Dodge RAM WAGON problems and owner complaints
Explore the records behind recurring owner reports.
Key facts
21 owner complaints analyzed
1 distinct recall campaigns
97,729 mi median reported failure mileage
Scope: 1991 to 2002 model years. Data snapshot: . 12 complaints include usable failure mileage.
This selection has limited data. It remains available for lookup but is excluded from search indexing.
Most common problems
Steering is the most frequently named component, appearing in 4 of 21 complaints (19.0%). A complaint can name multiple components.
| Topic | Matching reports | Share of complaints |
|---|---|---|
| Braking behavior | 4 | 19.0% |
| Transmission and shifting | 3 | 14.3% |
| Steering behavior | 3 | 14.3% |
| Electrical and battery issues | 2 | 9.5% |
| Engine operation | 1 | 4.8% |
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 |
|---|---|
| Steering | 4 |
| Electrical System | 3 |
| Power Train:Automatic Transmission | 3 |
| Service Brakes | 3 |
| Suspension | 3 |
| Engine And Engine Cooling:Exhaust System:Emission Control:Catalytic Convertor | 2 |
| Seats | 2 |
| Structure:Body | 2 |
Steering: 4; Electrical System: 3; Power Train:Automatic Transmission: 3; Service Brakes: 3; Suspension: 3; Engine And Engine Cooling:Exhaust System:Emission Control:Catalytic Convertor: 2; Seats: 2; Structure:Body: 2
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 | 1 |
| 50,000 to 74,999 | 2 |
| 75,000 to 99,999 | 3 |
| 100,000 to 149,999 | 5 |
| 150,000 and above | 1 |
Under 25,000: 0; 25,000 to 49,999: 1; 50,000 to 74,999: 2; 75,000 to 99,999: 3; 100,000 to 149,999: 5; 150,000 and above: 1
100,000 to 149,999 miles has the most reports with usable mileage (5). 9 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 |
|---|---|
| 2001 | 2 |
| 2006 | 4 |
| 2007 | 1 |
| 2008 | 1 |
| 2009 | 1 |
| 2011 | 1 |
| 2013 | 1 |
| 2014 | 2 |
| 2017 | 2 |
| 2018 | 1 |
| 2020 | 2 |
| 2021 | 1 |
| 2024 | 1 |
| 2026 | 1 |
2001: 2; 2006: 4; 2007: 1; 2008: 1; 2009: 1; 2011: 1; 2013: 1; 2014: 2; 2017: 2; 2018: 1; 2020: 2; 2021: 1; 2024: 1; 2026: 1
Pattern summary
Steering leads the component reports. Braking behavior appears in 4 complaint narratives. Transmission and shifting appears in 3 complaint narratives. Steering behavior appears in 3 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 10147878 · 2006-01-16 (January 16, 2006)
I HAVE A DODGE RAM 1500 WAGON 1998, AND I HAVE BEEN EXPERIENCING ALOT OF PROBLEMS WITH THE TRANSMISSION AND KEEPS STALLING WHENEVER I TURN THE WHEEL TO THE RIGHT SIDE. THIS IS VERY WEIRD AND THE MECHANICS DO NOT UNDERSTAND THIS COMPLAINT. THE ABS LIGHT HAS BEEN COMING ON FOR A WHILE AND NO ONE KNOWS WHY EITHER, BUT I DO NOT SEE ANY RECALLS ON THIS PROBLEM EITHER. CAN YOU HELP ME RESOLVE THIS MATTER. I HAVE REPLACED THE DOOR LOCKS ON EACH DOOR AT LEAST TWICE IN THIS VAN AND IT HAS COST ALOT OF MONEY, I THINK BY NOW THIS SHOULD HAVE BEEN RECALLED…
Owner-reported narrative. Look up ODI 10147878 at NHTSA ↗
Owner report 10556309 · 2013-12-17 (December 17, 2013)
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2000 DODGE RAM B3500 WAGON. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE ELECTRICAL SYSTEM WAS DEFECTIVE AND CAUSED THE REAR BRAKE, HEATER AND AIR CONDITIONING SYSTEM TO FAIL. ADDITIONALLY, THE FUSE BOX WAS FOUND TO BE BURNED WHICH CAUSED THE ELECTRICAL SYSTEM TO OVERHEAT. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT TAKEN TO THE DEALER TO HAVE A DIAGNOSTIC PERFORMED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOT MADE AWARE OF THE FAILURE. THE FAILURE AND CURRENT MILEAGE WAS 88,457. THE VIN WAS NOT AVAILABLE.
