VehicleVerdict

1998 Dodge Ram 1500 problems

Verdict · NHTSA data

A typical year for this model

The 1998 Dodge Ram 1500 sits mid-pack among Ram 1500 years: 645 NHTSA complaints against a model median of roughly 701, with a single recall and no defect investigations. Reports tied to this model year include 19 deaths and 71 injuries, per the complaint records themselves.

No single system dominates the record — complaints spread across body & structure (102), transmission (89), and brakes (72), which usually points to general build quality rather than one defect.

645

NHTSA complaints

1

Recalls

0

Investigations

89

Crash-involved

18

Fires reported

71

Injuries

19

Deaths

—

NCAP overall

How does 1998 compare to other Ram 1500 years?

Ram 1500 NHTSA complaints by model year, 1998 highlighted1,628 complaints1991: 8 complaints1992: 0 complaints1993: 7 complaints1994: 148 complaints1995: 273 complaints1996: 407 complaints1997: 468 complaints1998: 645 complaints1999: 769 complaints2000: 641 complaints2001: 1,370 complaints2002: 1,004 complaints2003: 1,362 complaints2004: 1,366 complaints2005: 1,628 complaints2006: 1,080 complaints2007: 701 complaints2008: 720 complaints2009: 884 complaints2010: 630 complaints2011: 988 complaints2012: 978 complaints2014: 1 complaints
Ram 1500 NHTSA complaints by model year, 1998 highlighted. Red bars are years to avoid.

See all Ram 1500 years to avoid →

What are the most common 1998 Dodge Ram 1500 problems?

ComponentComplaintsShare
Body & Structure10216%
Transmission8914%
Brakes7211%
Airbags6310%
Engine396%
Suspension366%
Seat Belts345%
Other345%
Electrical System335%
Tires & Wheels325%
Steering294%
Fuel System234%
Latches & Locks173%
Visibility & Wipers142%
Speed Control132%
Lighting81%
Seats41%
Climate Control (A/C & Heat)20%
Trailer Hitch10%

Does the 1998 Dodge Ram 1500 have recalls?

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

06E024000EngineMarch 15, 2006 · 44,386 units

Defect

CERTAIN REPLACEMENT K&N FUEL PERFORMANCE KITS, P/NOS. 57-1509, 57-1511, 57-1511-1, 57-1517, 57-1517-1, 57-1527, AND 57-1530. ALSO, A SMALL PERCENTAGE OF THESE KITS WERE SOLD UNDER THE MOPAR PERFORMANCE PARTS BRAND NAME (P/NOS. P5007069 AND P5007070). ALL KITS WERE MANUFACTURED FROM APRIL 20, 1999, THROUGH SEPTEMBER 23, 2004. THESE ASSEMBLIES WERE MANUFACTURED AS REPLACEMENT EQUIPMENT FOR CERTAIN DODGE PICKUP TRUCKS AND SUVS. A SMALL PIECE OF MATERIAL FROM THE TUBE WALL COULD BE SUCKED INTO THE ENGINE THROTTLE BODY, WHICH COULD CAUSE THE THROTTLE TO BECOME JAMMED IN THE OPEN POSITION.

Consequence

A JAMMED OPEN THROTTLE COULD CAUSE UNINTENDED ACCELERATION OF THE VEHICLE, POSSIBLY RESULTING IN A CRASH OR INCREASED STOPING DISTANCES WHEN BRAKING.

Remedy

K&N WILL PROVIDE OWNERS WITH A FREE REPAIR KIT ALONG WITH REPAIR INSTRUCTIONS. THE RECALL BEGAN ON APRIL 20, 2006.

Consumer complaints filed with NHTSA

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

“ENGINE COMPARTMENT HOOD INSULATION PAD WAS IGNITED DIRECTLY ABOVE THE POWER STEERING PUMP AND SMOLDERED UNCONTROLLABLY UNTIL IT WAS EXTINGUISHED.”

Complaint filed with NHTSA · Body & Structure · February 26, 1998 · fire

“I WAS DRIVING DOWN A 45MPH ROAD AND THE TRUCK WAS NOT SHIFTING SO I PULLED TO THE SIDE SHUT IT OFF TURNED IT BACK ON THE CHECKED ALL THE GEARS AND EVERYTHING SEEMED FINE THEN I TRIED DRIVING AGAIN AND IT STALLED WHILE DRIVING DOWN THE ROAD AND WILL NOT START AND THE ENGINE MAKES A WEIRD RUMBLE…”

Complaint filed with NHTSA · Transmission · March 17, 2014 · crash

“WHILE DRIVING AT 35 MPH CONSUMER REAR ENDED ANOTHER VEHICLE WHEN APPLYING BRAKES ,AND THEY FAILED TO STOP VEHICLE, CAUSIN CONSUMER TO REAR END THE VEHICLE IN FRONT. DRIVER'S SIDE/PASSENGER'S SIDE AIR BAGS DIDN'T DEPLOY. ALSO, DRIVER'S SIDE SEAT BELT DIDN'T HOLD CONSUMER FROM BOUCING ONTO THE…”

Complaint filed with NHTSA · Brakes · March 18, 1999 · crash

“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…”

Complaint filed with NHTSA · Airbags · April 6, 2003 · crash

“THE VEHICLE WAS PARKED OVER NIGHT WITH ENGINE TURN OFF. THE NEXT MORNING VEHICLE HAD CAUGHT ON FIRE. THE VEHICLE WAS A TOTAL LOSS. CAUSE IS UNKNOWN. PLEASE PROVIDE ANY FURTHER INFORMATION.”

Complaint filed with NHTSA · Engine · fire

1998 Dodge Ram 1500 — common questions

Is the 1998 Dodge Ram 1500 reliable?

It is close to typical for the Ram 1500: 645 NHTSA complaints, 1 recall, and no investigations on file.

What are the most common 1998 Ram 1500 problems?

According to NHTSA complaint data, the leading problem areas are body & structure (102 complaints), transmission (89 complaints), brakes (72 complaints).

Does the 1998 Dodge Ram 1500 have recalls?

Yes — NHTSA lists 1 recall campaign affecting the 1998 Dodge Ram 1500. Recall repairs are free at franchised dealers; check the VIN at nhtsa.gov/recalls to confirm the work was done.

Which Dodge Ram 1500 years should you avoid?

Based on complaint rates and open investigations, the Ram 1500 years to avoid are 2005, 2001, 2004, 2003, 2006, 2008, 2007. The cleanest record among Ram 1500 years belongs to 1992.

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.