89 of the
645 complaints about the 1998 Dodge RAM 1500 are about the
transmission — 14% of everything
reported for this model year.
Half of the failures with a mileage on record happened before
84,000 miles.
D
89
Complaints
8
Crashes
0
Fires
5
Injuries
Exactly what failed
Automatic Transmission
3438.2%
Axle Assembly
1314.6%
Power Train
1213.5%
Differential Unit
66.7%
Park/Neutral Start Interlock Switch
44.5%
Axle Shaft
44.5%
Gear Position Indication (Prndl)
33.4%
Seal
33.4%
Driveline
33.4%
Manual Transmission
22.2%
Transmission & Drivetrain across every Dodge RAM 1500 year
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 1998 DODGE RAM 1500. THE CONTACT STATED THAT AFTER HIS WIFE WAS PARKED THE VEHICLE AND ATTEMPTED TO SHIFT THE GEAR SHIFTER INTO PARK, THE GEAR SHIFTER INSTEAD SHIFTED INTO REVERSE. THE CONTACT'S WIFE EXITED THE VEHICLE AND THE VEHICLE STARTED ROLLING BACKWARDS. THE CONTACT USED A BRICK TO CHOCK THE PASSENGER'S SIDE FRONT TIRE TO PREVENT THE VEHICLE FROM ROLLING. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT TAKEN TO BE DIAGNOSED NOR REPAIRED. NEITHER THE DEALER NOR THE MANUFACTURER WERE NOTIFIED OF THE FAILURE. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 98,000.
NHTSA complaint #11343738 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
at 108,000 milesTaylorsville, NC
POWER TRAIN
I WAS DRIVING DOWN THE ROAD AT ABOUT A BOUT 50 MPH DOWN THE ROAD AND STARTED HEARING A NOISE WHEN LETTING OFF THE THROTTLE AND SLOWED DOWN A LIL GAVE IT SOME GAS THEN LET OFF AGAIN NEXT THING I HEAR IS THE DRIVE SHAFT HITTING THE ROAD AND THE TIRES SLIDING ACROSS THE ROAD AND CAUSING ME TO SLIDE ACROSS THE ROAD LOCALLY THERE WAS NO TRAFFIC COMING TOWARDS ME I WAS ABLE TO CONTROL THE SLIDE OF THE REAR TIRES TO A STOP ON THE SIDE OF THE ROAD. I GOT OUT AND WAS LOOKING WHAT HAPPEN THE PION NUT CAME OFF THE PION GEAR LOCKING UP THE REAR DIFFERENTIAL I THINK THIS IS A SAFETY ISSUE BECAUSE IT COULD HAVE ENDED UP SOMEONE GETTING HURT AND OR KILLING SOMEONE IN A CRASH. THE TRUCK IS VERY WELL TAKING CARE OF AND HAS 108K MILES LOW FOR ITS AGE AND THERE WAS A RECALL ON THIS BEFORE BUT ON THE 05 DODGE RAM TRUCK'S THAT WAS MADE IN 04 IS WHAT SOMEONE TOLD ME
NHTSA complaint #11231648 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
at 180,000 milesHampton Falls, NH
POWER TRAIN
IN MOTION THE STEERING IS VERY LOOSE. THE STEERING WHEEL WILL TRAVEL VERY OFTEN FROM 3 O'CLOCK TO 9 O'CLOCK AND HOPEFULLY, I AM STILL GOING STRAIGHT. THE TRUCK WILL DRIFT TO THE RIGHT AND HAVE TO OVERSTEER TO GET THE TRUCK IN THE TRAVEL LANE. I REPLACED STEERING GEAR BOX, BALL JOINTS, TIE RODS, STEERING ROD, TRACK BAR, RACK, AND PINION. THIS IS AN ONGOING PROBLEM FOR A NUMBER OF YEARS. TRANSMISSION PLASTIC PART IS BROKEN SO THERE HAS TO BE REPLACED.
