Total Complaints
644 filings
DODGE RAM · model year
644 NHTSA complaints, 94 crash reports for this specific cohort.
NHTSA overall rating
Not crash-tested
New Car Assessment Program
The 1998DODGERAM carries 644 consumer safety complaints in NHTSA's Office of Defects Investigation database for this specific model-year cohort. Within that volume, owners reported 94 crashes, 9 fires, 65 injuries, and 3 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 RAM is service brakes, hydraulic:antilock/traction control/electronic limited slip with 64 filings, followed by air bags:frontal (47) and power train:automatic transmission (40). 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 RAM, 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.
Total Complaints
644 filings
Crashes Reported
94 reports
Source
NHTSA ODI
Federal complaints database
Above median complaint volume — review patterns below.
| Component | Count |
|---|---|
| SERVICE BRAKES, HYDRAULIC:ANTILOCK/TRACTION CONTROL/ELECTRONIC LIMITED SLIP | 64 |
| AIR BAGS:FRONTAL | 47 |
| POWER TRAIN:AUTOMATIC TRANSMISSION | 40 |
| ELECTRICAL SYSTEM:HORN | 34 |
| SERVICE BRAKES, HYDRAULIC:FOUNDATION COMPONENTS:DISC | 22 |
| ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING:ENGINE:GASOLINE | 20 |
| VEHICLE SPEED CONTROL | 18 |
| AIR BAGS | 16 |
| UNKNOWN OR OTHER | 13 |
| TRAILER HITCHES | 12 |
| SUSPENSION:FRONT | 11 |
| TIRES | 11 |
| SERVICE BRAKES, HYDRAULIC:FOUNDATION COMPONENTS | 10 |
| POWER TRAIN:MANUAL TRANSMISSION | 10 |
| SUSPENSION | 9 |
THE SPARE TIRE MECHANISM THAT HOLD THE TIRE UNDER THE BED BROKE. THIS FAILURE WAS VERY DANGEROUS SINCE IT OCCURRED WHILE I WAS DRIVING, MY SPARE TIRE FELL ONTO THE STREET AND ROLLED. LUCKILY I WAS IN A 35 MPH AREA, BUT CARS STILL HAD TO MOVE OUT OF THE WAY OF THE ROLLING TIRE. HAD I BEEN ON THE INTERSTATE, IT COULD HAVE BEEN DISASTROUS. *TR
Mileage: 193,000
THE SPARE TIRE MECHANISM THAT HOLD THE TIRE UNDER THE BED BROKE. THIS FAILURE WAS VERY DANGEROUS SINCE IT OCCURRED WHILE I WAS DRIVING, MY SPARE TIRE FELL ONTO THE STREET AND ROLLED. LUCKILY I WAS IN A 35 MPH AREA, BUT CARS STILL HAD TO MOVE OUT OF THE WAY OF THE ROLLING TIRE. HAD I BEEN ON THE INTERSTATE, IT COULD HAVE BEEN DISASTROUS. *TR
Mileage: 193,000
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 1998 DODGE RAM VAN WITH AFTERMARKET BENDIX BRAKES (MODEL NUMBER: 13481).THE CONTACT WAS DRIVING 10 MPH WHEN THE BRAKES WERE APPLIED BUT THE VEHICLE DID NOT RESPOND, CAUSING THE CONTACT CRASHED INTO THE REAR OF ANOTHER VEHICLE. THERE WERE NO INJURIES.THE CONTACT DID NOT CALL THE MANUFACTURER OF THE VEHICLE OR THE BRAKES IN REGARD TO THE FAILURE. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 90,000. THE VIN WAS NOT AVAILABLE.
Mileage: 90,000
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 1998 DODGE RAM VAN WITH AFTERMARKET BENDIX BRAKES (MODEL NUMBER: 13481).THE CONTACT WAS DRIVING 10 MPH WHEN THE BRAKES WERE APPLIED BUT THE VEHICLE DID NOT RESPOND, CAUSING THE CONTACT CRASHED INTO THE REAR OF ANOTHER VEHICLE. THERE WERE NO INJURIES.THE CONTACT DID NOT CALL THE MANUFACTURER OF THE VEHICLE OR THE BRAKES IN REGARD TO THE FAILURE. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 90,000. THE VIN WAS NOT AVAILABLE.
