32 of the 645 complaints about the 1998 Dodge RAM 1500 are about the electrical system — 5% of everything reported for this model year. Half of the failures with a mileage on record happened before 100,000 miles.
32
Complaints
2
Crashes
5
Fires
1
Injuries
Filed with NHTSA, in their own words.
ELECTRICAL SYSTEM
TRUCK SETTING STILL IN YARD, HORNS STARTING BLOWING WITHOUT ANYONE AROUND, PULLED FUSE TO STOP. TWO SHOPS HAVE BEEN UNABLE TO DIAGNOSE PROBLEM. HORNS DO NOT WORK AT ALL NOW. REPLACED WITH NEW HORNS AND STILL DON'T WORK.
NHTSA complaint #11051620 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
ELECTRICAL SYSTEM
DROVE MY 1998 DODGE RAM 1500 TO EMPTY MY TRASH, STARTED BACK HOME AND HAD DRIVEN LESS THAN 1/4 MILE WHEN THE TRUCK HESITATED LIKE IT WAS GOING TO STALL OUT AND THERE WAS SOME SMOKE BEGINNING TO COME UP THROUGH DASH AREA ON DRIVERS SIDE. THINKING I MIGHT HAVE A BUSTED RADIATOR HOSE I IMMEDIATELY PULLED OVER IN THE YARD OF PERSON DOING REPAIR WORK ON AN OLD BUILDING. WHEN I OPENED MY TRUCK DOOR ON DRIVERS SIDE FLAMES SHOT BETWEEN THE INSIDE OF THE DOOR AND SEAT. I JUMPED OUT OF THE TRUCK BUT WAS NOT INJURED. THE MAN SAW FLAMES SHOOTING FROM THE TRUCK AND I WAS VERY FORTUNATE HE HAD A FIRE EXTINGUISHER. HE KEPT SPRAYING THE TRUCK UNDER THE HOOD AND WAS ABLE TO GET THE FIRE UNDER CONTROL JUST AS THE VOLUNTEER FIRE DEPARTMENT TRUCK SHOWED UP. THERE WERE A LOT HOT SPOTS AND THE FIREMAN KEPT SPRAYING IT WITH WATER UNTIL IT FINALLY QUIT SMOKING. THE MAIN PART OF THE FIRE WAS RIGHT AT THE FRONT OF THE CAB OF THE TRUCK BELOW THE MOTOR. YOU COULD SEE THE FIRE BURNING FROM THE SIDE LOOKING THROUGH THE WHEEL WELLS. THEY SAID IT HAD TO BE CAUSED BY A FAULTY GAS LINE BECAUSE OF THE LOCATION. ALL THE ELECTRICAL WIRING INCLUDING THE WIRING HARNESS WAS MELTED. THANK GOODNESS THE MAN HAD THE FIRE EXTINGUISHER OR THE WHOLE TRUCK WOULD HAVE BURNED. VERY SCARY INCIDENT ESPECIALLY FOR A WOMAN.
NHTSA complaint #10747239 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
ELECTRICAL SYSTEM
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.