NHTSA complaint #11098881 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
Stockton, CA
POWER TRAIN
I WAS DRIVING ON THE HIGHWAY THEN HEARD A LOUD THUMP AND THE DRIVER SIDE REAR WHEEL IS PUSHED OUT AND IT NO LONGER ENGAGES
NHTSA complaint #11052074 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
at 41,000 milesLenox, MI
POWER TRAIN
WHEN BACKING THE VEHICLE OUT OF THE GARAGE, I NOTICED AN OILY SUBSTANCE IN THE CENTER OF THE VEHICLE DIRECTLY BELOW THE REAR DIFFERENTIAL. INSPECTING THE VEHICLE, I COULD SEE THERE IS A LEAK EMANATING FROM THE DRIVE-SHAFT AND DIFFERENTIAL WHERE THE PINION SEAL IS LOCATED. THERE IS A RECALL ON THE PINION SEAL FOR THE 2009 AND 2010 MODEL YEARS THAT DOES NOT COVER MY 2008 DODGE RAM 1500. I BELIEVE THE RECALL NEEDS TO EXTEND TO THE 2008 MODEL YEAR ALSO.
NHTSA complaint #10747167 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
at 211,077 milesPinckney, MICrash
POWER TRAIN
I WAS DRIVING DOWN A 45MPH ROAD AND THE TRUCK WAS NOT SHIFTING SO I PULLED TO THE SIDE SHUT IT OFF TURNED IT BACK ON THE CHECKED ALL THE GEARS AND EVERYTHING SEEMED FINE THEN I TRIED DRIVING AGAIN AND IT STALLED WHILE DRIVING DOWN THE ROAD AND WILL NOT START AND THE ENGINE MAKES A WEIRD RUMBLE NOISE.
NHTSA complaint #10572941 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
Homestead, PA
POWER TRAIN
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 1998 DODGE RAM 1500. THE CONTACT STATED THAT HE RECEIVED NOTIFICATION OF NHTSA CAMPAIGN ID NUMBER: 13V038000 (POWER TRAIN) SEVERAL MONTHS AGO AND WAS INFORMED BY THE DEALER THAT THE PART FOR THE REPAIR WAS NOT AVAILABLE. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOT CONTACTED ABOUT THE ISSUE. THE CONTACT HAD NOT EXPERIENCED A FAILURE.
NHTSA complaint #10535132 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
at 98,000 milesBronx, NY
POWER TRAIN
THE CONTACT OWNS A 1998 DODGE RAM 1500. THE CONTACT STATED THE STRUCTURE BODY OF THE VEHICLE HAS ROTTED AWAY. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO A MECHANIC FOR ROUTINE MAINTENANCE AND WAS INFORMED THAT THE STRUCTURE WAS RUSTED AND CORRODED. THE VEHICLE WAS UNDRIVABLE. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOT NOTIFIED. THE VIN WAS UNKNOWN. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 98,000. MW
NHTSA complaint #10460447 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
at 90,000 milesSumter, SC
POWER TRAIN
TRANSMISSION SLIPS INTO NEUTRAL WHEN TURNING CORNERS. WE HAVE TO LET THE ENGINE IDLE DOWN AND WAIT 15 TO 30 SECONDS BEFORE TRANSMISSION CATCHES.
NHTSA complaint #10455048 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
at 130,000 milesPelzer, SC
POWER TRAIN:DRIVELINE
I OWN A 1998 DODGE RAM 1500 EXTENDED CAB. I BOUGHT THE VEHICLE NEW. FOR SEVERAL YEARS THE DASH HAS BEEN CRACKING AND THE PLASTIC AIR CONDITIONING VENTS ARE FALLING APART. I HAVE MADE NO REPAIRS AND IT NEEDS FIXING. ALSO THE REAR END IS ROARING PROBABLY FROM A BEARING GOING BAD. OTHER THAN THIS PROBLEM, IT HAS BEEN A GOOD TRUCK.
NHTSA complaint #10421089 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
at 168,534 milesPlainville, CT
POWER TRAIN:AUTOMATIC TRANSMISSION
TL*THE CONTACT OWNS A 1998 DODGE RAM 1500. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE REVERSE GEAR WAS NON-FUNCTIONAL. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO A LOCAL MECHANIC WHO INFORMED THE CONTACT THAT THE REVERSE GEAR RETENTION CLIP CAME OUT AND DISINTEGRATED. THE VEHICLE HAD NOT BEEN REPAIRED AT THE TIME OF THE COMPLAINT. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 168,534.
NHTSA complaint #10335045 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
at 148,000 milesManhattan, KS
POWER TRAIN:AUTOMATIC TRANSMISSION
I DRIVE A 98 DODGE RAM. THE TRANSMISSION SLIPS OUT OF OVERDRIVE ON IT'S OWN. I WILL BE REPLACING THIS TRANSMISSION AT A COST OF $2000.00. IT DOES IT AT SPEEDS OF 70 MPH AND COULD BE DANGEROUS IF TOWING A TRAILER. DODGE TRUCKS ARE KNOWN FOR FAULTY TRANSMISSIONS.
