IllustrationFRONT BUMPER IS RUSTING FROM ONE SIDE TO THE OTHER. BUMPER IS PITTED FROM THE RUST.*AK *SCC
1998 Dodge RAM
Owner reports · Recalls · Investigations
More warning signs than most RAM years
Owner complaints for the 1998 Dodge RAM are substantially higher than the model-year median of 27.
About this comparison →How this year compares
Owner complaints by model year
Compare all RAM years →Counts vary with age, sales and reporting. They are not failure rates.
What owners reported most
All reported categories
Tap a category to read its complaints. One report may name several components.
When problems were reported
Mileage at the reported incident
Limited mileage data: 29 of 483 reports include usable mileage. There isn’t enough coverage to show a useful chart.
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.
- Service Brakes, Hydraulic. Review the 107 owner reports in this category and discuss these concerns during a pre-purchase inspection. Read reports →
- Power Train. Review the 80 owner reports in this category and discuss these concerns during a pre-purchase inspection. Read reports →
- Air Bags. Review the 66 owner reports in this category and discuss these concerns during a pre-purchase inspection. Read reports →
NHTSA owner reports · September 18, 2026 snapshot.
79 crash reports6 fire reports39 injury reports
What owners actually said
483 reportsWHILE DRIVING CONSUMER HEARD A WHINING SOUND FROM REAREND. MECHANIC DETERMINED REAR BEARING HAD GONE OUT, AND REAR AXLE HAD TO BE REPLACED.*AK
VERY LOUD NOISE WAS COMING FROM REAR DIFFERENTIAL. CONTACTED DEALER. PLEASE PROVIDE FURTHER INFORMATION. *AK
BOTH FRONT SIDE DOORS WOULD NOT OPEN FROM EITHER SIDE. DEALER NOTIFIED, AND INFORMED CONSUMER THAT ACTIVATOR NEEDED TO BE REPLACED. *AK *TT
WHILE DRIVING 70 MPH INVOLVED IN A SIDE COLLISION, VEHICLE TURNED COUPLE TIMES WITHOUT WARNING. UPON IMPACT, AIR BAGS DID NOT DEPLOY, DRIVER AND PASSENGER SUSTAINED SERIOUS INJURIES.*AK
THE BRAKE CYLINDERS HAD BEEN LEAKING AND WERE REPLACED BY THE DEALER IN 2000. THEN AGAIN IN DECEMBER OF 2001 WE HAD BRAKE3 TROUBLE AND THE CALIPERS AND CYLINDERS HAS BRAKES BEGAN TO SQUEAK. WE HAD JUST HAD EVERYTHING DONE LESS THAN 6 MONTHS AGO. WE ASSUMED THAT AT THE WORST THE PADS NEEDED CHANGING. WE TOOK IT IN THE NEXT DAY. W…
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THE BRAKE CYLINDERS HAD BEEN LEAKING AND WERE REPLACED BY THE DEALER IN 2000. THEN AGAIN IN DECEMBER OF 2001 WE HAD BRAKE3 TROUBLE AND THE CALIPERS AND CYLINDERS HAS BRAKES BEGAN TO SQUEAK. WE HAD JUST HAD EVERYTHING DONE LESS THAN 6 MONTHS AGO. WE ASSUMED THAT AT THE WORST THE PADS NEEDED CHANGING. WE TOOK IT IN THE NEXT DAY. WE WERE INFORMED THAT IT WAS NOT THE WARNING SYSTEM BUT THAT THE CALIPERS WERE FROZEN AND HAD WORN OUT SO QUICKLY THAT THE BACK CYLIDERS WERE SHOT TOO. WE WERE TOLD THAT OUR BRAKES COULD HAVE GONE OUT COMPLETELY AT ANY MOMENT THERE WASN'T ANY WARNING. THANKFULL THAT WE DID NOT HAVE AN ACCIDENT WE SPENT THE $800.00 TO FIX EVERYTHING. THE