1998 Dodge Ram: problems, recalls and reliability
18 recalls and 521 owner complaints on record; the weakest area is service brakes, hydraulic (19% of complaints); the 2000 model year looks more trouble-free.
Data updated weekly · latest recall May 2009
All counts are reports filed with NHTSA in the United States - US market only, not worldwide totals.
Common problems
Computed from 521 owner complaints filed with NHTSA for this exact model year.
“While backing out of my parking space and turning the steering wheel I heard a loud pop/thump. Subsequently while driving down the road at 15mph the steering went out and the vehicle was uncontrollable. I had the vehicle towed to a repair shop. The cause of the break down was the front passenger side frame had rusted and cracked. This is where the steering is connected to. No repair was possible. I have contacted alternate repair sources of dealers, body shops, welders and metal fabricators without any success to get anyone willing or able to repair the frame. The vehicle is considered non-drivable and non-fixable.”Owner report · Unknown Or Other · May 2011
“Tl*the contact owns a 1998 dodge ram 1500. The contact stated that while driving at approximately 40 mph, the brake pedal went to the floorboard when depressed. The brake indicator light also illuminated. The brakes also failed intermittently. The vehicle was taken to an authorized dealership for a diagnostic test and the contact was informed that the braking system was functioning properly but the failures were causing by an electric component. The vehicle was at the dealership for repair at the time of the complaint. The current and failure mileages were approximately 115,000.”Owner report · Electrical System · Apr 2010
“Tl* the contact owns a 1998 dodge ram van with aftermarket bendix brakes (model number: 13481).the contact was driving 10 mph when the brakes were applied but the vehicle did not respond, causing the contact crashed into the rear of another vehicle. There were no injuries.the contact did not call the manufacturer of the vehicle or the brakes in regard to the failure. The failure mileage was 90,000. The VIN was not available.”Owner report · Service Brakes, Hydraulic · Jan 2010
Show 7 more owner reports
“Tl* the contact owns a 1998 dodge ram. The contact stated that while the vehicle was parked he noticed the dash board of the vehicle was cracked badly. The contact stated that the weather was not hot and was not a factor with the vehicle dash board defect. The contact had pieces of the dashboard fly into his eyes. He took the vehicle to the dealer for diagnostic and testing. The dealer stated that the owner of the vehicle would have to pay for the repairs. There had been no repairs done at the time of the complaint. The approximate failure mileage was 74,000. The approximate current mileage was 85,000.”Owner report · Structure · Dec 2009
“Tl*the contact owns a 1998 dodge ram. The contact stated that the brake lights and interior lighting fail to dim when the vehicle is turned off. Prior to the failures, she noticed that the instrument panel lights would not dim. The vehicle has not been diagnosed by the dealer. The current and failure mileages were 132,216. Updated 07/28/09. *lj updated 07/30/09.*jb”Owner report · Exterior Lighting · Jul 2009
“This vehicle belongs to verizon communications. The van had an underhood fire that originated in the ABS module area while parked. Chrysler issued safety recall d20 in 2004 to address this problem but the recall repair has not corrected the problem. Verizon has had 33 underhood fire incidents that occurred after the recall was performed. This is an unsafe condition that warrants further investigation and action by NHTSA. *tr”Owner report · Service Brakes, Electric · Jun 2009
“This vehicle belongs to verizon communications. The van had an under hood fire that originated in the ABS module area while parked. Daimlerchrysler issued safety recall d20 in 2004 to address this problem but the recall repair has not corrected the problem. Verizon has had 32 under hood fire incidents that occurred after the recall was performed. This is an unsafe condition that warrants further investigation and action. *tr”Owner report · Service Brakes, Hydraulic · Feb 2009
“1998 dodge ram tire fell off while driving. Consumer states that the tire fell off while driving on the highway. This caused the vehicle to stop in the center lane of the highway. *kb the lug nuts were missing. The vehicle was also struck my another vehicle. (ohio traffic crash report # 10-0246-90) *jb”Owner report · Wheels · Mar 2008
“Tl*the contact owns a 1998 dodge ram. The contact stated that the air bag indicator light illuminates and an alarm sounds four times intermittently. Eventually, the air bag light dims. The contact will have the vehicle inspected. There are two air bag recalls (NHTSA campaign id numbers 01v153000 and 99v002000); however, the manufacturer stated that his vehicle was not included in either one. The current mileage was 120,000 and failure mileage was 119,800.”Owner report · Air Bags · Oct 2007
“My 98 dodge ram pick dash is completely falling apart I've seen many other dodge trucks with the same problem the wiring is exposed in the dash and appears to be a safety hazard if you where to be involved in an accident. *tr”Owner report · Structure · Aug 2007
When filing, owners marked a crash in 81 of these complaints and injuries in 64 - self-reported to NHTSA, not verified accident statistics.
