Tap a category to read its complaints. One report may name several components.
When problems were reported
Mileage at the reported incident
Limited mileage data: 8 of 28 reports include usable mileage. There isn’t enough coverage to show a useful chart.
NHTSA’s mileage field refers to the reported incident, not necessarily the filing date. This shows report counts, not the likelihood of a failure.
What to inspect
Issues worth paying extra attention to based on owner reports.
Structure. Review the 5 owner reports in this category and discuss these concerns during a pre-purchase inspection. Read reports →
Engine And Engine Cooling. Review the 4 owner reports in this category and discuss these concerns during a pre-purchase inspection. Read reports →
Power Train. Review the 4 owner reports in this category and discuss these concerns during a pre-purchase inspection. Read reports →
NHTSA owner reports · September 18, 2026 snapshot.
2 crash reports0 fire reports3 injury reports
What owners actually said
28 reports
135,000 miles · Jul 10, 2009
Structure
I OWN A1998 DODGE RAM TRUCK THAT I PURCHASED 5 YEARS AGO WITHIN THIS PAST YEAR IV NOTICED MY DASH BOARD CRACKING AND IT SEEMED TO BE GETTING WORSE TILL I WAS DRIVING HOME FROM WORK A BIG CHUNK OF DASH BOARD BLEW UP AND HIT ME RIGHT IN THE FACE I ALMOST WRECKED MY TRUCK IT COULD HAVE BEEN FATAL SOMETHING HAS TO BE DONE ABOUT…
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I OWN A1998 DODGE RAM TRUCK THAT I PURCHASED 5 YEARS AGO WITHIN THIS PAST YEAR IV NOTICED MY DASH BOARD CRACKING AND IT SEEMED TO BE GETTING WORSE TILL I WAS DRIVING HOME FROM WORK A BIG CHUNK OF DASH BOARD BLEW UP AND HIT ME RIGHT IN THE FACE I ALMOST WRECKED MY TRUCK IT COULD HAVE BEEN FATAL SOMETHING HAS TO BE DONE ABOUT THIS BEFORE SOMEONE IS KILLED IF THERE IS A DEFECT IN THESE DODGE TRUCKS DASHBOARDS THEY SHOULD LET THE OWNER OR PUBLIC AWARE SO THEY CAN BE FIXED. *TR
NHTSA ODI #10276363
97,348 miles · Jul 10, 2009
Seat BeltsStructure
DODGE 1500 RAM SPORT PICK UP. DASH COVER BROKE IN PIECES. A WHILE LATER I NOTICE THE TWO FRONT SPEAKERS STOP WORKING, THE SPEEDOMETER STOP WORKING, EVERY ONCE IN A WHILE THE DASH LIGHTS GO CRAZY, THE TOP 12 VOLT ADAPTER STOPS WORKING, ETC. ALSO SEAT BELTS DON'T RETRACT CORRECTLY, AND DRIVER SIDE BUCKLE HAD TO BE REPLACED. *TR
NHTSA ODI #10276346
Mileage unknown · May 3, 2007
Structure
CRACKED AND BROKEN DASH. *TR
NHTSA ODI #10189637
65,000 miles · Apr 26, 2007
Seat Belts
