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.
The worst 1998 Dodge Ram problems
Ranked by number of owner complaints. Mileage and cost come from what owners wrote.
Problems by type
Tap a problem to see which part fails, at what mileage and in which other years.
- Brakes113
- Transmission80
- Airbags66
- Electrical48
- Engine38
- Suspension31
- Steering28
- Acceleration25
- Fuel system24
- Body18
- Tires18
- Seat belts15
- Visibility15
- Lights14
- Wheels13
- Locks4
- Seats4
Specific symptoms reported on the 1998 Dodge Ram
No deployment 36Pulling 25Brake failure 15ABS 11Headlights 10Airbag light 9Premature wear 8Stalling 8Transmission failure 7Adaptive cruise 6Grinding brakes 6Fuel pump 6Overheating 6Check engine light 5Engine failure 5Loss of power 5Slipping 5Tire blowout 5
Recalls 13
Service brakes, hydraulic: antilock/traction control/electronic limited slip: control unit/module
- What is wrong
- 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.
- Risk
- This may allow development of a short circuit in the connector, which could eventually lead to a fire.
- 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.
Recall number 04V185000 · Recall details
Vehicle speed control
- What is wrong
- On certain pickup trucks equipped with diesel engines only, the throttle linkage joints can corrode and cause the throttle to bind or stick.
- Risk
- This could potentially result in a loss of throttle control, increasing the risk of a crash.
- 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 a reasonable time should contact daimlerchrysler at 1‑800‑853‑1403.
Recall number 02V161000 · Recall details
Air bags
- What is wrong
- 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 position) from may 19, 2000 through october 23, 2000; lago alberto assembly plant ("m" in the 11th VIN position) from may 23, 2000 through october 23, 2000; and saltillo assembly plant ("g" in the 11th VIN position) from may 23, 2000 through october 23, 2000. Important: vehicles that have already had the proper clockspring installed, according to warranty records, have been excluded from this recall. In addition, 1997-2000 model year vehicles that have had a suspect replacement clockspring installed, according to warranty records, have been added to this recall.
- Risk
- When this occurs, the material could interfere with the clockspring ribbon and cause an open circuit. The driver air bag system will become disabled, and the air bag warning lamp will illuminate on the instrument panel.
- 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, will also be included in this campaign. Owners who take their vehicles to an authorized dealer on an agreed upon service date and do not receive the free remedy within a reasonable time should contact daimlerchrysler at 1‑800‑853‑1403.
Recall number 01V153000 · Recall details
Latches/locks/linkages: hood: latch
- What is wrong
- 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, and missouri. Corrosion of the return spring on the hood secondary latch could cause the mechanism to bind in the "release position."
- Risk
- If the primary latch is not engaged, the hood could open unexpectedly.
- 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 within a reasonable time should contact daimlerchrysler at 1‑800‑853‑1403.
Recall number 01V040000 · Recall details
Trailer hitches
- What is wrong
- Vehicle description: pickup trucks equipped with optional trailer hitch. The trailer hitch side brackets were manufactured using material with insufficient strength.
- Risk
- Brackets built without proper material could fatigue and fracture in the area where the trailer hitch mounts to the frame.
- 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.
Recall number 00V107000 · Recall details
Power train: clutch assembly
- What is wrong
- 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 temperatures that exceed the temperature limit of the clutch line material. If this condition occurs and the clutch is depressed, the line could rupture.
- Risk
- The fluid could ignite on the hot exhaust possibly resulting in a vehicle fire.
- Remedy
- Dealers will replace the hydraulic clutch assembly.
Recall number 99V115000 · Recall details
Air bags
- What is wrong
- 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.
- Risk
- Unexpected air bag deployment can result in occupant injury.
- Remedy
- Dealers will replace the aecm with a module that incorporates revised hardware and software on all affected vehicles.
Recall number 99V002000 · Recall details
Engine and engine cooling: engine: diesel
- What is wrong
- 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.
- Risk
- This condition can allow fuel to leak. In the presence of an ignition source, fuel leakage can result in a fire.
- Remedy
- Dealers will replace the low pressure diesel fuel supply tube.
Recall number 98V207000 · Recall details
Structure
- What is wrong
- 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.
- Risk
- This condition can allow the cab to separate from the frame increasing the risk of a crash.
- Remedy
- Dealers will replace these bolts with properly hardened bolts.
Recall number 98V208000 · Recall details
Engine and engine cooling: engine: diesel
- What is wrong
- 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.
- Risk
- This creates a signal which is misinterpreted by the engine control software, causing a high idle speed condition.
- Remedy
- Dealers will replace the engine controller software to correct erroneous speed sensor signals.
Recall number 98V209000 · Recall details
Fuel system, gasoline: delivery: hoses, lines/piping, and fittings
- What is wrong
- 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.
- Risk
- Fuel leakage in the presence of an ignition source can result in a fire.
- 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.
Recall number 98V182000 · Recall details
Seat belts: front: buckle assembly
- What is wrong
- Vehicle description: passenger vehicles. The front seat belt buckles were not properly riveted to the support strap.
- Risk
- In the event of a vehicle crash, the seat belt assembly would have reduced strength, increasing the risk of personal injury.
- Remedy
- Dealers will replace the front outer seat belt buckles with buckles that have been properly riveted.
Recall number 98V105000 · Recall details
Service brakes, air: disc: rotor
- What is wrong
- Vehicle description: light duty pickup trucks. The brake rotor material strength is not sufficient causing a hub fatigue fracture.
- Risk
- This fracture can result in crack propagation around the wheel mounting bolt circule ultimately resulting in a wheel separation.
- Remedy
- Dealers will inspect the brake rotors and if necessary, replace these rotors.
Recall number 98V075000 · Recall details
Technical service bulletins for the 1998 Dodge Ram 137
Bulletins tell dealers how to fix known problems. A warranty extension means the manufacturer pays for that repair for longer.
- Illuminated MIL as the result of a diagnostic trouble code (DTC) P0420 - catalyst efficiency, or may have...
- Generic cummins engine control module (PCM) procedure. tt this bulletin replaced 18-030-03. tt this...
- Generic cummins engine control module (PCM) procedure. tt
- Engine knock or rattle sound when climbing a long grade and towing a heavy trailer. tt
- Revision of flash process for new engine control module (ECM) from cummins. slc this bulletin supersedes...
- Information on tampering with VP44 fuel pump on cummins diesel engine. tt
- Subject regarding revision in diagnostic procedures and labor operation times for re transmissions. tt
- Information on tampering with VP44 fuel pump on cummins diesel engines. tt
- Flash programming failure recovery. slc
- Subject regarding outside rearview mirror glass replacement. slc
What 1998 Dodge Ram owners say
Most recent owner complaints, unedited.
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.
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.
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.
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.
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 the federal safety agency 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.
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)
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 (the federal safety agency 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.
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.
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.
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Questions about the 1998 Dodge Ram
Is the 1998 Dodge Ram reliable?
Owners have filed 482 complaints about the 1998 Dodge Ram, 12.1 times a typical Ram model year.
What is the most common problem with the 1998 Dodge Ram?
Brakes, with 113 complaints. Next is transmission (80).
How many recalls does the 1998 Dodge Ram have?
13 recalls, covering service brakes, hydraulic, vehicle speed control and air bags.
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