1998 Dodge RAM VAN

22 complaints on file, page 1 of 2.

1. Filed Jul 20, 2013Failure Jul 19, 2013161,000 milesDunmore, PASteering, Underbody shields, Suspension

   SOME DODGE RAM VANS HAVE A LATENT DEFECT IN THE FRAME THAT IS VERY DANGEROUS. AS FAR AS I CAN TELL, THERE IS NO RECALL EVEN THOUGH THE INTERNET IS LITTERED WITH COMPLAINTS, INCIDENTS AND ACCIDENTS DUE TO FAILURE OF THE FRAME IN ONE SPOT. I BELIEVE THAT THE AC RUNOFF IS VENTED DIRECTLY INTO THE FRAME WHICH, OVER TIME RESULTS IN THE EVENTUAL FAILURE OF THE FRAME AT THE POINT WHERE THE SUSPENSION AND STEERING ARE LOCATED - THIS RESULTS IN LOSS OF CONTROL OF THE VEHICLE. THERE IS NO EASY WAY TO CORRECT THIS PROBLEM SHORT OF REPLACING THE WHOLE FRAME. DODGE DENIES THAT THIS IS A PROBLEM AND BLAMES THIS DEFECT ON ROAD SALT AND CONDITIONS. THIS WOULD BE A VALID ASSERTION IF THE REST OF THE VEHICLE HAD ROT PROBLEMS ELSEWHERE ON THE VEHICLE. INCLUDING THE MUCH MORE VOLATILE BODY PARTS, WHICH ARE IN SOME CASES, STILL SOLID AND IN GOOD CONDITION. THIS PROBLEM IS PREVALENT IN SEVERAL YEARS OF THIS MODEL TRUCK. THIS PROBLEM IS EASY TO CHECK FOR AND NEEDS TO BE ADDRESSED BY DODGE SIMPLY BECAUSE THE VANS ARE GETTING OLDER AND THIS PROBLEM WILL BE OCCURRING MORE FREQUENTLY. *TR

   NHTSA complaint 10525871
2. Filed Jun 2, 2011Failure May 22, 2011100,101 milesST. Clair Shores, MISteering, Suspension, Unknown or other

   WHILE BACKING OUT OF MY PARKING SPACE AND TURNING THE STEERING WHEEL I HEARD A LOUD POP/THUMP. SUBSEQUENTLY WHILE DRIVING DOWN THE ROAD AT 15MPH THE STEERING WENT OUT AND THE VEHICLE WAS UNCONTROLLABLE. I HAD THE VEHICLE TOWED TO A REPAIR SHOP. THE CAUSE OF THE BREAK DOWN WAS THE FRONT PASSENGER SIDE FRAME HAD RUSTED AND CRACKED. THIS IS WHERE THE STEERING IS CONNECTED TO. NO REPAIR WAS POSSIBLE. I HAVE CONTACTED ALTERNATE REPAIR SOURCES OF DEALERS, BODY SHOPS, WELDERS AND METAL FABRICATORS WITHOUT ANY SUCCESS TO GET ANYONE WILLING OR ABLE TO REPAIR THE FRAME. THE VEHICLE IS CONSIDERED NON-DRIVABLE AND NON-FIXABLE.

   NHTSA complaint 10404981
3. Filed Mar 17, 2011Failure Mar 13, 2011153,000 milesTrenton, MIService brakes, Hydraulic

