Built from official NHTSA complaint and recall data · data through 07/12/2026
High complaint levelIts most-reported problem — Service Brakes, Hydraulic:antilock/traction Control/electronic Limited Slip — runs 2.4× the fleet median for that category across the 2075 model-years tracked on this site.
483Complaints
17Recalls
79Crashes
6Fires
52Injured
3Deaths
Source: U.S. NHTSA complaint & recall data. Complaints are unverified reports from vehicle owners — a complaint is not a confirmed defect.
Is this problem acknowledged?
The most-reported problem — Service Brakes, Hydraulic:antilock/traction Control/electronic Limited Slip (13.3% of complaints) — is covered by 2 NHTSA recall campaigns.
Service Brakes, Hydraulic:antilock/traction Control/electronic Limited Slip complaints here are 2.4× the median for that category across the 2075 model-years tracked on this site.
Complaint category
Reports
Official status
Reference
Service Brakes, Hydraulic:antilock/traction Control/electronic Limited Slip
64 · 13.3%
Recalled
Recall 04V185000 · Recall 98V075000
Air Bags:frontal
47 · 9.7%
Recalled
Recall 01V153000 · Recall 99V002000
Power Train:automatic Transmission
40 · 8.3%
Recalled
Recall 99V115000
Electrical System:horn
34 · 7%
not available
—
Service Brakes, Hydraulic:foundation Components:disc
22 · 4.6%
Recalled
Recall 04V185000 · Recall 98V075000
Engine And Engine Cooling:engine:gasoline
20 · 4.1%
Recalled
Recall 98V209000 · Recall 98V207000
Recalled = an NHTSA safety recall covers this category, so a free repair exists. Under investigation = NHTSA has an open probe but no recall yet. Investigation closed = NHTSA examined it and closed the probe — this is not a defect finding; where a closed probe led to a recall we name the campaign. Not available = recall or investigation data could not be confirmed for this vehicle — it is not a “no”. Categories are matched by NHTSA's top-level component. Check your VIN at nhtsa.gov/recalls.
ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING:ENGINE:GASOLINE20 · 4.1%
VEHICLE SPEED CONTROL18 · 3.7%
AIR BAGS16 · 3.3%
Unspecified / other13 · 2.7%
TRAILER HITCHES12 · 2.5%
Percentages are the share of the 483 complaints citing each component; one complaint can cite several components. “Unspecified / other” is NHTSA’s own catch-all category — we show it rather than hide it.
WITHOUT THE AMBER SIDE REFLEX REFLECTORS, THE LIGHTING VISIBILITY MAY BE AFFECTED, POSSIBLY RESULTING IN A VEHICLE CRASH. Recall repairs are free at authorized dealers.
PARK-IT: NO · PARK-OUTSIDE: NO · OVER-THE-AIR FIX: NO
LACK OF AMBER SIDE REFLECTORS IN THE LAMPS WILL DECREASE LIGHTING VISIBILITY TO OTHER DRIVERS AND MAY POSSIBLY RESULT IN A VEHICLE CRASH Recall repairs are free at authorized dealers.
PARK-IT: NO · PARK-OUTSIDE: NO · OVER-THE-AIR FIX: NO
BRACKETS BUILT WITHOUT PROPER MATERIAL COULD FATIGUE AND FRACTURE IN THE AREA WHERE THE TRAILER HITCH MOUNTS TO THE FRAME. Recall repairs are free at authorized dealers.
PARK-IT: NO · PARK-OUTSIDE: NO · OVER-THE-AIR FIX: NO
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. Recall repairs are free at authorized dealers.
PARK-IT: NO · PARK-OUTSIDE: NO · OVER-THE-AIR FIX: NO
THIS FRACTURE CAN RESULT IN CRACK PROPAGATION AROUND THE WHEEL MOUNTING BOLT CIRCULE ULTIMATELY RESULTING IN A WHEEL SEPARATION. Recall repairs are free at authorized dealers.
PARK-IT: NO · PARK-OUTSIDE: NO · OVER-THE-AIR FIX: NO
THIS CREATES A SIGNAL WHICH IS MISINTERPRETED BY THE ENGINE CONTROL SOFTWARE, CAUSING A HIGH IDLE SPEED CONDITION. Recall repairs are free at authorized dealers.