DEFECTIVE DRIVER AND PASSENGER SEAT BELT, IN 98 DODGE RAM. I HAVE CONTACTED THE DODGE HEADQUARTERS, WHEN THE SEATBELTS FAILED THE FIRST TIME TWO YEARS AGO, HQ STATED THAT THEY WOULD PAY FOR LABOR ONLY, AND NOT REPLACE THE PART. DODGE REPLACED THE SEATBELT SENSOR WHICH IS ELECTRONIC UNDER THE SEATS, THE WIRES GET PINCHED OFF, WHE…
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DEFECTIVE DRIVER AND PASSENGER SEAT BELT, IN 98 DODGE RAM. I HAVE CONTACTED THE DODGE HEADQUARTERS, WHEN THE SEATBELTS FAILED THE FIRST TIME TWO YEARS AGO, HQ STATED THAT THEY WOULD PAY FOR LABOR ONLY, AND NOT REPLACE THE PART. DODGE REPLACED THE SEATBELT SENSOR WHICH IS ELECTRONIC UNDER THE SEATS, THE WIRES GET PINCHED OFF, WHEN THE SEATS ARE MOVED FORWARD AND BACK THEREFORE CREATING A SHORT IN THE WIRES, AND THUS THE SEATBELTS FAIL B/C THEY ARE ON AN ELECTRONIC WEIGHT SYSTEM. I DO NOT HAVE THE MONEY IT TAKES TO CONTINUALLY REPLACE THESE EVERY TWO YEARS, I THINK THIS SHOULD BE LOOKED INTO SINCE IT IS A SAFETY HAZARD. *TR
NHTSA ODI #10188901
42 miles · Oct 10, 2005
Engine And Engine CoolingPower Train
ON MARCH 8,2002 A SHORT TIME AFTER TAKING DELIVERY OF USED 1998 DODGE GRAND CARAVAN SE VIN # G WITH ONLY 41,950 MILES. IN FEBRUARY ,2002 THE ENGINE BEGAN MAKING A LOUD PRONOUNCED TAPPING SOUND. AFTER I RETURNED THE VEHICLE TO THE DEALER PLAZA MOTORS OF BROOKLYN INC.(AKA) PLAZA DODGE LTD. AND WAS TOLD THE ENGINE HAD TO BE REPLAC…
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ON MARCH 8,2002 A SHORT TIME AFTER TAKING DELIVERY OF USED 1998 DODGE GRAND CARAVAN SE VIN # G WITH ONLY 41,950 MILES. IN FEBRUARY ,2002 THE ENGINE BEGAN MAKING A LOUD PRONOUNCED TAPPING SOUND. AFTER I RETURNED THE VEHICLE TO THE DEALER PLAZA MOTORS OF BROOKLYN INC.(AKA) PLAZA DODGE LTD. AND WAS TOLD THE ENGINE HAD TO BE REPLACE. AND THE DEALER ABOVE INSTALLED A USED ENGINE FROM VIN#R WITH 58,310 MILES AND LESS THEN 12 MONTHS THE SECOND ENGINE HEAD GASKET FAIL. THEN THE TRANSMISSION. BASE ON THE INFORMATION ABOVE AND THE REPORTS FROM OTHER CONSUMERS NHTSA SHOULD INVESTIGATE THESE DEFECTS AS A REAL TIME SAFETY PROBLEM. *NM
NHTSA ODI #10139217
Mileage unknown · Jan 14, 2005
SteeringSuspension
I OWN 1998 DODGE SPORT FULL SIZED PICKUP THAT HAS A LOUD BANG WHEN TURNING CORNERS. THE CONSUMER WANTS TO KNOW IF THE TRUCK IS COVERED UNDER SOME RECALL THAT WAS POSTED IN THE PAST. *BF *NM THE SHAKING WAS COMING FROM THE STEERING. *SC *TC *JB
NHTSA ODI #10108702
40,000 miles · Dec 29, 2003
SuspensionInjury
AT APPROXIMATELY 40,000 MILES I HAD TO HAVE THE BALL JOINTS REPLACED ON MY 1998 DODGE DAKOTA. MY MECHANIC ADVISED ME THAT BEFORE CHANGE THE BALL JOINTS THAT I SHOULD TAKE MY VEHICLE TO MY LOCAL DODGE DEALERSHIP AND SEE IF THEY WOULD COVER THE COST. THEY RESPONDED BY TELLING ME THAT MY BALL JOINTS WERE FINE. THE REASON I WENT …
