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.
I understand that there was a recall of defective clocksprings that disabled airbags in certain Dodge products (safety recall 982)(NHTSA identification number 01V-153). The recall included vehicles in the VIN last 8 digits WS501493 to WS771681. My 1998 Dodge Ram 1500 has a last eight digits of [xxx]. thus, it does fall within the range of recalled VIN numbers. However, for some reason my truck is not described as one of those recalled. However, I have an airbag light that is on and the steering wheel mounted cruise control does not work it seems to me that both of these are indications of a defective clockspring just as on the recalled vehicles. I would like to know why I have not received a recall notice and why my vehicle make model and year is not described as recalled even though the last eight VIN digits falls within the range of those recalled for this defect. Can the recall of this be studied further and expanded to include my vehicle? information redacted pursuant to the Freedom Of Information Act (FOIA), 5 U.S.C. 552(B)(6).
While driving my 1998 Dodge Ram 1500 2wd 5.2 auto., the throttle stuck open at half throttle and I have no floor mats to get caught in the pedals, I tired pulling the pedal up with my foot, I had to switch the truck off while on the interstate, coasted to the shoulder and it was still stuck, restarted and it was fine and drove off and pressed it down half way again and no it sticks everytime at half throttle or more--the return spring is working fine I have been a mechanic all my life and have never had this happen, when everything feels fine--cable, the throttle linkage-my wife is now scared to drive the truck because of this--please if you can help me in anyway please send info. For the repair---almost ran into another car trying to get the truck to slow down before I switch off the key.
My son, william, was driving our 1998 Dodge pickup on highway 78 when it began to lunge. Since we had to put 2 transmissions in his previous Dodge pickup, he thought something was wrong with this transmission. He started to pull off the road and looked in his rearview mirror for traffic when he saw flames and smoke coming from between the cab and bed. He hurriedly pulled off the road and when he opened the drivers door flames englufed the cab. He had to go out through the fire. About 1 minute after he and his passengers emerged from the pickup, it exploded. The only thing left of the truck was what was metal. Will had second degree burns to his face, ears, neck, hands and arms. He spent one night in the hospital. I contacted Dodge and was told there would be an investagator look at the truck. I was then told by Dodge since the pickup burned totally there was no way to determine they were at fault. After looking on the internet I found that there seems to be quite a number of fires in Dodge vehicles.
After shifting down while going up a hill the vehicle continued to accelerate. Could not stop completely with brakes. Had to turn engine off, but by then brakes would hardly work do to heat from trying to slow down. Throttle plate was stuck. Then had it stick in passing gear while in cruise, but this time it released when brake was applied. Dealer said it was just probably carbon in the breaking loose.
Cruise control intermittently shuts down, causing vehicle to slow down. Safety factor is that there is no indication to following vehicles that a problem exissts. For instance, I passed a truck on I81 in wva with the cruise set at 70 mph the trucks speed was approx 67 mph. When I pulled back into the right lane the cruise control shut down. There was absolutly no indication to the truck driver that this was happening. I barely had time to hit accelerator in time to avoid being rearended by the truck.
The check engine light appear on the dasboard without prior warning. The dealership is aware of the problem. Speed sensor was on recall but the recall did not cover the consumer's vehicle.
When placing transmission gear in reverse vehicle took off at a high rate of speed, crashing into a brick fence. Also, consumer stepped on brake pedal and rear wheels were spinning. Consumer has contacted dealer. Dealer has made some adjustments, but problem still occurs.
While consumer was stopped with foot on the brake, the engine began to revve and the back tire started spinning. This lasted for about 4 or 5 seconds and consumer immediated shifted indicator from drive to park. Nlm
The design of horn button hardens in cold weather causing difficulties locating horn in a emergency. Occasionally the horn fails to work properly. The cruise control would gradually decrease without brakes being applied. Taken vehicle to dealer to check.
Vehicle accelerated from stop to high speed at engine startup. "burned rubber" for 30 feet before vehicle was stopped. Driver refused to drive vehicle after incident. Dealer contacted but advised that no previous event similar to this had ever occured to their knowledge. Is this similar to any other event with 1998 Dodge Ram 1500 with 360 cid engine?
Ongoing/intermittent problem with cruise control, whenever cruise control is engaged, vehicle will go beyond control setting. Consumer has an appiontment for vehicle inspection.
When consumer turned on engine and moved the transmission pawl from park to drive, and upon stepping on brake pedal, vehicle took off in reverse, crashing into another vehicle.
Headlight switch failed to connect 3 or 4 times when pulled as though shaft was simply in a hole. Accelerator stuck and I had to brake heavily before it released.
Consumer was driving, pulling a 24ft pontoon boat, traveling 20mph on wet pavement, hit brakes and the truck started going faster, 5-6 times. Hit brakes, went down hill, right side of road into ditch, truck turned over twice. Totalled truck and boat. Police arrived to scene, turned the key and truck roared. Accelecerator was stuck. Dealer was not contacted yet. Manufacturer will sent investigation team, cannot duplicate the problem.
Speed control adds an additional 7 to 12 mph when it is set. If set at 65 it will go to 72 to 77 before stopping. It stays at 72 to 77 mph for 5 to 10 minutes and then will drop back to the original setting of 65. This is a very dangerous situation and is common in all '98 and '99 Dodge Ram. Dodge must do something to fix this situation.
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- Honolulu, HI, USA