   THE VEHICLE IS A MOTOR HOME, BUILT INTO A 19-FOOT DODGE VAN 3500 BY THE HOME AND PARK COMPANY IN ONTARIO, CANADA (WWW.ROADTREK.COM). THEY CALL THEIR MOTOR HOME 'ROADTREK'. WE LIVE IN MICHIGAN AND HAD DRIVEN TO OKLAHOMA WHEN THE INCIDENT HAPPENED. WE WERE ON I-44 AT MILE 262 GOING WEST WHEN WE STOPPED TO SWITCH DRIVERS. THE NEW DRIVER, BEFORE SETTING OUT, FOUND THAT THE BRAKES WERE GONE: PEDAL ON THE FLOOR. INSPECTION REVEALED THAT ALL THE BRAKE FLUID WAS ON THE GROUND. THE VEHICLE WAS TOWED TO CLAREMORE OK FOR REPAIRS, WHERE THE RIGHT FRONT BRAKE LINE WAS FOUND TO BE RUPTURED DUE TO ABRASION. INSPECTION REVEALED THE FRONT BRAKE LINE ON THE LEFT SIDE WAS SIMILARLY ABRADED BUT NOT YET WORN THROUGH. BOTH LINES WERE REPLACED AND WE RESUMED TRAVEL. THE EXACT SAME THING HAPPENED TO US IN 2004, WHERE THE BRAKES FAILED AFTER WE HAD PARKED THE VEHICLE IN OUR ASSIGNED SITE IN A CAMPGROUND. IN THAT CASE ONLY THE RIGHT SIDE LINE WAS REPLACED. HAD THESE INCIDENTS OCCURRED IN FAST, HEAVY TRAFFIC OR ON A STEEP HILL WE WOULD NOT HAVE SURVIVED AND POSSIBLY CAUSED INJURY TO OTHERS. THE FIRST TIME IT HAPPENS YOU FIGURE IT'S A FLUKE. BUT AFTER A SECOND TIME, IT'S A DESIGN FLAW. I HAVE PHOTOS OF THE ABRADED BRAKE LINE ON THE LEFT FRONT SIDE OF THE VEHICLE AS WELL AS THE INVOICES OF THE WORK DONE. I CAN SEND THOSE IF DESIRED.

   NHTSA complaint 10392043
4. Filed Jul 2, 2009Failure Jun 16, 2009122,648 milesHanover, MDElectrical system, Service brakes, ElectricFire

   THIS VEHICLE BELONGS TO VERIZON COMMUNICATIONS. THE VAN HAD AN UNDERHOOD FIRE THAT ORIGINATED IN THE ABS MODULE AREA WHILE PARKED. CHRYSLER ISSUED SAFETY RECALL D20 IN 2004 TO ADDRESS THIS PROBLEM BUT THE RECALL REPAIR HAS NOT CORRECTED THE PROBLEM. VERIZON HAS HAD 33 UNDERHOOD FIRE INCIDENTS THAT OCCURRED AFTER THE RECALL WAS PERFORMED. THIS IS AN UNSAFE CONDITION THAT WARRANTS FURTHER INVESTIGATION AND ACTION BY NHTSA. *TR

   NHTSA complaint 10275661
5. Filed Feb 17, 2009Failure Feb 10, 200949,006 milesHanover, MDElectrical system, Service brakes, HydraulicFire

   THIS VEHICLE BELONGS TO VERIZON COMMUNICATIONS. THE VAN HAD AN UNDER HOOD FIRE THAT ORIGINATED IN THE ABS MODULE AREA WHILE PARKED. DAIMLERCHRYSLER ISSUED SAFETY RECALL D20 IN 2004 TO ADDRESS THIS PROBLEM BUT THE RECALL REPAIR HAS NOT CORRECTED THE PROBLEM. VERIZON HAS HAD 32 UNDER HOOD FIRE INCIDENTS THAT OCCURRED AFTER THE RECALL WAS PERFORMED. THIS IS AN UNSAFE CONDITION THAT WARRANTS FURTHER INVESTIGATION AND ACTION. *TR

   NHTSA complaint 10259118
6. Filed Jun 9, 2008Failure Jun 1, 2008140,000 milesWest Bloomfield, MISteering, Frame and members

   TL*THE CONTACT OWNS A 1998 DODGE RAM VAN. WHILE PULLING INTO A PARKING SPACE AT AN UNKNOWN SPEED, THE CONTACT FELT A HARD VIBRATION AND HEARD A LOUD BANG. HE EXITED THE VEHICLE TO LOCATE THE ORIGIN OF THE SOUND, BUT WAS UNSUCCESSFUL. HE RE-ENTERED THE VEHICLE TO CONTINUE TO PARK WHEN ANOTHER LOUD SOUND OCCURRED. THE STEERING DID NOT RESPOND. HE EXITED THE VEHICLE AGAIN AND LOCATED A FAILURE WITH THE STEERING CONTROL ARM AND ITS COMPONENTS. THE CONTACT ALSO NOTICED THAT THE ENTIRE FRONT END WAS COMPLETELY RUSTED. HE CALLED A TOW TRUCK AND HAD THE VEHICLE TOWED TO A LOCAL DEALER. THE DEALER STATED THAT THERE BODY SHOP WOULD NOT REPAIR THE VEHICLE BECAUSE THEY DID NOT WANT TO BE RESPONSIBLE FOR ANY LIABILITY. THEY FURTHER STATED THAT THEY MAY BE ABLE TO LOCATE A COLLISION REPAIR SHOP TO PERFORM THE REPAIR WORK. THE CONTACT HAS NOT YET BEEN ABLE TO LOCATE A SHOP TO PERFORM THE NEEDED REPAIRS. THE VEHICLE IS CURRENTLY AT THE DEALER. THE FAILURE AND CURRENT MILEAGES WERE 140,000.

