39 of the 644 complaints about the 1998 Dodge RAM are about the engine — 6% of everything reported for this model year. Half of the failures with a mileage on record happened before 45,000 miles.
39
Complaints
0
Crashes
2
Fires
0
Injuries
Filed with NHTSA, in their own words.
ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING
WHILE DRIVING VEHICLE STALLED. DRIVER WAS UNABLE TO RESTART VEHICLE, AND HAD IT TOWED TO DEALER. MECHANIC DETERMINED THAT TRANSMISSION AND ENGINE NEEDED TO BE REPLACED DUE TO WEAR AND TEAR.
NHTSA complaint #10117560 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING
TRUCK HAS BEEN NOTHING BUT PROBLEMS REPLACED MANY PARTS FOR LEAKS AND TRANSMISSION PROBLEMS ENGINE LIGHT CONSISTENTLY COMES ON EVEN AFTER REPAIRS. TRUCK BUCK WHEN ACCELERATING LOOSES ENGINE POWER. WOULD LIKE IT FIXED I READ OTHER COMPLAINTS AND THEY HAD THE SAME PROBLEM. I PUT A LOT OF MONEY INTO THE TRUCK AND HAVE NOT YET BEEN ABLE TO FIX PROBLEM BECAUSE THEY CANT SEEM TO FIGURE OUT THE CAUSE. PROBLEM HAS BEEN ON GOING SINCE VEHICLE WAS PURCHASED.
NHTSA complaint #10112203 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING:EXHAUST SYSTEM
RIGHT EXHAUST MANAFOLD BOLTS STRIPPED, CAUSING EXHAUST LEAK AND INSIDE OF CATLETIC CONVERTER LOOSE AND CAUSING EXTREAM RATTLE, WORSE AT IDLE IN GEAR.
NHTSA complaint #10068890 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING
MY HUSBAND ORDERED THIS TRUCK IN LATE 1997. WE PURCHASED IT NEW AND HAVE HAD NUMEROUS PROBLEMS WITH THE VEHICLE. THE BIGGEST PROBLEM WE HAVE FACED IS THE TRANSMISSION. MID-APRIL 1998 THE FIRST PROBLEMS OCCURED WITH SLIPPAGE, THE TRANSMISSION COOLING LINES WERE REPLACED, ONE MONTH LATER THE TORQUE CONVERTER WENT AND REPAIRS WERE MADE. NOW AT 51,000 MILES AND VERY LITTLE DRIVING FOR THE LAST 2 YRS (SINCE MY HUSBAND HAS BEEN SICK WITH CANCER) IT HAS BLOWN AGAIN. THE FRONT SEALS ARE LEAKING PROFUSELY. THE REAR WINDOW WAS LEAKING SO BADLY AT ONE POINT THE ENTIRE CEILING INSIDE WAS SOADED. THE ABS COMPUTER WENT WACKY ON US EARLY ON ALSO. THE SEATBELT HAS BEEN TWISTED SINCE WE PURCHASED THE VEHICLE AND WE HAVE NOT SUCCESSFULLY FIXED IT. THE EXTENDED WARRANTY WE PURCHASED HAS GONE OUT OF BUSINESS. I WILL NOT LIKELY BUY ANOTHER DODGE EVER AGAIN. MERCEDES TAKES THE CAKE.
NHTSA complaint #10070595 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING
WHILE TRAVEL AT ANY SPEED VEHICLE STALLED AND LOST POWER.
