RoadVitals

1998 Dodge 1500

Recalls, owner-reported complaints, investigations and safety data

Data refreshed

Owner complaintsComplaints are reports submitted to NHTSA by owners and drivers. NHTSA does not verify most reports before publishing them, and a complaint does not establish that a defect exists. Volume is influenced by how many of a vehicle were sold, how long it has been on the road, and how much attention an issue has received.
520
Latest Mar 22, 2024
Safety recallsA safety recall is issued when a manufacturer or NHTSA determines that a vehicle has a safety-related defect or does not comply with a federal motor vehicle safety standard. Recall repairs are free. Whether a specific vehicle is covered depends on its VIN — a recall listed for a model year does not necessarily apply to every vehicle of that year.
1
Latest Mar 15, 2006
InvestigationsNHTSA opens an investigation to examine whether a safety defect may exist. An open investigation is not a determination that a defect exists, and many investigations close without a recall. Investigations can, however, lead to one.
0
Crash or fire reportedComplaints whose submitter recorded that a crash or a fire occurred. These are the reporter's own answers on the NHTSA form, not verified findings.
82
56 injuries, 8 deaths reported

Overview

Our database contains 520 NHTSA owner-reported complaints for the 1998 Dodge 1500, most frequently naming the body & structure, brakes and airbags categories. 1 safety recall has been issued covering this model year; and 17 manufacturer communications are on file.

Complaints are reports submitted by owners and drivers to NHTSA. They are not verified and do not establish that a defect exists.

What owners report

Complaints grouped by the component NHTSA recorded

Percentages are of component mentions. A single complaint can name more than one component, so these do not sum to the total complaint count.

Safety recalls

1 campaign cover this model year

Recalls apply to specific vehicles, not to every vehicle of a model year. Check your VIN with NHTSA or your manufacturer's dealer to confirm whether a recall affects your vehicle.

Check a VIN on NHTSA.gov
06E024000

ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING

Mar 15, 2006
44,386 units potentially affected
The defect: CERTAIN REPLACEMENT K&N FUEL PERFORMANCE KITS, P/NOS. 57-1509, 57-1511, 57-1511-1, 57-1517, 57-1517-1, 57-1527, AND 57-1530. ALSO, A SMALL PERCENTAGE OF THESE KITS WERE SOLD UNDER THE MOPAR PERFORMANCE PARTS BRAND NAME (P/NOS. P5007069 AND P5007070). ALL KITS WERE MANUFACTURED FROM APRIL 20, 1999, THROUGH SEPTEMBER 23, 2004. THESE ASSEMBLIES WERE MANUFACTURED AS REPLACEMENT EQUIPMENT FOR CERTAIN DODGE PICKUP TRUCKS AND SUVS. A SMALL PIECE OF MATERIAL FROM THE TUBE WALL COULD BE SUCKED INTO THE ENGINE THROTTLE BODY, WHICH COULD CAUSE THE THROTTLE TO BECOME JAMMED IN THE OPEN POSITION.
The risk: A JAMMED OPEN THROTTLE COULD CAUSE UNINTENDED ACCELERATION OF THE VEHICLE, POSSIBLY RESULTING IN A CRASH OR INCREASED STOPING DISTANCES WHEN BRAKING.
The remedy: K&N WILL PROVIDE OWNERS WITH A FREE REPAIR KIT ALONG WITH REPAIR INSTRUCTIONS. THE RECALL BEGAN ON APRIL 20, 2006.
K&N ENGINEERING, INC.View on NHTSA.gov

Recent owner complaints

Reports submitted to NHTSA, shown in the owner's own words

View all 520
Seat belts
Filed Mar 22, 2024

The seatbelt timer module is failing, resulting in the seatbelts staying locked even when fully retracted. This means sometimes I as the driver as well as my front seat passenger cannot buckle up and drive the vehicle safely. I have not reproduced or confirmed this issue with a dealership or independent service center. The component has not been inspected by the manufacturer, police, or insurance agency. A red seatbelt warning light will appear when the seatbelts lock up and goes away when it unlocks.

