10.0

really awful
Crashes / Fires:
13 / 1
Injuries / Deaths:
6 / 2
Average Mileage:
0 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 Van 1500 brakes problems

brakes problem

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1998 Dodge Ram Van 1500 Owner Comments (Page 1 of 4)

problem #65

May 012003

Ram Van 1500 8-cyl

  • Automatic transmission
  • miles

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

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.

- Atoka, TN, USA

problem #64

Jan 242005

Ram Van 1500 4WD 8-cyl

  • Automatic transmission
  • miles
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 #63

Jul 012001

Ram Van 1500

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

- Arlington, TX, USA

problem #62

Feb 062002

(reported on)

Ram Van 1500

  • miles

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

While driving and then stopping front brakes make a grinding noise, and vehicle pulls to the left. Please provide any further information, and vehicle identification number.

- Sandwood, IL, USA

problem #61

Dec 012001

Ram Van 1500 4WD Diesel

  • Automatic transmission
  • miles
Consumers vehicle ran into a trailer on his property and ABS was defective, also brake drums were rusted, dealership was aware of problem. Consumer stated that headache bar and fuel tank, tires, fuel filter, steering stabilizer, front shocks, rear shocks, air filter, rear axle seal and fluid, rear transfer case seal and U-joints in rear drive shaft failed and replaced.

- Tower Hill, IL, USA

problem #60

Nov 272001

Ram Van 1500

  • miles
The brakes didn't work and my wife crashed and the air bags didn't deploy.

- Chicago, IL, USA

problem #59

Nov 062001

(reported on)

Ram Van 1500

  • miles

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

While driving accelerator pedal stuck when brakes were applied. Pedal went to the floor and failed to stop vehicle, causing loss of control.

- Coal City, IL, USA

problem #58

Jun 011998

Ram Van 1500 Diesel

  • Manual transmission
  • miles
When applying brakes downhill and going over a bump on pavement ABS system releases. Will not grab again until vehicle is on level ground. Taken to dealer 3 times, said vehicle operated as it should, and ABS system was fine. Disconnecting speed sensor, eliminates the problem, but it is potentially dangerous.

- Woodenville, WA, USA

problem #57

Mar 011998

Ram Van 1500

  • miles
Brakes were failing to properly hold vehicle or slow vehicle down while attempting to stop at any speed. Dealership has examined vehicle, and could not determine cause. Please provide any additional information / attachments.

- Chicago, IL, USA

problem #56

Jul 092001

Ram Van 1500 4WD

  • miles
Severe brake pull to the right. Worse when uneven or rutted road. Have taken the truck in 5 times and have been told that they can recreate the problem. Dodge needs to fix this safty hazard before it cause someone to be killed.

- Boise, ID, USA

problem #55

Jul 112001

Ram Van 1500

  • Automatic transmission
  • miles

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

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 #54

Apr 112001

(reported on)

Ram Van 1500

  • Automatic transmission
  • miles
When driving at any speed and upon depressing brake pedal to make a normal stop, pedal traveled to floorboard, causing extended stopping distance. Also, vehicle has been in and out of dealer for repairs. Dealer was unable to determine cause of problem.

- Evansville, IN, USA

problem #53

Mar 302001

Ram Van 1500 4WD

  • Automatic transmission
  • miles
When applying brakes they locked up, resulting in extended stopping distance, causing a collision. Minor injuries sustained.

- Water Valley, MS, USA

problem #52

Dec 012000

Ram Van 1500

  • miles
Brakes lock up while driving, pedal feels hard when pushing down. Has not contacted dealer ship yet.

- Ontonagon, MI, USA

problem #51

Jan 052001

(reported on)

Ram Van 1500

  • miles
Intermittently when brakes are applied on wet pavements they lock up, resulting in extended stopping distance. Dealer has replaced front brake pads three times, and brake calipers once. Manfacturer has been notified.

- Meadville, PA, USA

problem #50

Jul 201999

Ram Van 1500 4WD Diesel

  • miles
I returned several times to have my truck repaired yet they failed to repair the brakes to date. I had to replace the tires due to the several panic stops they made while servicing my truck. They kept guessing what could be wrong and they never corrected the problem. The truck still pulls to the right and they clame they don't have a fix for the problem. I have had several near miss situations where there could be an accident. I live in the mountains where the roads are covered with black ice in the winter and I have no doubt that sometime this winter I will hit the gard rail while applying my brakes. Ive also had other panic stops where the truck has ended up in the right lane out of control and ive ended up on the shoulder of the highway under a hard brake. I was in the truck while the dealer service personel test drove the truck and we ended up off the road on the shoulder. I was told that my truck had a dangerous problem and they can't fix it. That same trip to the dealer, the service manager told me to just park it and get a lawyer, "we can't fix your truck". ive also been told to park it in a bad part of town with the keys in it and hope that it will be gone in the morning. It still pulls. As for the fuel sender, ive had them replaced so many times its hard to say how many. They have lasted as little as 1 week and as long as 4 months. One went out the morning we were headed to L. a. on vacation, 4 days after they had just replaced it, and the service personel told me it would be 10 days before they could look into the problem, so I should just "turn up the stereo" so I don't hear the warning ding, ding. It was hell driving the 1500 miles with the noise of the low fuel ding and my kids in the back seat. I have tried the customer arbitration board, yet they don't seem to think I have a bad enough problem. I was rejected. I now own a truck which I have over $38,000 invested and am afraid to drive for fear of an accident.

- Chico, CA, USA

problem #49

Sep 192000

Ram Van 1500

  • miles
While driving 45mph, hit another vehicle unexpectedly at a frontal impact which caused steering to lock up, and brakes to fail. Upon impact, driver and passenger airbags did not deploy, which did not protect the occupants. No prior problems with the airbag system.

- Yulee, FL, USA

problem #48

Sep 012000

(reported on)

Ram Van 1500

  • miles
Consumer was on the on ramp, and went to yield for oncoming traffic, touched brakes and it went to the floor. Consumer had to coast to the side and get vehicle towed. Dealer inspected vehicle and determined defect was due to contamination in the brake fluid, but vehicle has only been serviced at same dealer.

- Medina, OH, USA

problem #47

Jun 272000

(reported on)

Ram Van 1500

  • miles
When driving at approximately 35-40mp and applying brakes, vehicle lost control, and continued to sway from side to side. Has not taken vehicle to dealership.

- Ferndale, WA, USA

problem #46

Mar 161998

Ram Van 1500

  • Automatic transmission
  • miles
Vehicle has antil-lock brakes. When consumer applies brakes brake pedal goes to the floor, and there is pulsation within the brakes. Also, transmission doesn't have speed/gears slip, and there is a leak underneath the hood.

- Oakhurst, CA, USA

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