NHTSA complaint #10296655 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
at 39,898 milesSAN Juan, PR
POWER TRAIN:DRIVELINE
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.
NHTSA complaint #10261919 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
at 124,000 milesChicago Ridge, IL
POWER TRAIN:AUTOMATIC TRANSMISSION
MY TRANSMISSION HAVE FAILED. INTAKE MANIFOLD GASKET BLEW OUT.
NHTSA complaint #10259265 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
at 150,000 milesWest Memphis, AR
POWER TRAIN:AUTOMATIC TRANSMISSION
1998 DODGE RAM 1500 TRUCK TRANSMISSION FAILURE TWICE IN THREE YEARS. HAVE SEEN NUMEROUS COMPLAINTS OVER VARIOUS INTERNET SITES WITH SAME PROBLEMS. FIRST TRANSMISSION FAILED, THEN ALL THE SENSORS FAILED ON TRANSMISSION, AND NOW TORQUE CONVERTER.
NHTSA complaint #10252621 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
at 110,000 milesRegina ,Saskatchewan, 00Crash
POWER TRAIN:AUTOMATIC TRANSMISSION
TRUCK PARKED ON DRIVEWAY IN PARK--DID NOT HOLD AND ROLLED BACKWARDS INTO TREE ON THE LAWN CAUSING DAMAGE TO THE REAR BUMPER-LUCKILY IT DID STRIKE THE TREE OTHER WISE IT WOULD HAVE BEEN ON THE STREET. I HAVE THE SAME PROBLEM OF SHIFTING INTO DRIVE--AND REVERSE THE ENGAGEMENT POINTS ARE NO WHERE THEY ARE SHOWN TO BE ON THE SHIFTER. THERE IS ALSO A HESITATION WHEN ENGAGED(SOMETIMES) AND WILL ENGAGE ROUGHLY WITH A JERK. I VE BEEN TOLD THAT THERE WAS A DEFECTIVE CONNECTOR INSIDE THE STEERING COLUMN AND THAT THERE WAS A SAFETY RECALL ON THIS PART--CANNOT GET A DIRECT ANSWER FROM A LOCAL DEALER HERE --WHAT'S THE SCORE ON THIS.
NHTSA complaint #10251917 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
at 64,437 milesPenn Valley, CA
POWER TRAIN:AXLE ASSEMBLY:AXLE SHAFT:SEAL
REAR END LOCKUP GEARS WORN TO LOCKUP.
NHTSA complaint #10219767 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
Taylor, TX
POWER TRAIN:AUTOMATIC TRANSMISSION
(1) STARTED TO PULL AS IF IT WERE NOT GETTING FUEL (2) THE TRANS TEMP LIGHT CAME ON (3)THE OVERDRIVE LIGHT CAME ON (4) PERIODICALLY THERE WAS A GRINDING NOISE (5) TRUCK WOULD DELAY OR JERK WHEN PUT IN DRIVE (6)WILL NO LONGER GO IN DRIVE OR REVERSE (7) TRUCK HAS STALLED AND IS NO LONGER RUNNING.
NHTSA complaint #10152497 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
at 99,000 milesNashville, TN
POWER TRAIN
LOUD DRIVE TRAIN NOISE COMING FROM TRUCK. SERVICED AT 70K BY DODGE DEALERSHIP, REPLACING REAR DIFFERENTIAL/BEARINGS. TRUCK IS NOW MAKING SAME NOISE AT 99K AND FIRST ESTIMATE OF REPAIR INDICATES REAR DIFFERENTIAL/BEARINGS AGAIN.
