1998 Dodge Pickup problems
The Ram pickup (marketed as the Dodge Ram until 2010) is a full-size pickup truck manufactured by Stellantis North America (formerly Chrysler Group LLC and FCA US LLC) and marketed from 2010 onwards under the Ram Trucks brand. The current fifth-generation Ram debuted at the 2018 North American International Auto Show in Detroit, Michigan, in January of that year.
Previously, Ram was part of the Dodge line of light trucks. The name Ram was first used in 1981 model year Dodge Trucks in October 1980, following the retiring and rebadging of the Dodge D series pickup trucks as well as B-series vans, though the company had used a ram's-head hood ornament on some trucks as early as 1933.
Ram trucks have been named Motor Trend magazine's Truck of the Year eight times; the second-generation Ram won the award in 1994, the third-generation Ram heavy-duty won the award in 2003, the fourth-generation Ram Heavy Duty won in 2010 and the fourth-generation Ram 1500 won in 2013 and 2014, and the current fifth-generation Ram pickup became the first truck in history to win the award three times, winning in 2019, 2020, and 2021.
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Common 1998 Dodge Pickup problems
Based on the information provided in the sources, here are the common problems with the Dodge Ram pickup truck from 1998 based on complaints from owners:
- Cam and Lifter Failures:
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- Cam and lifter failures are commonly reported issues in Dodge Ram trucks, leading to stalling in various driving scenarios.
- While cam and lifter wear is normal over time, these components tend to fail prematurely in Ram 1500 models, often before reaching 75,000 miles.
- Replacing cams and lifters can be expensive, especially if the vehicle is out of warranty, costing up to $3,500.
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- Coolant Leaks:
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- Coolant leaks are a frequent problem in Dodge Ram trucks, with gaskets being a common source of leaks from the engine.
- Identifying the exact source of the coolant leak can be challenging, but common areas to check include heater hoses, water pump issues, and the water pump itself.
- Regularly checking for coolant leaks is crucial to prevent engine damage and address the problem promptly.
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- Transmission Difficulties:
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- Transmission issues are widespread in Ram trucks, with some minor inconveniences like difficulty starting and more severe problems like slipping into gear when stationary.
- The challenge lies in diagnosing the root cause of transmission issues, making repairs complex and potentially risky if not addressed promptly.
- Seeking assistance from specialized dealers is recommended for owners facing transmission problems to ensure proper diagnosis and resolution.
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- Exhaust Manifold Problems:
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- Dodge Ram 1500 trucks commonly experience issues with the exhaust manifold gaskets and bolts, particularly in the 3.7 and 4.7-liter engines.
- The gaskets and bolts in these engines are prone to breaking or snapping under minimal pressure, leading to exhaust leaks and potential performance issues.
- Replacing these components with more durable gaskets and bolts is advised to prevent costly repairs, which can amount to $700 or more.
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These common problems reported by Dodge Ram truck owners from 1998 highlight the importance of regular maintenance and prompt attention to issues to ensure the longevity and safety of the vehicle.
1998 Dodge Pickup car problems categorized by type of issue
After analyzing all complaints sent to the NHTSA and researching popular Dodge Pickup problems, we found that the most common problems with these 2023 model year vehicles are:
- Air bags problems
- Fuel system problems
- Gasoline problems
- Service brakes problems
- Suspension problems
The graph below shows statistics for all 1998 Dodge Pickup vehicle components and the number of complaints received.
1998 Dodge Pickup complaints
The NHTSA has received 16 complaints about various vehicle components related to the 1998 Dodge Pickup.
