66 of the
644 complaints about the 1998 Dodge RAM are about the
airbag system — 10% of everything
reported for this model year.
Half of the failures with a mileage on record happened before
97,400 miles.
TL*THE CONTACT OWNS A 1998 DODGE RAM. WHILE DRIVING VARIOUS SPEEDS, THE AIR BAG WARNING INDICATOR RANDOMLY ILLUMINATES AND THE AIR BAG CHIME WILL BEGIN TO SOUND. THE HORN IN THE VEHICLE HAS ALSO STOPPED WORKING. THE CONTACT TOOK THE VEHICLE TO THE DEALER AND PROVIDED THEM WITH INFORMATION HE FOUND ONLINE REGARDING NHTSA CAMPAIGN ID NUMBER 01V153000 (AIR BAGS). HE WAS INFORMED THAT THE VIN WAS NOT INCLUDED IN THE RECALL, ALTHOUGH THE FAILURES WERE IDENTICAL. THE CONTACT WOULD BE RESPONSIBLE FOR THE REPAIR COSTS. THE VEHICLE IS CURRENTLY AT THE DEALER AND THEY STATED THAT THE CLOCK SPRINGS WERE THE CAUSE OF THE FAILURES IN THE HORN AND THE AIR BAGS. THE AIR BAG SYSTEM WAS COMPLETELY DISABLED AND WOULD NOT DEPLOY IN THE EVENT OF A CRASH. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 124,000 AND CURRENT MILEAGE WAS 125,000. UPDATED 10/20/08. *LJ UPDATED 10/21/08.
NHTSA complaint #10244104 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
at 119,800 milesNEW Boston, MI
AIR BAGS
TL*THE CONTACT OWNS A 1998 DODGE RAM. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE AIR BAG INDICATOR LIGHT ILLUMINATES AND AN ALARM SOUNDS FOUR TIMES INTERMITTENTLY. EVENTUALLY, THE AIR BAG LIGHT DIMS. THE CONTACT WILL HAVE THE VEHICLE INSPECTED. THERE ARE TWO AIR BAG RECALLS (NHTSA CAMPAIGN ID NUMBERS 01V153000 AND 99V002000); HOWEVER, THE MANUFACTURER STATED THAT HIS VEHICLE WAS NOT INCLUDED IN EITHER ONE. THE CURRENT MILEAGE WAS 120,000 AND FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 119,800.
NHTSA complaint #10208176 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
Kenedy, TXCrash1 injured
AIR BAGS
WHILE DRIVING,THE CONSUMER TRIED TO AVOID ANOTHER VEHICLE THAT WAS COMING INSIDE OF THE LANE. WHEN THE CONSUMER APPLIED THE BRAKES, THE PEDAL WENT TO THE FLOOR. THE CONSUMER WAS UNABLE TO MAINTAIN CONTROL OF THE VEHICLE AND HIT A GUARD RAIL AND FLIPPED INTO A DITCH. BOTH AIR BAGS DID NOT DEPLOY. THE DRIVER SUSTAINED HEAD INJURIES. THE DRIVER WENT TO THE HOSPITAL ON HIS OWN. THE VEHICLE WAS TOWED AND TOTALED BY THE INSURANCE COMPANY. PLEASE PROVIDE ADDITIONAL INFORMATION.
NHTSA complaint #10108778 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
at 60,000 milesMountlake Terrace, WA
AIR BAGS
AIR BAG LIGHT STARTED ILLUMINATING ON AND OFF. EVENTUALLY IT REMAINED ILLUMINATED. *PH THE CONSUMER LATER FOUND OUT THAT THE MANUFACTURER WAS VOLUNTARILY REPLACING THE CLOCK SPRING ON VEHICLES WITH MILEAGE LESS THAN 70000 MILES (RECALL# 02V293). THE CONSUMER CONTACTED THE MANUFACTURER AND WAS TOLD THAT THE RECALL WAS ONLY FOR VANS.
