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 owners, lightly cleaned up (personal details are redacted by NHTSA).
30mph, headon crash into steel stationary pole, neither driver nor passenger side airbags deployed. Driver sustained head/ neck back/ arm and knee injuries. Police noted neither air bag deployed and instructed us to contact the manufacture. Both paramedics and firefighters noted failure of airbags and said driver would not have sustained his head injury had they deployed. Contact with Chrysler Dodge; they sent rep to check truck. Two weeks later Chrysler Dodge sent us a letter stating the air bags functioned as they were supposed to, that they were in functioning order that their was no failure on their products (truck) part. A local Dodge dealer, sales manager told me on the phone that Dodge pu airbags should deploy at "10 MPH" in a headon crash, stationary object. …
Dt: the contact stated the driver's side air bag deployed. He did not hit anything prior to this incident. Chrysler sent an investigator on 11-29-05 and took pictures inside and out of the truck. Then, stated the truck did not appear to have been involved in an accident; thus, the truck was not damaged. Chrysler sent the contact a letter on 12-5-05 stating that the air bag light illuminated for a substantial period of time. Therefore, they were not responsible for the repairs. The contact stated the air bag light was not on prior to this incident, and that he was aware that if the air bag light illuminated it was an indicator that the air bag was not functioning properly. Therefore, it should not have deployed prematurely. When he had the car serviced at a local dealership they did not mention the air bag light illuminating. Updated 02/07/06.
Tl contact owns a 1998 Dodge Ram. While driving various speeds, the air bag warning indicator randomly illuminates and the air bag chime will begin to sound. The horn in the vehicle has also stopped working. The contact took the vehicle to the dealer and provided them with information he found online regarding NHTSA campaign id number 01V153000 (air bags). He was informed that the VIN was not included in the recall, although the failures were identical. The contact would be responsible for the repair costs. The vehicle is currently at the dealer and they stated that the clock springs were the cause of the failures in the horn and the air bags. The air bag system was completely disabled and would not deploy in the event of a crash. The failure mileage was 124,000 and current mileage was 125,000. Updated 10/20/08. Updated 10/21/08.
While passing a van on 4 lane highway was hit by another van that ran stop sign and pushed front end of 1998 Dodge club cab p/u into the front seat area. My vehicle was totalled resulting in injuries to myself and step son. Neither air bag deployed. Informed Chrysler of accident and the results(injuries) and they more or less laughed at me because the insurance company had already sold my vehicle for scrap. Without the vehicle they said they could do nothing for me. I'm not the only one who has had problems with air bags on this Chrysler product. I informed Chrysler that I had pictures of the truck but that wasn't sufficient for them. They are sorry people if ths is the way they treat customers and do business.
Chrysler denies liability. It was 2-3 degrees off center impact. Point of interest: Chrysler recalled 98 Ram trucks and vans due to faulty air bag sensors. I also find it hard to fathom that many accidents are exactly square when the impact. My truck was only very slightly angled 2-3 degrees at impact and did so much damage the entire frame must be replaced. Icar certified airbag mechanics that saw the truck all said that the airbags should have deployed without doubt. It is very difficult for an owner to take on Chrysler and their laywers. I feel that they know they have a problem and are just trying toblow me off. Thanks for your help and interest in this matter.
I was involved in a collision with my Dodge Ram pickup. A man turned in front of me and the front of my truck hit the side of his car. No airbags deployed, and I was moving at a good rate of speed (35-40 MPH). I did contact Dodge, but they are sitting on their hands, and are not sending out an investigation team to find out why the airbags didn't deploy. I would like for NHTSA to conduct an investigation of their own. The truck hasn't been worked on, but the insurance company is antsy to get the truck fixed, since I am in a rental vehicle. Is there any way of having the NHTSA come out and do an investigation in a timely matter (within a week (by 11/10))?
While driving,the consumer tried to avoid another vehicle that was coming inside of the lane. When the consumer applied the brakes, the pedal went to the floor. The consumer was unable to maintain control of the vehicle and hit a guard rail and flipped into a ditch. Both air bags did not deploy. The driver sustained head injuries. The driver went to the hospital on his own. The vehicle was towed and totaled by the insurance company. Please provide additional information.
Tl contact owns a 1998 Dodge Ram. The contact stated that the air bag indicator light illuminates and an alarm sounds four times intermittently. Eventually, the air bag light dims. The contact will have the vehicle inspected. There are two air bag recalls (NHTSA campaign id numbers 01V153000 and 99V002000); however, the manufacturer stated that his vehicle was not included in either one. The current mileage was 120,000 and failure mileage was 119,800.
Consumer experienced problems with driver's and passenger's side airbags along with rear anti-lock brakes. Upon applying brakes while going 50 MPH, rear anti-lock brakes went out, causing consumer to rearend another vehicle. Driver's and passenger's side air bags failed to deploy. The manufacturer was contacted but said they could not do anything to help. Consumer has since rid himself of the vehicle, and bought a different one.
Air bag light started illuminating on and off. Eventually it remained illuminated. The consumer later found out that the manufacturer was voluntarily replacing the clock spring on vehicles with mileage less than 70000 miles (recall# 02V293). The consumer contacted the manufacturer and was told that the recall was only for vans.
Related recalls
Air bags
Vehicle description: pickup trucks. Sound deadener material inside the steering wheel could become detached from the cover and housing. Note: the Ram pickup trucks were built at the warren assembly plant ("s" in the 11th VIN position) from May 16, 2000 through October 23, 2000; st.
Remedy: Dealers will replace the clockspring assembly. Owner notification began June 18, 2001. Also some 1997-200 model year vehicles that, according to warranty records, have had a suspect replacement clockspring installed,…
Air bags
Vehicle description: vans and vans used for conversion. If a heavy object impacts the metal casing of the air bag electronic control module (aecm), located under the driver seat, the module could inadvertently deploy the air bags.
Remedy: Dealers will replace the aecm with a module that incorporates revised hardware and software on all affected vehicles.
Airbag complaints in other Ram years
Frequently asked questions
How common are airbag problems on the 1998 Dodge Ram?
NHTSA has 72 complaints about the air bags of the 1998 Dodge Ram, 14% of the model year's 517 complaints. The component named most often is frontal (52 mentions).
Is there a recall for 1998 Dodge Ram airbag problems?
Yes — NHTSA recall 01V-153 (air bags, May 8, 2001); NHTSA recall 99V-002 (air bags, Jan 7, 1999). Recall repairs are free at authorized dealers.
At what mileage do 1998 Dodge Ram airbag problems start?
Half of the complaints with a recorded mileage happened before about 120,000 miles.
Is it dangerous?
Owners linked 51 crashes, 0 fires and 42 injuries 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.