1998 Dodge RAM 1500 Electrical system Problems
- Complaints
- 32about this part
- Share
- 6%of 520 total for the year
- Median mileage
- 100,000miles
- Trend
- StableComplaints filed in the last 3 full calendar years are within 25% of the 3 years before.
NHTSA recorded 32 complaints about the electrical system of the 1998 Dodge RAM 1500, 6% of the 520 complaints for this model year. Where a mileage was given, the median is 100,000 miles. 2 of these say a crash was involved and 5 a fire, according to the filers.
Example complaints
Selected from NHTSA records; personal details are removed. They are consumer reports, not findings.
“Back in may 08 speed sensor went out then ABS sensor went out a few days later causing no power brakes and could have cause my wife to have a wreck. Both replaced. Now getting engine codes for o2 sensors and truck sputters and cuts out and will not accelerate over 30 MPH. Replaced sensors. Now receiving codes for PCM and now replacing. This is beginning to concern me. Will the next problem cause an accident.”
NHTSA complaint #10255319, filed 2009-01, 148,000 miles“Drove my 1998 Dodge RAM 1500 to empty my trash, started back home and had driven less than 1/4 mile when the truck hesitated like it was going to stall out and there was some smoke beginning to come up through dash area on drivers side. Thinking I might have a busted radiator hose I immediately pulled over in the yard of person doing repair work on an old building. When I opened my truck door on drivers side flames shot between the inside of the door and seat. I jumped out of the truck but was not injured. …”
NHTSA complaint #10747239, filed 2015-08, 141,000 miles“I have a 1998 Dodge RAM 1500 pickup truck. Like many of these trucks my dashboard is literally breaking apart and collapsing. I have read on line where this is very common with my vehicle. My truck has an airbag built in the dash board and I am concerned that a sharp plastic shard could cause severe bodily injury if the airbag is deployed or if the airbag will even work since the dash board has caved in. Dealers are not willing to fix this problem. I am also concerned that the dashboard wiring could catch fire.”
NHTSA complaint #10345088, filed 2010-07, 85,000 miles“Dashboard of my 1998 Dodge ram pickup unexpectedly started cracking and it is my understanding, this is causing electrical failures which could cause an accident.”
NHTSA complaint #10189431, filed 2007-05, 95,000 miles“Truck setting still in yard, horns starting blowing without anyone around, pulled fuse to stop. Two shops have been unable to diagnose problem. Horns do not work at all now. Replaced with new horns and still don't work.”
NHTSA complaint #11051620, filed 2017-11, 110,000 milesRelated service bulletins
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Electrical system: other model years
| Year | Complaints | Share of year |
|---|---|---|
| 2012 | 175 | 25% |
| 2011 | 214 | 31% |
| 2010 | 71 | 15% |
| 2009 | 97 | 14% |
| 2008 | 52 | 9% |
| 2007 | 62 | 12% |
| 2006 | 125 | 16% |
| 2005 | 63 | 5% |
| 2004 | 99 | 9% |
| 2003 | 62 | 5% |
| 2002 | 93 | 11% |
| 2001 | 81 | 7% |
| 2000 | 35 | 7% |
| 1999 | 36 | 6% |
| 1998 | 32 | 6% |
| 1997 | 23 | 6% |
| 1996 | 26 | 9% |
| 1995 | 31 | 15% |
| 1994 | 22 | 19% |
| 1991 | 1 | 14% |
Other parts of the 1998 Dodge RAM 1500
102 complaintsTransmission and drivetrain
85 complaintsBrakes
64 complaintsAir bags
63 complaintsEngine cooling
35 complaintsSeat belts
34 complaintsSuspension
34 complaintsSteering
28 complaintsTires
27 complaintsOther or unknown
25 complaintsFuel system
21 complaintsLatches, locks and linkages
17 complaints
← All problems reported for the 1998 Dodge RAM 1500
About this data. Data from NHTSA (ODI) complaints, recalls, TSBs and investigations, updated Oct 29, 2026. Complaints are unverified consumer reports and may be duplicated or inaccurate.
To check a specific vehicle for open recalls, use its VIN at nhtsa.gov/recalls. Methodology