1998 Dodge Ram Pickup recalls & problems
The 1998 Dodge Ram Pickup has no safety recalls on file with NHTSA, and 18 owner complaints. The most-reported problem area is air bags (4 complaints).
Recalls0safety recalls
Complaints18filed by owners
Crashes · fires1 · 1reported in complaints
Injuries · deaths1 · 0reported in complaints
Safety recalls
No safety recalls have been filed for the 1998 Dodge Ram Pickup.
Recall repairs are free at any authorised dealer. A recall listed here may already have been fixed on a particular car: enter its 17-character VIN at nhtsa.gov/recalls to see open recalls.
What owners report
| Problem area | Complaints | Typical mileage* |
|---|---|---|
| Air bags Frontal | 4 | — |
| Structure Frame and members › Underbody shields | 4 | — |
| Service brakes, hydraulic Antilock/traction control/electronic limited slip; Foundation components › Disc › Rotor | 3 | — |
| Exterior lighting Fog lights; Turn signal | 3 | — |
| Power train Clutch assembly; Automatic transmission | 3 | 40,000 mi |
| Electrical system Horn; Wiring › Interior/under dash | 2 | — |
| Trailer hitches | 1 | — |
| Service brakes, air Disc | 1 | — |
| Steering Linkages › Tie rod assembly | 1 | — |
| Vehicle speed control | 1 | — |
| Latches/locks/linkages Doors › Latch | 1 | — |
| Engine and engine cooling Cooling system | 1 | — |
*Median odometer reading when the problem happened, where owners gave one. One complaint can name several problem areas.
Recent owner complaints
- Mar 31, 2012 · 138,839 milesStructure
THE DASH HAS STARTED CRACKING IN TWO PLACES. *JS - Jun 15, 2004 · 120,000 milesStructure
1998 DODGE RAM PICKUP 1500 THE DASH HAS CRACKED SO BAD IT IS UNSAFE. IT HAS SHARP EDGED FRAGMENTS. *TT - Aug 31, 2009 · 135,000 milesPower train › Manual transmission
I WAS IN A HOSPITAL PARKING AREA IN TUCSON AZ., ROLLING IN 2ND GEAR, AFTER ATTEMPTING TO DEPRESS THE CLUTCH IT FAILED WITHOUT ANY WARNING LEAVING THE 7200 LB. TRUCK SILL UNDER POWER. LUCKY FOR ME AND NOTHING ELSE I WAS ABLE TO STOP IN A NEAR BY FIELD. THIS IS THE FIRST EVENT FOR ME BUT I HAVE TALKED TO ANOTHER DODGE OWNER AND THE SAME PROBLEM (HE ALMOST BACKED THOUGH A WALL ) THE FAILURE WAS REPAIRED WITH A NEW HYDRAULIC ASSY. PART. THIS HAPPENED WITH 135K MI. ON THE ODO. THE OTHER OWNER SAID HIS BROKE AT APPROX. 75K MI. *TR - Sep 8, 2008 · 160,000 miles · fireFuel system, gasoline
I WAS DRIVING ON THE ROAD AFTER DRIVING UP AND DOWN THE STEEP HILL,WHEN I HEARD POP, AND LOOK AT MY REAR VIEW MIRROR AND MY TRUCK WAS ON FIRE MOSTLY AROUND THE LEFT HAND REAR TIRE AND AROUND RIGHT BEHIND THE DRIVER'S SIDE. I DROVE TO THE SIDE OF THE ROAD AND GOT, THAN I CALL THE POLICE AND FIRE DEPT. FOR ASSISTANT/HELP. *TR - May 14, 2008Structure
DASH BOARD ON 98 TRUCK. *TR - Aug 30, 2007 · 125,000 milesAir bags
AIR BAG LIGHT COMES ON SEVERAL TIMES DURING OPERATION MEANING THE AIR BAG WILL NOT WORK PROPERLY. *TR - Nov 21, 2005 · 51,200 milesAir bags › Frontal
DT: THE CONTACT STATED THE DRIVER'S SIDE AIR BAG DEPLOYED. HE DID NOT HIT ANYTHING PRIOR TO THIS INCIDENT. CHRYSLER SENT AN INVESTIGATOR ON 11-29-05 AND TOOK PICTURES INSIDE AND OUT OF THE TRUCK. THEN, STATED THE TRUCK DID NOT APPEAR TO HAVE BEEN INVOLVED IN AN ACCIDENT; THUS, THE TRUCK WAS NOT DAMAGED. CHRYSLER SENT THE CONTACT A LETTER ON 12-5-05 STATING THAT THE AIR BAG LIGHT ILLUMINATED FOR A SUBSTANTIAL PERIOD OF TIME. THEREFORE, THEY WERE NOT RESPONSIBLE FOR THE REPAIRS. THE CONTACT STATED THE AIR BAG LIGHT WAS NOT ON PRIOR TO THIS INCIDENT, AND THAT HE WAS AWARE THAT IF THE AIR BAG LIGHT ILLUMINATED IT WAS AN INDICATOR THAT THE AIR BAG WAS NOT FUNCTIONING PROPERLY. THEREFORE, IT… - Jan 27, 2005 · 11,000 milesPower train › Automatic transmission
THE CHECK ENGINE LIGHT ILLUMINATED. THE VEHCILE WA TAKEN TO THE DEALER WHO DETERMINED THAT THE GOVERNOR PRESSURE SENSOR AND THE GOVERNOR PRESSURE SOLENOID FAILED. THE TRANSMISSION ALSO SLIPPED MOMENTARILY. *AK THESE PARTS WERE REPLACED TWICE. *BF
Owner complaints are submitted to NHTSA by the public and are not verified. Shown as filed (NHTSA removes personal details); long reports are shortened.