10.0

really awful
Crashes / Fires:
5 / 0
Injuries / Deaths:
5 / 0
Average Mileage:
22,933 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 seat belts / air bags problems

seat belts / air bags problem

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1998 Dodge Ram 3500 Owner Comments

problem #18

Aug 082010

Ram 3500

  • 92,000 miles

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

The contact owns a 1998 Dodge Ram 3500. While the contact was driving approximately 55 mph, a chime sounded inside the vehicle and the air bag warning indicator began to illuminate intermittently. The vehicle was taken to the dealer for diagnosis. The failure was related to the clockspring. The part was ordered and the vehicle would be repaired when the part became available. The failure mileage was 92,000.

- Quincy, IN, USA

problem #17

Aug 012008

Ram 3500 6-cyl

  • Automatic transmission
  • 124,000 miles
The contact owns a 1998 Dodge Ram. While driving various speeds, the air bag warning indicator randomly illuminates and the air bag chime will begin to sound. The horn in the vehicle has also stopped working. The contact took the vehicle to the dealer and provided them with information he found online regarding NHTSA campaign id number 01V153000 (air bags). He was informed that the VIN was not included in the recall, although the failures were identical. The contact would be responsible for the repair costs. The vehicle is currently at the dealer and they stated that the clock springs were the cause of the failures in the horn and the air bags. The air bag system was completely disabled and would not deploy in the event of a crash. The failure mileage was 124,000 and current mileage was 125,000. Updated 10/20/08. Updated 10/21/08.

- Johnson City, NY, USA

problem #16

Oct 202007

Ram 3500 8-cyl

  • Automatic transmission
  • 119,800 miles
The contact owns a 1998 Dodge Ram. The contact stated that the air bag indicator light illuminates and an alarm sounds four times intermittently. Eventually, the air bag light dims. The contact will have the vehicle inspected. There are two air bag recalls (NHTSA campaign id numbers 01V153000 and 99V002000); however, the manufacturer stated that his vehicle was not included in either one. The current mileage was 120,000 and failure mileage was 119,800.

- New Boston, MI, USA

problem #15

Jan 242005

Ram 3500 4WD 8-cyl

  • Automatic transmission
  • miles

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

While driving, the consumer tried to avoid another vehicle that was coming inside of the lane. When the consumer applied the brakes, the pedal went to the floor. The consumer was unable to maintain control of the vehicle and hit a guard rail and flipped into a ditch. Both air bags did not deploy. The driver sustained head injuries. The driver went to the hospital on his own. The vehicle was towed and totaled by the insurance company. Please provide additional information.

- Kenedy, TX, USA

problem #14

Jun 172003

Ram 3500 6-cyl Diesel

  • 60,000 miles
Air bag light started illuminating on and off. Eventually it remained illuminated. The consumer later found out that the manufacturer was voluntarily replacing the clock spring on vehicles with mileage less than 70000 miles (recall# 02V293). The consumer contacted the manufacturer and was told that the recall was only for vans.

- Mountlake Terrace, WA, USA

problem #13

May 242004

Ram 3500

  • miles
Another vehicle turned in front of consumer's vehicle and it was T-boned by consumer's vehicle which was traveling 45-50 mph. Upon impact, air bags failed to deploy. Driver sustained some soft tissue injuries to the back.

- Acworth, GA, USA

problem #12

Apr 142003

(reported on)

Ram 3500

  • 17,000 miles

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

The air bag illuminated on the dash board.

- Newburgh, NY, USA

problem #11

Nov 152001

Ram 3500

  • miles
NHTSA# 01 V 153 000 & mfr# 982: Consumer states that the air bag light would come on/off intermittently. Dealer and the manufacturer where notified. Feel free to provide any fruther infomation. Nlm

- Cross Plains, TN, USA

problem #10

Jul 012001

Ram 3500

  • miles
ABS light stays illuminated when driving. Dealer has replaced clockspring. Please provide additional information.

- Arlington, TX, USA

problem #9

Jan 032002

(reported on)

Ram 3500

  • miles
Air bag light remains illuminated, indicating a malfunction within system. Dealer determined that problem is occurring due to clock spring.

- Millcreek, WA, USA

problem #8

Sep 012001

Ram 3500

  • miles

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

Horn will sound intermittently during the night when engine is not running. Dealership has not examined vehicle, but informed consumer that vehicle was not affected by recall 01V153000. Please provide any additional information / attachments.

- Waterford, CT, USA

problem #7

Jun 012001

Ram 3500

  • Automatic transmission
  • miles
Airbag light comes on and off intermittently. Dealership was aware of problem. When he turned left signal light windshield wipers came on and off. The defective clock spring replaced at dealer at owners cost.

- Georgetown, DE, USA

problem #6

Jul 112001

Ram 3500

  • Automatic transmission
  • miles
Vehicle was set on cruise control going 70 mph. Vehicle slowed down, and ABS lights/ air bag light/ speedometer went to zero/ gas gauge went to empty, and tank was full. Consumer took it into dealer, and clockspring needed to be replaced. Dealer has not stated if it will be covered.

- Corpus Christi, TX, USA

problem #5

Jan 012000

Ram 3500

  • miles
Air bag warning light and alarm sounds. Returnde truck to moss motors (Dodge dealer in riverside) they reset the alarm and light but did not have an answer sa to what was wrong. The warning light and alarm returned the following day. They charged me $50 to reset the alarm" with no fix! now what. Shouldn't the dealer fix safty items at no charge!!!! please return an answer via E-mail thank you L.w. baker"

- Riverside, CA, USA

problem #4

Oct 221999

Ram 3500

  • miles
I was involved in a collision with my Dodge Ram pickup. A man turned in front of me and the front of my truck hit the side of his car. No airbags deployed, and I was moving at a good rate of speed (35-40 mph). I did contact Dodge, but they are sitting on their hands, and are not sending out an investigation team to find out why the airbags didn't deploy. I would like for NHTSA to conduct an investigation of their own. The truck hasn't been worked on, but the insurance company is antsy to get the truck fixed, since I am in a rental vehicle. Is there any way of having the NHTSA come out and do an investigation in a timely matter (within a week (by 11/10))?

- St. Charles, IL, USA

problem #3

Jan 091999

Ram 3500 4WD

  • miles
Chrysler denies liability. It was 2-3 degrees off center impact. Point of interest: Chrysler recalled 98 Ram trucks and vans due to faulty air bag sensors. I also find it hard to fathom that many accidents are exactly square when the impact. My truck was only very slightly angled 2-3 degrees at impact and did so much damage the entire frame must be replaced. Icar certified airbag mechanics that saw the truck all said that the airbags should have deployed without doubt. It is very difficult for an owner to take on Chrysler and their laywers. I feel that they know they have a problem and are just trying toblow me off. Thanks for your help and interest in this matter.

- Jacksonville, FL, USA

problem #2

Feb 011999

(reported on)

Ram 3500 4WD Diesel

  • miles
Horn very hard to operate, air bag cover gets too hard in cold weather

- Salisburymills, NY, USA

problem #1

Feb 091998

Ram 3500 4WD

  • Automatic transmission
  • miles
No deployment of air bag during vehicle collision.

- Cambridge, MA, USA

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