   NHTSA complaint 10230374
7. Filed Jul 24, 2005Failure Jul 20, 2005Manchester, CTUpper ball joint, Upper arm

   VEHICLE: 1998 DODGE B1500 RAM VAN PROBLEM: AT LESS THAN 40,000 MILES I WAS TOLD BY A TIRE DEALER THAT MY UPPER BALL JOINTS WERE SHOT AND THAT I SHOULD TAKE THE VEHICLE REPAIR SHOP TO HAVE THEM REPLACED BEFORE THE FRONT END COULD BE ALIGNED. AT 60,000 MILES I FINALLY DECIDE TO HAVE IT REPAIRED. NOT ONLY WAS THE BALL JOINTS BAD, BUT ONE SIDE HAD COME LOOSE IN THE UPPER CONTROL ARM, AND DESTROYED THE THREADS AND WAS FLOATING FREE IN THE CONTROL ARM. I CONSIDER THIS TO BE A SERIOUS SAFTEY HAZARD. I AM INTERESTED IF THIS IS A COMMON COMPLAINT WITH THIS VEHICLE OR NOT. BY DOING SOME RESEARCH ON THE INTERNET I SEE MULTIPLE COMPLAINT ON OTHER DODGE VEHICLES. THANK YOU FOR YOUR ATTENTION. JOSEPH SCHEIBENPFLUG

   NHTSA complaint 10129846
8. Filed Jun 29, 2005Failure May 1, 2003Atoka, TN12v/24v/48v battery, Service brakes, Antilock/traction control/electronic limited slip

   DT: CONTACT COMPLAINED OF BRAKE PROBLEMS SINCE 1999 DUE TO BATTERY ACID LEAKING ONTO THE BRAKE LINES AND CAUSING CORROSION. THERE WAS A RECALL ISSUED FOR THIS MAKE/MODEL, BUT THIS SPECIFIC VEHICLE DID NOT FALL UNDER THE RECALL CAMPAIGN. THE PROBLEM WA SREPAIRED BY PUTTING A RUBBER TRAY UNDER THE BATTERY. *AK

   NHTSA complaint 10126995
9. Filed Aug 12, 2004Failure Dec 3, 2003173,637 milesHanover, MDFront underhoodFire

   THE VERIZON VEHICLE HAD AN UNDERHOOD FIRE WHILE BEING DRIVEN. THE FIRE ORIGINATED IN THE ABS MODULE AREA. THE ABS MODULE AND WIRING CONNECTOR, TRUCK BATTERY, AND VARIOUS UNDERHODD COMPONENTS WERE BURNT. VERIZON HAS HAD SIMILAR FIRES IN THIS MODEL VAN AND FEELS THAT THIS IS AN UNSAFE CONDITION THAT WARRANTS FURTHER INVESTIGATION.

   NHTSA complaint 10086714
10. Filed Aug 12, 2004Failure Nov 19, 200394,498 milesHanover, MDFront underhoodFire

    WHILE AT A DODGE DEALER FOR INSTRUMENT CLUSTER REPAIR THE VERIZON VEHICLE HAD AN UNDERHOOD FIRE WHICH ORIGINATED IN THE ABS MODULE AREA. THE ABS MODULE AND WIRING CONNECTOR, TRUCK BATTERY AND OTHER UNDERHOOD COMPONENTS WERE BURNT. VERIZON HAS HAD SIMILAR FIRES IN OTHER VANS OF THIS MODEL AND BELIEVES THIS IS A SAFETY ISSUE WHICH WARRANTS FURTHER INVESTIGATION.

    NHTSA complaint 10086713
11. Filed Aug 12, 2004Failure Sep 3, 200335,072 milesHanover, MDFront underhoodFire

    THE VERIZON COMMUNICATIONS VEHICLE HAD AN UNDERHOOD FIRE WHICH ORIGINATED IN THE ABS MODULE AREA. THE ABS MODULE AND WIRING CONNECTOR WERE BURNED ALONG WITH THE TRUCK BATTERY AND OTHER UNDERHOOD COMPONENTS. VERIZON HAS HAD SIMILAR FIRES IN OTHER VEHICLES AND FEELS THIS IS AN UNSAFE CONDITION THAT WARRANTS FURTHER INVESTIGATION.

