general problems of the 1998 Dodge Ram 1500

15 problems related to seat belt have been reported for the 1998 Dodge Ram 1500. The most recently reported issues are listed below. Please also check out the statistics and reliability analysis of the 1998 Dodge Ram 1500 based on all problems reported for the 1998 Ram 1500.

1 Seat Belt problem

Failure Date: 03/22/2024

The seatbelt timer module is failing, resulting in the seatbelts staying locked even when fully retracted. This means sometimes I as the driver as well as my front seat passenger cannot buckle up and drive the vehicle safely. I have not reproduced or confirmed this issue with a dealership or independent service center. The component has not been inspected by the manufacturer, police, or insurance agency. A red seatbelt warning light will appear when the seatbelts lock up and goes away when it unlocks.

2 Seat Belt problem

Failure Date: 01/21/2024

The drivers side and passanger side seat belts are locked in the seats. There is no fix, you cant drive truck because you can not use the seat belts, they are made into the seats. No one sells part for it. The seat belts will not extend. The seat belts just stopped working, no warning.

3 Seat Belt problem

Failure Date: 03/02/2015

1998 Dodge Ram 1500. Consumer writes in regards to seat belt issues. Consumer sent additional correspondence. The consumer stated three years ago, the seat belt on both sides would not pull down out of the seat. The dealer informed the consumer the seat belts needed to be replaced at a cost of $1000. The consumer stated he went to a junk yard and purchased a seat belt module for $35. 00. Updated 08/24/jb.

4 Seat Belt problem

Failure Date: 12/10/2014

Seat belt control module will not release retracted belts to allow driver or passenger to wear seat belts. This makes the vehicle unsafe and illegal to properly operate. Module is no longer manufactured or carried by any national parts warehouse. Dodge advised for me to call a dedicated supplier of parts for older vehicles and was told these were not available anywhere on a database any longer. There are several blogs with owners stating same issues with their trucks and Dodge has not recalled this safety item or accommodated anyone with these problems as of date.

5 Seat Belt problem

Failure Date: 09/19/2013

Truck was park both times. . One time over night. . Then second time parked at work for 8 hours. . Went to get into truck, nothing happen , no seat belt was working. . Why there no recall on something like seat belt a big safety issue?? there was nothing I did wrong.

6 Seat Belt problem

Failure Date: 07/15/2012

The contact owns a 1998 Dodge Ram 1500. The contact stated that while parked, the neither front seat belt would extend from their retractors. The vehicle was not taken to the dealer for a diagnostic test. The vehicle was not repaired. The approximate failure mileage was 35,000.

7 Seat Belt problem

Failure Date: 04/12/2011

The passenger and driver seat belts are locked in the retracted position. There wasn't any event that led to the failure, they both just quit working. I researched the issue on the internet and apparently it is something that happens quite often leaving both the driver and occupant without safety restraints. This is very dangerous and a safety recall needs to be issued to both notify and to protect the public.

8 Seat Belt problem

Failure Date: 10/25/2010

1998 Dodge Ram 1500 seat belts remain in retractable position and cannot be used on both passenger and driver sides. Mileage 80500 this is a safety hazard because no matter how hard you pull on the seat belts they will not come loose from the retractable position.

9 Seat Belt problem

Failure Date: 02/10/2010

No accident as of yet. No reasonable cause of condition found at present time. Safety belts locked in fully retracted state, and are unable to extend for fastening. No accident has happened at current time to owners knowledge.

10 Seat Belt problem

Failure Date: 07/10/2008

1998 Dodge Ram 1500 4wd - driver and front passenger seatbelts do not work. This vehicle has never been wrecked, they just quit working one day. We called the local dealership and they said we could replace each seatbelt for $198. 00.

11 Seat Belt problem

Failure Date: 06/22/2005

Contact states that early in the morning when she got in her car and was putting the seat belt on, the shoulder part tightened up the lap belt and she noticed a bolt hole. There was a metal bar and the bolt hole had broken. She contacted Chrysler, and they told her that the truck was a 1998 model and had a lot of mileage on it. They couldn't fix it. (the belt was in properly but the metal strap holding the seat belt to the floor had sheared at the bolt hole which was coming apart).

12 Seat Belt problem

Failure Date: 08/01/2003

Drivers side seat belt retractor has broken three times since 2003 (approximate date), leaving the seat belt payed-out (unable to retract) and useless. I replaced it last month for $185 plus tax. Parts salesman wasn't confident that it would be available for purchase (as some seat belts are discontinued). Safety items should have no expiration!.

13 Seat Belt problem

Failure Date: 06/01/2002

Seat belt retractor is defective. Passenger front belt will not retract. Driver's front belt extracts intermittently. Retractors are motorized. Consumer states motor makes strange grinding noise.

14 Seat Belt problem

Failure Date: 09/06/2001

While driving 50 mph vehicle was hit head-on, and left rear passenger's seatbelt did not restrain child. Child hit his face on front passenger's seatback. One of the child's teeth cut through the lip.

15 Seat Belt problem

Failure Date: 11/26/1998

Whenever vehicle is accelerating, the seat belts would tighten against driver's neck. This also happens when brakes are applied.


Other Seat Belt related problems of the 1998 Dodge Ram 1500


Ram 1500 Service Bulletins
Ram 1500 Safety Recalls
Ram 1500 Defect Investigations