NHTSA complaint #10056110 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
Acworth, GACrash1 injured
AIR BAGS
ANOTHER VEHICLE TURNED IN FRONT OF CONSUMER'S VEHICLE AND IT WAS T-BONED BY CONSUMER'S VEHICLE WHICH WAS TRAVELING 45-50 MPH. UPON IMPACT, AIR BAGS FAILED TO DEPLOY. DRIVER SUSTAINED SOME SOFT TISSUE INJURIES TO THE BACK.
NHTSA complaint #10074170 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
at 75,000 milesMurrieta, CACrash1 injured
AIR BAGS:FRONTAL
WHILE DRIVING 70 MPH VEHICLE WAS INVOLVED IN A HEAD ON COLLISION. UPON IMPACT, DUAL AIRBAGS DID NOT DEPLOY, AND PASSENGER SUSTAINED LOWER ARM INJURIES.
NHTSA complaint #10044900 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
Lynchburg, OHCrash
AIR BAGS:SIDE/WINDOW
CONSUMER STATES WHILE TRAVELING ON WET PAVEMENT 30-35 MPH VEHICLE SLID INTO ANOTHER VEHICLE HEAD ON. UPON IMPACT, DRIVER'S SIDE AIR BAG DID NOT DEPLOY.
NHTSA complaint #10038121 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
Lynchburg, OHCrash
AIR BAGS:FRONTAL
CONSUMER STATED WHILE TRAVELING 30-35 MPH ON WET PAVEMENT WAS INVOLVED IN HEAD ON COLLISION. UPON IMPACT, FRONTAL AIR BAGS DID NOT DEPLOY AT ANY TIME.
NHTSA complaint #10038123 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
Belle Plaine, MNCrash
AIR BAGS:FRONTAL
IMPACT WAS CENTERED ON TRUCK. STRAIGHT IMPACT, NO ANGLE INVOLVED.UPON IMPACT, AIF BAGS DID NOT DEPLOY.
NHTSA complaint #766648 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
Oakdale, ILCrash
AIR BAGS:FRONTAL
IN A HEAD ON COLLISION WHILE DRIVING AT 50MPH NONE OF THE AIRBAGS DEPLOYED ON IMPACT.
NHTSA complaint #8014021 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
Attalla, ALCrash2 injured
AIR BAGS:FRONTAL
WHILE DRIVING 70 MPH INVOLVED IN A SIDE COLLISION, VEHICLE TURNED COUPLE TIMES WITHOUT WARNING. UPON IMPACT, AIR BAGS DID NOT DEPLOY, DRIVER AND PASSENGER SUSTAINED SERIOUS INJURIES.
NHTSA complaint #8010552 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
West Columbia, WVCrash
AIR BAGS:FRONTAL
DRIVER'S AIR BAG DID NOT DEPLOY DURING A CAR CRASH.
NHTSA complaint #8008566 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
Cross Plains, TN
AIR BAGS
NHTSA# 01 V 153 000 & MFR# 982: CONSUMER STATES THAT THE AIR BAG LIGHT WOULD COME ON/OFF INTERMITTENTLY. DEALER AND THE MANUFACTURER WHERE NOTIFIED. FEEL FREE TO PROVIDE ANY FRUTHER INFOMATION. NLM
NHTSA complaint #8006600 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
Arlington, TX
AIR BAGS
ABS LIGHT STAYS ILLUMINATED WHEN DRIVING. DEALER HAS REPLACED CLOCKSPRING. PLEASE PROVIDE ADDITIONAL INFORMATION.
NHTSA complaint #8005434 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
Longview, TXCrash3 injured
AIR BAGS:FRONTAL
WHILE STOPPING AT TRAFFIC LIGHT WAS REARENDED BY ANOTHER VEHICLE CAUSING A CHAIN REACTION COLLISION, AND AIR BAGS DID NOT DEPLOY. 2 PASSENGERS AND DRIVER WERE INJURED. VEHICLE WAS TOTALED.
