CarBrief

NHTSA lists 520 owner complaints for the 1998 Ram 1500 and no recalls[1][2]. EPA rates it from 12 to 16 MPG combined, depending on engine and drive[3][4].

520owner complaints[1]
12–16MPG combined (EPA)[3]

Most reported problems

Owners filed 520 complaints with NHTSA for this model year[1]. Of those, 66 mention a crash, 16 a fire, 56 injuries and 8 deaths[1]. These are unverified owner reports, and one complaint can name more than one part. Counts are not adjusted for how many trucks were sold.

The complaint groups with the most reports:

Component group Complaints Crashes Median miles at failure
Structure[5] 102 2 96,000
Power Train[6] 85 8 84,000
Brakes[7] 64 12 132,500
Air Bags[8] 63 41 105,000
Engine[9] 36 0 79,182
Suspension[10] 34 1 74,460
Seat Belts[11] 34 5 84,000
Electrical System[12] 32 2 100,000

We also read a small sample of complaint texts from four of these groups. What owners describe in that sample is below. It is not a count of all owners.

Air bags. In a sample of 12 air bag complaints we read, 10 describe air bags that did not deploy in a crash[8]. One describes an air bag going off when the key was turned[8]. Air Bags has the most crashes and injuries of any group, with 41 crashes and 31 injuries[8].

Brakes. In a sample of 12 brake complaints, 7 describe a pedal that sank, brakes that needed pumping, lock-up or ABS trouble[7]. Four describe pad wear, grinding or noise[7]. Brakes lists 5 deaths[7].

Power train. In a sample of 12, 4 describe a rear axle failing and a wheel coming off[6]. Four describe shifter trouble, such as slipping out of park or popping out of gear[6]. Two describe a failed transmission[6]. Power Train lists 5 deaths[6].

Structure. In a sample of 12, 6 describe a cracked dashboard, and some of those owners worry about the air bag area[5]. Three describe fading or peeling paint or bumper corrosion[5].

Recalls

NHTSA lists 0 recalls on file for the 1998 Ram 1500 Pickup[2]. That does not make complaints less important. It means no recall is recorded for this model year in the data we use. Check the VIN on NHTSA's recall page before you buy.

Fuel economy

EPA ratings depend on the engine, gearbox and drive. Annual cost uses EPA's current fuel price assumptions, not prices from 1998.

Engine and drive Gearbox City / Hwy / Combined Annual fuel cost
3.9L 6-cyl, 2WD[3] Automatic 4-spd 14 / 18 / 16 $4,200
3.9L 6-cyl, 2WD[13] Manual 5-spd 14 / 20 / 16 $4,200
5.2L 8-cyl, 2WD[14] Automatic 4-spd 12 / 17 / 14 $4,800
5.2L 8-cyl, 2WD[15] Manual 5-spd 12 / 17 / 14 $4,800
5.9L 8-cyl, 2WD[16] Automatic 4-spd 11 / 16 / 13 $5,150
5.2L 8-cyl, 4WD[17] Automatic 4-spd 11 / 15 / 13 $5,150
5.2L 8-cyl, 4WD[18] Manual 5-spd 12 / 16 / 14 $4,800
5.9L 8-cyl, 4WD[4] Automatic 4-spd 11 / 15 / 12 $5,600

The 6-cylinder gets the best combined number at 16 MPG[3]. The 5.9L 4WD automatic gets the lowest at 12 MPG[4].

Engine and size

These are Canadian-market specifications from Transport Canada, so they can differ slightly from US trucks. Engines in the EPA data are a 3.9L 6-cylinder, a 5.2L 8-cylinder and a 5.9L 8-cylinder[3][14][16].