NHTSA complaint #10562224 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
ELECTRICAL SYSTEM
I UNDERSTAND THAT THERE WAS A RECALL OF DEFECTIVE CLOCKSPRINGS THAT DISABLED AIRBAGS IN CERTAIN DODGE PRODUCTS (SAFETY RECALL 982)(NHTSA IDENTIFICATION NUMBER 01V-153). THE RECALL INCLUDED VEHICLES IN THE VIN LAST 8 DIGITS WS501493 TO WS771681. MY 1998 DODGE RAM 1500 HAS A LAST EIGHT DIGITS OF [XXX]. THUS, IT DOES FALL WITHIN THE RANGE OF RECALLED VIN NUMBERS. HOWEVER, FOR SOME REASON MY TRUCK IS NOT DESCRIBED AS ONE OF THOSE RECALLED. HOWEVER, I HAVE AN AIRBAG LIGHT THAT IS ON AND THE STEERING WHEEL MOUNTED CRUISE CONTROL DOES NOT WORK IT SEEMS TO ME THAT BOTH OF THESE ARE INDICATIONS OF A DEFECTIVE CLOCKSPRING JUST AS ON THE RECALLED VEHICLES. I WOULD LIKE TO KNOW WHY I HAVE NOT RECEIVED A RECALL NOTICE AND WHY MY VEHICLE MAKE MODEL AND YEAR IS NOT DESCRIBED AS RECALLED EVEN THOUGH THE LAST EIGHT VIN DIGITS FALLS WITHIN THE RANGE OF THOSE RECALLED FOR THIS DEFECT. CAN THE RECALL OF THIS BE STUDIED FURTHER AND EXPANDED TO INCLUDE MY VEHICLE? INFORMATION REDACTED PURSUANT TO THE FREEDOM OF INFORMATION ACT (FOIA), 5 U.S.C. 552(B)(6).
NHTSA complaint #10559427 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
ELECTRICAL SYSTEM
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 1998 DODGE RAM 1500. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE HORN FAILED. THE CONTACT HAD TO APPLY EXCESSIVE FORCE TO THE STEERING WHEEL IN ORDER FOR THE HORN TO ACTIVATE. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO THE DEALER FOR DIAGNOSTIC TESTING. THE TECHNICIAN ADVISED THAT THE AIR BAG AND HORN CONTACT UNIT NEEDED TO BE REPLACED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS MADE AWARE OF THE FAILURE AND ADVISED THAT THE VEHICLE WAS NOT INCLUDED IN ANY RECALLS. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT REPAIRED. THE APPROXIMATE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 2,300 AND THE CURRENT MILEAGE WAS 65,000.
NHTSA complaint #10492000 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
ELECTRICAL SYSTEM
1998 DODGE RAM DASHBOARD IS CRUMBLING INTO LITTLE PIECES. I SMELL BURNT WIRES COMING FROM MY DASH SOMETIMES. I FEEL IT MAY START A FIRE.
NHTSA complaint #10386264 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
ELECTRICAL SYSTEM
I HAVE A 1998 DODGE RAM 1500 PICKUP TRUCK. LIKE MANY OF THESE TRUCKS MY DASHBOARD IS LITERALLY BREAKING APART AND COLLAPSING. I HAVE READ ON LINE WHERE THIS IS VERY COMMON WITH MY VEHICLE. MY TRUCK HAS AN AIRBAG BUILT IN THE DASH BOARD AND I AM CONCERNED THAT A SHARP PLASTIC SHARD COULD CAUSE SEVERE BODILY INJURY IF THE AIRBAG IS DEPLOYED OR IF THE AIRBAG WILL EVEN WORK SINCE THE DASH BOARD HAS CAVED IN. DEALERS ARE NOT WILLING TO FIX THIS PROBLEM. I AM ALSO CONCERNED THAT THE DASHBOARD WIRING COULD CATCH FIRE.
NHTSA complaint #10345088 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
ELECTRICAL SYSTEM
BACK IN MAY 08 SPEED SENSOR WENT OUT THEN ABS SENSOR WENT OUT A FEW DAYS LATER CAUSING NO POWER BRAKES AND COULD HAVE CAUSE MY WIFE TO HAVE A WRECK. BOTH REPLACED. NOW GETTING ENGINE CODES FOR O2 SENSORS AND TRUCK SPUTTERS AND CUTS OUT AND WILL NOT ACCELERATE OVER 30 MPH. REPLACED SENSORS. NOW RECEIVING CODES FOR PCM AND NOW REPLACING. THIS IS BEGINNING TO CONCERN ME. WILL THE NEXT PROBLEM CAUSE AN ACCIDENT.
NHTSA complaint #10255319 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
ELECTRICAL SYSTEM:WIRING:INTERIOR/UNDER DASH
WIRING HARNESS UNDER DASHBOARD FRIED IN 98 RAM WHILE USING A/C.