NHTSA complaint #8004648 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
Fredonia, WICrash2 injured
AIR BAGS:FRONTAL
VEHICLE HIT A TREE AT 35 MPH, AND NEITHER AIRBAG DEPLOYED, DRIVER AND PASSENGER HIT THEIR HEADS ON THE WINDSHIELD. *AK
NHTSA complaint #8002209 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
Millcreek, WA
AIR BAGS
AIR BAG LIGHT REMAINS ILLUMINATED, INDICATING A MALFUNCTION WITHIN SYSTEM. DEALER DETERMINED THAT PROBLEM IS OCCURRING DUE TO CLOCK SPRING. PLEASE GIVE ANY FURTHER DETAILS.
NHTSA complaint #8001414 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
Chicago, ILCrash
AIR BAGS:FRONTAL
THE BRAKES DIDN'T WORK AND MY WIFE CRASHED AND THE AIR BAGS DIDN'T DEPLOY.
NHTSA complaint #754975 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
Waterford, CT
AIR BAGS
HORN WILL SOUND INTERMITTENTLY DURING THE NIGHT WHEN ENGINE IS NOT RUNNING. DEALERSHIP HAS NOT EXAMINED VEHICLE, BUT INFORMED CONSUMER THAT VEHICLE WAS NOT AFFECTED BY RECALL 01V153000. PLEASE PROVIDE ANY ADDITIONAL INFORMATION / ATTACHMENTS.
NHTSA complaint #897163 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
Howell, MI
AIR BAGS:FRONTAL
WHEN DRIVING AT 40 MPH STEERING WHEEL AND COLUMN SUDDENLY COLLAPSED, CAUSING VEHICLE TO BECOME INOPERABLE. CONSUMER PULLED OFF TO THE SIDE OF THE ROAD. *AK WHILE VEHICLE WAS INVOLVED IN ACCIDENT AIR BAG DIDN'T DEPLOYED.
NHTSA complaint #895125 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
Georgetown, DE
AIR BAGS
AIRBAG LIGHT COMES ON AND OFF INTERMITTENTLY. DEALERSHIP WAS AWARE OF PROBLEM. WHEN HE TURNED LEFT SIGNAL LIGHT WINDSHIELD WIPERS CAME ON AND OFF. THE DEFECTIVE CLOCK SPRING REPLACED AT DEALER AT OWNERS COST.
NHTSA complaint #894843 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
Merritt Island, FLCrash2 injured
AIR BAGS:FRONTAL
CONSUMER'S VEHICLE WAS HIT THE REAR BY ANOTHER VEHICLE WHICH SPUN CONSUMER'S VEHICLE OUT OF CONTROL, HITTING A CONCRETE WALL. CONSUMER STATED SEAT BELTS DID NOT LOCK, AND AIR BAGS DIDNOT DEPLOY, RESULTING IN INJURIES.
NHTSA complaint #893731 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
Corpus Christi, TX
AIR BAGS
VEHICLE WAS SET ON CRUISE CONTROL GOING 70 MPH. VEHICLE SLOWED DOWN, AND ABS LIGHTS/ AIR BAG LIGHT/ SPEEDOMETER WENT TO ZERO/ GAS GAUGE WENT TO EMPTY, AND TANK WAS FULL. CONSUMER TOOK IT INTO DEALER,AND CLOCKSPRING NEEDED TO BE REPLACED. DEALER HAS NOT STATED IF IT WILL BE COVERED.
NHTSA complaint #893211 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
NEW Ileria, LA
AIR BAGS:FRONTAL
EA 01 007/AIR BAG CLOCK SPRING FAILURE: AIR BAG SENSOR LIGHT REMAINS ON WHILE DRIVING. VEHICLE REPAIRED AT DEALERS AT CONSUMER'S COST. PROVIDE ANY FURTHER INFORMATON.
