Dodge B SERIES problems and owner complaints
Explore the records behind recurring owner reports.
Key facts
43 owner complaints analyzed
2 distinct recall campaigns
117,619 mi median reported failure mileage
Scope: 1976 to 1998 model years. Data snapshot: . 20 complaints include usable failure mileage.
Most common problems
Electrical System is the most frequently named component, appearing in 15 of 43 complaints (34.9%). A complaint can name multiple components.
| Topic | Matching reports | Share of complaints |
|---|---|---|
| Braking behavior | 18 | 41.9% |
| Electrical and battery issues | 5 | 11.6% |
| Transmission and shifting | 2 | 4.7% |
| Engine operation | 2 | 4.7% |
| Steering behavior | 2 | 4.7% |
| Fuel system concerns | 1 | 2.3% |
Topic matches use published keyword rules. They describe mentions, including negations or comparisons, and do not confirm a diagnosis. Read the matching rules.
Component breakdown
Number of unique complaints naming each component. Top eight shown.
| Category | Count |
|---|---|
| Electrical System | 15 |
| Electrical System:Wiring:Front Underhood | 4 |
| Engine And Engine Cooling:Engine:Gasoline | 3 |
| Service Brakes, Hydraulic:Foundation Components | 2 |
| Structure:Frame And Members | 2 |
| Wheels | 2 |
| Air Bags:Frontal | 1 |
| Electrical System:Ignition | 1 |
Electrical System: 15; Electrical System:Wiring:Front Underhood: 4; Engine And Engine Cooling:Engine:Gasoline: 3; Service Brakes, Hydraulic:Foundation Components: 2; Structure:Frame And Members: 2; Wheels: 2; Air Bags:Frontal: 1; Electrical System:Ignition: 1
Reported problems by failure mileage
Complaint counts in mileage bands. These are not failure rates per vehicle or mile.
| Category | Count |
|---|---|
| Under 25,000 | 0 |
| 25,000 to 49,999 | 3 |
| 50,000 to 74,999 | 1 |
| 75,000 to 99,999 | 3 |
| 100,000 to 149,999 | 11 |
| 150,000 and above | 2 |
Under 25,000: 0; 25,000 to 49,999: 3; 50,000 to 74,999: 1; 75,000 to 99,999: 3; 100,000 to 149,999: 11; 150,000 and above: 2
100,000 to 149,999 miles has the most reports with usable mileage (11). 23 complaints have missing, zero or invalid mileage.
Complaints over time
Year the complaint was filed, not the vehicle model year or incident year. The snapshot year is partial.
| Category | Count |
|---|---|
| 1995 | 14 |
| 1996 | 9 |
| 2004 | 2 |
| 2005 | 1 |
| 2006 | 1 |
| 2008 | 15 |
| 2011 | 1 |
1995: 14; 1996: 9; 2004: 2; 2005: 1; 2006: 1; 2008: 15; 2011: 1
Pattern summary
Electrical System leads the component reports. Braking behavior appears in 18 complaint narratives. Electrical and battery issues appears in 5 complaint narratives. Transmission and shifting appears in 2 complaint narratives. Use these patterns to inspect individual reports and prepare questions for a mechanic.
Calculated from recorded counts. An AI narrative has not been published for this selection.
Complaint evidence
Examples provide context, not a representative sample or a verified diagnosis.
