1998 Ram 1500 Problems, Recalls & Reliability
645 owner complaints sit in the federal file for the 1998 Ram 1500, alongside 1 recall campaign and 0 defect investigations. It scores 37/100 on the trouble index — a below-average year for this model. Body & structure leads the reports, typically around 96,000 miles.
Below average
Where 1998 sits among all 1500 years
What owners report
“Engine compartment hood insulation pad was ignited directly above the power steering pump and smoldered uncontrollably until it was extinguished.”— owner report to NHTSA, 1998 1500
“At 71,000 miles transmission failed for the second time. First time was at 34,000. $3200 to repace with rebuilt unit. Also, the rear differential needs rebuilding for another $1600.”— owner report to NHTSA, 1998 1500
“Abs control module failed causing lock up, replacement did not rectify abs failure/lock up. Mjs”— owner report to NHTSA, 1998 1500
“The consumer was involved in a frontal vehicle collision in which the front end of the vehicle sustain extensive damage, neither driver nor passenger air bags deployed and as a result two occupants sustain injuries. Nlm”— owner report to NHTSA, 1998 1500
“The dash on my 98 ram 1500 is very cracked and falling in... I also own a 96 ram 1500 with same problem... Also have 2 - 97 ram 1500 with same problem... This is very bad... I love dodge rams but the dash is terrible...”— owner report to NHTSA, 1998 1500
“The interior lights will not work independently of each other and the headlight switch came out in the consumers hands on two occasions.”— owner report to NHTSA, 1998 1500
Mileage when trouble shows up
Among the 249 reports that include an odometer reading, problems most often appear around 98,000 miles. Half of those reports fall between 67,000 and 132,000 miles — a useful range to weigh against the mileage of the exact car you're looking at.
Recalls (1)
CERTAIN REPLACEMENT K&N FUEL PERFORMANCE KITS, P/NOS. 57-1509, 57-1511, 57-1511-1, 57-1517, 57-1517-1, 57-1527, AND 57-1530. ALSO, A SMALL PERCENTAGE OF THESE KITS WERE SOLD UNDER THE MOPAR PERFORMANCE PARTS BRAND NAME (P/NOS. P5007069 AND P5007070). ALL…
Fix: K&N WILL PROVIDE OWNERS WITH A FREE REPAIR KIT ALONG WITH REPAIR INSTRUCTIONS. THE RECALL BEGAN ON APRIL 20, 2006.
Technical service bulletins
17 manufacturer communications — service bulletins, the biggest share on body & structure and electrical — are on file for the 1998 Ram 1500. A TSB is factory repair guidance, not a recall — the repair is not automatically free.
Complaint history for this model year
When owners filed their reports — a long tail means problems kept surfacing for years.
Questions buyers ask
Is the 1998 Ram 1500 reliable?
The 1998 Ram 1500 drew 645 complaints in federal safety records — a below-average year for this model. Its trouble index is 37/100, scored against the model's worst year (2014).
What are the most common 1998 Ram 1500 problems?
The top reported problems for the 1998 Ram 1500 are body & structure (102 complaints), transmission & drivetrain (89), and brakes & stability (72).
At what mileage do 1998 Ram 1500 problems show up?
Owners most often report 1998 Ram 1500 problems around 98,000 miles. Half of all reports that include an odometer reading fall between 67,000 and 132,000 miles.
Does the 1998 Ram 1500 have recalls?
1 recall campaign applies to the 1998 Ram 1500. Recall repairs are free at any franchised dealer.
Every number on this page is a count of records in the federal complaint, recall, and investigation files published by NHTSA's Office of Defects Investigation. Check any specific vehicle's open recalls by VIN at nhtsa.gov/recalls.