Mileage: 90,000
TL*THE CONTACT OWNS A 1998 DODGE RAM 1500. THE CONTACT STATED THAT WHILE DRIVING AT APPROXIMATELY 40 MPH, THE BRAKE PEDAL WENT TO THE FLOORBOARD WHEN DEPRESSED. THE BRAKE INDICATOR LIGHT ALSO ILLUMINATED. THE BRAKES ALSO FAILED INTERMITTENTLY. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO AN AUTHORIZED DEALERSHIP FOR A DIAGNOSTIC TEST AND THE CONTACT WAS INFORMED THAT THE BRAKING SYSTEM WAS FUNCTIONING PROPERLY BUT THE FAILURES WERE CAUSING BY AN ELECTRIC COMPONENT. THE VEHICLE WAS AT THE DEALERSHIP FOR REPAIR AT THE TIME OF THE COMPLAINT. THE CURRENT AND FAILURE MILEAGES WERE APPROXIMATELY 115,000.
Mileage: 115,000
TL*THE CONTACT OWNS A 1998 DODGE RAM 1500. THE CONTACT STATED THAT WHILE DRIVING AT APPROXIMATELY 40 MPH, THE BRAKE PEDAL WENT TO THE FLOORBOARD WHEN DEPRESSED. THE BRAKE INDICATOR LIGHT ALSO ILLUMINATED. THE BRAKES ALSO FAILED INTERMITTENTLY. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO AN AUTHORIZED DEALERSHIP FOR A DIAGNOSTIC TEST AND THE CONTACT WAS INFORMED THAT THE BRAKING SYSTEM WAS FUNCTIONING PROPERLY BUT THE FAILURES WERE CAUSING BY AN ELECTRIC COMPONENT. THE VEHICLE WAS AT THE DEALERSHIP FOR REPAIR AT THE TIME OF THE COMPLAINT. THE CURRENT AND FAILURE MILEAGES WERE APPROXIMATELY 115,000.
Mileage: 115,000
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 1998 DODGE RAM. THE CONTACT STATED THAT WHILE THE VEHICLE WAS PARKED HE NOTICED THE DASH BOARD OF THE VEHICLE WAS CRACKED BADLY. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE WEATHER WAS NOT HOT AND WAS NOT A FACTOR WITH THE VEHICLE DASH BOARD DEFECT. THE CONTACT HAD PIECES OF THE DASHBOARD FLY INTO HIS EYES. HE TOOK THE VEHICLE TO THE DEALER FOR DIAGNOSTIC AND TESTING. THE DEALER STATED THAT THE OWNER OF THE VEHICLE WOULD HAVE TO PAY FOR THE REPAIRS. THERE HAD BEEN NO REPAIRS DONE AT THE TIME OF THE COMPLAINT. THE APPROXIMATE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 74,000. THE APPROXIMATE CURRENT MILEAGE WAS 85,000.
