1998 Dodge RAM Vehicle speed control Problems
- Complaints
- 25about this part
- Share
- 5%of 483 total for the year
- Median mileage
- 69,013miles
- Trend
- StableComplaints filed in the last 3 full calendar years are within 25% of the 3 years before.
NHTSA recorded 25 complaints about the vehicle speed control of the 1998 Dodge RAM, 5% of the 483 complaints for this model year. Where a mileage was given, the median is 69,013 miles. 7 of these say a crash was involved, according to the filers. 1 recall campaign on record is filed under a similar system.
Example complaints
Selected from NHTSA records; personal details are removed. They are consumer reports, not findings.
“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.”
NHTSA complaint #761619, filed 2002-05“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.”
NHTSA complaint #10153457, filed 2006-03, 69,013 miles“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?”
NHTSA complaint #709654, filed 1999-08“Speed control adds an additional 7 to 12 MPH when it is set. If set at 65 it will go to 72 to 77 before stopping. It stays at 72 to 77 MPH for 5 to 10 minutes and then will drop back to the original setting of 65. This is a very dangerous situation and is common in all '98 and '99 Dodge rams. Dodge must do something to fix this situation.”
NHTSA complaint #702928, filed 1999-02“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.”
NHTSA complaint #861692, filed 2000-05Related recalls
- 02V161000Jun 14, 2002On certain pickup trucks equipped with diesel engines only, the throttle linkage joints can corrode and cause the throttle to bind or stick.Covers: Dodge RAM 1997–1998
Vehicle speed control: other model years
| Year | Complaints | Share of year |
|---|---|---|
| 2010 | 2 | 7% |
| 2008 | 1 | 4% |
| 2006 | 3 | 12% |
| 2004 | 5 | 9% |
| 2003 | 3 | 6% |
| 2002 | 4 | 3% |
| 2001 | 14 | 4% |
| 2000 | 4 | 3% |
| 1999 | 11 | 3% |
| 1998 | 25 | 5% |
| 1997 | 23 | 6% |
| 1996 | 30 | 5% |
| 1995 | 46 | 8% |
| 1994 | 30 | 6% |
| 1993 | 3 | 6% |
| 1992 | 7 | 12% |
| 1991 | 1 | 2% |
| 1990 | 2 | 9% |
| 1988 | 2 | 9% |
Other parts of the 1998 Dodge RAM
113 complaintsTransmission and drivetrain
80 complaintsAir bags
66 complaintsElectrical system
48 complaintsEngine cooling
38 complaintsSuspension
31 complaintsSteering
28 complaintsOther or unknown
26 complaintsFuel system
24 complaintsBody and structure
18 complaintsTires
18 complaintsSeat belts
16 complaints
← All problems reported for the 1998 Dodge RAM
About this data. Data from NHTSA (ODI) complaints, recalls, TSBs and investigations, updated Oct 29, 2026. Complaints are unverified consumer reports and may be duplicated or inaccurate.
To check a specific vehicle for open recalls, use its VIN at nhtsa.gov/recalls. Methodology