37 of the 644 complaints about the 1998 Dodge RAM are about the suspension — 6% of everything reported for this model year. Half of the failures with a mileage on record happened before 99,000 miles.
37
Complaints
1
Crashes
0
Fires
1
Injuries
Filed with NHTSA, in their own words.
SUSPENSION:REAR
ALL WARRANTY SERVICE AT CLIFFS AUTOSVR-GOODYEAR-SPRINGTOWN.*MR THE VEHICLES REAR END HAD TO BE REPLACED DUE TO WEAR.
NHTSA complaint #10079914 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
SUSPENSION:REAR
CONSUMER STATES THAT THE REAR END FAILED WHILE DRIVING 50 MPH. DEALER NOTIFIED. FEEL FREE TO PROVIDE ANY FURTHER INFORMATION. MR
NHTSA complaint #8020809 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
SUSPENSION:MULTIPLE AXLE
WHILE DRIVING CONSUMER HEARD A WHINING SOUND FROM REAREND. MECHANIC DETERMINED REAR BEARING HAD GONE OUT, AND REAR AXLE HAD TO BE REPLACED.
NHTSA complaint #8012708 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
SUSPENSION:FRONT
THE VEHICLE VIBRATES (UP/DOWN) SEVERELY IN THE 40-45MPH AND 60-65MPH RANGE. SINCE THE ORIGINAL TIRES WERE FAIRLY WORN, NEW TIRES WERE PURCHASED AND WERE FORCE BALANCED BY THE DEALERSHIP. THE PROBLEM STILL PERSISTS WITH NO SOLUTION IN SIGHT. CORRESPONDENCE WITH DAIMLER/CHRYSLER HAS NOT RAISED ANY CONCERN OR INTEREST ON THEIR PART. THERE IS CURRENTLY ONE OTHER COMPLAINT IN THE ODI DATABASE IDENTICAL TO THIS ONE.
NHTSA complaint #759633 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
SUSPENSION:REAR:SHOCK ABSORBER
CONSUMERS VEHICLE RAN INTO A TRAILER ON HIS PROPERTY AND ABS WAS DEFECTIVE, ALSO BRAKE DRUMS WERE RUSTED, DEALERSHIP WAS AWARE OF PROBLEM. *AK CONSUMER STATED THAT HEADACHE BAR AND FUEL TANK, TIRES, FUEL FILTER, STEERING STABILIZER, FRONT SHOCKS, REAR SHOCKS, AIR FILTER, REAR AXLE SEAL AND FLUID, REAR TRANSFER CASE SEAL AND U-JOINTS IN REAR DRIVE SHAFT FAILED AND REPLACED.
NHTSA complaint #8001228 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
SUSPENSION:FRONT:SHOCK ABSORBER
CONSUMERS VEHICLE RAN INTO A TRAILER ON HIS PROPERTY AND ABS WAS DEFECTIVE, ALSO BRAKE DRUMS WERE RUSTED, DEALERSHIP WAS AWARE OF PROBLEM. *AK CONSUMER STATED THAT HEADACHE BAR AND FUEL TANK, TIRES, FUEL FILTER, STEERING STABILIZER, FRONT SHOCKS, REAR SHOCKS, AIR FILTER, REAR AXLE SEAL AND FLUID, REAR TRANSFER CASE SEAL AND U-JOINTS IN REAR DRIVE SHAFT FAILED AND REPLACED.
NHTSA complaint #8001228 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
SUSPENSION:FRONT:STABILIZER BAR
CONSUMERS VEHICLE RAN INTO A TRAILER ON HIS PROPERTY AND ABS WAS DEFECTIVE, ALSO BRAKE DRUMS WERE RUSTED, DEALERSHIP WAS AWARE OF PROBLEM. *AK CONSUMER STATED THAT HEADACHE BAR AND FUEL TANK, TIRES, FUEL FILTER, STEERING STABILIZER, FRONT SHOCKS, REAR SHOCKS, AIR FILTER, REAR AXLE SEAL AND FLUID, REAR TRANSFER CASE SEAL AND U-JOINTS IN REAR DRIVE SHAFT FAILED AND REPLACED.
NHTSA complaint #8001228 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
SUSPENSION
CONSUMERS VEHICLE RAN INTO A TRAILER ON HIS PROPERTY AND ABS WAS DEFECTIVE, ALSO BRAKE DRUMS WERE RUSTED, DEALERSHIP WAS AWARE OF PROBLEM. *AK CONSUMER STATED THAT HEADACHE BAR AND FUEL TANK, TIRES, FUEL FILTER, STEERING STABILIZER, FRONT SHOCKS, REAR SHOCKS, AIR FILTER, REAR AXLE SEAL AND FLUID, REAR TRANSFER CASE SEAL AND U-JOINTS IN REAR DRIVE SHAFT FAILED AND REPLACED.
