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1998 Dodge Ram 1500 Regular Cab (2WD)

The 1998 Dodge Ram 1500 Regular Cab (2WD) is a 175-hp 3.9-liter V6 pickup truck with a 5-speed manual and rear-wheel drive. It starts at $16,335 MSRP.

It makes 175 horsepower at 4,800 rpm and 230 lb-ft of torque at 3200 rpm. EPA fuel-economy estimates are 15 mpg city and 21 mpg highway.

The Ram 1500 measures 199.9 inches long on a 118.7-inch wheelbase and has a curb weight of 4,040 lb.

Spec Value
Vehicle
Body TypePickup
PowertrainGas
Price
MSRP$16,335 ($32,570 *)
Engine
Engine Type3.9L Magnum OHV V6
Displacement3.9 L
Horsepower175 hp @ 4,800 rpm
Torque230 lb-ft @ 3200 rpm
ValvetrainOHV, 2 valves/cylinder
Injection TypeMulti-port fuel injection
Drivetrain
Drive TypeRWD
Transmission
Transmission5-speed manual
1st Gear4.03
2nd Gear2.33
3rd Gear1.38
4th Gear1
5th Gear0.73
Reverse3.57
Final Drive3.21
Fuel Economy
City15 MPG
Highway21 MPG
Recommended FuelRegular unleaded
Tank Capacity26 gal
Suspension
Front SuspensionWide Track independent
Rear SuspensionLeaf spring, solid axle
Turning Diameter40.6 ft
Brakes
Front Brake Disc11.6 x 1.26"
Tires & Wheels
Wheels Front16 x 7.0"
Wheels Rear16 x 7.0"
Tires FrontP225/75R16XL
Tires RearP225/75R16XL
Dimensions & Weight
Length199.9 in
Width79.3 in
Height71.9 in
Wheelbase118.7 in
Ground Clearance8.8 in
Curb Weight4,040 lbs
Weight Distribution (F/R)58.2% / 41.8%
Interior
Headroom Front40.2 in
Legroom Front41 in
Shoulder Room Front66 in
Hip Room Front65.6 in
Hip Room Rear65.6 in
* Amount adjusted for inflation to 2026 dollars

Safety & Recalls

NCAP safety ratings

Overall Not rated
Frontal crash Not rated
Frontal – driver ★★★★★
Frontal – passenger ★★★★★
Side crash Not rated
Rollover Not rated
Tested variant: 1998 Dodge Ram 1500 Extended Cab

Recalls

1 recall on file with NHTSA for the 1998 Dodge RAM 1500. Not every recall applies to every trim or VIN — check yours at nhtsa.gov/recalls.

Mar 15, 2006 · ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING

CERTAIN REPLACEMENT K&N FUEL PERFORMANCE KITS, P/NOS. 57-1509, 57-1511, 57-1511-1, 57-1517, 57-1517-1, 57-1527, AND 57-1530. ALSO, A SMALL PERCENTAGE OF THESE KITS WERE SOLD UNDER THE MOPAR PERFORMANCE PARTS BRAND NAME (P/NOS. P5007069 AND P5007070). ALL KITS WERE MANUFACTURED FROM APRIL 20, 1999, THROUGH SEPTEMBER 23, 2004. THESE ASSEMBLIES WERE MANUFACTURED AS REPLACEMENT EQUIPMENT FOR CERTAIN DODGE PICKUP TRUCKS AND SUVS. A SMALL PIECE OF MATERIAL FROM THE TUBE WALL COULD BE SUCKED INTO THE ENGINE THROTTLE BODY, WHICH COULD CAUSE THE THROTTLE TO BECOME JAMMED IN THE OPEN POSITION.

Consequence: A JAMMED OPEN THROTTLE COULD CAUSE UNINTENDED ACCELERATION OF THE VEHICLE, POSSIBLY RESULTING IN A CRASH OR INCREASED STOPING DISTANCES WHEN BRAKING.

Remedy: K&N WILL PROVIDE OWNERS WITH A FREE REPAIR KIT ALONG WITH REPAIR INSTRUCTIONS. THE RECALL BEGAN ON APRIL 20, 2006.

NHTSA campaign 06E024000

1,015 owner complaints to NHTSA for the 1998 Dodge RAM

Owner Complaints

1,015 owner complaints filed with NHTSA for the 1998 Dodge RAM (146 mention a crash, 22 a fire, 85 an injury). See all on nhtsa.gov

Most-cited areas
Service Brakes172
Power Train164
Hydraulic160
Air Bags130
Structure120
Electrical System79
A complaint can cite more than one area.
Most recent complaints
Mar 22, 2024 · Seat Belts
“The seatbelt timer module is failing, resulting in the seatbelts staying locked even when fully retracted. This means sometimes I as the driver as well as my front seat passenger cannot buckle up and…”
Feb 22, 2024 · Seat Belts
“The drivers side and passanger side seat belts are locked in the seats. There is no fix, you cant drive truck because you can not use the seat belts, they are made into the seats. No one sells part…”
Mar 24, 2021 · Structure
“I PURCHASED A TRUCK ABOUT 6 MONTHS AGO AND I HAD NOTHING BUT PROBLEMS WITH IT. I HAD TO REPLACED SO MANY THINGS ON IT. I WAS TOLD THAT THE TRUCK ONLY HAD 72,000 MILES ON IT WHEN I BOUGHT IT, AFTER…”
Dec 9, 2020 · Structure
“TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 1998 DODGE RAM 1500. THE CONTACT STATED THE ENTIRE DASHBOARD WAS CRACKED. THE CONTACT STATED AN OCCUPANT SUSTAINED AN INJURY DUE TO THE SHARP DASHBOARD PIECES. THE CONTACT…”
Dec 1, 2020 · Unknown Or Other
“TO DATE, NOTHING HAS HAPPENED, HOWEVER A RECALL WAS ISSUED SAYING THE SECONDARY HOOD LATCH MUST BE REPLACED, AS IT CAN FLY OPEN. WE WERE UNAWARE OF THE RECALL.”

Complaints are unverified reports submitted to NHTSA by owners. They cover the whole model year, not a specific trim, and a count alone doesn't show how common a problem is.

Source: US National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (nhtsa.gov), matched as 1998 DODGE RAM. US-market vehicles only; data cached for up to 7 days.

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