NHTSA complaint #10053862 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING:ENGINE
CONSUMER WAS HAVING PROBLEMS WITH THE INTAKE MANIFOLD.*AK THE INTAKE MANIFOLD RUPTURED WHICH CAUSED THE OIL TO BE SUCKED OUT OF THE OIL PAN, AFTER THE REPAIR WAS MADE ON THE GASKET, THE BEARING ON THE CRANKSHAFT FAILED, PRIOR TO THE FAILURE THE CONSUMER NOTICED THE OIL PRESSURE GAUGE DID NOT REGISTER CORRECTLY. *JB
NHTSA complaint #10029572 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING:ENGINE
OIL CHANGES WERE DONE EVERY 3000-5000 MILES. THE THIRD AND FOURTH PISTON RODS WERE WORN DOWN AND THEN BROKE. *AK *JB ******DIMS 11 IVOQ ENTRY POSTED AFTER 12/12/02 CUT-OVER TO ARTEMIS*****7757169
NHTSA complaint #10006475 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING:COOLING SYSTEM
THE VEHICLE STALLED DUE TO A COOLANT LEAK. THE DEALER WAS NOTIFIED. *NLM
NHTSA complaint #10017270 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING:ENGINE
CONSUMER STATES WHILE DRIVING AT HIGHWAY SPEED THE ENGINE WILL SHUT DOWN CAUSING LOST OF POWER STEERING. PLEASE PROVIDE ANY ADDITIONAL INFORMATION. PH
NHTSA complaint #10004284 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING:ENGINE:GASOLINE
OIL PUMP FAILURE, ENGINE DESTROYED. DT
NHTSA complaint #770228 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING:EXHAUST SYSTEM:MANIFOLD/HEADER/MUFFLER/TAIL PIPE
I HAVE AN ONGOING PROBLEM WITH PREIGNITION (SPARK KNOCK) IN MY 1998 DODGE RAM 1500 WITH THE 318 CID/5.2L MOTOR. .AT 24,896 MILES, MY DEALER RE-PROGRAMMED THE PCM AND RE-ROUTED THE SPARK WIRES. THE SPARK KNOCK CONTINUED. AT 35,067 MILES, THE DEALER ADJUSTED THE TIMING; I DIDN'T THINK THIS COULD BE DONE. THE SPARK KNOCK CONTINUED. AT 43,281 MILES, THE DEALER REPLACED THE INTAKE PLENIUM GASKET. THE SPARK KNOCK CONTINUED. AT 45,093, THE DEALER REPLACED BOTH ENGINE HEADS. THE SPARK KNOCK CONTINUED. AT 57,452 MILES, I INSTALLED A COLDER THERMOSTAT AND THIS HELPED SOMEWHAT, BUT THE SPARK KNOCK RETURNED. AND, TODAY AT 74,834 MILES I INSTALLED A SET OF TRUCK SPARK PLUGS TO SEE IF THAT WILL HELP. THE BOTTOM LINE IS THAT THIS TRUCK HAS AN INHERINT DEFECTIVE DESIGN IN THE ENGINE WHICH IS BEING PREMATURELY WORN OUT DUE TO SPARK KNOCK. I WOULD LIKE THE NHTSA TO INVESTIGATE, AND HELP ME IN SECURING A REPLACEMENT FOR MY PROBLEM PLAGUED LEMON. THANK YOU!
NHTSA complaint #766138 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING:ENGINE
ENGINE BLEW A ROD, CAUSING ENGINE TO RATTLE.
NHTSA complaint #8009553 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING:ENGINE:GASOLINE
ENGINE FAILED. NLM
NHTSA complaint #560333 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING:ENGINE
HEAD GASKET IS LEAKING ONTO EXHAUST. *AK THE OIL LEAKING ON TO THE EXHAUST PIPE COULD CAUSE FIRE WHEN THE EXHAUST PIPE BECOMES HOT.
NHTSA complaint #880307 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING:ENGINE:GASOLINE
ENGINE FAILURE RESULTED IN VEHICLE FIRE. *MJS
NHTSA complaint #558119 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING:ENGINE:GASOLINE
NO SUMMARY LISTED FOR ABOVE VEHICLE.
NHTSA complaint #732630 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING:ENGINE:GASOLINE