NHTSA complaint #8001228 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
SUSPENSION:FRONT:SHOCK ABSORBER
WHEN APPLYING BRAKES DOWNHILL AND GOING OVER A BUMP ON PAVEMENT ABS SYSTEM RELEASES. WILL NOT GRAB AGAIN UNTIL VEHICLE IS ON LEVEL GROUND. TAKEN TO DEALER 3 TIMES, SAID VEHICLE OPERATED AS IT SHOULD, AND ABS SYSTEM WAS FINE.*AK DISCONNECTING SPEED SENSOR, ELIMINATES THE PROBLEM, BUT IT IS POTENTIALLY DANGEROUS.
NHTSA complaint #896954 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
SUSPENSION
VEHICLE WAS GOING 10-15MPH ONTO AN EXIT RAMP AND BACK END STARTED SWAYING LEFT AND RIGHT. ROAD WAS DRY. CONSUMER LET OFF GAS AND TAPPED THE BRAKES LIGHTLY, AND SHORTLY VEHICLE CAME TO A STOP.
NHTSA complaint #893393 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
SUSPENSION:FRONT:SPRINGS:COIL SPRINGS
FRONT COIL SPRINGS BROKE WHICH HAS CAUSED THE FRONT IN OF THE VEHICLE TO FLOAT, AND IS VERY UNSTABLE WHEN DRIVING AT ANY SPEEDS. CONSUMER HAS CONTACTED DEALER, DEALER HAS YET TO DETERMINE CAUSE OF PROBLEM. PLEASE PROVIDE ANY FURTHER DETAILS.
NHTSA complaint #890647 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
SUSPENSION:FRONT
WHILE DRIVING AT ANY SPEED AND WITHOUT PRIOR WARNING VEHICLE SWAYS ALL OVER THE ROAD,PULLING EXTREMELY TO RIGHT OR LEFT, CAUSE UNKNOWN. DEALER REPLACED TRACK BAR. PLEASE GIVE ANY FURTHER DETAILS.
NHTSA complaint #888932 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
SUSPENSION:FRONT:WHEEL BEARING
DEFECTIVE WHEEL BEARINGS
NHTSA complaint #9001906 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
SUSPENSION:FRONT:WHEEL BEARING
DEFECTIVE WHEEL BEARINGS
NHTSA complaint #9001910 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
SUSPENSION:REAR
WHILE DRIVING AT 40 MPH REAR END OF THE TRUCK MAKES A GRINDING NOISE.
NHTSA complaint #874348 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
SUSPENSION:FRONT
VEHICLE PULLS HARD TO THE RIGHT WHEN BRAKING. THE DEALER AND A LOCAL REPAIR SHOP CLAIMS IT IS DUE TO A WORN FRONT TRACK BAR, FAILING U-JOINTS, AND SWAY BAR LINKS. THESE PARTS SHOULD NOT BE WEARING OUT AT THIS LOW OF MILEAGE. I AM CONCERNED WITH THE UPCOMING WINTER DRIVING CONDITIONS THAT LOSS OF CONTROL IS POSSIBLE DUE TO THE POOR HANDLING WITH THE DEFECTIVE PARTS.
NHTSA complaint #729693 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
SUSPENSION:FRONT
MY 1998 DODGE RAM EQUIPPED WITH AN AUTOMATIC TRANSMISSION SHIFTS INTO NEUTRAL WHEN HITTING HARD BUMPS IN THE ROAD. CHRYSLER DISTRICT MANAGER SAYS ALL DODGE RAMS DO THIS AND I OUGHT TO DRIVE A LITTLE SLOWER. THE ABS BRAKES HAVE ALSO FAIRLED ON A STEEP DECLINE. THE NOISE FROM THE FRONT END WAS HORRENDOUS AND THE WHEELS CONTINUED TO ROLL WITH NO EFFORT TO STOP. ALSO THE FRONT END OF THIS TRUCK CANNOT BE ALIGNED. DODGE HAS ATTEMPTED TO CORRECT THE PROBLEM BY INSTALLING AFTERMARKET BALL JOINTS, HOWEVER PROBLEM STILL EXISTS AND I HAVE GONE THRU 3 SETS OF TIRES. IF ALL RAM TRUCKS SHIFT INTO NEUTRAL THEN ALL SHOULD BE OFF THE ROAD AS MINE IS. I HAVE RECEIVED SEVERAL CALLS FROM OTHER OWNERS HAVING THE SAME PROBLEM.
NHTSA complaint #701642 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
SUSPENSION
VEHICLE PULLING TO THE RIGHT THEN TO THE LEFT INTERMITTENTLY. DRL HAS BEEN NOTIFIED.
NHTSA complaint #851982 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
SUSPENSION
SUSPENSION FAILURE. YH
NHTSA complaint #608771 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
SUSPENSION
AT 35-45 MPH VEHICLE VIBRATES . THE DEALER HAS PUT 5 SETS OF TIRES ON THE VEHICLE.
NHTSA complaint #840394 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
SUSPENSION:REAR
WHILE DRIVING AROUND A CORNER AT APPROXIMATELY 15MPH THE SWAY BAR FELL OUT. DROVE TO DEALER & MECHANIC NOTICED THE SWAY BAR HANGING & HAD TO REPAIR IT. THE 2ND INCIDENT: HAD LOST STEERING CONTROL & HIT A TREE. NEITHER AIR BAG DEPLOYED UPON IMPACT.
