1998 Dodge RAM VAN problems and owner complaints
Explore the records behind recurring owner reports.
Key facts
20 owner complaints analyzed
1 distinct recall campaigns
111,375 mi median reported failure mileage
Scope: 1998 model year. Data snapshot: . 10 complaints include usable failure mileage.
Most common problems
Electrical System is the most frequently named component, appearing in 3 of 20 complaints (15.0%). A complaint can name multiple components.
| Topic | Matching reports | Share of complaints |
|---|---|---|
| Braking behavior | 9 | 45.0% |
| Electrical and battery issues | 4 | 20.0% |
| Steering behavior | 3 | 15.0% |
| Transmission and shifting | 1 | 5.0% |
| Fuel system concerns | 1 | 5.0% |
Topic matches use published keyword rules. They describe mentions, including negations or comparisons, and do not confirm a diagnosis. Read the matching rules.
Component breakdown
Number of unique complaints naming each component. Top eight shown.
| Category | Count |
|---|---|
| Electrical System | 3 |
| Electrical System:Wiring:Front Underhood | 3 |
| Steering | 3 |
| Service Brakes, Hydraulic | 2 |
| Service Brakes, Hydraulic:Foundation Components:Disc:Caliper | 2 |
| Suspension | 2 |
| Tires | 2 |
| Air Bags | 1 |
Electrical System: 3; Electrical System:Wiring:Front Underhood: 3; Steering: 3; Service Brakes, Hydraulic: 2; Service Brakes, Hydraulic:Foundation Components:Disc:Caliper: 2; Suspension: 2; Tires: 2; Air Bags: 1
Reported problems by failure mileage
Complaint counts in mileage bands. These are not failure rates per vehicle or mile.
| Category | Count |
|---|---|
| Under 25,000 | 1 |
| 25,000 to 49,999 | 2 |
| 50,000 to 74,999 | 0 |
| 75,000 to 99,999 | 1 |
| 100,000 to 149,999 | 3 |
| 150,000 and above | 3 |
Under 25,000: 1; 25,000 to 49,999: 2; 50,000 to 74,999: 0; 75,000 to 99,999: 1; 100,000 to 149,999: 3; 150,000 and above: 3
100,000 to 149,999 miles has the most reports with usable mileage (3). 10 complaints have missing, zero or invalid mileage.
Complaints over time
Year the complaint was filed, not the vehicle model year or incident year. The snapshot year is partial.
| Category | Count |
|---|---|
| 2000 | 5 |
| 2002 | 3 |
| 2004 | 4 |
| 2005 | 2 |
| 2008 | 1 |
| 2009 | 2 |
| 2011 | 2 |
| 2013 | 1 |
2000: 5; 2002: 3; 2004: 4; 2005: 2; 2008: 1; 2009: 2; 2011: 2; 2013: 1
Pattern summary
Electrical System leads the component reports. Braking behavior appears in 9 complaint narratives. Electrical and battery issues appears in 4 complaint narratives. Steering behavior appears in 3 complaint narratives. Use these patterns to inspect individual reports and prepare questions for a mechanic.
Calculated from recorded counts. An AI narrative has not been published for this selection.
Complaint evidence
Examples provide context, not a representative sample or a verified diagnosis.
Owner report 10086707 · 2004-08-12 (August 12, 2004)
THE VERIZON COMMUNICATIONS VEHICLE HAD AN UNDERHOOD FIRE WHICH ORIGINATED IN THE ABS MODULE AREA. THE ABS MODULE AND WIRING CONNECTOR WERE BURNED ALONG WITH THE TRUCK BATTERY AND OTHER UNDERHOOD COMPONENTS. VERIZON HAS HAD SIMILAR FIRES IN OTHER VEHICLES AND FEELS THIS IS AN UNSAFE CONDITION THAT WARRANTS FURTHER INVESTIGATION.