Owner-reported narrative. 88,457 miles reported. Look up ODI 10556309 at NHTSA ↗
Owner report 10148543 · 2006-01-25 (January 25, 2006)
DT*: THE CONTACT STATED THE TRANSMISSION WOULD SLIP FROM SECOND TO THIRD GEAR AND JUMP WHILE IN REVERSE. AN INDEPENDENT REPAIR SHOP DETERMINED THE TRANSMISSION NEEDED TO BE REBUILT. UPDATED 03/03/06. *JB
Owner-reported narrative. 87,000 miles reported. Look up ODI 10148543 at NHTSA ↗
Owner report 10618687 · 2014-08-04 (August 4, 2014)
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 1991 DODGE RAM WAGON. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE STEERING WHEEL BECAME EXTREMELY LOOSE AND THE VEHICLE WAS DRIFTING FROM LEFT TO RIGHT WITH AN UNSTABLE SUSPENSION. IN ADDITION, THE SPEED CONTROL AND STEERING CONTROLS FAILED INTERMITTENTLY. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO AN INDEPENDENT MECHANIC, WHO DIAGNOSED THAT THE STEERING KNUCKLES NEEDED REPLACING AND A FRONT END ALIGNMENT NEEDED TO BE PERFORMED. THE VEHICLE WAS REPAIRED BUT THE FAILURE RECURRED. ADDITIONALLY, THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE SPEEDOMETER FAILED AND THAT THE UN…
Owner-reported narrative. Look up ODI 10618687 at NHTSA ↗
Owner report 11383474 · 2020-12-15 (December 15, 2020)
WHEN DRIVING DOWN HIGHWAY FELT INTERMITTENTLY LOSS OF STEERING, BRAKES FELT WEAK, NOISE WHEN TURNI G. REPAIR SHOP SAID BEARINGS GAVE AND NEEDED BRAKES. THEN LOST ALIGNMENT, STEERING,WOULD NOT RESPOND PROPERLY...MECHANIC SAID DUE TO RUST, BEARING FAILED AGAIN, FRAME IS ROTTED BY STEERING BOX AND HELPING TO SPREAD UNDER PRESSURE..LUCKY TO BE ALIVE , HE SAID...NO REPAIR PARTS AVAILABLE AND DODGE, AWARE OF THE PROBLEM, SAID SORRY...NO RECALLS HAVE BEEN ISSUED...MANY COMPLAINTS OF THIS FRAME FOR DUE TO A/ C DRAINAGE AND RADIATOR OVERFLOW..NOW UNREPA…
Owner-reported narrative. 108,000 miles reported. Look up ODI 11383474 at NHTSA ↗
Owner report 10182386 · 2007-02-12 (February 12, 2007)
TL*- THE CONTACT'S 1996 DODGE VAN HAD BEEN EXCLUDED FROM THE RECALL INVOLVING A CATALYTIC CONVERTERS USED IN DODGE VAN OF THAT YEAR AND IT FAILED TO PASS SMOG TEST DUE TO THE FAILURE OF THE CATALYTIC CONVERTER. THE DEALER DECLINED TO PERFORM THE RECALL REPAIRS, AND A FOLLOW UP CALL TO THE MANUFACTURER WAS PLACED, AND THEY WERE ALSO NOT HELPING. THE CONTACT BELIEVED THAT THEY EXCLUDED THE VAN FROM THE RECALL BECAUSE THEY HAD A VERY LIMITED NUMBER OF ELECTRICAL HIGH POWERED VANS. EVEN THOUGH THE PARTS WERE DEFECTIVE DODGE DECLINED TO FIX…
Owner-reported narrative. 110,000 miles reported. Look up ODI 10182386 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 |
|---|---|
| 1991 | 0 |
| 1995 | 0 |
| 1996 | 0 |
| 1998 | 1 |
| 1999 | 0 |
| 2000 | 0 |
| 2001 | 0 |
| 2002 | 0 |
1991: 0; 1995: 0; 1996: 0; 1998: 1; 1999: 0; 2000: 0; 2001: 0; 2002: 0