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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

Seat Belts complaints

34 reports
Clear category filter
Mileage unknown · Mar 18, 1999
Air BagsSeat BeltsService Brakes, HydraulicCrash

WHILE DRIVING AT 35 MPH CONSUMER REAR ENDED ANOTHER VEHICLE WHEN APPLYING BRAKES ,AND THEY FAILED TO STOP VEHICLE, CAUSIN CONSUMER TO REAR END THE VEHICLE IN FRONT. DRIVER'S SIDE/PASSENGER'S SIDE AIR BAGS DIDN'T DEPLOY. ALSO, DRIVER'S SIDE SEAT BELT DIDN'T HOLD CONSUMER FROM BOUCING ONTO THE STEERING WHEEL. *AK

NHTSA ODI #835957

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
Seat Belts

WHENEVER VEHICLE IS ACCELERATING, THE SEAT BELTS WOULD TIGHTEN AGAINST DRIVER'S NECK. THIS ALSO HAPPENS WHEN BRAKES ARE APPLIED. *AK

NHTSA ODI #832432

Mileage unknown · Sep 6, 1998
Seat Belts

DRIVER'S SEAT BELT FAILED TO RETRACT.

NHTSA ODI #540630

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.