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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.

Counts are not adjusted for sales, age, mileage exposure or reporting. A lower count does not establish that a car is problem-free.

About this comparison →
105Owner complaints

Model-year median: 124.5

0Recall campaigns

View recall details →

1Investigations

View investigation details →

Check a VIN with NHTSA ↗ Model-level counts do not show whether a particular VIN is affected or repaired.

Inspection summary

1998 Dodge RAM 3500

NHTSA snapshot: September 18, 2026. 105 owner complaints · 0 recall campaigns · 1 investigations.

Counts are not failure probabilities and are not adjusted for sales, age, mileage exposure or reporting. One report may name several categories. Comparison method and limitations.

Top reported categories (up to 5)

  • Power Train: 19 reports
  • Electrical System: 14 reports
  • Exterior Lighting: 14 reports
  • Service Brakes, Hydraulic: 14 reports
  • Air Bags: 9 reports

Full reported-category list and vehicle report

Recall links

    No recall campaigns in this snapshot.

    Check a VIN with NHTSA. Model-level history does not establish whether a particular VIN is affected or repaired.

    Print the top reported categories, recall links, snapshot date and comparison limits.

    How this year compares

    Owner complaints by model year

    Other model years Selected year
    108
    1995    124
    1996    125
    1997    105
    1998    104
    1999    58
    2000    130
    2001
    Compare all RAM 3500 years →

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

    What owners reported most

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

    Service Brakes complaints

    2 reports
    Clear category filter
    173,000 miles · Mar 21, 2016
    Service BrakesSteeringSuspension

    TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 1998 DODGE RAM 3500. WHILE DRIVING 5 MPH, THE VEHICLE PULLED TO THE RIGHT INDEPENDENTLY. WHILE MAKING A LEFT TURN, THE FRONT PASSENGER SIDE WHEEL DETACHED. THE ANTI-BRAKE AND BRAKE SYSTEM WARNING LIGHTS ILLUMINATED. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO AN INDEPENDENT MECHANIC WHERE IT WAS DIAGNOSED THAT THE WHEEL BEAR…

    Read full complaint

    TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 1998 DODGE RAM 3500. WHILE DRIVING 5 MPH, THE VEHICLE PULLED TO THE RIGHT INDEPENDENTLY. WHILE MAKING A LEFT TURN, THE FRONT PASSENGER SIDE WHEEL DETACHED. THE ANTI-BRAKE AND BRAKE SYSTEM WARNING LIGHTS ILLUMINATED. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO AN INDEPENDENT MECHANIC WHERE IT WAS DIAGNOSED THAT THE WHEEL BEARING FAILED DUE TO THE TIE RODS AND THE WHEEL HUB NEEDED TO BE REPLACED. THE VEHICLE WAS REPAIRED, BUT THE TIE RODS WERE NOT REPLACED. THE VIN WAS NOT INCLUDED IN NHTSA CAMPAIGN NUMBER: 08E027000 (STEERING). THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOT MADE AWARE OF THE FAILURE. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 173,000.

    NHTSA ODI #10850744

    350,000 miles · Mar 2, 2016
    Exterior LightingPower TrainService Brakes

    TAKATA RECALL SITTING IN PARK AND THE TRANSMISSION BUCKED TRIED TO GO FORWARD EVEN AGAINST THE BRAKES

    NHTSA ODI #10839514

    Recall campaigns

    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 ↗

    Defect investigations

    1

    PE02049 · Tire Valve

    Opened Jun 3, 2002 · Closed Oct 1, 2002

    Status: closed (inferred from source dates) · Tires

    No summary supplied.

    An investigation is not a finding of a defect, and closure does not prove a vehicle is problem-free.