Is the 1998 Dodge RAM reliable?

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

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

The most-reported component is service brakes, accounting for 28% of complaints on file.

How many recalls does the 1998 Dodge RAM have?

17 recalls on file for this model year.

1998 Dodge RAM

■ Significantly worse — known issue year

1998 Dodge RAM
BUILT 2026-10-10

This year had more than double the complaints 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: 483
Recalls: 17
Investigations: 0
Top problem: Service brakes

Complaints per year

1998: 483 complaints

View as data table

Year	Complaints
1981	2
1983	1
1984	2
1985	10
1986	18
1987	18
1988	22
1989	28
1990	23
1991	52
1992	63
1993	56
1994	481
1995	612
1996	625
1997	398
1998	483
1999	366
2000	147
2001	318
2002	116
2003	53
2004	58
2005	40
2006	25
2007	17
2008	25
2009	9
2010	27
2011	0

Known problem areas

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

Service brakes

28% · 134 reports

Most commonly citing hydraulic and air.

CRASHFIREINJURYDEATH

Power train

19% · 90 reports

Most commonly citing automatic transmission and manual transmission.

CRASHFIREINJURY

Air bags

14% · 66 reports

Most commonly citing frontal and side/window.

CRASHINJURY

Show complaint excerpts

Impact was centered on truck. Straight impact, no angle involved.upon impact, aif bags did not deploy.

NHTSA ODI report, 2002-09-06

Vehicle was in frontal collision driving at 40MPH, and driver's and passenger's side airbags did not deploy. Dealer said car level on deceleration was not enough.

NHTSA ODI report, 1998-03-16

Consumer's wife experienced acceleration after shifting gear into drive. Vehicle went out of control, causing consumer to strike a tree. Also both air bags did not deploy. Dealer/manufacturer notified.

NHTSA ODI report, 1997-02-17

Also filed under Vehicle speed control

Electrical system

10% · 49 reports

Most commonly citing horn and fuses and circuit breakers.

CRASHDEATH

Engine and engine cooling

8% · 38 reports

Most commonly citing gasoline and engine.

FIRE

Safety timeline

17 recalls · 0 investigations · oldest first

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

▮
1998Complaint volume 483 complaints filed for this model year.
R

1998-05-25Service brakes, air98V075000 Vehicle description: light duty pickup trucks. The brake rotor material strength is not sufficient causing a hub fatigue fracture.

Remedy: Dealers will inspect the brake rotors and if necessary, replace these rotors.

Check if this car was fixed →
R

1998-06-01Seat belts98V105000 Vehicle description: passenger vehicles. The front seat belt buckles were not properly riveted to the support strap.

Remedy: Dealers will replace the front outer seat belt buckles with buckles that have been properly riveted.

Check if this car was fixed →
R

1998-08-17Fuel system, gasoline98V182000 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…

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…

Check if this car was fixed →
R

1998-09-14Engine and engine cooling98V207000 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…

Remedy: Dealers will replace the low pressure diesel fuel supply tube.

Check if this car was fixed →
R

1998-09-21Structure98V208000 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…

Remedy: Dealers will replace these bolts with properly hardened bolts.

Check if this car was fixed →
R

1998-09-28Engine and engine cooling98V209000 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.

Remedy: Dealers will replace the engine controller software to correct erroneous speed sensor signals.

Check if this car was fixed →
R

1999-02-15Air bags99V002000 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…

Remedy: Dealers will replace the aecm with a module that incorporates revised hardware and software on all affected vehicles.

Check if this car was fixed →
R

1999-12-27Power train99V115000 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…

Remedy: Dealers will replace the hydraulic clutch assembly.

Check if this car was fixed →
R

2000-04-24Trailer hitches00V107000 Vehicle description: pickup trucks equipped with optional trailer hitch. The trailer hitch side brackets were manufactured using material with insufficient strength.

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.

Check if this car was fixed →
R

2001-06-18Air bags01V153000 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…

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…

Check if this car was fixed →
R

2001-09-17Latches/locks/linkages01V040000 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…

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…

Check if this car was fixed →
R

2002-07-29Vehicle speed control02V161000 On certain pickup trucks equipped with diesel engines only, the throttle linkage joints can corrode and cause the throttle to bind or stick.

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…

Check if this car was fixed →
R

2004-09-27Service brakes, hydraulic04V185000 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…

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…

Check if this car was fixed →
R

2006-08-01Exterior lighting06E060000 Certain aai motorsports combination lamps sold as replacement lamps for use on the above list passenger vehicles. Combination lamps not equipped with amber side reflectors fail to conform with the…

Remedy: Aai motorsports will notify owners and replace the lamps free of charge. The recall began on August 1, 2006. Owners may contact aai motorsports at 909-923-9188.

Check if this car was fixed →
R

2008-12-17Exterior lighting08E050000 K2 motor is recalling 1,921 aftermarket headlamps of various models sold for use on the above listed vehicles. These headlamps are missing the amber side reflex reflector which fails to conform…

Remedy: K2 motor will notify owners and offer a full refund. The recall began on decemeber 17, 2008. Owners may contact K2 motor at 1-909-839-2992.

Check if this car was fixed →
R

2009-05-11Exterior lighting09E012000 Sabersport is recalling 16,270 combination corner and bumper lamp assemblies of various part numbers sold for use as aftermarket equipment for various passenger vehicles. These headlamps fail to…

Remedy: Sabersport will notify owners and offer a full refund for the noncompliant combination lamps. The safety recall began on May 11, 2009. Owners may contact sabersport at 1-909-598-7589.

Check if this car was fixed →
R

2009-07-28Exterior lighting09E025000 Dope, inc. Is recalling 42,540 combination corner and bumper lamp assemblies of various part numbers sold for use as aftermarket equipment for various passenger vehicles. These headlamps fail to…

Remedy: Dope, inc. Will notify owners and offer a full refund for the noncompliant combination lamps. The safety recall began on July 28, 2009. Owners may contact dope, inc. At 1-626-272-1798.

Check if this car was fixed →

Buy-smart checklist

1998 Dodge RAM — pre-purchase inspection

Inspect

Service brakes: 134 reports on file for this year.
Power train: 90 reports on file for this year.
Air bags: 66 reports on file for this year.

Verify these recalls were completed

Recall 98V075000 · Service brakes, air
Recall 98V105000 · Seat belts
Recall 98V182000 · Fuel system, gasoline
Recall 98V207000 · Engine and engine cooling
Recall 98V208000 · Structure
Recall 98V209000 · Engine and engine cooling
Recall 99V002000 · Air bags
Recall 99V115000 · Power train
Recall 00V107000 · Trailer hitches
Recall 01V153000 · Air bags
Recall 01V040000 · Latches/locks/linkages
Recall 02V161000 · Vehicle speed control
Recall 04V185000 · Service brakes, hydraulic
Recall 06E060000 · Exterior lighting
Recall 08E050000 · Exterior lighting
Recall 09E012000 · Exterior lighting
Recall 09E025000 · Exterior lighting

Other years of this model

See all years ranked →

Best years3 years

Worst years3 years

FAQ

Is the 1998 Dodge RAM reliable?: Based on NHTSA complaint volume compared to this model's typical year, the 1998 Dodge RAM is rated "significantly worse".
What are the most common problems with the 1998 Dodge RAM?: The most-reported component is service brakes, accounting for 28% of complaints on file.
How many recalls does the 1998 Dodge RAM have?: 17 recalls on file for this model year.

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