CALIPERS, ROTERS, CYLINDERS, PADS, EVERYTHING. THIS IS THE KICKER THAT NEXT WEEKEND FIVE DAYS LATER WE WERE COMMING HOME FROM OUT OF TOWN AND GOING DOWN A LARGE HILL THEY BEGAN TO SMOKE. AND WE TRIED TO PULL OVER. WE HAD NO BRAKES!!! THANK GOODNESS THERE WAS NO ONE IN FONT OF US. WE SHIFTED INTO A LOWER GEAR AND GRADUALLY CAME TO A STOP AT THE BOTTOM OF THE HILL. I AM STLL WAITING TO SEE WHAT THE PROB. IS NOW. I HAD CALLED DODGE TO SEE IF THERE WAS ANY SORT OF PROB. OR RECALL WITH THE BREAK SYSTEM BEFORE AND THEY SAID NO. THEY WOULD FIX IT BUT CHARGE US TO DO SO. I DID SOME RESEARCH AND HAVE FOUND THAT THERE IS SO MANY COMPLAINTS ABOUT THE SAME PROBLEMS. OUR LIVES HAVE BEEN IN JEPORDY TWICE AND WE HAVE BEEN LUCKY. IT IS OBVIOUS THERE IS A PROB. LOOKING AT THE COMPLAINTS OF THE SAME NATURE WHY ARE THEY NOT DOING ANYTHING. DO PEOPLE HAVE TO DIE FIRST. WE HAVE TRIED IN VAIN TO FIX OUR TRUCK TO WORK PROPERLY WITH NO LUCK. I ONLY WISH WE COULD AFFORD TO BY ANOTHER TRUCK. I AM AFRAID THAT MINE AND MY FAMILY'S LIVES ARE IN JEPORDY. WHEN WILL DODGE STEP UP TO THE PLATE AND FIX THIS PROBLEM?*AK
ENGINE BLEW A ROD, CAUSING ENGINE TO RATTLE. *AK
CRUISE CONTROL INTERMITTENTLY SHUTS DOWN, CAUSING VEHICLE TO SLOW DOWN. SAFETY FACTOR IS THAT THERE IS NO INDICATION TO FOLLOWING VEHICLES THAT A PROBLEM EXISSTS. FOR INSTANCE, I PASSED A TRUCK ON I81 IN WVA WITH THE CRUISE SET AT 70 MPH THE TRUCKS SPEED WAS APPROX 67 MPH. WHEN I PULLED BACK INTO THE RIGHT LANE THE CRUISE C…
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CRUISE CONTROL INTERMITTENTLY SHUTS DOWN, CAUSING VEHICLE TO SLOW DOWN. SAFETY FACTOR IS THAT THERE IS NO INDICATION TO FOLLOWING VEHICLES THAT A PROBLEM EXISSTS. FOR INSTANCE, I PASSED A TRUCK ON I81 IN WVA WITH THE CRUISE SET AT 70 MPH THE TRUCKS SPEED WAS APPROX 67 MPH. WHEN I PULLED BACK INTO THE RIGHT LANE THE CRUISE CONTROL SHUT DOWN. THERE WAS ABSOLUTLY NO INDICATION TO THE TRUCK DRIVER THAT THIS WAS HAPPENING. I BARELY HAD TIME TO HIT ACCELERATOR IN TIME TO AVOID BEING REARENDED BY THE TRUCK.*AK
WHEN THE TEMPERATURE WAS COLD OUTSIDE IT WAS DIFFICULT TO STEER THE VEHICLE. THE PROBLEM CONTINUED UNTIL THE OUTSIDE TEMPERATURE WARMED UP. THE DEALERSHIP REPLACED THE PARTS 3 TIMES BUT THE PROBLEM STILL OCCURRED. *AK *NLM
DRIVER'S AIR BAG DID NOT DEPLOY DURING A CAR CRASH. *AK
Official recalls
1304V185000 · Service Brakes, Hydraulic:antilock/traction Control/electronic Limited Slip:control Unit/module
Apr 12, 2004
ON CERTAIN VAN AND WAGON VEHICLES EQUIPPED WITH 4-WHEEL ANTILOCK BRAKE SYSTEMS (ABS), AFTERMARKET BATTERIES MAY LEAK ELECTROLYTE ONTO THE ABS CONTROL MODULE CONNECTOR, WHICH CAN COMPROMISE SEALING INTEGRITY OF THE CONNECTOR.
Consequence & remedy
Consequence: THIS MAY ALLOW DEVELOPMENT OF A SHORT CIRCUIT IN THE CONNECTOR, WHICH COULD EVENTUALLY LEAD TO A FIRE.
Remedy: DEALERS WILL INSPECT THE ABS CONTROL MODULE CONNECTOR FOR ELECTROLYTE DAMAGE AND REPLACE THE CONNECTOR AS NECESSARY. THE RECALL WILL BEGIN ON SEPTEMBER 27, 2004. OWNERS SHOULD CONTACT DAIMLERCHRYSLER AT 1-800-853-1403.
