13% of complaints about the 1998 Dodge RAM 2500 came in the first year, which is unremarkable for a 1998 vehicle — around the middle of the 180 model-years on record. The median complaint arrives at 4.8 yr in service. The most-reported system is service brakes, hydraulic (38 complaints), typically at 1.8 yr or about 146,000 miles.
AFFINIA IS RECALLING 5,700 AFTERMARKET CHASSIS TIE ROD ASSEMBLIES MANUFACTURED FROM MARCH 28, 2006 THROUGH MARCH 17, 2008, SOLD FOR USE ON MY 1998 AND 1999 DODGE RAM 2500 AND 3500 HEAVY DUTY TRUCKS. THE DUST SEAL SUPPLIED WITH THE CHASSIS TIE RODS WERE MANUFACTURED TO THE WRONG SPECIFICATION. AS A CONSEQUENCE, THE DUST SEAL MAY PREVENT THE BALL STUD OF THE CHASSIS TIE ROD FROM PROPERLY SEATING INTO THE TAPER OF THE VEHICLE STEERING KNUCKLE DURING AFTERMARKET INSTALLATION.
IF THIS CONDITION REMAINS UNDETECTED, THE BOLT CAN EVENTUALLY UNSEAT COMPLETELY, CAUSING THE AFFECTED WHEEL TO DISENGAGE FROM THE STEERING MECHANISM, POSSIBLY RESULTING IN A CRASH.
CERTAIN REPLACEMENT K&N FUEL PERFORMANCE KITS, P/NOS. 57-1509, 57-1511, 57-1511-1, 57-1517, 57-1517-1, 57-1527, AND 57-1530. ALSO, A SMALL PERCENTAGE OF THESE KITS WERE SOLD UNDER THE MOPAR PERFORMANCE PARTS BRAND NAME (P/NOS. P5007069 AND P5007070). ALL KITS WERE MANUFACTURED FROM APRIL 20, 1999, THROUGH SEPTEMBER 23, 2004. THESE ASSEMBLIES WERE MANUFACTURED AS REPLACEMENT EQUIPMENT FOR CERTAIN DODGE PICKUP TRUCKS AND SUVS. A SMALL PIECE OF MATERIAL FROM THE TUBE WALL COULD BE SUCKED INTO THE ENGINE THROTTLE BODY, WHICH COULD CAUSE THE THROTTLE TO BECOME JAMMED IN THE OPEN POSITION.
A JAMMED OPEN THROTTLE COULD CAUSE UNINTENDED ACCELERATION OF THE VEHICLE, POSSIBLY RESULTING IN A CRASH OR INCREASED STOPING DISTANCES WHEN BRAKING.
STEERING GEAR BOX MOUNTING BOLTS WERE STRIPPED DURING ASSEMBLY CAUSING THE UNIT TO BE VERY LOOSE ON THE FRAME, WHICH COULD HAVE FALLEN OFF AND CAUSED LOSS OF STEERING.
SWAY BAR BOLTS THAT HOLD SWAY BAR FELL OUT, AND ALMOST CAUSED AN ACCIDENT. WENT TO DEALER AND GOT IT FIXED. BUT THEN ALL FOUR BOLTS THAT HOLD THE SWAY BAR FELL OUT AGAIN, CAUSING AN ACCIDENT. ALSO, WORN GEAR IN THE STEERING BOX CAUSED A LOSS OF STEERING. DEALER CANNOT DETERMINE THE PROBLEM. PROBLEM STILL EXISTS. *AK *ML
WAS LEAVING SHOPPING CENTER WHEN DRIVER BLACKED OUT. VEHICLE HIT LIGHT POLE OFF CENTER. NEITHER AIR BAG DEPLOYED. THE STEERING WHEEL HAD DISCONNECTED & FELL OFF. VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO DEALER TO HAVE IT CHECKED. THE DRIVER SUFFERED TRAUMA TO TORSO. *AK.
CONSUMER WAS DRIVING VEHICLE ON THE ROAD AT APPROXIMATELY 50 MPH, NORMAL ROAD CONDITION; CONSUMER WAS DRIVING AND APPROACHING A BLIND CURVE WHEN THE VEHICLE IN FRONT CAUSED CONSUMER TO APPLY BRAKES IN AN EMERGENCEY SITUATION. REAR ABS FAILED TO OPERATE AND THE FRONT WHEELS LOCKED UP ON THE VEHICLE, CAUSING THE CONSUMER TO HIT REAR OF FRONT VEHICLE. DRIVER SUSTAINED A NECK INJURY. *AK