacksonville, FL
SERVICE BRAKES, HYDRAULIC:FOUNDATION COMPONENTS:DISC
DURING NORMAL BRAKING, BRAKE PEDAL WOULD PULSATE. DEALER CONTACTED. *AK *SCC
NHTSA complaint #8013535 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
Niceville, FL
SERVICE BRAKES, HYDRAULIC:ANTILOCK/TRACTION CONTROL/ELECTRONIC LIMITED SLIP
A KNOCING NOISE WOULD SOUND WHEN APPLYING BRAKES IN REVERSE, DEALER NOTIFIED. *AK
NHTSA complaint #8007371 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
Rowlett, TX
SERVICE BRAKES, HYDRAULIC:ANTILOCK/TRACTION CONTROL/ELECTRONIC LIMITED SLIP
DEFECT IN FRONT AND BRAKING SYSTEM.
NHTSA complaint #745852 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
Lemont, IL
SERVICE BRAKES, HYDRAULIC:FOUNDATION COMPONENTS:DISC:ROTOR
FRONT BRAKES \ ROTORS REQUIRED REPLACEMENT AFTER ONLY 20,000 MILES. I HAVE NOTICED OTHER RECALLS ON RAM 1500 FRONT DISC BRAKES (ROTOR PROBLEMS: FATIGUE BUT NOT ON MY PARTICULAR VIN). I ALSO NEED TO TAKE THE VEHICLE IN YET AGAIN FOR THE SAME PROBLEM ONLY 5 DAYS AFTER INITIAL "REPAIR"! I LOVE MY DODGE RAM, BUT I FEEL THERE IS SOMETHING DEFINITELY WRONG WHEN MYSELF AND OTHERS HAVE TO REPLACE BRAKES SO EARLY ON A RELATIVELY NEW VEHICLE. PERHAPS CHRYSLERS RECALL # 788 SHOULD BE REOPENED FOR FURTHER INVESTIGATION?
NHTSA complaint #740513 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
Omaha, NE
SERVICE BRAKES, HYDRAULIC:FOUNDATION COMPONENTS:DISC
I HAVE JUST OVER 36,000 MILES ON THE TRUCK. I AM ON MY THIRD SET OF PADS FOR THE FRONT AND HAVE REPLACED THE SHOES ONCE. IN ADDITION, I'VE HAD THE DRUMS AND ROTORS TURNED. THE DEALER RESPONDS BY CHARGING ME TO ADJUST THE REAR BRAKES. I HAVE HAD THIS DONE BUT CONTINUE TO EAT UP THE FRONT BRAKES. THE MANUFACTURER CHANGED TO BIGGER PADS AND ROTORS SHORTLY AFTER MY TRUCK WAS MADE BUT DEALER & MANUFACTURER ARE NOT RESPONSIVE. ALSO, THE REAR ANTILOCK DOESN'T WORK RIGHT.
NHTSA complaint #740095 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
Omaha, NE
SERVICE BRAKES, HYDRAULIC:FOUNDATION COMPONENTS:DRUM
I HAVE JUST OVER 36,000 MILES ON THE TRUCK. I AM ON MY THIRD SET OF PADS FOR THE FRONT AND HAVE REPLACED THE SHOES ONCE. IN ADDITION, I'VE HAD THE DRUMS AND ROTORS TURNED. THE DEALER RESPONDS BY CHARGING ME TO ADJUST THE REAR BRAKES. I HAVE HAD THIS DONE BUT CONTINUE TO EAT UP THE FRONT BRAKES. THE MANUFACTURER CHANGED TO BIGGER PADS AND ROTORS SHORTLY AFTER MY TRUCK WAS MADE BUT DEALER & MANUFACTURER ARE NOT RESPONSIVE. ALSO, THE REAR ANTILOCK DOESN'T WORK RIGHT.
NHTSA complaint #740095 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.