Recalls - 18 campaigns
VEHICLE DESCRIPTION: LIGHT DUTY PICKUP TRUCKS EQUIPPED WITH 5.9L - 24 VALVE DIESEL ENGINE. AN INTERMITTENT HIGH ENGINE IDLE CONDITION CAN OCCUR DUE TO A MALFUNCTION OF THE VEHICLE SPEED SENSOR.
Remedy: DEALERS WILL REPLACE THE ENGINE CONTROLLER SOFTWARE TO CORRECT ERRONEOUS SPEED SENSOR SIGNALS.
VEHICLE DESCRIPTION: LIGHT DUTY PICKUP TRUCKS EQUIPPED WITH 5.9L - 24 VALVE DIESEL ENGINE. THE LOW PRESSURE DIESEL FUEL SUPPLY TUBE LOCATED IN THE ENGINE COMPARTMENT BETWEEN THE FILTER AND THE HIGH PRESSURE PUMP CAN FRACTURE.
Remedy: DEALERS WILL REPLACE THE LOW PRESSURE DIESEL FUEL SUPPLY TUBE.
VEHICLE DESCRIPTION: LIGHT DUTY PICKUP TRUCKS. THESE VEHICLES MAY HAVE BEEN BUILT WITH BOLTS THAT WERE NOT PROPERLY HARDENED. THE BOLTS WERE USED TO ATTACH THE CAB AND THE CORE SUPPORT TO THE FRAME.
Remedy: DEALERS WILL REPLACE THESE BOLTS WITH PROPERLY HARDENED BOLTS.
DOPE, INC. IS RECALLING 42,540 COMBINATION CORNER AND BUMPER LAMP ASSEMBLIES OF VARIOUS PART NUMBERS SOLD FOR USE AS AFTERMARKET EQUIPMENT FOR VARIOUS PASSENGER VEHICLES. THESE HEADLAMPS FAIL TO CONFORM TO THE REQUIREMENTS OF FEDERAL MOTOR VEHICLE SAFETY STANDARD NO. 108, "LAMPS, REFLECTIVE DEVICES, AND ASSOCIATED EQUIPMENT." THESE LAMPS DO NOT CONTAIN THE REQUIRED AMBER SIDE REFLECTORS.
Remedy: DOPE, INC. WILL NOTIFY OWNERS AND OFFER A FULL REFUND FOR THE NONCOMPLIANT COMBINATION LAMPS. THE SAFETY RECALL BEGAN ON JULY 28, 2009. OWNERS MAY CONTACT DOPE, INC. AT 1-626-272-1798.
