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1998 Dodge RAM 3500

Owner reports · Recalls · Investigations

Similar to other model years

Owner complaints for the 1998 Dodge RAM 3500 do not stand out strongly from the model-year median of 124.5.

About this comparison →
105Owner complaints

Model-year median: 124.5

0Recall campaigns

View recall details →

1Investigations

View investigation details →

How this year compares

Owner complaints by model year

Other model years Selected year
108
1995124
1996125
1997105
1998104
199958
2000130
2001
Compare all RAM 3500 years →

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

What owners reported most

Power Train
19Electrical System
14Exterior Lighting
14Service Brakes, Hydraulic
14Air Bags
9
All reported categories
Steering
8Engine And Engine Cooling
7Fuel System, Gasoline
6Vehicle Speed Control
5Suspension
4Unknown Or Other
4Seat Belts
3Structure
3Fuel System, Diesel
2Interior Lighting
2Parking Brake
2Service Brakes
2Visibility
2Fuel System, Other
1Fuel/propulsion System
1Service Brakes, Air
1Service Brakes, Electric
1Trailer Hitches
1Visibility/wiper
1

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

When problems were reported

Mileage at the reported incident

46 reports with mileage · 59 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.

  • Power Train. Review the 19 owner reports in this category and discuss these concerns during a pre-purchase inspection. Read reports →
  • Electrical System. Review the 14 owner reports in this category and discuss these concerns during a pre-purchase inspection. Read reports →
  • Exterior Lighting. Review the 14 owner reports in this category and discuss these concerns during a pre-purchase inspection. Read reports →

NHTSA owner reports · September 18, 2026 snapshot.

12 crash reports10 fire reports7 injury reports

Electrical System complaints

14 reports
Clear category filter
Mileage unknown · Feb 14, 2002
Electrical SystemFire

CONSUMER EXITED VEHICLE, AND WHEN HE CAME BACK THE INTERIOR OF THE VEHICLE WAS ON FIRE WHICH STARTED IN THE LEFT FRONT DASHBOARD AREA.*JB (OHIO TRAFFIC REPORT#10-90-733)

NHTSA ODI #564293

Mileage unknown · Jun 12, 2000
Electrical SystemExterior Lighting

THIN STREAM OF WHITE SMOKE EMITTING FROM DASHBOARD. HEADLIGHT SWITCH SHORTED OUT CAUSING WIRES TO BURN BEHIND DASH. VERY CLOSE TO AN ELECTRICAL FIRE. HAVE HEARD OTHER DODGE PICKUP OWNERS HAVING SAME DIFFICULTY (AT LEAST 3 THAT I KNOW). PLEASE INVESTIGATE THIS PROBLEM!*AK

NHTSA ODI #723913

Mileage unknown · Nov 24, 1999
Electrical SystemFire

THESE ARE 2 TRUCKS OF THE SAME KIND WE OWNED THAT CAUGHT ON FIRE IN THE SAME WAY. *AK

NHTSA ODI #715200

Mileage unknown · Jul 29, 1999
Electrical SystemFire

WHILE DRIVING VEHICLE CAUGHT ON FIRE IN THE ENGINE COMPARTMENT DUE TO A MALFUNCTION WITHIN THE MAIN FUSE WIRING HARNESS. PLEASE GIVE ANY FURTHER DETAILS. *AK

NHTSA ODI #843733

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

1

PE02049 · Tire Valve

Opened Jun 3, 2002 · Closed Oct 1, 2002

Status: closed (inferred from source dates) · Tires

No summary supplied.