Owner report 485875 · 1995-07-07 (July 7, 1995)
VEHICLE VIBRATED WHEN BRAKES WERE APPLIED. *AK
Owner-reported narrative. Look up ODI 485875 at NHTSA ↗
Owner report 479842 · 1995-08-10 (August 10, 1995)
NOISY FRONT BRAKE PADS. *AK
Owner-reported narrative. Look up ODI 479842 at NHTSA ↗
Owner report 961864 · 1995-03-14 (March 14, 1995)
MAIN WIRING HARNESS CAUGHT ON FIRE. *AK
Owner-reported narrative. Look up ODI 961864 at NHTSA ↗
Owner report 10243641 · 2008-09-27 (September 27, 2008)
THIS VEHICLE BELONGS TO VERIZON COMMUNICATIONS. THE VAN HAD AN UNDER HOOD FIRE THAT ORIGINATED IN THE ABS MODULE AREA. THE DRIVER COMPLAINED THAT THE SPEEDOMETER WAS NOT WORKING CORRECTLY. WHEN DIAGNOSING THE COMPLAINT THE MECHANIC DISCOVERED THAT THE ABS MODULE CONNECTOR AND WIRING WERE BURNT. DAIMLERCHRYSLER ISSUED SAFETY RECALL D20 IN 2004 TO ADDRESS THIS PROBLEM BUT THE RECALL REPAIR HAS NOT CORRECTED THE PROBLEM. VERIZON HAS HAD 29 INCIDENTS THAT OCCURRED AFTER THE RECALL WAS PERFORMED. THIS IS AN UNSAFE CONDITION THAT WARRANTS FURTH…
Owner-reported narrative. 119,758 miles reported. Look up ODI 10243641 at NHTSA ↗
Owner report 503373 · 1996-03-31 (March 31, 1996)
TRANSMISSION FLUID EXPULSION FROM FILLER TUBE, CAUSING FIRE. *DSH
Owner-reported narrative. Look up ODI 503373 at NHTSA ↗
Owner report 503065 · 1996-03-19 (March 19, 1996)
TRANSMISSION LEAKS AT COOLER LINE. *SD
Owner-reported narrative. Look up ODI 503065 at NHTSA ↗
Owner report 960919 · 1995-03-02 (March 2, 1995)
VEHICLE STALLS, COULD CAUSE ACCIDENT WHEN DRIVING ON HWY. TT
Owner-reported narrative. Look up ODI 960919 at NHTSA ↗
Owner report 500673 · 1996-01-16 (January 16, 1996)
LINKAGE ROD CONNECTING THROTTLE LEVER TO FUEL INJECTION PUMP LEVER FELL OFF, CAUSING VEHICLE TO STALL. *AK
Owner-reported narrative. Look up ODI 500673 at NHTSA ↗
Owner report 484319 · 1995-07-20 (July 20, 1995)
FRAME WELD AT POWER STEERING BOX BROKE THREE TIMES RECALL REPAIRS REFUSED DUE TO NO LONGER BEING UNDER RECALL. *SKD
Owner-reported narrative. Look up ODI 484319 at NHTSA ↗
Owner report 10400799 · 2011-05-13 (May 13, 2011)
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 1998 DODGE B SERIES. THE CONTACT WAS REVERSING 5 MPH WHEN THE FRONT DRIVER SIDE AND PASSENGER SIDE TIRES ABNORMALLY TURNED OUTWARD IN DIFFERENT DIRECTIONS. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE FRAME WHERE THE IDLER ARM WAS MOUNTED SHOWED SIGNS OF EXTREME RUST AND CORROSION. THE FAILURE CAUSED THE IDLER ARM AND FRAME TO SEPARATE, COMPROMISING THE STEERING. THE VEHICLE WAS TOWED TO A LOCAL MECHANIC WHO STATED THAT THE FRAME WOULD NEED REPLACING AT A COST OF $5,000. THE DEALER WAS NOT CONTACTED AND THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOT MADE AWARE…
Owner-reported narrative. 143,248 miles reported. Look up ODI 10400799 at NHTSA ↗
Owner report 487705 · 1995-11-08 (November 8, 1995)
FUEL TANK RUPTURED DURING A HEAD-ON COLLISION, RESULTING IN A FIRE/INJURIES. *AK
Owner-reported narrative. Look up ODI 487705 at NHTSA ↗
Recalls by model year
All campaigns in the snapshot affecting each model year, including recalls announced years later.
Recall campaigns
Shared campaigns appear once in each affected model year.
| Category | Count |
|---|---|
| 1986 | 1 |
| 1987 | 1 |
| 1988 | 0 |
| 1989 | 0 |
| 1990 | 0 |
| 1992 | 0 |
| 1994 | 0 |
| 1995 | 0 |
| 1996 | 0 |
| 1997 | 0 |
| 1998 | 0 |
1986: 1; 1987: 1; 1988: 0; 1989: 0; 1990: 0; 1992: 0; 1994: 0; 1995: 0; 1996: 0; 1997: 0; 1998: 0