1998 Dodge RAM Electrical system Problems
- Complaints
- 48about this part
- Share
- 10%of 483 total for the year
- Median mileage
- 123,608miles
- Trend
- StableComplaints filed in the last 3 full calendar years are within 25% of the 3 years before.
NHTSA recorded 48 complaints about the electrical system of the 1998 Dodge RAM, 10% of the 483 complaints for this model year. Where a mileage was given, the median is 123,608 miles. 1 of these say a crash was involved, according to the filers.
Example complaints
Selected from NHTSA records; personal details are removed. They are consumer reports, not findings.
“All instrument guages and warning lights do not work consistantly. At times there is no way to know what speed I am going and how much full I have because the guages are not working. I believe this consitutes a safety problem. I have heard other owners of 1997 model year vehicles were having similar problems.”
NHTSA complaint #753856, filed 2001-10“I have an ongoing problem with preignition (spark knock) in my 1998 Dodge RAM 1500 with the 318 cid/5.2l motor. .at 24,896 miles, my dealer re-programmed the PCM and re-routed the spark wires. The spark knock continued. At 35,067 miles, the dealer adjusted the timing; I didn't think this could be done. The spark knock continued. At 43,281 miles, the dealer replaced the intake plenium gasket. The spark knock continued. At 45,093, the dealer replaced both engine heads. The spark knock continued. …”
NHTSA complaint #766138, filed 2002-08“When trying to use the horn, you have to push so hard that it is almost impossible to get it to work without going off the road. The rubber covering the steering wheel center is way to hard to operate the horn. I have been told by other people with '98 Dodge truck, rams that the only way to fix the problem is to install a '99 RAM airbag assembly. I am going to be going to my dealer in a couple of weeks and I am going to see what they can do about this problem. …”
NHTSA complaint #702923, filed 1999-02“The contact owns a 1998 Dodge RAM. The contact stated that the brake lights and interior lighting fail to dim when the vehicle is turned off. Prior to the failures, she noticed that the instrument panel lights would not dim. The vehicle has not been diagnosed by the dealer. The current and failure mileages were 132,216. Updated 07/28/09. Updated 07/30/09.”
NHTSA complaint #10276115, filed 2009-07, 132,216 miles“I think that a horn that requires so much effort that it is useless is a safety problem. Although the dealer and the company district representitive say that the all of the 1998 horns are like that. Something can be done. Chrysler says in their specs that the horn should operate at 2 lbs of pressure not, the 10 lbs or more that they really take. I would like to know why, if there is no problem (they claim) did they fix it for 1999. Same steering wheel and pad but it now works.”
NHTSA complaint #700182, filed 1998-10Electrical system: other model years
| Year | Complaints | Share of year |
|---|---|---|
| 2010 | 6 | 22% |
| 2008 | 3 | 12% |
| 2007 | 1 | 6% |
| 2006 | 6 | 24% |
| 2005 | 3 | 8% |
| 2004 | 10 | 17% |
| 2003 | 4 | 8% |
| 2002 | 5 | 4% |
| 2001 | 20 | 6% |
| 2000 | 13 | 9% |
| 1999 | 17 | 5% |
| 1998 | 48 | 10% |
| 1997 | 22 | 6% |
| 1996 | 47 | 8% |
| 1995 | 72 | 12% |
| 1994 | 64 | 14% |
| 1993 | 4 | 7% |
| 1992 | 6 | 10% |
| 1991 | 5 | 10% |
| 1990 | 2 | 9% |
| 1989 | 1 | 4% |
| 1987 | 2 | 11% |
| 1986 | 3 | 17% |
| 1985 | 1 | 10% |
Other parts of the 1998 Dodge RAM
113 complaintsTransmission and drivetrain
80 complaintsAir bags
66 complaintsEngine cooling
38 complaintsSuspension
31 complaintsSteering
28 complaintsOther or unknown
26 complaintsVehicle speed control
25 complaintsFuel system
24 complaintsBody and structure
18 complaintsTires
18 complaintsSeat belts
16 complaints
← All problems reported for the 1998 Dodge RAM
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.
To check a specific vehicle for open recalls, use its VIN at nhtsa.gov/recalls. Methodology