← New search

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 →

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

Tires complaints

27 reports
Clear category filter
330,000 miles · Sep 3, 2014
TiresCrash

I WAS DRIVING ALONG ON HIGHWAY 70 AND HAD THE TIRE SEPARATE AND EXPLODE. I THEN WENT IN AND HAS THE TIRE REPLACED. THIS THEN AGAIN HAPPEN A SECOND TIME WITHIN 500 MILE BUT I WAS ABLE TO STOP BEFORE THE EXPLOSION. YOU CAN SEE THOUGH THE TREAD WHERE THE STEEL BELTS ARE SHOWING AND STICKING OUT THOUGH THE TREAD. SAME MAKE MODEL AND…

Read full complaint

I WAS DRIVING ALONG ON HIGHWAY 70 AND HAD THE TIRE SEPARATE AND EXPLODE. I THEN WENT IN AND HAS THE TIRE REPLACED. THIS THEN AGAIN HAPPEN A SECOND TIME WITHIN 500 MILE BUT I WAS ABLE TO STOP BEFORE THE EXPLOSION. YOU CAN SEE THOUGH THE TREAD WHERE THE STEEL BELTS ARE SHOWING AND STICKING OUT THOUGH THE TREAD. SAME MAKE MODEL AND LIFE OF TIRE. ~4 YEARS OLD AND ~40000 MILES. THE TIRE IS 5 YEAR 60000 MILE TIRE. MY WEAR IS ONLY HALF LIFE. I REPLACED THE FIRST TIRE UNDER THERE PRORATING BUT THE SECOND TIME IT HAPPEN I TRY TO EXPLAIN TO THEM THEY IS NOT JUST ISOLATED INCIDENT. THEY TOLD ME THAT THERE TIRE ARE GOOD, IT YOUR PROBLEM NOT MANUFACTURING DEFECTS. THEY SAID THEY WILL ONLY PRORATE AND WILL NOT INVESTIGATE IN TO ISSUE OF IT POSSIBLY BEING A MANUFACTURER FAULT. *TR

NHTSA ODI #10630395

134,000 miles · May 16, 2011
Tires

TL*THE CONTACT OWNS A 1998 DODGE RAM 1500. WHILE DRIVING APPROXIMATELY 35 MPH THE CONTACT NOTICED THAT THE BACK END OF THE VEHICLE RAISED UP. THE SPARE TIRE HAD DETACHED FROM UNDERNEATH THE VEHICLE. WHEN THE CONTACT STOPPED THE VEHICLE TO INSPECT IT HE NOTICED THE CABLE WHICH HELD THE SPARE TIRE IN PLACE HAD POPPED AND CAUSED TH…

Read full complaint

TL*THE CONTACT OWNS A 1998 DODGE RAM 1500. WHILE DRIVING APPROXIMATELY 35 MPH THE CONTACT NOTICED THAT THE BACK END OF THE VEHICLE RAISED UP. THE SPARE TIRE HAD DETACHED FROM UNDERNEATH THE VEHICLE. WHEN THE CONTACT STOPPED THE VEHICLE TO INSPECT IT HE NOTICED THE CABLE WHICH HELD THE SPARE TIRE IN PLACE HAD POPPED AND CAUSED THE SPARE TIRE TO DETACH FROM UNDERNEATH THE VEHICLE. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT TAKEN TO THE DEALER FOR DIAGNOSTIC TESTING. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT REPAIRED. THE APPROXIMATE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 134,000.

NHTSA ODI #10401136

Mileage unknown · Feb 25, 2009
Tires

TL*THE CONTACT OWNS A 1998 DODGE RAM 1500 QUAD CAB. THE VEHICLE HAS COOPER DISCOVERER S/T TIRES, SIZE 37X12.50R17LT. WHILE DRIVING 25 MPH, THE REAR PASSENGER SIDE TIRE BLEW OUT. THE CONTACT WAS ABLE TO MANEUVER THE VEHICLE TO THE SIDE OF THE ROAD UNTIL SOMEONE WAS ABLE TO CHANGE THE TIRE. THE ENTIRE TIRE BENEATH THE TREAD AN…

Read full complaint

TL*THE CONTACT OWNS A 1998 DODGE RAM 1500 QUAD CAB. THE VEHICLE HAS COOPER DISCOVERER S/T TIRES, SIZE 37X12.50R17LT. WHILE DRIVING 25 MPH, THE REAR PASSENGER SIDE TIRE BLEW OUT. THE CONTACT WAS ABLE TO MANEUVER THE VEHICLE TO THE SIDE OF THE ROAD UNTIL SOMEONE WAS ABLE TO CHANGE THE TIRE. THE ENTIRE TIRE BENEATH THE TREAD AND THE SIDEWALL BLEW OUT COMPLETELY. THERE WAS A RECALL INITIATED BY COOPER TIRES; HOWEVER, THE CONTACT WAS UNAWARE IF THE MANUFACTURER WOULD REIMBURSE HER FOR THE DAMAGES. NHTSA CAMPAIGN ID NUMBER 06T016000 (TIRES:TREAD/BELT) WAS REFERENCED. THE VIN, DOT NUMBER, AND MILEAGES WERE UNKNOWN.

