Total Complaints
19 filings
DODGE B SERIES · model year
1998 DODGE B SERIES
19 NHTSA complaints for this specific cohort.
NHTSA overall rating
Not crash-tested
New Car Assessment Program
The 1998DODGEB SERIES carries 19 consumer safety complaints in NHTSA's Office of Defects Investigation database for this specific model-year cohort. Within that volume, owners reported 0 crashes, 16 fires, 0 injuries, and 0 fatalities. No NCAP 5-star crash-test rating is available for this model year in the federal database.
Component-level analysis is where model-year complaints become actionable: the top complaint category for the 1998 B SERIES is electrical system with 15 filings, followed by air bags (1) and electrical system:wiring:front underhood (1). Concentration in one or two component groups is the classic signature of a systemic defect; a flat distribution usually reflects normal aging, warranty complaints, or isolated build-plant variability.
NHTSA currently has 20 investigation files overlapping the 1998 B SERIES, and 1 remain open. Owners comparing this cohort against neighboring years should pair the counters above with the complaint-by-year trend on the parent model page — a spike in a single year often tracks to a platform refresh, a new transmission supplier, or an updated ECU calibration. Use the related-complaint feed below to read raw owner narratives before deciding whether any pattern here affects your specific use case.
19
Complaints
0
Crashes
16
Fires
0
Injuries
0
Deaths
Crashes Reported
0 reports
Source
NHTSA ODI
Federal complaints database
Complaints vs. fleet median (215)
At or below the fleet median complaint volume.
Complaints by Component
| Component | Count |
|---|---|
| ELECTRICAL SYSTEM | 15 |
| AIR BAGS | 1 |
| ELECTRICAL SYSTEM:WIRING:FRONT UNDERHOOD | 1 |
| STRUCTURE:FRAME AND MEMBERS | 1 |
| STEERING | 1 |
Recent Complaints
20110513STRUCTURE:FRAME AND MEMBERS
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 1998 DODGE B SERIES. THE CONTACT WAS REVERSING 5 MPH WHEN THE FRONT DRIVER SIDE AND PASSENGER SIDE TIRES ABNORMALLY TURNED OUTWARD IN DIFFERENT DIRECTIONS. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE FRAME WHERE THE IDLER ARM WAS MOUNTED SHOWED SIGNS OF EXTREME RUST AND CORROSION. THE FAILURE CAUSED THE IDLER ARM AND FRAME TO SEPARATE, COMPROMISING THE STEERING. THE VEHICLE WAS TOWED TO A LOCAL MECHANIC WHO STATED THAT THE FRAME WOULD NEED REPLACING AT A COST OF $5,000. THE DEALER WAS NOT CONTACTED AND THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOT MADE AWARE OF THE FAILURE. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 14,248.
Mileage: 143,248
20110513STEERING
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 1998 DODGE B SERIES. THE CONTACT WAS REVERSING 5 MPH WHEN THE FRONT DRIVER SIDE AND PASSENGER SIDE TIRES ABNORMALLY TURNED OUTWARD IN DIFFERENT DIRECTIONS. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE FRAME WHERE THE IDLER ARM WAS MOUNTED SHOWED SIGNS OF EXTREME RUST AND CORROSION. THE FAILURE CAUSED THE IDLER ARM AND FRAME TO SEPARATE, COMPROMISING THE STEERING. THE VEHICLE WAS TOWED TO A LOCAL MECHANIC WHO STATED THAT THE FRAME WOULD NEED REPLACING AT A COST OF $5,000. THE DEALER WAS NOT CONTACTED AND THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOT MADE AWARE OF THE FAILURE. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 14,248.