NHTSA complaint #10221138 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
ELECTRICAL SYSTEM:HORN
HORN DOES NOT WORK UNLESS YOU HIT IT IN THE RIGHT SPOT AND YOU HAVE TO HIT IT VERY VERY HARD TO THE POINT WHERE IT HURTS YOUR HAND,THEN SOME TIMES IT STILL DON'T WORK. IT IS A SAFETY HAZARD AND SHOULD BE RECALLED.
NHTSA complaint #10211232 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
ELECTRICAL SYSTEM:WIRING:FUSES AND CIRCUIT BREAKERS
TL*THE CONTACT OWNS A 1998 DODGE RAM 1500. WHILE DRIVING 75 MPH, THE INSTRUMENT PANEL AND EXTERIOR LIGHTS FLICKERED ON AND OFF AND THEN DIMMED COMPLETELY. AS OF SEPTEMBER 19, 2007, THE DEALER HAD NOT INSPECTED THE VEHICLE. THE CONTACT INSPECTED THE VEHICLE AND STATED THAT THE FUSE BOX MELTED, WHICH BE BELIEVED WAS THE CAUSE OF THE FAILURE. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 140,000 AND CURRENT MILEAGE WAS 145,000.
NHTSA complaint #10203425 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
ELECTRICAL SYSTEM
TL*THE CONTACT OWNS A 1998 DODGE RAM 1500. WHILE DRIVING 70 MPH THE SERVICE AND ABS WARNING ILLUMINATED AND HE HEARD A HUMMING SOUND COMING FROM THE RIGHT SIDE OF THE VEHICLE. THE MECHANIC STATED THAT THERE WAS AN ELECTRICAL SHORT, WHICH CAUSED THE FAILURE. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 85,000 AND THE CURRENT MILEAGE WAS 132,000. RETURN USPS, MADE 2ND ATTEMPT 08/07/07 FAILED.
NHTSA complaint #10198755 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
ELECTRICAL SYSTEM
DASHBOARD OF MY 1998 DODGE RAM PICKUP UNEXPECTEDLY STARTED CRACKING AND IT IS MY UNDERSTANDING, THIS IS CAUSING ELECTRICAL FAILURES WHICH COULD CAUSE AN ACCIDENT.
NHTSA complaint #10189431 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
ELECTRICAL SYSTEM:HORN
HORN BUTTON DOESN'T WORK. WHEN IT DOES WORK, IT WON'T TURN OFF. HORN BUTTON IS CONNECTED TO THE AIRBAG ON MY TRUCK.
NHTSA complaint #10157528 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
ELECTRICAL SYSTEM:HORN
THE HORN ON MY 1998 DODGE RAM 1500 WILL ONLY BLOW WITH ABOUT 50 LBS OF PRESSURE APPLIED TO THE STEERING WHEEL AND ONLY IF YOU PUSH ON THE EXACT SPOT. THIS IS A BIG SAFETY ISSUE A GUY BACKED OUT OF A PARKING SPOT AND RIGHT INTO THE SIDE OF MY TRUCK . I TRIED TO BLOW THE HORN BUT I COULDN'T GET IT TO WORK UNTIL IT WAS TO LATE.
NHTSA complaint #10151754 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
ELECTRICAL SYSTEM:HORN
I HAVE A 1998 DODGE RAM 1500. THE DASH CRACKED IN SEVERAL PLACES A COUPLE OF YEARS AGO ALONG WITH THE BEZEL. ALSO HAVE A PROBLEM WITH HORN, IT IS VERY HARD TO ACTIVATE WHEN PUSHED. THESE ITEMS ARE A CONCERN BEING NEAR OR PART OF THE AIR BAG DEPLOYMENT IF IN A CRASH. I BELIEVE THE DASH AND BEZEL ARE CHEAPLY MADE AND DODGE NEEDS TO REPLACE THESE AT WHAT EVER COST TO PREVENT POSSIBLE INJURY IF PERSONS ARE IN A CRASH WHILE OPERATING OR RIDING IN THEIR VEHICLES.
