1998 Dodge RAM 1500: complaints, problems and recalls
Explore the records behind recurring owner reports.
Key facts
428 owner complaints analyzed
0 distinct recall campaigns
95,000 mi median reported failure mileage
Scope: 1998 model year. Data snapshot: . 225 complaints include usable failure mileage.
Most common problems
Structure is the most frequently named component, appearing in 83 of 428 complaints (19.4%). A complaint can name multiple components.
| Topic | Matching reports | Share of complaints |
|---|---|---|
| Braking behavior | 53 | 12.4% |
| Transmission and shifting | 38 | 8.9% |
| Steering behavior | 26 | 6.1% |
| Electrical and battery issues | 15 | 3.5% |
| Fuel system concerns | 8 | 1.9% |
| Engine operation | 7 | 1.6% |
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 |
|---|---|
| Structure | 83 |
| Power Train:Automatic Transmission | 30 |
| Air Bags | 27 |
| Unknown Or Other | 22 |
| Air Bags:Frontal | 19 |
| Seat Belts | 16 |
| Service Brakes, Hydraulic:Antilock/Traction Control/Electronic Limited Slip | 15 |
| Electrical System | 13 |
Structure: 83; Power Train:Automatic Transmission: 30; Air Bags: 27; Unknown Or Other: 22; Air Bags:Frontal: 19; Seat Belts: 16; Service Brakes, Hydraulic:Antilock/Traction Control/Electronic Limited Slip: 15; Electrical System: 13
Reported problems by failure mileage
Complaint counts in mileage bands. These are not failure rates per vehicle or mile.
| Category | Count |
|---|---|
| Under 25,000 | 9 |
| 25,000 to 49,999 | 21 |
| 50,000 to 74,999 | 40 |
| 75,000 to 99,999 | 53 |
| 100,000 to 149,999 | 61 |
| 150,000 and above | 41 |
Under 25,000: 9; 25,000 to 49,999: 21; 50,000 to 74,999: 40; 75,000 to 99,999: 53; 100,000 to 149,999: 61; 150,000 and above: 41
100,000 to 149,999 miles has the most reports with usable mileage (61). 203 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 | 31 |
| 2001 | 48 |
| 2002 | 29 |
| 2003 | 56 |
| 2004 | 33 |
| 2005 | 17 |
| 2006 | 18 |
| 2007 | 42 |
| 2008 | 27 |
| 2009 | 19 |
| 2010 | 21 |
| 2011 | 21 |
| 2012 | 7 |
| 2013 | 12 |
| 2014 | 15 |
| 2015 | 10 |
| 2016 | 3 |
| 2017 | 6 |
| 2018 | 5 |
| 2019 | 2 |
| 2020 | 3 |
| 2021 | 1 |
| 2024 | 2 |
2000: 31; 2001: 48; 2002: 29; 2003: 56; 2004: 33; 2005: 17; 2006: 18; 2007: 42; 2008: 27; 2009: 19; 2010: 21; 2011: 21; 2012: 7; 2013: 12; 2014: 15; 2015: 10; 2016: 3; 2017: 6; 2018: 5; 2019: 2; 2020: 3; 2021: 1; 2024: 2
Pattern summary
Structure leads the component reports. Braking behavior appears in 53 complaint narratives. Transmission and shifting appears in 38 complaint narratives. Steering behavior appears in 26 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.
Examples from the source records
Examples provide context, not a representative sample or a verified diagnosis.
Owner report 10002426 · 2003-01-09 (January 9, 2003)
CONSUMER STATES WHILE DRIVING THE FRONT DRIVERS TIRE FELL OFF THE VEHICLE WHILE TRAVELING ABOUT 15 MPH. CONSUMER STATES THIS IS NOT THE FIRST TIME THE VEHICLE HAS LOST IT'S FRONT TIRE. *NLM
Owner-reported narrative. Look up ODI 10002426 at NHTSA ↗
Owner report 10002714 · 2003-01-15 (January 15, 2003)
AT 71,000 MILES TRANSMISSION FAILED FOR THE SECOND TIME. FIRST TIME WAS AT 34,000. $3200 TO REPACE WITH REBUILT UNIT. ALSO, THE REAR DIFFERENTIAL NEEDS REBUILDING FOR ANOTHER $1600.
