VehicleVerdict

1998 Dodge Pickup problems

Verdict · NHTSA data

Limited data — recalls on file

NHTSA has just 21 complaints on file for the 1998 Dodge Pickup — too few to judge reliability from owner reports alone — but one recall campaign applies to this year, so any used example should have its VIN checked for completed recall work.

21

NHTSA complaints

1

Recalls

0

Investigations

1

Crash-involved

0

Fires reported

2

Injuries

0

Deaths

—

NCAP overall

How does 1998 compare to other Pickup years?

Pickup NHTSA complaints by model year, 1998 highlighted43 complaints1976: 2 complaints1992: 5 complaints1994: 10 complaints1995: 37 complaints1996: 43 complaints1997: 2 complaints1998: 21 complaints1999: 6 complaints2000: 3 complaints2001: 3 complaints2002: 1 complaints
Pickup NHTSA complaints by model year, 1998 highlighted. Red bars are years to avoid.

See all Pickup years to avoid →

What are the most common 1998 Dodge Pickup problems?

ComponentComplaintsShare
Suspension314%
Brakes314%
Airbags314%
Tires & Wheels210%
Fuel System210%
Climate Control (A/C & Heat)15%
Other15%
Seat Belts15%
Speed Control15%
Steering15%
Body & Structure15%
Electrical System15%
Engine15%

Does the 1998 Dodge Pickup have recalls?

1 NHTSA recall campaign on file. Recall repairs are free at franchised dealers.

06E026000LightingMarch 23, 2006 · 61,944 units

Defect

CERTAIN PRO-A MOTORS CORNER LAMPS, TURN SIGNALS, AND HEADLIGHTS SOLD AS REPLACEMENT LAMPS FOR USE ON CERTAIN PASSENGER VEHICLES LISTED ABOVE. SOME COMBINATION LAMPS THAT ARE NOT EQUIPPED WITH AMBER SIDE REFLECTORS FAIL TO CONFORM TO FEDERAL MOTOR VEHICLE SAFETY STANDARD NO. 108, LAMPS, REFLECTIVE DEVICES, AND ASSOCIATED EQUIPMENT.

Consequence

WITHOUT THE AMBER REFLECTORS, THE VEHICLE WILL BE POORLY ILLUMINATED, POSSIBLY RESULTING IN A VEHICLE CRASH WITHOUT WARNING.

Remedy

PRO-A MOTORS WILL NOTIFY OWNERS AND OFFER TO REPURCHASE THE LAMPS. THE RECALL BEGAN ON APRIL 3, 2006. OWNERS MAY CONTACT PRO-A MOTORS AT 323-838-2988.

Consumer complaints filed with NHTSA

Representative excerpts, cleaned of personal information. These are consumer statements, not verified defects.

“A DEER RAN IN FRONT OF THE VEHICLE AND CAUSED THE VEHICLE TO VEER INTO AN EMBANKMENT. THE DUAL AIRBAGS DIDN'T DEPLOY. PLEASE FILL IN ADDITIONAL INFORMATION. DEALER IS AWARE OF THE PROBLEM. PH ”

Complaint filed with NHTSA · Airbags · November 24, 2002 · crash

“WHEN DRIVING, INTERMITTENTLY THE ABS/AIRBAG WARNING LIGHT ILLUMINATED . THE SPEEDOMETER WOULD DROP TO ZERO THEN GO TO THE ORIGINAL SPEED. *JB THE ENGINE LIGHT ILLUMINATED AND AT THE SAME TIME THE GAUGES FELL TO ZERO INCLUDING THE VOLTAGE, ENGINE TEMPERATURE, OIL PRESSURE, FUEL, RPM'S AND THE MPH.…”

Complaint filed with NHTSA · Brakes · September 7, 2004

“THERE WAS A POWER STEERING LEAK, TOOK VEHICLE TO THE DEALER, AND THEY COULDN'T REMEDY THE PROBLEM. ALSO, WHILE DRIVING VEHICLE WANDERED TO THE LEFT. POWER STEERING LEAK HAS SINCE BEEN REPAIRED, BUT VEHICLE STILL DRIFTS OFF CENTER. *AK *ML”

Complaint filed with NHTSA · Suspension · March 30, 1999

“THE VEHICLE FUEL INJECTION PUMP FAIL AT HIGHWAY SPEEDS. WHEN THE INJECTION PUMP FAILED THE VEHICLE STEERING CONTROLS BECAME EXTREMELY DIFFICULT TO HANDLE ON CURVE. THE VEHICLE HYDRAULIC BRAKE BOOSTER LOSS PRESSURE REQUIRED EXTREME EFFORT TO STOP THE VEHICLE. THE BOSCH DIESEL INJECTION PUMP MODEL…”

Complaint filed with NHTSA · Fuel System · May 2, 2002

1998 Dodge Pickup — common questions

Is the 1998 Dodge Pickup reliable?

The record is thin — 21 NHTSA complaints — so owner-report data can't strongly confirm reliability either way, though 1 recall should be verified as completed.

What are the most common 1998 Pickup problems?

According to NHTSA complaint data, the leading problem areas are suspension (3 complaints), brakes (3 complaints), airbags (3 complaints).

Does the 1998 Dodge Pickup have recalls?

Yes — NHTSA lists 1 recall campaign affecting the 1998 Dodge Pickup. Recall repairs are free at franchised dealers; check the VIN at nhtsa.gov/recalls to confirm the work was done.

Which Dodge Pickup years should you avoid?

Based on complaint rates and open investigations, the Pickup years to avoid are 1996, 1995. The cleanest record among Pickup years belongs to 2002.

Related

Based on NHTSA ODI data through June 2026. Complaints are consumer-reported and unverified. Updated July 5, 2026.

Compiled by Sharon Ben-Moshe, Founder.