1998 Dodge RAM

Complaint history

When NHTSA received these reports. Changes in reporting alone do not establish a change in failure rates.

Problems owners report

Listed groups have at least 3 complaints. The page includes the 20 largest groups plus any additional flagged groups; some complaints are not assigned to a group.

AI groups complaints by meaning; the groups are approximate. Share ratio compares the problem’s share of this vehicle’s complaints with its share on other vehicles over the last 24 months (shown from 3 recent complaints). A 2× ratio means twice the complaint share, not twice the failure risk. Flags mark unusual shares or recent surges after an AI review of the complaint content. “First signal” does not mean the pattern has persisted continuously.How recall estimates are calculated.

Recalls

• NHTSA recall #04V185000April 12, 200444,588 vehicles affected

  service brakes, hydraulic: antilock/traction control/electronic limited slip: control unit/module

  On certain van and wagon vehicles equipped with 4-WHEEL antilock brake systems (ABS), aftermarket batteries may leak electrolyte onto the ABS control module connector, which Can compromise sealing integrity of the connector.

  This may allow development of a short circuit in the connector, which could eventually lead to a fire.

  Remedy

  Dealers will inspect the ABS control module connector for electrolyte damage and replace the connector as necessary. The recall will begin on september 27, 2004. Owners should contact daimlerchrysler at 1-800-853-1403.

• NHTSA recall #02V161000June 14, 200297,500 vehicles affected

  vehicle speed control

  On certain pickup trucks equipped with diesel engines only, the throttle linkage joints Can corrode and cause the throttle to bind or stick.

  This could potentially result in a loss of throttle control, increasing the risk of a crash.

  Remedy

  Dealers will replace the rod ends and ball studs. Owner notification began july 29, 2002. Owners who take their vehicles to an authorized dealer on an agreed upon service date and do not receive the free remedy within a reasonable time should contact daimlerchrysler at 1-800-853-1403.

• NHTSA recall #01V153000May 8, 2001216,100 vehicles affected

  air bags

  Vehicle description: pickup trucks. Sound deadener material inside the steering wheel could become detached from the cover and housing. Note: the Ram pickup trucks were built at the warren assembly plant ("s" in the 11TH VIN position) from may 16, 2000 through october 23, 2000; st. Louis north assembly plant ("j" in the 11TH VIN position) from may 19, 2000 through october 23, 2000; lago alberto assembly plant ("m" in the 11TH VIN position) from may 23, 2000 through october 23, 2000; and saltillo assembly plant ("g" in the 11TH VIN position) from may 23, 2000 through october 23, 2000. Important: vehicles that have already had the proper clockspring installed, according to warranty records, have been excluded from this recall. In addition, 1997-2000 model year vehicles that have had a suspect replacement clockspring installed, according to warranty records, have been added to this recall.

  When this occurs, the material could interfere with the clockspring ribbon and cause an open circuit. The driver air bag system will become disabled, and the air bag warning lamp will illuminate on the instrument panel.

  Remedy

  Dealers will replace the clockspring assembly. Owner notification began june 18, 2001. Also some 1997-200 model year vehicles that, according to warranty records, have had a suspect replacement clockspring installed, will also be included in this campaign. Owners who take their vehicles to an authorized dealer on an agreed upon service date and do not receive the free remedy within a reasonable time should contact daimlerchrysler at 1-800-853-1403.

• NHTSA recall #01V040000February 12, 2001701,000 vehicles affected

  latches/locks/linkages: hood: latch

  On certain pickup trucks originally sold in or currently registered in the following "salt belt" states: maine, new hampshire, vermont, massachusetts, rhode island, connecticut, new york, new jersey, pennsylvania, delaware, maryland, the district of columbia, west virginia, ohio, indiana, michigan, illinois, wisconsin, minnesota, iowa, and missouri. Corrosion of the return spring on the hood secondary latch could cause the mechanism to bind in the "release position."

  If the primary latch is not engaged, the hood could open unexpectedly.

  Remedy

  Dealers will replace the secondary hood latch. Owner notification began september 17, 2001. Owners who take their vehicles to an authorized dealer on an agreed upon service date and do not receive the free remedy within a reasonable time should contact daimlerchrysler at 1-800-853-1403.

• NHTSA recall #00V107000April 11, 2000357,000 vehicles affected

  trailer hitches

  Vehicle description: pickup trucks equipped with optional trailer hitch. The trailer hitch side brackets were manufactured using material with insufficient strength.

  Brackets built without proper material could fatigue and fracture in the area where the trailer hitch mounts to the frame.