NHTSA complaint #10152075 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
at 91,500 milesShepherd, MI
POWER TRAIN:AUTOMATIC TRANSMISSION
TRANSMISSION NO LONGER HAS REVERSE. THIS WAS REPAIRED ONCE AT DEALERSHIP IN FEBRUARY 04 AT COST OF $2135.41. NOW, TO REBUILD FOR SAME PROBLEM 13 MONTHS AND 22K MILES LATER IS $3064.47 AT SAME DEALER. THEY BLAME INCREASE IN COST OF PARTS. CONTACTED DODGE CONSUMER HELP LINE AND WAS TOLD THAT THERE WAS NOTHING THEY COULD DO DUE TO 12/12 WARRANTY EXPIRED. THEY BLAMED INCREASE COST ON INCREASED LABOR RATE AT DEALERSHIP. BOTH SUGGEST REMANUFACTURED TRANSMISSION AT COST OF $3857.95. CALLED LOCAL TRANSMISISON REPAIR SHOPS AND WAS QUOTED $1100 - $1700 FOR SAME REPAIR, AND BOTH OFFER SAME OR BETTER WARRANTY. SECOND SHOP TOLD ME WHAT MY PROBLEM WAS BY JUST KNOWING YEAR AND MAKE OF MY TRUCK. THERE IS A MANUFACTURER'S PROBLEM WITH THIS TRANSMISSION !!!!!!!!!
NHTSA complaint #10114135 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
at 62,000 milesRome, NY
POWER TRAIN:AUTOMATIC TRANSMISSION
AT 35 DEGREE OR COLDER ORJUST RAINY DAYS WITH WARM TEMP.TRANSMISSION WILL NOT SHIFT INTO OVERDRIVE ,CAN DRIVE 15 MILES ON HIGHWAY IN 3RD GEAR. WHEN IT DOES SHIFT INTO OVERDRIVE AND I HIT A BUMP IN ROAD IT WILL GO OUT OF OVERDRIVE. ALSO THE ENGINE WILL REV AS IF IT IS TRYING TO SWITCH OUT OF OVERDRIVE. ALL OF THESE FACTORS ARE RESULTING IN INCREASED FUEL USAGE, WHICH AT $2 A GALLON IS BECOMING AN EXPENSIVE PROBLEM. I WAS TOLD AT TIME OF PURCHASE,THIS WAS A NORMAL FUCTION OF THE TRANSMISSION, BOUGHT TRUCK FEB. 2003 AND BROUGHT TRUCK BACK 2 TIMES TO A CHYSLER DEALER AND WAS TOLD SAME STORY, DEALER IS NOW NO LONGER IN BUSINESS AND MY WARRANTY HAS EXPIRED, BUT STILL HAVE PROBLEM.
NHTSA complaint #10098719 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
at 108,650 milesYork, NE
POWER TRAIN:AUTOMATIC TRANSMISSION
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.
at 78,000 milesKnoxville, IA
POWER TRAIN:AUTOMATIC TRANSMISSION
I WAS DRIVING ON A 4 LANE HIGHWAY AT 65 MILES PER HOUR WHEN I SUDDENLY LOST SPEED AND THE RPM WERE HEADING TO REDLINE. I HIT MY BRAKE IN THE MIDDLE OF TRAFFIC TRYING TO KEEP FROM HURTING MY ENGINE. WHEN I GOT PULLED TO THE SIDE OF THE ROAD I CHECKED TO SEE IF I COULD GO AND I HAD NO TRANSMISSION. I ONLY HAVE 78,000 MILES ON MY TRUCK AND DON'T PULL HEAVY LOADS OR LOAD MY PICK-UP WITH HEAVY LOADS. I HAVE TALKED WITH OTHER PEOPLE THAT HAVE THE SAME YEAR DODGE PICK-UP AND THEY HAVE HAD SIMILAR PROBLEMS. I AM HAVING MY TRANSMISSION REPLACED ALONG WITH THE TRANSMISSION COOLER BECAUSE IT HAS PARTS OF MY CLUTCH IN IT. I FOUND 5 PEOPLE IN MY COUNTY THAT HAVE HAD PROBLEMS WITH THEIR 98 PICK-UPS AND HAVE HAD THEM FIXED AND THEN TRADED THEM FOR ANOTHER BRAND OF VEHICLE. I WOULD REALLY LIKE TO KNOW WHY NOBODY HAS INVESTIGATED THIS OR RECALLED THE VEHICLE BECAUSE OF THIS PROBLEM.
NHTSA complaint #10093762 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
at 13,100 milesPeach Bottom, PA
POWER TRAIN:AXLE HUBS
TRANSMISSION LEAKAGE..AXEL FLUID LEAKAGE..THIS IS THE THIRD VECHILE THAT THIS DEALERSHIP HAS PUT US IN IN 15 MONTHS!!THE TRUCK WE HAVE NOW ISNT SAFE AND THEY REFUSE TO FIX IT AND THEY ARE RESPONSIBLE BECAUSE THEY DID NOT GIVE US A WARRANTY LIKE THEY TOLD US WHEN WE BOUGHT TRUCK IN APRIL.