Variant Length Width Height Wheelbase Curb weight
Club/Quad Cab long box 2WD[19] 240 in 80 in 72 in 155 in 4,795 lb
Club/Quad Cab long box 4WD[20] 240 in 80 in 74 in 155 in 5,176 lb
Club/Quad Cab short box 2WD[21] 220 in 80 in 72 in 139 in 4,641 lb
Club/Quad Cab short box 4WD[22] 220 in 80 in 75 in 139 in 5,011 lb
Regular cab long box 2WD[23] 220 in 80 in 71 in 135 in 4,233 lb

How 1998 compares with other years

1995: 213 complaints, 0 recalls19951996: 298 complaints, 0 recalls1997: 361 complaints, 0 recalls19971998: 520 complaints, 0 recalls52019981999: 610 complaints, 0 recalls19992000: 513 complaints, 2 recalls2001: 1,112 complaints, 2 recalls20012002: 815 complaints, 3 recalls2003: 1,171 complaints, 1 recalls20032004: 1,099 complaints, 5 recalls2005: 1,172 complaints, 4 recalls20052006: 792 complaints, 9 recalls2007: 517 complaints, 4 recalls20072008: 554 complaints, 5 recalls2009: 670 complaints, 2 recalls20092010: 488 complaints, 4 recalls2011: 689 complaints, 4 recalls20112012: 698 complaints, 6 recalls
Owner complaints filed with NHTSA for each Ram 1500 Pickup model year. The 1998 is highlighted[2].
Show the numbers
Model yearComplaintsRecalls
19952130
19962980
19973610
19985200
19996100
20005132
20011,1122
20028153
20031,1711
20041,0995
20051,1724
20067929
20075174
20085545
20096702
20104884
20116894
20126986

The 1998 model year has 520 complaints[2]. That is more than 1995 (213), 1996 (298), 1997 (361), 2000 (513), 2007 (517) and 2010 (488)[2]. It is fewer than 1999 (610) and fewer than 2001 through 2006, 2008, 2009, 2011 and 2012, which range from 554 to 1,172[2]. Recalls for 1998 are 0, the same as 1995 through 1999[2]. Later years show 1 to 9 recalls each[2].

Should you buy a used 1998 Ram 1500?

The record has a plus and a minus. No recalls are on file[2], and complaints sit in the middle of the model's years[2]. But the 520 complaints include 8 deaths[1], and the sample we read points to air bags, brakes and rear axles as areas to inspect. Fuel use is high on the V8s, with annual fuel cost of $4,800 to $5,600[14][4]. Have a mechanic check the brakes, axle, shifter and dashboard, and run the VIN for recalls. Our data does not cover towing, oil capacity or crash test ratings.

Frequently asked questions

Does the 1998 Dodge Ram 1500 have any recalls?
NHTSA lists 0 recalls on file for the 1998 model year[2]. Check the VIN to be sure.
What are the common problems of the 1998 Ram 1500?
NHTSA has 520 complaints[1]. Structure has the most at 102, followed by Power Train at 85 and Brakes at 64[5][6][7].
How many miles per gallon does a 1998 Ram 1500 get?
EPA combined ratings run from 12 MPG for the 5.9L 4WD automatic to 16 MPG for the 3.9L 6-cylinder[4][3].
Is the 1998 Ram 1500 better than the 1999?
By complaint count, 1998 has 520 and 1999 has 610, and both have 0 recalls[2]. Counts are not adjusted for sales.