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AT APPROXIMATELY 40,000 MILES I HAD TO HAVE THE BALL JOINTS REPLACED ON MY 1998 DODGE DAKOTA. MY MECHANIC ADVISED ME THAT BEFORE CHANGE THE BALL JOINTS THAT I SHOULD TAKE MY VEHICLE TO MY LOCAL DODGE DEALERSHIP AND SEE IF THEY WOULD COVER THE COST. THEY RESPONDED BY TELLING ME THAT MY BALL JOINTS WERE FINE. THE REASON I WENT TO MY MECHANIC WAS BECAUSE I HAD HAD MY VEHICLE ALIGNED FOUR TIMES IN THE FIRST 30,000 MILE AND MY TRUCK STILL PULLED TO ONE SIDE. THAT WAS WHEN I WENT TO AN UNBIASED PARTY TO TELL WHAT THE PROBLEM WAS. I HAD THIS REPAIR WORK DONE IN LATE 2002 OR EARLY 2003. *AK
NHTSA ODI #10051281
52,000 miles · Nov 13, 2003
Suspension
I HAVE A '98 DODGE DAKOTA PICKUP TRUCK WITH APPROXIMATELY 58,000 MILES ON IT. THIS PAST JUNE I HAD TO REPLACE A FRONT END BALL JOINT ON THIS VEHICLE. AT THAT TIME THERE WAS APPROXIMATELY 52,000 MILES ON THE TRUCK. THE SAME SYMPTOMS ARE STARTING TO OCCUR AGAIN THAT ACCOMPANIED THE LAST BALL JOINT PROBLEM. SO IT'S LIKELY I WIL…
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I HAVE A '98 DODGE DAKOTA PICKUP TRUCK WITH APPROXIMATELY 58,000 MILES ON IT. THIS PAST JUNE I HAD TO REPLACE A FRONT END BALL JOINT ON THIS VEHICLE. AT THAT TIME THERE WAS APPROXIMATELY 52,000 MILES ON THE TRUCK. THE SAME SYMPTOMS ARE STARTING TO OCCUR AGAIN THAT ACCOMPANIED THE LAST BALL JOINT PROBLEM. SO IT'S LIKELY I WILL HAVE TO REPLACE ANOTHER ONE OF THE JOINTS ON THE SUSPENSION OF THIS TRUCK IN THE NEAR FUTURE. IT SEEMS TO ME THAT CONSIDERING THERE COULD BE DIRE CONSEQUENCES WITH BALL JOINT FAILURE (THE SUSPENSION COLLAPSING AT HIGH SPEED) THAT THE GOVERNMENT WOULD REQUIRE DODGE TO FIX THIS PROBLEM BY IMPROVING THE DESIGN OF THESE JOINTS AND ISSUE A RECALL. I URGE THE NTSB, NTSA, OR WHOEVER TO INVESTIGATE THESE PROBLEMS BEFORE ANYONE ELSE GETS KILLED OR SERIOUSLY INJURED. IF YOU RESEARCH THE WEB, YOU WILL FIND THAT THIS IS A WIDESPREAD PROBLEM ON THESE VEHICLES. *LA
NHTSA ODI #10046843
67,741 miles · Aug 25, 2003
Fuel System, DieselFuel System, Other
THE PRIMARY TRANSFER PUMP HAS A DEFECTIVE DESIGN IN THE ROTARY VANS FILTER WIRE MESS. THE ENDS ARE NOT WELDED. THE WIRE MESS WEAVE ENDS ARE UNDO DUE TO NORMAL DIESEL VIBRATION. THE WIRE MESS FILTER ENDS ARE HITTING ROTARY VANE PUMP. THE RUBBER SEAL MATERIAL IS VERY HARD WITH NO ELASTIC SPRING TO IT. THIS VERY DANGEROUS PUM…