VEHICLE DESCRIPTION: PICKUP TRUCKS. SOUND DEADENER MATERIAL INSIDE THE STEERING WHEEL COULD BECOME DETACHED FROM THE COVER AND HOUSING. NOTE: THE RAM PICKUP TRUCKS WERE BUILT AT THE WARREN ASSEMBLY PLANT ("S" IN THE 11TH VIN POSITION) FROM MAY 16, 2000 THROUGH OCTOBER 23, 2000; ST. LOUIS NORTH ASSEMBLY PLANT ("J" IN THE 11TH VIN POSITION) FROM MAY 19, 2000 THROUGH OCTOBER 23, 2000; LAGO ALBERTO ASSEMBLY PLANT ("M" IN THE 11TH VIN POSITION) FROM MAY 23, 2000 THROUGH OCTOBER 23, 2000; AND SALTILLO ASSEMBLY PLANT ("G" IN THE 11TH VIN POSITION) FROM MAY 23, 2000 THROUGH OCTOBER 23, 2000. IMPORTANT: VEHICLES THAT HAVE ALREADY HAD THE PROPER CLOCKSPRING INSTALLED, ACCORDING TO WARRANTY RECORDS, HAVE BEEN EXCLUDED FROM THIS RECALL. IN ADDITION, 1997-2000 MODEL YEAR VEHICLES THAT HAVE HAD A SUSPECT REPLACEMENT CLOCKSPRING INSTALLED, ACCORDING TO WARRANTY RECORDS, HAVE BEEN ADDED TO THIS RECALL.
Remedy: DEALERS WILL REPLACE THE CLOCKSPRING ASSEMBLY. OWNER NOTIFICATION BEGAN JUNE 18, 2001. ALSO SOME 1997-200 MODEL YEAR VEHICLES THAT, ACCORDING TO WARRANTY RECORDS, HAVE HAD A SUSPECT REPLACEMENT CLOCKSPRING INSTALLED, WILL ALSO BE INCLUDED IN THIS CAMPAIGN. 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 DAIMLERCHRYSLER AT 1-800-853-1403.
VEHICLE DESCRIPTION: PICKUP TRUCKS EQUIPPED WITH MANUAL TRANSMISSION, V10 ENGINES AND FOUR-WHEEL-DRIVE TRANSFER CASES. UNDER SUSTAINED MAXIMUM RATED VEHICLE LOAD, WHILE DRIVING UP A STEEP GRADE IN FOUR-WHEEL-DRIVE LOW RANGE IN HOT AMBIENT CONDITIONS, THE LOCAL EXHAUST TEMPERATURE PROXIMATE TO THE HYDRAULIC CLUTCH LINE CAN GENERATE LINE TEMPERATURES THAT EXCEED THE TEMPERATURE LIMIT OF THE CLUTCH LINE MATERIAL. IF THIS CONDITION OCCURS AND THE CLUTCH IS DEPRESSED, THE LINE COULD RUPTURE.
Remedy: DEALERS WILL REPLACE THE HYDRAULIC CLUTCH ASSEMBLY.
VEHICLE DESCRIPTION: PASSENGER VEHICLES. THE FRONT SEAT BELT BUCKLES WERE NOT PROPERLY RIVETED TO THE SUPPORT STRAP.
Remedy: DEALERS WILL REPLACE THE FRONT OUTER SEAT BELT BUCKLES WITH BUCKLES THAT HAVE BEEN PROPERLY RIVETED.
CERTAIN AAI MOTORSPORTS COMBINATION LAMPS SOLD AS REPLACEMENT LAMPS FOR USE ON THE ABOVE LIST PASSENGER VEHICLES. COMBINATION LAMPS NOT EQUIPPED WITH AMBER SIDE REFLECTORS FAIL TO CONFORM WITH THE REQUIREMENTS OF FEDERAL MOTOR VEHICLE SAFETY STANDARD NO. 108, "LAMPS, REFLECTIVE DEVICES, AND ASSOCIATED EQUIPMENT."
Remedy: AAI MOTORSPORTS WILL NOTIFY OWNERS AND REPLACE THE LAMPS FREE OF CHARGE. THE RECALL BEGAN ON AUGUST 1, 2006. OWNERS MAY CONTACT AAI MOTORSPORTS AT 909-923-9188.