PARK-IT: NO · PARK-OUTSIDE: NO · OVER-THE-AIR FIX: NO
THIS CONDITION CAN ALLOW FUEL TO LEAK. IN THE PRESENCE OF AN IGNITION SOURCE, FUEL LEAKAGE CAN RESULT IN A FIRE. Recall repairs are free at authorized dealers.
PARK-IT: NO · PARK-OUTSIDE: NO · OVER-THE-AIR FIX: NO
IN THE EVENT OF A VEHICLE CRASH, THE SEAT BELT ASSEMBLY WOULD HAVE REDUCED STRENGTH, INCREASING THE RISK OF PERSONAL INJURY. Recall repairs are free at authorized dealers.
PARK-IT: NO · PARK-OUTSIDE: NO · OVER-THE-AIR FIX: NO
FUEL LEAKAGE IN THE PRESENCE OF AN IGNITION SOURCE CAN RESULT IN A FIRE. Recall repairs are free at authorized dealers.
PARK-IT: NO · PARK-OUTSIDE: NO · OVER-THE-AIR FIX: NO
Park itPark outside Specimen badges — shown on a recall card only when NHTSA sets the flag. None of the campaigns above carries either flag. Always check your own vehicle by VIN at nhtsa.gov/recalls.
What owners report
“BRAKE PULLING PROBLEM, HOWEVER THERE IS NO CONSISTANCY AS TO WHEN, STARTING AT ABOUT 20000 MILES 10/28/98, I HAVE HAD IT BACK AT LEAST 10…”NHTSA complaint 705870 — filed 04/22/1999 · SERVICE BRAKES, HYDRAULIC:ANTILOCK/TRACTION CONTROL/ELECTRONIC LIMITED SLIP
“BRAKES LOCKED UP TWO TIMES; SECOND TIME CAUSED AN ACCIDENT.”NHTSA complaint 703312 — filed 02/15/1999 · SERVICE BRAKES, HYDRAULIC:ANTILOCK/TRACTION CONTROL/ELECTRONIC LIMITED SLIP
“EXPERIENCING ONGOING PROBLEM WITH FRONT BRAKE PADS WEARING OUT PREMATURELY. VEHICLE HAD FOUR SETS OF BRAKE PADS WITHIN 30,000 MILE OF WEAR. DEALER NOTIFIED .”NHTSA complaint 833424 — filed 01/12/1999 · SERVICE BRAKES, HYDRAULIC:ANTILOCK/TRACTION CONTROL/ELECTRONIC LIMITED SLIP
Excerpts are shortened and scrubbed of personal details; they are individual, unverified reports.
Complaint trend by year filed
Frequently asked questions
What are the most common problems with the 1998 Dodge RAM?
Service brakes, hydraulic:antilock/traction control/electronic limited slip issues are the most-reported category, cited in 64 of 483 NHTSA complaints (13.3%), followed by air bags:frontal (47), power train:automatic transmission (40), electrical system:horn (34). Complaints are unverified owner reports.
How many complaints does the 1998 Dodge RAM have?
483 complaints were on file with NHTSA as of 07/12/2026. Of those, 79 involved a crash, 6 involved a fire, and 52 reported injuries. 3 deaths were reported.
Does the 1998 Dodge RAM have any recalls?
Yes — 17 NHTSA safety recall campaigns, including campaign 08E050000. Recall repairs are free at authorized dealers. Check your specific vehicle by VIN at nhtsa.gov/recalls.
Has NHTSA acted on the 1998 Dodge RAM's reported problems?
Recall or investigation data is partly unavailable for this vehicle right now — check your VIN at nhtsa.gov/recalls for the authoritative answer.
Is a complaint proof of a defect?
No. Complaints are reports submitted by consumers to NHTSA. NHTSA does not verify individual complaints, and a complaint is not proof that a defect exists.
About this data — Complaint figures on this page are consumer reports submitted to the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA), a U.S. government agency. NHTSA does not verify individual complaints; a complaint is not proof that a defect exists, and counts reflect what owners chose to report, not confirmed failure rates. Recall information comes from official NHTSA safety recall campaigns; recall repairs are free at authorized dealers. Always check your specific vehicle by VIN at nhtsa.gov/recalls. CarModelProblems.com is an independent site and is not affiliated with NHTSA or any vehicle manufacturer. Data through 07/12/2026.
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