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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.

About this comparison →
225Owner complaints

Model-year median: 275

0Recall campaigns

View recall details →

0Investigations

View investigation details →

How this year compares

Owner complaints by model year

Other model years Selected year
267
1995291
1996213
1997225
1998313
1999211
2000469
2001
Compare all RAM 2500 years →

Counts vary with age, sales and reporting. They are not failure rates.

What owners reported most

Service Brakes, Hydraulic
37Power Train
29Steering
24Structure
22Tires
22
All reported categories
Suspension
19Air Bags
18Vehicle Speed Control
18Electrical System
15Engine And Engine Cooling
13Seat Belts
10Fuel System, Gasoline
7Unknown Or Other
7Visibility
7Fuel System, Other
6Fuel System, Diesel
5Service Brakes, Air
5Equipment
3Seats
3Wheels
3Exterior Lighting
2Fuel/propulsion System
2Latches/locks/linkages
2Service Brakes
2Trailer Hitches
2Engine
1Parking Brake
1

Tap a category to read its complaints. One report may name several components.

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

Equipment complaints

3 reports
Clear category filter
94,000 miles · Jul 16, 2003
EquipmentParking BrakeService Brakes, Air

I HAVE TONS OF PROBLEMS WITH MY 1998 DODGE RAM 2500 DIESEL PICK UP TRUCK.THE BRAKES CHRONICALLY FAIL TO WORK, THEN LOCK UP OR CATCH ON THE SECOND ATTEMPT. HAD A BAD SENSOR ACCORDING TO DODGE, AND IT WAS REPLACED LESS THAN A YEAR AGO.*AK I NEARLY RAN INTO AN 18 WHEELER WHEN THE TRUCK FAILED TO STOP AT 4 WAY CROSSING. I HAD IT W…

Read full complaint

I HAVE TONS OF PROBLEMS WITH MY 1998 DODGE RAM 2500 DIESEL PICK UP TRUCK.THE BRAKES CHRONICALLY FAIL TO WORK, THEN LOCK UP OR CATCH ON THE SECOND ATTEMPT. HAD A BAD SENSOR ACCORDING TO DODGE, AND IT WAS REPLACED LESS THAN A YEAR AGO.*AK I NEARLY RAN INTO AN 18 WHEELER WHEN THE TRUCK FAILED TO STOP AT 4 WAY CROSSING. I HAD IT WORKED ON THEN AND WAS TOLD THAT A SEAL WAS LEAKING FLUID AND IT WET THE BRAKE PADS AND CAUSED THEM TO TO "SLIP". I AM HAVING PROBLEMS AGAIN THIS WEEK AND WAS TOLD BY MY MECHANIC TO SEE IF THE BRAKE SYSTEM HAD BEEN RECALLED. HE THINKS THE POWER SURGE HAS IS FAULTY AND FAILS AT TIMES AND NOT OTHERS! ALSO MY PARKING BRAKE DOESN'T PREVENT VEHICLE FROM MOVING WHEN IN USE IN DRIVE OR REVERSE!

NHTSA ODI #10028435

Mileage unknown · Feb 1, 1999
Engine And Engine CoolingEquipmentStructure

LOOSE FIREWALL TO HOOD GASKET. YH

NHTSA ODI #606733

Mileage unknown · Feb 1, 1999
Equipment

SOUND SYSTEM SPEAKERS FAILED. NLM

NHTSA ODI #605957

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.