1998 Dodge RAM 3500 Problems, Complaints & Recalls

Source: NHTSA · Updated Dec 3, 2018 · 105 owner complaints analyzed

Compared with other RAM 3500 years
Fewer complaints than other years 14th of 18 for complaints
Safety recalls
None on file
NHTSA crash rating
Not rated

Owners have filed 105 complaints with NHTSA about the 1998 Dodge RAM 3500. That ranks 14th out of 18 RAM 3500 model years for complaints. The most reported problem area is power train (19 complaints, 18%), typically at around 117,620 miles. Complaints mention 12 crashes, 10 fires, 11 injuries. There are no safety recalls on file for this model year. NHTSA has opened 1 defect investigation involving it.

Complaints are unverified owner reports and are not adjusted for sales volume.

Compare with another car

Most common 1998 Dodge RAM 3500 problems

Complaints grouped by the part of the car owners reported, with the median mileage when the problem happened.

Power Train19 · ~117,620 mi
Electrical System14 · ~106,090 mi
Exterior Lighting14 · ~77,250 mi
Service Brakes, Hydraulic14 · ~65,700 mi
Air Bags9 · ~88,000 mi
Steering8 · ~236,500 mi
Engine and Engine Cooling7 · ~158,500 mi
Fuel System, Gasoline6 · ~127,177 mi
Vehicle Speed Control5
Suspension4 · ~173,000 mi
Problem areaComplaintsShareMedian milesOwners mention mostTypical repair cost
Power Train1918%117,620——
Electrical System1413%106,090——
Exterior Lighting1413%77,250——
Service Brakes, Hydraulic1413%65,700——
Air Bags99%88,000——
Steering88%236,500——
Engine and Engine Cooling77%158,500——
Fuel System, Gasoline66%127,177——
Vehicle Speed Control55%———
Suspension44%173,000——
Unknown or Other44%88,807——
Seat Belts33%101,000——
Structure33%115,000——
Fuel System, Diesel22%122,590——
Interior Lighting22%———
Parking Brake22%130,000——
Service Brakes22%261,500——
Visibility22%———
Fuel/propulsion System11%70,000——
Fuel System, Other11%170,000——
Service Brakes, Air11%46,565——
Service Brakes, Electric11%———
Trailer Hitches11%88,000——
Visibility/wiper11%———

One complaint can list several problem areas, so shares can add up to more than 100%.

Complaints by year received

Peak: 2003, with 16 complaints
1998: 7199871999: 14142000: 102000102001: 10102002: 9200292003: 16162004: 7200472005: 772006: 4200642007: 222008: 2200822009: 442010: 2201022011: 112012: 1201212014: 222016: 2201622017: 442018: 120181

n = 105 complaints · Source: NHTSA

1998 Dodge RAM 3500 recalls (0)

No safety recalls are on file for the 1998 Dodge RAM 3500.

To see whether a specific car still has an open recall, enter its VIN on NHTSA's official recall lookup. You can also decode a VIN here.

NHTSA defect investigations

  • Tire valve (PE02049) — opened Jun 3, 2002, closed Oct 1, 2002.

Recent owner reports

Short excerpts of the latest complaints filed with NHTSA, with personal details removed. Full reports can be searched on NHTSA.gov.

At least the third time i have replace the headlight switch, twice the harness because it melted together. And now today having to replace marker wire (green with white stripe) and it is to hot to touch, the wire has gone stiff and hard and i am afraid it will cause a fire this time.

Electrical System · received Dec 3, 2018 · NHTSA complaint 11155548

Dashboard is cracked and disintegrating

Unknown or Other · received Nov 12, 2017 · NHTSA complaint 11045458

Dashboard is disintegrating and has sharp shards that cuts hands when cleaning it.

Unknown or Other · received Jul 31, 2017 · NHTSA complaint 11011839

Defroster won't work due to broken dash

Visibility/wiper · received Jul 30, 2017 · NHTSA complaint 11011520

Broken dash. I bought trk new in 98. In 2000 i found a crack in my dash. I went to my local dealer and the serv. Mngr. Advised it was a cosmetic issue therefore not covered by warranty. I did not replace dash as it was quoted as over 750 to r/r. Over years it has gotten worse. For last couple of…

Unknown or Other · received Jul 24, 2017 · NHTSA complaint 11010286

Other Dodge RAM 3500 years

← 1997 RAM 3500 · 1999 RAM 3500 →

See all Dodge RAM 3500 problems by year, every Dodge model, or the Dodge VIN decoder.

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Frequently asked questions

What are the most common problems with the 1998 Dodge RAM 3500?

Owners most often report power train, electrical system, exterior lighting problems. The top one, power train, accounts for 19 complaints.

Was there a recall on the 1998 Dodge RAM 3500?

No safety recalls are on file for this model year.

Was the 1998 Dodge RAM 3500 a good year?

Complaint data can't fully answer that, because counts aren't adjusted for sales. Compared with other RAM 3500 model years, the 1998 has fewer complaints than most years. Always get a pre-purchase inspection and check the VIN for open recalls.