1998 Dodge RAM 1500 Problems, Complaints & Recalls
- Compared with other RAM 1500 years
- About as many complaints as other years 12th of 19 for complaints
- Safety recalls
- None on file
- NHTSA crash rating
- Not rated
Owners have filed 520 complaints with NHTSA about the 1998 Dodge RAM 1500. That ranks 12th out of 19 RAM 1500 model years for complaints. The most reported problem area is structure (102 complaints, 20%), typically at around 96,000 miles. Complaints mention 66 crashes, 16 fires, 56 injuries. There are no safety recalls on file for this model year.
- 520owner complaints
- 0safety recalls
- 0NHTSA investigations
- 66complaints mentioning a crash
Complaints are unverified owner reports and are not adjusted for sales volume.
Most common 1998 Dodge RAM 1500 problems
Complaints grouped by the part of the car owners reported, with the median mileage when the problem happened.
| Problem area | Complaints | Share | Median miles | Owners mention most | Typical repair cost |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Structure problems | 102 | 20% | 96,000 | “dash cracked” (11%) | — |
| Power Train problems | 85 | 16% | 90,000 | “rear differential” (9%) | $4,850 |
| Air Bags problems | 63 | 12% | 105,000 | “air bag” (27%) | — |
| Service Brakes, Hydraulic problems | 56 | 11% | 120,585 | “brake pads” (16%) | — |
| Engine and Engine Cooling | 35 | 7% | 79,000 | — | — |
| Seat Belts | 34 | 7% | 84,000 | — | — |
| Suspension | 34 | 7% | 81,920 | — | — |
| Electrical System | 32 | 6% | 100,000 | — | — |
| Steering | 28 | 5% | 90,825 | — | — |
| Tires | 27 | 5% | 149,500 | — | — |
| Unknown or Other | 24 | 5% | 84,500 | — | — |
| Latches/locks/linkages | 17 | 3% | 92,400 | — | — |
| Fuel System, Gasoline | 14 | 3% | 160,000 | — | — |
| Visibility | 14 | 3% | 97,000 | — | — |
| Equipment | 13 | 3% | 123,635 | — | — |
| Vehicle Speed Control | 13 | 3% | 85,000 | — | — |
| Service Brakes | 7 | 1% | 145,000 | — | — |
| Exterior Lighting | 6 | 1% | 98,000 | — | — |
| Fuel System, Other | 6 | 1% | — | — | — |
| Wheels | 5 | 1% | 104,254 | — | — |
| Seats | 4 | 1% | — | — | — |
| Fuel/propulsion System | 3 | 1% | 141,000 | — | — |
| Interior Lighting | 2 | 0% | — | — | — |
| Engine | 1 | 0% | 202,156 | — | — |
| Parking Brake | 1 | 0% | 108,650 | — | — |
| Trailer Hitches | 1 | 0% | — | — | — |
One complaint can list several problem areas, so shares can add up to more than 100%.
Complaints by year received
1998 Dodge RAM 1500 recalls (0)
No safety recalls are on file for the 1998 Dodge RAM 1500.
To see whether a specific car still has an open recall, enter its VIN on NHTSA's official recall lookup. You can also decode a VIN here.
Recent owner reports
Short excerpts of the latest complaints filed with NHTSA, with personal details removed. Full reports can be searched on NHTSA.gov.
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…
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.
I purchased a truck about 6 months ago and i had nothing but problems with it. I had to replaced so many things on it. I was told that the truck only had 72,000 miles on it when i bought it, after driving it for a few months. I encountered problems with it. I ended up running carfax on it and found…
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 1998 DODGE RAM 1500. THE CONTACT STATED THE ENTIRE DASHBOARD WAS CRACKED. THE CONTACT STATED AN OCCUPANT SUSTAINED AN INJURY DUE TO THE SHARP DASHBOARD PIECES. THE CONTACT CALLED PIEDMONT CHRYSLER DODGE JEEP RAM AEV (4015 CLEMSON BLVD, ANDERSON, SC 29621, [redacted]) AND WAS…
To date, nothing has happened, however a recall was issued saying the secondary hood latch must be replaced, as it can fly open. We were unaware of the recall.
Other Dodge RAM 1500 years
← 1997 RAM 1500 · 1999 RAM 1500 →
| Year | Complaints | Recalls |
|---|---|---|
| 2014 RAM 1500 | 1 | 0 |
| 2012 RAM 1500 | 698 | 6 |
| 2011 RAM 1500 | 689 | 4 |
| 2010 RAM 1500 | 486 | 4 |
| 2009 RAM 1500 | 670 | 2 |
| 2008 RAM 1500 | 554 | 5 |
| 2007 RAM 1500 | 517 | 4 |
| 2006 RAM 1500 | 792 | 9 |
| 2005 RAM 1500 | 1,170 | 4 |
| 2004 RAM 1500 | 1,099 | 5 |
| 2003 RAM 1500 | 1,171 | 1 |
| 2002 RAM 1500 | 815 | 3 |
| 2001 RAM 1500 | 1,112 | 2 |
| 2000 RAM 1500 | 513 | 2 |
| 1999 RAM 1500 | 610 | 0 |
| 1998 | 520 | 0 |
| 1997 RAM 1500 | 361 | 0 |
| 1996 RAM 1500 | 298 | 0 |
| 1995 RAM 1500 | 213 | 0 |
See all Dodge RAM 1500 problems by year, every Dodge model, or the Dodge VIN decoder.
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Frequently asked questions
What are the most common problems with the 1998 Dodge RAM 1500?
Owners most often report structure, power train, air bags problems. The top one, structure, accounts for 102 complaints.
Was there a recall on the 1998 Dodge RAM 1500?
No safety recalls are on file for this model year.
Was the 1998 Dodge RAM 1500 a good year?
Complaint data can't fully answer that, because counts aren't adjusted for sales. Compared with other RAM 1500 model years, the 1998 has about as many complaints as a typical year. Always get a pre-purchase inspection and check the VIN for open recalls.