1998 Dodge RAM 3500 problems and owner complaints
Explore the records behind recurring owner reports.
Key facts
84 owner complaints analyzed
0 distinct recall campaigns
92,090 mi median reported failure mileage
Scope: 1998 model year. Data snapshot: . 46 complaints include usable failure mileage.
Most common problems
Exterior Lighting:Headlights:Switch is the most frequently named component, appearing in 8 of 84 complaints (9.5%). A complaint can name multiple components.
| Topic | Matching reports | Share of complaints |
|---|---|---|
| Braking behavior | 19 | 22.6% |
| Electrical and battery issues | 12 | 14.3% |
| Transmission and shifting | 9 | 10.7% |
| Fuel system concerns | 7 | 8.3% |
| Steering behavior | 6 | 7.1% |
| Engine operation | 5 | 6.0% |
Topic matches use published keyword rules. They describe mentions, including negations or comparisons, and do not confirm a diagnosis. Read the matching rules.
Component breakdown
Number of unique complaints naming each component. Top eight shown.
| Category | Count |
|---|---|
| Exterior Lighting:Headlights:Switch | 8 |
| Power Train:Manual Transmission | 8 |
| Air Bags:Frontal | 5 |
| Electrical System | 5 |
| Service Brakes, Hydraulic:Antilock/Traction Control/Electronic Limited Slip | 5 |
| Electrical System:Wiring:Interior/Under Dash | 4 |
| Exterior Lighting:Headlights | 4 |
| Power Train:Automatic Transmission | 4 |
Exterior Lighting:Headlights:Switch: 8; Power Train:Manual Transmission: 8; Air Bags:Frontal: 5; Electrical System: 5; Service Brakes, Hydraulic:Antilock/Traction Control/Electronic Limited Slip: 5; Electrical System:Wiring:Interior/Under Dash: 4; Exterior Lighting:Headlights: 4; Power Train:Automatic Transmission: 4
Reported problems by failure mileage
Complaint counts in mileage bands. These are not failure rates per vehicle or mile.
| Category | Count |
|---|---|
| Under 25,000 | 2 |
| 25,000 to 49,999 | 4 |
| 50,000 to 74,999 | 6 |
| 75,000 to 99,999 | 14 |
| 100,000 to 149,999 | 8 |
| 150,000 and above | 12 |
Under 25,000: 2; 25,000 to 49,999: 4; 50,000 to 74,999: 6; 75,000 to 99,999: 14; 100,000 to 149,999: 8; 150,000 and above: 12
75,000 to 99,999 miles has the most reports with usable mileage (14). 38 complaints have missing, zero or invalid mileage.
Complaints over time
Year the complaint was filed, not the vehicle model year or incident year. The snapshot year is partial.
| Category | Count |
|---|---|
| 2000 | 10 |
| 2001 | 10 |
| 2002 | 9 |
| 2003 | 16 |
| 2004 | 7 |
| 2005 | 7 |
| 2006 | 4 |
| 2007 | 2 |
| 2008 | 2 |
| 2009 | 4 |
| 2010 | 2 |
| 2011 | 1 |
| 2012 | 1 |
| 2014 | 2 |
| 2016 | 2 |
| 2017 | 4 |
| 2018 | 1 |
2000: 10; 2001: 10; 2002: 9; 2003: 16; 2004: 7; 2005: 7; 2006: 4; 2007: 2; 2008: 2; 2009: 4; 2010: 2; 2011: 1; 2012: 1; 2014: 2; 2016: 2; 2017: 4; 2018: 1
Pattern summary
Exterior Lighting:Headlights:Switch leads the component reports. Braking behavior appears in 19 complaint narratives. Electrical and battery issues appears in 12 complaint narratives. Transmission and shifting appears in 9 complaint narratives. Use these patterns to inspect individual reports and prepare questions for a mechanic.
Calculated from recorded counts. An AI narrative has not been published for this selection.
Complaint evidence
Examples provide context, not a representative sample or a verified diagnosis.
