Consumer Complaints


Fail datemilesoccurencesPurchase date
SUSPENSION
08/18/200238000309/03/1997
 The vehicle's lower ball joints failed at 38,000 miles. the cause has yet to be determined. *nlm the consumer found that both the driver and passenger side lower ball joints were greased out. the upper ball joint on the driver's side was out of suspension and greased out. *sc *jb
06/06/1998906/01/1998
 We started to have problems with the van since it was purchased, we went back to the dealer rigth after we noticed a few problems with the van, such as car pulling to the rigth and a loud thump sound coming from the rigth rear side every time we pass those speed bumps. and when they inspected the van they (the dealer technicians), told me that a shock absorver needed to be replace and alignment was needed as well. after this two things were done, everything went down the hill....when i drove home the van i noticed that van was pulling still to the rigth and a noise was coming from the left front suspension when braking, is more like a cracking noise, i'll mention that this was't happening all the time, but the pulling to the rigth was. we went back with them, they aligned again...but, this time the van was not pulling to the rigth but to the left instead, this happend when driving straigth or when braking as well, we went back to the same dealer, but after some attempsof fixing this problem and a very unpleasent experiences with their (customer representaives) at desplaines dodge dealer, not to try again wih them, we contacted chrysler representatives, and told them about the very dumb comment the customer representative of desplaines dodge dealer, that they suggested to take the van to a 5 stars shop the comment the customer representative made was (that the van was pulling to the rigth because it was a safety feature build in the van to prevent people wander to the to the left in case the fell sleep, this was a very dumb thing to said. so finally we went to that 5 stars dealer, and a (big) inprovement was achieve, the van was pulling less but on this occasion instead of pulling to rigth it started to pull to the left and the steering wheel was not straight, it was croocked to the left and before was to the right. i noticed more play on the steering wheel. i'll mention that ever since we have this van in our possession the steering wheel never th. *ak
10/16/1998104/01/1998
 Suspension continually making noise, unable to identify component or fix noise.
 While driving 38 to 52 mph vibration is felt in steering wheel. problem is constant, and when it occurs, a noise is heard. dealers noted engineering flaw. *ak
04/18/199804/18/1998
 Vehicle vibrates severly at 45 and 65 mph.
SUSPENSION - FRONT
12/20/2010115920
 Tl- the contact owns a 1998 dodge ram 1500 quad. the contact noticed that the front lower ball joints cannot be lubed, causing the vehicle to make a loud scrapping noise. both the dealer and manufacturer was notified who informed the contact that there were no recalls and to contact the nhtsa. the vehicle had not been diagnosed nor repaired. the current and failure mileages was 115,920. bw
07/14/2002
 While driving vehicle pulls to left, which as a result of a design flaw. axle wheel base is not the same measurement.*ak
04/01/2000608/01/1998
 Defect in front and braking system. *ak
11/28/1998411/01/1998
 This vehicle has displayed front end alignment problems, and parts in the front end keep loosening, after purchase noticed left front wheel is shimmed out further away from vehicle than the other wheels. i was told this is a normal procedure to balance the vehicle after manufacture. in light of all the front end problems i need to know if this truck is safe for my family to be driving. has testing been done after the balancing proceedureto insure this vehicle complies to handling and safety specifications? do bolts loosening in the front end constitute a safety hazard? i have noticed the vehicle pulls right and sometimes seems to react with a rapid pull right to some road surface defects and has almost pulled the steering wheel from my hands. i have been working with chrysler and the dealerships since day 1 and have gone through their dispute settlement process and was told my defects to not inflict any detriment to the value, safety or usefulness of the vehicle!*ak
09/01/1998
 Truck pulls/tracks to right, causing excessive wear of right front tire. this is the same problem i had with the 1995 dodge ram 4x4 i owned. the problem was never fixed. sold the 95 and bought the 98, the salesman, service manager , and sales manager assured me prior to purchasing the 98 the problems with the front ends pulling to the right were fixed. i currently have the vehicle in the dealers service department for a front end inspection. at first they told me it was an alignment problem without properly inspecting the suspention. additionally they told me i would have to pay to have the front inspected. if an alignment was needed i would have to pay for that also due to the alignment is covered only to 12000 miles. i have done quite a bit of research myself talking with other consumers and viewing information available on the web concerning the front end problems on these vehicles and there substantial evidence that indicates a large amount of consumers are experiencing the very same problem.
