1998 Dodge RAM WAGON: complaints, problems and recalls
Explore the records behind recurring owner reports.
Key facts
3 owner complaints analyzed
1 distinct recall campaigns
107,000 mi median reported failure mileage
Scope: 1998 model year. Data snapshot: . 1 complaints include usable failure mileage.
This selection has limited data. It remains available for lookup but is excluded from search indexing.
Most common problems
Electrical System:Wiring is the most frequently named component, appearing in 1 of 3 complaints (33.3%). A complaint can name multiple components.
| Topic | Matching reports | Share of complaints |
|---|---|---|
| Transmission and shifting | 1 | 33.3% |
| Engine operation | 1 | 33.3% |
| Braking behavior | 1 | 33.3% |
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:Wiring | 1 |
| Engine And Engine Cooling | 1 |
| Exterior Lighting | 1 |
| Fuel System, Other | 1 |
| Fuel/Propulsion System | 1 |
| Latches/Locks/Linkages:Doors:Latch | 1 |
| Power Train:Automatic Transmission | 1 |
| Service Brakes, Hydraulic:Antilock/Traction Control/Electronic Limited Slip | 1 |
Electrical System:Wiring: 1; Engine And Engine Cooling: 1; Exterior Lighting: 1; Fuel System, Other: 1; Fuel/Propulsion System: 1; Latches/Locks/Linkages:Doors:Latch: 1; Power Train:Automatic Transmission: 1; Service Brakes, Hydraulic:Antilock/Traction Control/Electronic Limited Slip: 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 | 0 |
| 25,000 to 49,999 | 0 |
| 50,000 to 74,999 | 0 |
| 75,000 to 99,999 | 0 |
| 100,000 to 149,999 | 1 |
| 150,000 and above | 0 |
Under 25,000: 0; 25,000 to 49,999: 0; 50,000 to 74,999: 0; 75,000 to 99,999: 0; 100,000 to 149,999: 1; 150,000 and above: 0
100,000 to 149,999 miles has the most reports with usable mileage (1). 2 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 |
|---|---|
| 2001 | 1 |
| 2006 | 1 |
| 2017 | 1 |
2001: 1; 2006: 1; 2017: 1
Pattern summary
Electrical System:Wiring leads the component reports. Transmission and shifting appears in 1 complaint narratives. Engine operation appears in 1 complaint narratives. Braking behavior appears in 1 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 10147878 · 2006-01-16 (January 16, 2006)
I HAVE A DODGE RAM 1500 WAGON 1998, AND I HAVE BEEN EXPERIENCING ALOT OF PROBLEMS WITH THE TRANSMISSION AND KEEPS STALLING WHENEVER I TURN THE WHEEL TO THE RIGHT SIDE. THIS IS VERY WEIRD AND THE MECHANICS DO NOT UNDERSTAND THIS COMPLAINT. THE ABS LIGHT HAS BEEN COMING ON FOR A WHILE AND NO ONE KNOWS WHY EITHER, BUT I DO NOT SEE ANY RECALLS ON THIS PROBLEM EITHER. CAN YOU HELP ME RESOLVE THIS MATTER. I HAVE REPLACED THE DOOR LOCKS ON EACH DOOR AT LEAST TWICE IN THIS VAN AND IT HAS COST ALOT OF MONEY, I THINK BY NOW THIS SHOULD HAVE BEEN RECALLED…
Owner-reported narrative. Look up ODI 10147878 at NHTSA ↗
Owner report 10968921 · 2017-03-28 (March 28, 2017)
AS WE WERE DRIVING DOWN THE ROAD THE VAN STARTING MAKING WHIRRING SOUND AND STARTING LOSE SPEED. WE HEARD A LOUD POP. A CAR BEEPED AND MY HUSBAND LOOKED IN THE SIDE MIRROR AND SAW FIRE COMING FROM UNDER THE VAN. WE QUICKLY PULLED OVER AND JUMPED OUT. THE FUEL LINE WAS LEAKING AND THE VAN ENGULFED IN FLAMES. WE TOTAL LOST THE VAN AND EVERYTHING IN IT. WE PURCHASED THE VAN FROM A LOCAL CHURCH WHICH NEVER HAD ANY ISSUES WITH IT. IT WAS INSPECTED IN DECEMBER OF 2016 AND HAD ONLY BEEN DRIVEN A FEW TIMES WITHOUT ANY COMPLICATIONS. WE HAD READ THAT TH…
Owner-reported narrative. 107,000 miles reported. Look up ODI 10968921 at NHTSA ↗
Owner report 880097 · 2001-02-08 (February 8, 2001)
SWAY BAR WAS REPLACED TWICE. SOMETIMES IT SOUNDED LIKE SOMETHING WAS LOOSE. DEALER WOULD ADJUST IT. WHEN MAKING A HARD RIGHT TURN LEFT TIRE RUBBED AGAINST SWAY BAR. *AK
Owner-reported narrative. Look up ODI 880097 at NHTSA ↗
Recall history
1 distinct campaigns affect this selection. Announcement dates below are different from vehicle model years. A campaign may cover multiple years.
98V076000 · Seats:Front Assembly:Power Adjust
Reported: 1998-04-08 (April 8, 1998)
VEHICLE DESCRIPTION: PASSENGER VEHICLES BUILT WITH POWER SEAT OPTION. THE DRIVER'S SIDE FRONT SEAT ATTACHING RISER WELDS WERE NOT CORRECT.
Consequence: THE SEAT ATTACHMENT STRENGTH WOULD NOT BE SUFFICIENT IN THE EVENT OF A VEHICLE CRASH INCREASING THE RISK OF PERSONAL INJURY.
Remedy: DEALERS WILL REPLACE THE DRIVER'S SIDE POWER FRONT SEAT RISE WITH A RISER THAT WAS MIG WELDED.
NHTSA campaign record ↗