1998 Dodge RAM Body and structure Problems
- Complaints
- 18about this part
- Share
- 4%of 483 total for the year
- Median mileage
- 133,500miles
- Trend
- StableComplaints filed in the last 3 full calendar years are within 25% of the 3 years before.
NHTSA recorded 18 complaints about the body and structure of the 1998 Dodge RAM, 4% of the 483 complaints for this model year. Where a mileage was given, the median is 133,500 miles. 2 of these say a crash was involved, according to the filers. 1 recall campaign on record is filed under a similar system.
Example complaints
Selected from NHTSA records; personal details are removed. They are consumer reports, not findings.
“The spare tire mechanism that hold the tire under the bed broke. This failure was very dangerous since it occurred while I was driving, my spare tire fell onto the street and rolled. Luckily I was in a 35 MPH area, but cars still had to move out of the way of the rolling tire. Had I been on the interstate, it could have been disastrous.”
NHTSA complaint #10445718, filed 2012-01, 193,000 miles“Since we purchased the van the dealer said we had a bad tire both times we picked it up , but it still drifts and has spungy streeing . I.e. It goes were it want to and when you turn the wheel to correct it the streering takes it time to go the other way. My other problem is the right rear frame leaks water bad, at first the dealers body shop said the weld had broke at the seam were it was put together and that they had 3 of them in the last 6 weeks. We have had the van in the shop many times to get this fixed . It still leaks!!!!”
NHTSA complaint #709651, filed 1999-08“The contact owns a 1998 Dodge RAM. The contact stated that while the vehicle was parked he noticed the dash board of the vehicle was cracked badly. The contact stated that the weather was not hot and was not a factor with the vehicle dash board defect. The contact had pieces of the dashboard fly into his eyes. He took the vehicle to the dealer for diagnostic and testing. The dealer stated that the owner of the vehicle would have to pay for the repairs. There had been no repairs done at the time of the complaint. The approximate failure mileage was 74,000. …”
NHTSA complaint #10317690, filed 2010-03, 74,000 miles“Recall 98 v 209 000/high engine idle speed: vehicle taken to dealer, zangarn Dodge; albuquerque, nm; phone # 505/262-5480 for recall repairs. But, vehicle is still experiencing same problem. Dealer notified, and refused to reinspect vehicle. Please feel free to provide any further details on this matter.”
NHTSA complaint #876713, filed 2000-12“Consumer stated that one of cables that held the tailgate from falling broke. It just snapped off. Consumer was told by the mechanic that the cable had some rust damage.”
NHTSA complaint #10073930, filed 2004-05Related recalls
- 98V208000Sep 8, 1998Vehicle description: light duty pickup trucks. These vehicles may have been built with bolts that were not properly hardened. The bolts were used to attach…Covers: Dodge RAM 1998, Dakota 1998
Body and structure: other model years
| Year | Complaints | Share of year |
|---|---|---|
| 2010 | 1 | 4% |
| 2008 | 2 | 8% |
| 2007 | 2 | 12% |
| 2004 | 5 | 9% |
| 2003 | 8 | 15% |
| 2002 | 15 | 13% |
| 2001 | 24 | 8% |
| 2000 | 7 | 5% |
| 1999 | 17 | 5% |
| 1998 | 18 | 4% |
| 1997 | 14 | 4% |
| 1996 | 24 | 4% |
| 1995 | 26 | 4% |
| 1994 | 17 | 4% |
| 1993 | 6 | 11% |
| 1992 | 2 | 3% |
| 1991 | 2 | 4% |
| 1990 | 1 | 4% |
| 1989 | 1 | 4% |
| 1988 | 1 | 5% |
| 1987 | 1 | 6% |
| 1985 | 1 | 10% |
Other parts of the 1998 Dodge RAM
113 complaintsTransmission and drivetrain
80 complaintsAir bags
66 complaintsElectrical system
48 complaintsEngine cooling
38 complaintsSuspension
31 complaintsSteering
28 complaintsOther or unknown
26 complaintsVehicle speed control
25 complaintsFuel system
24 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