    NHTSA complaint 10086707
12. Filed May 24, 2004Failure Aug 3, 20003,605 milesBurgettstown, PAAir bags

    SINCE THE AIR BAG CONTROL MODULE RECALL 99V002000 REPAIRS WERE PERFORMED THE AIR BAG LIGHT COME ON, AND THE DASHBOARD COMPONENTS FAILED TO FUNCTION. DEALERSHIP SERVICED THE VEHICLE SEVERAL TIMES, BUT THEY HAVEN'T CORRECTED THE PROBLEM.*AK

    NHTSA complaint 10074088
13. Filed Sep 6, 2002Failure Jul 1, 2001Mcleod, TXFuel system, Tank assembly

    VEHICLE WAS TAKE TO THE DEALER FOR A CHECK UP, AND DISCOVERED THAT FUEL TANK WAS EXPANDING, AND RUBBING THE CAB. DEALER HAS BEEN NOTIFIED.*AK CONSUMER STATES THE FUEL TANK MAKES A LOUD NOISE IN THE REAR DUE TO THE FUEL TANK EXPANDING AND RUBBING THE BACK OF THE CAB. *YH

    NHTSA complaint 8018121
14. Filed Apr 29, 2002Failure Apr 2, 2002Worth, ILWheel bearing, Tires

    ORIGINAL EQUIPMENT TIRES ARE TOO SMALL FOR THE CAPACITY OF THE VEHICLE CAUSING PREMATURE WEAR AND THE FRONT WHEEL BEARINGS TO BE REPLACED. ORIGINAL EQUIPMENT IS P235/75 R15 MTS SHOULD BE P235/75RXL. *AK *TT

    NHTSA complaint 8008781
15. Filed Mar 21, 2002Failure Feb 1, 2002Toledo, OHAutomatic transmission

    TRANSMISSION HAS BEEN REPLACED BECAUSE TRANSMISSION WENT OUT WHILE CONSUMER WAS DRIVING, THERE WAS NO WARNINGS, BUT CONSUMER WAS DRIVING AT 25-30 MPH BEFORE IT WENT OUT.*AK

    NHTSA complaint 8006110
16. Filed Sep 11, 2000Failure Feb 1, 2000East Hanov, NJService brakes, Hoses, Lines/piping, And fittings2 injured

    CONSUMER HAS EXPERIENCED FRONT BRAKE PROBLEMS, FIRST THE CALIPER BRAKE BOLT WAS PULLED OUT AND RESTED INSIDE THE DRUM, THEN BOTH FRONT BRAKE HOSES BURSTED AT THE SAME TIME WHILE DRIVING ON HIGHWAY RESULTING IN A THREE CAR COLLISION. NLM

    NHTSA complaint 554471
17. Filed Sep 11, 2000Failure Aug 8, 2000Enola, PAElectrical system, Gasoline, Air conditioner, Exterior lighting

    THE WIPER BLADE LINKAGE BROKE. NLM

    NHTSA complaint 554421
18. Filed May 1, 2000Failure Apr 27, 2000Blue Ridge, VAFrontal1 injured

    CONSUMER WAS DRIVING ON SMOOTH SURFACE WHEN DUAL AIRBAGS DEPLOYED, CAUSING BURNS AND MINOR INJURES TO DRIVER. THERE WAS NO IMPACT/PRIOR ACCIDENT AND NO UNDERCARRIAGE IMPACT. CAUSE UNKNOWN, DEALER SIMPLY WANTS TO REPACK AND REPAIR THE BAGS AND RETURN IT TO THE DRIVER. *AK *ML

    NHTSA complaint 861177
19. Filed Mar 8, 2000Centreville, VATires

    CONSUMER WAS EXPERINCING EXCESSIVE TIRE WEAR PRIOR TO RECALL NOTICE 99V-322. NLM

    NHTSA complaint 551295
20. Filed Jan 4, 2000Failure Nov 1, 1999SAN Jacionto, CAService brakes, Caliper

    PLASTIC CALIPER PISTON CAUSED BRAKE FAILURE. *AK

    NHTSA complaint 716831