I BOUGHT THE DODGE JUNE 1998, FROM THE FIRST MONTH I HAVE HAD PROBLEMS.I HAD BOTH FRONT SIDE WINDOWS FALL DOWN, WIPER BLADE LINKAGE BREAKS, ENGINE SURGES, DOOR LIGHTS WON'T COME ON, THE AIR CONDITIONING BLOWER/MOTOR SHORTED OUT, AND THE INTERIOR LIGHTS/TV/VCP/CD PLAYER WILL SHUT OFF AT TIMES. EVERYTHING EXCEPT THE INTERIOR EQUIPMENT HAS BEEN CORRECTED, THEY STILL SHORT OUT. THE PROBLEM WITH ELECTRICAL SHORTS HAS EXPANDED. ON THE WAY HOME FROM VACATION JUST OUTSIDE OF ST. LOUIS ON INTERSTATE 44, WE WERE PASSING A DIESEL TRUCK GOING ABOUT 70 MPH WITH ANOTHER DIESEL TRUCK FOLLOWING US WHEN THE ENGINE SHUTS OFF. LUCKY FOR US THE TRUCK BEHIND US WAS PAYING ATTENTION. THE TRUCK CAME WITHIN INCHES OF HITTING US, IF IT DID MY WHOLE FAMILY COULD HAVE BEEN KILLED. MY SON MANAGED TO PULL THE VAN OVER TO THE SIDE OF THE ROAD. WE HAD AAA TOW THE VAN TO A DODGE DEALER IN BOURBON, MO. THE NEXT DAY THE MACHANIC FOUND THE PROBLEM. THE ASD 20AMP FUSE BLEW, THE ASD FUSE IS LOCATED UDER THE HOOD IN THE POWER DISTRIBUTION CENTER. THE ASD FUSE HANDLES ENGINE CONTROLS/FUEL PUMP. THE DEALERSHIP IN BURBON COULD NOT FIND THE PROBLEM, BUT HE DID GIVE US EXTRA FUSES TO GET US HOME. WE HAD TO STOP AT WALMARKS TO BUY EXTRA FUSES. ON THE WAY HOME THE ASD FUSE BLEW OUT 4 TIMES. WHEN WE GOT BACK HOME, I TOOK THE VAN BACK TO THE DEALER WHERE I BOUGHT IT FOR REPAIR, CUMBERLAND VALLEY MOTORS, THEY ANSWERED WITH THEIR STOCK QUOTE, UNABLE TO DUPLICATE AT THIS TIME. I DON'T KNOW IF THE ASD FUSE BLEW OUT DUE TO ENGINE HEAT, BAD WIRING, OR IF THE INTERIOR CONTROL PANEL WHICH HANDLES THE INTERIOR LIGHTS/TV/VCP HAS A SHORT IN IT. THE VEHICLE IS DANGEROUS TO DRIVE AND IF I HAVE THIS PROBLEM, THEN THEIR MIGHT BE OTHER DODGE VANS WITH THE SAME PROBLEM. HOW MANY ACCIDENTS HAPPENED ALREADY OR WILL HAPPEN?
NHTSA complaint #730790 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING:ENGINE:GASOLINE
I BOUGHT THE DODGE JUNE 1998, FROM THE FIRST MONTH I HAVE HAD PROBLEMS.I HAD BOTH FRONT SIDE WINDOWS FALL DOWN, WIPER BLADE LINKAGE BREAKS, ENGINE SURGES, DOOR LIGHTS WON'T COME ON, THE AIR CONDITIONING BLOWER/MOTOR SHORTED OUT, AND THE INTERIOR LIGHTS/TV/VCP/CD PLAYER WILL SHUT OFF AT TIMES. EVERYTHING EXCEPT THE INTERIOR EQUIPMENT HAS BEEN CORRECTED, THEY STILL SHORT OUT. THE PROBLEM WITH ELECTRICAL SHORTS HAS EXPANDED. ON THE WAY HOME FROM VACATION JUST OUTSIDE OF ST. LOUIS ON INTERSTATE 44, WE WERE PASSING A DIESEL TRUCK GOING ABOUT 70 MPH WITH ANOTHER DIESEL TRUCK FOLLOWING US WHEN THE ENGINE SHUTS OFF. LUCKY FOR US THE TRUCK BEHIND US WAS PAYING ATTENTION. THE TRUCK CAME WITHIN INCHES OF HITTING US, IF IT DID MY WHOLE FAMILY COULD HAVE BEEN KILLED. MY SON MANAGED TO PULL THE VAN OVER TO THE SIDE OF THE ROAD. WE HAD AAA TOW THE VAN TO A DODGE DEALER IN BOURBON, MO. THE NEXT DAY THE MACHANIC FOUND THE PROBLEM. THE ASD 20AMP FUSE BLEW, THE ASD FUSE IS LOCATED UDER THE HOOD IN THE POWER DISTRIBUTION CENTER. THE ASD FUSE HANDLES ENGINE CONTROLS/FUEL PUMP. THE DEALERSHIP IN BURBON COULD NOT FIND THE PROBLEM, BUT HE DID GIVE US EXTRA FUSES TO GET US HOME. WE HAD TO STOP AT WALMARKS TO BUY EXTRA FUSES. ON THE WAY HOME THE ASD FUSE BLEW OUT 4 TIMES. WHEN WE GOT BACK HOME, I TOOK THE VAN BACK TO THE DEALER WHERE I BOUGHT IT FOR REPAIR, CUMBERLAND VALLEY MOTORS, THEY ANSWERED WITH THEIR STOCK QUOTE, UNABLE TO DUPLICATE AT THIS TIME. I DON'T KNOW IF THE ASD FUSE BLEW OUT DUE TO ENGINE HEAT, BAD WIRING, OR IF THE INTERIOR CONTROL PANEL WHICH HANDLES THE INTERIOR LIGHTS/TV/VCP HAS A SHORT IN IT. THE VEHICLE IS DANGEROUS TO DRIVE AND IF I HAVE THIS PROBLEM, THEN THEIR MIGHT BE OTHER DODGE VANS WITH THE SAME PROBLEM. HOW MANY ACCIDENTS HAPPENED ALREADY OR WILL HAPPEN?