NHTSA complaint #10146631 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
ELECTRICAL SYSTEM:HORN
CONSUMER NOTICED IN COLD WEATHER HORN ASSEMBLY IS HARD TO DEPRESS IN AN EMERGENCY.
NHTSA complaint #10081398 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
ELECTRICAL SYSTEM:HORN
HORN IS HARD TO BLOW. REAR END MAKES WHINING NOISE AND IT STARTED USING 5 QUARTS OF OIL BETWEEN OIL CHANGES. I ONLY HAVE 36000 MILES ON IT. THEY REPLACED MANIFOLD INTAKE GASKET AT MY EXPENSE. THE FUEL GAUGE DOES NOT WORK RIGHT. LUCKILY I DIDN'T RUIN THE ENGINE THAT I KNOW OF. I UNDERSTAND THERE HAVE BEEN A LOT OF PROBLEMS WITH INTAKE GASKETS. HOW LONG DOES IT TAKE TO GET A RECALL ON DEFECTIVE PARTS?
NHTSA complaint #10055028 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
ELECTRICAL SYSTEM:HORN
HORN BUTTON IS IMPOSSIBLE TO PRESS TO ACTUATE HORN. THIS IS MY SECOND TRUCK OF SAME YEAR AND THIS IS A RECURRING PROBLEM.
NHTSA complaint #10052476 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
ELECTRICAL SYSTEM:HORN
HORN SWITCH FAILED INTERMITTENTLY.
NHTSA complaint #10051662 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
ELECTRICAL SYSTEM:WIRING:FRONT UNDERHOOD
MY SON WAS DRIVING ON HWY 78 WHEN THE PICKUP LUNGED A COUPLE OF TIMES. HE WAS GOING TO PULL OFF THE ROAD TO CHECK FOR A PROBLEM. HE HAD THE CRUISE SET SO HE THOUGHT IT MIGHT BE TRANSMISSION PROBLEMS. HE LOOKED IN THE REAR VIEW MIRROR FOR TRAFFIC BEHIND HIM AND SAW FLAMES AND SMOKE COMING FROM BETWEEN THE CAB AND THE BED. HE IMMEDIATELY PULLED OFF AND TOLD HIS FINANCE TO GET HER BABY OUT BECAUSE THEY WERE ON FIRE. WHEN HE OPENED HIS DOOR THE FLAMES ERRUPTED INTO THE CAB AND HE HAD DIVE OUT THROUGH THE FLAMES. THE PICKUP EXPLODED ABOUT ONE MINUTE AFTER THEY GOT OUT. THEY LOST EVERYTHING IN THE TRUCK.
NHTSA complaint #10032996 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
ELECTRICAL SYSTEM:HORN
THE HORN TURNED ON BY ITSELF. THE BATTERY WAS DISCONNECTED AND THE VEHICLE WAS TOWED TO THE DEALER. THE DEALER STATED THAT HORN ASSEMBLY HAS TO BE REPLACED.
NHTSA complaint #10029421 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
ELECTRICAL SYSTEM
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.
ELECTRICAL SYSTEM
WHILE MY WIFE WAS SITTING WITH THE TRUCK ON, IN PARK, IT BURST IN TO FLAMES. THE ENTIRE FRONT AND CAB OF THE TRUCK WAS BURNED. IT WAS A TOTAL LOSS. ELECTRICAL PROBLEMS ARE SUSPECTED BY THE FIRE DEPT. VERY SCARY AND VERY DANGEROUS!!!