NHTSA ID
11579005
Incident
Mar 22, 2024
Seat belts
Filed Feb 22, 2024

The drivers side and passanger side seat belts are locked in the seats. There is no fix, you cant drive truck because you can not use the seat belts, they are made into the seats. No one sells part for it. The seat belts will not extend. The seat belts just stopped working, no warning.

NHTSA ID
11573494
Incident
Jan 21, 2024
Body & structure
Filed Mar 24, 2021

I PURCHASED A TRUCK ABOUT 6 MONTHS AGO AND I HAD NOTHING BUT PROBLEMS WITH IT. I HAD TO REPLACED SO MANY THINGS ON IT. I WAS TOLD THAT THE TRUCK ONLY HAD 72,000 MILES ON IT WHEN I BOUGHT IT, AFTER DRIVING IT FOR A FEW MONTHS. I ENCOUNTERED PROBLEMS WITH IT. I ENDED UP RUNNING CARFAX ON IT AND FOUND OUT THE ODOMETER WAS ROLLED BACK TWO WEEKS BEFORE I PURCHASED IT. IT HAD ORIGINALLY 167,000 MILES

NHTSA ID
11404603
Incident
Mar 3, 2021
Mileage
82,000 mi
Body & structure
Filed Dec 9, 2020

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 1998 DODGE RAM 1500. THE CONTACT STATED THE ENTIRE DASHBOARD WAS CRACKED. THE CONTACT STATED AN OCCUPANT SUSTAINED AN INJURY DUE TO THE SHARP DASHBOARD PIECES. THE CONTACT CALLED PIEDMONT CHRYSLER DODGE JEEP RAM AEV (4015 CLEMSON BLVD, ANDERSON, SC 29621, (864) 305-4234) AND WAS INFORMED THAT THE DASHBOARD COULD BE REPLACED OR A CAP COVER INSTALLED. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT DIAGNOSED NOR REPAIRED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOT CONTACTED. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 200,000.

NHTSA ID
11378640
Incident
Mar 1, 2018
Mileage
200,000 mi
Filed Dec 1, 2020

TO DATE, NOTHING HAS HAPPENED, HOWEVER A RECALL WAS ISSUED SAYING THE SECONDARY HOOD LATCH MUST BE REPLACED, AS IT CAN FLY OPEN. WE WERE UNAWARE OF THE RECALL.

NHTSA ID
11377405
Incident
Jan 1, 1998
Powertrain (other)
Filed Aug 6, 2020

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 1998 DODGE RAM 1500. THE CONTACT STATED THAT AFTER HIS WIFE WAS PARKED THE VEHICLE AND ATTEMPTED TO SHIFT THE GEAR SHIFTER INTO PARK, THE GEAR SHIFTER INSTEAD SHIFTED INTO REVERSE. THE CONTACT'S WIFE EXITED THE VEHICLE AND THE VEHICLE STARTED ROLLING BACKWARDS. THE CONTACT USED A BRICK TO CHOCK THE PASSENGER'S SIDE FRONT TIRE TO PREVENT THE VEHICLE FROM ROLLING. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT TAKEN TO BE DIAGNOSED NOR REPAIRED. NEITHER THE DEALER NOR THE MANUFACTURER WERE NOTIFIED OF THE FAILURE. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 98,000.

NHTSA ID
11343738
Incident
Jul 30, 2020
Mileage
98,000 mi
Powertrain (other)
Filed Jul 13, 2019

I WAS DRIVING DOWN THE ROAD AT ABOUT A BOUT 50 MPH DOWN THE ROAD AND STARTED HEARING A NOISE WHEN LETTING OFF THE THROTTLE AND SLOWED DOWN A LIL GAVE IT SOME GAS THEN LET OFF AGAIN NEXT THING I HEAR IS THE DRIVE SHAFT HITTING THE ROAD AND THE TIRES SLIDING ACROSS THE ROAD AND CAUSING ME TO SLIDE ACROSS THE ROAD LOCALLY THERE WAS NO TRAFFIC COMING TOWARDS ME I WAS ABLE TO CONTROL THE SLIDE OF THE REAR TIRES TO A STOP ON THE SIDE OF THE ROAD. I GOT OUT AND WAS LOOKING WHAT HAPPEN THE PION NUT CAME OFF THE PION GEAR LOCKING UP THE REAR DIFFERENTIAL I THINK THIS IS A SAFETY ISSUE BECAUSE IT COULD HAVE ENDED UP SOMEONE GETTING HURT AND OR KILLING SOMEONE IN A CRASH. THE TRUCK IS VERY WELL TAKING CARE OF AND HAS 108K MILES LOW FOR ITS AGE AND THERE WAS A RECALL ON THIS BEFORE BUT ON THE 05 DODGE RAM TRUCK'S THAT WAS MADE IN 04 IS WHAT SOMEONE TOLD ME

