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FaultScore report

1998 Dodge RAM Pickup problems

Owners have filed 27 complaints about the 1998 Dodge RAM Pickup with NHTSA between 1998 and 2012. The largest single group is the airbags. Across this model's run it ranks 4 of 6 worst.

Read the complaints What breaks Worst years for the Dodge RAM Pickup All 1998 cars
C

FaultScore 53/100

Higher is worse. Measured against the other years of the Dodge RAM Pickup.

How this is worked out

The numbers

27

Complaints

2

Crashes reported

1

Fires reported

1

Injuries reported

122,500 mi

Median mileage at failure

Half of reported failures happened before this

8%

Failed under 36,000 miles

Inside a typical bumper-to-bumper warranty

What kind of bad

The letter says how bad. This says what kind — whether this year drew an unusual number of complaints, unusually dangerous ones, or failures that arrived unusually early.

Complaint volume 54 vs 50 Severity 76 vs 50 Early failure 14 vs 50
The dashed ring is 50 — the national norm. Further out is worse.
Complaint volume — 54
Against the median year of the Dodge RAM Pickup. 50 means typical for this model; 100 means roughly double.
Severity — 76
14.8% of these complaints involved a crash, fire, injury or death, against a national rate of 9.7%.
Early failure — 14
8% of failures with a mileage on record happened under 36,000 miles, against a national rate of 29%.

How 1998 compares with every other Dodge RAM Pickup

Click any bar to open that year's report.

Complaints filed with NHTSA, by model year. Bar colour is the FaultScore grade: A B C D F ungraded

What breaks on a 1998 Dodge RAM Pickup

Every complaint is filed against a part. Follow any row for the complaints about that part alone.

Body & Structure 4 14.8%

Median failure at 129,419 miles

Brakes 4 14.8%

1 crashes, 0 fires · median 126,481 mi

Airbags 4 14.8%

1 crashes, 0 fires · median 88,100 mi

Lights 3 11.1%
Transmission & Drivetrain 3 11.1%

Median failure at 40,000 miles

Electrical System 2 7.4%
Equipment & Accessories 1 3.7%
Doors, Latches & Locks 1 3.7%
Seat Belts 1 3.7%

Median failure at 50,000 miles

Fuel & Propulsion 1 3.7%

0 crashes, 1 fires · median 160,000 mi

Acceleration & Cruise Control 1 3.7%
Steering 1 3.7%
Engine & Cooling 1 3.7%

Median failure at 40,000 miles

When it fails

Odometer readings owners gave when they filed. About half of all complaints include one.

10,000 – 24,999 miles 1 8.3%
25,000 – 49,999 miles 2 16.7%
50,000 – 74,999 miles 2 16.7%
100,000 – 149,999 miles 6 50.0%
150,000+ miles 1 8.3%

When owners complained

A spike years after the car went on sale usually means a part wearing out on schedule across the whole fleet — the kind of pattern no single owner can see from inside their own car.

Oct 1998 peak 4 Mar 2012

Complaints that involved harm

Reports where the owner recorded a crash, a fire, an injury or a death.

at 160,000 miles Pago Pago, AS Fire

FUEL SYSTEM, GASOLINE

I WAS DRIVING ON THE ROAD AFTER DRIVING UP AND DOWN THE STEEP HILL,WHEN I HEARD POP, AND LOOK AT MY REAR VIEW MIRROR AND MY TRUCK WAS ON FIRE MOSTLY AROUND THE LEFT HAND REAR TIRE AND AROUND RIGHT BEHIND THE DRIVER'S SIDE. I DROVE TO THE SIDE OF THE ROAD AND GOT, THAN I CALL THE POLICE AND FIRE DEPT. FOR ASSISTANT/HELP.

NHTSA complaint #10242096 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.

