1998 Dodge Ram Wagon Problems
Owner-reported complaints filed with NHTSA, grouped by component
Data refreshed
What this page shows
Everything below is an owner-reported complaint submitted to NHTSA about the 1998 Dodge Ram Wagon, grouped by the component NHTSA recorded on the report. These are not confirmed defects, and they are not recalls. NHTSA does not verify most reports before publishing them, and a category with more reports in it is not evidence that a part is defective.
Complaints are reports submitted by owners and drivers to NHTSA. They are not verified and do not establish that a defect exists.
Reports by component
Ranked by how many owner reports name each component category
- Fuel system216.7%
- Transmission216.7%
- Engine18.3%
- Interior & seats18.3%
- Brakes18.3%
- Other / unspecified18.3%
- Steering18.3%
- Suspension18.3%
- Exterior lighting18.3%
- Electrical18.3%
Percentages are of component mentions. A single complaint can name more than one component, so these do not sum to the total complaint count.
Each component in detail
What the reports in each category say, in the owners' own words
Fuel system
Reports naming fuel storage or delivery — tanks, pumps, lines, injectors and fuel leaks.
From owner reports, verbatim
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.
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
Too few reports in this category for a page of its own — they appear in the full complaint list.
Transmission
Reports naming the automatic or manual transmission, including shifting behaviour, shudder, slipping and transmission control modules.
From owner reports, verbatim
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
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
Too few reports in this category for a page of its own — they appear in the full complaint list.
Engine
Reports naming the engine itself — including stalling, misfires, oil consumption, cooling and internal engine components.
From owner reports, verbatim
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
Too few reports in this category for a page of its own — they appear in the full complaint list.
Interior & seats
Reports naming seats, latches, locks, linkages and interior fittings.
From owner reports, verbatim
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
Too few reports in this category for a page of its own — they appear in the full complaint list.
Brakes
Reports naming service brakes, the antilock braking system, brake hoses, master cylinders or the parking brake.
From owner reports, verbatim
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
Too few reports in this category for a page of its own — they appear in the full complaint list.
Other / unspecified
Reports whose component NHTSA recorded as unknown, or that do not map to one of the categories above.
From owner reports, verbatim
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
Too few reports in this category for a page of its own — they appear in the full complaint list.
Steering
Reports naming the steering system — racks, columns, power-steering assist and steering linkage.
From owner reports, verbatim
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
Too few reports in this category for a page of its own — they appear in the full complaint list.
Suspension
Reports naming suspension components — springs, struts, shocks, control arms and related hardware.
From owner reports, verbatim
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
Too few reports in this category for a page of its own — they appear in the full complaint list.
Exterior lighting
Reports naming headlights, tail lights, turn signals and other exterior lighting.
From owner reports, verbatim
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
Too few reports in this category for a page of its own — they appear in the full complaint list.
Electrical
Reports naming the electrical system — wiring, battery, charging, control modules, infotainment and electrical accessories.
From owner reports, verbatim
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
Too few reports in this category for a page of its own — they appear in the full complaint list.
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.
Elsewhere on this vehicle
Data sources
- NHTSA Office of Defects Investigation — owner-reported complaints and the components recorded on them
Data on this page last refreshed .