1998 Dodge Ram: Recalls, Problems & MPG
Here are the deets on the 1998 Dodge Ram: 13 recalls, 483 owner complaints and up to 16 mpg combined.
Recalls
13 vehicle recalls from the manufacturer, plus 4 equipment/tire recalls that can apply. Repairs are free. Check your VIN to see if one is still open on your car.
Brakes (air) Vehicle recall #98V075000 · 1998 · 1,550 vehicles
What's wrong: The brake rotor material strength is not sufficient causing a hub fatigue fracture.
Why it matters: This fracture can result in crack propagation around the wheel mounting bolt circule ultimately resulting in a wheel separation.
The fix: Dealers will inspect the brake rotors and if necessary, replace these rotors.
Seat belts Vehicle recall #98V105000 · 1998 · 4,200 vehicles
What's wrong: The front seat belt buckles were not properly riveted to the support strap.
Why it matters: In the event of a vehicle crash, the seat belt assembly would have reduced strength, increasing the risk of personal injury.
The fix: Dealers will replace the front outer seat belt buckles with buckles that have been properly riveted.
Fuel system Vehicle recall #98V182000 · 1998 · 8,144 vehicles
What's wrong: 0l v-10 engine or a 5.9l v-8 heavy duty gasoline engine. An exhaust system heat shield attaching screw is too close to the underbody fuel line. The line can rub against the screw, possibly causing fuel leakage.
Why it matters: Fuel leakage in the presence of an ignition source can result in a fire.
The fix: Dealers will remove the underbody heat shield attaching screw and replace it with rubber adhesive. The chassis fuel line will be inspected for signs of wear and any tubes indicating wear will be replaced.
Engine & cooling Vehicle recall #98V207000 · 1998 · 25,014 vehicles
What's wrong: 9l - 24 valve diesel engine. The low pressure diesel fuel supply tube located in the engine compartment between the filter and the high pressure pump can fracture.
Why it matters: This condition can allow fuel to leak. In the presence of an ignition source, fuel leakage can result in a fire.
The fix: Dealers will replace the low pressure diesel fuel supply tube.
Engine & cooling Vehicle recall #98V209000 · 1998 · 30,747 vehicles
What's wrong: 9l - 24 valve diesel engine. An intermittent high engine idle condition can occur due to a malfunction of the vehicle speed sensor.
Why it matters: This creates a signal which is misinterpreted by the engine control software, causing a high idle speed condition.
The fix: Dealers will replace the engine controller software to correct erroneous speed sensor signals.
Body & structure Vehicle recall #98V208000 · 1998 · 12,400 vehicles
What's wrong: These vehicles May have been built with bolts that were not properly hardened. The bolts were used to attach the cab and the core support to the frame.
Why it matters: This condition can allow the cab to separate from the frame increasing the risk of a crash.
The fix: Dealers will replace these bolts with properly hardened bolts.
Airbags Vehicle recall #99V002000 · 1999 · 46,193 vehicles
What's wrong: If a heavy object impacts the metal casing of the air bag electronic control module (aecm), located under the driver seat, the module could inadvertently deploy the air bags.
Why it matters: Unexpected air bag deployment can result in occupant injury.
The fix: Dealers will replace the aecm with a module that incorporates revised hardware and software on all affected vehicles.
Transmission & drivetrain Vehicle recall #99V115000 · 1999 · 8,883 vehicles
What's wrong: Under sustained maximum rated vehicle load, while driving up a steep grade in four-wheel-drive low range in hot ambient conditions, the local exhaust temperature proximate to the hydraulic clutch line can generate line temperatures that exceed the temperature limit of the clutch line material. If this condition occurs and the clutch is depressed, the line could rupture.
Why it matters: The fluid could ignite on the hot exhaust possibly resulting in a vehicle fire.
The fix: Dealers will replace the hydraulic clutch assembly.
Trailer hitch Vehicle recall #00V107000 · 2000 · 357,000 vehicles
What's wrong: The trailer hitch side brackets were manufactured using material with insufficient strength.
Why it matters: Brackets built without proper material could fatigue and fracture in the area where the trailer hitch mounts to the frame.
The fix: Dealers will inspect the trailer hitches and replace any trailer hitch showing signs of fatigue cracking. If no evidence of cracking exists, the dealer will install two reinforcement brackets.