Somersworth, NH 1 injured

AIR BAGS:FRONTAL

ATTORNEY IS WRITING ON BEHALF OF MR. RICKER WHO STATES THAT WHILE DRIVING, MR. RICKER MOVED TO THE RIGHT ALLOWING A LARGE TRUCK MORE CLEARANCE. AT THIS POINT, THE FRONT RIGHT TIRE OF THE VEHICLE CAUGHT A LARGE AMOUNT OF SNOW PULLING THE VEHICLE TO THE RIGHT AND INTO AN UTILITY POLE. THERE WAS DAMAGE TO THE CENTER FRONT OF VEHICLE AND UNKNOWN DAMAGE TO THE UNDERCARRIAGE, BUT THE AIR BAG DID NOT DEPLOY. MR. RICKER COMPLAINED OF NECK AND BACK PAINS.

NHTSA complaint #565770 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.

East Blansdowne, PA Crash

AIR BAGS:FRONTAL

CONSUMER EXPERIENCED PROBLEMS WITH DRIVER'S AND PASSENGER'S SIDE AIRBAGS ALONG WITH REAR ANTI-LOCK BRAKES. UPON APPLYING BRAKES WHILE GOING 50 MPH, REAR ANTI-LOCK BRAKES WENT OUT, CAUSING CONSUMER TO REAREND ANOTHER VEHICLE. DRIVER'S AND PASSENGER'S SIDE AIR BAGS FAILED TO DEPLOY. THE MANUFACTURER WAS CONTACTED BUT SAID THEY COULD NOT DO ANYTHING TO HELP. CONSUMER HAS SINCE RID HIMSELF OF THE VEHICLE, AND BOUGHT A DIFFERENT ONE. *AK

NHTSA complaint #833277 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.

East Blansdowne, PA Crash

SERVICE BRAKES, HYDRAULIC:ANTILOCK/TRACTION CONTROL/ELECTRONIC LIMITED SLIP

CONSUMER EXPERIENCED PROBLEMS WITH DRIVER'S AND PASSENGER'S SIDE AIRBAGS ALONG WITH REAR ANTI-LOCK BRAKES. UPON APPLYING BRAKES WHILE GOING 50 MPH, REAR ANTI-LOCK BRAKES WENT OUT, CAUSING CONSUMER TO REAREND ANOTHER VEHICLE. DRIVER'S AND PASSENGER'S SIDE AIR BAGS FAILED TO DEPLOY. THE MANUFACTURER WAS CONTACTED BUT SAID THEY COULD NOT DO ANYTHING TO HELP. CONSUMER HAS SINCE RID HIMSELF OF THE VEHICLE, AND BOUGHT A DIFFERENT ONE. *AK

NHTSA complaint #833277 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.

The most recent complaints

In the owners' own words, exactly as filed with NHTSA.

at 138,839 miles Concord, CA

STRUCTURE

THE DASH HAS STARTED CRACKING IN TWO PLACES.

NHTSA complaint #10453676 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.

at 120,000 miles 32905, FL

STRUCTURE

1998 DODGE RAM PICKUP 1500 THE DASH HAS CRACKED SO BAD IT IS UNSAFE. IT HAS SHARP EDGED FRAGMENTS.

NHTSA complaint #10421653 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.

at 135,000 miles Phoenix, AZ

POWER TRAIN:MANUAL TRANSMISSION

I WAS IN A HOSPITAL PARKING AREA IN TUCSON AZ., ROLLING IN 2ND GEAR, AFTER ATTEMPTING TO DEPRESS THE CLUTCH IT FAILED WITHOUT ANY WARNING LEAVING THE 7200 LB. TRUCK SILL UNDER POWER. LUCKY FOR ME AND NOTHING ELSE I WAS ABLE TO STOP IN A NEAR BY FIELD. THIS IS THE FIRST EVENT FOR ME BUT I HAVE TALKED TO ANOTHER DODGE OWNER AND THE SAME PROBLEM (HE ALMOST BACKED THOUGH A WALL ) THE FAILURE WAS REPAIRED WITH A NEW HYDRAULIC ASSY. PART. THIS HAPPENED WITH 135K MI. ON THE ODO. THE OTHER OWNER SAID HIS BROKE AT APPROX. 75K MI.

