10.0

really awful
Crashes / Fires:
2 / 0
Injuries / Deaths:
0 / 1
Average Mileage:
6,843 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 electrical problems

electrical problem

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1998 Dodge Ram 1500 Owner Comments (Page 2 of 3)

« Read the previous 20 complaints

problem #29

Jun 041999

(reported on)

Ram 1500

  • miles

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

The horn is almost impossible to work in an emergency. You have to hit it in exacly the right spot for it to work with a sizable amount of force. I took it to the dealer thinking it was a problem with my vehicle alone. They said they tested it and it was the same as all other horns. I have almost been involved in several accidents because I have not be able to warn a person moving into my lane because I could not get my horn to work. Please look into this issue as I feel it poses a threat of danger to anyone who opperates this vehicle.

- Atlanta, GA, USA

problem #28

Jan 011999

Ram 1500

  • miles
Many of my friends have the same problem with 1998 Dodge trucks, Chrysler says it is "normal" and will not fix. Horn button was re-designed for 1999 and does not have the problem.

- Temecula, CA, USA

problem #27

May 201999

(reported on)

Ram 1500 4WD Diesel

  • miles
Horn difficult to activate, requires extreme force in very specific location.

- Kuna, ID, USA

problem #26

Apr 071999

(reported on)

Ram 1500

  • Automatic transmission
  • miles

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

Horn sensor was difficult to locate in an emergency. It caused a collision in which someone was killed.

- Irvine, CA, USA

problem #25

May 051998

Ram 1500

  • miles
The passenger's or driver's side seat belt does not retract. Also, you almost have to punch the horn pad to get it to work. The dealership was not able to correct the problem with the seat belt or the horn. Owner has 2 other trucks with the same problems. Please list VIN #S for other 2 trucks.

- Whitewater, WI, USA

problem #24

May 011998

Ram 1500

  • miles
I think that a horn that requires so much effort that it is useless is a safety problem. Although the dealer and the company district representitive say that the all of the 1998 horns are like that. Something can be done. Chrysler says in their specs that the horn should operate at 2 lbs of pressure not, the 10 lbs or more that they really take. I would like to know why, if there is no problem (they claim) did they fix it for 1999. Same steering wheel and pad but it now works.

- Miami, FL, USA

problem #23

Feb 011999

(reported on)

Ram 1500

  • Automatic transmission
  • miles

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

Horn replaced due to difficulty in engagement.

- Glendora, CA, USA

problem #22

Apr 201998

Ram 1500

  • miles
The horn is very difficult to operate through the airbag. Many times it has failed to sound at all.

- Lewisville, TX, USA

problem #21

Feb 101999

Ram 1500 4WD Diesel

  • miles
Horn can not be sounded in a quick emergency situation due to airbag configuration. Can only be sounded if thumb is precisely pressed exactly on two spots indicated while looking at those spots ie: Can not have eyes on road..

- Meriden, CT, USA

problem #20

Feb 011998

Ram 1500

  • miles
Little horn buttons that are situated on the steering wheel are too hard to locate, and needs to press in middle of the buttons directly in order to blow the horn, which may be needed in emergency situation.

- Morgantown, WV, USA

problem #19

Jan 121999

Ram 1500

  • miles

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

Horn button difficult to press. Must be centered. Will not work in emergency situations.

- Redondo Beach, CA, USA

problem #18

Jun 291998

(reported on)

Ram 1500 4WD Diesel

  • Automatic transmission
  • miles
Due to the location of the horn assembly, when attempting to depress the horn pad it is very difficult to locate the horn. Consumer states that due to the airbag location, it is difficult to locate and to honk.

- Wilson, WY, USA

problem #17

Feb 161999

(reported on)

Ram 1500 4WD Diesel

  • miles
The horn buttons are very difficult to locate/press. The resulting delay to activate the horn in an emergency situation, could be potentially hazardous to driver/occupants or pedestrians.

- Albion, WA, USA

problem #16

Feb 141999

(reported on)

Ram 1500 4WD Diesel

  • miles
The button seems very hard to push especially if cold. Too much plastic??

- Walden, NY, USA

problem #15

Jul 011998

Ram 1500 4WD

  • miles
It is impossible to activate the horn, the cover for the air bag is a hard plastic and you really have to push to activate it. In an emergency, it is impossible.

- Nashua, NH, USA

problem #14

Nov 301998

Ram 1500 4WD

  • miles
When trying to use the horn, you have to push so hard that it is almost impossible to get it to work without going off the road. The rubber covering the steering wheel center is way to hard to operate the horn. I have been told by other people with '98 Dodge truck, Ram that the only way to fix the problem is to install a '99 Ram airbag assembly. I am going to be going to my dealer in a couple of weeks and I am going to see what they can do about this problem. It would make it a lot easier if the NHTSA would do something about this problem since I have heard that dealers refuse to fix the problem in many cases.

- Biddeford, ME, USA

problem #13

Feb 011999

(reported on)

Ram 1500 4WD Diesel

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

- Salisburymills, NY, USA

problem #12

Jan 151999

Ram 1500 Diesel

  • miles
Horn is almost impossible to blow, you have to take eyes off the road to find horn button

- Cuyahoga Falls, OH, USA

problem #11

Jan 161999

(reported on)

Ram 1500 Diesel

  • miles
Horn is extremely hard to blow. Eccessive pressure required. Estimated 25 - 30 pounds.

- Covington, LA, USA

problem #10

Jan 151999

(reported on)

Ram 1500 4WD Diesel

  • miles
The horn on the Dodge Ram P/U is almost impossible to engage or sound. A person has to push through the airbag to make the horn sound. I have had several people who have complained about this and have seen the problem in several vehicles. Any help you can get Dodge to do in replacing the horn would be appreciated.

- Springfield, MO, USA

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