NHTSA complaint #891350 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
Carl Junction, MOCrash
AIR BAGS:FRONTAL
VEHICLE WAS INVOLVED IN A 50 MPH FRONTAL COLLISION IN WHICH DRIVER'S AND PASSENGER'S AIR BAGS DID NOT DEPLOY, CAUSE UNKNOWN. IT HAS NOT YET BEEN DETERMINED IF THE AIR BAG SENSORS WERE HIT IN COLLISION. PLEASE GIVE ANY FURTHER DETAILS.
NHTSA complaint #890168 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
Fruit Heights, UTCrash1 injured
AIR BAGS:FRONTAL
30MPH, HEADON CRASH INTO STEEL STATIONARY POLE, NEITHER DRIVER NOR PASSENGER SIDE AIRBAGS DEPLOYED. DRIVER SUSTAINED HEAD/ NECK BACK/ ARM AND KNEE INJURIES. POLICE NOTED NEITHER AIR BAG DEPLOYED AND INSTRUCTED US TO CONTACT THE MANUFACTURE. BOTH PARAMEDICS AND FIREFIGHTERS NOTED FAILURE OF AIRBAGS AND SAID DRIVER WOULD NOT HAVE SUSTAINED HIS HEAD INJURY HAD THEY DEPLOYED. CONTACT WITH CHRYSLER DODGE; THEY SENT REP TO CHECK TRUCK. TWO WEEKS LATER CHRYSLER DODGE SENT US A LETTER STATING THE AIR BAGS FUNCTIONED AS THEY WERE SUPPOSED TO, THAT THEY WERE IN FUNCTIONING ORDER THAT THEIR WAS NO FAILURE ON THEIR PRODUCTS (TRUCK) PART. A LOCAL DODGE DEALER, SALES MANAGER TOLD ME ON THE PHONE THAT DODGE PU AIRBAGS SHOULD DEPLOY AT "10 MPH" IN A HEADON CRASH, STATIONARY OBJECT. HE ALSO STATED AFTER DETAILS OF THE ACCIDENT WERE GIVEN TO HIM, "THAT NEVER SHOULD HAVE HAPPENED" (THAT THE AIRBAGS DIDN'T DEPLOY). PLEASE HELP US, CHRYSLER DODGE IS TAKING NO RESPONSIBILITY. THANK YOU.
NHTSA complaint #745477 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
Brunswick, GACrash1 injured
AIR BAGS:FRONTAL
VEHICLE WAS INVOLVED IN A FRONTAL COLLISION AT ABOUT 30MPH. UPON IMPACT, AIRBAGS DID NOT DEPLOY, RESULTING IN MINOR INJURY. *AK
NHTSA complaint #887779 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
Encinatas, CACrash1 injured
AIR BAGS:FRONTAL
WHILE DRIVING ABOUT 45-50 MPH, CONSUMER HAD FRONT CRASH. BUT TO RIGHT SIDE, BUMPER WAS PUSHED COMPLETELY BACK. CONSUMER HIT HIS HEAD ON STEERING WHEEL, 16 STITCHES. NEITHER AIRBAG DEPLOYED.
NHTSA complaint #885548 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
Montgomery, MACrash1 injured
AIR BAGS:FRONTAL
AIR BAGS FAILED TO DEPLOY WHEN VEHICLE WAS INVOLVED IN AN ACCIDENT, TRAVELING AT APPROXIMATELY 35 MPH. *AK THE VEHICLE SUSTAINED SEVERE FRONT END DAMAGE, THE IMPACT WAS SO SEVERE THAT IT CAUSED THE VEHICLE TO TURN 140 DEGREES ALMOST ROLLING ON THE PASSENGER SIDE WINDOW, CONSUMER WAS INJURED IN ACCIDENT.
NHTSA complaint #884984 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
Encinitas, CACrash
AIR BAGS:FRONTAL
CONSUMER WAS TRAVELING ABOUT 70MPH ON HIGHWAY AND FAINTED AT WHEEL. HE HIT SIDE RAIL ON HIGHWAY AND DEBRIS ALONG THE WAY. UPON IMPACT, DRIVERS SIDE AIRBAG DIDN'T DEPLOY.
NHTSA complaint #885003 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.