RecallMyCar

1998 Dodge RAM Recalls, Complaints & Specs

13 safety recalls list the 1998 Dodge RAM, and owners have filed 483 complaints with NHTSA. Check your own VIN below.

13
safety recalls
483
owner complaints to NHTSA
79 / 6
complaints citing a crash / fire
12–16
MPG combined (EPA)

13 safety recalls for the 1998 Dodge RAM

Most recent first. Recall repairs are free at any authorised dealer. Click a recall for the full defect, consequence and remedy text.

  1. Service brakes, hydraulic: control unit/module

    NHTSA 04V185000 Reported 44,588 vehicles potentially affected DAIMLERCHRYSLER CORPORATION

    On certain van and wagon vehicles equipped with 4-wheel antilock brake systems (ABS), aftermarket batteries may leak electrolyte onto the ABS control module connector, which can compromise sealing integrity of the connector.

    Remedy: Dealers will inspect the ABS control module connector for electrolyte damage and replace the connector as necessary. The recall will begin on september 27, 2004. Owners should contact daimlerchrysler at 1-800-853-1403.

  2. Vehicle speed control

    NHTSA 02V161000 Reported 97,500 vehicles potentially affected DAIMLERCHRYSLER CORPORATION

    On certain pickup trucks equipped with diesel engines only, the throttle linkage joints can corrode and cause the throttle to bind or stick.

    Remedy: Dealers will replace the rod ends and ball studs. Owner notification began july 29, 2002. Owners who take their vehicles to an authorized dealer on an agreed upon service date and do not receive the free remedy within…

  3. Air bags

    NHTSA 01V153000 Reported 216,100 vehicles potentially affected DAIMLERCHRYSLER CORPORATION

    Vehicle description: pickup trucks. Sound deadener material inside the steering wheel could become detached from the cover and housing. Note: the RAM pickup trucks were built at the warren assembly plant ("s" in the 11th VIN position) from may 16, 2000 through october 23, 2000; st. Louis north assembly plant ("j" in the 11th VIN…

    Remedy: Dealers will replace the clockspring assembly. Owner notification began june 18, 2001. Also some 1997-200 model year vehicles that, according to warranty records, have had a suspect replacement clockspring installed,…

  4. Latch (latches/locks/linkages)

    NHTSA 01V040000 Reported 701,000 vehicles potentially affected DAIMLERCHRYSLER CORPORATION

    On certain pickup trucks originally sold in or currently registered in the following "salt belt" states: maine, new hampshire, vermont, massachusetts, rhode island, connecticut, new york, new jersey, pennsylvania, delaware, maryland, the district of columbia, west virginia, ohio, indiana, michigan, illinois, wisconsin, minnesota, iowa,…

    Remedy: Dealers will replace the secondary hood latch. Owner notification began september 17, 2001. Owners who take their vehicles to an authorized dealer on an agreed upon service date and do not receive the free remedy…

  5. Trailer hitches

    NHTSA 00V107000 Reported 357,000 vehicles potentially affected DAIMLERCHRYSLER CORPORATION

    Vehicle description: pickup trucks equipped with optional trailer hitch. The trailer hitch side brackets were manufactured using material with insufficient strength.

    Remedy: Dealers will inspect the trailer hitches and replace any trailer hitch showing signs of fatigue cracking. If no evidence of cracking exists, the dealer will install two reinforcement brackets.

  6. Clutch assembly (power train)

    NHTSA 99V115000 Reported 8,883 vehicles potentially affected DAIMLERCHRYSLER CORPORATION

    Vehicle description: pickup trucks equipped with manual transmission, v10 engines and four-wheel-drive transfer cases. Under sustained maximum rated vehicle load, while driving up a steep grade in four-wheel-drive low range in hot ambient conditions, the local exhaust temperature proximate to the hydraulic clutch line can generate line…

    Remedy: Dealers will replace the hydraulic clutch assembly.

  7. Air bags

    NHTSA 99V002000 Reported 46,193 vehicles potentially affected DAIMLERCHRYSLER CORPORATION

    Vehicle description: vans and vans used for conversion. If a heavy object impacts the metal casing of the air bag electronic control module (aecm), located under the driver seat, the module could inadvertently deploy the air bags.

    Remedy: Dealers will replace the aecm with a module that incorporates revised hardware and software on all affected vehicles.

  8. Diesel (engine and engine cooling)

    NHTSA 98V207000 Reported 25,014 vehicles potentially affected CHRYSLER CORPORATION

    Vehicle description: light duty pickup trucks equipped with 5.9l - 24 valve diesel engine. The low pressure diesel fuel supply tube located in the engine compartment between the filter and the high pressure pump can fracture.

    Remedy: Dealers will replace the low pressure diesel fuel supply tube.

  9. Structure

    NHTSA 98V208000 Reported 12,400 vehicles potentially affected CHRYSLER CORPORATION

    Vehicle description: light duty pickup trucks. These vehicles may have been built with bolts that were not properly hardened. The bolts were used to attach the cab and the core support to the frame.

    Remedy: Dealers will replace these bolts with properly hardened bolts.

