MYRModel Year Report

1998 Dodge RAM 1500

● Typical for this model
1998 Dodge RAM 1500
BUILT 2026-10-10

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
520
Recalls
1

Campaigns on file for 1998

Investigations
0

None on file

Top problem
Structure

20% of complaints

Complaints per year

1991: 7 complaints 1991 1992: 0 complaints 1993: 6 complaints 1994: 116 complaints 1994 1995: 213 complaints 1996: 298 complaints 1997: 361 complaints 1998: 520 complaints 1998 520 1999: 610 complaints 2000: 513 complaints 2001: 1,112 complaints 2002: 815 complaints 2003: 1,171 complaints 2003 2004: 1,097 complaints 2005: 1,169 complaints 2006: 792 complaints 2006 2007: 517 complaints 2008: 554 complaints 2009: 670 complaints 2009 2010: 485 complaints 2011: 688 complaints 2012: 697 complaints 2012 2014: 1 complaint
1991: 7 complaints 1991 1992: 0 complaints 1993: 6 complaints 1993 1994: 116 complaints 1995: 213 complaints 1995 1996: 298 complaints 1997: 361 complaints 1998: 520 complaints 1998 520 1999: 610 complaints 2000: 513 complaints 2001: 1,112 complaints 2001 2002: 815 complaints 2003: 1,171 complaints 2003 2004: 1,097 complaints 2005: 1,169 complaints 2005 2006: 792 complaints 2007: 517 complaints 2007 2008: 554 complaints 2009: 670 complaints 2009 2010: 485 complaints 2011: 688 complaints 2011 2012: 697 complaints 2014: 1 complaint 2014
1991: 7 complaints 1991 1992: 0 complaints 1992 1993: 6 complaints 1993 1994: 116 complaints 1994 1995: 213 complaints 1995 1996: 298 complaints 1996 1997: 361 complaints 1997 1998: 520 complaints 1998 520 1999: 610 complaints 1999 2000: 513 complaints 2000 2001: 1,112 complaints 2001 2002: 815 complaints 2002 2003: 1,171 complaints 2003 2004: 1,097 complaints 2004 2005: 1,169 complaints 2005 2006: 792 complaints 2006 2007: 517 complaints 2007 2008: 554 complaints 2008 2009: 670 complaints 2009 2010: 485 complaints 2010 2011: 688 complaints 2011 2012: 697 complaints 2012 2014: 1 complaint 2014

1998: 520 complaints

View as data table
YearComplaints
19917
19920
19936
1994116
1995213
1996298
1997361
1998520
1999610
2000513
20011,112
2002815
20031,171
20041,097
20051,169
2006792
2007517
2008554
2009670
2010485
2011688
2012697
20141

Known problem areas

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

Structure

20% · 102 reports

Most commonly citing body and bumpers.

CRASHFIREINJURY
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, 1998-02-26

Power train

17% · 88 reports

Most commonly citing automatic transmission and axle assembly.

CRASHINJURYDEATH
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, 2014-03-17

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, 2002-10-09

Service brakes

14% · 71 reports

Most commonly citing hydraulic.

CRASHINJURYDEATH
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.

NHTSA ODI report, 2012-12-15

Air bags

12% · 63 reports

Most commonly citing frontal and sensor/control module.

CRASHINJURYDEATH
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, 2018-04-04

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, 2002-09-16

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.

NHTSA ODI report, 1998-05-18

Suspension

7% · 36 reports

Most commonly citing front and upper ball joint.

CRASHINJURY

Safety timeline

1 recall · 0 investigations · oldest first

To check one car, enter its VIN on the NHTSA recall page. Check a VIN →

  1. R
    2006-04-20Engine and engine cooling06E024000 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…

    Remedy: K&n will provide owners with a free repair kit along with repair instructions. The recall began on April 20, 2006.

    Check if this car was fixed →

Buy-smart checklist

1998 Dodge RAM 1500 — pre-purchase inspection

Inspect

  • Structure: 102 reports on file for this year.
  • Power train: 88 reports on file for this year.
  • Service brakes: 71 reports on file for this year.

Verify these recalls were completed

  • Recall 06E024000 · Engine and engine cooling
Inspected by ______________ Date ______________

Other years of this model

See all years ranked →

Best years3 years

Worst years3 years

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 2026-10-09 · Complaints are unverified owner reports filed with NHTSA, not independently verified defects. Methodology.