10.0

really awful
Crashes / Fires:
1 / 0
Injuries / Deaths:
4 / 0
Average Mileage:
64,466 miles

About These NHTSA Complaints:

This data is from the NHTSA — the US gov't agency tasked with vehicle safety. Complaints are spread across multiple & redundant categories, & are not organized by problem.

So how do you find out what problems are occurring? For this NHTSA complaint data, the only way is to read through the comments below. Any duplicates or errors? It's not us.

1998 Dodge Ram 1500 body / paint problems

body / paint problem

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1998 Dodge Ram 1500 Owner Comments (Page 2 of 5)

« Read the previous 20 complaints

problem #69

Jan 012008

Ram 1500 8-cyl

  • miles

A D V E R T I S E M E N T S

I own a 1998 Dodge Ram 1500 truck that has a strange issue. For years I have suffered with a cracked dashboard that continues to deteriorate. There are many exposed elements that I feel would compromise my safety if I were involved in an accident in this vehicle. The sharp edges made by the cracks are also a hazard as well. Just today, I have learned that countless Dodge owners have this problem as well and the company has seemed to turn a deaf ear. I actually stumbled across the information about the large number of complaints as I was searching online to find a replacement for my vehicle dashboard. I have been using mats and towels or whatever I could conjure to cover up the problem for a year or so, but now the damage is way more than that type of "bandaid" can fix. For the most part, what I have learned is that to purchase a replacement of the same type of dash is a waste of money, because the quality of the material is still the same, and it will eventually fail as well. I certainly feel that Dodge is responsible for replacement of the said part due to their negligence in ensuring the safety and stability of this component. It is by no means coincidental that all the people have the exact same complaint. I have owned many vehicles and never have I had such an experience!

- Enterprise, AL, USA

problem #68

Mar 182009

Ram 1500 8-cyl

  • 198,000 miles
Severely cracking dash, producing sharp edges and large shards potentially causing injury to driver and passengers.

- Atlanta, GA, USA

problem #67

Jan 152011

Ram 1500

  • 124,000 miles
1998 Dodge Ram dashboard is crumbling into little pieces. I smell burnt wires coming from my dash sometimes. I feel it may start a fire.

- Willliams, AZ, USA

problem #66

Aug 131999

Ram 1500 8-cyl

  • miles

A D V E R T I S E M E N T S

My dashboard has cracked all over where it mounts to the frame and there are little sharp pieces floating around the cracked areas.

- Marion, TX, USA

problem #65

Dec 142009

Ram 1500

  • 40,123 miles
The dash comes apart into small pieces.

- Tulsa, OK, USA

problem #64

Jul 072004

Ram 1500 8-cyl

  • 80,000 miles
Noticed in 2004 the dash of my 98 Dodge Ram 1500 was beginning to crack and recently noticed it has gotten considerably worse too where a big piece has came out.

- Smithville, GA, USA

problem #63

Sep 302010

Ram 1500 8-cyl

  • 111,000 miles

A D V E R T I S E M E N T S

My son and I purchased A1998 Dodge Ram 1500 club cab pick up truck and the dash started coming apart (cracking/collapsing in chunks) and in one instance after driving down the bumpy dirt roads here in SC (which is like driving down a set of railroad tracks at times even at low speeds). Part of the dash flew up a caught me in the eye and face. I wear glass', so I didn't suffer serious injury, but could have easy enough. I have since used a cover, but so much of the dash has now fallen apart that's not a solution anymore. I'm not sure who designed this dash, but I also drive a 05 Dodge durango and a 06 Dodge police charger and this has not yet happened in them. The dash seems to have gotten worse and worse to the point I'm not sure what's holding it to the rest of the truck. This is dangerous and we need a new dash or to have some type of hard cover. Doesn't seem fair we would have to spend the extra money.

- Aiken, SC, USA

problem #62

May 052008

Ram 1500

  • miles
Plastic dash on 1998 Dodge Ram 1500. The dash started with 1 small crack then the whole dash is cracked everywhere. If involved in a wreck the dash would be dangerous to everyone inside from the flying pieces.

- Virginia Beach, VA, USA

problem #61

Jun 012010

Ram 1500

  • miles
1998 Dodge 1500 dash cracked and came apart in two places, has very sharp edges that can cut hands.

- St Joseph, MO, USA

problem #60

Feb 132009

Ram 1500

  • miles
Cracked dash cover is a hazard.

- Theodore, AL, USA

problem #59

May 202010

Ram 1500

  • miles

A D V E R T I S E M E N T S

We own three Dodge Ram, the 99 & 98 dashes have cracked up due to Dodge using cheap material. We can not afford the $1200 to replace just one of the dash, nor can we find a used one. Now my 6yr grandchild has cut his hand from one of the cracks sharp edges. I am very disappointed in this, I love my personal truck but I unable to keep my grandson safe in it.

- De Leon, TX, USA

problem #58

Feb 182007

Ram 1500

  • miles
Dashboard hole keeps getting larger 1998 Dodge Ram.

- Midlothian, VA, USA

problem #57

Mar 012010

Ram 1500

  • 164,000 miles
I have a 1998 Dodge Ram 1500. My dash board is cracking and falling apart. Do not understand how this could be happening, as no unusual use of the vehicle.

- The Woodlands, TX, USA

problem #56

Dec 012009

Ram 1500

  • 74,000 miles
The contact owns a 1998 Dodge Ram. The contact stated that while the vehicle was parked he noticed the dash board of the vehicle was cracked badly. The contact stated that the weather was not hot and was not a factor with the vehicle dash board defect. The contact had pieces of the dashboard fly into his eyes. He took the vehicle to the dealer for diagnostic and testing. The dealer stated that the owner of the vehicle would have to pay for the repairs. There had been no repairs done at the time of the complaint. The approximate failure mileage was 74,000. The approximate current mileage was 85,000.

- Buna, TX, USA

problem #55

Jan 012008

Ram 1500

  • 89,000 miles
I have a 1998 Dodge Ram 1500 with a cracked dash and researched other years with the same problem. I have call Dodge like a lot of others have with no results. My concern is with the windows down I have had a peace of the dash fly in to face while driving. And I think it is a safety issue. Now I cant roll down the windows with out fear of been hit in the face again......

- Stanford , KY, USA

problem #54

Jun 012009

Ram 1500

  • 130,000 miles
The dashboard is cracked and exposing the electrical system. There are also sharpe edges exposed causing a safety risk.

- Toney, AL, USA

problem #53

Jan 202010

Ram 1500

  • 155,240 miles
1998 Dodge Ram 4X4 sle pick-up truck with cracked dash. Sharp edges on dash has caused an injury to my hand whiling cleaning the window. Damage was not caused by any person or persons in your around the vehicle. The cracked dash is a common problem in 2nd generate Dodge picks (1994-2001).

- New London, OH, USA

problem #52

Mar 132009

Ram 1500

  • 125,000 miles
1998 Dodge Ram 1500, severely cracked dash.

- Savannah, GA, USA

problem #51

Oct 012008

Ram 1500

  • 140,000 miles
Cracking dash on Dodge Ram something needs to be done since Chrysler will not. Cracks are causing sharp edges and electrical problems.

- Chicago, IL, USA

problem #50

Jun 152009

Ram 1500

  • 130,000 miles
I just wanted to know about Dodge Ram trucks I own a 98 Dodge truck is there any recalls about the dashes cracking and coming apart while your driving this is what happened to me I almost wrecked my trucked please let me know thank you

- Wilmington, NC, USA

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