Tap a category to read its complaints. One report may name several components.
When problems were reported
Mileage at the reported incident
90–25K
2125–50K
4050–75K
5375–100K
61100–150K
43150K+
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
180,000 miles · May 30, 2018
Power TrainSteering
IN MOTION THE STEERING IS VERY LOOSE. THE STEERING WHEEL WILL TRAVEL VERY OFTEN FROM 3 O'CLOCK TO 9 O'CLOCK AND HOPEFULLY, I AM STILL GOING STRAIGHT. THE TRUCK WILL DRIFT TO THE RIGHT AND HAVE TO OVERSTEER TO GET THE TRUCK IN THE TRAVEL LANE. I REPLACED STEERING GEAR BOX, BALL JOINTS, TIE RODS, STEERING ROD, TRACK BAR, RACK, AND…
Read full complaint
IN MOTION THE STEERING IS VERY LOOSE. THE STEERING WHEEL WILL TRAVEL VERY OFTEN FROM 3 O'CLOCK TO 9 O'CLOCK AND HOPEFULLY, I AM STILL GOING STRAIGHT. THE TRUCK WILL DRIFT TO THE RIGHT AND HAVE TO OVERSTEER TO GET THE TRUCK IN THE TRAVEL LANE. I REPLACED STEERING GEAR BOX, BALL JOINTS, TIE RODS, STEERING ROD, TRACK BAR, RACK, AND PINION. THIS IS AN ONGOING PROBLEM FOR A NUMBER OF YEARS. TRANSMISSION PLASTIC PART IS BROKEN SO THERE HAS TO BE REPLACED.
NHTSA ODI #11098881
Mileage unknown · Apr 4, 2018
Air BagsCrash
TL* THE CONTACT OWNED A 1998 DODGE RAM 1500. WHILE DRIVING 70 MPH, THE CONTACT FELL ASLEEP AND CRASHED INTO THE MEDIAN. THE AIR BAGS FAILED TO DEPLOY. THERE WERE NO WARNING INDICATORS ILLUMINATED PRIOR TO THE CRASH. THE CONTACT WAS TAKEN TO THE HOSPITAL BY A FRIEND, BUT THERE WERE NO INJURIES SUSTAINED. A POLICE REPORT WAS FILED…
Read full complaint
TL* THE CONTACT OWNED A 1998 DODGE RAM 1500. WHILE DRIVING 70 MPH, THE CONTACT FELL ASLEEP AND CRASHED INTO THE MEDIAN. THE AIR BAGS FAILED TO DEPLOY. THERE WERE NO WARNING INDICATORS ILLUMINATED PRIOR TO THE CRASH. THE CONTACT WAS TAKEN TO THE HOSPITAL BY A FRIEND, BUT THERE WERE NO INJURIES SUSTAINED. A POLICE REPORT WAS FILED. THE VEHICLE WAS TOWED TO AN IMPOUND LOT AND DEEMED DESTROYED. THE DEALER WAS NOT CONTACTED AND THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOT NOTIFIED OF THE FAILURE. THE VIN AND FAILURE MILEAGE WERE UNKNOWN.
NHTSA ODI #11083336
227,000 miles · Mar 18, 2018
Suspension
COIL SPRING TOWERS REINFORCEMENTS - AS PER THE RECALL FOR THE 1994 AND 1995 DODGE RAM 1500 PICKUPS (SAFETY RECALL 835) THE COIL SPRING TOWERS OF A 1998 HAS DEVELOPED CRACKS IN THE LEFT SIDE TOWER. THIS VEHICLE HAS NOT BEEN OFF ROAD, STRICTLY ON HIGHWAY AND STREET. THIS WAS FOUND DURING ANOTHER REPAIR OF SAID VEHICLE.
NHTSA ODI #11080034
1,700,000 miles · Dec 3, 2017
Power Train
I WAS DRIVING ON THE HIGHWAY THEN HEARD A LOUD THUMP AND THE DRIVER SIDE REAR WHEEL IS PUSHED OUT AND IT NO LONGER ENGAGES
NHTSA ODI #11052074
110,000 miles · Nov 30, 2017
Electrical System
TRUCK SETTING STILL IN YARD, HORNS STARTING BLOWING WITHOUT ANYONE AROUND, PULLED FUSE TO STOP. TWO SHOPS HAVE BEEN UNABLE TO DIAGNOSE PROBLEM. HORNS DO NOT WORK AT ALL NOW. REPLACED WITH NEW HORNS AND STILL DON'T WORK.
NHTSA ODI #11051620
190,739 miles · Sep 27, 2017
Unknown Or Other
WAS ON MY WAY TO WORK AND MY PINYON NUT COME OFF OFF DRIVE SHAFT AND PINYON GEAR BUSTED THROUGH THE REAR END HOUSING
NHTSA ODI #11030087
50,000 miles · Sep 3, 2017
Unknown Or Other
DASH CAP AND BEZEL ARE CRACKED SO BAD THAT IF THE AIR BAG DEPLOYED, EVERYONE IN THE VEHICLE WOULD GET A FACE FULL OF SHARP PLASTIC.
NHTSA ODI #11021302
166,977 miles · Apr 11, 2017
Service Brakes
REAR BRAKE LINE IS WELL KNOWN TO FAIL.
NHTSA ODI #10971986
16,000 miles · Feb 27, 2017
Unknown Or Other
THE DASH ON MY 98 RAM 1500 IS VERY CRACKED AND FALLING IN... I ALSO OWN A 96 RAM 1500 WITH SAME PROBLEM... ALSO HAVE 2 - 97 RAM 1500 WITH SAME PROBLEM... THIS IS VERY BAD... I LOVE DODGE RAMS BUT THE DASH IS TERRIBLE...
NHTSA ODI #10957219
Mileage unknown · Sep 30, 2016
Unknown Or Other
THE DASHBOARD HAS FALLEN APART SHORTLY AFTER BUYING PICKUP.
NHTSA ODI #10910790
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.
1998 Dodge RAM 1500 Problems, Complaints & Recalls | Skip That Year
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