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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 →

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

What owners actually said

520 reports
Mileage unknown · Feb 23, 2009
Structure

I HAVE TWO 1998 DODGE 1500 TRUCKS BOTH HAVE THE DASH BREAKING APART. *TR

NHTSA ODI #10259665

124,000 miles · Feb 18, 2009
Power Train

MY TRANSMISSION HAVE FAILED. INTAKE MANIFOLD GASKET BLEW OUT. *TR

NHTSA ODI #10259265

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…

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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…

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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

120,795 miles · Feb 7, 2009
Structure

DASH IS CRACKING AND FALLING APART DUE TO DEFECTIVE MATERIAL USED FOR MAKING THE DASH. THIS PROBLEM CAUSES SHARP PROTRUDING PIECES. THIS COULD MAKE IT UNSAFE FOR THE DRIVER OR PASSENGERS IF AN ACCIDENT OCCURS. *TR

NHTSA ODI #10257824

148,000 miles · Jan 16, 2009
Electrical System

BACK IN MAY 08 SPEED SENSOR WENT OUT THEN ABS SENSOR WENT OUT A FEW DAYS LATER CAUSING NO POWER BRAKES AND COULD HAVE CAUSE MY WIFE TO HAVE A WRECK. BOTH REPLACED. NOW GETTING ENGINE CODES FOR O2 SENSORS AND TRUCK SPUTTERS AND CUTS OUT AND WILL NOT ACCELERATE OVER 30 MPH. REPLACED SENSORS. NOW RECEIVING CODES FOR PCM AND NOW…

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BACK IN MAY 08 SPEED SENSOR WENT OUT THEN ABS SENSOR WENT OUT A FEW DAYS LATER CAUSING NO POWER BRAKES AND COULD HAVE CAUSE MY WIFE TO HAVE A WRECK. BOTH REPLACED. NOW GETTING ENGINE CODES FOR O2 SENSORS AND TRUCK SPUTTERS AND CUTS OUT AND WILL NOT ACCELERATE OVER 30 MPH. REPLACED SENSORS. NOW RECEIVING CODES FOR PCM AND NOW REPLACING. THIS IS BEGINNING TO CONCERN ME. WILL THE NEXT PROBLEM CAUSE AN ACCIDENT. *TR

NHTSA ODI #10255319

97,000 miles · Jan 2, 2009
Unknown Or Other

TL*THE CONTACT OWNS A 1998 DODGE RAM 1500. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THERE WERE A LOT OF CRACKS ON THE DASHBOARD. THE DEALER STATED THAT THERE WAS A RECALL; THEREFORE, THE CONTACT WOULD ONLY HAVE TO PAY FOR THE LABOR AND NOT FOR THE PARTS. THE MANUFACTURER STATED THAT THERE WAS NO RECALL FOR THE VEHICLE AND COULD NOT UNDERSTAND…

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TL*THE CONTACT OWNS A 1998 DODGE RAM 1500. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THERE WERE A LOT OF CRACKS ON THE DASHBOARD. THE DEALER STATED THAT THERE WAS A RECALL; THEREFORE, THE CONTACT WOULD ONLY HAVE TO PAY FOR THE LABOR AND NOT FOR THE PARTS. THE MANUFACTURER STATED THAT THERE WAS NO RECALL FOR THE VEHICLE AND COULD NOT UNDERSTAND WHY THE DEALER STATED OTHERWISE. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 97,000 AND CURRENT MILEAGE WAS 102,000.