Owner report 10023748 · 2003-06-25 (June 25, 2003)
EMERGENCY BRAKE RELEASES WITHOUT PULLING THE RELEASE LEVER. RANDOMLY POPS OFF. *NLM
Owner-reported narrative. 130,000 miles reported. Look up ODI 10023748 at NHTSA ↗
Owner report 10037427 · 2003-09-08 (September 8, 2003)
1998-2001 B-VAN (DODGE FULL SIZE) BS CONTROL MODULE IS PROTECTED WITH A 40 AMP FUSE. A 10 GA. WIRE COMES OUT OF THE CONTROL MODULE THEN THE WIRE "Y"'S OUT TO TWO 14 GA. WIRES. IT APPEARS AS THOUGH THE ABS PUMP OR RELAY STICKS ON THESE VEHICLES. THEN ONE OF THE 14 GA. WIRES OVER HEATS AND STARTS THE WIRING HARNESS ON FIRE. THE 40 AMP FUSE DOES NOT BLOW. THE FIRE CONTINUES UNTIL THE ENTIRE VAN IS FULLY ENGULED IN FLAMES.*AK
Owner-reported narrative. 46,565 miles reported. Look up ODI 10037427 at NHTSA ↗
Owner report 10015820 · 2003-04-14 (April 14, 2003)
THE ELECTRICAL WIRES BECAME VERY HOT AND MELTED, AND SHORTED OUT THE HEAD LIGHT SWITCH AND DISABLED THE PARKING LIGHTS. *JB *TS
Owner-reported narrative. 80,000 miles reported. Look up ODI 10015820 at NHTSA ↗
Owner report 10005358 · 2003-02-05 (February 5, 2003)
LOSS OF FIFTH GEAR (MANUAL TRANSMISSION) WHILE GOING UP A MOUNTAIN ON INTERSTATE 25 IN WYOMING RESULTING IN RAPID DECELERATION OF VEHICLE. THE PROBLEM WAS RECOGNIZED BY CHRYSLER IN 1994 AND SERVICE BULLITENS WHERE ISSUED TO DEALERS. I HAVE DISCUSSED THIS WITH NUMEROUS OWNERS OF THIS SAME MODEL AND HAVE FOUND IT TO BE A COMMON PROBLEM ENCOUNTERED AT VARIOUS MILEAGES. CHRYSLER REFUSES TO DO ANYTHING ABOUT DUE TO "OUT OF WARRANTY" STATUS, THE REPAIR WOULD BE PERFORMED NO QUESTIONS ASKED IF WITHIN THE WARRANTY PERIOD.
Owner-reported narrative. 163,100 miles reported. Look up ODI 10005358 at NHTSA ↗
Owner report 10046029 · 2003-11-11 (November 11, 2003)
DRIVING DOWN INTRASTATE HIGHWAY IN 5TH GEAR, COMPLETE LOSS OF POWER (AS IF SHIFTING INTO NEUTRAL). VEHICLE TAKEN TO TRANSMISSION SHOP...NUT HOLDING 5TH GEAR BACKED OFF--DISENGAGING 5TH GEAR. THIS IS A WELL KNOW PROBLEM WITH DODGE DIESELS. DODGE INTRODUCED A RETROFIT KIT TO HOPEFULLY RESOLVE PROBLEM. IF THE PROBLEM REQUIRES A RETROFIT, WHY NOT RECALL THE TRANSMISSIONS AND FIX THE PROBLEM. A NUT BACKING OUT COST ME $1400 PLUS 2 WEEKS OF NO VEHICLE...AN PHELPS. *AK
Owner-reported narrative. 45,000 miles reported. Look up ODI 10046029 at NHTSA ↗
Owner report 10004783 · 2003-01-28 (January 28, 2003)
THE FUEL PUMP BROKE CAUSING A FUEL LEAK AND BLACK SMOKE OCCURRED. DEALER WAS NOTIFIED. TS
Owner-reported narrative. 127,177 miles reported. Look up ODI 10004783 at NHTSA ↗
Owner report 10019940 · 2003-05-15 (May 15, 2003)
THE FUEL PICKUP PUMP BURNED THE INJECTOR PUMP. *NLM
Owner-reported narrative. Look up ODI 10019940 at NHTSA ↗
Owner report 10138246 · 2006-01-23 (January 23, 2006)
MY VEHICLE COMPLETELY STALLED AND LOST POWER AT 70 MPH LEAVING ME WITH NO POWER STEERING OR POWER BRAKES. I WAS BARELY ABLE TO FORCE THE VEHICLE INTO THE BREAKDOWN LANE. I BROUGHT IT TO A DODGE DEALER WHERE IT COST ME $3,700. FOR AN ECM COMPUTER AND INJECTOR PUMP FOR THIS DIESEL ENGINE. EIGHT MONTHS PREVIOUS I HAD REPLACED THE LIFT PUMP AT A COST OF OVER $800. I NOW UNDERSTAND THAT THE NHTSA HAS EARLIER INVESTIGATED THIS DIESEL ENGINE AND FOUND NO 'SAFETY' PROBLEM RELATING TO THIS FAILURE. I FURTHER UNDERSTAND THAT THERE WAS A 'LIMITED' R…
Owner-reported narrative. 153,000 miles reported. Look up ODI 10138246 at NHTSA ↗
Owner report 10664549 · 2014-12-16 (December 16, 2014)
DRIVING ON A HIGHWAY TRAVELING AT 75 MPH, THE VEHICLE SUDDENLY SHOOK VIOLENTLY AND IT WAS VERY DIFFICULT TO KEEP A GRIP ON THE STEERING WHEEL OR SWITCH TO THE BRAKE PEDAL. I WAS THRUST AROUND IN MY SEAT AND ITEMS FROM UNDER THE BACK SEAT WERE THROWN FORWARD INTO THE DASH OF THE VEHICLE AS WELL. VEHICLES AROUND ME ALSO NOTICED AND SLOWED DOWN AND STEERED CLEAR OF MY VEHICLE. I WAS ABLE TO SLOW TO A STOP AT THE CURB AND IT STOPPED. THAT WAS THE FIRST INCIDENT. I DID LOOK OVER THE FRONT END AND FELT THE TIE-RODS, ECT TO TEST AND EVERYTHING IS …
Owner-reported narrative. 300,000 miles reported. Look up ODI 10664549 at NHTSA ↗