Mileage: 143,248
20080928FireELECTRICAL SYSTEM
THIS VEHICLE BELONGS TO VERIZON COMMUNICATIONS. THE VAN HAD AN UNDER HOOD FIRE THAT ORIGINATED IN THE ABS MODULE AREA. THE DRIVER NOTICED SMOKE COMING FROM UNDER THE HOOD OF THE VAN WHEN HE STARTED THE VAN TO LEAVE A JOBSITE. HE EXTINGUISHED THE FIRE USING DIRT AND THE CUSTOMER'S GARDEN HOSE. DAIMLERCHRYSLER ISSUED SAFETY RECALL D20 IN 2004 TO ADDRESS THIS PROBLEM BUT THE RECALL REPAIR HAS NOT CORRECTED THE PROBLEM. VERIZON HAS HAD 29 INCIDENTS THAT OCCURRED AFTER THE RECALL WAS PERFORMED. THIS IS AN UNSAFE CONDITION THAT WARRANTS FURTHER INVESTIGATION AND ACTION. *TR
Mileage: 92,971
20080928FireELECTRICAL SYSTEM
THIS VEHICLE BELONGS TO VERIZON COMMUNICATIONS. THE VAN HAD AN UNDER HOOD FIRE THAT ORIGINATED IN THE ABS MODULE AREA. THIS VAN CAUGHT FIRE TWICE. THIS COMPLAINT IS FOR THE SECOND FIRE WHICH OCCURRED A FEW MONTHS AFTER DAIMLERCHRYSLER REPAIRED THE DAMAGE FROM THE FIRST FIRE. BOTH FIRES ORIGINATED IN THE ABS MODULE CONNECTOR AREA. THE DRIVER SMELLED SMOKE WHILE DRIVING THE VAN. HE WAS NEAR A VERIZON GARAGE SO HE PULLED IN AND NOTIFIED THE MECHANIC. THE MECHANIC EXTINGUISHED THE FIRE WITH A FIRE EXTINGUISHER AND REMOVED THE BATTERY CABLE. DAIMLERCHRYSLER ISSUED SAFETY RECALL D20 IN 2004 TO ADDRESS THIS PROBLEM BUT THE RECALL REPAIR HAS NOT CORRECTED THE PROBLEM. VERIZON HAS HAD 29 INCIDENTS THAT OCCURRED AFTER THE RECALL WAS PERFORMED. THIS IS AN UNSAFE CONDITION THAT WARRANTS FURTHER INVESTIGATION AND ACTION. *TR
Mileage: 94,596
20080928FireELECTRICAL SYSTEM
THIS VEHICLE BELONGS TO VERIZON COMMUNICATIONS. THE VAN HAD AN UNDER HOOD FIRE THAT ORIGINATED IN THE ABS MODULE AREA. THE DRIVER NOTICED SMOKE COMING FROM UNDER THE HOOD OF THE VAN WHILE IT WAS PARKED AT A JOBSITE WHERE HE WAS WORKING. HE EXTINGUISHED THE FIRE WITH A FIRE EXTINGUISHER. DAIMLERCHRYSLER ISSUED SAFETY RECALL D20 IN 2004 TO ADDRESS THIS PROBLEM BUT THE RECALL REPAIR HAS NOT CORRECTED THE PROBLEM. VERIZON HAS HAD 29 INCIDENTS THAT OCCURRED AFTER THE RECALL WAS PERFORMED. THIS IS AN UNSAFE CONDITION THAT WARRANTS FURTHER INVESTIGATION AND ACTION. *TR
Mileage: 104,000
20080928FireELECTRICAL SYSTEM
THIS VEHICLE BELONGS TO VERIZON COMMUNICATIONS. THE VAN HAD AN UNDER HOOD FIRE THAT ORIGINATED IN THE ABS MODULE AREA WHILE PARKED. DAIMLERCHRYSLER ISSUED SAFETY RECALL D20 IN 2004 TO ADDRESS THIS PROBLEM BUT THE RECALL REPAIR HAS NOT CORRECTED THE PROBLEM. VERIZON HAS HAD 29 UNDER HOOD FIRE INCIDENTS THAT OCCURRED AFTER THE RECALL WAS PERFORMED. THIS IS AN UNSAFE CONDITION THAT WARRANTS FURTHER INVESTIGATION AND ACTION. *TR
Mileage: 144,825
20080928FireELECTRICAL SYSTEM
THIS VEHICLE BELONGS TO VERIZON COMMUNICATIONS. THE VAN HAD AN UNDER HOOD FIRE THAT ORIGINATED IN THE ABS MODULE AREA WHILE PARKED. DAIMLERCHRYSLER ISSUED SAFETY RECALL D20 IN 2004 TO ADDRESS THIS PROBLEM BUT THE RECALL REPAIR HAS NOT CORRECTED THE PROBLEM. VERIZON HAS HAD 29 UNDER HOOD FIRE INCIDENTS THAT OCCURRED AFTER THE RECALL WAS PERFORMED. THIS IS AN UNSAFE CONDITION THAT WARRANTS FURTHER INVESTIGATION AND ACTION. *TR
