Which parts fail
Components named in complaints (engine, cooling system, oil leaks, timing chain, exhaust).
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).
1998 Dodge Ram 1500. Is there a recall? Radiator is overheating. Call after noon. The contact is experiencing the over heating and the top of the radiator is hot; however, its cold on the bottom of the radiator. I have advised him of the one recall that exist for the engine. The current mileage is 79,000. The vehicle was diagnosed and the mechanic stated that the radiator must be replaced; however, the vehicle can be driven short distances. While driving 65mph. 210 to 220 degrees and the vehicle overheats and smoke was present under the hood. The vehicle does not shut off. If it cools off. 69,000 when the vehicle was purchased. The rear end while driving 45mph and hitting a bump in the road. The back end of the truck moved around for a couple of months. The failure has not been diagnosed.
Tl* the contact owns a 1998 Dodge Ram 1500. While driving at any speed, the vehicle hesitated, sputtered, and almost stalled. The contact stated that the intake section of the engine had an aluminum plate that became warped with usage. The contact was a mechanic and replaced the gasket several times, but the failure recurred after approximately one year. The dealer (valley Dodge, 320 lee jackson hwy, staunton, va 24401, [phone]) confirmed that there was no recall for the failure. The manufacturer stated there was no recall and referred the contact to NHTSA. The failure mileage was 202,156. The VIN was unknown.
Oil pressure gauge dropped to zero and lifters on engine were tapping, so I had to park my vehicle before I lost my engine. Vehicle is a 98 Dodge Ram 1500 v6 with 70K miles. Was caused by a clogged oil pump intake screen. Almost lost engine because screen is of defective design. Screen is covered by a cap that prevents all of the solids from dropping back into the pan. The oil pan itself has a half inch rise inside to receive the oil drain plug. This half inch rise prevents heavy solids from being drained during routine oil changes. The oil pump intake is located directly above these solids, trapped in the bottom of the pan, and sucks them directly into the screen. Therefore, over time the condition will reoccur. Post research I found numerous persons with identical descriptions to mine who had lost their engines on varies years and models of Dodge trucks. …
This vehicle has had an ongoing ignition problem. It finally became noticeable in front of my mechanic. After much diagnosis it was found that the #5 cylinder of the engine had zero compression. A pressure test was performed, and found that no pressure could be held in the cylinder because it was going directly out the exhaust valve. Engine was disassembled and the cylinder head was found to have cracks between the intake and exhaust valves on 3 out of 4 cylinders, with number 5 being the worst. The opposite side cylinder head was also removed and found to have cracks in the same places (between the intake and exhaust valves in at least 2 of the 4 cylinders. The heads are not reparable. Upon calling a machine shop I was informed that this is a common problem with OEM cylinder heads for this engine (5.9l) 360 magnum. I also called several wrecking yards and found the same problem. …
I have had my van since 98 got it new the dealership had my van more then I have, they fixed only a few problems I have had other problems they couldn't find. The side passenger doors wouldn't unlock, when coming to a stop seconds after stopping I would feel a hick coming from the back end, on vacation after resting at a wayside while entering highway the you heard a click from the engine then you loss all power it wouldn't go any faster then 30-35 MPH, took van in after this one guy at shop seen my handicap daughter and went in back to get a paper he then gave me, paper was from Dodge telling of this problem and not to show to any customers,he gave this paper to me,and to this day I still have same problems,all plastic lining inside of van has cracked about 6 months after getting van, go through brakes like crazy, and van always pulls to right . …
Dt*: the contact stated the vehicle was taken to the service dealer because the check engine light illuminated. The dealer determined the catalytic converter was bad and need to be replaced, but the vehicle was not repaired. Additionally, the dealer informed the contact of a warranty extension on the catalytic converter in the 1500 series with a larger engine. Dt*: the contact stated the latch that holds the child in the child safety seat comes unlatched very easily. The straps become very loose when this happens. The manufacturer has not been alerted. Updated 3/22/2006 - the manufacturer was notified of the problem. A recall had been initiated for this problem but the consumer seat was not included. The consumer sent the consumer a repair kit for the designer 22's which fixed the problem with is seat (22-390-VIN, og2b, 1/28/2004).
I was driving my 1998 Dodge Ram 4x4 extended cab 1500slt 318 motor on the freeway doing 70-75 MPH when I lost all power. I had no power steering or power brakes and was stuck in the fast lane on the interstate. I was finally able to get to the shoulder by cutting off another vehicle. I had my truck towed to lithia Dodge of roseburg and they said the intake manifold gasket was leaking . They also said this was a common problem with this model. It caused oil to blow down my exhaust and plug my catalytic converter which choked off my motor and caused the engine to die. They would not warranty this because the truck has 46000 miles on it. I don't understand why this wasn't recalled as I was lucky I didn't get in a wreck. I know two other people this same problem has happened to.
I own a 1998 Dodge Ram 1500 4x4 pickup I was driving a friend and her daughter to the dentist I passed a logging truck when I got back in my lane as I was slowing down the truck shuddered and lost power I pulled off the road the only place I could pull off I hit it the was almost off the nut holding the tire rotor on the shaft snapped off the tow home was over 500 dollars after getting truck I broke out my shop manuals out the brg pack was burned I replaced from front differential out to tires with OEM parts to the tune of 1100 dollars within a mth the left front tire came off as I was turning into my drive way again replaced from front differential out to tire this time cost about 850 6 mths latter coming home I feel front vibration hang on to wheel my drivers side front tire rotor caliper fly off I slide better part of 75 feet grinding off lower ball joint after being towed home …
Automatic transmission slips at cruising speed. My truck, my nephews truck and four others I am aware of in little rock arkansas are all having the same problem. When engine is not pulling or accelerating the transmission slips causing the RPM to rise around 4 hundred to 800 RPM. My nephew stated that there was a recall on this problem some time back. I only purchased this truck a year ago and was unaware of this problem.
Enigine developed a very serious knocking and banging, and recently loss of oil pressure and low over 3 quarts of oil in about 800 miles after oil change. The knocking and banging got so bad that I couldn't maintain highway speeds causing a traffic hazard. If attempting to pull out and pass the knock May prevent accelleration causing a head on collision. Continued knock will result in engine failure and damage.
Engine complaints in other Ram 1500 years
Frequently asked questions
How common are engine problems on the 1998 Dodge Ram 1500?
NHTSA has 36 complaints about the engine & cooling of the 1998 Dodge Ram 1500, 7% of the model year's 520 complaints. The component named most often is engine › gasoline (14 mentions).
Is there a recall for 1998 Dodge Ram 1500 engine problems?
No. NHTSA lists no engine & cooling 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 engine problems start?
Half of the complaints with a recorded mileage happened before about 79,000 miles, and 13% before 25,000 miles.
Is it dangerous?
Owners linked 0 crashes, 3 fires and 0 injuries to engine & cooling 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.