1998 Dodge Ram Pickup problems
Owners have filed 27 complaints with NHTSA about the 1998 Dodge Ram Pickup. Air bags is the most reported problem area, at 15% of complaints. After that come brakes (15%) and body & structure (15%).
At a glance
- Complaints
- 27 filed with NHTSA
- Most reported
- Air bags 15% of complaints
- Crashes and fires
- 2 and 1
- Injuries and deaths
- 1 and 0
- Typical mileage
- 123,000 miles 12 complaints with mileage
Source: NHTSA owner complaints
Where the complaints are
Share of this model year's complaints by the part of the car involved. One complaint can name more than one part, so the shares can add up to more than 100%.
When problems show up
View the numbers
| Mileage | Complaints |
|---|---|
| 0k to 20k miles | 1 |
| 20k to 40k miles | 0 |
| 40k to 60k miles | 4 |
| 60k to 80k miles | 0 |
| 80k to 100k miles | 0 |
| 100k to 120k miles | 0 |
| 120k to 140k miles | 6 |
| 140k to 160k miles | 0 |
| 160k to 180k miles | 1 |
| 180k to 200k miles | 0 |
| 200k+ miles | 0 |
What the data shows
Among the 12 complaints that report mileage, the typical (median) problem appeared at about 122,000 miles.
Safety-related details: 2 complaints mention a crash; 1 complaint mentions a fire; 1 injury reported.
What owners wrote
A few complaints as filed, shortened and with personal details removed. The first ones are among the most serious reports for this model year; the rest are typical.
Attorney is writing on behalf of mr. Ricker who states that while driving, mr. Ricker moved to the right allowing a large truck more clearance. At this point, the front right tire of the vehicle caught a large amount of snow pulling the vehicle to the right and into an utility pole. There was damage to the center front of vehicle and unknown damage to the undercarriage, but the air bag did not deploy. Mr. Ricker complained of neck and back pains.
I was driving on the road after driving up and down the steep hill,when I heard pop, and look at my rear view mirror and my truck was on fire mostly around the left hand rear tire and around right behind the driver's side. I drove to the side of the road and got, than I call the police and fire dept. For assistant/help.
Consumer experienced problems with driver's and passenger's side airbags along with rear anti-lock brakes. Upon applying brakes while going 50 MPH, rear anti-lock brakes went out, causing consumer to rearend another vehicle. Driver's and passenger's side air bags failed to deploy. The manufacturer was contacted but said they could not do anything to help. Consumer has since rid himself of the vehicle, and bought a different one.
While driving at any speed consumer noticed that vehicle used a large amount of coolant. While the vehicle was in an independent shop for a new clutch mechanic discovered that the cylinder heads had several cracks. The cylinder heads were scheduled to be replaced.
Both frontal seat belts stuck in their holster and wouldn't release. The seat belt showed no sign or abuse or wear when this occurred. Dealership replaced both shoulder belts to correct the problem.