Total Complaints
13 filings
DODGE RAM WAGON · model year
1998 DODGE RAM WAGON
13 NHTSA complaints. A VIN lookup is required to determine whether a specific vehicle has an unrepaired recall.
NHTSA overall rating
Not crash-tested
New Car Assessment Program
The 1998DODGERAM WAGON carries 13 consumer safety complaints in NHTSA's Office of Defects Investigation database for this specific model-year cohort. Within that volume, owners reported 0 crashes, 2 fires, 0 injuries, and 0 fatalities. No NCAP 5-star crash-test rating is available for this model year in the federal database.
The most frequently selected component label in reports for the 1998 RAM WAGON is power train:clutch assembly:pedal/hand lever(motorcycle) with 1 filings, followed by wheels (1) and suspension:rear (1). Complaint categories reflect owner reports and intake categorization; they do not establish a defect pattern or cause.
NHTSA currently has 20 investigation files overlapping the 1998 RAM WAGON, and 1 remain open. Owners comparing this cohort against neighboring years should read the complaint-by-year trend as report volume, not a causal diagnosis. Use the related-complaint feed and the official recall lookup when researching a specific vehicle.
13
Complaints
0
Crashes
2
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 |
|---|---|
| POWER TRAIN:CLUTCH ASSEMBLY:PEDAL/HAND LEVER(MOTORCYCLE) | 1 |
| WHEELS | 1 |
| SUSPENSION:REAR | 1 |
| ELECTRICAL SYSTEM:WIRING | 1 |
| ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING | 1 |
| FUEL SYSTEM, OTHER | 1 |
| LATCHES/LOCKS/LINKAGES:DOORS:LATCH | 1 |
| POWER TRAIN:AUTOMATIC TRANSMISSION | 1 |
| STEERING | 1 |
| EXTERIOR LIGHTING | 1 |
| SERVICE BRAKES, HYDRAULIC:ANTILOCK/TRACTION CONTROL/ELECTRONIC LIMITED SLIP | 1 |
| FUEL/PROPULSION SYSTEM | 1 |
| UNKNOWN OR OTHER | 1 |
Recent Complaints
20170328FireFUEL/PROPULSION SYSTEM
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 THERE IS A RECALL FOR 1998 DODGE RAM 3500 TRUCKS WITH A 8.0L V-10 ENGINE OR A 5.9L V-8 HEAVTY DUTY GASOLINE ENGINE WHERE AN EXHAUST SYSTEM HEAT SHIELD ATTACHING SCREW IS TOOL CLOSE TO THE UNDERBODY FUEL LINE. THE LINE CAN RUB AGAINST THE SCREW, POSSIBLY CAUSING FUEL LEAKAGE. TO US, THE VAN HAS THE SAME ENGINE BUT THE SHELL/EXTERIOR IS A VAN INSTEAD OF A TRUCK.
Mileage: 107,000
20170328FireUNKNOWN OR OTHER
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 THERE IS A RECALL FOR 1998 DODGE RAM 3500 TRUCKS WITH A 8.0L V-10 ENGINE OR A 5.9L V-8 HEAVTY DUTY GASOLINE ENGINE WHERE AN EXHAUST SYSTEM HEAT SHIELD ATTACHING SCREW IS TOOL CLOSE TO THE UNDERBODY FUEL LINE. THE LINE CAN RUB AGAINST THE SCREW, POSSIBLY CAUSING FUEL LEAKAGE. TO US, THE VAN HAS THE SAME ENGINE BUT THE SHELL/EXTERIOR IS A VAN INSTEAD OF A TRUCK.