Facts and sources

  1. NHTSA has 520 owner complaints on file for the 1998 Dodge Ram 1500 Pickup (66 mention a crash, 16 a fire, 56 injuries, 8 deaths reported). NHTSA vehicle records
  2. Owner complaints and recalls for every Dodge Ram 1500 Pickup model year (chart above). NHTSA recall database
  3. EPA rating for Ram 1500 Pickup 2WD, 3.9L 6-cyl, Automatic 4-spd, Regular, Rear-Wheel Drive: 14 city / 18 highway / 16 combined MPG; EPA estimated annual fuel cost $4,200. EPA / DOE fueleconomy.gov
  4. EPA rating for Ram 1500 Pickup 4WD, 5.9L 8-cyl, Automatic 4-spd, Regular, 4-Wheel or All-Wheel Drive: 11 city / 15 highway / 12 combined MPG; EPA estimated annual fuel cost $5,600. EPA / DOE fueleconomy.gov
  5. 102 complaints name the structure component group (2 crashes, 1 fires, 3 injuries, median mileage at failure 96,000). NHTSA vehicle records
  6. 85 complaints name the power train component group (8 crashes, 0 fires, 5 injuries, median mileage at failure 84,000). NHTSA vehicle records
  7. 64 complaints name the brakes component group (12 crashes, 0 fires, 7 injuries, median mileage at failure 132,500). NHTSA vehicle records
  8. 63 complaints name the air bags component group (41 crashes, 0 fires, 31 injuries, median mileage at failure 105,000). NHTSA vehicle records
  9. 36 complaints name the engine component group (0 crashes, 3 fires, 0 injuries, median mileage at failure 79,182). NHTSA vehicle records
  10. 34 complaints name the suspension component group (1 crashes, 0 fires, 1 injuries, median mileage at failure 74,460). NHTSA vehicle records
  11. 34 complaints name the seat belts component group (5 crashes, 0 fires, 5 injuries, median mileage at failure 84,000). NHTSA vehicle records
  12. 32 complaints name the electrical system component group (2 crashes, 5 fires, 1 injuries, median mileage at failure 100,000). NHTSA vehicle records
  13. EPA rating for Ram 1500 Pickup 2WD, 3.9L 6-cyl, Manual 5-spd, Regular, Rear-Wheel Drive: 14 city / 20 highway / 16 combined MPG; EPA estimated annual fuel cost $4,200. EPA / DOE fueleconomy.gov
  14. EPA rating for Ram 1500 Pickup 2WD, 5.2L 8-cyl, Automatic 4-spd, Regular, Rear-Wheel Drive: 12 city / 17 highway / 14 combined MPG; EPA estimated annual fuel cost $4,800. EPA / DOE fueleconomy.gov
  15. EPA rating for Ram 1500 Pickup 2WD, 5.2L 8-cyl, Manual 5-spd, Regular, Rear-Wheel Drive: 12 city / 17 highway / 14 combined MPG; EPA estimated annual fuel cost $4,800. EPA / DOE fueleconomy.gov
  16. EPA rating for Ram 1500 Pickup 2WD, 5.9L 8-cyl, Automatic 4-spd, Regular, Rear-Wheel Drive: 11 city / 16 highway / 13 combined MPG; EPA estimated annual fuel cost $5,150. EPA / DOE fueleconomy.gov
  17. EPA rating for Ram 1500 Pickup 4WD, 5.2L 8-cyl, Automatic 4-spd, Regular, 4-Wheel or All-Wheel Drive: 11 city / 15 highway / 13 combined MPG; EPA estimated annual fuel cost $5,150. EPA / DOE fueleconomy.gov
  18. EPA rating for Ram 1500 Pickup 4WD, 5.2L 8-cyl, Manual 5-spd, Regular, 4-Wheel or All-Wheel Drive: 12 city / 16 highway / 14 combined MPG; EPA estimated annual fuel cost $4,800. EPA / DOE fueleconomy.gov
  19. Transport Canada specifications via NHTSA vPIC, RAM 1500 CLUB/QUAD CAB L/BOX 2WD: length 240 in, width 80 in, height 72 in, wheelbase 155 in, curb weight 4,795 lb (converted from centimeters and kilograms). vpic.nhtsa.dot.gov
  20. Transport Canada specifications via NHTSA vPIC, RAM 1500 CLUB/QUAD CAB L/BOX 4WD: length 240 in, width 80 in, height 74 in, wheelbase 155 in, curb weight 5,176 lb (converted from centimeters and kilograms). vpic.nhtsa.dot.gov
  21. Transport Canada specifications via NHTSA vPIC, RAM 1500 CLUB/QUAD CAB S/BOX 2WD: length 220 in, width 80 in, height 72 in, wheelbase 139 in, curb weight 4,641 lb (converted from centimeters and kilograms). vpic.nhtsa.dot.gov
  22. Transport Canada specifications via NHTSA vPIC, RAM 1500 CLUB/QUAD CAB S/BOX 4WD: length 220 in, width 80 in, height 75 in, wheelbase 139 in, curb weight 5,011 lb (converted from centimeters and kilograms). vpic.nhtsa.dot.gov
  23. Transport Canada specifications via NHTSA vPIC, RAM 1500 REG CAB L/BOX 2WD: length 220 in, width 80 in, height 71 in, wheelbase 135 in, curb weight 4,233 lb (converted from centimeters and kilograms). vpic.nhtsa.dot.gov

Complaints submitted to NHTSA by owners; unverified reports, one complaint can name several components. Complaint counts are not normalized by sales; compare years of the same model, not different models. EPA annual fuel cost uses EPA's current fuel price assumptions, not the price when the car was new. Horsepower is the rating listed for EPA test vehicles. Dimensions are Canadian-market specifications and can differ slightly from US models.