NHTSA complaint #730790 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING:ENGINE
WHEN DRIVING THE PLENUM WITHIN THE ENGINE HEAD GASKET BLEW OUT. THIS PART HAS BLOWEN OUT EVERY 6 THOUSAND MILES, PARTS HAVE BEEN REPLACED ON THREE DIFFERENT OCCASIONS. PLEASE PROVIDE ANY FURTHER DETAILS.
NHTSA complaint #861744 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING:ENGINE:GASOLINE
THE TRUCK WHEN BOUGHT,THE STICKER IN THE WINDOW READ THAT IT WAS RATED TO RUN ON 87 OCTAIN,BUT WHEN I RUN THIS FEUL,IT PINGS AND KNOCKS AND A LOSS OF POWER WHILE CLIMING A HILL.THE ONLLY THING IT WILL RUN ON IS HIGHTEST."THIS WILL CAUSE A WRECK."THE SERVICE MANAGER AT BECKS TOLD ME THAT IT IS AN ON GOING PROBLEM,THAT THEY ARE TRING TO FIX.
NHTSA complaint #721490 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING:ENGINE:GASOLINE
AT APPROX. 7500MI. PROBLEMS BEGAN WITH BRAKES AND VIBRATIONS. THESE PROBLEMS STILL OCCUR ALONG WITH SEVERE AND DANGEROUS ENGINE STALLS AT ANY SPEED. AFTER CONTACTING DIAMLER CHRYSLER I AM SHOCKED TO FIND THAT HAZARD FOR MY FAMILY AND ANY INNOCENT BYSTANDERS. IT WOULD JUST BE NICE IF $42,000 COULD BUY SOMETHING THAT RUNS AND STOPS WITH OUT RISK OF MAJOR INJURY OR POSSIBLE DEATH..
NHTSA complaint #721112 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING:ENGINE:GASOLINE
"AS FAR AS I AM CONCERNED THE TRUCK IS A PIECE OF JUNK, THE TRUCK IS CURRENTLY IN SERVICE FOR 4 DAYS SO FAR THIS WEEK FOR ALL THE ABOVE PROBLEMS(THIS IS THE REASON I DO NOT HAVE THE VIN NUMBER), ON TOP OF THE ALREADY ACCUMULATED 25-30 DAYS OF SERVICE. THE CHRYSLER CORPORATION HAS BEEN NOTIFIED, AS WELL AS MY STATE'S ATTORNEY GENERALS OFFICE, OH AND BY THE WAY I NEED 4 NEW TIRES AS WELL, AFTER ONLY 25,000 MILES."NO SAFETY DEFECT LISTED WITHIN SUMMARY.
NHTSA complaint #717305 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING:ENGINE:GASOLINE
ENGINE KNOCKS AT START-UP FOR ABOUT 2-3 SECONDS. OIL PRESSURE GAUGE IS NOT AS HIGH AS WHEN FIRST BOUGHT. HAS BEEN TO THE DEALER TWICE FOR THIS PROBLEM, BUT THEY SAY THEY CANNOT DUPLICATE IT. SERVICE MANAGER HAS VERIFIED THE KNOCKING, BUT CHRYSLER DOESN'T WANT TO PERSUE IT. SEEMS THAT CHRYSLER WAS REALLY QUICK TO TAKE MY MONEY WHEN IT WAS BOUGHT, BUT NOW THAT IT HAS A PROBLEM THEY DON'T WANT TO KNOW ANYTHING ABOUT IT. SITUATION HAS BEEN SENT TO CHRYSLER'S 3RD PARTY ARBITRATION COMPANY TO HAVE A HEARING TO DECIDE WHAT THEY WILL BE FORCED TO DO TO CORRECT THE PROBLEM. CHRYSLER HAS BEEN VERY DISAPPOINTING IN THERE "CUSTOMER SERVICE" OR LACK OF IT, TO THE CUSTOMER...
NHTSA complaint #715774 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING:ENGINE
LEAKING OIL THROUGH TAILPIPE-ENGINE CLATTER AT HIGH SPEED. DEFECTIVE INTAKE BASE GASKET. BLEW OUT FOUR QUARTS OF OIL OVER 750 MILE TRIP, MOSTLY INTERSTATE TRAVEL. SERVICE BULLETIN NOT DIVULGED TO OWNER DURING ROUTINE SERVICE.
