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1998 Dodge RAM 2500

Owner reports · Recalls · Investigations

Similar to other model years

Owner complaints for the 1998 Dodge RAM 2500 do not stand out strongly from the model-year median of 275.

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When problems were reported

Mileage at the reported incident

79 reports with mileage · 146 unknown

NHTSA’s mileage field refers to the reported incident, not necessarily the filing date. This shows report counts, not the likelihood of a failure.

What to inspect

Issues worth paying extra attention to based on owner reports.

  • Service Brakes, Hydraulic. Review the 37 owner reports in this category and discuss these concerns during a pre-purchase inspection. Read reports →
  • Power Train. Review the 29 owner reports in this category and discuss these concerns during a pre-purchase inspection. Read reports →
  • Steering. Review the 24 owner reports in this category and discuss these concerns during a pre-purchase inspection. Read reports →

NHTSA owner reports · September 18, 2026 snapshot.

19 crash reports3 fire reports14 injury reports

Engine And Engine Cooling complaints

13 reports
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160,000 miles · Mar 10, 2006
Engine And Engine CoolingSeatsService Brakes, Hydraulic

DT*: THE CONTACT STATED WHILE DRIVING 70MPH, A SMOKE SMELL WAS NOTICED IN THE CAB OF THE VEHICLE ALTHOUGH NO FLAMES WERE VISIBLE. THE CONTACT PULLED THE VEHICLE OVER AND REMOVED THE MOTOR TO THE ELECTRIC SEAT WHICH MELTED. THERE IS A NHTSA RECALLS, # 04V185000, 98V207000, REGARDING THE ABS MODULE AND THE FUEL SUPPLY TUBE. TH…

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DT*: THE CONTACT STATED WHILE DRIVING 70MPH, A SMOKE SMELL WAS NOTICED IN THE CAB OF THE VEHICLE ALTHOUGH NO FLAMES WERE VISIBLE. THE CONTACT PULLED THE VEHICLE OVER AND REMOVED THE MOTOR TO THE ELECTRIC SEAT WHICH MELTED. THERE IS A NHTSA RECALLS, # 04V185000, 98V207000, REGARDING THE ABS MODULE AND THE FUEL SUPPLY TUBE. THE VEHICLE HAS THE SAME PROBLEMS AS INDICATED IN THE RECALL; HOWEVER IT IS NOT INCLUDED IN THE RECALL DUE TO THE VIN. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO THE DEALER FOR REPAIRS.

NHTSA ODI #10152372

60,000 miles · Dec 29, 2005
Engine And Engine CoolingFire

THE ENGINE CAUGHT FIRE ON A 1998 DODGE RAM 2500 TRUCK. THERE WAS NO WARNING BEFORE IT HAPPENED. THIS HAPPENED ONE BLOCK FROM OUR HOME. THE TRUCK JUST DIED AND A LOT OF SMOKE WAS RELEASED FROM THE FRONT END OF THE CAR. A FEW MOMENTS LATER FIRE ERUPTED AND THERE IS EXTENSIVE DAMAGE TO THE TRUCK. *NM

NHTSA ODI #10146517

Mileage unknown · Sep 28, 2005
Engine And Engine CoolingService Brakes, HydraulicSteering

THE CONSUMER PURCHASED THE VEHICLE ALREADY INSPECTED BY THE DEALER. A FEW DAYS LATER THE CONSUMER TOOK THE VEHICLE TO A LOCAL MEINEKE BECAUSE OF A SQUEAKING NOISE. THE VEHICLE WAS CHECKED AND THE CONSUMER WAS TOLD THAT THE VEHICLE SHOULD HAVE NEVER PASSED INSPECTION DUE TO NUMEROUS PROBLEMS FOUND WITH THE VEHICLE. *TS THE MEI…

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THE CONSUMER PURCHASED THE VEHICLE ALREADY INSPECTED BY THE DEALER. A FEW DAYS LATER THE CONSUMER TOOK THE VEHICLE TO A LOCAL MEINEKE BECAUSE OF A SQUEAKING NOISE. THE VEHICLE WAS CHECKED AND THE CONSUMER WAS TOLD THAT THE VEHICLE SHOULD HAVE NEVER PASSED INSPECTION DUE TO NUMEROUS PROBLEMS FOUND WITH THE VEHICLE. *TS THE MEINEKE TECH STATED THAT EH VEHICLE SHOULD NOT HAVE PASSED INSPECT DUE TO NUMEROUS VIOLATIONS. THE VEHICLE NEEDS 2 WHEEL BEARINGS, TRACK BAR, STEERING SHOCK, 2 HUB ASSEMBLIES, BRAKE LINES, OXYGEN SENSOR AND A NEW LICENSE PLATE BULB. THE CONSUMER CONTACTED THE DEALER TO GET HIS MONEY BACK BUT THEY REFUSED. *NM

NHTSA ODI #10138857

60,000 miles · Apr 24, 2005
Engine And Engine Cooling

DODGE DIESEL LIFT PUMP FAILURE. *JB

NHTSA ODI #10118347

132,000 miles · Feb 4, 2005
Engine And Engine Cooling

I DROVE THE TRUCK AS NORMAL AND THE BLOCK DEVELOPED A CRACK IN THE RIGHT SIDE THE FAILURE IS THE WATER JACKET OF THE BLOCK THAT KEEPS THE COOLING FLUID INSIDE THE ENGINE. THIS MEANS I AM NOT ABLE TO DRIVE THE TRUCK WITHOUT FILLING THE COOLING FLUID EVERY 300 MILES. THIS IS A 53 BLOCK MANY PEOPLE HAVE HAD PROBLEMS WITH THESE!!!…

