1998 Dodge Ram 3500: problems, recalls and reliability
1 recall and 105 owner complaints on record; the weakest area is power train (18% of complaints); the 2000 model year looks more trouble-free.
Data updated weekly · latest recall Mar 2008
All counts are reports filed with NHTSA in the United States - US market only, not worldwide totals.
Common problems
Computed from 105 owner complaints filed with NHTSA for this exact model year.
“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.”Owner report · Electrical System · Dec 2018
“Tl* the contact owns a 1998 dodge ram 3500. While driving 5 mph, the vehicle pulled to the right independently. While making a left turn, the front passenger side wheel detached. The anti-brake and brake system warning lights illuminated. The vehicle was taken to an independent mechanic where it was diagnosed that the wheel bearing failed due to the tie rods and the wheel hub needed to be replaced. The vehicle was repaired, but the tie rods were not replaced. The VIN was not included in NHTSA campaign number: 08e027000 (steering). The manufacturer was not made aware of the failure. The failure mileage was 173,000.”Owner report · Suspension · Mar 2016
“Tl* the contact owns a 1998 dodge ram 3500. The contact stated that the headlights and running lights failed to activate. The vehicle was taken to an independent mechanic, who diagnosed that the wiring melted to the connector and the internal switch was melted. The vehicle was repaired but the failure persisted. The manufacturer was not made aware of the failure. The approximate failure mileage was 120,000.”Owner report · Exterior Lighting · Jul 2013
Show 7 more owner reports
“Tl*the contact owns a 1998 dodge ram 3500. While the contact was driving approximately 55 mph, a chime sounded inside the vehicle and the air bag warning indicator began to illuminate intermittently. The vehicle was taken to the dealer for diagnosis. The failure was related to the clockspring. The part was ordered and the vehicle would be repaired when the part became available. The failure mileage was 92,000.”Owner report · Air Bags · Aug 2010
“I was loading my tractor on my trailer, when I noticed the receiver hitch tearing away from my truck fame. I called dodge and they would not fix it under recall #872. *tr”Owner report · Trailer Hitches · Mar 2009
“The service brakes fail completely often. I believe that it's in the antilock system however when I take it for evaluation & repair the problem cannot be duplicated. This has caused numerous near collisions and I haven't found a way to repair it yet. The dealer says they cannot replace suspected parts issues without a recall being issued. The 1st failure occurred at about 19,000 miles and has happened approximately 14 times between then and 102,000 miles now. *tr”Owner report · Service Brakes, Hydraulic · Feb 2009
“Dashboard cracked and caved in when I hit a bump while driving approx 68 mph on the freeway (I- 15 northbound through las vegas). Plastic falling into the dashboard area disconnected several wires causing the headlights to go out as well as several other electrical accessories. Freeway was well lit enough for me to stop safely and call for assistance. *tr”Owner report · Electrical System · May 2008
“Tl*the contact owns a 1998 dodge ram 3500. Over the past five years, the contact has replaced the headlight switch seven times. The switch currently needs to be replaced for the eighth time. His VIN was not included in NHTSA campaign id number 99v024000 (exterior lighting: headlights: switch). The purchase date was unknown. The current mileage was 280,000 and failure mileage was 75,000.”Owner report · Exterior Lighting · Nov 2007
“Tl*- the wiring of the headlight harness switch burned on the contact's 1998 dodge ram 3500. There was a recall for this failure, but this vehicle was not included due to the VIN. The dodge dealer refused to acknowledge that the prior years vehicles and this truck were having the same failures and refused to honor the recall. He called dodge, and they also refused to honor the recall. He had to repair the vehicle at his own cost.*ak”Owner report · Electrical System · Jan 2007
“Dt*: the contact stated after the vehicle was parked for two days, the alarm suddenly sounded. By the time the door was opened, smoke had filled the cab. The vehicle was towed to the dealer who determined the wiring harness under the driver seat shorted out causing the wires to burn. The dealer replaced three wiring harnesses, the fuse box and the fuses.”Owner report · Electrical System · Oct 2006
When filing, owners marked a crash in 12 of these complaints and injuries in 11 - self-reported to NHTSA, not verified accident statistics.
Recalls - 1 campaign
AFFINIA IS RECALLING 5,700 AFTERMARKET CHASSIS TIE ROD ASSEMBLIES MANUFACTURED FROM MARCH 28, 2006 THROUGH MARCH 17, 2008, SOLD FOR USE ON MY 1998 AND 1999 DODGE RAM 2500 AND 3500 HEAVY DUTY TRUCKS. THE DUST SEAL SUPPLIED WITH THE CHASSIS TIE RODS WERE MANUFACTURED TO THE WRONG SPECIFICATION. AS A CONSEQUENCE, THE DUST SEAL MAY PREVENT THE BALL STUD OF THE CHASSIS TIE ROD FROM PROPERLY SEATING INTO THE TAPER OF THE VEHICLE STEERING KNUCKLE DURING AFTERMARKET INSTALLATION.
Remedy: AFFINIA WILL NOTIFY OWNERS AND REPLACE THE AFFECTED CHASSIS TIE ROD ASSEMBLIES FREE OF CHARGE. THE RECALL IS EXPECTED TO BEGIN DURING APRIL 2008. OWNERS MAY CONTACT AFFINIA AT 734-827-5400.
How other years compare
Check your exact Ram 3500 by VIN
Recalls and equipment differ between individual vehicles. Decode your VIN to see what applies to yours.
Open VIN decoderFrequently asked questions
Is the 1998 Dodge Ram 3500 reliable?
NHTSA has 105 owner complaints and 1 recall campaign on record for the 1998 Dodge Ram 3500. The most complained-about area is power train (18% of complaints).
At what mileage do 1998 Dodge Ram 3500 problems usually appear?
Half of the complaints that mention mileage were filed at 92,090 miles or less.
Does the 1998 Dodge Ram 3500 have open recalls?
1 recall campaign has been issued, the latest concerning steering:linkages:tie rod assembly. Check your specific vehicle by VIN - recall repairs are free at franchised dealers.
Source: NHTSA recall campaigns and owner complaints (public domain). Counts reflect reports on file and are not a defect rate.