ON CERTAIN PICKUP TRUCKS EQUIPPED WITH DIESEL ENGINES ONLY, THE THROTTLE LINKAGE JOINTS CAN CORRODE AND CAUSE THE THROTTLE TO BIND OR STICK.
Remedy: DEALERS WILL REPLACE THE ROD ENDS AND BALL STUDS. OWNER NOTIFICATION BEGAN JULY 29, 2002. 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 DAIMLERCHRYSLER AT 1-800-853-1403.
VEHICLE DESCRIPTION: VANS AND VANS USED FOR CONVERSION. IF A HEAVY OBJECT IMPACTS THE METAL CASING OF THE AIR BAG ELECTRONIC CONTROL MODULE (AECM), LOCATED UNDER THE DRIVER SEAT, THE MODULE COULD INADVERTENTLY DEPLOY THE AIR BAGS.
Remedy: DEALERS WILL REPLACE THE AECM WITH A MODULE THAT INCORPORATES REVISED HARDWARE AND SOFTWARE ON ALL AFFECTED VEHICLES.
ON CERTAIN PICKUP TRUCKS ORIGINALLY SOLD IN OR CURRENTLY REGISTERED IN THE FOLLOWING "SALT BELT" STATES: MAINE, NEW HAMPSHIRE, VERMONT, MASSACHUSETTS, RHODE ISLAND, CONNECTICUT, NEW YORK, NEW JERSEY, PENNSYLVANIA, DELAWARE, MARYLAND, THE DISTRICT OF COLUMBIA, WEST VIRGINIA, OHIO, INDIANA, MICHIGAN, ILLINOIS, WISCONSIN, MINNESOTA, IOWA, AND MISSOURI. CORROSION OF THE RETURN SPRING ON THE HOOD SECONDARY LATCH COULD CAUSE THE MECHANISM TO BIND IN THE "RELEASE POSITION."
Remedy: DEALERS WILL REPLACE THE SECONDARY HOOD LATCH. OWNER NOTIFICATION BEGAN SEPTEMBER 17, 2001. 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 DAIMLERCHRYSLER AT 1-800-853-1403.
K2 MOTOR IS RECALLING 1,921 AFTERMARKET HEADLAMPS OF VARIOUS MODELS SOLD FOR USE ON THE ABOVE LISTED VEHICLES. THESE HEADLAMPS ARE MISSING THE AMBER SIDE REFLEX REFLECTOR WHICH FAILS TO CONFORM WITH THE REQUIREMENTS OF FEDERAL MOTOR VEHICLE SAFETY STANDARD NO. 108, "LAMPS, REFLECTIVE DEVICES, AND ASSOCIATED EQUIPMENT."
Remedy: K2 MOTOR WILL NOTIFY OWNERS AND OFFER A FULL REFUND. THE RECALL BEGAN ON DECEMEBER 17, 2008. OWNERS MAY CONTACT K2 MOTOR AT 1-909-839-2992.
VEHICLE DESCRIPTION: LIGHT DUTY TRUCKS EQUIPPED WITH EITHER A 8.0L V-10 ENGINE OR A 5.9L V-8 HEAVY DUTY GASOLINE ENGINE. AN EXHAUST SYSTEM HEAT SHIELD ATTACHING SCREW IS TOO CLOSE TO THE UNDERBODY FUEL LINE. THE LINE CAN RUB AGAINST THE SCREW, POSSIBLY CAUSING FUEL LEAKAGE.
Remedy: DEALERS WILL REMOVE THE UNDERBODY HEAT SHIELD ATTACHING SCREW AND REPLACE IT WITH RUBBER ADHESIVE. THE CHASSIS FUEL LINE WILL BE INSPECTED FOR SIGNS OF WEAR AND ANY TUBES INDICATING WEAR WILL BE REPLACED.
