1998 Dodge Ram 1500 SLT from North America - Comments

I live in the UK and arranged to have a RAM 1500 quad cab Laramie (5.7 Hemi) imported after seeing them in Montauk NY to where I make an annual pilgrimage to fish for striped bass. Generally very pleased with vehicle until last week when at 40000 miles the front diff blew up. I've done no hard work with this truck, had it serviced as per manual and really thought it would be good for 200,000 miles if I looked after it. Arranging to get the parts imported and fitted is going to cost serious bucks. The mechanic reckons a bearing collapsed and that's what did the damage - even the casing needs replacing and the constant velocity joint on the front prop shaft exploded.

Disappointed - confidence evaporated.

Malcolm Gilbert.

I have a 1997 dodge ram laramie 4x4 5.9 which has over 200,000 miles on it and it drives good since I bought it, never fix anything on it,thank god.

Good luck.

Bought my 2000 Ram 1500 in 03 at 70k miles; the dude said the tranny had been replaced at 50k under warranty.

Lots of small repairs over the years, but the major ones are what are making me irate.

80k - A\C won't hold coolant, still refilling in summer.

95k - had rear differential rebuilt.

102k - replaced rear axle (on my own) previous mechanic said I must have been doing reverse slams... or maybe he didn't do a good job, thanks local mechanic.

130k - won't shift, replaced filter, metal shavings in pan, got about 150 miles out of that, pulled pan, more shavings.

All the trans shops that I talk to just say it needs a rebuild. I can save $ by removing the trans and bringing them a bench job. Also they say it could be the torque converter coming apart.

Any tips on removal or what could be wrong are GREATLY appreciated.

My only phrase when people ask why I'm not driving my tough looking truck "I'll never buy another Dodge"

Email rfjskipper@yahoo.com

I own a 1999 Dodge Ram Quad Cab. Here were my troubles = Transmission would not shift = Speed odometer would not register until reaching 30 mph = Started using oil because of driving at higher rpm due to not going into overdrive. I've taken it to three different shops and was told I needed a rebuild at one, a new computer at another, and one said nothing was wrong with transmission that it was electrical. I gave up and was in the process of selling it, but the day before the buyer was to come and get it I checked the relays and fuses on the fuse panel. fuses were all good. Then I remembered my power locks stopped working on another car one time and I changed the relay to fix that problem. I changed the relay and low and behold the problem was fixed once again. Everything works fine now. So if you are a Dodge Ram owner and have similar problems just try swapping the transmission relay with a relay from another system that will not affect the truck from running or driving on your fuse box (all should be the same) you may even have a spare. This should fix your woes.

Smilingt66@yahoo.com.

I agree totally with everybody else. I bought a 1999 Dodge Ram 4x4 in 2001, it had 47,000 miles.

51,000- Side view mirror falls off.

60,000- Speed Sensor Fails (causing speedo not working, ABS and Brake light on)

67,000- A/C fails and doesn't work

74,000- Water Pump Fails

94,000- Transmission Fails

105,000- Transmission Input Sensor fails

115,000- Dash cracking horribly

130,000- Transmission fails again

145,000- Driveshaft comes loose from the rear diff, breaking the trans casing

150,000- ABS light flashes and nobody knows why

165,000- Air bag warning light comes on periodically

174,000- Odometer flashes (No BUS) gauges quit working then come back on

186,000- Rear Diff whining and making horrible noises.

I plan to trade this vechicle in this weekend and get a Chevy, hopefully the value is good enough for a $3,000 down payment. I doubt it though. I would never reccomend nor will I buy another Dodge vechicle in my life.

I have 98 Quad Cab, and it has 145k and the rear diff is now whinning very loud. Has anyone else had this problem? If so what was the cost to fix? Thanks.

98 RAM 1500 4x4

1. rear diff whining/mech forgot to put anti slip fluid in

2. replaced radiator

3. replaced water pump

4. replaced EAC on throttle body (p.s don't buy you can pull and clean yourself)

5. replaced speed sensor in rear

6. front drivers side seat motor quit (800.00 at dealership)just going to deal with it.

7. I think my torque convertor is whining (god help me) any suggestions.

8. Dash is cracked

9. front dash cover completly broke to pieces.

And number 10 I have a black truck and guess what the clear coat is coming off...

God I love my truck...

Any comments flstci_2003@hotmail.com.

I own a 1999 Ram 1500 Club cab 5.2 automatic trans 127,000 miles and still ticking. I love my truck, and it looks better than the new trucks around my area. With custom paint, wheels, interior, sound system, and engine mods it is in show condition. But there is a price to pay for driving this truck.

1. Intake belly pan gasket changed. (Bad spark knock and a quart of oil every week) I ported the intake while it was out. And changed the plugs, rotor, cap, installed hot accel coil and upgraded to 10mm accel wires.

2. Water pump, radiator, and heater core changed. I know it was due to my engine running hot at 210-215 degees. (This is not normal) You have to remove the dash to change the heater core too... STUPID DESIGN! I also went to a 180 degree thermostat to run cooler, more power!

3. ABS lights on, no speedometer (changed the ABS sensor in front, and speed sensor on rear end) Pushing 300hp with no speedometer was not fun.

