Complaints
645
Crashes
89
Fires
18
Injuries
71
Fatalities
19
Recalls
0
Worst 1998 Dodge 1500 Problems
Top 3 most-reported issues with average mileage at failure.
#183 complaints
Structural Problems
Avg mileage:97,688 mi
Crash-related:1
#234 complaints
Automatic Transmission
Avg mileage:90,055 mi
Crash-related:1
#333 complaints
Air Bags:Frontal
Avg mileage:69,000 mi
Crash-related:31
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All Problems by Category
Every NHTSA complaint category for the 1998 Dodge 1500.
| Component | Complaints | Crashes | Fires | Avg Mileage | Volume |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Structural Problems | 83 | 1 | — | 97,688 mi | |
| Automatic Transmission | 34 | 1 | — | 90,055 mi | |
| Air Bags:Frontal | 33 | 31 | — | 69,000 mi | |
| Airbags | 29 | 10 | — | 191,448 mi | |
| Service Brakes, Hydraulic:Antilock/Traction Control/Electronic Limited Slip | 22 | 5 | — | 69,000 mi | |
| Tire Defects | 18 | 3 | — | 182,838 mi | |
| Seat Belt Issues | 17 | 2 | — | 98,489 mi | |
| Electrical System:Horn | 15 | 1 | — | 83,832 mi | |
| Engine And Engine Cooling:Engine:Gasoline | 14 | — | — | 99,682 mi | |
| Suspension Failures | 14 | 1 | — | 166,250 mi | |
| Electrical Faults | 13 | 1 | 2 | 102,755 mi | |
| Power Train:Axle Assembly | 13 | 4 | — | 69,481 mi | |
| Body Structure | 13 | 1 | — | 123,257 mi | |
| Transmission / Drivetrain | 12 | 2 | — | 291,675 mi | |
| Steering Defects | 11 | 2 | — | 108,833 mi | |
| Hydraulic Brakes | 9 | 2 | — | 99,714 mi | |
| Service Brakes, Hydraulic:Foundation Components:Disc:Pads | 9 | — | — | — | |
| Latches/Locks/Linkages:Hood:Latch | 8 | — | — | 87,457 mi | |
| Suspension:Front | 8 | — | — | 115,920 mi | |
| Unintended Acceleration | 8 | — | 1 | 95,708 mi | |
| Engine And Engine Cooling:Engine | 7 | — | — | — | |
| Other Equipment | 7 | 2 | — | 101,831 mi | |
| Brakes | 7 | 2 | — | 129,907 mi | |
| Power Train:Driveline:Differential Unit | 6 | — | — | — | |
| Seat Belts:Front:Retractor | 6 | 1 | — | 93,461 mi | |
| Service Brakes, Hydraulic:Foundation Components | 6 | 2 | — | — | |
| Service Brakes, Hydraulic:Foundation Components:Disc:Rotor | 6 | — | — | 92,170 mi | |
| Tires:Tread/Belt | 6 | — | — | 93,242 mi | |
| Engine & Cooling | 5 | — | 2 | 10 mi |
Structural Problems
83
complaints
Crashes
1
Fires
—
Avg Miles
97,688
Automatic Transmission
34
complaints
Crashes
1
Fires
—
Avg Miles
90,055
Air Bags:Frontal
33
complaints
Crashes
31
Fires
—
Avg Miles
69,000
Airbags
29
complaints
Crashes
10
Fires
—
Avg Miles
191,448
Service Brakes, Hydraulic:Antilock/Traction Control/Electronic Limited Slip
22
complaints
Crashes
5
Fires
—
Avg Miles
69,000
Tire Defects
18
complaints
Crashes
3
Fires
—
Avg Miles
182,838
Seat Belt Issues
17
complaints
Crashes
2
Fires
—
Avg Miles
98,489
Electrical System:Horn
15
complaints
Crashes
1
Fires
—
Avg Miles
83,832
Engine And Engine Cooling:Engine:Gasoline
14
complaints
Crashes
—
Fires
—
Avg Miles
99,682
Suspension Failures
14
complaints
Crashes
1
Fires
—
Avg Miles
166,250
Electrical Faults
13
complaints
Crashes
1
Fires
2
Avg Miles
102,755
Power Train:Axle Assembly
13
complaints
Crashes
4
Fires
—
Avg Miles
69,481
Body Structure
13
complaints
Crashes
1
Fires
—
Avg Miles
123,257
Transmission / Drivetrain
12
complaints
Crashes
2
Fires
—
Avg Miles
291,675
Steering Defects
11
complaints
Crashes
2
Fires
—
Avg Miles
108,833
Hydraulic Brakes