Mileage: 107,000
20060116ELECTRICAL SYSTEM:WIRING
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 ON THIS VEHICLE AS WELL. PLEASE HELP ME WITH THIS VEHICLE, I LOVE RIDING IT BUT IT HAS BEEN HAVING ALOT OF THE SAME RIDING AND MAITENANCE PROBLEMS AND NO ONE KNOWS WHY OR UNDERSTANDS WHY IT KEEPS COMING BACK AFTER FIXING THEM MULTIPLE TIMES. THANK YOU, THE DEALERSHIPS DO NOT HELP EITHER. *NM
20060116ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING
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 ON THIS VEHICLE AS WELL. PLEASE HELP ME WITH THIS VEHICLE, I LOVE RIDING IT BUT IT HAS BEEN HAVING ALOT OF THE SAME RIDING AND MAITENANCE PROBLEMS AND NO ONE KNOWS WHY OR UNDERSTANDS WHY IT KEEPS COMING BACK AFTER FIXING THEM MULTIPLE TIMES. THANK YOU, THE DEALERSHIPS DO NOT HELP EITHER. *NM
20060116FUEL SYSTEM, OTHER
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 ON THIS VEHICLE AS WELL. PLEASE HELP ME WITH THIS VEHICLE, I LOVE RIDING IT BUT IT HAS BEEN HAVING ALOT OF THE SAME RIDING AND MAITENANCE PROBLEMS AND NO ONE KNOWS WHY OR UNDERSTANDS WHY IT KEEPS COMING BACK AFTER FIXING THEM MULTIPLE TIMES. THANK YOU, THE DEALERSHIPS DO NOT HELP EITHER. *NM
20060116LATCHES/LOCKS/LINKAGES:DOORS:LATCH
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 ON THIS VEHICLE AS WELL. PLEASE HELP ME WITH THIS VEHICLE, I LOVE RIDING IT BUT IT HAS BEEN HAVING ALOT OF THE SAME RIDING AND MAITENANCE PROBLEMS AND NO ONE KNOWS WHY OR UNDERSTANDS WHY IT KEEPS COMING BACK AFTER FIXING THEM MULTIPLE TIMES. THANK YOU, THE DEALERSHIPS DO NOT HELP EITHER. *NM
20060116POWER TRAIN:AUTOMATIC TRANSMISSION
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 ON THIS VEHICLE AS WELL. PLEASE HELP ME WITH THIS VEHICLE, I LOVE RIDING IT BUT IT HAS BEEN HAVING ALOT OF THE SAME RIDING AND MAITENANCE PROBLEMS AND NO ONE KNOWS WHY OR UNDERSTANDS WHY IT KEEPS COMING BACK AFTER FIXING THEM MULTIPLE TIMES. THANK YOU, THE DEALERSHIPS DO NOT HELP EITHER. *NM
20060116STEERING
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 ON THIS VEHICLE AS WELL. PLEASE HELP ME WITH THIS VEHICLE, I LOVE RIDING IT BUT IT HAS BEEN HAVING ALOT OF THE SAME RIDING AND MAITENANCE PROBLEMS AND NO ONE KNOWS WHY OR UNDERSTANDS WHY IT KEEPS COMING BACK AFTER FIXING THEM MULTIPLE TIMES. THANK YOU, THE DEALERSHIPS DO NOT HELP EITHER. *NM
20060116EXTERIOR LIGHTING
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 ON THIS VEHICLE AS WELL. PLEASE HELP ME WITH THIS VEHICLE, I LOVE RIDING IT BUT IT HAS BEEN HAVING ALOT OF THE SAME RIDING AND MAITENANCE PROBLEMS AND NO ONE KNOWS WHY OR UNDERSTANDS WHY IT KEEPS COMING BACK AFTER FIXING THEM MULTIPLE TIMES. THANK YOU, THE DEALERSHIPS DO NOT HELP EITHER. *NM
20060116SERVICE BRAKES, HYDRAULIC:ANTILOCK/TRACTION CONTROL/ELECTRONIC LIMITED SLIP
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 ON THIS VEHICLE AS WELL. PLEASE HELP ME WITH THIS VEHICLE, I LOVE RIDING IT BUT IT HAS BEEN HAVING ALOT OF THE SAME RIDING AND MAITENANCE PROBLEMS AND NO ONE KNOWS WHY OR UNDERSTANDS WHY IT KEEPS COMING BACK AFTER FIXING THEM MULTIPLE TIMES. THANK YOU, THE DEALERSHIPS DO NOT HELP EITHER. *NM
20010208SUSPENSION:REAR
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
19981130POWER TRAIN:CLUTCH ASSEMBLY:PEDAL/HAND LEVER(MOTORCYCLE)
THE CONSUMER HAS BEEN EXPERIENCING PROBLEMS WITH CLUTCH ASSEMBLY: DRIVE CLUTCH. ALSO, WHILE DRIVING, WHEELS LOCKED UP. THE MANUFACTURER HAS YET TO BE CONTACTED. *AK
19981130WHEELS
THE CONSUMER HAS BEEN EXPERIENCING PROBLEMS WITH CLUTCH ASSEMBLY: DRIVE CLUTCH. ALSO, WHILE DRIVING, WHEELS LOCKED UP. THE MANUFACTURER HAS YET TO BE CONTACTED. *AK
Compare 1998DODGERAM WAGON to Similar Vehicles
NHTSA Investigations 1 Open
Frequently Asked Questions
How many complaints does the 1998 DODGE RAM WAGON have?▼
The 1998 DODGE RAM WAGON has 13 NHTSA complaints, 0 crashes, 2 fires, 0 injuries, and 0 deaths reported.
What are the most common problems with the 1998 DODGE RAM WAGON?▼
The most-complained component for the 1998 DODGE RAM WAGON is POWER TRAIN:CLUTCH ASSEMBLY:PEDAL/HAND LEVER(MOTORCYCLE) with 1 complaints. Other frequently reported areas include WHEELS and SUSPENSION:REAR.
Is the 1998 DODGE RAM WAGON 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 vintage: August 2026. 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.
Every figure on PlainCars is rendered directly from NHTSA complaint and safety data, no number is typed in by an editor. This year-specific record is rendered from NHTSA ODI, recall, and NCAP rows for the 1998 DODGE RAM WAGON; no figure is typed in by an editor. See our editorial standards & corrections policy, the methodology behind these numbers, or report a data error. Data current as of August 2026.
Read our methodology - how this data is sourced, computed, and verified.