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
68,200 miles · May 26, 2003
Power Train
HAVE EXPERIENCED FAILURE IN PASSENGER SIDE REAR AXLE 1998 DODGE RAM. GOING TO OPEN REAR END ON 5/26/03 FOR INSPECTION. HAVE APPROX. 1/4 IN HORIZONTAL MOVEMENT IN AXLE. FROM CHECKING SITE CONCLUDE THAT THIS MAY NOT BE ISOLATED FAILURE AS FIRST SUSPECTED BUT MAY BE FAILURE IN HEAT TREAT OF AXLE OR BEARING NOT SET CORRECTLY. VEHICL…
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HAVE EXPERIENCED FAILURE IN PASSENGER SIDE REAR AXLE 1998 DODGE RAM. GOING TO OPEN REAR END ON 5/26/03 FOR INSPECTION. HAVE APPROX. 1/4 IN HORIZONTAL MOVEMENT IN AXLE. FROM CHECKING SITE CONCLUDE THAT THIS MAY NOT BE ISOLATED FAILURE AS FIRST SUSPECTED BUT MAY BE FAILURE IN HEAT TREAT OF AXLE OR BEARING NOT SET CORRECTLY. VEHICLE HAS 68,200 MILES. *NLM
NHTSA ODI #10019285
Mileage unknown · May 8, 2003
Latches/locks/linkages
WHILE DRIVING, THE HOOD LATCH BROKE AND CAUSED THE HOOD TO FLY UP. *JB
NHTSA ODI #10019504
80,000 miles · May 5, 2003
Visibility
VEHICLE'S WINDSHIELD WIPER LINKAGE ARM FELL OFF WHILE IN USE, RESULTING IN THE WIPER BEING INOPERATIVE.
NHTSA ODI #10018162
Mileage unknown · May 1, 2003
Engine And Engine Cooling
THE ENGINE CONSUMED SIX QUARTS OF OIL IN THE LAST 3000 MILES. THE DEALER WAS NOTIFIED AND INDICATED THAT THERE WAS NOTHING THEY COULD DO SINCE THE VEHICLE WAS NO LONGER UNDER WARRANTY. *NLM
NHTSA ODI #10018022
50,000 miles · Apr 30, 2003
Structure
THE PAINT ON THE FRONT DUMPER ON THE DODGE RAM SPORT TRUCK IS JUST FLAKING OFF.
NHTSA ODI #10016747
105,000 miles · Apr 28, 2003
Vehicle Speed Control
THE VEHICLE EXPERIENCED SUDDEN ACCELERATION. *JB
NHTSA ODI #10017626
67,210 miles · Apr 28, 2003
Vehicle Speed Control
AFTER SHIFTING DOWN WHILE GOING UP A HILL THE VEHICLE CONTINUED TO ACCELERATE. COULD NOT STOP COMPLETELY WITH BRAKES. HAD TO TURN ENGINE OFF, BUT BY THEN BRAKES WOULD HARDLY WORK DO TO HEAT FROM TRYING TO SLOW DOWN. THROTTLE PLATE WAS STUCK. THEN HAD IT STICK IN PASSING GEAR WHILE IN CRUISE, BUT THIS TIME IT RELEASED WHEN BRAKE …
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AFTER SHIFTING DOWN WHILE GOING UP A HILL THE VEHICLE CONTINUED TO ACCELERATE. COULD NOT STOP COMPLETELY WITH BRAKES. HAD TO TURN ENGINE OFF, BUT BY THEN BRAKES WOULD HARDLY WORK DO TO HEAT FROM TRYING TO SLOW DOWN. THROTTLE PLATE WAS STUCK. THEN HAD IT STICK IN PASSING GEAR WHILE IN CRUISE, BUT THIS TIME IT RELEASED WHEN BRAKE WAS APPLIED. DEALER SAID IT WAS JUST PROBABLY CARBON IN THE BREAKING LOOSE. *NLM
NHTSA ODI #10016643
67,000 miles · Apr 16, 2003
Power Train
TRANSMISSION OVERHEATS. AS NEAR AS I CAN TELL, FROM READING THE NUMEROUS COMPLAINTS ON MESSAGE BOARDS, THE PROBLEM IS DUE TO TWO POSSIBLE THINGS. A BAD TORQUE CONVERTER (FREQUENT PROBLEM)AND/OR CLOGGED COOLING SYSTEM LINES AS THE LINES AND PASSAGEWAYS ARE TOO NARROW AND FILTER IS INSUFFICIENT. *NLM
NHTSA ODI #10014441
Mileage unknown · Apr 9, 2003
Power Train
WHILE DRIVING THE REAR DIFFERENTIAL BROKE. THE DEALER WAS NOTIFIED. *NLM
NHTSA ODI #10015559
84,000 miles · Apr 9, 2003
Air BagsSeat BeltsCrashInjury
THE VEHICLE WAS INVOLVED IN A FRONTAL COLLISION WHILE TRAVELING 55 MPH. THE DRIVER'S SHOULDER RESTRAINT DID NOT HOLD AND CAUSED CONSUMER TO MOVE FORWARD AND HIT THE FRONT WINDSHIELD. *NLM. ALSO, FRONT AIR BAGS FAILED TO DEPLOY. *AK THE DRIVER OF THE OTHER VEHICLE WAS KILLED IN THE CRASH. THE CONSUMERS TRUCK T-BONED THE OT…
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THE VEHICLE WAS INVOLVED IN A FRONTAL COLLISION WHILE TRAVELING 55 MPH. THE DRIVER'S SHOULDER RESTRAINT DID NOT HOLD AND CAUSED CONSUMER TO MOVE FORWARD AND HIT THE FRONT WINDSHIELD. *NLM. ALSO, FRONT AIR BAGS FAILED TO DEPLOY. *AK THE DRIVER OF THE OTHER VEHICLE WAS KILLED IN THE CRASH. THE CONSUMERS TRUCK T-BONED THE OTHER VEHICLE ON THE DRIVER'S SIDE.
NHTSA ODI #10015519
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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