Mileage: 94,834
20080927FireELECTRICAL SYSTEM
THIS VEHICLE BELONGS TO VERIZON COMMUNICATIONS. THE VAN HAD AN UNDER HOOD FIRE THAT ORIGINATED IN THE ABS MODULE AREA WHILE PARKED OVER THE WEEKEND. THE VAN IS DECLARED A "TOTAL LOSS". DAIMLERCHRYSLER ISSUED SAFETY RECALL D20 IN 2004 TO ADDRESS THIS PROBLEM BUT THE RECALL REPAIR HAS NOT CORRECTED THE PROBLEM. VERIZON HAS HAD 29 UNDER HOOD FIRE INCIDENTS THAT OCCURRED AFTER THE RECALL WAS PERFORMED. THIS IS AN UNSAFE CONDITION THAT WARRANTS FURTHER INVESTIGATION AND ACTION. *TR
Mileage: 35,100
20080927FireELECTRICAL SYSTEM
THIS VEHICLE BELONGS TO VERIZON COMMUNICATIONS. THE VAN HAD AN UNDER HOOD FIRE THAT ORIGINATED IN THE ABS MODULE AREA WHILE PARKED OVER NIGHT. THE VAN IS DECLARED A "TOTAL LOSS". DAIMLERCHRYSLER ISSUED SAFETY RECALL D20 IN 2004 TO ADDRESS THIS PROBLEM BUT THE RECALL REPAIR HAS NOT CORRECTED THE PROBLEM. VERIZON HAS HAD 29 UNDER HOOD FIRE INCIDENTS THAT OCCURRED AFTER THE RECALL WAS PERFORMED. THIS IS AN UNSAFE CONDITION THAT WARRANTS FURTHER INVESTIGATION AND ACTION. *TR
Mileage: 156,455
20080927FireELECTRICAL SYSTEM
THIS VEHICLE BELONGS TO VERIZON COMMUNICATIONS. THE VAN HAD AN UNDER HOOD FIRE THAT ORIGINATED IN THE ABS MODULE AREA WHILE PARKED. THE VAN IS DECLARED A "TOTAL LOSS". DAIMLERCHRYSLER ISSUED SAFETY RECALL D20 IN 2004 TO ADDRESS THIS PROBLEM BUT THE RECALL REPAIR HAS NOT CORRECTED THE PROBLEM. VERIZON HAS HAD 29 UNDER HOOD FIRE INCIDENTS THAT OCCURRED AFTER THE RECALL WAS PERFORMED. THIS IS AN UNSAFE CONDITION THAT WARRANTS FURTHER INVESTIGATION AND ACTION. *TR
Mileage: 137,678
20080927FireELECTRICAL SYSTEM
THIS VEHICLE BELONGS TO VERIZON COMMUNICATIONS. THE VAN HAD AN UNDER HOOD FIRE THAT ORIGINATED IN THE ABS MODULE AREA. THE DRIVER COMPLAINED THAT THE SPEEDOMETER WAS NOT WORKING CORRECTLY. WHEN DIAGNOSING THE COMPLAINT THE MECHANIC DISCOVERED THAT THE ABS MODULE CONNECTOR AND WIRING WERE BURNT. DAIMLERCHRYSLER ISSUED SAFETY RECALL D20 IN 2004 TO ADDRESS THIS PROBLEM BUT THE RECALL REPAIR HAS NOT CORRECTED THE PROBLEM. VERIZON HAS HAD 29 INCIDENTS THAT OCCURRED AFTER THE RECALL WAS PERFORMED. THIS IS AN UNSAFE CONDITION THAT WARRANTS FURTHER INVESTIGATION AND ACTION. *TR
Mileage: 119,758
20080927FireELECTRICAL SYSTEM
THIS VEHICLE BELONGS TO VERIZON COMMUNICATIONS. THE VAN HAD AN UNDER HOOD FIRE THAT ORIGINATED IN THE ABS MODULE AREA WHILE PARKED. THE VAN IS DECLARED A "TOTAL LOSS". DAIMLERCHRYSLER ISSUED SAFETY RECALL D20 IN 2004 TO ADDRESS THIS PROBLEM BUT THE RECALL REPAIR HAS NOT CORRECTED THE PROBLEM. VERIZON HAS HAD 29 UNDER HOOD FIRE INCIDENTS THAT OCCURRED AFTER THE RECALL WAS PERFORMED. THIS IS AN UNSAFE CONDITION THAT WARRANTS FURTHER INVESTIGATION AND ACTION. *TR
