VEHICLE DESCRIPTION: PASSENGER VEHICLES BUILT WITH POWER SEAT OPTION

Apr 08, 1998 — Recall Campaign #98V076000

VEHICLE DESCRIPTION: PASSENGER VEHICLES BUILT WITH POWER SEAT OPTION. THE DRIVER'S SIDE FRONT SEAT ATTACHING RISER WELDS WERE NOT CORRECT.

The recall was influenced by the manufacturer with about 3,500 units affected.

See recall notice

NHTSA Safety Recall Notice

98V076000

Manufacturer:	Chrysler (FCA US, LLC)
Recall date:	April 08, 1998
NHTSA Campaign #:	98V076000
Units affected:	3,500

Description:: VEHICLE DESCRIPTION: PASSENGER VEHICLES BUILT WITH POWER SEAT OPTION. THE DRIVER'S SIDE FRONT SEAT ATTACHING RISER WELDS WERE NOT CORRECT.
Consequeces:: THE SEAT ATTACHMENT STRENGTH WOULD NOT BE SUFFICIENT IN THE EVENT OF A VEHICLE CRASH INCREASING THE RISK OF PERSONAL INJURY.
Corrective action:: DEALERS WILL REPLACE THE DRIVER'S SIDE POWER FRONT SEAT RISE WITH A RISER THAT WAS MIG WELDED.
Notes:: OWNER NOTIFICATION IS EXPECTED TO BEGIN DURING JUNE 1998.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 CHRYSLER AT 1-800-992-1997.ALSO CONTACT THE NATIONAL HIGHWAY TRAFFIC SAFETY ADMINISTRATION'S AUTO SAFETY HOTLINE AT 1-888-DASH-2-DOT (1-888-327-4236).

Affects the following:

1998 DODGE RAM VAN Complaints
SOME DODGE RAM VANS HAVE A LATENT DEFECT IN THE FRAME THAT IS VERY DANGEROUS. AS FAR AS I CAN TELL, THERE IS NO RECALL EVEN THOUGH THE INTERNET IS LITTERED WITH COMPLAINTS, INCIDENTS AND ACCIDENTS DUE TO FAILURE OF THE FRAME IN ONE SPOT. I BELIEVE THAT THE AC RUNOFF IS VENTED DIRECTLY INTO THE FRAME WHICH, OVER TIME RESULTS IN THE EVENTUAL FAILURE OF THE FRAME AT THE POINT WHERE THE SUSPENSION AND STEERING ARE LOCATED - THIS RESULTS IN LOSS OF CONTROL OF THE VEHICLE. THERE IS NO EASY WAY TO CORRECT THIS PROBLEM SHORT OF REPLACING THE WHOLE FRAME. DODGE DENIES THAT THIS IS A PROBLEM AND BLAMES THIS DEFECT ON ROAD SALT AND CONDITIONS. THIS WOULD BE A VALID ASSERTION IF THE REST OF THE VEHICLE HAD ROT PROBLEMS ELSEWHERE ON THE VEHICLE. INCLUDING THE MUCH MORE VOLATILE BODY PARTS, WHICH ARE IN SOME CASES, STILL SOLID AND IN GOOD CONDITION. THIS PROBLEM IS PREVALENT IN SEVERAL YEARS OF THIS MODEL TRUCK. THIS PROBLEM IS EASY TO CHECK FOR AND NEEDS TO BE ADDRESSED BY DODGE SIMPLY BECAUSE THE VANS ARE GETTING OLDER AND THIS PROBLEM WILL BE OCCURRING MORE FREQUENTLY. *TR;
1998 DODGE RAM WAGON Complaints
AS WE WERE DRIVING DOWN THE ROAD THE VAN STARTING MAKING WHIRRING SOUND AND STARTING LOSE SPEED. WE HEARD A LOUD POP. A CAR BEEPED AND MY HUSBAND LOOKED IN THE SIDE MIRROR AND SAW FIRE COMING FROM UNDER THE VAN. WE QUICKLY PULLED OVER AND JUMPED OUT. THE FUEL LINE WAS LEAKING AND THE VAN ENGULFED IN FLAMES. WE TOTAL LOST THE VAN AND EVERYTHING IN IT. WE PURCHASED THE VAN FROM A LOCAL CHURCH WHICH NEVER HAD ANY ISSUES WITH IT. IT WAS INSPECTED IN DECEMBER OF 2016 AND HAD ONLY BEEN DRIVEN A FEW TIMES WITHOUT ANY COMPLICATIONS. WE HAD READ THAT THERE IS A RECALL FOR 1998 DODGE RAM 3500 TRUCKS WITH A 8.0L V-10 ENGINE OR A 5.9L V-8 HEAVTY DUTY GASOLINE ENGINE WHERE AN EXHAUST SYSTEM HEAT SHIELD ATTACHING SCREW IS TOOL CLOSE TO THE UNDERBODY FUEL LINE. THE LINE CAN RUB AGAINST THE SCREW, POSSIBLY CAUSING FUEL LEAKAGE. TO US, THE VAN HAS THE SAME ENGINE BUT THE SHELL/EXTERIOR IS A VAN INSTEAD OF A TRUCK.;