1998 Dodge RAM 1500 problems
Owners have filed 645 complaints about the 1998 Dodge RAM 1500 with NHTSA. Structure accounts for 15.8% of them — narrowly the most common, ahead of power train at 13.8%.
Complaints645
Crashes89
Fires18
Injuries71
Deaths19
What owners report breaking
Structure 15.8% · 102
Power train 13.8% · 89
Service brakes, hydraulic 9.9% · 64
Air bags 9.8% · 63
Engine and engine cooling 5.9% · 38
Suspension 5.6% · 36
Seat belts 5.3% · 34
Electrical system 5.0% · 32
Severity
Of those complaints, 89 describe a crash, 18 describe a fire, 71 report an injury and 19 report a death.
Reading the numbers
Across the 19 model years of the Dodge RAM 1500 in this data, 1998 sits 13th by complaint volume. 2005 draws the most.
Filings have fallen off, 6 in the last three years against 14 in the three before. That is normal as a generation leaves the road.
The median odometer reading at the time of complaint was 97,000 miles.
In owners' own words
The front dash of my 1998 Dodge RAM 1500 quad cab began cracking in multiple places within three years of the purchase of the vehicle. The cracks have become so extensive that a large hole recently opened up in the top dash above the instrument cluster and steering column. Internal components under the dash are now exposed to sunlight. The dash is essentially slowly disintegrating over time. Structure · reported at 35,000 miles
The contact owns a 1998 Dodge RAM 1500. The contact stated that the dashboard fractured into pieces. The contact also stated that both side view mirrors fractured down the middle when the defrost system was activated. The vehicle was not taken to have the failure diagnosed or repaired. The manufacturer was made aware of the failure and offered no assistance. The failure mileage was 160,000. Structure · reported at 160,000 miles
I purchased a truck about 6 months ago and I had nothing but problems with it. I had to replaced so many things on it. I was told that the truck only had 72,000 miles on it when I bought it, after driving it for a few months. I encountered problems with it. I ended up running carfax on it and found out the odometer was rolled back two weeks before I purchased it. It had originally 167,000 miles Structure · reported at 82,000 miles
Verbatim from NHTSA filings. Complaints are unverified owner reports.
Safety recalls
Checking NHTSA for open recalls…