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1998 Dodge RAM 1500

Owner reports · Recalls · Investigations

Similar to other model years

Owner complaints for the 1998 Dodge RAM 1500 do not stand out strongly from the model-year median of 520.

About this comparison →
520Owner complaints

Model-year median: 520

0Recall campaigns

View recall details →

0Investigations

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How this year compares

Owner complaints by model year

Other model years Selected year
213
1995298
1996361
1997520
1998610
1999513
20001,112
2001
Compare all RAM 1500 years →

Counts vary with age, sales and reporting. They are not failure rates.

What owners reported most

Structure
102Power Train
85Air Bags
63Service Brakes, Hydraulic
56Engine And Engine Cooling
35
All reported categories
Seat Belts
34Suspension
34Electrical System
32Steering
28Tires
27Unknown Or Other
24Latches/locks/linkages
17Fuel System, Gasoline
14Visibility
14Equipment
13Vehicle Speed Control
13Service Brakes
7Exterior Lighting
6Fuel System, Other
6Wheels
5Seats
4Fuel/propulsion System
3Interior Lighting
2Engine
1Parking Brake
1Trailer Hitches
1

Tap a category to read its complaints. One report may name several components.

When problems were reported

Mileage at the reported incident

227 reports with mileage · 293 unknown

NHTSA’s mileage field refers to the reported incident, not necessarily the filing date. This shows report counts, not the likelihood of a failure.

What to inspect

Issues worth paying extra attention to based on owner reports.

  • Structure. Review the 102 owner reports in this category and discuss these concerns during a pre-purchase inspection. Read reports →
  • Power Train. Review the 85 owner reports in this category and discuss these concerns during a pre-purchase inspection. Read reports →
  • Air Bags. Review the 63 owner reports in this category and discuss these concerns during a pre-purchase inspection. Read reports →

NHTSA owner reports · September 18, 2026 snapshot.

66 crash reports16 fire reports46 injury reports

Engine And Engine Cooling complaints

35 reports
Clear category filter
Mileage unknown · Feb 1, 1999
Engine And Engine CoolingEquipmentExterior Lighting

REAR TAIL LIGHT WARPED RESULTING IN LEAKING.

NHTSA ODI #543625

Mileage unknown · Dec 17, 1998
Engine And Engine CoolingService Brakes, HydraulicUnknown Or Other

HAD SMELLED SOMETHING BURNING WHEN THE ENGINE CHECK ENGINE LIGHT & ABS LIGHT CAME ON. THEN THE ENGINE STALLED OUT. *AK

NHTSA ODI #832442

Mileage unknown · Oct 29, 1998
Engine And Engine CoolingSuspension

VEHICLE CONSUMES LARGE VOLUMES OF OIL IN SHORT PERIODS. ALSO, THE VEHICLE VIBRATES IN THE STEERING COLUMN AREA, CAUSE UNKNOWN. *AK VEHICLE VIBRATES ALLOVER AT SPEEDS BETWEEN 35-65 MPH NOW. VIBRATION STARTED 45-55 MPH WHEN NEW. *YH

NHTSA ODI #829753

Mileage unknown · Oct 13, 1998
Engine And Engine Cooling

BAD FUMES FROM BOTH INSIDE AND OUTSIDE VEHICLE DUE TO CATALITIC CONVERTER BURNING UP. REAR END IS MAKING A HUMMING NOISE.

NHTSA ODI #781214

Mileage unknown · Sep 14, 1998
Engine And Engine Cooling

PERSISTANT ENGINE SPARK CAUSE THE POWER TRAIN CONTROL MODULE TO FAIL.

NHTSA ODI #540806

Official recalls

0

No recalls in this snapshot.

Model-level recall history does not show whether a particular VIN is affected or has received a repair. Check a VIN with NHTSA ↗

NHTSA investigations

0

No exact-year investigations in this snapshot.