1998 Dodge Dodge Truck
Safety record from NHTSA: recalls, owner complaints, investigations and service bulletins.
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Vehicles › Dodge › Dodge Truck › 1998
These records cover every 1998 Dodge Dodge Truck. To see whether one car still needs a recall repair, decode its VIN or check it with NHTSA.
Owner complaints
28 complaints2 involved a crash5 injuries
What owners report most
Latest complaints
- Structure
I own a1998 dodge RAM truck that I purchased 5 years ago within this past year IV noticed my dash board cracking and it seemed to be getting worse till I was driving home from work a big chunk of dash board blew up and hit me right in the face I almost wrecked my truck it could have been fatal…
I own a1998 dodge RAM truck that I purchased 5 years ago within this past year IV noticed my dash board cracking and it seemed to be getting worse till I was driving home from work a big chunk of dash board blew up and hit me right in the face I almost wrecked my truck it could have been fatal something has to be done about this before someone IS killed if there IS a defect in these dodge trucks dashboards they should let the owner or public aware so they can be fixed. *Tr
- Seat belts · Structure
Dodge 1500 RAM sport pick up. Dash cover broke in pieces. A while later I notice the two front speakers stop working, the speedometer stop working, every once in a while the dash lights go crazy, the top 12 volt adapter stops working, etc. also seat belts don't retract correctly, and driver side buckle had to be replaced. *Tr
- Structure
Cracked and broken dash. *Tr
- Seat belts › Front › Buckle assembly · Seat belts › Front › Retractor
Defective driver and passenger seat belt, in 98 dodge RAM. I have contacted the dodge headquarters, when the seatbelts failed the first time two years ago, hq stated that they would pay for labor only, and not replace the part. Dodge replaced the seatbelt sensor which IS electronic under the seats…
Defective driver and passenger seat belt, in 98 dodge RAM. I have contacted the dodge headquarters, when the seatbelts failed the first time two years ago, hq stated that they would pay for labor only, and not replace the part. Dodge replaced the seatbelt sensor which IS electronic under the seats, the wires get pinched off, when the seats are moved forward and back therefore creating a short in the wires, and thus the seatbelts fail b/c they are on an electronic weight system. I do not have the money it takes to continually replace these every two years, I think this should be looked into since it IS a safety hazard. *Tr
- Engine and engine cooling › Cooling system · Power train › Automatic transmission
On march 8,2002 a short time after taking delivery of used 1998 dodge grand caravan SE vin # g with only 41,950 miles. in february ,2002 the engine began making a loud pronounced tapping sound. After I returned the vehicle to the dealer plaza motors of brooklyn inc.(aka) plaza dodge ltd. And was…
On march 8,2002 a short time after taking delivery of used 1998 dodge grand caravan SE vin # g with only 41,950 miles. in february ,2002 the engine began making a loud pronounced tapping sound. After I returned the vehicle to the dealer plaza motors of brooklyn inc.(aka) plaza dodge ltd. And was told the engine had to be replace. And the dealer above installed a used engine from vin#r with 58,310 miles and less then 12 months the second engine head gasket fail. then the transmission. Base on the information above and the reports from other consumers nhtsa should investigate these defects as a real time safety problem. *nm
- Steering · Suspension
I own 1998 dodge sport full sized pickup that has a loud bang when turning corners. the consumer wants to know if the truck IS covered under some recall that was posted in the past. *bf *nm the shaking was coming from the steering. *sc *tc *jb
- Suspension › Front › Control arm › Upper ball joint
At approximately 40,000 miles I had to have the ball joints replaced on my 1998 dodge dakota. my mechanic advised me that before change the ball joints that I should take my vehicle to my local dodge dealership and see if they would cover the cost. they responded by telling me that my ball joints…
At approximately 40,000 miles I had to have the ball joints replaced on my 1998 dodge dakota. my mechanic advised me that before change the ball joints that I should take my vehicle to my local dodge dealership and see if they would cover the cost. they responded by telling me that my ball joints were fine. the reason I went to my mechanic was because I had had my vehicle aligned four times in the first 30,000 mile and my truck still pulled to one side. that was when I went to an unbiased party to tell what the problem was. I had this repair work done in late 2002 or early 2003. *ak
- Suspension › Front › Control arm › Lower ball joint · Suspension › Front › Control arm › Upper ball joint
I have a '98 dodge dakota pickup truck with approximately 58,000 miles on it. this past june I had to replace a front end ball joint on this vehicle. at that time there was approximately 52,000 miles on the truck. the same symptoms are starting to occur again that accompanied the last ball joint…
I have a '98 dodge dakota pickup truck with approximately 58,000 miles on it. this past june I had to replace a front end ball joint on this vehicle. at that time there was approximately 52,000 miles on the truck. the same symptoms are starting to occur again that accompanied the last ball joint problem. so it's likely I will have to replace another one of the joints on the suspension of this truck in the near future. it seems to me that considering there could be dire consequences with ball joint failure (the suspension collapsing at high speed) that the government would require dodge to fix this problem by improving the design of these joints and issue a recall. I urge the ntsb, ntsa, or whoever to investigate these problems before anyone else gets killed or seriously injured. if you research the web, you will find that this IS a widespread problem on these vehicles. *la
- Fuel system, diesel · Fuel system, other › Delivery › Fuel pump
