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Dodge RAM VanModel year report

1998 Dodge RAM Van Problems

Complaints
22filed with NHTSA
Median mileage
111,374miles, 10 complaints with mileage
Recalls
1campaigns on record
Trend
StableComplaints filed in the last 3 full calendar years are within 25% of the 3 years before.

Sources: NHTSA records for the 1998 Dodge RAM Van (complaints, recalls, investigations). Report an error

NHTSA recorded 22 consumer complaints for the 1998 Dodge RAM Van. The part named most often is electrical system, with 7 complaints (32% of the total), followed by brakes (6) and suspension (4). 10 of the complaints include a mileage, and 30% of those were filed for vehicles with under 50,000 miles; the median is 111,374 miles. Of all complaints, 5 a fire, 8 an injury, according to the filers. NHTSA lists 1 recall campaign and 14 technical service bulletins for this model year. Electrical system complaints overlap with 4 technical service bulletins filed under the same part.

This model year has fewer than 25 complaints on record, so the numbers below can change a lot with a few new reports.

Which parts are reported most

Complaints can name more than one part, so the counts add up to more than the total. Select a part to see its complaints, recalls and bulletins.

Also reported: Exterior lighting (1), Fuel system (1), Other or unknown (1), Seat belts (1), Visibility (wipers, defrost, mirrors) (1).

Example complaints

Electrical system: “While at a Dodge dealer for instrument cluster repair the verizon vehicle had an underhood fire which originated in the ABS module area. The ABS module and wiring connector, truck battery and other underhood components were burnt. Verizon has had similar fires in other vans of this model and believes this is a safety issue which warrants further investigation.”

NHTSA complaint #10086713, filed 2004-08, 94,498 miles

Brakes: “Dt: contact complained of brake problems since 1999 due to battery acid leaking onto the brake lines and causing corrosion. There was a recall issued for this make/model, but this specific vehicle did not fall under the recall campaign. The problem wa srepaired by putting a rubber tray under the battery.”

NHTSA complaint #10126995, filed 2005-06

Suspension: “Some Dodge ram vans have a latent defect in the frame that is very dangerous. As far as I can tell, there is no recall even though the internet is littered with complaints, incidents and accidents due to failure of the frame in one spot. I believe that the AC runoff is vented directly into the frame which, over time results in the eventual failure of the frame at the point where the suspension and steering are located - this results in loss of control of the vehicle. There is no easy way to correct this problem short of replacing the whole frame. …”

NHTSA complaint #10525871, filed 2013-07, 161,000 miles

Steering: “While backing out of my parking space and turning the steering wheel I heard a loud pop/thump. Subsequently while driving down the road at 15mph the steering went out and the vehicle was uncontrollable. I had the vehicle towed to a repair shop. The cause of the break down was the front passenger side frame had rusted and cracked. This is where the steering is connected to. No repair was possible. I have contacted alternate repair sources of dealers, body shops, welders and metal fabricators without any success to get anyone willing or able to repair the frame. …”

NHTSA complaint #10404981, filed 2011-06, 100,101 miles

Mileage when problems were reported

30% of the 10 complaints with a mileage were filed for vehicles with under 50,000 miles; the middle half falls between 49,006 and 153,000 miles.

10%0–100%10–2520%25–500%50–7510%75–10030%100–15030%150+
Share of complaints by mileage when the problem was reported, in thousands of miles (10 complaints with mileage). Red bars: under 50,000 miles. Bucket widths differ. Median: 111,374 miles.

Complaints by year filed

Trend: stable. Complaints filed in the last 3 full calendar years are within 25% of the 3 years before.

1999200052002200420052008200920112013
Complaints by year the complaint was filed with NHTSA. Red bars: the last 3 full calendar years used for the trend. The current year (2026) is partial.

Recalls and investigations

Recall details for the 1998 Dodge RAM Van → · Check a VIN at nhtsa.gov/recalls

Technical service bulletins

TSBs are manufacturer notes to dealers about known repair procedures. They are not recalls and do not by themselves mean a vehicle has a fault. 14 on record; the latest 10 are shown.

See all 14 bulletins →

Other model years of the Dodge RAM Van

YearComplaintsMedian miRecallsCrash ★MPGScore (50 = typical)Trend
20031650,0000—14—Stable
20021456,0301—13—Not enough data
20013360,0001—14Not compared (before 2008)Stable
20002949,0000——Not compared (before 2008)Stable
19994771,0000——Not compared (before 2008)Stable
199822111,3741———Stable
19971695,0000———Stable
19961831,3650———Stable
199514144,0000———Not enough data
19946—0———Not enough data

All Dodge RAM Van model years · Best and worst years by complaints

Frequently asked questions

How many NHTSA complaints does the 1998 Dodge RAM Van have?

NHTSA recorded 22 consumer complaints for the 1998 Dodge RAM Van as of Oct 27, 2026. Complaints are unverified consumer reports and may be duplicated or inaccurate.

What part of the 1998 Dodge RAM Van is reported most often?

Electrical system is named most often, in 7 complaints (32% of the total), followed by brakes with 6.

Has the 1998 Dodge RAM Van been recalled?

NHTSA lists 1 recall campaign for this model year. To check a specific vehicle, enter its VIN at nhtsa.gov/recalls.

At what mileage are problems with the 1998 Dodge RAM Van reported?

Among the 10 complaints that include a mileage, the median is 111,374 miles and the middle half falls between 49,006 and 153,000 miles; 30% were filed for vehicles with under 50,000 miles.

About this data. Data from NHTSA (ODI) complaints, recalls, TSBs and investigations, updated Oct 27, 2026. Complaints are unverified consumer reports and may be duplicated or inaccurate.

Complaint counts come from NHTSA’s public complaint database; we count each complaint once. The source records for this vehicle are on nhtsa.gov. Scores and trends are our own summaries of that data, described in the methodology. This page is not legal, safety or repair advice: for a specific vehicle, check its VIN at nhtsa.gov/recalls and ask a qualified mechanic. See an error? Tell us.