Mileage: 127,949
20080927FireELECTRICAL SYSTEM
THIS VEHICLE BELONGS TO VERIZON COMMUNICATIONS. THE VAN HAD AN UNDER HOOD FIRE THAT ORIGINATED IN THE ABS MODULE AREA WHILE PARKED OVER THE WEEKEND. THE VAN IS DECLARED A "TOTAL LOSS". THE VAN WAS PARKED OUTSIDE OF THE DRIVER'S HOUSE. THE DRIVER'S PERSONAL FORD PICKUP WAS DESTROYED IN THE FIRE. THE HOUSE SUSTAINED DAMAGE IN THE FIRE. DAIMLERCHRYSLER ISSUED SAFETY RECALL D20 IN 2004 TO ADDRESS THIS PROBLEM BUT THE RECALL REPAIR HAS NOT CORRECTED THE PROBLEM. VERIZON HAS HAD 29 UNDER HOOD FIRE INCIDENTS THAT OCCURRED AFTER THE RECALL WAS PERFORMED. THIS IS AN UNSAFE CONDITION THAT WARRANTS FURTHER INVESTIGATION AND ACTION. *TR
Mileage: 110,677
20080927FireELECTRICAL SYSTEM
THIS VEHICLE BELONGS TO VERIZON COMMUNICATIONS. THE VAN HAD AN UNDER HOOD FIRE THAT ORIGINATED IN THE ABS MODULE AREA. THE DRIVER NOTICED SMOKE COMING FROM UNDER THE HOOD OF THE VAN WHILE IT WAS PARKED AT A JOBSITE WHERE HE WAS WORKING. HE CUT THE BATTERY CABLE AND EXTINGUISHED THE FIRE. DAIMLERCHRYSLER ISSUED SAFETY RECALL D20 IN 2004 TO ADDRESS THIS PROBLEM BUT THE RECALL REPAIR HAS NOT CORRECTED THE PROBLEM. VERIZON HAS HAD 29 INCIDENTS THAT OCCURRED AFTER THE RECALL WAS PERFORMED. THIS IS AN UNSAFE CONDITION THAT WARRANTS FURTHER INVESTIGATION AND ACTION. *TR
Mileage: 146,627
20080927FireELECTRICAL SYSTEM
THIS VEHICLE BELONGS TO VERIZON COMMUNICATIONS. THE VAN HAD AN UNDER HOOD FIRE THAT ORIGINATED IN THE ABS MODULE AREA. THE DRIVER COMPLAINED THAT THE SPEEDOMETER WAS NOT WORKING CORRECTLY. WHEN DIAGNOSING THE COMPLAINT THE MECHANIC DISCOVERED THAT THE ABS MODULE CONNECTOR AND WIRING WERE BURNT. DAIMLERCHRYSLER ISSUED SAFETY RECALL D20 IN 2004 TO ADDRESS THIS PROBLEM BUT THE RECALL REPAIR HAS NOT CORRECTED THE PROBLEM. VERIZON HAS HAD 29 INCIDENTS THAT OCCURRED AFTER THE RECALL WAS PERFORMED. THIS IS AN UNSAFE CONDITION THAT WARRANTS FURTHER INVESTIGATION AND ACTION. *TR
Mileage: 30,858
20080927FireELECTRICAL SYSTEM
THIS VEHICLE BELONGS TO VERIZON COMMUNICATIONS. THE VAN HAD AN UNDER HOOD FIRE THAT ORIGINATED IN THE ABS MODULE AREA WHILE PARKED. THE VAN IS DECLARED A "TOTAL LOSS". THE FIRE DAMAGED THE DRIVER'S HOME GARAGE. DAIMLERCHRYSLER ISSUED SAFETY RECALL D20 IN 2004 TO ADDRESS THIS PROBLEM BUT THE RECALL REPAIR HAS NOT CORRECTED THE PROBLEM. VERIZON HAS HAD 29 UNDER HOOD FIRE INCIDENTS THAT OCCURRED AFTER THE RECALL WAS PERFORMED. THIS IS AN UNSAFE CONDITION THAT WARRANTS FURTHER INVESTIGATION AND ACTION. *TR
Mileage: 115,480
20080927FireELECTRICAL SYSTEM
THIS VEHICLE BELONGS TO VERIZON COMMUNICATIONS. THE VAN HAD AN UNDER HOOD FIRE THAT ORIGINATED IN THE ABS MODULE AREA WHILE PARKED. THE VAN IS DECLARED A "TOTAL LOSS". DAIMLERCHRYSLER ISSUED SAFETY RECALL D20 IN 2004 TO ADDRESS THIS PROBLEM BUT THE RECALL REPAIR HAS NOT CORRECTED THE PROBLEM. VERIZON HAS HAD 29 UNDER HOOD FIRE INCIDENTS THAT OCCURRED AFTER THE RECALL WAS PERFORMED. THIS IS AN UNSAFE CONDITION THAT WARRANTS FURTHER INVESTIGATION AND ACTION. *TR