Owner-reported narrative. 35,072 miles reported. Look up ODI 10086707 at NHTSA ↗
Owner report 10086713 · 2004-08-12 (August 12, 2004)
WHILE AT A DODGE DEALER FOR INSTRUMENT CLUSTER REPAIR THE VERIZON VEHICLE HAD AN UNDERHOOD FIRE WHICH ORIGINATED IN THE ABS MODULE AREA. THE ABS MODULE AND WIRING CONNECTOR, TRUCK BATTERY AND OTHER UNDERHOOD COMPONENTS WERE BURNT. VERIZON HAS HAD SIMILAR FIRES IN OTHER VANS OF THIS MODEL AND BELIEVES THIS IS A SAFETY ISSUE WHICH WARRANTS FURTHER INVESTIGATION.
Owner-reported narrative. 94,498 miles reported. Look up ODI 10086713 at NHTSA ↗
Owner report 10230374 · 2008-06-09 (June 9, 2008)
TL*THE CONTACT OWNS A 1998 DODGE RAM VAN. WHILE PULLING INTO A PARKING SPACE AT AN UNKNOWN SPEED, THE CONTACT FELT A HARD VIBRATION AND HEARD A LOUD BANG. HE EXITED THE VEHICLE TO LOCATE THE ORIGIN OF THE SOUND, BUT WAS UNSUCCESSFUL. HE RE-ENTERED THE VEHICLE TO CONTINUE TO PARK WHEN ANOTHER LOUD SOUND OCCURRED. THE STEERING DID NOT RESPOND. HE EXITED THE VEHICLE AGAIN AND LOCATED A FAILURE WITH THE STEERING CONTROL ARM AND ITS COMPONENTS. THE CONTACT ALSO NOTICED THAT THE ENTIRE FRONT END WAS COMPLETELY RUSTED. HE CALLED A TOW TRUCK AND…
Owner-reported narrative. 140,000 miles reported. Look up ODI 10230374 at NHTSA ↗
Owner report 10404981 · 2011-06-02 (June 2, 2011)
WHILE BACKING OUT OF MY PARKING SPACE AND TURNING THE STEERING WHEEL I HEARD A LOUD POP/THUMP. SUBSEQUENTLY WHILE DRIVING DOWN THE ROAD AT 15MPH THE STEERING WENT OUT AND THE VEHICLE WAS UNCONTROLLABLE. I HAD THE VEHICLE TOWED TO A REPAIR SHOP. THE CAUSE OF THE BREAK DOWN WAS THE FRONT PASSENGER SIDE FRAME HAD RUSTED AND CRACKED. THIS IS WHERE THE STEERING IS CONNECTED TO. NO REPAIR WAS POSSIBLE. I HAVE CONTACTED ALTERNATE REPAIR SOURCES OF DEALERS, BODY SHOPS, WELDERS AND METAL FABRICATORS WITHOUT ANY SUCCESS TO GET ANYONE WILLING OR ABLE TO R…
Owner-reported narrative. 100,101 miles reported. Look up ODI 10404981 at NHTSA ↗
Owner report 8006110 · 2002-03-21 (March 21, 2002)
TRANSMISSION HAS BEEN REPLACED BECAUSE TRANSMISSION WENT OUT WHILE CONSUMER WAS DRIVING, THERE WAS NO WARNINGS, BUT CONSUMER WAS DRIVING AT 25-30 MPH BEFORE IT WENT OUT.*AK
Owner-reported narrative. Look up ODI 8006110 at NHTSA ↗
Owner report 8018121 · 2002-09-06 (September 6, 2002)
VEHICLE WAS TAKE TO THE DEALER FOR A CHECK UP, AND DISCOVERED THAT FUEL TANK WAS EXPANDING, AND RUBBING THE CAB. DEALER HAS BEEN NOTIFIED.*AK CONSUMER STATES THE FUEL TANK MAKES A LOUD NOISE IN THE REAR DUE TO THE FUEL TANK EXPANDING AND RUBBING THE BACK OF THE CAB. *YH
Owner-reported narrative. Look up ODI 8018121 at NHTSA ↗