Most common 1998 Dodge Ram Van problems
Share of the 22 complaints; one complaint can involve more than one system. "~" is the median mileage when the problem started.
Dodge Ram Van complaints by model year
Best Ram Van years: 1995, 2002, 2003. Years to avoid: 1999, 2001. Compare all years →
1998 Dodge Ram Van recalls (1)
Seats › Front assembly › Power adjust
Vehicle description: passenger vehicles built with power seat option. The driver's side front seat attaching riser welds were not correct.
Remedy: Dealers will replace the driver's side power front seat rise with a riser that was mig welded.
NHTSA defect investigations
Federal safety investigators have looked into a possible defect involving the 1998 Dodge Ram Van:
Safety belt cinching latch plate
There are no injuries or fatalities associated with this alleged defect.while conducting this investigation, odi found that the subject cinches meet the load bearing requirements of federal motor vehicle safety standard 208, and that many of the reported failures were due to incorrect child safety seat installations.
What 1998 Dodge Ram Van owners say
Electrical system
This vehicle belongs to verizon communications. The Van had an underhood fire that originated in the ABS module area while parked. Chrysler issued safety recall d20 in 2004 to address this problem but the recall repair has not corrected the problem. Verizon has had 33 underhood fire incidents that occurred after the recall was performed. This is an unsafe condition that warrants further investigation and action by NHTSA.
This vehicle belongs to verizon communications. The Van had an under hood fire that originated in the ABS module area while parked. Daimlerchrysler issued safety recall d20 in 2004 to address this problem but the recall repair has not corrected the problem. Verizon has had 32 under hood fire incidents that occurred after the recall was performed. This is an unsafe condition that warrants further investigation and action.
Brakes
This vehicle belongs to verizon communications. The Van had an underhood fire that originated in the ABS module area while parked. Chrysler issued safety recall d20 in 2004 to address this problem but the recall repair has not corrected the problem. Verizon has had 33 underhood fire incidents that occurred after the recall was performed. This is an unsafe condition that warrants further investigation and action by NHTSA.
This vehicle belongs to verizon communications. The Van had an under hood fire that originated in the ABS module area while parked. Daimlerchrysler issued safety recall d20 in 2004 to address this problem but the recall repair has not corrected the problem. Verizon has had 32 under hood fire incidents that occurred after the recall was performed. This is an unsafe condition that warrants further investigation and action.
Suspension
Some Dodge Ram vans have a latent defect in the frame that is very dangerous. As far as I can tell, there is no recall even though the internet is littered with complaints, incidents and accidents due to failure of the frame in one spot. I believe that the ac runoff is vented directly into the frame which, over time results in the eventual failure of the frame at the point where the suspension and steering are located - this results in loss of control of the vehicle. There is no easy way to correct this problem short of replacing the whole frame. Dodge denies that this is a problem and blames this defect on road salt and conditions. This would be a valid assertion if the rest of the vehicle had rot problems elsewhere on the vehicle. Including the much more volatile body parts, which are in some cases, still solid and in good condition. …
While backing out of my parking space and turning the steering wheel I heard a loud pop/thump. Subsequently while driving down the road at 15mph the steering went out and the vehicle was uncontrollable. I had the vehicle towed to a repair shop. The cause of the break down was the front passenger side frame had rusted and cracked. This is where the steering is connected to. No repair was possible. I have contacted alternate repair sources of dealers, body shops, welders and metal fabricators without any success to get anyone willing or able to repair the frame. The vehicle is considered non-drivable and non-fixable.
Frequently asked questions
Is the 1998 Dodge Ram Van a good car?
Based on 22 owner complaints filed with NHTSA, the 1998 Ram Van rates average: about as many complaints as a typical year of the Ram Van at the same age. 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 Ram Van?
The electrical system — 7 complaints, 32% of all complaints for this model year, most often about wiring › front underhood. Next are the brakes (6) and suspension (4).
How many recalls does the 1998 Dodge Ram Van have?
There is 1 recall for the 1998 Dodge Ram Van, the most recent from April 8, 1998 (power adjust). Recall repairs are free at any authorized dealer — check whether yours has been done with the VIN recall check.
What are the best and worst years of the Dodge Ram Van?
The best years by complaints, compared at the same age, are 1995, 2002 and 2003. Years to avoid or approach with caution: 1999 and 2001. See the full Dodge Ram Van years comparison.
At what mileage do 1998 Dodge Ram Van problems happen?
The median mileage reported in complaints is about 123,000 miles; 30% 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.