The primary transfer pump has a defective design in the rotary vans filter wire mess. the ends are not welded. The wire mess weave ends are undo due to normal diesel vibration. the wire mess filter ends are hitting rotary vane pump. the rubber seal material IS very hard with no elastic spring…
The primary transfer pump has a defective design in the rotary vans filter wire mess. the ends are not welded. The wire mess weave ends are undo due to normal diesel vibration. the wire mess filter ends are hitting rotary vane pump. the rubber seal material IS very hard with no elastic spring to it. This very dangerous pump designed. the main injection will lose power with no warning. the pump unit IS made by carter part#43188c27b 12 vdc IS power source. the pump IS sold through mopar by cummins engine. the new pump #05080885aa pump fuel second #14073001. The replacement cost IS $160.88. its dealer item only. the labor time to install IS 1 hour 65$ to $75 IS standard charge to install this unit. the fuel pump does not come with new copper gaskets it require at least four to seal the fuel fitting. The part IS available for viewing. The dealership would not cover it due to no road side tow. the vehicle mileage was approximately 67,740 miles vid [xxx]. I would like to point out that this vehicle had four major fuel injection pumps replaced due to electronic board failure. in all cases the problem happened with no warning. GMC has extended their 6.5L diesel pump to 120,000 miles or 12 year time period. *Ak information redacted pursuant to the freedom of information act (foia), 5 u.s.c. 552(B)(6). *tr
- Unknown or other
I, neal darstein, am a proud owner of a 1998 dodge RAM 1500 slt laramie. I have a complaint regarding the ability to use my horn. please bear with me as this IS difficult to explain clearly without actually deminstrating exactly what I mean. since the purchase of my truck the steering wheel pad…
I, neal darstein, am a proud owner of a 1998 dodge RAM 1500 slt laramie. I have a complaint regarding the ability to use my horn. please bear with me as this IS difficult to explain clearly without actually deminstrating exactly what I mean. since the purchase of my truck the steering wheel pad (which IS were the horn IS located) IS very stiff/solid making it impossible to "use" or "sound" my horn in the event of an emergency. I feel it's a safety hazard. every vehicle should have easy accessibity and use of horn. please contact me regarding this issue. thank you.
- Engine and engine cooling › Engine › Gasoline
Notice a oil resdue on the inside of the front windshield. possible coming from the a/c system, second opinion said it was coming from the evaperator coil. on the way to the dealer a lot of smoke came out of the dash and the a/c stop cooling.
- Air bags › Frontal
Was driving 35 mph and road had icy spots. Hit one icy spot, but retained control. Then, hit another icy spot and lost control/ went into a ditch on passenger's front. vehicle went air borne and hit front of vehicle on ground. It then rolled twice. Air bags failed to deploy. Vehicle landed on its passenger side. Driver was strapped in. Vehicle was totaled. *ak
- Electrical system › Horn
Poor design of horn causes driver to use excessive effort in an attempt to sound the horn, sometimes will not activate.
- Engine and engine cooling › Engine › Gasoline
Truck hesitates and bucks between 40-60 mph, at times severe, mfgr cannot identify problem, fuel mileage getting worse overtime. *Ak
- Electrical system › 12v/24v/48v battery · Seat belts › Front › Anchorage · Structure › Body
The console storage arm rest that lies between the front seat experienced failure. Replacement has not been done due to part. *yc
- Service brakes, hydraulic › Antilock/traction control/electronic limited slip
Anti lock brakes does not engage. the brake pedal continues to go down and braking action IS severally downgraded requiring a substantial additional distance in which to bring the vechile to a complete stop.
- Air bags › Frontal
While traveling 45mph in a dodge dualey, over a hill, hit a cow. upon impact, front end was pushed into the cab of vehicle & neither air bag deployed. There were no injuries. *ak
- Engine and engine cooling › Engine › Gasoline · Equipment › Appliance › Air conditioner · Fuel system, gasoline › Fuel injection system · Power train › Automatic transmission › Cooling unit and lines
Engine nocking in lower bottom of engine repeated return to dealer for repairs and they say normal sound;;;automatic transmission leak on pan gasket and o-ring seal,return to dealer for repairs,to no avail was it fix correctly,had to take to another dealer it was fix right,for now,a/c was recharge at
- Service brakes, hydraulic › Antilock/traction control/electronic limited slip
No summary listed for this vehicle. *ak
- Power train › Automatic transmission
On several occasions the transmission slips out of gear on dirt roads. *yc
- Power train › Manual transmission
Vehicle jumps out of 5TH gear while driving. nlm
- Tires › Tread/belt
Large piece of rubber came out of tire down to the steel cords. (Michelin LT 215/85 R16). Mjs
- Equipment › Appliance › Air conditioner
Air conditioner refrigerant hose failed. Mjs
- Structure › Body
Drivers's side sunvisor IS poorly designed. It blocks the driver's vision of the road to the point that the driver can't use it.
- Seats › Front assembly › Head restraint · Steering
Great west van dodge motor home (classic supreme) we discovered, last week that this van sold to us as a 97(chassis)/98(all other) demo had been involved in an accident. had we known this before, we would not have purchased. we felt we were paying for a new van - the $10,000 miles put on it by…
Great west van dodge motor home (classic supreme) we discovered, last week that this van sold to us as a 97(chassis)/98(all other) demo had been involved in an accident. had we known this before, we would not have purchased. we felt we were paying for a new van - the $10,000 miles put on it by the great west van sales rep." for driving only from rv show to rv show on west coast." the accident reportedly occurred in texas. we've had some problems, most of which we repaired ourselves as we do not trust the technician employed by the dealer. still have a water leakage problem, but main concern IS the accident, and the fact that no headrests are on the seats. *ak
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