2006-09-21
SUSPENSION PROBLEM
- Date Of Incident: 2006-08-10
- VIN: 1B7GG22Y9WS
- Components: SUSPENSION
- Summary: 1. EXCESSIVE WEAR ON INSIDE ON DRIVER'S SIDE TIRE. 2. COULD NOT ALIGN FRONT END DO TO EXCESSIVE PLAY IN UPPER AND LOWER BALL JOINTS ON BOTH SIDE OF TRUCK. 3. CONTACTED DODGE REGIONAL OFFICE AND WAS TOLD THAT MY VEHICLE WAS NOT ONE THEY WERE DOING ANYTHING ABOUT. EVEN THOUGH THIS IS A KNOW FAILURE ITEM AND ARE DOING SOMETHING ABOUT OTHER MODELS AND YEARS AROUND MY VEHICLE. REPLACED 4 BALL JOINTS AT MY EXPENSE. SAVED PARTS AND RECEIPTS FOR POSSIBLE FUTURE ACTION. *NM
2005-09-26
FUEL SYSTEM, GASOLINE PROBLEM
- Date Of Incident: 2005-07-16
- VIN: 3B7KC26Z4WM
- Components: FUEL SYSTEM, GASOLINE
- Summary: GAS LEAKING FROM AREA OF GAS TANK AT FILLING STATION WHEN FILLING TANK. *JB
2004-11-30
SERVICE BRAKES, HYDRAULIC,ELECTRICAL SYSTEM,AIR BAGS,VEHICLE SPEED CONTROL PROBLEM
- Date Of Incident: 2004-09-07
- VIN: 1B7HC16X0W5
- Components: SERVICE BRAKES, HYDRAULIC,ELECTRICAL SYSTEM,AIR BAGS,VEHICLE SPEED CONTROL
- Summary: WHEN DRIVING, INTERMITTENTLY THE ABS/AIRBAG WARNING LIGHT ILLUMINATED . THE SPEEDOMETER WOULD DROP TO ZERO THEN GO TO THE ORIGINAL SPEED. *JB THE ENGINE LIGHT ILLUMINATED AND AT THE SAME TIME THE GAUGES FELL TO ZERO INCLUDING THE VOLTAGE, ENGINE TEMPERATURE, OIL PRESSURE, FUEL, RPM'S AND THE MPH. WITH A SLIGHT TAP ON THE STEERING WHEEL ALL THE GAUGES HAD COME BACK AND THE WARNING LIGHTS WOULD GO OUT. *SC
2004-06-04
AIR BAGS PROBLEM
- Date Of Incident: 2004-04-15
- Number Of Injuries: 1
- VIN: 3B7HF13Y7WG
- Components: AIR BAGS
- Summary: THE DRIVER SIDE AIRBAG DEPLOYED INADVERTENTLY. THIS CAUSED THE DRIVER TO SUSTAIN MINOR INJURIES. THE CONSUMER WAS TAKEN TO THE HOSPITAL. *AK THE VEHICLE WAS IN THE PARK POSITION, THE STEERING WHEEL WAS TILTED UP AND THE AIR BAG DEPLOYED. *SC *JB
2003-06-26
STRUCTURE PROBLEM
- Date Of Incident: 2024-11-24
- VIN: 3B7KF22BXWG
- Components: STRUCTURE
- Summary: THE TRUCKS BED TORE LOOSE WHERE IT WAS BOLTED TO THE VEHICLES FRAME. VEHICLE WAS A 1998 DODGE DIESEL HEAVY DUTY PICK-UP. *NLM *TS *JB
2003-05-21
UNKNOWN OR OTHER PROBLEM
- Date Of Incident: 2003-05-19
- VIN: PLEASE FILL
- Components: UNKNOWN OR OTHER
- Summary: THE VEHICLES LIFT PUMP FAILED WITHOUT WARNING. *NLM
2003-01-29
AIR BAGS PROBLEM
- Date Of Incident: 2002-11-24
- Number Of Injuries: 1
- Crash: 1
- VIN: 1B7KF23Z4WJ
- Components: AIR BAGS
- Summary: A DEER RAN IN FRONT OF THE VEHICLE AND CAUSED THE VEHICLE TO VEER INTO AN EMBANKMENT. THE DUAL AIRBAGS DIDN'T DEPLOY. PLEASE FILL IN ADDITIONAL INFORMATION. DEALER IS AWARE OF THE PROBLEM. PH
2003-01-07
SERVICE BRAKES, AIR PROBLEM
- Date Of Incident: 2003-01-20
- VIN: 2GCEK19T7Y1
- Components: SERVICE BRAKES, AIR
- Summary: CONSUMER HAS STATED THAT 3 BRAKE PADS ON HIS VEHICLE HAVE FAILED. TS *DT
2002-10-21
EQUIPMENT PROBLEM
- Date Of Incident: 2002-10-10
- Components: EQUIPMENT
- Summary: THE AIR CONDITIONER FAILED INTERMITTENTLY AND THE ANTIFREEZE WAS LEAKING FROM THE VEHICLE. THE DEALER HAS BEEN NOTIFIED. *TS *NLM
2002-08-28
FUEL SYSTEM, GASOLINE PROBLEM
- Date Of Incident: 2002-05-02
- VIN: 1B7KC2366WJ
