10.0

really awful
Crashes / Fires:
2 / 1
Injuries / Deaths:
0 / 0
Average Mileage:
69,263 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

problem #8

Jan 102010

Ram Van 1500

  • 90,000 miles

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

The contact owns a 1998 Dodge Ram van with aftermarket bendix brakes (model number: 13481).the contact was driving 10 mph when the brakes were applied but the vehicle did not respond, causing the contact crashed into the rear of another vehicle. There were no injuries.the contact did not call the manufacturer of the vehicle or the brakes in regard to the failure. The failure mileage was 90,000. The VIN was not available.

- Los Angeles , CA, USA

problem #7

Mar 132011

Ram Van 1500

  • 153,000 miles
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.

- Trenton, MI, USA

problem #6

Apr 092010

Ram Van 1500

  • 115,000 miles
The contact owns a 1998 Dodge Ram 1500. The contact stated that while driving at approximately 40 mph, the brake pedal went to the floorboard when depressed. The brake indicator light also illuminated. The brakes also failed intermittently. The vehicle was taken to an authorized dealership for a diagnostic test and the contact was informed that the braking system was functioning properly but the failures were causing by an electric component. The vehicle was at the dealership for repair at the time of the complaint. The current and failure mileages were approximately 115,000.

- Obetz, OH, USA

problem #5

Feb 102009

Ram Van 1500

  • 49,006 miles

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

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.

- Hanover, MD, USA

problem #4

May 062004

(reported on)

Ram Van 1500

  • miles
Consumer depressed the brakes to come to a stop. In the process, the vehicle hopped up and down. Vehicle was serviced, and the problem was due to the rear brake adjuster malfunctioning.

- Victorville, CA, USA

problem #3

Feb 152003

Ram Van 1500

  • Automatic transmission
  • 50,100 miles
My husband ordered this truck in late 1997. We purchased it new and have had numerous problems with the vehicle. The biggest problem we have faced is the transmission. Mid-April 1998 the first problems occured with slippage, the transmission cooling lines were replaced, one month later the torque converter went and repairs were made. Now at 51,000 miles and very little driving for the last 2 yrs (since my husband has been sick with cancer) it has blown again. The front seals are leaking profusely. The rear window was leaking so badly at one point the entire ceiling inside was soaded. The ABS computer went wacky on us early on also. The seatbelt has been twisted since we purchased the vehicle and we have not successfully fixed it. The extended warranty we purchased has gone out of business. I will not likely buy another Dodge ever again. Mercedes takes the cake.

- Austin, TX, USA

problem #2

Oct 252001

Ram Van 1500 4WD 6-cyl Diesel

  • Manual transmission
  • 97,000 miles
Vehicle brakes failed. Scc

- Silver Springs , NV, USA

problem #1

Mar 181998

(reported on)

Ram Van 1500

  • miles
Problematic steering and braking systems.

- Aurora, CO, USA

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