MYRModel Year Report

1998 Dodge RAM 1500

● Typical for this model
1998 Dodge RAM 1500
BUILT 2026-09-02

This year's complaint volume is within 30% of this model's typical year.

This verdict reflects complaint volume compared to this model's typical year. Recalls and safety issues below apply regardless of the verdict — always check them.

How is this computed?

COMPLAINTS PER YEAR

Complaints per year, Dodge RAM 1500 Bar chart of distinct NHTSA complaints filed per model year, 1998 highlighted. 1991: 7 complaints 1991 1992: 0 complaints 1993: 6 complaints 1994: 116 complaints 1994 1995: 213 complaints 1996: 298 complaints 1997: 361 complaints 1997 1998: 520 complaints 1998 1999: 610 complaints 2000: 513 complaints 2000 2001: 1112 complaints 2002: 815 complaints 2003: 1170 complaints 2003 2004: 1097 complaints 2005: 1167 complaints 2006: 792 complaints 2006 2007: 517 complaints 2008: 553 complaints 2009: 670 complaints 2009 2010: 485 complaints 2011: 688 complaints 2012: 695 complaints 2012 2014: 1 complaints 2014
1998: 520 complaints
View as data table
YearComplaints
19917
19920
19936
1994116
1995213
1996298
1997361
1998520
1999610
2000513
20011112
2002815
20031170
20041097
20051167
2006792
2007517
2008553
2009670
2010485
2011688
2012695
20141

KNOWN PROBLEM AREAS

Percentages can add to more than 100% -- a complaint can name more than one system.

STRUCTURE 20%

20% of complaints: structure — 102 distinct reports on file, most commonly citing body and bumpers.

CRASH FIRE INJURY
Show complaint excerpts

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

NHTSA ODI report, 19980226

POWER TRAIN 17%

17% of complaints: power train — 88 distinct reports on file, most commonly citing automatic transmission and axle assembly.

CRASH INJURY DEATH
Show complaint excerpts

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...

NHTSA ODI report, 20140317

REAR RIGHT AXLE SEAL HAS FAILED FOR THE SECOND TIME IN LESS THAN 2 YEARS. REAR RIGHT BRAKE IS RENDERED USELESS HENCE WAS A FACTOR IN AN ACCIDENT THE 1ST TIME THE SEALS FAILED.

NHTSA ODI report, 20021009

SERVICE BRAKES 14%

14% of complaints: service brakes — 71 distinct reports on file, most commonly citing hydraulic.

CRASH INJURY DEATH
Show complaint excerpts

DRIVING TRUCK TO AN INTERSECTION WENT SLOW DOWN BRAKE PEDAL WENT TO FLOOR AND I PROCEEDED INTO INTERSECTION AND WAS HIT ON DRIVER SIDE OF TRUCK AND CAME TO REST AGAINST LARGE STEEL FENCE POST. *TR

NHTSA ODI report, 20121215

AIR BAGS 12%

12% of complaints: air bags — 63 distinct reports on file, most commonly citing frontal and sensor/control module.

CRASH INJURY DEATH
Show complaint excerpts

TL* THE CONTACT OWNED A 1998 DODGE RAM 1500. WHILE DRIVING 70 MPH, THE CONTACT FELL ASLEEP AND CRASHED INTO THE MEDIAN. THE AIR BAGS FAILED TO DEPLOY. THERE WERE NO WARNING INDICATORS ILLUMINATED PRIOR TO THE CRASH.

NHTSA ODI report, 20180404

ON JULY 22ND 2002 I WAS STOPPED IN TRAFFIC, A FORD TRUCK HIT ME FROM BEHIND DOING 35MPH. THE IMPACT PUSHED ME INTO THE CAR AHEAD OF ME IT ENDED UP BEING A 5 CAR PILE UP. IN WHICH MY TRUCK FRONT AND REAR BUMPER WAS SMASHED IN.

NHTSA ODI report, 20020916

Also filed under STEERING

DRIVER GOT INTO THE TRUCK AND PUT KEY IN THE IGNITION SWITCH AND TURNED ON THE TRUCK, AND THE AIRBAG DEPLOYED, CAUSING INJURIES TO THE DRIVER. *AK

NHTSA ODI report, 19980518

SUSPENSION 7%

7% of complaints: suspension — 36 distinct reports on file, most commonly citing front and upper ball joint.

CRASH INJURY

SAFETY TIMELINE

R 20060420 — engine and engine cooling

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 PERFORMAN

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

Campaign 06E024000 — check if this car was fixed

BUY-SMART CHECKLIST

1998 Dodge RAM 1500 — pre-purchase inspection

  • Test/inspect for structure issues (102 reports on file for this year).
  • Test/inspect for power train issues (88 reports on file for this year).
  • Test/inspect for service brakes issues (71 reports on file for this year).
  • Verify recall 06E024000 (engine and engine cooling) has been completed.
Inspected by ______________ Date ______________

OTHER YEARS OF THIS MODEL

BEST YEARS

▲ 1994 ▲ 1995 ▲ 1996

WORST YEARS

■ 2003 ■ 2005 ◆ 2001

See all years ranked →

FAQ

Is the 1998 Dodge RAM 1500 reliable?

Based on NHTSA complaint volume compared to this model's typical year, the 1998 Dodge RAM 1500 is rated "typical".

What are the most common problems with the 1998 Dodge RAM 1500?

The most-reported component is structure, accounting for 20% of complaints on file.

How many recalls does the 1998 Dodge RAM 1500 have?

1 recall on file for this model year.

Data updated 2026-09-01 · Complaints are unverified owner reports filed with NHTSA, not independently verified defects. Methodology.