9
complaints
Crashes
2
Fires
—
Avg Miles
99,714
Service Brakes, Hydraulic:Foundation Components:Disc:Pads
9
complaints
Crashes
—
Fires
—
Avg Miles
—
Latches/Locks/Linkages:Hood:Latch
8
complaints
Crashes
—
Fires
—
Avg Miles
87,457
Suspension:Front
8
complaints
Crashes
—
Fires
—
Avg Miles
115,920
Unintended Acceleration
8
complaints
Crashes
—
Fires
1
Avg Miles
95,708
Engine And Engine Cooling:Engine
7
complaints
Crashes
—
Fires
—
Avg Miles
—
Other Equipment
7
complaints
Crashes
2
Fires
—
Avg Miles
101,831
Brakes
7
complaints
Crashes
2
Fires
—
Avg Miles
129,907
Power Train:Driveline:Differential Unit
6
complaints
Crashes
—
Fires
—
Avg Miles
—
Seat Belts:Front:Retractor
6
complaints
Crashes
1
Fires
—
Avg Miles
93,461
Service Brakes, Hydraulic:Foundation Components
6
complaints
Crashes
2
Fires
—
Avg Miles
—
Service Brakes, Hydraulic:Foundation Components:Disc:Rotor
6
complaints
Crashes
—
Fires
—
Avg Miles
92,170
Tires:Tread/Belt
6
complaints
Crashes
—
Fires
—
Avg Miles
93,242
Engine & Cooling
5
complaints
Crashes
—
Fires
2
Avg Miles
10
Search Owner Complaints
Read what owners actually reported to NHTSA for the 1998 Dodge 1500. Type a keyword (e.g. “transmission”, “stalling”, “brakes”) to filter.
Other Dodge 1500 Years
1998 Dodge 1500 — FAQ
Answers based on real NHTSA complaint and recall data for this specific model year.
Is the 1998 Dodge 1500 reliable?
Verdict: Typical for Model. The 1998 Dodge 1500 has 645 NHTSA complaints, 89 crash-related, and 0 recall campaigns. The most common issue is Structural Problems with 83 complaints. Source: NHTSA via VinItel.
What are common problems with the 1998 Dodge 1500?
Top reported problems: Structural Problems (83 complaints, avg 97,688 mi); Automatic Transmission (34 complaints, avg 90,055 mi); Air Bags:Frontal (33 complaints, avg 69,000 mi). Every complaint is filed by an owner with NHTSA — this is raw reported data, not editorial opinion.
At what mileage do problems start on the 1998 Dodge 1500?
The weighted average mileage at time of complaint is about 110,918 miles. Some components fail earlier, some later — check the "All Problems by Category" table above for per-issue averages.
How safe is the 1998 Dodge 1500?
NHTSA complaints for the 1998 Dodge 1500 include 89 crash-related reports, 18 fire reports, 71 injuries, and 19 fatalities. These are owner-reported incidents, not official crash-test ratings — a complaint being filed doesn't confirm a defect, but clusters around specific components are worth investigating.
Does the 1998 Dodge 1500 have any recalls?
No NHTSA recall campaigns have been issued for the 1998 Dodge 1500 as of the latest data sync. Verify by VIN for the most current status — new recalls can be issued years after a model year ships.
Should I buy a 1998 Dodge 1500?
Complaint levels are in line with what's expected. Normal used-car due diligence applies — check the specific VIN for accident history, open recalls, and title brands.
Source: NHTSA (National Highway Traffic Safety Administration) complaint and recall databases, aggregated by VinItel.
Wider context: See the full Dodge 1500 reliability report with year-by-year comparison and generation analysis.
Check Your Specific 1998 Dodge 1500
Real owner complaints tell you about the model. The VIN tells you about your specific car — accidents, title issues, odometer fraud.
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