1998 Dodge RAM Problems

What owners report

Owners of this model year most often describe brake problems — pulsation, pulling, and long or failed stops — and transmission failures, many of which left the truck unable to move. A separate, frequent theme is the air bag warning light or chime coming on, and air bags not deploying in frontal impacts. Many complaints involve trucks with well over 80,000 miles, though brakes and transmission are also reported at 50,000–75,000 miles.

1. 1
   Brakes

   Brake pulsation, pulling, and long stopping distance

   • 106 complaints (22%)
   • median 106,000 mi at 12.0 yrs old (4 state mileage, few)
   • 19 mention a crash, fire or injury
   • filed 1998–2012

   Owners describe rotors warping early, brakes that pull left or right during stops, pedal fade, and in some cases the pedal going to the floorboard with little or no braking. Several say the truck was serviced repeatedly for brakes without a lasting fix. Some report that dealers could not reproduce the problem or attributed it to an electrical or ABS-related component. Reported across a wide mileage range, from under 10,000 miles to over 120,000, with many under 60,000.

   Recall 04V185000Recall 98V075000

   What to check: Have the brake rotors, pads, calipers and rear brake adjusters inspected, and drive the truck through several firm stops to feel for pulsation or pulling. Ask whether the ABS module connector has been checked for corrosion or leakage.

   2 excerpts from owner complaints in NHTSA records

   “The brakes pull left or right. Most likely due to weak calipers. The experts I've talked to indicate my one ton 7000 lb truck has the same single piston calipers a little isuzu rodeo or mitsubishi has. It's horrifying to think this big truck has no more brakes than a 2000 lb little car. The $2000 'damage' is a repair estimate for new oem parts -- which the dealer has replaed. It still pulls. This is a safety issue. Sometimes it pulls hard enough to cause a lane change. Have had near miss of head-on collision.”

   NHTSA complaint #705838, filed 1999-04

   “When applying the brakes the truck pulled/skidded, and made a loud sound. This happened when applying the brakes under a panic stop. The truck would not stop in the amount of time that it should stop. Truck has been serviced 5 times for brake problems. On aug 20, 1999, had a rear end crash. Dealer was not able to duplicate the problem with the ABS.”

   NHTSA complaint #848215, filed 1999-09
2. 2
   Transmission and drivetrain

   Transmission failure or gear loss

   • 48 complaints (10%)
   • median 65,699 mi at 5.5 yrs old (6 state mileage, few)
   • 5 mention a crash, fire or injury
   • filed 1997–2005

   Complaints describe transmissions that slipped, lost gears, or failed without warning, sometimes requiring replacement or rebuild. Manual-transmission owners report fifth gear dropping out, and one owner notes slippage and leaking cooling lines. Some say the dealer or manufacturer declined responsibility, and one owner reports repair shops attributing failures to low lubrication at low engine speeds. Most reports fall between about 50,000 and 110,000 miles; some as low as roughly 51,000.

   Recall 99V115000

   What to check: Check transmission fluid level, color and smell, look for leaks at the cooler lines and front seals, and test drive through all gears including overdrive and, on manual trucks, fifth gear.

   2 excerpts from owner complaints in NHTSA records

   “My husband ordered this truck in late 1997. We purchased it new and have had numerous problems with the vehicle. The biggest problem we have faced is the transmission. Mid-april 1998 the first problems occured with slippage, the transmission cooling lines were replaced, one month later the torque converter went and repairs were made. Now at 51,000 miles and very little driving for the last 2 yrs (since my husband has been sick with cancer) it has blown again. The front seals are leaking profusely. …”

   NHTSA complaint #10070595, filed 2004-01, 50,100 miles

   “I was driving on the highway at 55 MPH and the 5th gear in the manual transmission completely went out. I contacted scott enkirk and in turn contacted Dodge and was told that they claim no responsibility. My neighbor's 1998 Dodge RAM truck also did the same exact thing. Dt”

   NHTSA complaint #768833, filed 2002-10
3. 3
   Air bags

   Air bag warning light or chime

   Mentioned in 5 of 60 sampled complaints

   Owners describe the air bag light illuminating intermittently and later staying on, often with a repeating chime, and in some cases the horn stopping at the same time. Several mention that they asked about air bag recalls and were told their vehicle identification number was not included. Some had repairs done at their own cost. Mostly reported between roughly 60,000 and 124,000 miles.

   Recall 01V153000Recall 99V002000

   What to check: Confirm the air bag light comes on with the ignition and then goes out, test the horn, and ask whether any air bag recall or clock-spring service has been completed for this truck by VIN.

   2 excerpts from owner complaints in NHTSA records

   “Air bag light started illuminating on and off. Eventually it remained illuminated. The consumer later found out that the manufacturer was voluntarily replacing the clock spring on vehicles with mileage less than 70000 miles (recall# 02v293). The consumer contacted the manufacturer and was told that the recall was only for vans.”

   NHTSA complaint #10056110, filed 2004-01, 60,000 miles

   “Horn will sound intermittently during the night when engine is not running. Dealership has not examined vehicle, but informed consumer that vehicle was not affected by recall 01v153000. Please provide any additional information / attachments.”

   NHTSA complaint #897163, filed 2001-10
4. 4
   Air bags

   Air bags not deploying in a frontal impact

   • 55 complaints (11%)
   • median 99,500 mi at 8.5 yrs old (2 state mileage, few)
   • 51 mention a crash, fire or injury
   • filed 1997–2008

   In several complaints owners describe frontal collisions at moderate to highway speeds in which the air bags did not deploy, with injuries reported to occupants. These are reported after the crash rather than as a warning symptom beforehand, and dealers or the manufacturer were notified in most cases. Described in crashes reported between roughly 45 and 70 mph; mileage is not stated in most of these reports.

   Recall 01V153000Recall 99V002000

   What to check: Ask for the vehicle history and have any air bag system faults or stored codes scanned before purchase; a warning light that stays on or chimes means the system needs diagnosis.

   2 excerpts from owner complaints in NHTSA records

   “While driving 70 MPH vehicle was involved in a head on collision. Upon impact, dual airbags did not deploy, and passenger sustained lower arm injuries.”

   NHTSA complaint #10044900, filed 2003-10, 75,000 miles

   “While driving,the consumer tried to avoid another vehicle that was coming inside of the lane. When the consumer applied the brakes, the pedal went to the floor. The consumer was unable to maintain control of the vehicle and hit a guard rail and flipped into a ditch. Both air bags did not deploy. The driver sustained head injuries. The driver went to the hospital on his own. The vehicle was towed and totaled by the insurance company. Please provide additional information.”

   NHTSA complaint #10108778, filed 2005-01

Buying note. These trucks are old enough that condition matters far more than reputation: get a pre-purchase inspection that covers brakes, transmission, steering and air bag fault codes, and ask for records of any brake or air bag recall work by VIN.

Summary written with AI from a sample of 60 NHTSA complaints for this model year (picked at random, with complaints that state a mileage and recent ones taken first), then checked automatically against the source records. Where a problem shows a complaint count, every complaint for this model year was matched with fixed keyword rules (written with AI and tested against the sample), and the mileage, age and repair figures are calculated from those complaints; owners' figures are as stated, not verified. Other counts refer to the sample. The excerpts come from NHTSA's public complaint records and are unverified; capitalisation is normalised, NHTSA staff notes are removed, and shortened text ends with “…”. Something wrong? Request a correction.