NHTSA complaint #10088572 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
at 13,100 milesPeach Bottom, PA
POWER TRAIN:AUTOMATIC TRANSMISSION:COOLING UNIT AND LINES
TRANSMISSION LEAKAGE..AXEL FLUID LEAKAGE..THIS IS THE THIRD VECHILE THAT THIS DEALERSHIP HAS PUT US IN IN 15 MONTHS!!THE TRUCK WE HAVE NOW ISNT SAFE AND THEY REFUSE TO FIX IT AND THEY ARE RESPONSIBLE BECAUSE THEY DID NOT GIVE US A WARRANTY LIKE THEY TOLD US WHEN WE BOUGHT TRUCK IN APRIL.
NHTSA complaint #10088572 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
at 91,987 milesPulaski, NY
POWER TRAIN:AUTOMATIC TRANSMISSION
WHILE RETURNING HOME FROM SEEING MY FIRST GRANDCHILD, SOUTH OF HERSHEY PA MY TRANSMISSION DIED AT APPROX. 50,000 MILES. I HAD TO HAVE THE VEHICLE TOWED FROM THE INTERSTATE AND THE TRANSMISSION REBUILT. THEY TOLD ME THERE WERE A LOT OF METAL SHAVINGS IN THE TRANSMISSION WHICH CLOGGED UP THE WORKS. THIS COST ME ALMOST $3,000.00 PLUS THE COST OF BEING STRANDED OUT OF TOWN FOR 5 DAYS. I NOW HAVE 92,000 MILES ON THE TRUCK AND HAVE TO HAVE THE TRANSMISSION REBUILT AGAIN. I DO NOT KNOW THE COST TO DO THIS YET. PLUS I HAVE THE COST OF OBTAINING ALTERNATE TRANSPORTATION TO GET TO WORK FOR ABOUT 14 DAYS UNTIL I GET THE WORK COMPLETED. THE FIRST REPAIR WORK WAS DONE BY AAMCO AND THE WARRANTY ON THEIR WORK WAS FOR 12 MONTHS OR 12,000 MILES, WHICHEVER CAME FIRST. I HAD AAMCO DO A DIAGNOSTIC ON THE VEHICLE AND THEY TOLD ME THE TRANSMISSION WAS "TOAST".
NHTSA complaint #10086668 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
at 60,200 milesST. Charles, MO
POWER TRAIN:AUTOMATIC TRANSMISSION
1998 DODGE RAM 1500 TRANSMISSON; THE TRANMISSION FAILED ON MY TRUCK AT 60,000 MILES! EVIDENTLY, THERE IS A PROBLEM WITH THESE DODGE TRANSMISSIONS AND THIS IS A VERY COMMON PROBLEM.*AK NOBODY CAN SAY THAT 60,000 MILES IS RESONABLE FOR SUCH A MAJOR REPAIR (ABOUT $3,000 IN MY CASE). I WANT DODGE TO ACKNOWLEDGE THIS PROBLEM (RECALL PROBABLY) AND REIMBURESE ME FOR THIS REPAIR.
NHTSA complaint #10062649 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
at 50,000 milesCardiff, CA
POWER TRAIN:AUTOMATIC TRANSMISSION
TRANSMISSION SLIPPAGE 1998 DODGE RAM 1500 AT 49,000 MILES . PLEASE RECALL, THIS PROBLEM IS PRESENT WITH EVERYONE I KNOW THAT OWNES A DODGE WITH AN AUTOMATIC TRANSMISSION, THANK YOU FOR YOUR TIME.
NHTSA complaint #10062523 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
King, NC
POWER TRAIN:DRIVELINE
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.
at 98,600 milesEatonton, GA
POWER TRAIN:AXLE ASSEMBLY
98 DODGE RAM 1500 QUAD CAB - THE BEARINGS IN THE REAR END AXLE ASSEMBLIES OF THESE TRUCKS FAIL PREMATURELY. I HAVE FOUND MANY INQUIRIES OVER THE INTERNET ABOUT THIS PROBLEM. ALL OF THE VEHICLES HAVE LOW MILEAGE (LESS THAN 100000 MILES) AND THE BEARINGS HAVE WORN OUT. THERE IS A LOUD WHINING NOISE FROM THE REAR END ASSEMBLY.
NHTSA complaint #10038965 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.