Latches & locks Vehicle recall #01V040000 · 2001 · 701,000 vehicles
What's wrong: On certain pickup trucks originally sold in or currently registered in the following "salt belt" states: maine, new hampshire, vermont, massachusetts, rhode island, connecticut, new york, new jersey, pennsylvania, delaware, maryland, the district of columbia, west virginia, ohio, indiana, michigan, illinois, wisconsin, minnesota, iowa, and missouri. Corrosion of the return spring on the hood secondary latch could…
Why it matters: If the primary latch is not engaged, the hood could open unexpectedly.
The fix: Dealers will replace the secondary hood latch. Owner notification began September 17, 2001.
Airbags Vehicle recall #01V153000 · 2001 · 216,100 vehicles
What's wrong: Sound deadener material inside the steering wheel could become detached from the cover and housing. Note: the Ram pickup trucks were built at the warren assembly plant ("s" in the 11th VIN position) from May 16, 2000 through October 23, 2000; st. Louis north assembly plant ("j" in the 11th VIN position) from May 19, 2000 through October 23, 2000; lago alberto assembly plant ("m" in the 11th VIN position) from May…
Why it matters: When this occurs, the material could interfere with the clockspring ribbon and cause an open circuit. The driver air bag system will become disabled, and the air bag warning lamp will illuminate on the instrument panel.
The fix: Dealers will replace the clockspring assembly. Owner notification began June 18, 2001. Also some 1997-200 model year vehicles that, according to warranty records, have had a suspect replacement clockspring installed, will also be included in this campaign.
Speed control / throttle Vehicle recall #02V161000 · 2002 · 97,500 vehicles
What's wrong: On certain pickup trucks equipped with diesel engines only, the throttle linkage joints can corrode and cause the throttle to bind or stick.
Why it matters: This could potentially result in a loss of throttle control, increasing the risk of a crash.
The fix: Dealers will replace the rod ends and ball studs. Owner notification began July 29, 2002.
Brakes (hydraulic) Vehicle recall #04V185000 · 2004 · 44,588 vehicles
What's wrong: On certain van and wagon vehicles equipped with 4-wheel antilock brake systems (ABS), aftermarket batteries May leak electrolyte onto the ABS control module connector, which can compromise sealing integrity of the connector.
Why it matters: This May allow development of a short circuit in the connector, which could eventually lead to a fire.
The fix: Dealers will inspect the ABS control module connector for electrolyte damage and replace the connector as necessary. The recall will begin on September 27, 2004. Owners should contact daimlerchrysler at 1-800-853-1403.
4 aftermarket equipment / tire recalls replacement parts sold to fit this car, not the car itself
Exterior lights Equipment recall #06E060000 · 2006 · 87,745 vehicles
What's wrong: Certain aai motorsports combination lamps sold as replacement lamps for use on the above list passenger vehicles. Combination lamps not equipped with amber side reflectors fail to conform with the requirements of Federal Motor Vehicle Safety Standard no. 108, "lamps, reflective devices, and associated equipment."
Why it matters: Lack of amber side reflectors in the lamps will decrease lighting visibility to other drivers and May possibly result in a vehicle crash
The fix: Aai motorsports will notify owners and replace the lamps free of charge. The recall began on August 1, 2006.
Exterior lights Equipment recall #08E050000 · 2008 · 1,921 vehicles
What's wrong: These headlamps are missing the amber side reflex reflector which fails to conform with the requirements of Federal Motor Vehicle Safety Standard no. 108, "lamps, reflective devices, and associated equipment."
Why it matters: Without the amber side reflex reflectors, the lighting visibility May be affected, possibly resulting in a vehicle crash.
The fix: K2 motor will notify owners and offer a full refund. The recall began on decemeber 17, 2008.
Exterior lights Equipment recall #09E012000 · 2009 · 16,270 vehicles
What's wrong: These headlamps fail to conform to the requirements of Federal Motor Vehicle Safety Standard no. 108, "lamps, reflective devices, and associated equipment." these lamps do not contain the required amber side reflectors.
Why it matters: Decreased lighting visibility May result in a vehicle crash.
The fix: Sabersport will notify owners and offer a full refund for the noncompliant combination lamps. The safety recall began on May 11, 2009.
Exterior lights Equipment recall #09E025000 · 2009 · 42,540 vehicles
What's wrong: Dope, Inc. is recalling 42,540 combination corner and bumper lamp assemblies of various part numbers sold for use as aftermarket equipment for various passenger vehicles. These headlamps fail to conform to the requirements of Federal Motor Vehicle Safety Standard no. 108, "lamps, reflective devices, and associated equipment." these lamps do not contain the required amber side reflectors.