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I DROVE THE TRUCK AS NORMAL AND THE BLOCK DEVELOPED A CRACK IN THE RIGHT SIDE THE FAILURE IS THE WATER JACKET OF THE BLOCK THAT KEEPS THE COOLING FLUID INSIDE THE ENGINE. THIS MEANS I AM NOT ABLE TO DRIVE THE TRUCK WITHOUT FILLING THE COOLING FLUID EVERY 300 MILES. THIS IS A 53 BLOCK MANY PEOPLE HAVE HAD PROBLEMS WITH THESE!!!!! I CONTACTED DODGE AND THE SAY THERE IS NOTHING THEY CAN DO. I WILL NEED A NEW BLOCK/ENGINE...$6500 FOR A NEW ONE..$3500 FOR USED. *JB

NHTSA ODI #10109820

56,500 miles · Aug 26, 2004
Engine And Engine Cooling

MY 1998 DODGE RAM 2500 TRUCK'S ENGINE, WITH JUST OVER 56,000 MILES ON IT, EXPLODED INTERNALLY. MY MECHANIC, COLONIAL AUTO REPAIR OF DANBURY CT. STATED THE BOLTS ON THE INTAKE MANIFOLD LOOSENED AND ALLOWED AIR AND FOREIGN SUBSTANCES TO LEAK PAST A GASKET INTO THE CYLINDARS. THE RESULT WAS MY ENGINE PISTON LITERALLY EXPLODED IN …

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MY 1998 DODGE RAM 2500 TRUCK'S ENGINE, WITH JUST OVER 56,000 MILES ON IT, EXPLODED INTERNALLY. MY MECHANIC, COLONIAL AUTO REPAIR OF DANBURY CT. STATED THE BOLTS ON THE INTAKE MANIFOLD LOOSENED AND ALLOWED AIR AND FOREIGN SUBSTANCES TO LEAK PAST A GASKET INTO THE CYLINDARS. THE RESULT WAS MY ENGINE PISTON LITERALLY EXPLODED IN THE CYLINDAR, WHICH RESULTED IN MY HAVING TO PURCHASE A NEW ENGINE. *AK

NHTSA ODI #10088607

131,000 miles · Oct 15, 2003
Engine And Engine Cooling

1998 DODGE TRUCK ATE THE INJECTOR PUMP WHEN THE FUEL PUMP FAILED. THIS CAN CAUSE SUDDEN LOSS OF POWER, BRAKES AND STEERING IF IT HAPPENS AT HIGH SPEEDS OR WHEN CARRYING LARGE LOADS AS I DO WHEN ON THE JOB. *LA

NHTSA ODI #10042921

Mileage unknown · Apr 3, 2001
Electrical SystemEngine And Engine CoolingService Brakes, Hydraulic

EXCESSIVE LOSS OF ENGINE COOLANT, BUT NO SIGN OF LEAKAGES. VEHICLE BEEN IN / OUT OF DEALER SHOP ON FOUR OCCASIONS, AND STILL UNABLE TO LOCATE PROBLEM. *AK THE CONSUMER INDICATED THAT THE MANUFACTURER INTERNTIONALLY WITH HELD THE POSSIBLE PROBLEM WITH V-10 ENGINE TO AVOID RECALL. ACCORCING TO THE INFORMATION OBTAINED FROM…

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EXCESSIVE LOSS OF ENGINE COOLANT, BUT NO SIGN OF LEAKAGES. VEHICLE BEEN IN / OUT OF DEALER SHOP ON FOUR OCCASIONS, AND STILL UNABLE TO LOCATE PROBLEM. *AK THE CONSUMER INDICATED THAT THE MANUFACTURER INTERNTIONALLY WITH HELD THE POSSIBLE PROBLEM WITH V-10 ENGINE TO AVOID RECALL. ACCORCING TO THE INFORMATION OBTAINED FROM INTERNET, THE MANUFACTURER HAD INDICATED THAT THE V-10 HEADS AND CRANKSHAFT COULD EXPERIENCE HAIR LINE CRACKS CAUSING INTERNAL COOLANT LEAKAGE. SPARK PLUGS FAILED. FRONT BRAKE PADS FAIED. LEFT LOWER BALL JOINT FAILED. *YH

NHTSA ODI #884967

Mileage unknown · Feb 19, 2001
Engine And Engine Cooling

ENGINE STALLS INTERMITTENTLY. WHEN ENGINE STALLS THERE IS A LOSS OF STEERING & BRAKING. I HAVE TAKEN TRUCK TO TWO DEALERS THEY STATE NO PROBLEM WAS FOUND. TRUCK STILL STALLS!!*AK

NHTSA ODI #741162

Mileage unknown · Sep 8, 1999
Engine And Engine Cooling

EXHAUST--BOLTS, NUTS.

NHTSA ODI #609137

Official recalls

0

No recalls in this snapshot.

Model-level recall history does not show whether a particular VIN is affected or has received a repair. Check a VIN with NHTSA ↗

NHTSA investigations

0

No exact-year investigations in this snapshot.