NHTSA complaint #10002981 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
ELECTRICAL SYSTEM:HORN
IN THE EVENT OF AN EMERGENCY, THE HORN BUTTON CANNOT BE LOCATED WITHOUT TAKING EYES OFF THE ROAD
NHTSA complaint #738903 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
ELECTRICAL SYSTEM:IGNITION
WHEN DRIVING, THE TRUCK MAKES CLICKING SOUND COMING FROM THE ENGINE, BUT BEFORE A LOSS OF POWER IS FELT. WHEN WE FIRST TOOK IN THE TRUCK, THE MECHANICS AT CAL WORTHINGTON SAID THEY COULD NOT HEAR ANYTHING OR FEEL ANY LOSS OF POWER. AFTER THEY CLAIMED THEY FIXED THE PROBLEM, THE PROBLEM KEPT COMING BACK. AFTER SEVERAL TIMES THEY STILL CLAIMED THEY DID NOT KNOW WHAT THE PROBLEM WAS, UNTIL WE GOT FURIOUS AND UPSET. THEY CLAIMED THAT THEY KNEW WHAT THE PROBLEM WAS, AND THEY ALSO CLAIMED THAT MOST OF THEIR TRUCKS HAD THE SAME PROBLEM. EVEN THOUGH WE HAVE TAKEN IN OUR TRUCK SEVERAL TIMES, THEY HAVE DONE NOTHING TO STOP THE NOISES AND LOSS OF POWER. TO THIS DAY THE PROBLEM IS STILL OCCURING SPECIALLY WHEN WHEN GOING UP A SMALL ASCENT. THE PROBLEM ALSO OCCURS QUITE FREQUENTLY AT THE 60-70 MPH RANGE. WE HAVE NOT FIGURED OUT WHAT THE PROBLEM IS, BUT THEY DO. FROM WHAT WE HAVE NOTICED OVER THE PAST YEARS THAT WE HAVE TAKEN IN THE TRUCK FOR REPAIRS THEY HAVE DONE ABSOLUTELY NOTHING TO STOP IT.
NHTSA complaint #734992 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
ELECTRICAL SYSTEM
SEAT BELT INDICATOR LIGHTS CONTINUALLY ON, REPLACED DASH CIRCUIT BOARD, SEAT BELT RELAY AND SEAT BELT, SYMPTOM CONTINUED AFTER THREE REPAIR ATTEMPTS NOT ABLE TO RECTIFY FAILURE. YH
NHTSA complaint #552313 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
ELECTRICAL SYSTEM:HORN
THE HORN IS VERY DIFFICULT TO USE. IT MUST BE HIT HARD AT EXACTLY THE RIGHT SPOT TO FUNCTION. WHEN IN A PANIC (I.E. WHEN HORN USE IS NECESSARY) IT IS UNLIKELY THAT ONE CAN HIT THE RIGHT SPOT. IN VERY COLD WEATHER (BELOW FREEZING) THE HORN DOES NOT WORK AT ALL.
NHTSA complaint #717546 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
ELECTRICAL SYSTEM:HORN
THE HORN IS ALMOST IMPOSSIBLE TO WORK IN AN EMERGENCY. YOU HAVE TO HIT IT IN EXACLY THE RIGHT SPOT FOR IT TO WORK WITH A SIZABLE AMOUNT OF FORCE. I TOOK IT TO THE DEALER THINKING IT WAS A PROBLEM WITH MY VEHICLE ALONE. THEY SAID THEY TESTED IT AND IT WAS THE SAME AS ALL OTHER HORNS. I HAVE ALMOST BEEN INVOLVED IN SEVERAL ACCIDENTS BECAUSE I HAVE NOT BE ABLE TO WARN A PERSON MOVING INTO MY LANE BECAUSE I COULD NOT GET MY HORN TO WORK. PLEASE LOOK INTO THIS ISSUE AS I FEEL IT POSES A THREAT OF DANGER TO ANYONE WHO OPPERATES THIS VEHICLE.
NHTSA complaint #707218 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
ELECTRICAL SYSTEM:HORN
HORN REPLACED DUE TO DIFFICULTY IN ENGAGEMENT.
NHTSA complaint #607036 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.