NHTSA ODI #10253599

150,000 miles · Dec 23, 2008
Power Train

1998 DODGE RAM 1500 TRUCK TRANSMISSION FAILURE TWICE IN THREE YEARS. HAVE SEEN NUMEROUS COMPLAINTS OVER VARIOUS INTERNET SITES WITH SAME PROBLEMS. FIRST TRANSMISSION FAILED, THEN ALL THE SENSORS FAILED ON TRANSMISSION, AND NOW TORQUE CONVERTER. *TR

NHTSA ODI #10252621

110,000 miles · Dec 16, 2008
Power TrainCrash

TRUCK PARKED ON DRIVEWAY IN PARK--DID NOT HOLD AND ROLLED BACKWARDS INTO TREE ON THE LAWN CAUSING DAMAGE TO THE REAR BUMPER-LUCKILY IT DID STRIKE THE TREE OTHER WISE IT WOULD HAVE BEEN ON THE STREET. I HAVE THE SAME PROBLEM OF SHIFTING INTO DRIVE--AND REVERSE THE ENGAGEMENT POINTS ARE NO WHERE THEY ARE SHOWN TO BE ON THE SHIFTER…

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TRUCK PARKED ON DRIVEWAY IN PARK--DID NOT HOLD AND ROLLED BACKWARDS INTO TREE ON THE LAWN CAUSING DAMAGE TO THE REAR BUMPER-LUCKILY IT DID STRIKE THE TREE OTHER WISE IT WOULD HAVE BEEN ON THE STREET. I HAVE THE SAME PROBLEM OF SHIFTING INTO DRIVE--AND REVERSE THE ENGAGEMENT POINTS ARE NO WHERE THEY ARE SHOWN TO BE ON THE SHIFTER. THERE IS ALSO A HESITATION WHEN ENGAGED(SOMETIMES) AND WILL ENGAGE ROUGHLY WITH A JERK. I VE BEEN TOLD THAT THERE WAS A DEFECTIVE CONNECTOR INSIDE THE STEERING COLUMN AND THAT THERE WAS A SAFETY RECALL ON THIS PART--CANNOT GET A DIRECT ANSWER FROM A LOCAL DEALER HERE --WHAT'S THE SCORE ON THIS. *TR

NHTSA ODI #10251917

Mileage unknown · Dec 10, 2008
Structure

LIKE MANY OTHER AMERICAN CONSUMERS OWNING DODGE RAMS YEARS RANGING FROM 1994 -2006, THE TOP COVER OF THE DASH HAS CRACKED AND FELL IN. THIS HAS CAUSED MY AIR BAG LIGHT TO COME ON. WHETHER IT IS STILL FUNCTIONAL IS UNKNOWN, BUT HIGHLY UNLIKELY FOR THE LIGHT TO APPEAR. EVEN IF IT DOES WORK WHAT WOULD HAPPEN TO MY PASSENGERS, WHICH…

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LIKE MANY OTHER AMERICAN CONSUMERS OWNING DODGE RAMS YEARS RANGING FROM 1994 -2006, THE TOP COVER OF THE DASH HAS CRACKED AND FELL IN. THIS HAS CAUSED MY AIR BAG LIGHT TO COME ON. WHETHER IT IS STILL FUNCTIONAL IS UNKNOWN, BUT HIGHLY UNLIKELY FOR THE LIGHT TO APPEAR. EVEN IF IT DOES WORK WHAT WOULD HAPPEN TO MY PASSENGERS, WHICH COULD VERY WELL BE MY FAMILY, AND I IN THE INSTANCE OF A CRASH HAPPENING IN THE TRUCK. IT IS VERY, VERY POSSIBLE BRITTLE, BROKE SHARDS OF PLASTIC WOULD END UP IN OUR FACE. WITH THE ACCELERATED RATE THAT AN AIRBAG DEPLOYS, THIS COULD END TRAGICALLY. PLEASE HELP THE TENS OF THOUSANDS OF US THAT SHARE THIS FAULTY CHYRSLER PRODUCT PROBLEM. WITH LITTLE RESEARCH IT IS VERY EASY TO SEE JUST HOW WIDE SPREAD THIS PROBLEM HAS BECOME. IT WILL ALSO BE CLEAR AS TO HOW MANY PEOPLE THIS PROBLEM COULD HARM. WE ARE NOW TAKING A STAND, STARTING WITH THIS. PLEASE HELP US CORRECT THIS ISSUE BEFORE LIVE ARE TAKEN OR RUINED BY FAULTY CHYRSLER PRODUCTS. *TR

NHTSA ODI #10251261

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.