Mileage: 74,000
TL*THE CONTACT OWNS A 1998 DODGE RAM. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE BRAKE LIGHTS AND INTERIOR LIGHTING FAIL TO DIM WHEN THE VEHICLE IS TURNED OFF. PRIOR TO THE FAILURES, SHE NOTICED THAT THE INSTRUMENT PANEL LIGHTS WOULD NOT DIM. THE VEHICLE HAS NOT BEEN DIAGNOSED BY THE DEALER. THE CURRENT AND FAILURE MILEAGES WERE 132,216. UPDATED 07/28/09. *LJ UPDATED 07/30/09.*JB
Mileage: 132,216
TL*THE CONTACT OWNS A 1998 DODGE RAM. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE BRAKE LIGHTS AND INTERIOR LIGHTING FAIL TO DIM WHEN THE VEHICLE IS TURNED OFF. PRIOR TO THE FAILURES, SHE NOTICED THAT THE INSTRUMENT PANEL LIGHTS WOULD NOT DIM. THE VEHICLE HAS NOT BEEN DIAGNOSED BY THE DEALER. THE CURRENT AND FAILURE MILEAGES WERE 132,216. UPDATED 07/28/09. *LJ UPDATED 07/30/09.*JB
Mileage: 132,216
TL*THE CONTACT OWNS A 1998 DODGE RAM. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE BRAKE LIGHTS AND INTERIOR LIGHTING FAIL TO DIM WHEN THE VEHICLE IS TURNED OFF. PRIOR TO THE FAILURES, SHE NOTICED THAT THE INSTRUMENT PANEL LIGHTS WOULD NOT DIM. THE VEHICLE HAS NOT BEEN DIAGNOSED BY THE DEALER. THE CURRENT AND FAILURE MILEAGES WERE 132,216. UPDATED 07/28/09. *LJ UPDATED 07/30/09.*JB
Mileage: 132,216
TL*THE CONTACT OWNS A 1998 DODGE RAM. WHILE DRIVING VARIOUS SPEEDS, THE AIR BAG WARNING INDICATOR RANDOMLY ILLUMINATES AND THE AIR BAG CHIME WILL BEGIN TO SOUND. THE HORN IN THE VEHICLE HAS ALSO STOPPED WORKING. THE CONTACT TOOK THE VEHICLE TO THE DEALER AND PROVIDED THEM WITH INFORMATION HE FOUND ONLINE REGARDING NHTSA CAMPAIGN ID NUMBER 01V153000 (AIR BAGS). HE WAS INFORMED THAT THE VIN WAS NOT INCLUDED IN THE RECALL, ALTHOUGH THE FAILURES WERE IDENTICAL. THE CONTACT WOULD BE RESPONSIBLE FOR THE REPAIR COSTS. THE VEHICLE IS CURRENTLY AT THE DEALER AND THEY STATED THAT THE CLOCK SPRINGS WERE THE CAUSE OF THE FAILURES IN THE HORN AND THE AIR BAGS. THE AIR BAG SYSTEM WAS COMPLETELY DISABLED AND WOULD NOT DEPLOY IN THE EVENT OF A CRASH. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 124,000 AND CURRENT MILEAGE WAS 125,000. UPDATED 10/20/08. *LJ UPDATED 10/21/08. *JB
Mileage: 124,000
1998 DODGE RAM TIRE FELL OFF WHILE DRIVING. CONSUMER STATES THAT THE TIRE FELL OFF WHILE DRIVING ON THE HIGHWAY. THIS CAUSED THE VEHICLE TO STOP IN THE CENTER LANE OF THE HIGHWAY. *KB THE LUG NUTS WERE MISSING. THE VEHICLE WAS ALSO STRUCK MY ANOTHER VEHICLE. (OHIO TRAFFIC CRASH REPORT # 10-0246-90) *JB
TL*THE CONTACT OWNS A 1998 DODGE RAM. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE AIR BAG INDICATOR LIGHT ILLUMINATES AND AN ALARM SOUNDS FOUR TIMES INTERMITTENTLY. EVENTUALLY, THE AIR BAG LIGHT DIMS. THE CONTACT WILL HAVE THE VEHICLE INSPECTED. THERE ARE TWO AIR BAG RECALLS (NHTSA CAMPAIGN ID NUMBERS 01V153000 AND 99V002000); HOWEVER, THE MANUFACTURER STATED THAT HIS VEHICLE WAS NOT INCLUDED IN EITHER ONE. THE CURRENT MILEAGE WAS 120,000 AND FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 119,800.