NHTSA ODI #10259976

165,000 miles · Feb 9, 2009
Tires

TL*THE CONTACT OWNS A 1998 DODGE RAM 1500. THE VEHICLE HAS COOPER DOMINATOR SPORT A/T TIRES, SIZE 265/75R/16. WHILE DRIVING APPROXIMATELY 55 MPH ON NORMAL ROAD CONDITIONS, THE VEHICLE BEGAN WOBBLING EXCESSIVELY. THE CONTACT PULLED OVER TO THE SIDE OF THE ROAD AND INSPECTED THE VEHICLE. HE NOTICED THAT THE FRONT PASSENGER SID…

Read full complaint

TL*THE CONTACT OWNS A 1998 DODGE RAM 1500. THE VEHICLE HAS COOPER DOMINATOR SPORT A/T TIRES, SIZE 265/75R/16. WHILE DRIVING APPROXIMATELY 55 MPH ON NORMAL ROAD CONDITIONS, THE VEHICLE BEGAN WOBBLING EXCESSIVELY. THE CONTACT PULLED OVER TO THE SIDE OF THE ROAD AND INSPECTED THE VEHICLE. HE NOTICED THAT THE FRONT PASSENGER SIDE TIRE WAS BLISTERING. THE DEFECTIVE TIRE WAS REPLACED WITH A SPARE AND THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO AN INDEPENDENT SHOP THAT SPECIALIZES IN TIRES. THE SPARE TIRE WAS REPLACED WITH A NEW TIRE. THE DOT NUMBER WAS EXCLUDED FROM NHTSA CAMPAIGN ID NUMBER 07T005000 (TREAD/BELT), ALTHOUGH THE FAILURES WERE IDENTICAL. THE TECHNICIAN RECOMMENDED THAT ALL THREE TIRES BE REPLACED AT THE OWNER'S EXPENSE. THE VIN WAS UNKNOWN. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 165,000 AND CURRENT MILEAGE WAS 187,627. THERE WAS AN ADDITIONAL COMPLAINT FILED FOR THIS FAILURE, ODI NUMBER 10258038.

NHTSA ODI #10258050

187,351 miles · Feb 9, 2009
Tires

TL*THE CONTACT OWNS A 1998 DODGE RAM 1500. THE VEHICLE HAS COOPER DOMINATOR SPORT A/T TIRES, SIZE 265/75R/16. WHILE DRIVING APPROXIMATELY 55 MPH ON NORMAL ROAD CONDITIONS, THE VEHICLE BEGAN WOBBLING EXCESSIVELY. THE CONTACT PULLED OVER TO THE SIDE OF THE ROAD AND INSPECTED THE VEHICLE. HE NOTICED THAT THE FRONT PASSENGER SID…

Read full complaint

TL*THE CONTACT OWNS A 1998 DODGE RAM 1500. THE VEHICLE HAS COOPER DOMINATOR SPORT A/T TIRES, SIZE 265/75R/16. WHILE DRIVING APPROXIMATELY 55 MPH ON NORMAL ROAD CONDITIONS, THE VEHICLE BEGAN WOBBLING EXCESSIVELY. THE CONTACT PULLED OVER TO THE SIDE OF THE ROAD AND INSPECTED THE VEHICLE. HE NOTICED THAT THE FRONT PASSENGER SIDE TIRE WAS BLISTERING. THE DEFECTIVE TIRE WAS REPLACED WITH A SPARE AND THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO AN INDEPENDENT SHOP THAT SPECIALIZES IN TIRES. THE SPARE TIRE WAS REPLACED WITH A NEW TIRE. THE DOT NUMBER WAS EXCLUDED FROM NHTSA CAMPAIGN ID NUMBER 07T005000 (TREAD/BELT), ALTHOUGH THE FAILURES WERE IDENTICAL. THE TECHNICIAN RECOMMENDED THAT ALL THREE TIRES BE REPLACED AT THE OWNER'S EXPENSE. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 187,351 AND CURRENT MILEAGE WAS 187,627.

