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
Mileage unknown · Jan 27, 2004
Electrical SystemEngine And Engine CoolingFuel System, Other
HORN IS HARD TO BLOW. REAR END MAKES WHINING NOISE AND IT STARTED USING 5 QUARTS OF OIL BETWEEN OIL CHANGES. I ONLY HAVE 36000 MILES ON IT. THEY REPLACED MANIFOLD INTAKE GASKET AT MY EXPENSE. THE FUEL GAUGE DOES NOT WORK RIGHT. LUCKILY I DIDN'T RUIN THE ENGINE THAT I KNOW OF. I UNDERSTAND THERE HAVE BEEN A LOT OF PROBLEMS WITH I…
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HORN IS HARD TO BLOW. REAR END MAKES WHINING NOISE AND IT STARTED USING 5 QUARTS OF OIL BETWEEN OIL CHANGES. I ONLY HAVE 36000 MILES ON IT. THEY REPLACED MANIFOLD INTAKE GASKET AT MY EXPENSE. THE FUEL GAUGE DOES NOT WORK RIGHT. LUCKILY I DIDN'T RUIN THE ENGINE THAT I KNOW OF. I UNDERSTAND THERE HAVE BEEN A LOT OF PROBLEMS WITH INTAKE GASKETS. HOW LONG DOES IT TAKE TO GET A RECALL ON DEFECTIVE PARTS? *JB
NHTSA ODI #10055028
38,000 miles · Jan 23, 2004
Suspension
THE VEHICLE'S LOWER BALL JOINTS FAILED AT 38,000 MILES. THE CAUSE HAS YET TO BE DETERMINED. *NLM THE CONSUMER FOUND THAT BOTH THE DRIVER AND PASSENGER SIDE LOWER BALL JOINTS WERE "GREASED OUT." THE UPPER BALL JOINT ON THE DRIVER'S SIDE WAS OUT OF SUSPENSION AND GREASED OUT. *SC *JB
NHTSA ODI #10051960
72,329 miles · Jan 6, 2004
Electrical System
HORN BUTTON IS IMPOSSIBLE TO PRESS TO ACTUATE HORN. THIS IS MY SECOND TRUCK OF SAME YEAR AND THIS IS A RECURRING PROBLEM.*AK
NHTSA ODI #10052476
82,760 miles · Jan 6, 2004
Latches/locks/linkages
PRIMARY AND SECONDARY HOOD LATCH FAILED. HOOD OPENED DURING TRAVEL CAUSING SEVERE DAMAGE TO HOOD AND HINGE ASSEMBLIES.*AK
NHTSA ODI #10052474
94,000 miles · Dec 17, 2003
Electrical System
HORN SWITCH FAILED INTERMITTENTLY. *AK
NHTSA ODI #10051662
63,000 miles · Oct 27, 2003
Power Train
THE AUTO TRANSMISSION LINKAGE THAT CONNECTS TO THE FRAME BOLT SHEERED OFF. WHEN THIS OCCURED THE VEHICLE REMAINED IN THE GEAR IT WAS IN AT THE TIME OF THE FAILURE. THE CAUSE OF THE FAILURE IS UNDETERMINED. *PH THE BOLTS SHEARING OFF THE FRAME CAUSED THE LINKAGE BRACKET TO FALL OFF THE TRUCK FRAME DISABLING THE TRANSM…
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THE AUTO TRANSMISSION LINKAGE THAT CONNECTS TO THE FRAME BOLT SHEERED OFF. WHEN THIS OCCURED THE VEHICLE REMAINED IN THE GEAR IT WAS IN AT THE TIME OF THE FAILURE. THE CAUSE OF THE FAILURE IS UNDETERMINED. *PH THE BOLTS SHEARING OFF THE FRAME CAUSED THE LINKAGE BRACKET TO FALL OFF THE TRUCK FRAME DISABLING THE TRANSMISSION FROM BEING SHIFTED. *TS
NHTSA ODI #10039852
Mileage unknown · Oct 15, 2003
Air BagsCrash
DRIVER AND PASSENGER AIR BAGS DID NOT DEPLOY WHEN VEHICLE WAS HIT HEAD ON WHILE TRAVELING APPROXIMATELY 45 MPH.*AK
NHTSA ODI #10044049
Mileage unknown · Oct 9, 2003
Air BagsCrashInjury
I WAS DRIVING MY 1998 DODGE RAM QUAD CAB PICKUP TRUCK. I HAD AN ACCIDENT WHERE I HIT ONE RETAINING WALL WITH THE FRONT CORNER OF THE TRUCK, SENDING ME INTO A 360 DEGREE SPIN, HIT A SECOND RETAINING WALL HEAD ON AND WENT INTO A SECOND SPIN. LUCKILY MY SEAT BELT SAVED ME BECAUSE THE AIR BAG NEVER DEPLOYED. MY INSURANCE COMPANY TOT…
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I WAS DRIVING MY 1998 DODGE RAM QUAD CAB PICKUP TRUCK. I HAD AN ACCIDENT WHERE I HIT ONE RETAINING WALL WITH THE FRONT CORNER OF THE TRUCK, SENDING ME INTO A 360 DEGREE SPIN, HIT A SECOND RETAINING WALL HEAD ON AND WENT INTO A SECOND SPIN. LUCKILY MY SEAT BELT SAVED ME BECAUSE THE AIR BAG NEVER DEPLOYED. MY INSURANCE COMPANY TOTAL THE VEHICLE BECAUSE OF THE SIGNIFICANT DAMAGE. I HAVE INJURED MY HEAD, NECK AND BACK BECAUSE OF NOT HAVING THE AIR BAG TO SAVE ME. *LA
NHTSA ODI #10041523
Mileage unknown · Oct 7, 2003
Tires
DYNAMIC TIRE SEPARATION, SEARS TRAIL HANDLER TIRES OF SIZE: 26575R16. THE INCIDENT OCCURRED ON A HIGHWAY AND VEHICLE RUNNING AT 70 MPH. A TEMPORARY LOSS OF CONTROL OF VEHICLE WHICH ALMOST LED TO AN ACCIDENT. *LA
NHTSA ODI #10041378
49,000 miles · Oct 3, 2003
Tires
THE FRONT DRIVERS SIDE TIRE BLEW OUT WHILE DRIVING 75 MPH WHICH CAUSED DAMAGE THE WHEEL AND THE FRONT END OF THE VEHICLE. *NLM
NHTSA ODI #10042264
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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