Mileage: 137,248
20040609FireELECTRICAL SYSTEM:WIRING:FRONT UNDERHOOD
VERIZON COMMUNICATIONS 1998 DODGE B VAN WITH 70591MILES. WHILE DRIVING, THE DRIVER NOTICED A SMELL IN THE VEHICLE CAB AND SMOKE NEAR THE GLOVE COMPARTMENT. HE PULLED INTO A VERIZON PARKING LOT AND WENT INSIDE TO CALL HIS MECHANIC. WHILE INSIDE HE WAS INFORMED THAT HIS TRUCK WAS ON FIRE. HE SAW FLAMES COMING FROM UNDER THE HOOD, GRABBED A FIRE EXTINGUISHER, EXTINGUISHED THE FIRE, AND CALLED THE FIRE DEPARTMENT. AN INVESTIGATION BY AN OUTSIDE CONTRACTOR, HIRED BY DAIMLERCHRYSLER LISTED THE PROBABLE CAUSE OF THE FIRE AS AN AFTER-MARKET HEATER BLOWER MOTOR YET THE BLOWER MOTOR DID NOT EVEN GET HOT ENOUGH TO MELT A PART NUMBER DECAL ATTACHED TO THE MOTOR. ALL OF THE HEATER BOX AREA UNDER THE HOOD AND UNDER THE DASH IS BURNT AND/OR MELTED. VERIZON HAS EXPERIENCED MANY BLOWER MOTOR FAILURES AND BLOWER RESISTOR FAILURES IN THIS MODEL VEHICLE. VERIZON HAS EXPERIENCED SIMILAR FIRES IN THIS MODEL VEHICLE AND FEELS THAT THIS FIRE WARRANTS FURTHER INVESTIGATION. *AK
Mileage: 70,591
19990406AIR BAGS
COACH IS BUYING VANS AND CONVERTING THEM TO MOBILE HOMES. CONSUMER BOUGHT A 98-DODGE-B3500 WHICH WAS MODIFIED TO MAKE VAN A MOBILE HOME. THE AIR BAG MODULE WAS REPLACED AND THE COVERS DO NOT FIT. THE MANUFACTURER WILL NOT PAY TO MODIFY MODULE TO MAKE COVERS FIT. *AK
Compare 1998DODGEB SERIES to Similar Vehicles
NHTSA Investigations 1 Open
Frequently Asked Questions
How many complaints does the 1998 DODGE B SERIES have?▼
The 1998 DODGE B SERIES has 19 NHTSA complaints, 0 crashes, 16 fires, 0 injuries, and 0 deaths reported.
What are the most common problems with the 1998 DODGE B SERIES?▼
The most-complained component for the 1998 DODGE B SERIES is ELECTRICAL SYSTEM with 15 complaints. Other frequently reported areas include AIR BAGS and ELECTRICAL SYSTEM:WIRING:FRONT UNDERHOOD.
Is the 1998 DODGE B SERIES safe to buy?▼
Review the complaint history, crash and fire reports, safety ratings, and recall status on this page to make an informed decision. No NHTSA crash test rating is available for this model year. Compare with other model years using the links above.
Where does this data come from?▼
All complaint, recall, and safety rating data is sourced from the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA). Complaints are filed by vehicle owners through NHTSA's Office of Defects Investigation.
Vehicle Safety Guides
Data as of 2025. Sources: NHTSA Office of Defects Investigation (ODI) complaints database, NHTSA recall campaign API, NHTSA NCAP crash-test ratings, and NHTSA FARS for fatality cross-reference.
Read our methodology — how this data is sourced, computed, and verified.