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1998 Dodge RAM 1500

Owner reports · Recalls · Investigations

Similar to other model years

Owner complaints for the 1998 Dodge RAM 1500 do not stand out strongly from the model-year median of 520.

About this comparison →
520Owner complaints

Model-year median: 520

0Recall campaigns

View recall details →

0Investigations

View investigation details →

How this year compares

Owner complaints by model year

Other model years Selected year
213
1995298
1996361
1997520
1998610
1999513
20001,112
2001
Compare all RAM 1500 years →

Counts vary with age, sales and reporting. They are not failure rates.

What owners reported most

Structure
102Power Train
85Air Bags
63Service Brakes, Hydraulic
56Engine And Engine Cooling
35
All reported categories
Seat Belts
34Suspension
34Electrical System
32Steering
28Tires
27Unknown Or Other
24Latches/locks/linkages
17Fuel System, Gasoline
14Visibility
14Equipment
13Vehicle Speed Control
13Service Brakes
7Exterior Lighting
6Fuel System, Other
6Wheels
5Seats
4Fuel/propulsion System
3Interior Lighting
2Engine
1Parking Brake
1Trailer Hitches
1

Tap a category to read its complaints. One report may name several components.

When problems were reported

Mileage at the reported incident

227 reports with mileage · 293 unknown

NHTSA’s mileage field refers to the reported incident, not necessarily the filing date. This shows report counts, not the likelihood of a failure.

What to inspect

Issues worth paying extra attention to based on owner reports.

  • Structure. Review the 102 owner reports in this category and discuss these concerns during a pre-purchase inspection. Read reports →
  • Power Train. Review the 85 owner reports in this category and discuss these concerns during a pre-purchase inspection. Read reports →
  • Air Bags. Review the 63 owner reports in this category and discuss these concerns during a pre-purchase inspection. Read reports →

NHTSA owner reports · September 18, 2026 snapshot.

66 crash reports16 fire reports46 injury reports

Latches/locks/linkages complaints

17 reports
Clear category filter
Mileage unknown · Aug 26, 2003
Latches/locks/linkages

SIDE DOOR WILL NOT OPEN FROM THE OUTSIDE. DEALER STATES LATCH HAS FAILED.*AK

NHTSA ODI #10037668

54,000 miles · Jul 9, 2003
Latches/locks/linkages

DRIVER'S SIDE DOOR LOCKING MECHANISM FAILED. DOOR FLEW OPEN, AFTER BEING LOCKED, AND WOULDN'T LOCK BACK.*AK

NHTSA ODI #10026870

Mileage unknown · May 8, 2003
Latches/locks/linkages

WHILE DRIVING, THE HOOD LATCH BROKE AND CAUSED THE HOOD TO FLY UP. *JB

NHTSA ODI #10019504

Mileage unknown · Apr 7, 2003
Latches/locks/linkages

WHILE DRIVING HOOD FLEW OPEN RESULTING IN LOSS OF VISIBILITY. THE DEALER REPLACED THE LATCH BUT THE PROBLEM REOCCURRED. *NLM

NHTSA ODI #10015330

Mileage unknown · Apr 7, 2003
Latches/locks/linkages

BOTH DRIVER AND PASSENGER DOORS WOULD NOT LATCH PROPERY AND PREVENTED THE DOORS FROM CLOSING. *NLM

NHTSA ODI #10015328

Mileage unknown · Dec 12, 2001
Latches/locks/linkages

RECEIVED RECALL LETTER FROM DODGE REGARDING SECONDARY HOOD LATCH, AND THEY WERE REFUSING TO HONOR RECALL LETTER. DODGE STATED THAT REPAIRS WOULD HAVE TO BE PERFORMED ON A WEEKDAY. CONSUMER STATED IT WOULD HAVE TO BE A WEEKEND, AND DODGE WILL NOT HONOR THAT. PLEASE PROVIDE ANY FURTHER INFORMATION.*AK

NHTSA ODI #8000667

Mileage unknown · Aug 1, 2001
Latches/locks/linkages

HOOD LATCH FAILED.

NHTSA ODI #9002864

Official recalls

0

No recalls in this snapshot.

Model-level recall history does not show whether a particular VIN is affected or has received a repair. Check a VIN with NHTSA ↗

NHTSA investigations

0

No exact-year investigations in this snapshot.