NHTSA complaint #10283097 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.

at 160,000 miles Pago Pago, AS Fire

FUEL SYSTEM, GASOLINE

I WAS DRIVING ON THE ROAD AFTER DRIVING UP AND DOWN THE STEEP HILL,WHEN I HEARD POP, AND LOOK AT MY REAR VIEW MIRROR AND MY TRUCK WAS ON FIRE MOSTLY AROUND THE LEFT HAND REAR TIRE AND AROUND RIGHT BEHIND THE DRIVER'S SIDE. I DROVE TO THE SIDE OF THE ROAD AND GOT, THAN I CALL THE POLICE AND FIRE DEPT. FOR ASSISTANT/HELP.

NHTSA complaint #10242096 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.

Quinlan, TX

STRUCTURE

DASH BOARD ON 98 TRUCK.

NHTSA complaint #10229999 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.

at 125,000 miles Hoffman Estates, IL

AIR BAGS

AIR BAG LIGHT COMES ON SEVERAL TIMES DURING OPERATION MEANING THE AIR BAG WILL NOT WORK PROPERLY.

NHTSA complaint #10201312 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.

at 51,200 miles Swansea, IL

AIR BAGS:FRONTAL

DT: THE CONTACT STATED THE DRIVER'S SIDE AIR BAG DEPLOYED. HE DID NOT HIT ANYTHING PRIOR TO THIS INCIDENT. CHRYSLER SENT AN INVESTIGATOR ON 11-29-05 AND TOOK PICTURES INSIDE AND OUT OF THE TRUCK. THEN, STATED THE TRUCK DID NOT APPEAR TO HAVE BEEN INVOLVED IN AN ACCIDENT; THUS, THE TRUCK WAS NOT DAMAGED. CHRYSLER SENT THE CONTACT A LETTER ON 12-5-05 STATING THAT THE AIR BAG LIGHT ILLUMINATED FOR A SUBSTANTIAL PERIOD OF TIME. THEREFORE, THEY WERE NOT RESPONSIBLE FOR THE REPAIRS. THE CONTACT STATED THE AIR BAG LIGHT WAS NOT ON PRIOR TO THIS INCIDENT, AND THAT HE WAS AWARE THAT IF THE AIR BAG LIGHT ILLUMINATED IT WAS AN INDICATOR THAT THE AIR BAG WAS NOT FUNCTIONING PROPERLY. THEREFORE, IT SHOULD NOT HAVE DEPLOYED PREMATURELY. WHEN HE HAD THE CAR SERVICED AT A LOCAL DEALERSHIP THEY DID NOT MENTION THE AIR BAG LIGHT ILLUMINATING. *AK UPDATED 02/07/06.

NHTSA complaint #10144662 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.

at 50,000 miles Peachtree City, GA

SEAT BELTS:FRONT

BOTH FRONTAL SEAT BELTS STUCK IN THEIR HOLSTER AND WOULDN'T RELEASE. THE SEAT BELT SHOWED NO SIGN OR ABUSE OR WEAR WHEN THIS OCCURRED. DEALERSHIP REPLACED BOTH SHOULDER BELTS TO CORRECT THE PROBLEM.

NHTSA complaint #10087575 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.

at 11,000 miles Lyons, IL

POWER TRAIN:AUTOMATIC TRANSMISSION

THE CHECK ENGINE LIGHT ILLUMINATED. THE VEHCILE WA TAKEN TO THE DEALER WHO DETERMINED THAT THE GOVERNOR PRESSURE SENSOR AND THE GOVERNOR PRESSURE SOLENOID FAILED. THE TRANSMISSION ALSO SLIPPED MOMENTARILY. *AK THESE PARTS WERE REPLACED TWICE.

NHTSA complaint #10059234 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.

at 40,000 miles Parker, CO

ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING:COOLING SYSTEM

WHILE DRIVING AT ANY SPEED CONSUMER NOTICED THAT VEHICLE USED A LARGE AMOUNT OF COOLANT. WHILE THE VEHICLE WAS IN AN INDEPENDENT SHOP FOR A NEW CLUTCH MECHANIC DISCOVERED THAT THE CYLINDER HEADS HAD SEVERAL CRACKS. THE CYLINDER HEADS WERE SCHEDULED TO BE REPLACED.

