Summary
The 1998 Dodge Ram has 18 recalls, the most serious involving multiple fire risks, a brake rotor that can crack and shed a wheel, and airbags that can deploy without warning.
Several recalls involve fire hazards. On trucks with the 8.0L V-10 or 5.9L V-8 gasoline engines, an exhaust heat shield screw sits too close to the underbody fuel line and can wear through it, allowing fuel to leak near an ignition source. Trucks with the 5.9L 24-valve diesel engine have a low-pressure fuel supply tube in the engine compartment that can fracture and leak, with the same fire risk. On van variants, battery acid leaking onto the anti-lock brake module connector can cause a short circuit and fire. The airbag concern also applies to vans: a heavy impact on the airbag control module under the driver's seat can trigger unintended deployment.
On the structural side, brake rotors on certain trucks lack sufficient material strength and can develop hub cracks that spread around the wheel bolt circle, eventually separating the wheel. Trailer hitch side brackets can fatigue and fracture where they mount to the frame. Some trucks also have cab and heater core support bolts that were not properly hardened, which can reduce crash protection.
Seatbelt buckles on some Club Cab and Quad Cab models were not properly riveted to their support straps and may not hold full load in a crash. A vehicle speed sensor malfunction can cause an unexpected high idle, making the truck accelerate beyond what
Also recalled in Canada