Which parts fail
Components named in complaints (front, side and curtain air bags, sensors and inflators).
Mileage when the problem started
Owner reports
Selected complaints filed with NHTSA by 1998 Dodge Ram 1500 owners, lightly cleaned up (personal details are redacted by NHTSA).
Tl* the contact owned a 1998 Dodge Ram 1500. While driving 70 MPH, the contact fell asleep and crashed into the median. The air bags failed to deploy. There were no warning indicators illuminated prior to the crash. The contact was taken to the hospital by a friend, but there were no injuries sustained. A police report was filed. The vehicle was towed to an impound lot and deemed destroyed. The dealer was not contacted and the manufacturer was not notified of the failure. The VIN and failure mileage were unknown.
Tl* the contact owns a 1998 Dodge Ram 1500. The contact stated that the air bag light illuminated on the instrument panel. The vehicle was taken to dealer for diagnostic testing. The technician determined that the air bag clock spring failed and would need to be replaced. The contact was made aware that the VIN was not included in NHTSA campaign number: 01V153000 (air bags). The manufacturer was made aware of the failure. The failure mileage was 134,000. Ma 08/13/15
Tl* the contact owns a 1998 Dodge Ram 1500. The contact stated that the air bag warning indicator illuminated and the steering function intermittently failed. The vehicle was taken to an independent mechanic where it was diagnoised that the clockspring malfunctioned and needed to be replaced. The vehicle was not repaired. The manufacturer was notified of the failure. The contact referenced NHTSA campaign number: 01V153000 (air bags). The failure mileage was 129,915.
The vehicle was involved in a frontal collision while traveling 55 MPH. The driver's shoulder restraint did not hold and caused consumer to move forward and hit the front windshield. Also, front air bags failed to deploy. The driver of the other vehicle was killed in the crash. The consumers truck t-boned the other vehicle on the driver's side.
Tl* the contact owns a 1998 Dodge Ram 1500. While the vehicle was at a stop light, the air bags deployed without warning or impact. There were no injuries. The vehicle was taken to the dealer to be inspected. The vehicle was not repaired. The manufacturer was not notified of the failure. The approximate failure mileage was 169,000.
My son was driving home from high school band practice when he lost control and hit a tree head on fire department had to brake window to get him and the boy with him out of the truck. Neither air bag went off.I called the 800 number and reported it. Was told truck to old
1998 Dodge Ram 1500 was involved in a four-car collision-mine being the third in the series. The truck was rear-ended which pushed me into the car ahead. The airbag did not deploy on either passenger's side or driver's side. Vehicle was totalled.
Total loss on 1998 Dodge Ram 1500 pick-up. ABS did not work. Wheels locked, and skidded. Left road. Entire front end, right side, center and leftside, were destroyed. Air bags did not deploy. Photographs available, inside and outside of vehicle.
I went off the road going about 65 MPH and hit a tree, head on. The airbags did not deploy. I was not seriously injured. I have searched the internet and have found that this is not the first incident involving my type of vehicle (Dodge Ram).
I understand that there was a recall of defective clocksprings that disabled airbags in certain Dodge products (safety recall 982)(NHTSA identification number 01v-153). The recall included vehicles in the VIN last 8 digits ws501493 to ws771681. My 1998 Dodge Ram 1500 has a last eight digits of [redacted]. Thus, it does fall within the range of recalled VIN numbers. However, for some reason my truck is not described as one of those recalled. However, I have an airbag light that is on and the steering wheel mounted cruise control does not work it seems to me that both of these are indications of a defective clockspring just as on the recalled vehicles. I would like to know why I have not received a recall notice and why my vehicle make model and year is not described as recalled even though the last eight VIN digits falls within the range of those recalled for this defect. …
Airbag complaints in other Ram 1500 years
Frequently asked questions
How common are airbag problems on the 1998 Dodge Ram 1500?
NHTSA has 63 complaints about the air bags of the 1998 Dodge Ram 1500, 12% of the model year's 520 complaints. The component named most often is frontal (33 mentions).
Is there a recall for 1998 Dodge Ram 1500 airbag problems?
No. NHTSA lists no air bags recall for the 1998 Dodge Ram 1500. If the problem is widespread, a repair may still be covered by an extended warranty or a manufacturer service bulletin — ask a dealer.
At what mileage do 1998 Dodge Ram 1500 airbag problems start?
Half of the complaints with a recorded mileage happened before about 105,000 miles, and 5% before 25,000 miles.
Is it dangerous?
Owners linked 41 crashes, 0 fires and 31 injuries and 3 deaths to air bags problems on this model year. If you notice symptoms, have the car checked before driving further.
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.