  10. Diesel (engine and engine cooling)

    NHTSA 98V209000 Reported 30,747 vehicles potentially affected CHRYSLER CORPORATION

    Vehicle description: light duty pickup trucks equipped with 5.9l - 24 valve diesel engine. An intermittent high engine idle condition can occur due to a malfunction of the vehicle speed sensor.

    Remedy: Dealers will replace the engine controller software to correct erroneous speed sensor signals.

  11. Hoses, lines/piping, and fittings (fuel system)

    NHTSA 98V182000 Reported 8,144 vehicles potentially affected CHRYSLER CORPORATION

    Vehicle description: light duty trucks equipped with either a 8.0l v-10 engine or a 5.9l v-8 heavy duty gasoline engine. An exhaust system heat shield attaching screw is too close to the underbody fuel line. The line can rub against the screw, possibly causing fuel leakage.

    Remedy: Dealers will remove the underbody heat shield attaching screw and replace it with rubber adhesive. The chassis fuel line will be inspected for signs of wear and any tubes indicating wear will be replaced.

  12. Buckle assembly (seat belts)

    NHTSA 98V105000 Reported 4,200 vehicles potentially affected CHRYSLER CORPORATION

    Vehicle description: passenger vehicles. The front seat belt buckles were not properly riveted to the support strap.

    Remedy: Dealers will replace the front outer seat belt buckles with buckles that have been properly riveted.

  13. Rotor (service brakes)

    NHTSA 98V075000 Reported 1,550 vehicles potentially affected CHRYSLER CORPORATION

    Vehicle description: light duty pickup trucks. The brake rotor material strength is not sufficient causing a hub fatigue fracture.

    Remedy: Dealers will inspect the brake rotors and if necessary, replace these rotors.

483 owner complaints filed with NHTSA

Owners of the 1998 Dodge RAM have filed 483 complaints with NHTSA; 79 describe a crash and 6 describe a fire. Reports cite 52 injuries and 3 deaths. The average mileage at failure in those reports is 80,028 miles. Complaints peaked in 1999 with 145 filed that year.

Most-reported components

What owners are reporting

“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”

Owner complaint to NHTSA, January 28, 2012 · Structure

“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”

Owner complaint to NHTSA, January 20, 2012 · Service brakes, hydraulic

Fuel economy and specs

EPA ratings for the 1998 Dodge Ram 1500 Pickup (Ram 1500 Pickup 2WD, Ram 1500 Pickup 4WD). Ranges cover every tested configuration.

Combined12–16 mpg
City / Highway11–14 / 15–20
FuelRegular
EPA classStandard Pickup Trucks 2WD, Standard Pickup Trucks 4WD
Engine6/8 cyl, 3.9/5.2/5.9 L
TransmissionAutomatic 4-spd; Manual 5-spd

Compare Dodge RAM model years

Recall and complaint counts for every Dodge RAM model year in NHTSA's database.

Model yearRecallsComplaints
1976 Dodge RAM01
1977 Dodge RAM02
1979 Dodge RAM03
1981 Dodge RAM02
1983 Dodge RAM01
1984 Dodge RAM02
1985 Dodge RAM010
1986 Dodge RAM018
1987 Dodge RAM018
1988 Dodge RAM022
1989 Dodge RAM028
1990 Dodge RAM023
1991 Dodge RAM251
1992 Dodge RAM158
1993 Dodge RAM054
1994 Dodge RAM18469
1995 Dodge RAM12611
1996 Dodge RAM10625
1997 Dodge RAM7398
1998 Dodge RAM13483
1999 Dodge RAM9366
2000 Dodge RAM6147
2001 Dodge RAM9318
2002 Dodge RAM2116
2003 Dodge RAM253
2004 Dodge RAM158
2005 Dodge RAM040
2006 Dodge RAM025
2007 Dodge RAM117
2008 Dodge RAM225
2009 Dodge RAM59
2010 Dodge RAM527
2011 Dodge RAM40

Checking a specific 1998 Dodge RAM

How do I know if my 1998 Dodge RAM has an open recall?

Enter your 17-character VIN above. The VIN is on the driver's side dashboard (visible through the windshield), the driver's door jamb sticker, and your registration or insurance card. The check runs against NHTSA's live database and tells you which campaigns list your vehicle. 13 campaigns currently list the 1998 Dodge RAM; your car may already have been repaired under some of them.

Is the recall repair free?

Yes. Under federal law, manufacturers must fix safety recalls at no charge for vehicles up to 15 years old from the date of sale to the first owner. Contact any authorised Dodge dealer with your VIN and the NHTSA campaign number (for example 00V107000).

What is the difference between a recall and a complaint?

A recall is a safety campaign filed by the manufacturer or ordered by NHTSA, with a defined defect and remedy. A complaint is a report an owner sent to NHTSA; it is not verified, but patterns of complaints are what trigger NHTSA investigations and, eventually, recalls.

Other Dodge models

Source: NHTSA recall and complaint databases and EPA fuel economy data, October 2026. Complaint counts are owner reports to NHTSA, not verified defects. Recall counts are safety campaigns that list this model year; whether a particular car was already repaired depends on its VIN. How this data is compiled.