Why it matters: Decreased lighting visibility May result in a vehicle crash.
The fix: Dope, Inc. will notify owners and offer a full refund for the noncompliant combination lamps. The safety recall began on July 28, 2009.
Most-reported problems
Owner complaints filed with NHTSA, by component. One complaint can list several components. 6 mention a fire, 52 injuries and 3 deaths were reported.
What owners describe
- Brakes (hydraulic) (107): the most common themes are brake failure / soft pedal (17), noise or vibration (12).
- Transmission & drivetrain (80): the most common themes are hard / delayed shifting (23), noise or vibration (10), stalls / loses power (8).
- Airbags (66): the most common themes are fails to deploy (40), warning light on (7).
- Electrical (48): the most common themes are electrical failure (5), warning light on (4).
The 1998 Dodge Ram has 483 owner complaints, ranking #3 of 22 Ram model years for complaints (2.7× the average Ram year). Complaints peaked in 1999 (156 filed that year). The typical problem showed up when the car was about 1 year old, at a median of 74,000 miles. Neighboring years: 1997 (398 complaints, 7 recalls), 1999 (366 complaints, 9 recalls).
Engines & fuel economy (EPA)
| Engine | Transmission | Drive | City | Hwy | Comb. | Fuel |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 3.9 L 6-cyl | Automatic 4-spd | Rear-Wheel Drive | 14 | 18 | 16 | Regular |
| 3.9 L 6-cyl | Manual 5-spd | Rear-Wheel Drive | 14 | 20 | 16 | Regular |
| 5.2 L 8-cyl | Automatic 4-spd | Rear-Wheel Drive | 12 | 17 | 14 | Regular |
| 5.2 L 8-cyl | Manual 5-spd | Rear-Wheel Drive | 12 | 17 | 14 | Regular |
| 5.2 L 8-cyl | Manual 5-spd | 4-Wheel or All-Wheel Drive | 12 | 16 | 14 | Regular |
| 5.9 L 8-cyl | Automatic 4-spd | Rear-Wheel Drive | 11 | 16 | 13 | Regular |
| 5.2 L 8-cyl | Automatic 4-spd | 4-Wheel or All-Wheel Drive | 11 | 15 | 13 | Regular |
| 5.9 L 8-cyl | Automatic 4-spd | 4-Wheel or All-Wheel Drive | 11 | 15 | 12 | Regular |
Want the full repair deets? Get the factory manual.
Recall and complaint data tells you what goes wrong. A service manual tells you how to fix it: torque specs, wiring diagrams, fluid capacities and step-by-step procedures for the 1998 Dodge Ram.
Closest thing to the factory manual for most years. Pay once, keep it.
Most $25–$78, one-timePro-shop repair procedures, wiring diagrams and TSBs for your exact car.
From $19.99/mo · $39.99/yrOEM procedures, specs and recall/TSB info, the same source many shops use.
From $19.99/mo · $59.99/yrStep-by-step photos written from a real teardown. Great for first-timers.
Books ~$30–$40 · AllAccess $34.99/moHeads up: we may earn a commission if you buy through these links, at no extra cost to you. Prices checked 2026-10 and can change. We never host or link to pirated manuals. Disclosure
FAQ
Does the 1998 Dodge Ram have any recalls?
Yes. NHTSA lists 13 vehicle recalls for the 1998 Dodge Ram, plus 4 equipment or tire recalls that can apply. Recall repairs are free at any dealer, no matter how old the car is. Check your VIN at nhtsa.gov/recalls.
What are the most common 1998 Dodge Ram problems?
Owners have filed 483 complaints with NHTSA. The most-reported areas are brakes (hydraulic) (107), transmission & drivetrain (80), airbags (66).
What gas mileage does the 1998 Dodge Ram get?
EPA ratings run up to 16 mpg combined (3.9 L, Automatic 4-spd), across 8 engine and transmission combos.
Where can I get a 1998 Dodge Ram repair manual?
eManualOnline sells downloadable manuals, Mitchell 1 DIY and ALLDATAdiy sell online access to factory repair data, and Haynes sells printed guides and online access. Pick a download if you want to keep it, or a subscription for wiring diagrams and TSBs.