30th Mar 2003, 20:17

I have a 1994 Ram 1500. Bought it used with 11,000 miles on it. The previous owner I knew personally and knew he was very meticulous about taking care of his vehicles. He just couldn't afford the payments anymore.

Anyway, at 30k, the transmission went out. I paid almost 3000 dollars to have it rebuilt. After almost a year of wrangling with Chrysler, they agreed to reimburse me two hundred and eighty five dollars. The rebuilt shop had written them a letter stating it was premature failure of the torque converter and pump.

I don't do a lot of traveling and right now have 73k on the truck. I have replaced the U-joints (285.00), the catalytic converter (400.00), had a transmission cooler installed when I was told I was once again getting high temp readings (350.00). New shocks (350.00). I again have a vibration in the transmission. Have been told it is probably the torque converter again (800.00). The paint is blistering severely on the roof and sides of truck. A new paint job is about 5000.00. I am currently fighting Chrysler to repaint it as I found out they had a hidden warranty on the paint for 10 years or 100000 miles.

Good luck and my sympathy to anyone who buys a Dodge!!

31st Mar 2003, 19:58

I have owned a 1998 Dodge Ram 4x4 for about 3 weeks and got to drive it for about a total of one week. It has spent the rest of the time in the transmission shop. We are now going on the 3rd trip. I called them today and they are now taking the transfer case apart. You put it in overdrive and it starts grinding shut it off and it drives fine. I'm a diesel mech. on 18 wheelers so I'm no dummy when it comes to mechanics. Tearing into the transfer case looking for a problem with the overdrive (give me a break). I'm glad I found this sight because it shed a little lite on the torque converter problem. I agree Dodge needs to do something because I have always thought they were top of the line vehicles now I wonder.

13th Apr 2003, 10:55

I recently purchased a used 98 Ram Quad Cab with 70,000 miles. It drove and operated great... for about a week. I,ve seen some of the problems others have listed and am experiencing some of the same transmission problems. Some times after having to stop abruptly the truck won't move right away when I give it gas. The engine revs then slams into gear. I've been a mechanic for over 15 years and have NEVER had a vehicle this bad. The truck looks great, but, mechanically speaking Tonka could have built a better truck. I can't believe how bad the gas mileage is. I've replace the cap and rotor, plug, wires and it still seems to have a severe ignition miss. My advise buy FORD or CHEVY, heck for that matter Toyota or Nissan would be a far better investment, unless you like spending money for no apparently good reason. Hey if you do I have a 98 dodge for sale CHEAP!!! Any one who has any suggestions to improve gas milage I'd like to hear some suggestions. My e-mail address is me2g@qwest.net Thank you

22nd Apr 2003, 13:53

We own a 1998 Dodge Ram 1500 extended cab 4x4. We also replaced the transmission, along with your other complaints I have read we are having a valve problem. Our garage told us that the truck was recalled for this problem, but sometime between the first owner trading it at 21,000 miles and us buying it we were missed on the recall. Dodge will not pay for the parts because of the mileage on the truck. We paid to have the problem supposedly taken care of now at 102k miles they tell us the engine is no good and we need another one. They want us to spend another 5300 dollars on rebuilding the engine of buying a factory engine. I don't think so. Believe me after the way you are treated when you take you vehicle to the Dodge dealer in our area. I WILL NEVER, EVER BUY ANOTHER DODGE... PLEASE PASS THIS ONE ON.

27th Apr 2003, 11:05

1998 1500 5.9L 4x4 short-bed quad cab

- Freeze Plugs, all leaking at 60K. Dealer admitted that they have replaced a lot on the 1998's

- Both mirrors cracked from faulty defrost switch

- AC Evaporator replaced

- Truck now has 85K and needs the entire steering assembly replaced

- Stereo going out

- What next?

2nd May 2003, 02:00

October 2002 bought a used 99 Dodge Ram 1500 with 48,000 miles, thought it was a good purchase. Plus I purchased an extended warranty. Repairs since then - catalytic converter, intake manifold gasket, thermostat housing, ignition coils, all spark plugs and wires. All of these took place at the end of February and beginning of March. The mileage on the truck at that time - 60,000 miles give or take a few. Now in April the recommendation of rebuilding the engine or replacing. The warranty company declining the claim, they feel that there is coolant in the oil causing the rod bearings to fail. The selling dealership telling me that they can do the repairs at a reduced rate $3,000 instead of $5,000, thanks for the deal. So to summarize it all up I still have a loan payment on the 4th of each month with four and a half years left on my loan. Does anyone have any suggestions???

1st Jul 2003, 14:08

I just purchased a used 1998 quad cab 4X4 Sport without investigating. I have serious gas issues also. Around the city, driving easy, I get around 8 mpg. On the highway at 75-79 mph, I get an average 12 mpg. This is beyond "SUCKS"!

I bought this truck from Findlay Toyota in the Henderson Auto Mall while looking for a vehicle with better gas mileage than what I had. The sales man, who is one of their managers "knowing my request", told me it would get 16 and 18 mpg. What a lie and to what extent will a car salesman go to screw a customer to place money in their pockets.

Anyway, I was just wondering if you have found any information on this problem? If so, I would really appreciate your insight, and if not, anything I may hear, I will forward to you.

Besides this vehicle having over 100,000 miles of highway miles, (traveling between Nevada and Utah), and the steering a little wondering, the driver's power seat cushion suspension failure, I have had no other problem.

Play Safe & Have Fun, johnstratton@juno.com.

5th Jul 2003, 17:29

You know fellas! Its the world we live in now. Everything is made as cheap as possible. The bottom line to businesses is the only thing that matters, Not customer service, nor quality products. It just has to look good in the box. They can lie on there adds etc. One fella said it good. They are only interested in prophit and getting there parts from the cheapest suppliers possible. Caring about the product days are over. What is the world coming too? "The almighty Dollar profit" What a shame!!