Most common 1998 Dodge Pickup problems
Share of the 15 complaints; one complaint can involve more than one system. "~" is the median mileage when the problem started.
Dodge Pickup complaints by model year
Best Pickup years: 1999, 1998. Years to avoid: 1996. Compare all years →
What 1998 Dodge Pickup owners say
Brakes
When driving, intermittently the ABS/airbag warning light illuminated . The speedometer would drop to zero then go to the original speed. 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.
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.
Air bags
When driving, intermittently the ABS/airbag warning light illuminated . The speedometer would drop to zero then go to the original speed. 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.
The driver side airbag deployed inadvertently. This caused the driver to sustain minor injuries. The consumer was taken to the hospital. The vehicle was in the park position, the steering wheel was tilted up and the air bag deployed.
1998 Dodge Pickup engines & fuel economy
| Engine | Transmission | Drive | MPG city / hwy / combined |
|---|---|---|---|
| 2.5L 4-cyl | 5-speed manual | RWD | 18 / 23 / 20 |
| 3.9L 6-cyl | 5-speed manual | RWD | 14 / 20 / 17 |
| 3.9L 6-cyl | 4-speed automatic | RWD | 14 / 19 / 16 |
| 3.9L 6-cyl | 4-speed automatic | 4WD/AWD | 13 / 17 / 15 |
| 3.9L 6-cyl | 5-speed manual | 4WD/AWD | 14 / 18 / 15 |
| 5.2L 8-cyl | 4-speed automatic | RWD | 13 / 17 / 14 |
| 5.2L 8-cyl | 5-speed manual | RWD | 12 / 17 / 14 |
| 5.2L 8-cyl | 5-speed manual | 4WD/AWD | 12 / 16 / 14 |
| 5.9L 8-cyl | 4-speed automatic | RWD | 12 / 17 / 13 |
| 5.2L 8-cyl | 4-speed automatic | 4WD/AWD | 12 / 16 / 13 |
| 5.9L 8-cyl | 4-speed automatic | 4WD/AWD | 11 / 15 / 12 |
EPA ratings. Class: Full-size pickup.
Frequently asked questions
Is the 1998 Dodge Pickup a good car?
Based on 15 owner complaints filed with NHTSA, the 1998 Pickup rates average: 26% fewer complaints than a typical year of the Pickup at the same age. It is one of the best Pickup years by this measure. Complaint counts don't account for sales volume or individual maintenance, so have any used car inspected before buying.
What is the most common problem with the 1998 Dodge Pickup?
The brakes — 3 complaints, 20% of all complaints for this model year, most often about disc › pads. Next are the air bags (3) and suspension (2).
How many recalls does the 1998 Dodge Pickup have?
NHTSA lists no recalls for the 1998 Dodge Pickup. You can still confirm with your VIN using our VIN recall check.
What are the best and worst years of the Dodge Pickup?
The best years by complaints, compared at the same age, are 1999 and 1998. Years to avoid or approach with caution: 1996. See the full Dodge Pickup years comparison.
At what mileage do 1998 Dodge Pickup problems happen?
The median mileage reported in complaints is about 100,000 miles; 33% of problems with a recorded mileage started before 50,000 miles.
Source: U.S. National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA) — owner complaints through October 20, 2026, recalls and defect investigations; fuel economy from the EPA. Complaints are unverified reports and are not proof of a defect. How we rate model years.