Owner-reported narrative. 71,000 miles reported. Look up ODI 10002714 at NHTSA ↗
Owner report 10002981 · 2003-01-20 (January 20, 2003)
WHILE MY WIFE WAS SITTING WITH THE TRUCK ON, IN PARK, IT BURST IN TO FLAMES. THE ENTIRE FRONT AND CAB OF THE TRUCK WAS BURNED. IT WAS A TOTAL LOSS. ELECTRICAL PROBLEMS ARE SUSPECTED BY THE FIRE DEPT. VERY SCARY AND VERY DANGEROUS!!!
Owner-reported narrative. 95,000 miles reported. Look up ODI 10002981 at NHTSA ↗
Owner report 10004021 · 2003-01-16 (January 16, 2003)
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.
Owner-reported narrative. Look up ODI 10004021 at NHTSA ↗
Owner report 10005623 · 2003-02-10 (February 10, 2003)
WHEN APPROACHING A HILL OR ATTEMPTING TO PASS AT HIGHWAY SPEEDS (75 TO 85MPH) EITHER WITH CRUISE ON OR OFF THE TRUCK WILL DOWN SHIFT FROM OVERDRIVE TO LOW GEAR.(SUDDENLY BRINGING YOU TO A HAULT!) IT WILL THEN CAUSE THE ENGINE TO OVERDRIVE. THEN THE TRUCK WILL STAY EITHER IN LOW GEAR OR 2ND GEAR UNTIL YOU SHUT THE KEY OFF AND RESTART OR BY PUTTING IT INTO NEUTRAL THEN BACK INTO DRIVE AND LETTING IT COAST FOR A BIT. THIS IS VERY DANGEROUS! I HAVE BEEN ALMOST SMASHED INTO SEVERAL TIMES! THIS TRANSMISSION HAS BEEN REBUILT AND THE PROBLEM HAS BEEN W…
Owner-reported narrative. 11 miles reported. Look up ODI 10005623 at NHTSA ↗
Owner report 10006302 · 2003-02-04 (February 4, 2003)
THE VEHICLE WAS INVOLVED IN A FRONTAL COLLISION AND NONE OF THE AIRBAGS DEPLOYED. THIS RESULTED IN DRIVER BEING INJURED. PLEASE PROVIDE ANY FURTHER INFORMATION. PH
Owner-reported narrative. Look up ODI 10006302 at NHTSA ↗
Owner report 10006377 · 2003-02-04 (February 4, 2003)
VEHICLE WAS INVOLVED IN A FRONTAL COLLISION, WERE THE AIRBAGS DIDN'T DEPLOY. WHICH RESULTED IN DRIVER BEING INJURED. PLEASE PROVIDE ANY FURTHER INFORMATION. PH
Owner-reported narrative. Look up ODI 10006377 at NHTSA ↗
Owner report 10006950 · 2001-10-22 (October 22, 2001)
THE REAR AXLE BEARINGS AND SEAL HAD TO BE COMPLETELY REPLACED. THE PROBLEM WAS DETECTED FROM HEARING SOME REAR AXLE NOISE. PH *JB **DIMSII IVOQ ENTRY POSTED AFTER 12/12/02 CUT OVER TO ARTEMIS**753546
Owner-reported narrative. 41,642 miles reported. Look up ODI 10006950 at NHTSA ↗
Recall history
0 distinct campaigns affect this selection. Announcement dates below are different from vehicle model years. A campaign may cover multiple years.
No recall campaigns are recorded in this snapshot.