4. Changed front pittman arm and all ball joints (I couldn't keep my truck between the lines) Ball joints were completely worn out at 80,000 miles. I couldn't have a beer with the guys after work... without being paranoid!

5. Catalytic converter rattled soooo bad and was plugged, it was updated with a Magna flow cat along with three inch duals with Flowmaster mufflers and stainless tips behind the rear wheels. Nice sound too!

6. Changed front and rear brakes. (rear cylinders were busted stock calipers are crap stock pads left black dust all over my wheels.) updated entire brake system.

7. Transmission started to slip and shift funny. (Seafoam transfix and clean ATF-4 fluid after dropping the pan and changing the filter. (I will do it again and blow the lines out with air next time.) Don't forget to put the magnets back after cleaning the pan.

8. Fan clutch started whining. It would stay locked up at highway speeds. Sounded pretty cool though, I upgraded to dual electric fans. Gained about 12 hp there.

9. Front plastics on front bumper fell apart, it looked stupid till I installed an entire new aftermarket front grille and bumper cover. Looks better color matched with my new hood w/scoops. gotta love it!

I love my Dodge Ram, it was some work, but everything on my truck is new again. I would do it all over again too. You might call me crazy but so what, I get to drive this truck everyday...

Thanks to GOD! And the mechanical abilities he's given me.

I have a 98 dodge ram 1500 club cab 4x4, I posted a comment on the 31st in ref to the items that have went wrong with my truck.

Well low and behold both front door lock actuators have went out and if anyone could tell me where the cheapest place to get them from. (checked the dealership and I would have to leave my first born).

Thanks for any help in advance. email flstci_2003@hotmail.com.

After reading all of this, I don't know what to think. I just bought a 2000 15004x4, 120000 miles, transmission searching for gears, does not slip, more like a bad misfire.

Just did a major tune up today; plugs, wires, cap, rotor, took it for a test ride, and same thing. Transmission appears to have been replaced; "it is spotless", so I guess it's off to the transmission shop for diagnosis. Was in hope of having this truck a long time, now I just don't know.

Also have leaking inner axle seal on front diff, not a big deal to me. I have had this type of diff apart before.

Power steering pump replaced the day I bought it, A/C has a leak also, but on the bright side no payments, and I did keep my 1980k20 Chevy.

This is the newest truck I have ever owned, and it looks like it may be short lived.

2001 Dodge Ram V8 of course had the dash problem, Dodge replaced Dash after involving the news media though still had to pay 100 bucks for labor. Truck has 147000 miles and now we have to replace the fuel pump (i think). As long as the truck doesn't warm up it runs good (except for the transmission slip and the radiator leak). Upon warming up the truck will cut off if you slow down to stop or turn. We think the fuel pump is overheating. It will usually crank up right after sometimes with hesitation but will immediately die again if you aren't sending fuel to it via the accelerator. If anyone has any other suggestion, please let me know at faithfullypeachy@yahoo.com If anyone is having the same problem, I hope this helps.

2001 Dodge Ram 4x4 ext cab. Bought new in March 01.

First year was OK, then after that everything went downhill.

Terrible gas mileage, hard starting, never taken off-road (I have the off road package), hardly ever have used the 4 wheel drive.

Cracked dash.

Complained to the dealer and called Dodge, but no help.

Front tires worn out on outer edges at 25000 miles.

U joints and rear of transfer case broke at 45000 miles.

Door window switch.

A/C went out. Ball joints and FRONT suspension shot.

Fuel pump shot (2nd Dodge unit).

Dodge sucks, and won't stand behind its so called warranty.

This truck has had regular maintenance, and has never been abused. Now the paint clear coat is peeling, and there's rust along the bottom edges.

Thanks Dodge.

Looking up reviews on my Dodge 1500.

I have a 1998 Dodge Ram 1500 5.2 auto, and never had a problem until now. The transmission has a little rattle, just for a second, and then stops. Only happens once in a while. It has 95000 miles on it. What should I do? What's wrong?

I have an 01' Dodge Ram 1500 4wd with the Off Road Package. Bought it new in the spring of 01 with 7 miles on it. Had no problems with it other than rotors and brake pad wear, tuned it up yearly (cap/rotor/plugs) oil changed every 3k miles or less, yearly preventative maintenance on cooling system, transmission and diffs, adhered to the dodge scheduled maintenance for 4wd trucks.

At only 64k miles things started to happen:

Cruise control died, replaced the clock spring. The front end got loose, replaced shocks, ball joints and drive joints. Changed over to the 1 ton HD steering and replaced the trac bar (all worn out). The trans went out at 64500 miles (torq converter failure) and the right side of the factory stereo w/infinity speakers went dead.

Still has much play in the steering so the steering shaft was replaced with a borgeson unit and a new steering gear from PSC is next. The front end continues to feel loose and has begun to rattle. It's at the shop for repairs only thing still original are the hubs.

Never again will I buy a Dodge truck. They continue to produce junk with known defects. Plus the fact that the intake manifold is known to blow the lower plenum gasket, and the CAD system is failure prone and the front ends are just junk. The 5.9L gets nowhere near the sticker mpg no matter how easy it's driven.

Save your hard earned cash and get a Toyota 4x4.