  Remedy

  Dealers will inspect the trailer hitches and replace any trailer hitch showing signs of fatigue cracking. If no evidence of cracking exists, the dealer will install two reinforcement brackets.

• NHTSA recall #99V115000May 6, 19998,883 vehicles affected

  power train: clutch assembly

  Vehicle description: pickup trucks equipped with manual transmission, V10 engines and four-wheel-drive transfer cases. Under sustained maximum rated vehicle load, while driving up a steep grade in four-wheel-drive low range in hot ambient conditions, the local exhaust temperature proximate to the hydraulic clutch line Can generate line temperatures that exceed the temperature limit of the clutch line material. If this condition occurs and the clutch is depressed, the line could rupture.

  The fluid could ignite on the hot exhaust possibly resulting in a vehicle fire.

  Remedy

  Dealers will replace the hydraulic clutch assembly.

• NHTSA recall #99V002000January 7, 199946,193 vehicles affected

  air bags

  Vehicle description: vans and vans used for conversion. If a heavy object impacts the metal casing of the air bag electronic control module (aecm), located under the driver seat, the module could inadvertently deploy the air bags.

  Unexpected air bag deployment Can result in occupant injury.

  Remedy

  Dealers will replace the aecm with a module that incorporates revised hardware and software on all affected vehicles.

• NHTSA recall #98V207000September 8, 199825,014 vehicles affected

  engine and engine cooling: engine: diesel

  Vehicle description: light duty pickup trucks equipped with 5.9L - 24 valve diesel engine. The low pressure diesel fuel supply tube located in the engine compartment between the filter and the high pressure pump Can fracture.

  This condition Can allow fuel to leak. In the presence of an ignition source, fuel leakage Can result in a fire.

  Remedy

  Dealers will replace the low pressure diesel fuel supply tube.

• NHTSA recall #98V208000September 8, 199812,400 vehicles affected

  structure

  Vehicle description: light duty pickup trucks. These vehicles may have been built with bolts that were not properly hardened. The bolts were used to attach the cab and the core support to the frame.

  This condition Can allow the cab to separate from the frame increasing the risk of a crash.

  Remedy

  Dealers will replace these bolts with properly hardened bolts.

• NHTSA recall #98V209000September 8, 199830,747 vehicles affected

  engine and engine cooling: engine: diesel

  Vehicle description: light duty pickup trucks equipped with 5.9L - 24 valve diesel engine. An intermittent high engine idle condition Can occur due to a malfunction of the vehicle speed sensor.

  This creates a signal which is misinterpreted by the engine control software, causing a high idle speed condition.

  Remedy

  Dealers will replace the engine controller software to correct erroneous speed sensor signals.

• NHTSA recall #98V182000August 6, 19988,144 vehicles affected

  fuel system, gasoline: delivery: hoses, lines/piping, and fittings

  Vehicle description: light duty trucks equipped with either a 8.0L V-10 engine or a 5.9L V-8 heavy duty gasoline engine. An exhaust system heat shield attaching screw is too close to the underbody fuel line. The line Can rub against the screw, possibly causing fuel leakage.

  Fuel leakage in the presence of an ignition source Can result in a fire.

  Remedy

  Dealers will remove the underbody heat shield attaching screw and replace it with rubber adhesive. The chassis fuel line will be inspected for signs of wear and any tubes indicating wear will be replaced.

• NHTSA recall #98V105000May 14, 19984,200 vehicles affected

  seat belts: front: buckle assembly

  Vehicle description: passenger vehicles. The front seat belt buckles were not properly riveted to the support strap.

  In the event of a vehicle crash, the seat belt assembly would have reduced strength, increasing the risk of personal injury.

  Remedy

  Dealers will replace the front outer seat belt buckles with buckles that have been properly riveted.

• NHTSA recall #98V075000April 8, 19981,550 vehicles affected

  service brakes, air: disc: rotor

  Vehicle description: light duty pickup trucks. The brake rotor material strength is not sufficient causing a hub fatigue fracture.

  This fracture Can result in crack propagation around the wheel mounting bolt circule ultimately resulting in a wheel separation.

  Remedy

  Dealers will inspect the brake rotors and if necessary, replace these rotors.

Other model years

• 1989 28
• 1991 51
• 1992 58
• 1993 54
• 1994 469
• 1995 611
• 1996 625
• 1997 398
• 1998
• 1999 366
• 2000 147
• 2001 318
• 2002 116
• 2003 53
• 2004 58
• 2005 40
• 2006 25
• 2008 25
• 2010 27