- Components: FUEL SYSTEM, GASOLINE
- Summary: THE VEHICLE FUEL INJECTION PUMP FAIL AT HIGHWAY SPEEDS. WHEN THE INJECTION PUMP FAILED THE VEHICLE STEERING CONTROLS BECAME EXTREMELY DIFFICULT TO HANDLE ON CURVE. THE VEHICLE HYDRAULIC BRAKE BOOSTER LOSS PRESSURE REQUIRED EXTREME EFFORT TO STOP THE VEHICLE. THE BOSCH DIESEL INJECTION PUMP MODEL VP-44 NEED A SAFE LIMP MODE DESIGN TO KEEP THE ENGINE RUNNING. THE THROTTLE CONTROL SYSTEM MUST HAVE HIGH IDLE SPEED TO GET OFF THE HIGHWAY TO SAFETY AREA. THE SAFE LIMP
2002-05-31
SEAT BELTS PROBLEM
- Date Of Incident: 2002-05-22
- VIN: 3B7HF12Z0XG
- Components: SEAT BELTS
- Summary: FRONT PASSENGER SEATBELT RETRACTOR IS STUCK. CONSUMER IS NOT ABLE TO USE SEATBELTS. *AK CONSUMER STATES THAT THE DRIVER AND PASSENGER SEATBELTS ARE INOPERABLE DUE TO THE RETRACTOR FAILURE. *SLC
2000-09-06
TIRES PROBLEM
- Date Of Incident: 2000-09-05
- Components: TIRES
- Summary: HAVE HAD TREAD SEPARATION ON TWO TIRES WITHIN THE LAST TWO WEEKS. *AK( DOT NUMBER: TIRE SIZE: LT235/85R1 )
2000-09-06
TIRES PROBLEM
- Date Of Incident: 2000-09-05
- Components: TIRES
- Summary: HAVE HAD TREAD SEPARATION ON TWO TIRES WITHIN THE LAST TWO WEEKS. *AK( DOT NUMBER: TIRE SIZE: LT235/85R1 )
2000-06-16
STEERING,SUSPENSION PROBLEM
- Date Of Incident: 1999-03-30
- VIN: 3B7KF2262WG
- Components: STEERING,SUSPENSION
- Summary: THERE WAS A POWER STEERING LEAK, TOOK VEHICLE TO THE DEALER, AND THEY COULDN'T REMEDY THE PROBLEM. ALSO, WHILE DRIVING VEHICLE WANDERED TO THE LEFT. POWER STEERING LEAK HAS SINCE BEEN REPAIRED, BUT VEHICLE STILL DRIFTS OFF CENTER. *AK *ML
2000-03-29
PARKING BRAKE PROBLEM
- Date Of Incident: 2024-11-24
- Components: PARKING BRAKE
- Summary: THESE TYPES OF TRUCKS THAT TOW RECREATIONAL VEHICLES NEED AN AFTERMARKET EXHAUST PIPE INSTALLED TO MAKE TOWING SAFE, HOWEVER THIS COULD DAMAGE AUTOMATIC TRANSMISSIONS AND VOID THE DRIVE TRAIN WARRANTY. *SLC
1999-12-10
ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING PROBLEM
- Date Of Incident: 2024-11-24
- Components: ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING
- Summary: VEHICLE HAS A PING AND KNOCK IN THE ENGINE FOR LONG TIME AND VEHCILE STALLS ON HIGHWAY AT HIGH SPEED WHILE DRIVING. YH
1998 Dodge Pickup recalls
The National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA) has issued 1 recalls for different components of the 1998 Dodge Pickup.
2006-03-23
- Manufacturer: PRO-A MOTORS, INC.
- Components: EXTERIOR LIGHTING
- Summary: CERTAIN PRO-A MOTORS CORNER LAMPS, TURN SIGNALS, AND HEADLIGHTS SOLD AS REPLACEMENT LAMPS FOR USE ON CERTAIN PASSENGER VEHICLES LISTED ABOVE. SOME COMBINATION LAMPS THAT ARE NOT EQUIPPED WITH AMBER SIDE REFLECTORS FAIL TO CONFORM TO FEDERAL MOTOR VEHICLE SAFETY STANDARD NO. 108, LAMPS, REFLECTIVE DEVICES, AND ASSOCIATED EQUIPMENT.
- Consequence: WITHOUT THE AMBER REFLECTORS, THE VEHICLE WILL BE POORLY ILLUMINATED, POSSIBLY RESULTING IN A VEHICLE CRASH WITHOUT WARNING.
- Remedy: PRO-A MOTORS WILL NOTIFY OWNERS AND OFFER TO REPURCHASE THE LAMPS. THE RECALL BEGAN ON APRIL 3, 2006. OWNERS MAY CONTACT PRO-A MOTORS AT 323-838-2988.
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