NHTSA complaint #836814 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
SUSPENSION
VEHICLE VIBRATION, SOME AT 22MPH, WORST AT 43MPH, DEALER BALANCED TIRES 1ST TIME IN, STILL VIBRATED. TOOK BACK IN 4 WEEKS LATER, DEALER SAID 3 TIRES WERE WAY OUT OF BALANCE. BALANCED AGAIN, STILL VIBRATES. VIBRATION INTENSITY CHANGES WHEN WHEELS ARE ROTATED. *MJS
NHTSA complaint #705605 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
SUSPENSION
LOUD POPING IN THE FRONT END WHEN TURNING, BEEN IN THE SHOP 7 TIMES FOR REPIR STILL NOT FIXED
NHTSA complaint #704228 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
SUSPENSION:FRONT:SHOCK ABSORBER
SHOCK ABSORBER IN FRONT AND REAR LOOSE CAUSING NOISE.
NHTSA complaint #544038 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
SUSPENSION:REAR:SHOCK ABSORBER
SHOCK ABSORBER IN FRONT AND REAR LOOSE CAUSING NOISE.
NHTSA complaint #544038 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
SUSPENSION:FRONT
NO SUMMARY LISTED FOR THIS VEHICLE.
NHTSA complaint #703313 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
SUSPENSION:FRONT
THE DEFECT IS IN THE ALIGNMENT OF THE TRUCK AND THE ENGINE. WITH THE ALIGNMENT SET TO MANUFACTURER'S SPECIFICATIONS THE TRUCK STILL PULLS OUT OF THE DRIVING LANE. WITHIN TEN SECONDS THE TRUCK WILL COMPLETELY VACATE THE LANE. THE SECOND PROBLEM IS THE ENGINE HAS A "STUMBLE" OR MISS-FIRE AT IDLE. AGAIN THE MANUFACTURES STATES THE ENGINE IS ALSO WITHIN GUIDELINES. THE DEALER CLAIMS THERE IS AN INDUSTRY STANDARD FOR ALIGNMENT, BUT PROVIDES NO WRITTEN DOCUMENTATION ON WHAT THE STANDARDS ARE OR WHAT THE MANUFACTURER'S ACCEPTABLE TOLERANCES ARE SPECIFICALLY. DO YOU HAVE ANYTHING WHICH INDICATES ALIGNMENT STANDARDS AND ENGINE TIMING.
NHTSA complaint #702687 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
SUSPENSION:REAR
REAR SUSPENSION CLUNKS ON TURNS WITH LIGTH/NO LOAD IN BED. SOUNDS LIKE THE GAS TANK SHIFTING SIDE TO SIDE OR SPRING PACK NOISE. OTHER OWNER'S I'VE TALKED TOO HAVE SAME PROBLEM. THE REAR SLIDING GLASS WINDOW LEAKS AT THE TOP AT HIGHWAY SPEEDS IN HEAVY RAIN. THE TWO TONE PAINT IS FADING. YOU CAN SEE THE BOTTOM COLOR THROUGH THE TOP COLOR. ALSO, I'VE HEAR FROM SEVERAL OTHER OWNERS ABOUT PREMATURE FRONT BALL JOINT FAILURES ALTHOUGH I HAVEN'T HAD THIS PROBLEM YET.
NHTSA complaint #701957 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
SUSPENSION:FRONT:CONTROL ARM
REAR SUSPENSION CLUNKS ON TURNS WITH LIGTH/NO LOAD IN BED. SOUNDS LIKE THE GAS TANK SHIFTING SIDE TO SIDE OR SPRING PACK NOISE. OTHER OWNER'S I'VE TALKED TOO HAVE SAME PROBLEM. THE REAR SLIDING GLASS WINDOW LEAKS AT THE TOP AT HIGHWAY SPEEDS IN HEAVY RAIN. THE TWO TONE PAINT IS FADING. YOU CAN SEE THE BOTTOM COLOR THROUGH THE TOP COLOR. ALSO, I'VE HEAR FROM SEVERAL OTHER OWNERS ABOUT PREMATURE FRONT BALL JOINT FAILURES ALTHOUGH I HAVEN'T HAD THIS PROBLEM YET.
NHTSA complaint #701957 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
SUSPENSION:FRONT:SPRINGS:COIL SPRINGS
CONSUMER EXPRIENCING ON GOING PROBLEM WITH TRANSMISSION JUMPING OUT OF GEAR INTERMITTENTLY. VEHICLE BEEN IN/OUT DEALER SHOP ON FIVE OCCASIONS AND PROBLEM STILL OCCURS. DEALER/MFR. NOTIFIED. *AK THE FRONT RIGHT SPRING FAILED. THE RELAY ROD AND THE CAMBER MALFUNCTIONS.
NHTSA complaint #831915 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.