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THE PRIMARY TRANSFER PUMP HAS A DEFECTIVE DESIGN IN THE ROTARY VANS FILTER WIRE MESS. THE ENDS ARE NOT WELDED. THE WIRE MESS WEAVE ENDS ARE UNDO DUE TO NORMAL DIESEL VIBRATION. THE WIRE MESS FILTER ENDS ARE HITTING ROTARY VANE PUMP. THE RUBBER SEAL MATERIAL IS VERY HARD WITH NO ELASTIC SPRING TO IT. THIS VERY DANGEROUS PUMP DESIGNED. THE MAIN INJECTION WILL LOSE POWER WITH NO WARNING. THE PUMP UNIT IS MADE BY CARTER PART#43188C27B 12 VDC IS POWER SOURCE. THE PUMP IS SOLD THROUGH MOPAR BY CUMMINS ENGINE. THE NEW PUMP #05080885AA PUMP FUEL SECOND #14073001. THE REPLACEMENT COST IS $160.88. ITS DEALER ITEM ONLY. THE LABOR TIME TO INSTALL IS 1 HOUR 65$ TO $75 IS STANDARD CHARGE TO INSTALL THIS UNIT. THE FUEL PUMP DOES NOT COME WITH NEW COPPER GASKETS IT REQUIRE AT LEAST FOUR TO SEAL THE FUEL FITTING. THE PART IS AVAILABLE FOR VIEWING. THE DEALERSHIP WOULD NOT COVER IT DUE TO NO ROAD SIDE TOW. THE VEHICLE MILEAGE WAS APPROXIMATELY 67,740 MILES VID [XXX]. I WOULD LIKE TO POINT OUT THAT THIS VEHICLE HAD FOUR MAJOR FUEL INJECTION PUMPS REPLACED DUE TO ELECTRONIC BOARD FAILURE. IN ALL CASES THE PROBLEM HAPPENED WITH NO WARNING. GMC HAS EXTENDED THEIR 6.5L DIESEL PUMP TO 120,000 MILES OR 12 YEAR TIME PERIOD. *AK INFORMATION REDACTED PURSUANT TO THE FREEDOM OF INFORMATION ACT (FOIA), 5 U.S.C. 552(B)(6). *TR
NHTSA ODI #10033413
20 miles · Jan 3, 2003
Unknown Or Other
I, NEAL DARSTEIN, AM A PROUD OWNER OF A 1998 DODGE RAM 1500 SLT LARAMIE. I HAVE A COMPLAINT REGARDING THE ABILITY TO USE MY HORN. PLEASE BEAR WITH ME AS THIS IS DIFFICULT TO EXPLAIN CLEARLY WITHOUT ACTUALLY DEMINSTRATING EXACTLY WHAT I MEAN. SINCE THE PURCHASE OF MY TRUCK THE STEERING WHEEL PAD (WHICH IS WERE THE HORN IS LOC…
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I, NEAL DARSTEIN, AM A PROUD OWNER OF A 1998 DODGE RAM 1500 SLT LARAMIE. I HAVE A COMPLAINT REGARDING THE ABILITY TO USE MY HORN. PLEASE BEAR WITH ME AS THIS IS DIFFICULT TO EXPLAIN CLEARLY WITHOUT ACTUALLY DEMINSTRATING EXACTLY WHAT I MEAN. SINCE THE PURCHASE OF MY TRUCK THE STEERING WHEEL PAD (WHICH IS WERE THE HORN IS LOCATED) IS VERY STIFF/SOLID MAKING IT IMPOSSIBLE TO "USE" OR "SOUND" MY HORN IN THE EVENT OF AN EMERGENCY. I FEEL IT'S A SAFETY HAZARD. EVERY VEHICLE SHOULD HAVE EASY ACCESSIBITY AND USE OF HORN. PLEASE CONTACT ME REGARDING THIS ISSUE. THANK YOU.
NHTSA ODI #10000714
Official recalls
0
No recalls in this snapshot.
Model-level recall history does not show whether a particular VIN is affected or has received a repair. Check a VIN with NHTSA ↗
NHTSA investigations
0
No exact-year investigations in this snapshot.
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