NHTSA complaint #10049872 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.

at 40,000 miles Parker, CO

POWER TRAIN:CLUTCH ASSEMBLY

WHILE DRIVING AT ANY SPEED CONSUMER NOTICED THAT VEHICLE USED A LARGE AMOUNT OF COOLANT. WHILE THE VEHICLE WAS IN AN INDEPENDENT SHOP FOR A NEW CLUTCH MECHANIC DISCOVERED THAT THE CYLINDER HEADS HAD SEVERAL CRACKS. THE CYLINDER HEADS WERE SCHEDULED TO BE REPLACED.

NHTSA complaint #10049872 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.

Crossplains, TN

VEHICLE SPEED CONTROL

I HAVE HAD TROUBLE WITH THE HEADLIGHT SWITCH IT HAS BURNED OUT TWICE AND I HAVE HAD TO HAVE IT REPLACED TWICE MY SPEEDOMETER DOESN'T WORK UNTIL IT SAYS THAT I AM GOING 25 MILES PER HOUR THE BRAKE LIGHT ON THE DASH IS NOW ON ALL THE TIME I HAVE ALSO NOTICED THAT MY DOOR LOCKS ARE POWER AND AS LONG AS YOU LOCK AND UNLOCK THEM FROM THE PASSENGER SIDE THEY WORK FINE BUT THE DRIVER SIDE DOESN'T WORK ALL THE TIME I WOULD LIKE TO KNOW IF ANY OF THESE COULD BE SOME KIND OF DEFECT THAT HAVE OR WILL BE RECALLED

NHTSA complaint #10042971 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.

Crossplains, TN

LATCHES/LOCKS/LINKAGES:DOORS:LATCH

I HAVE HAD TROUBLE WITH THE HEADLIGHT SWITCH IT HAS BURNED OUT TWICE AND I HAVE HAD TO HAVE IT REPLACED TWICE MY SPEEDOMETER DOESN'T WORK UNTIL IT SAYS THAT I AM GOING 25 MILES PER HOUR THE BRAKE LIGHT ON THE DASH IS NOW ON ALL THE TIME I HAVE ALSO NOTICED THAT MY DOOR LOCKS ARE POWER AND AS LONG AS YOU LOCK AND UNLOCK THEM FROM THE PASSENGER SIDE THEY WORK FINE BUT THE DRIVER SIDE DOESN'T WORK ALL THE TIME I WOULD LIKE TO KNOW IF ANY OF THESE COULD BE SOME KIND OF DEFECT THAT HAVE OR WILL BE RECALLED

NHTSA complaint #10042971 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.

Crossplains, TN

EXTERIOR LIGHTING:HEADLIGHTS:SWITCH

I HAVE HAD TROUBLE WITH THE HEADLIGHT SWITCH IT HAS BURNED OUT TWICE AND I HAVE HAD TO HAVE IT REPLACED TWICE MY SPEEDOMETER DOESN'T WORK UNTIL IT SAYS THAT I AM GOING 25 MILES PER HOUR THE BRAKE LIGHT ON THE DASH IS NOW ON ALL THE TIME I HAVE ALSO NOTICED THAT MY DOOR LOCKS ARE POWER AND AS LONG AS YOU LOCK AND UNLOCK THEM FROM THE PASSENGER SIDE THEY WORK FINE BUT THE DRIVER SIDE DOESN'T WORK ALL THE TIME I WOULD LIKE TO KNOW IF ANY OF THESE COULD BE SOME KIND OF DEFECT THAT HAVE OR WILL BE RECALLED

NHTSA complaint #10042971 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.

Crossplains, TN

ELECTRICAL SYSTEM:WIRING:INTERIOR/UNDER DASH

I HAVE HAD TROUBLE WITH THE HEADLIGHT SWITCH IT HAS BURNED OUT TWICE AND I HAVE HAD TO HAVE IT REPLACED TWICE MY SPEEDOMETER DOESN'T WORK UNTIL IT SAYS THAT I AM GOING 25 MILES PER HOUR THE BRAKE LIGHT ON THE DASH IS NOW ON ALL THE TIME I HAVE ALSO NOTICED THAT MY DOOR LOCKS ARE POWER AND AS LONG AS YOU LOCK AND UNLOCK THEM FROM THE PASSENGER SIDE THEY WORK FINE BUT THE DRIVER SIDE DOESN'T WORK ALL THE TIME I WOULD LIKE TO KNOW IF ANY OF THESE COULD BE SOME KIND OF DEFECT THAT HAVE OR WILL BE RECALLED

NHTSA complaint #10042971 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.