02V161000 · Vehicle Speed Control
Jun 14, 2002
ON CERTAIN PICKUP TRUCKS EQUIPPED WITH DIESEL ENGINES ONLY, THE THROTTLE LINKAGE JOINTS CAN CORRODE AND CAUSE THE THROTTLE TO BIND OR STICK.
Consequence & remedy
Consequence: THIS COULD POTENTIALLY RESULT IN A LOSS OF THROTTLE CONTROL, INCREASING THE RISK OF A CRASH.
Remedy: DEALERS WILL REPLACE THE ROD ENDS AND BALL STUDS. OWNER NOTIFICATION BEGAN JULY 29, 2002. OWNERS WHO TAKE THEIR VEHICLES TO AN AUTHORIZED DEALER ON AN AGREED UPON SERVICE DATE AND DO NOT RECEIVE THE FREE REMEDY WITHIN A REASONABLE TIME SHOULD CONTACT DAIMLERCHRYSLER AT 1-800-853-1403.
01V153000 · Air Bags
May 8, 2001
VEHICLE DESCRIPTION: PICKUP TRUCKS. SOUND DEADENER MATERIAL INSIDE THE STEERING WHEEL COULD BECOME DETACHED FROM THE COVER AND HOUSING. NOTE: THE RAM PICKUP TRUCKS WERE BUILT AT THE WARREN ASSEMBLY PLANT ("S" IN THE 11TH VIN POSITION) FROM MAY 16, 2000 THROUGH OCTOBER 23, 2000; ST. LOUIS NORTH ASSEMBLY PLANT ("J" IN THE 11TH VIN POSITION) FROM MAY 19, 2000 THROUGH OCTOBER 23, 2000; LAGO ALBERTO ASSEMBLY PLANT ("M" IN THE 11TH VIN POSITION) FROM MAY 23, 2000 THROUGH OCTOBER 23, 2000; AND SALTILLO ASSEMBLY PLANT ("G" IN THE 11TH VIN POSITION) FROM MAY 23, 2000 THROUGH OCTOBER 23, 2000. IMPORTANT: VEHICLES THAT HAVE ALREADY HAD THE PROPER CLOCKSPRING INSTALLED, ACCORDING TO WARRANTY RECORDS, HAVE BEEN EXCLUDED FROM THIS RECALL. IN ADDITION, 1997-2000 MODEL YEAR VEHICLES THAT HAVE HAD A SUSPECT REPLACEMENT CLOCKSPRING INSTALLED, ACCORDING TO WARRANTY RECORDS, HAVE BEEN ADDED TO THIS RECALL.
Consequence & remedy
Consequence: WHEN THIS OCCURS, THE MATERIAL COULD INTERFERE WITH THE CLOCKSPRING RIBBON AND CAUSE AN OPEN CIRCUIT. THE DRIVER AIR BAG SYSTEM WILL BECOME DISABLED, AND THE AIR BAG WARNING LAMP WILL ILLUMINATE ON THE INSTRUMENT PANEL.
Remedy: DEALERS WILL REPLACE THE CLOCKSPRING ASSEMBLY. OWNER NOTIFICATION BEGAN JUNE 18, 2001. ALSO SOME 1997-200 MODEL YEAR VEHICLES THAT, ACCORDING TO WARRANTY RECORDS, HAVE HAD A SUSPECT REPLACEMENT CLOCKSPRING INSTALLED, WILL ALSO BE INCLUDED IN THIS CAMPAIGN. OWNERS WHO TAKE THEIR VEHICLES TO AN AUTHORIZED DEALER ON AN AGREED UPON SERVICE DATE AND DO NOT RECEIVE THE FREE REMEDY WITHIN A REASONABLE TIME SHOULD CONTACT DAIMLERCHRYSLER AT 1-800-853-1403.
01V040000 · Latches/locks/linkages:hood:latch
Feb 12, 2001
ON CERTAIN PICKUP TRUCKS ORIGINALLY SOLD IN OR CURRENTLY REGISTERED IN THE FOLLOWING "SALT BELT" STATES: MAINE, NEW HAMPSHIRE, VERMONT, MASSACHUSETTS, RHODE ISLAND, CONNECTICUT, NEW YORK, NEW JERSEY, PENNSYLVANIA, DELAWARE, MARYLAND, THE DISTRICT OF COLUMBIA, WEST VIRGINIA, OHIO, INDIANA, MICHIGAN, ILLINOIS, WISCONSIN, MINNESOTA, IOWA, AND MISSOURI. CORROSION OF THE RETURN SPRING ON THE HOOD SECONDARY LATCH COULD CAUSE THE MECHANISM TO BIND IN THE "RELEASE POSITION."