NHTSA ODI #10258038

93,242 miles · May 5, 2008
Tires

TL*THE CONTACT OWNS A 1998 DODGE RAM 1500. THE VEHICLE HAS BRIDGESTONE DUELER A/T 693 TIRES, SIZE LT265/75R16. WHILE DRIVING AT AN UNKNOWN SPEED, THE TREAD ON THE REAR PASSENGER SIDE TIRE BEGAN TO SEPARATE. THE REAR PASSENGER SIDE DOOR AND TIRE WERE DAMAGED. NHTSA CAMPAIGN ID NUMBER 04T018000 (TIRES:TREAD/BELT) WAS REFERENCE…

Read full complaint

TL*THE CONTACT OWNS A 1998 DODGE RAM 1500. THE VEHICLE HAS BRIDGESTONE DUELER A/T 693 TIRES, SIZE LT265/75R16. WHILE DRIVING AT AN UNKNOWN SPEED, THE TREAD ON THE REAR PASSENGER SIDE TIRE BEGAN TO SEPARATE. THE REAR PASSENGER SIDE DOOR AND TIRE WERE DAMAGED. NHTSA CAMPAIGN ID NUMBER 04T018000 (TIRES:TREAD/BELT) WAS REFERENCED. THE VEHICLE WAS TOWED TO A TIRE DEALER, BUT WAS NOT DIAGNOSED. THE DOT NUMBER WAS UNKNOWN. THE VEHICLE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 93,242. THE TIRE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 30,000. UPDATED 06/05/08 *BF UPDATED 05/28/08

NHTSA ODI #10226648

Mileage unknown · Jan 3, 2006
Tires

TREAD SEPARATION AND SIDEWALL FAILURE, INSIDE EDGE OF TIRE NEXT TO RIM. THIS IS THE FINAL TIRE TO FAIL PREMATURELY OF FOUR. THESE TIRES WERE RATED AS 60,000 MILE TIRES, THIS ONE FAILED AT 54,532. TIRE 1 FAILED 5/10/05 AT 40,838 MI WITH TREAD SEPARATION. TIRE 2 SUFFERED TREAD SEPARATION AND BLOWOUT EAST OF HAZLETON, BRITISH C…

Read full complaint

TREAD SEPARATION AND SIDEWALL FAILURE, INSIDE EDGE OF TIRE NEXT TO RIM. THIS IS THE FINAL TIRE TO FAIL PREMATURELY OF FOUR. THESE TIRES WERE RATED AS 60,000 MILE TIRES, THIS ONE FAILED AT 54,532. TIRE 1 FAILED 5/10/05 AT 40,838 MI WITH TREAD SEPARATION. TIRE 2 SUFFERED TREAD SEPARATION AND BLOWOUT EAST OF HAZLETON, BRITISH COLUMBIA CANADA. THIS WAS ON THE RIGHT REAR. THE THIRD TIRE ALSO SUFFERED TREAD SEPARATION AT THIS TIME ON THE RIGHT FRONT. THIS TIRE WAS ON VEHICLE LEFT FRONT AND IS AVAILABLE FOR INSPECTION AT THIS TIME. *JB

NHTSA ODI #10146785

Mileage unknown · Jan 3, 2006
Tires

TREAD SEPARATIONS/BLOWOUT TRAVELING 62 MPH, HAZLETON, BRITISH COLUMBIA CANADA. OLD TIRES HAD TO BE LEFT AT TETLOW TIRES IN SMITHERS, B.C. CANADA. *JB

NHTSA ODI #10146782

Mileage unknown · Jan 3, 2006
Tires

TIRE FAILURES-GOODYEAR WRANGLER HT. ALL 4 TIRES SUFFERED TREAD SEPARATIONS WITHIN A 6 MONTH PERIOD. *JB

NHTSA ODI #10146775

Mileage unknown · Oct 5, 2004
Tires

GOODYEAR WRANGLER AP TIRES ON 1998 DODGE RAM 1500. I HAVE NOW HAD TO REPLACE ALL 5 (4+SPARE) DUE TO SPLITS IN THE SIDEWALL NEAR THE RIM. THE FIRST ONE WAS 2 SUMMERS AGO, 3 MORE TIRES LAST LAST SUMMER, AND THE LAST ONE NOW. I HAVE BEEN FORTUNATE ENOUGH TO FIND THE PROBLEM BEFORE BLOW OUTS.*AK

NHTSA ODI #10093603

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.