Mileage: 119,800
DT*: THE CONTACT STATED WHILE DRIVING THE VEHICLE WITH THE CRUISE CONTROL SET ON 70 MPH IT BECAME STUCK. THE VEHICLE'S SPEED KEPT ACCELERATING, THE ENGINE REVVED. THE BRAKE PEDAL HAD TO BE DEPRESSED VERY HARD TO GET THE VEHICLE TO SLOW DOWN. AFTER SLOWING DOWN THE VEHICLE IT WAS PUT INTO NEUTRAL. THE VEHICLE WAS THEN SHUT OFF; AND TAKEN TO A DEALERSHIP. UPON INSPECTION THE PROBLEM WAS THE CRUISE CONTROL VALVE THAT WAS LOCATED UNDER THE BATTERY. ACID FROM THE BATTERY LEAKED DOWN ONTO THE CRUISE CONTROL VALVE CAUSING IT TO STICK. THE DEALER DISCONNECTED THE CRUISE CONTROL. UPDATED 04/11/06. *JB
Mileage: 69,013
WHILE DRIVING VEHICLE STALLED. DRIVER WAS UNABLE TO RESTART VEHICLE, AND HAD IT TOWED TO DEALER. MECHANIC DETERMINED THAT TRANSMISSION AND ENGINE NEEDED TO BE REPLACED DUE TO WEAR AND TEAR. *AK
WHILE DRIVING VEHICLE STALLED. DRIVER WAS UNABLE TO RESTART VEHICLE, AND HAD IT TOWED TO DEALER. MECHANIC DETERMINED THAT TRANSMISSION AND ENGINE NEEDED TO BE REPLACED DUE TO WEAR AND TEAR. *AK
THE RPMS INCREASED, AND THE GEARS POPPED ON THE VEHICLE ON THEIR OWN. TOOK VEHICLE TO REPAIR SHOP FOR CHECK UP, AND RESULTS SHOWED THAT A NEW TRANSMISSION NEEDED TO BE REPLACED.*AK
Mileage: 85,000
TRUCK HAS BEEN NOTHING BUT PROBLEMS REPLACED MANY PARTS FOR LEAKS AND TRANSMISSION PROBLEMS ENGINE LIGHT CONSISTENTLY COMES ON EVEN AFTER REPAIRS. TRUCK BUCK WHEN ACCELERATING LOOSES ENGINE POWER. WOULD LIKE IT FIXED I READ OTHER COMPLAINTS AND THEY HAD THE SAME PROBLEM. I PUT A LOT OF MONEY INTO THE TRUCK AND HAVE NOT YET BEEN ABLE TO FIX PROBLEM BECAUSE THEY CANT SEEM TO FIGURE OUT THE CAUSE. PROBLEM HAS BEEN ON GOING SINCE VEHICLE WAS PURCHASED. *JB
TRUCK HAS BEEN NOTHING BUT PROBLEMS REPLACED MANY PARTS FOR LEAKS AND TRANSMISSION PROBLEMS ENGINE LIGHT CONSISTENTLY COMES ON EVEN AFTER REPAIRS. TRUCK BUCK WHEN ACCELERATING LOOSES ENGINE POWER. WOULD LIKE IT FIXED I READ OTHER COMPLAINTS AND THEY HAD THE SAME PROBLEM. I PUT A LOT OF MONEY INTO THE TRUCK AND HAVE NOT YET BEEN ABLE TO FIX PROBLEM BECAUSE THEY CANT SEEM TO FIGURE OUT THE CAUSE. PROBLEM HAS BEEN ON GOING SINCE VEHICLE WAS PURCHASED. *JB
THE TODDLER WAS STRAPPED IN THE BOOSTER SEAT BY THE LAP AND SHOULDER BELTS IN THE REAR OF THE QUAD CAB. CONSUMER HAD TO HIT BRAKES SUDDENLY TO KEEP FROM BEING INVOLVED IN A COLLISION. AFTER APPLYING THE BRAKES THE SEAT BELT ALLOWED THE TODDLER TO STRIKE HIS HEAD ON THE FRONT SEAT. DEALER STATED THAT THE SEAT BELT WORKED PROPERLY.*AK THE CONSUMER STATED THAT THE FIRE DEPARTMENT WAS CONSULTED BUT DOES NOT HAVE A REMEDY. *TC
Mileage: 59,900
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.