RoadVitals

1998 Dodge Ram Wagon

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.
4
Latest Mar 28, 2017
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 Apr 8, 1998
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.
1

Overview

Our database contains 4 NHTSA owner-reported complaints for the 1998 Dodge Ram Wagon, most frequently naming the fuel system, transmission and engine categories. 1 safety recall has been issued covering this model year; and 48 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

  • Fuel system216.7%
  • Transmission216.7%
  • Engine18.3%
  • Interior & seats18.3%
  • Brakes18.3%
  • Other / unspecified18.3%
  • Steering18.3%
  • Suspension18.3%

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
98V076000

SEATS:FRONT ASSEMBLY:POWER ADJUST

Apr 8, 1998
3,500 units potentially affected
The defect: VEHICLE DESCRIPTION: PASSENGER VEHICLES BUILT WITH POWER SEAT OPTION. THE DRIVER'S SIDE FRONT SEAT ATTACHING RISER WELDS WERE NOT CORRECT.
The risk: THE SEAT ATTACHMENT STRENGTH WOULD NOT BE SUFFICIENT IN THE EVENT OF A VEHICLE CRASH INCREASING THE RISK OF PERSONAL INJURY.
The remedy: DEALERS WILL REPLACE THE DRIVER'S SIDE POWER FRONT SEAT RISE WITH A RISER THAT WAS MIG WELDED.
CHRYSLER CORPORATIONView on NHTSA.gov

Recent owner complaints

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

Fuel system
Filed Mar 28, 2017
Fire reported

AS WE WERE DRIVING DOWN THE ROAD THE VAN STARTING MAKING WHIRRING SOUND AND STARTING LOSE SPEED. WE HEARD A LOUD POP. A CAR BEEPED AND MY HUSBAND LOOKED IN THE SIDE MIRROR AND SAW FIRE COMING FROM UNDER THE VAN. WE QUICKLY PULLED OVER AND JUMPED OUT. THE FUEL LINE WAS LEAKING AND THE VAN ENGULFED IN FLAMES. WE TOTAL LOST THE VAN AND EVERYTHING IN IT. WE PURCHASED THE VAN FROM A LOCAL CHURCH WHICH NEVER HAD ANY ISSUES WITH IT. IT WAS INSPECTED IN DECEMBER OF 2016 AND HAD ONLY BEEN DRIVEN A FEW TIMES WITHOUT ANY COMPLICATIONS. WE HAD READ THAT THERE IS A RECALL FOR 1998 DODGE RAM 3500 TRUCKS WITH A 8.0L V-10 ENGINE OR A 5.9L V-8 HEAVTY DUTY GASOLINE ENGINE WHERE AN EXHAUST SYSTEM HEAT SHIELD ATTACHING SCREW IS TOOL CLOSE TO THE UNDERBODY FUEL LINE. THE LINE CAN RUB AGAINST THE SCREW, POSSIBLY CAUSING FUEL LEAKAGE. TO US, THE VAN HAS THE SAME ENGINE BUT THE SHELL/EXTERIOR IS A VAN INSTEAD OF A TRUCK.

NHTSA ID
10968921
Incident
Mar 26, 2017
Mileage
107,000 mi
BrakesElectricalEngine+5 more
Filed Jan 16, 2006

I HAVE A DODGE RAM 1500 WAGON 1998, AND I HAVE BEEN EXPERIENCING ALOT OF PROBLEMS WITH THE TRANSMISSION AND KEEPS STALLING WHENEVER I TURN THE WHEEL TO THE RIGHT SIDE. THIS IS VERY WEIRD AND THE MECHANICS DO NOT UNDERSTAND THIS COMPLAINT. THE ABS LIGHT HAS BEEN COMING ON FOR A WHILE AND NO ONE KNOWS WHY EITHER, BUT I DO NOT SEE ANY RECALLS ON THIS PROBLEM EITHER. CAN YOU HELP ME RESOLVE THIS MATTER. I HAVE REPLACED THE DOOR LOCKS ON EACH DOOR AT LEAST TWICE IN THIS VAN AND IT HAS COST ALOT OF MONEY, I THINK BY NOW THIS SHOULD HAVE BEEN RECALLED ON THIS VEHICLE AS WELL. PLEASE HELP ME WITH THIS VEHICLE, I LOVE RIDING IT BUT IT HAS BEEN HAVING ALOT OF THE SAME RIDING AND MAITENANCE PROBLEMS AND NO ONE KNOWS WHY OR UNDERSTANDS WHY IT KEEPS COMING BACK AFTER FIXING THEM MULTIPLE TIMES. THANK YOU, THE DEALERSHIPS DO NOT HELP EITHER. *NM

NHTSA ID
10147878
Incident
Jan 16, 2006
Suspension
Filed Feb 8, 2001

SWAY BAR WAS REPLACED TWICE. SOMETIMES IT SOUNDED LIKE SOMETHING WAS LOOSE. DEALER WOULD ADJUST IT. WHEN MAKING A HARD RIGHT TURN LEFT TIRE RUBBED AGAINST SWAY BAR. *AK

NHTSA ID
880097
Incident
May 24, 2000
Other / unspecifiedTransmission
Filed Nov 30, 1998

THE CONSUMER HAS BEEN EXPERIENCING PROBLEMS WITH CLUTCH ASSEMBLY: DRIVE CLUTCH. ALSO, WHILE DRIVING, WHEELS LOCKED UP. THE MANUFACTURER HAS YET TO BE CONTACTED. *AK

NHTSA ID
831399
Incident
Nov 29, 1998

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.

3100319

STRUCTURE

Use of Salvage/Recycled Parts This bulletin involves discussing FCA US LLC position with regard to collision repair industry awareness regarding the use of recycled or salvage parts.

31-005-19

EQUIPMENT; STRUCTURE

Use of Aftermarket Parts This bulletin involves discussing FCA US LLC position with regard to collision repair industry awareness regarding the use of aftermarket parts.

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.

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 Ram Wagon by model year
YearComplaintsRecallsInvestigationsIssue Index
2003000—
2002300—
2001300—
2000400—
1999400—
1998Viewing410—
1997000—
1996500—
1995101—
1994001—
1993001—
1992000—
1991101—
1990000—
1989000—

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.