# 1998 DODGE RAM 2500 — SUSPENSION:FRONT:WHEEL BEARING
> NHTSA complaint `654242` · 2008-01-19 · Chrysler (FCA US, LLC)
## Severity
- **Deaths:** 0
- **Injured:** 0
- **Fire:** No
- **Crash:** Yes
- **Police report:** No
- **Medical attention:** No
- **Vehicle towed:** No
## Vehicle
- **Make:** DODGE
- **Model:** RAM 2500
- **Year:** 1998
- **Manufacturer:** Chrysler (FCA US, LLC)
- **Component:** SUSPENSION:FRONT:WHEEL BEARING
- **Miles at failure:** 99,895
- **Speed:** 25 mph
## Narrative
I HAD JUST STOPPED AT A RED LIGHT AND MY STEERING WAS ACTING FUNNY - SORT OF JERKING TO THE LEFT SLIGHTLY.  AS I LEFT THE INTERSECTION AND GOT UP TO ABOUT 20-25 MPH, THE TRUCK SUDDENLY JERKED HARD TO THE LEFT AND I COULD NOT RECOVER CONTROL.  I CROSSED TWO LANES OF ONCOMING TRAFFIC AND FORTUNATELY DID NOT HIT ANYONE - I ENDED UP IN A SNOW BERM ACROSS THE STREET. I HAD THOUGHT IT MIGHT BE MY BRAKES STICKING BECAUSE OF THE COLD WEATHER IN ALASKA. IT TURNS OUT IT WAS A FAILURE OF THE WHEEL BEARINGS.      ACCORDING TO THE MECHANIC, THIS IS A COMMON PROBLEM WITH SEALED WHEEL BEARINGS - THE SEAL GOES BAD, THE BEARINGS DRY OUT, THEN THEY LOCK UP.  IT TYPICALLY RESULTS IN A TIRE FALLING OFF AND AN ENSUING ACCIDENT - OFTEN FATAL.  MY 5 YEAR OLD SON WAS WITH ME AND I WAS FORTUNATE NOT TO HAVE TAKEN THE HIGHWAY WHERE I WOULD HAVE BEEN TRAVELING AT 65 MPH.  I'M QUITE CERTAIN I WOULD HAVE KILLED SOMEONE IF NOT MY SON AND MYSELF.    I HAVE A 1998 DODGE 2500 WITH THE CUMMINS DIESEL AND IT HAS 99985 MILES ON IT - THE DIESEL ENGINE EXACERBATES THIS PROBLEM DUE TO THE NOISE LEVEL - I MAY HAVE BEEN ABLE TO HEAR THESE BEARINGS GOING OUT SOONER.    I HAD TO REPLACE THE WHEEL BEARINGS AND OTHER MISC PARTS THAT WERE TORN APART - EITHER WHEN THE BEARINGS WENT OUT OR I HIT THE SNOW BERM.  *TR
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*Source: [NHTSA ODI](https://www-odi.nhtsa.dot.gov/downloads/) · AI Analytics · CC0 1.0*