NHTSA ID
11231648
Incident
Jul 8, 2019
Mileage
108,000 mi
Filed Jan 3, 2019
1 injury reported

YOU SHOULDN'T BE ABLE TO PULL THE GEAR SHIFTER FROM PARK TO REVERSE WITHOUT YOUR FOOT BEING ON THE BREAK. PLUS THE EMERGENCY BREAK DOES NOT WORK AS WELL.

NHTSA ID
11165599
Incident
Jan 2, 2019
Mileage
155,000 mi

Manufacturer communications

A bulletin sent by a manufacturer to its dealers. Not a recall, and repairs are not necessarily free.

9004275

ELECTRICAL SYSTEM:IGNITION:ANTI-THEFT:IMMOBILIZER/PROXIMITY:KEY/SENDER

KEY, Master If replacing the key/FOBIK on a WJ, KJ, TJ, or PT Cruiser, use the "AC" NIC level part number. The "AB" NIC level will not program to these platforms. For all other platforms, if the "AB" NIC level will not program to the vehicle, use the "AC" NIC level part and submit a part warranty.

9004275

ELECTRICAL SYSTEM:IGNITION:ANTI-THEFT:IMMOBILIZER/PROXIMITY:KEY/SENDER

KEY, Master If replacing the key/FOBIK on a WJ, KJ, TJ, or PT Cruiser, use the "AC" NIC level part number. The "AB" NIC level will not program to these platforms. For all other platforms, if the "AB" NIC level will not program to the vehicle, use the "AC" NIC level part and submit a part warranty.

08-049-20

ELECTRICAL SYSTEM; EQUIPMENT

Charging System, Battery Diagnostic Tools and Warranty This information only bulletin discusses using the correct test equipment for testing batteries and charging systems, and also warranty reimbursement when battery replacements are necessary.

DOR-X6W2U-06

AIR BAGS; ELECTRICAL SYSTEM

This SKU is a Clock Spring. The customer communication requested return of unsold inventory to inspect the internal spring. If the internal spring is not seated, the electrical circuit for the horn is disconnected and the horn will not function. The horn electrical circuit does not affect the airbag circuit.

31-006-19

STRUCTURE

Repair Parts Used For Structural Repairs This bulletin involves discussing FCA US LLC position with regard to structural repair parts usage.

3100619

EQUIPMENT; STRUCTURE

Repair Parts Used For Structural Repairs This bulletin involves discussing FCA US LLC position with regard to structural repair parts usage.

Manufacturers file copies of the bulletins they send to dealers with NHTSA. These often describe diagnostic or repair procedures for a known condition. They are not recalls: repairs described in a bulletin are usually only free if the vehicle is still under warranty or the manufacturer has extended coverage.

Compare model years

Complaint and recall counts across every year of this model

Dodge 1500 by model year
YearComplaintsRecallsInvestigationsIssue Index
2015000—
2014100—
20126957158.0
20116884153.7
20104854154.7
20096702252.5
20085538259.9
20075177459.8
200679212460.5
20051,1667565.1
20041,0968565.4
20031,1705360.9
20028156158.1
20011,1123260.4
20005133157.3
19996101046.8
1998Viewing5201047.3
19973611150.6
19962981150.8
19952131454.3
19941161455.2
1993602—
1992013—
1991704—

Higher-selling and older vehicles accumulate more reports. Counts are not failure rates and are not directly comparable between vehicles that sold in very different numbers. Older model years have had longer for reports to accumulate.