Dt*: the contact stated while driving the vehicle with the cruise control set on 70 MPH it became stuck. The vehicle's speed kept accelerating, the engine revved. The brake pedal had to be depressed very hard to get the vehicle to slow down. After slowing down the vehicle it was put into neutral. The vehicle was then shut off; and taken to a dealership. Upon inspection the problem was the cruise control valve that was located under the battery. Acid from the battery leaked down onto the cruise control valve causing it to stick. The dealer disconnected the cruise control. Updated 04/11/06.
1998 Dodge Ram acceleration problems
25 complaints (5% of all complaints for this car). 7 crashes reported.
- owner complaints
- 25
- of this car's complaints
- 5%
- crashes
- 7
- recalls
- 1
Which part fails
- Accelerator pedal4
- Cruise control3
At what mileage
Complaints by mileage at the time of the problem.
0k-25k
25k-50k
50k-75k
75k-100k
100k-125k
125k-150k
150k-175k
175k-200k
200k+
Dodge Ram acceleration problems in other years
Related recalls
Vehicle speed control
- What is wrong
- On certain pickup trucks equipped with diesel engines only, the throttle linkage joints can corrode and cause the throttle to bind or stick.
- Risk
- This could potentially result in a loss of throttle control, increasing the risk of a crash.
- Remedy
- Dealers will replace the rod ends and ball studs. Owner notification began july 29, 2002. Owners who take their vehicles to an authorized dealer on an agreed upon service date and do not receive the free remedy within a reasonable time should contact daimlerchrysler at 1‑800‑853‑1403.
Recall number 02V161000 · Recall details
What 1998 Dodge Ram owners say
Most recent owner complaints, unedited.
While driving accelerator stuck, unable to stop vehicle, resulting in an accident.
Cruise control intermittently shuts down, causing vehicle to slow down. Safety factor is that there is no indication to following vehicles that a problem exissts. For instance, I passed a truck on i81 in wva with the cruise set at 70 MPH the trucks speed was approx 67 MPH. When I pulled back into the right lane the cruise control shut down. There was absolutly no indication to the truck driver that this was happening. I barely had time to hit accelerator in time to avoid being rearended by the truck.
Throttle stuck on vehicle. Took to dealer, and dealer indicated spring in the belt crank was faulty.
While driving accelerator pedal stuck when brakes were applied. Pedal went to the floor and failed to stop vehicle, causing loss of control. Please give any further details.
Vehicle exceeded 10mph without putting foot on accelerator. When consumer applied brakes or pressed gas pedal vehicle went faster. Also, vehicle was in an accident because it accelerated without warning. Contacted dealer, and dealer readjusted vehicle, but still did not remedy problem.
When placing transmission gear in reverse vehicle took off at a high rate of speed, crashing into a brick fence. Also, consumer stepped on brake pedal and rear wheels were spinning. Consumer has contacted dealer. Dealer has made some adjustments, but problem still occurs. Please provide any further details.
No summary
The design of horn button hardens in cold weather causing difficulties locating horn in a emergency. Occasionally the horn fails to work properly. The cruise control would gradually decrease without brakes being applied. Taken vehicle to dealer to check.
Vehicle accelerated from stop to high speed at engine startup. "burned rubber" for 30 feet before vehicle was stopped. Driver refused to drive vehicle after incident. Dealer contacted but advised that no previous event similar to this had ever occured to their knowledge. Is this similar to any other event with 1998 dodge ram 1500 with 360 cid engine?
Questions about the 1998 Dodge Ram acceleration
Does the 1998 Dodge Ram have acceleration problems?
Owners have filed 25 complaints about the acceleration of the 1998 Dodge Ram, 5% of all its complaints.
At what mileage do 1998 Dodge Ram acceleration problems start?
Not enough complaints include the mileage to tell.
Was there a recall on the 1998 Dodge Ram acceleration?
Yes, 1 recall: 02V161000. Check your VIN to see if your car still needs the free repair.
What year does the Dodge Ram have the most acceleration problems?
The Dodge Ram model years with the most acceleration complaints are 1995 (46 complaints), 1994 (30 complaints) and 1996 (30 complaints).
Other 1998 Dodge Ram problems
Brakes 113Transmission 80Airbags 66Electrical 48Engine 38Suspension 31Steering 28Fuel system 24Body 18Tires 18Seat belts 15Visibility 15Lights 14Wheels 13Locks 4Seats 4
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