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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

Steering complaints

24 reports
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415,985 miles · Feb 19, 2020
SteeringSuspensionWheels

I HAVE A 98 RAM 2500 V10 IF I GO ABOUT 65 MPH THERE IS A MASSIVE WOBBLE IN THE STEERING WHEEL BUT IF I SPEED UP TO 70 IT STOPS OR IF I SLOW DOWN TO 60 IT STOPS. THERE SHOULD BE A RECALL ON THIS BECAUSE ALL OF THE RAM TRUCKS THAT I HAVE HAD DO THIS EXACT SAME THING.

NHTSA ODI #11310056

171,550 miles · Sep 11, 2016
SteeringSuspension

THE PASSENGER SIDE LOWER REAR ARM SUPPORT BRACKET WELD ARE CRACKING TWISTING TEARING FROM MAIN FRAME RAIL. THE FRAME WELD IS TEARING HORIZONTALLY AND ACROSS SAME RATES. THE CRACK ARE NEXT TO WELDS AN SOME LOCATION TEARING CIRCLING ROTATING. THE VEHICLE NEVER OPERATED OFF-ROAD AND MILEAGE IS 171,550 MILES. THE CRACK ARE 65% AN…

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THE PASSENGER SIDE LOWER REAR ARM SUPPORT BRACKET WELD ARE CRACKING TWISTING TEARING FROM MAIN FRAME RAIL. THE FRAME WELD IS TEARING HORIZONTALLY AND ACROSS SAME RATES. THE CRACK ARE NEXT TO WELDS AN SOME LOCATION TEARING CIRCLING ROTATING. THE VEHICLE NEVER OPERATED OFF-ROAD AND MILEAGE IS 171,550 MILES. THE CRACK ARE 65% AND VEHICLE UNFIT TO BE OPERATED SAFETY. I WAS VERY FORTUNATE I DIDN'T HAVE A ACCIDENT. THE VEHICLE WOULD HAVE ROW OVER ON I LEFT SIDE WITHOUT NO WARNING . I WAS PREFORMING VEHICLE BRAKE INSPECTIONS AND I NOTICE RUST ON THE LOWER REAR SUPPORT HANGER WHICH HOLD THE LOWER ARM BRACKET AND COIL SPRING. I AM VERY FORTUNATE THAT I DIDN'T LOAN MY VEHICLE TO MY RELATIVES. I HAVE PICTURES AVAILABLE. I WANT THE CHRYSLER CORPORATION TO REPAIR THIS ASAP!!!

NHTSA ODI #10905579

Mileage unknown · Jul 27, 2015
Steering

THERE HAS NOT BEEN AN INCIDENT. THE VEHICLE TENDS TO WANDER AND REQUIRES CONSTANT ADJUSTMENT TO MAINTAIN PROPER LOCATION TIN TRAFFIC LANE. $1000 REPAIRS LAST A FEW THOUSAND MILES. TALKING WITH OTHER OWNERS OF SIMILAR VEHICLES INDICATES THIS IS A COMMON PROBLEM FOR THIS VEHICLE. MA 10/8 UPDATED 12/11/2017*CN

NHTSA ODI #10743999

146,000 miles · Jul 14, 2012
Service Brakes, HydraulicSteeringSuspension

WHILE TURNING LEFT AT ANY SPEED HAVE A SERIOUS SHUDDER. TRUCK HAS NEW WHEEL BEARINGS TIE ROD ENDS ROTORS AND CALIPERS DONE AT DODGE DEALERSHIP. THE SHUDDER IS HEARD AND FELT IN FLOOR BOARD NOTHING IN BRAKE PEDAL OR STEERING WHEEL. SHUDDER IS LESS AUDIBLE WHEN PUT INTO NEUTRAL AND COASTING WHILE TURNING LEFT. *TR

NHTSA ODI #10465674

164,385 miles · Jan 26, 2011
Power TrainSteering

EVENT: PULLED UP IN FRONT OF BARN TO GET A LOAD OF HAY. MOVED GEAR SELECTOR LEVER TO REVERSE TO BACK UP TO BUILDING, BUT WHEN ACCELERATOR WAS PRESSED, VEHICLE MOVED FORWARD. FAILURE: INTERNAL PARTS IN STEERING COLUMN HAD BECOME DISCONNECTED FROM EACH OTHER, THE RESULT BEING THAT MOVEMENT OF THE GEAR SELECTOR LEVER …

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EVENT: PULLED UP IN FRONT OF BARN TO GET A LOAD OF HAY. MOVED GEAR SELECTOR LEVER TO REVERSE TO BACK UP TO BUILDING, BUT WHEN ACCELERATOR WAS PRESSED, VEHICLE MOVED FORWARD. FAILURE: INTERNAL PARTS IN STEERING COLUMN HAD BECOME DISCONNECTED FROM EACH OTHER, THE RESULT BEING THAT MOVEMENT OF THE GEAR SELECTOR LEVER DID NOT AFFECT THE LEVER AT THE END OF THE STEERING COLUMN THAT IS CONNECTED TO THE TRANSMISSION CONTROL ROD. THE ONLY WAY THAT THE VEHICLE COULD BE PLACED IN PARK, STARTED, OR PUT INTO A GEAR POSITION WAS TO RAISE THE HOOD AND MOVE THE TRANSMISSION CONTROL ROD BY HAND. SOLUTION: SINCE THE STEERING COLUMN IS A WELDED ASSEMBLY AND IS NOT SERVICEABLE, IT WAS REPLACED. THE OLD ASSEMBLY IS AVAILABLE FOR INSPECTION. THE ASSEMBLY PART NUMBER IS P55351175 RELATED COMPLAINT: SIMILAR TO COMPLAINT ODI ID 892310 WHICH WAS ENTERED AS A PROBLEM WITH COMPONENT : POWERTRAIN: AUTOMATIC TRANSMISSION: P/N START SWITCH. MY PROBLEM WOULD HAVE MANIFESTED ITSELF IN THE SAME WAY IF I HAD PLACED THE SHIFT LEVER INTO PARK POSITION AND HAD GOTTEN OUT OF THE VEHICLE WITHOUT SETTING THE BRAKE. *TR

NHTSA ODI #10379242

116,000 miles · Jan 11, 2007
Steering

ON MY 1998 DODGE 2500 4X4 TRUCK THE MAIN STEERING SHAFT SHEARED OFF THE STEERING BOX ABOVE THE PITMAN ARM WITHOUT NOTICE. I AM GLAD I WAS PARKING AND NOT GOING DOWN THE FREEWAY. *JB

NHTSA ODI #10178470

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 · Sep 30, 2003
Steering

VEHICLE WAS PARKED. CONSUMER SAW FRONT TIRES POINTING DIFFERENT WAYS. THE FRONT TIE ROD SNAPPED. CAUSING VEHICLE TO BECOME INOPERATIVE. *AK

NHTSA ODI #10041949

83,000 miles · Apr 24, 2003
Steering

THE STEERING COLUMN WAS NO LONGER OPERATIVE. *JB

NHTSA ODI #10017485

5,000 miles · Mar 22, 2003
Steering

DEFECTIVE STEERING COMPONENTS LEADING TO DIFFICULTY IN CONTROL. PROBLEM BEGAN SOON AFTER PURCHASE AND CONTINUE TO DATE. *JB

NHTSA ODI #10010896

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.