SABERSPORT IS RECALLING 16,270 COMBINATION CORNER AND BUMPER LAMP ASSEMBLIES OF VARIOUS PART NUMBERS SOLD FOR USE AS AFTERMARKET EQUIPMENT FOR VARIOUS PASSENGER VEHICLES. THESE HEADLAMPS FAIL TO CONFORM TO THE REQUIREMENTS OF FEDERAL MOTOR VEHICLE SAFETY STANDARD NO. 108, "LAMPS, REFLECTIVE DEVICES, AND ASSOCIATED EQUIPMENT." THESE LAMPS DO NOT CONTAIN THE REQUIRED AMBER SIDE REFLECTORS.
Remedy: SABERSPORT WILL NOTIFY OWNERS AND OFFER A FULL REFUND FOR THE NONCOMPLIANT COMBINATION LAMPS. THE SAFETY RECALL BEGAN ON MAY 11, 2009. OWNERS MAY CONTACT SABERSPORT AT 1-909-598-7589.
ON CERTAIN VAN AND WAGON VEHICLES EQUIPPED WITH 4-WHEEL ANTILOCK BRAKE SYSTEMS (ABS), AFTERMARKET BATTERIES MAY LEAK ELECTROLYTE ONTO THE ABS CONTROL MODULE CONNECTOR, WHICH CAN COMPROMISE SEALING INTEGRITY OF THE CONNECTOR.
Remedy: DEALERS WILL INSPECT THE ABS CONTROL MODULE CONNECTOR FOR ELECTROLYTE DAMAGE AND REPLACE THE CONNECTOR AS NECESSARY. THE RECALL WILL BEGIN ON SEPTEMBER 27, 2004. OWNERS SHOULD CONTACT DAIMLERCHRYSLER AT 1-800-853-1403.
VEHICLE DESCRIPTION: PICKUP TRUCKS EQUIPPED WITH OPTIONAL TRAILER HITCH. THE TRAILER HITCH SIDE BRACKETS WERE MANUFACTURED USING MATERIAL WITH INSUFFICIENT STRENGTH.
Remedy: DEALERS WILL INSPECT THE TRAILER HITCHES AND REPLACE ANY TRAILER HITCH SHOWING SIGNS OF FATIGUE CRACKING. IF NO EVIDENCE OF CRACKING EXISTS, THE DEALER WILL INSTALL TWO REINFORCEMENT BRACKETS.
VEHICLE DESCRIPTION: LIGHT DUTY PICKUP TRUCKS. THE BRAKE ROTOR MATERIAL STRENGTH IS NOT SUFFICIENT CAUSING A HUB FATIGUE FRACTURE.
Remedy: DEALERS WILL INSPECT THE BRAKE ROTORS AND IF NECESSARY, REPLACE THESE ROTORS.
VEHICLE DESCRIPTION: PASSENGER VEHICLES BUILT WITH POWER SEAT OPTION. THE DRIVER'S SIDE FRONT SEAT ATTACHING RISER WELDS WERE NOT CORRECT.
Remedy: DEALERS WILL REPLACE THE DRIVER'S SIDE POWER FRONT SEAT RISE WITH A RISER THAT WAS MIG WELDED.
Specifications
Factory options offered for the 1998 model year, decoded from the NHTSA vPIC database. Individual vehicles have one of each.
How other years compare
Check your exact Ram by VIN
Recalls and equipment differ between individual vehicles. Decode your VIN to see what applies to yours.
Open VIN decoderFrequently asked questions
Is the 1998 Dodge Ram reliable?
NHTSA has 521 owner complaints and 18 recall campaigns on record for the 1998 Dodge Ram. The most complained-about area is service brakes, hydraulic (19% of complaints).
At what mileage do 1998 Dodge Ram problems usually appear?
Half of the complaints that mention mileage were filed at 88,000 miles or less.
Does the 1998 Dodge Ram have open recalls?
18 recall campaigns have been issued, the latest concerning engine and engine cooling:engine:diesel. Check your specific vehicle by VIN - recall repairs are free at franchised dealers.
Source: NHTSA recall campaigns and owner complaints (public domain). Counts reflect reports on file and are not a defect rate.