NHTSA complaint #715723 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING:ENGINE:GASOLINE
MY NAME IS JOHN SIMONELLI AND I PURCHASED A DODGE RAM TRUCK. I HAD MANY PROBLEMS WITH IT LIKE BRAKES,AIR, FUEL PROBLEMS, RAIDIATOR, AND WORSE OF ALL STALLING ON LEFT TURNS. I REPORTED TO BELL DODGE OF MY TRUCK STALLING ON LEFT TURNS. THEY LOOKED AT IT ONCE AND SAID THE TRUCK WAS OK. AFTER THAT I TOOK THE TRUCK DOWN TO THE DEALER EACH TIME REPORTING OF INCIDENT. ALL THEY DID WAS DOCUMENT THE PROBLEM AND SEND ME AWAY. THEY WOULD NOT EVEN MAKE AN ATTEMPT TO SOLVE THE PROBLEM DESPITE THE DANGER THE TRUCK WAS TO ME AND OTHERS. TO PROVE MY CASE I HAD TO PUSH THEM TO HOOK UP A CO-PILOT FOR READINGS. THE COMPUTER WOULD SHOW THE VEHICLE DIED FOR SOME UNKNOWN REASON. HOWEVER THE CO-PILOT WOULD NOT TELL THEM HOW TO FIX PROBLEM SO THEIR FOR THE PROBLEM DID NOT EXCIST. THEN I HAD TO DRIVE AROUND WITH A CAM-CORDER TO RECORD PROBLEM. AFTER DOING SO I WAS FORCED TO SELL VEHICLE BECAUSE THEY DID NOT KNOW HOW TO FIX PROBLEM AND WOULD NOT GIVE ME A NEW TRUCK. I HAVE TOO MUCH TO SAY SO IF YOU HAVE ANY QUESTIONS PLEASE CALL ME. I TOOK A 14,500 DOLLAR LOSS ON MY VEHICLE, SOMEONE ELSE IS DRIVING THIS UNSAFE VEHICLE, AND FINALY BOTH BELL DODGE AND DALMLER CHRYSLER IGNORED MY LAWYER WHICH COST ME AN ADDITIONAL 2,600.
NHTSA complaint #714880 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING:ENGINE:GASOLINE
ORIGINAL COMPLAINT WAS SEVERE ENGINE PINGING, HESITATION GOING UPHILLS BETWEEN 40-45 MPH AND CHECK ENGINE LIGHT LIT. DEALER REPLACED IDLE AIR CONTROL MOTOR AND REPLACED A SPARK PLUG. PROBLEM CLEARED FOR APPROXIMATELY 10,000 MILES, THEN RETURNED. GOODYEAR DEALER REPLACED IGNITION WIRES AND SPARK PLUGS AT 50,000 ACCORDING TO A DODGE TSB. PROBLEM STILL PERSISTS. GOODYEAR ADVISED THAT DODGE HAS A TSB FOR THIS PROBLEM AND IS AWARE OF THE PROBLEM. I WOULD LIKE TO KNOW WHAT ACTION I CAN TAKE.
NHTSA complaint #712849 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING:EXHAUST SYSTEM:EMISSION CONTROL:CATALYTIC CONVERTOR
WHILE DRIVING ON FREEWAY HEARD A LOUD NOISE; HAD LITTLE POWER. ARRIVED HOME & VEHICLE WAS CHECKED. FOUND THE CATALYTIC CONVERTER WAS HELD BY SMALL PIECE OF WELDING MATERIAL. TOWED TO DEALER & MECHANIC REPAIRED CATALYTIC CONVERTOR. THE PROBLEM HAD REAPPEARED AGAIN. TOOK BACK TO MECHANIC TO REPAIR.
NHTSA complaint #847417 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING:ENGINE
FAILURE OF THE INTAKE GASKET CAUSED THE ENGINE'S OIL SUPPLY TO BE EVACUATED THROUGH THE VACUUM SYSTEM. NOT ONLY WAS THIS EVENT DETRIMENTAL TO THE ENGINE ITSELF BUT IT ALSO CONTAMINATED THE VACUUM AND EXHAUST SYSTEMS.
NHTSA complaint #706063 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING:ENGINE:GASOLINE:BELTS AND ASSOCIATED PULLEYS
FAN BELTS FAILED.
NHTSA complaint #607772 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING:ENGINE:GASOLINE
VEHICLE CONTINUALLY SHUDDERS AT SPEEDS BETWEEN 45-50 MPH, HAPPENS CONSTANTLY
NHTSA complaint #705673 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.