10.0

really awful
Crashes / Fires:
0 / 1
Injuries / Deaths:
0 / 0
Average Mileage:
5,864 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 1500 engine problems

engine problem

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1998 Dodge Ram 1500 Owner Comments (Page 2 of 2)

« Read the previous 20 complaints

problem #14

Nov 191999

Ram 1500 4WD

  • miles

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

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...

- Manchester, NH, USA

problem #13

May 081998

Ram 1500 4WD

  • miles
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.

- Glendale, AZ, USA

problem #12

Oct 051999

(reported on)

Ram 1500 4WD

  • miles
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.

- South Hadley, MA, USA

problem #11

Apr 161999

(reported on)

Ram 1500 4WD

  • miles

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

Vehicle continually shudders at speeds between 45-50 mph, happens constantly

- Lakeland, FL, USA

problem #10

Aug 201998

Ram 1500 4WD

  • miles
1. the passenger side mirror glass on this vehicle, Ram 2500 series, has cracked due to the extreme cold conditions in my location. Presents an even more and distorted view of the roadway. The product is inferior glass. 2. excessive pinging in the 5.9L engine. The manual states that you can use an 87 octane rated fuel in this engine. If you do even without a "load" in the vehicle the engine will constantly "ping." Using a higher octane rating the pinging noise is still noticeable. Also this engine from the start uses approximately 1/2 - 3/4 of a quart of oil between oil changes. Very bad for a new product. 3. the same door on the 2500 series (quad cab) Ram truck is used on the type of truck that I own, the extended or club cab. However, where there is weatherstripping on the quad cab door on the lower running board sides, (both doors) there is absolutely no stripping on the extended cab doors (club cab). This allows for the infiltration of dirt and water to actually come up and sit or reside on the top plate. This makes for a bad situation not only for the cleanliness of the truck on those panels but for corrosive qualities as well.

- Syracuse, NY, USA

problem #9

Jun 201998

Ram 1500

  • miles
While driving the vehicle will stall, and while in reverse position the vehicle will also stall. Also, there is a transmission leak which may cause a fire. Dealer replaced parts of the transmission. Dealer cannot determine problem.

- Houston, TX, USA

problem #8

Jun 301998

Ram 1500

  • miles

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

Consumer keeps experiencing unknown engine failure. Been in/out of dealer shop more then three times. Dealer unable to resolve problem.

- Westfield, NJ, USA

problem #7

Jan 201999

Ram 1500

  • Automatic transmission
  • miles
Engine start problems with knocking noise and leakage.

- Union City, CA, USA

problem #6

Dec 121998

Ram 1500 4WD

  • miles
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.

- Vancouver, WA, USA

problem #5

Nov 301998

Ram 1500

  • miles
Had smelled something burning when the engine check engine light & ABS light came on. Then the engine stalled out.

- Burtonsville, MD, USA

problem #4

Nov 011998

(reported on)

Ram 1500 4WD Diesel

  • miles

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

Engine idle speed set to factory specs (750-850 RPM)causes vehicle to accelerate to approx 25mph without any pressure on accelerator (automatic transmission). This also causes more difficult braking and increased brake wear.

- Deerfield, NH, USA

problem #3

Aug 031998

Ram 1500 4WD

  • miles
Persistant engine spark cause the power train control module to fail.

- Colesville, MD, USA

problem #2

May 151998

Ram 1500 4WD

  • miles
While traveling at 70 mph, the engine spun a rod and threw a bearing, leaving vehicle inoperable.

- Jefferson, MO, USA

problem #1

Feb 271998

Ram 1500 4WD

  • Automatic transmission
  • miles
Engine makes noise.

- Pittsfield, MA, USA

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