Complaints
38
Crashes
0
Fires
7
Injuries
10
Fatalities
—
Recalls
0
Worst 1998 Dodge Ram Van Problems
Top 3 most-reported issues with average mileage at failure.
#13 complaints
Electrical Faults
Fires:2
#23 complaints
Electrical System:Wiring:Front Underhood
Fires:3
#33 complaints
Steering Defects
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All Problems by Category
Every NHTSA complaint category for the 1998 Dodge Ram Van.
| Component | Complaints | Crashes | Fires | Avg Mileage | Volume |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Electrical Faults | 3 | — | 2 | — | |
| Electrical System:Wiring:Front Underhood | 3 | — | 3 | — | |
| Steering Defects | 3 | — | — | — | |
| Automatic Transmission | 2 | — | — | — | |
| Hydraulic Brakes | 2 | — | 1 | — | |
| Service Brakes, Hydraulic:Foundation Components:Disc:Caliper | 2 | — | — | — | |
| Suspension Failures | 2 | — | — | — | |
| Tire Defects | 2 | — | — | — | |
| Airbags | 1 | — | — | — | |
| Air Bags:Frontal | 1 | — | — | — | |
| Electrical System:12v/24v/48v Battery | 1 | — | — | — | |
| Engine And Engine Cooling:Engine:Gasoline | 1 | — | — | — | |
| Equipment:Appliance:Air Conditioner | 1 | — | — | — | |
| Headlight/Taillight Failures | 1 | — | — | — | |
| Fuel System, Gasoline:Storage:Tank Assembly | 1 | — | — | — | |
| Seat Belts:Front:Webbing | 1 | — | — | — | |
| Service Brakes, Electric | 1 | — | 1 | — | |
| Service Brakes, Hydraulic:Antilock/Traction Control/Electronic Limited Slip | 1 | — | — | — | |
| Service Brakes, Hydraulic:Foundation Components:Hoses, Lines/Piping, And Fittings | 1 | — | — | — | |
| Structure:Frame And Members | 1 | — | — | — | |
| Structure:Frame And Members:Underbody Shields | 1 | — | — | — | |
| Suspension:Front:Control Arm:Upper Arm | 1 | — | — | — | |
| Suspension:Front:Control Arm:Upper Ball Joint | 1 | — | — | — | |
| Suspension:Front:Wheel Bearing | 1 | — | — | — | |
| Visibility:Windshield | 1 | — | — | — | |
| Visibility:Windshield Wiper/Washer:Linkages | 1 | — | — | — |
Electrical Faults
3
complaints
Crashes
—
Fires
2
Avg Miles
—
Electrical System:Wiring:Front Underhood
3
complaints
Crashes
—
Fires
3
Avg Miles
—
Steering Defects
3
complaints
Crashes
—
Fires
—
Avg Miles
—
Automatic Transmission
2
complaints
Crashes
—
Fires
—
Avg Miles
—
Hydraulic Brakes
2
complaints
Crashes
—
Fires
1
Avg Miles
—
Service Brakes, Hydraulic:Foundation Components:Disc:Caliper
2
complaints
Crashes
—
Fires
—
Avg Miles
—
Suspension Failures
2
complaints
Crashes
—
Fires
—
Avg Miles
—
Tire Defects
2
complaints
Crashes
—
Fires
—
Avg Miles
—
Airbags
1
complaints
Crashes
—
Fires
—
Avg Miles
—
Air Bags:Frontal
1
complaints
Crashes
—
Fires
—
Avg Miles
—
Electrical System:12v/24v/48v Battery
1
complaints
Crashes
—
Fires
—
Avg Miles
—
Engine And Engine Cooling:Engine:Gasoline
1
complaints
Crashes
—
Fires
—
Avg Miles
—
Equipment:Appliance:Air Conditioner
1
complaints
Crashes
—
Fires
—
Avg Miles
—
Headlight/Taillight Failures
1
complaints
Crashes
—
Fires
—
Avg Miles
—
Fuel System, Gasoline:Storage:Tank Assembly
1
complaints
Crashes
—
Fires
—
Avg Miles
—
Seat Belts:Front:Webbing
1
complaints
Crashes
—
Fires
—
Avg Miles
—
Service Brakes, Electric
1
complaints
Crashes
—
Fires
1
Avg Miles
—
Service Brakes, Hydraulic:Antilock/Traction Control/Electronic Limited Slip
1
complaints
Crashes
—
Fires
—
Avg Miles
—
Service Brakes, Hydraulic:Foundation Components:Hoses, Lines/Piping, And Fittings
1
complaints
Crashes
—
Fires
—
Avg Miles
—
Structure:Frame And Members
1
complaints
Crashes
—
Fires
—
Avg Miles
—
Structure:Frame And Members:Underbody Shields
1
complaints
Crashes
—
Fires
—
Avg Miles
—
Suspension:Front:Control Arm:Upper Arm
1
complaints
Crashes
—
Fires
—
Avg Miles
—
Suspension:Front:Control Arm:Upper Ball Joint
1
complaints
Crashes
—
Fires
—
Avg Miles
—
Suspension:Front:Wheel Bearing
1
complaints
Crashes
—
Fires
—
Avg Miles
—
Visibility:Windshield
1
complaints
Crashes
—
Fires
—
Avg Miles
—
Visibility:Windshield Wiper/Washer:Linkages
1
complaints
Crashes
—
Fires
—
Avg Miles
—
Search Owner Complaints
Read what owners actually reported to NHTSA for the 1998 Dodge Ram Van. Type a keyword (e.g. “transmission”, “stalling”, “brakes”) to filter.
Other Dodge Ram Van Years
1998 Dodge Ram Van — FAQ
Answers based on real NHTSA complaint and recall data for this specific model year.
Is the 1998 Dodge Ram Van reliable?
Verdict: Above Average Complaints. The 1998 Dodge Ram Van has 38 NHTSA complaints, 0 crash-related, and 0 recall campaigns. The most common issue is Electrical Faults with 3 complaints. Source: NHTSA via VinItel.
What are common problems with the 1998 Dodge Ram Van?
Top reported problems: Electrical Faults (3 complaints); Electrical System:Wiring:Front Underhood (3 complaints); Steering Defects (3 complaints). Every complaint is filed by an owner with NHTSA — this is raw reported data, not editorial opinion.
How safe is the 1998 Dodge Ram Van?
NHTSA complaints for the 1998 Dodge Ram Van include 0 crash-related reports, 7 fire reports, 10 injuries, and 0 fatalities. These are owner-reported incidents, not official crash-test ratings — a complaint being filed doesn't confirm a defect, but clusters around specific components are worth investigating.
Does the 1998 Dodge Ram Van have any recalls?
No NHTSA recall campaigns have been issued for the 1998 Dodge Ram Van as of the latest data sync. Verify by VIN for the most current status — new recalls can be issued years after a model year ships.
Should I buy a 1998 Dodge Ram Van?
Slightly worse than average. Most owners are fine; problem clusters are concentrated around specific components. Check the issues table below and match against the specific car's mileage.
Source: NHTSA (National Highway Traffic Safety Administration) complaint and recall databases, aggregated by VinItel.
Wider context: See the full Dodge Ram Van reliability report with year-by-year comparison and generation analysis.
Check Your Specific 1998 Dodge Ram Van
Real owner complaints tell you about the model. The VIN tells you about your specific car — accidents, title issues, odometer fraud.
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