10.0

really awful
Crashes / Fires:
0 / 3
Injuries / Deaths:
0 / 0
Average Mileage:
5,568 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

problem #9

Sep 062010

Ram 1500

  • miles

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

I own a 1998 Dodge Ram 1500 4X4 pickup I was driving a friend and her daughter to the dentist I passed a logging truck when I got back in my lane as I was slowing down the truck shuddered and lost power I pulled off the road the only place I could pull off I hit it the was almost off the nut holding the tire rotor on the shaft snapped off the tow home was over 500 dollars after getting truck I broke out my shop manuals out the brg pack was burned I replaced from front differential out to tires with oem parts to the tune of 1100 dollars within a mth the left front tire came off as I was turning into my drive way again replaced from front differential out to tire this time cost about 850 6 mths latter coming home I feel front vibration hang on to wheel my drivers side front tire rotor caliper fly off I slide better part of 75 feet grinding off lower ball joint after being towed home looking at tire rim caliper rotor I decide to replace the entire front end cost of 650 dollars from a wrecking yard believe the problem front to light for weight also the viscosity of greese in brg pack to light breaking down causing brg to get hot and seize up causing tire rim caliper H rotor to fly off have saved all old parts.

- Copperopolis, CA, USA

problem #8

May 062007

Ram 1500 4WD 8-cyl

  • Automatic transmission
  • miles
Automatic transmission slips at cruising speed. My truck, my nephews truck and four others I am aware of in little rock Arkansas are all having the same problem. When engine is not pulling or accelerating the transmission slips causing the RPM to rise around 4 hundred to 800 RPM. My nephew stated that there was a recall on this problem some time back. I only purchased this truck a year ago and was unaware of this problem.

- Mayflower, AR, USA

problem #7

Apr 062005

Ram 1500 8-cyl

  • Automatic transmission
  • miles
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.

- Las Vegas, NV, USA

problem #6

Dec 282002

Ram 1500 4WD

  • Automatic transmission
  • miles

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

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.

- Salisbury, MA, USA

problem #5

Dec 142004

Ram 1500

  • Automatic transmission
  • miles
The vehicle was parked in the driveway overnight. When the consumer woke in the morning the vehicle had burned. The vehicle was not totaled. Please provide mileage information.

- Detroit, MI, USA

problem #4

Jul 261998

Ram 1500 8-cyl

  • Automatic transmission
  • 10 miles
I have had my van since 98 got it new the dealership had my van more then I have, they fixed only a few problems I have had other problems they couldn't find. The side passenger doors wouldn't unlock, when coming to a stop seconds after stopping I would feel a hick coming from the back end, on vacation after resting at a wayside while entering highway the you heard a click from the engine then you loss all power it wouldn't go any faster then 30-35 mph, took van in after this one guy at shop seen my handicap daughter and went in back to get a paper he then gave me, paper was from Dodge telling of this problem and not to show to any customers, he gave this paper to me, and to this day I still have same problems, all plastic lining inside of van has cracked about 6 months after getting van, go through brakes like crazy, and van always pulls to right. There are so many problems with this van I can't list them all, tried to return van after 7 months they wouldn't take it back.

- Chicago, IL, USA

problem #3

Feb 152003

Ram 1500

  • Automatic transmission
  • 50,100 miles

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

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.

- Austin, TX, USA

problem #2

Jan 132004

(reported on)

Ram 1500

  • miles
While travel at any speed vehicle stalled and lost power.

- Bryan, TX, USA

problem #1

Jan 162003

(reported on)

Ram 1500

  • miles
The vehicle was parked over night with engine turn off. The next morning vehicle had caught on fire. The vehicle was a total loss. Cause is unknown.

- Gladstone, MI, USA

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