1998 Dodge Ram Pickup SLT 360 from North America

Summary:

Bad investment!

Faults:

The valve guides are worn out and this happened at 55,000 miles.

General Comments:

My 1998 Dodge Ram is the last Dodge product I will ever own.

The valve guides are worn out at 55,000 miles. It won't pass the smog test next year here in California because of this. I would love to sell it, but I am stuck with it until I cough up the 1,000 dollars or so to fix it. I am still glad I did not fall for the "Extended Service Contract"! It would have cost me a whole lot more than this repair!

This worn out engine tells me that Chrysler won't warranty their vehicles to last more than 36,000 miles... and they want YOU to pay for defects by buying the expensive service contract. If you do not... they act like it was all your fault for not knowing the vehicle would be defective!

Well. I, like thousands of others felt I needed no expensive "Extended Warranty" for my Dodge. After all, it was a great product, right? Wrong. I will fix my truck and trade it for a Chevy truck next month.

My family was raised on Dodges. They were all we ever drove. Things have now changed. I sure hope a Chevy will be a good choice!

Would you buy another car from this manufacturer? No

Review Date: 22nd August, 2001

1998 Dodge Ram Pickup 1500 SLT LWB 4X4 5.9 gas from North America

Summary:

An over-priced need that men want

Faults:

Constant transmission problems. Dealer tried to rebuild, and after 3 tries at rebuilding, they ended up replacing the transmission and converter clutch.

It worked fine for a few months, then I began to have problems with the converter clutch - it kept locking and unlocking for no reason (for example: while driving on level road, no wind or passing semi's to blame for causing the unlock to occur). The problem was most noticeable in overdrive.

Also, after a long trip with the converter clutch doing it's thing, the check engine light came on as a result of a bad speed sensor in the tranny (at least that's what the computer said, and yes, the computer is supposed to light the check engine light when it detects transmission problems). Dealer changed the speed sensor but it did not cure the problem.

Then, the good old check engine light came on again, this time for a bad oxygen charge sensor. Of course, the light went out before I got to the dealer, and even though they could still detect the code, the sensor did not check bad.

Personally, I think Dodge has some serious computer / sensor problems. And you know what? The 97 Chevy Blazer I got after trading the Dodge is having some of the same converter clutch problems. On the good side, the 360 ran strong, even though it only got 12 MPG.

General Comments:

Stay away from automatic transmissions.

Every other aspect was very good-tight, quiet cab; excellent stereo (Infinity 6 speaker CD); very sure footed in the snow, even in 2 wheel drive.

I am now looking at a Cummins diesel version with a manual tranny (go figure). That should cure my fuel economy AND tranny complaints.

Would you buy another car from this manufacturer? Yes

Review Date: 23rd May, 2001

16th Apr 2003, 06:07

I am also the owner of a 98 Dodge Ram ext. cab. Love the truck, but have had sensor problems in the tranny as well as rear brake wheel sensor. at a replacement cost of around 180 dollars a pop, it is getting old real fast. These sensors are only worth around 40 dollars and probably cost a whole lot less to manufacture, but to get them put in at the dealer is ridiculously priced. It is too bad they cannot be overridden manually.

1998 Dodge Ram Pickup 1500 Quad Cab 4x4 Sport 5.9 Liter V8 from North America

Summary:

I love my truck, just hope I don't run into the same problems in the future

Faults:

1. Driver's side front door speaker is out.

2. Intake man. Gasket blew.

3. Hissing noise (result from above???).

4. Coolant leak - doesn't stay in, but doesn't overheat either???

4.5. Oil drip.

5. Power seat motor is bad.

6. Has leaked in a hard rain around the rear window.

7. Cigarette lighter doesn't work.

8. Front brakes wear out quickly.

9. Bad gas mileage, but it's lifted 3 inches with 35 X 121.50 on.

10. Passenger side rear door hinge on bottom of door shook loose.

11. Lost a bolt for the overhead console.

General Comments:

Looks wise, nothing compares to the Dodge.

The center console (fold down) kicks ass.

Dodge needs to tighten up the car more and refine some things. Do something with that 5.9 V8. Add some horses or something (eg. Chevy Vortec). At least your engine choices are a lot better than the Fords.

Would you buy another car from this manufacturer? Yes

Review Date: 14th May, 2001

1998 Dodge Ram Pickup 1500 4x4 SLT 318 cu in V-8 from North America

Faults:

I had a very small transmission leak. It was repaired the same day I reported it to the dealer.

General Comments:

Great Truck!!!!!!

Would you buy another car from this manufacturer? Yes

Review Date: 7th June, 1998