105/30/1998
 Trucks front end oscillates when driving on concrete surface or grooved highway causing steering problems and vibration due to poor stability. yh
 Consumer hears noises coming from the front end when turning. dealer says that the tires are worn because vehicle needs an alignment. *ak
SUSPENSION - FRONT - CONTROL ARM
1
 Consumer stated the track has a ball joint type fitting on on end, and it mounts to the drivers side frame and cross over to the passenger side front axle, the ball joint is worn out and can be moved around by hand with little effort.*tt
06/28/1999108/01/1998
 Sudden loss of steering control arms caused the vehicle to run into a ditch resultling in majior damage for the vehicle. yh
SUSPENSION - FRONT - CONTROL ARM - LOWER ARM
09/01/2005108/25/2001
 Dt: the consumer owns a 1998 dodge ram pickup truck. he stated the bracket that holds the lower control arm on the right side broke. the dealer and the body shop said it looked like a defect in the metal. the body shop said the only proper way to fix it was to get a new frame. chrysler said that because the car was out of warranty, they would not do anything about it. *jb
SUSPENSION - FRONT - CONTROL ARM - LOWER BALL JOINT
08/01/200427000204/06/1998
 Lower ball joints failed at 27000 miles. no fittings for grease.*ak
03/17/200467000101/10/1998
 Ball joint lubrication impossible; no grease fittings. *ak
SUSPENSION - FRONT - CONTROL ARM - UPPER BALL JOINT
03/13/200651018103/13/1998
 Dt*: the contact stated while pulling out from a stop and turning either right or left there was a grinding noise coming from the front of the vehicle. the vehicle was taken to an independent repair shop. both front ball joints and pittman arm were replaced. there is nhtsa recall, # 04v596000, regarding the suspension: upper ball joints. the vehicle has the same problems as indicated in the recall; however it is not included in the recall due year, model and vin.
03/17/200467000101/10/1998
 Ball joint lubrication impossible; no grease fittings. *ak
SUSPENSION - FRONT - WHEEL BEARING
10/14/200110/01/2000
 I have a rubbing sound,pultsating.like warped rotor but i think it sounds like a bearing going,but i was told it mat be the wheel hub.i don't abuse the truck and it didn't look like it was before i got it so,i was wondering if it me be the recall on the fractured hub.does it sound like the symptoms ?*ak
SUSPENSION - REAR
05/01/2011134000
 Tl*the contact owns a 1998 dodge ram 1500. while driving approximately 35 mph the contact noticed that the back end of the vehicle raised up. the spare tire had detached from underneath the vehicle. when the contact stopped the vehicle to inspect it he noticed the cable which held the spare tire in place had popped and caused the spare tire to detach from underneath the vehicle. the vehicle was not taken to the dealer for diagnostic testing. the vehicle was not repaired. the approximate failure mileage was 134,000.
05/01/2011134000
 Tl- the contact owns a 1998 dodge ram 1500. while driving approximately 35 mph the contact noticed the back end of the vehicle raised up. the contact noticed the spare tire had detached from under the vehicle. when the contact stopped the vehicle to inspect it he noticed the cable which detained the spare tire had popped and cause the spare tire to detach from underneath the vehicle. the vehicle was not taken to the dealer for diagnostics. the vehicle was not repaired. the approximate failure mileage was 134,000. ds
 Rear end was built too small for v8 engine,causing it to burn up. dealer will install a 350 rearend because 321 parts are on a nationwide backorder. *ak
SUSPENSION - REAR - SPRINGS - LEAF SPRING ASSEMBLY
09/16/1998104/01/1998
 Rear axle spring misaligned causing noise.
SUSPENSION - REAR - SPRINGS - LEAF SPRING ASSEMBLY - HANGER/BRACKET
535001
 Consumer called complaining about having problems with the bracket that holds mechanic linkage that is connected to the engine. also, two bolts that hold bracket in place broke and caused damage to the vehicle.manufacturer and dealer were contacted and stated that the vehicle had no warranty or recalls, and they could not do anything for the consumer.*ak