10.0

really awful
Crashes / Fires:
3 / 0
Injuries / Deaths:
0 / 0
Average Mileage:
59,134 miles

About These NHTSA Complaints:

This data is from the NHTSA — the US gov't agency tasked with vehicle safety. Complaints are spread across multiple & redundant categories, & are not organized by problem.

So how do you find out what problems are occurring? For this NHTSA complaint data, the only way is to read through the comments below. Any duplicates or errors? It's not us.

1998 Dodge Ram 3500 steering problems

steering problem

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1998 Dodge Ram 3500 Owner Comments

problem #8

Mar 032016

Ram 3500

  • 173,000 miles

A D V E R T I S E M E N T S

The contact owns a 1998 Dodge Ram 3500. While driving 5 mph, the vehicle pulled to the right independently. While making a left turn, the front passenger side wheel detached. The anti-brake and brake system warning lights illuminated. The vehicle was taken to an independent mechanic where it was diagnosed that the wheel bearing failed due to the tie rods and the wheel hub needed to be replaced. The vehicle was repaired, but the tie rods were not replaced. The VIN was not included in NHTSA campaign number: 08E027000 (steering). The manufacturer was not made aware of the failure. The failure mileage was 173,000.

- Seminole, OK, USA

problem #7

Jun 242014

Ram 3500 4WD 6-cyl

  • 300,000 miles
Driving on a highway traveling at 75 mph, the vehicle suddenly shook violently and it was very difficult to keep a grip on the steering wheel or switch to the brake pedal. I was thrust around in my seat and items from under the back seat were thrown forward into the dash of the vehicle as well. Vehicles around me also noticed and slowed down and steered clear of my vehicle. I was able to slow to a stop at the curb and it stopped. That was the first incident. I did look over the front end and felt the tie-rods, ect to test and everything is tight as it should be and nothing visible to cause this problem. It happened again a week later traveling at 65 mph. It has occurred occasionally since those incidents in June and the speed seems to be less each time. I have avoided driving it for fear I will wreck and kill myself or someone else. I have researched and found it is the "death wobble" that Chrysler has been investigated for and did a recall on. But, the recall does not cover all second generation Dodge pickups, such as mine. This must be noticed and the recall must cover all trucks in the second generation class as well. I will sue if I wreck this truck during a death wobble.

- Greeley, CO, USA

problem #6

May 062002

(reported on)

Ram 3500 4WD 6-cyl Diesel

  • Automatic transmission
  • 72 miles
When the temperature was cold outside it was difficult to steer the vehicle. The problem continued until the outside temperature warmed up. The dealership replaced the parts 3 times but the problem still occurred.

- Lagrange, OH, USA

problem #5

Sep 192000

Ram 3500

  • miles

A D V E R T I S E M E N T S

While driving 45mph, hit another vehicle unexpectedly at a frontal impact which caused steering to lock up, and brakes to fail. Upon impact, driver and passenger airbags did not deploy, which did not protect the occupants. No prior problems with the airbag system.

- Yulee, FL, USA

problem #4

Jul 021998

Ram 3500

  • miles
Driver lost control and slid cross ways, across the highway, and busted the rear axel. Truck flipped over, and front bumper went into front tire, and the airbags did not deploy. Truck was totalled.

- Corning, IA, USA

problem #3

Mar 181998

(reported on)

Ram 3500

  • miles
Problematic steering and braking systems.

- Aurora, CO, USA

problem #2

Feb 181999

Ram 3500

  • miles
Since we purchased the van the dealer said we had a bad tire both times we picked it up, but it still drifts and has spungy streeing. I.e. it goes were it want to and when you turn the wheel to correct it the streering takes it time to go the other way. My other problem is the right rear frame leaks water bad, at first the dealers body shop said the weld had broke at the seam were it was put together and that they had 3 of them in the last 6 weeks. We have had the van in the shop many times to get this fixed. It still leaks!!!!

- Lexington, KY, USA

problem #1

Oct 271998

(reported on)

Ram 3500 Diesel

  • Automatic transmission
  • miles
Steering centering valve continually pulls to the left causing steering problems at high speeds, unable to correct design defect.

- Port Arans, TX, USA

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