Consequence & remedy
Consequence: IF THE PRIMARY LATCH IS NOT ENGAGED, THE HOOD COULD OPEN UNEXPECTEDLY.
Remedy: DEALERS WILL REPLACE THE SECONDARY HOOD LATCH. OWNER NOTIFICATION BEGAN SEPTEMBER 17, 2001. OWNERS WHO TAKE THEIR VEHICLES TO AN AUTHORIZED DEALER ON AN AGREED UPON SERVICE DATE AND DO NOT RECEIVE THE FREE REMEDY WITHIN A REASONABLE TIME SHOULD CONTACT DAIMLERCHRYSLER AT 1-800-853-1403.
00V107000 · Trailer Hitches
Apr 11, 2000
VEHICLE DESCRIPTION: PICKUP TRUCKS EQUIPPED WITH OPTIONAL TRAILER HITCH. THE TRAILER HITCH SIDE BRACKETS WERE MANUFACTURED USING MATERIAL WITH INSUFFICIENT STRENGTH.
Consequence & remedy
Consequence: BRACKETS BUILT WITHOUT PROPER MATERIAL COULD FATIGUE AND FRACTURE IN THE AREA WHERE THE TRAILER HITCH MOUNTS TO THE FRAME.
Remedy: DEALERS WILL INSPECT THE TRAILER HITCHES AND REPLACE ANY TRAILER HITCH SHOWING SIGNS OF FATIGUE CRACKING. IF NO EVIDENCE OF CRACKING EXISTS, THE DEALER WILL INSTALL TWO REINFORCEMENT BRACKETS.
99V115000 · Power Train:clutch Assembly
May 6, 1999
VEHICLE DESCRIPTION: PICKUP TRUCKS EQUIPPED WITH MANUAL TRANSMISSION, V10 ENGINES AND FOUR-WHEEL-DRIVE TRANSFER CASES. UNDER SUSTAINED MAXIMUM RATED VEHICLE LOAD, WHILE DRIVING UP A STEEP GRADE IN FOUR-WHEEL-DRIVE LOW RANGE IN HOT AMBIENT CONDITIONS, THE LOCAL EXHAUST TEMPERATURE PROXIMATE TO THE HYDRAULIC CLUTCH LINE CAN GENERATE LINE TEMPERATURES THAT EXCEED THE TEMPERATURE LIMIT OF THE CLUTCH LINE MATERIAL. IF THIS CONDITION OCCURS AND THE CLUTCH IS DEPRESSED, THE LINE COULD RUPTURE.
Consequence & remedy
Consequence: THE FLUID COULD IGNITE ON THE HOT EXHAUST POSSIBLY RESULTING IN A VEHICLE FIRE.
Remedy: DEALERS WILL REPLACE THE HYDRAULIC CLUTCH ASSEMBLY.
99V002000 · Air Bags
Jan 7, 1999
VEHICLE DESCRIPTION: VANS AND VANS USED FOR CONVERSION. IF A HEAVY OBJECT IMPACTS THE METAL CASING OF THE AIR BAG ELECTRONIC CONTROL MODULE (AECM), LOCATED UNDER THE DRIVER SEAT, THE MODULE COULD INADVERTENTLY DEPLOY THE AIR BAGS.
Consequence & remedy
Consequence: UNEXPECTED AIR BAG DEPLOYMENT CAN RESULT IN OCCUPANT INJURY.
Remedy: DEALERS WILL REPLACE THE AECM WITH A MODULE THAT INCORPORATES REVISED HARDWARE AND SOFTWARE ON ALL AFFECTED VEHICLES.
98V207000 · Engine And Engine Cooling:engine:diesel
Sep 8, 1998
VEHICLE DESCRIPTION: LIGHT DUTY PICKUP TRUCKS EQUIPPED WITH 5.9L - 24 VALVE DIESEL ENGINE. THE LOW PRESSURE DIESEL FUEL SUPPLY TUBE LOCATED IN THE ENGINE COMPARTMENT BETWEEN THE FILTER AND THE HIGH PRESSURE PUMP CAN FRACTURE.