AVA, MO

STEERING:LINKAGES:TIE ROD ASSEMBLY

TIE ROD FELL OUT WHILE DRIVING.

NHTSA complaint #10039729 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.

at 126,481 miles Bakersfield, CA

SERVICE BRAKES, HYDRAULIC

FRONT BRAKES WEAR OUT, WHILE REAR BRAKES ARE STILL NEW.SEVERAL REPLACEMENTS WITH IN SIX MONTHS MOSTLY HIGHWAY MILES

NHTSA complaint #10030458 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.

at 126,481 miles Bakersfield, CA

SERVICE BRAKES, AIR:DISC

FRONT BRAKES WEAR OUT, WHILE REAR BRAKES ARE STILL NEW.SEVERAL REPLACEMENTS WITH IN SIX MONTHS MOSTLY HIGHWAY MILES

NHTSA complaint #10030458 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.

Somersworth, NH 1 injured

AIR BAGS:FRONTAL

ATTORNEY IS WRITING ON BEHALF OF MR. RICKER WHO STATES THAT WHILE DRIVING, MR. RICKER MOVED TO THE RIGHT ALLOWING A LARGE TRUCK MORE CLEARANCE. AT THIS POINT, THE FRONT RIGHT TIRE OF THE VEHICLE CAUGHT A LARGE AMOUNT OF SNOW PULLING THE VEHICLE TO THE RIGHT AND INTO AN UTILITY POLE. THERE WAS DAMAGE TO THE CENTER FRONT OF VEHICLE AND UNKNOWN DAMAGE TO THE UNDERCARRIAGE, BUT THE AIR BAG DID NOT DEPLOY. MR. RICKER COMPLAINED OF NECK AND BACK PAINS.

NHTSA complaint #565770 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.

Whittier, CA

SERVICE BRAKES, HYDRAULIC:FOUNDATION COMPONENTS:DISC:ROTOR

CO0NSUMER STATES THAT THE ROTORS HAVE FATIGUE FRACTURES.

NHTSA complaint #566094 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.

Whittier, CA

TRAILER HITCHES

CONSUMER STATES THAT THE TRAILER HITCH SIDE BRACKETS HAVE FRACTURES.

NHTSA complaint #566094 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.

Whittier, CA

STRUCTURE:FRAME AND MEMBERS:UNDERBODY SHIELDS

CONSUMER STATES THAT THE SCREW ATTACHING THE HEAT SHIELD TO THE EXHAUST IS RUBBING AGAINST FUEL LINE.

NHTSA complaint #566094 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.

Long Beach, CA

EXTERIOR LIGHTING:TURN SIGNAL

FOG LIGHT / REAR TURN SIGNAL FAILED.

NHTSA complaint #608594 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.

Long Beach, CA

EXTERIOR LIGHTING:FOG LIGHTS

FOG LIGHT / REAR TURN SIGNAL FAILED.

NHTSA complaint #608594 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.

East Blansdowne, PA Crash

AIR BAGS:FRONTAL

CONSUMER EXPERIENCED PROBLEMS WITH DRIVER'S AND PASSENGER'S SIDE AIRBAGS ALONG WITH REAR ANTI-LOCK BRAKES. UPON APPLYING BRAKES WHILE GOING 50 MPH, REAR ANTI-LOCK BRAKES WENT OUT, CAUSING CONSUMER TO REAREND ANOTHER VEHICLE. DRIVER'S AND PASSENGER'S SIDE AIR BAGS FAILED TO DEPLOY. THE MANUFACTURER WAS CONTACTED BUT SAID THEY COULD NOT DO ANYTHING TO HELP. CONSUMER HAS SINCE RID HIMSELF OF THE VEHICLE, AND BOUGHT A DIFFERENT ONE. *AK

NHTSA complaint #833277 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.