Consequence & remedy
Consequence: THIS CONDITION CAN ALLOW FUEL TO LEAK. IN THE PRESENCE OF AN IGNITION SOURCE, FUEL LEAKAGE CAN RESULT IN A FIRE.
Remedy: DEALERS WILL REPLACE THE LOW PRESSURE DIESEL FUEL SUPPLY TUBE.
98V208000 · Structure
Sep 8, 1998
VEHICLE DESCRIPTION: LIGHT DUTY PICKUP TRUCKS. THESE VEHICLES MAY HAVE BEEN BUILT WITH BOLTS THAT WERE NOT PROPERLY HARDENED. THE BOLTS WERE USED TO ATTACH THE CAB AND THE CORE SUPPORT TO THE FRAME.
Consequence & remedy
Consequence: THIS CONDITION CAN ALLOW THE CAB TO SEPARATE FROM THE FRAME INCREASING THE RISK OF A CRASH.
Remedy: DEALERS WILL REPLACE THESE BOLTS WITH PROPERLY HARDENED BOLTS.
98V209000 · Engine And Engine Cooling:engine:diesel
Sep 8, 1998
VEHICLE DESCRIPTION: LIGHT DUTY PICKUP TRUCKS EQUIPPED WITH 5.9L - 24 VALVE DIESEL ENGINE. AN INTERMITTENT HIGH ENGINE IDLE CONDITION CAN OCCUR DUE TO A MALFUNCTION OF THE VEHICLE SPEED SENSOR.
Consequence & remedy
Consequence: THIS CREATES A SIGNAL WHICH IS MISINTERPRETED BY THE ENGINE CONTROL SOFTWARE, CAUSING A HIGH IDLE SPEED CONDITION.
Remedy: DEALERS WILL REPLACE THE ENGINE CONTROLLER SOFTWARE TO CORRECT ERRONEOUS SPEED SENSOR SIGNALS.
98V182000 · Fuel System, Gasoline:delivery:hoses, Lines/piping, And Fittings
Aug 6, 1998
VEHICLE DESCRIPTION: LIGHT DUTY TRUCKS EQUIPPED WITH EITHER A 8.0L V-10 ENGINE OR A 5.9L V-8 HEAVY DUTY GASOLINE ENGINE. AN EXHAUST SYSTEM HEAT SHIELD ATTACHING SCREW IS TOO CLOSE TO THE UNDERBODY FUEL LINE. THE LINE CAN RUB AGAINST THE SCREW, POSSIBLY CAUSING FUEL LEAKAGE.
Consequence & remedy
Consequence: FUEL LEAKAGE IN THE PRESENCE OF AN IGNITION SOURCE CAN RESULT IN A FIRE.
Remedy: DEALERS WILL REMOVE THE UNDERBODY HEAT SHIELD ATTACHING SCREW AND REPLACE IT WITH RUBBER ADHESIVE. THE CHASSIS FUEL LINE WILL BE INSPECTED FOR SIGNS OF WEAR AND ANY TUBES INDICATING WEAR WILL BE REPLACED.
98V105000 · Seat Belts:front:buckle Assembly
May 14, 1998
VEHICLE DESCRIPTION: PASSENGER VEHICLES. THE FRONT SEAT BELT BUCKLES WERE NOT PROPERLY RIVETED TO THE SUPPORT STRAP.
Consequence & remedy
Consequence: IN THE EVENT OF A VEHICLE CRASH, THE SEAT BELT ASSEMBLY WOULD HAVE REDUCED STRENGTH, INCREASING THE RISK OF PERSONAL INJURY.
Remedy: DEALERS WILL REPLACE THE FRONT OUTER SEAT BELT BUCKLES WITH BUCKLES THAT HAVE BEEN PROPERLY RIVETED.
98V075000 · Service Brakes, Air:disc:rotor
Apr 8, 1998
VEHICLE DESCRIPTION: LIGHT DUTY PICKUP TRUCKS. THE BRAKE ROTOR MATERIAL STRENGTH IS NOT SUFFICIENT CAUSING A HUB FATIGUE FRACTURE.
Consequence & remedy
Consequence: THIS FRACTURE CAN RESULT IN CRACK PROPAGATION AROUND THE WHEEL MOUNTING BOLT CIRCULE ULTIMATELY RESULTING IN A WHEEL SEPARATION.
Remedy: DEALERS WILL INSPECT THE BRAKE ROTORS AND IF NECESSARY, REPLACE THESE ROTORS.
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
0No exact-year investigations in this snapshot.