At least the third time I have replace the headlight switch, twice the harness because it melted together. And now today having to replace marker wire (green with white stripe) and it is to hot to touch, the wire has gone stiff and hard and I am afraid it will cause a fire this time.
The worst 1998 Dodge RAM 3500 problems
Ranked by number of owner complaints. Mileage and cost come from what owners wrote.
Problems by type
Tap a problem to see which part fails, at what mileage and in which other years.
- Brakes20
- Transmission19
- Lights15
- Electrical14
- Fuel system10
- Airbags9
- Steering8
- Engine7
- Acceleration5
- Suspension4
- Body3
- Seat belts3
- Visibility3
Specific symptoms reported on the 1998 Dodge RAM 3500
Recalls
No recalls on record for this model year.
Defect investigations
Tire valve
PE02049
Technical service bulletins for the 1998 Dodge RAM 3500 19
Bulletins tell dealers how to fix known problems. A warranty extension means the manufacturer pays for that repair for longer.
- KEY, Master If replacing the key/FOBIK on a WJ, KJ, TJ, or PT Cruiser, use the "AC" NIC level part number
- Charging System, Battery Diagnostic Tools and Warranty
- This SKU is a Clock Spring
- Repair Parts Used For Structural Repairs
- Use of Salvage/Recycled Parts
- Use of Aftermarket Parts
- This SKU is an Automatic Transmission Oil Cooler Line
- This SKU is a front upper ball joint
- Connecting to the DRB III Emulator for Cummins Engines
- Cummins Equipped Vehicles ONLY
What 1998 Dodge RAM 3500 owners say
Most recent owner complaints, unedited.
Dashboard is cracked and disintegrating
Dashboard is disintegrating and has sharp shards that cuts hands when cleaning it.
Defroster won't work due to broken dash
Broken dash. I bought trk new in 98. In 2000 I found a crack in my dash. I went to my local dealer and the serv. Mngr. Advised it was a cosmetic issue therefore not covered by warranty. I did not replace dash as it was quoted as over 750 to r/r. Over years it has gotten worse. For last couple of years small pieces of the dash would blow out of the A/C vents striking me in the face while driving. Very dangerous issue.
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 the federal safety agency campaign number: 08e027000 (steering). The manufacturer was not made aware of the failure. The failure mileage was 173,000.
Takata recall sitting in park and the transmission bucked tried to go forward even against the brakes
Driving on a highway traveling at 75 MPH, the vehicle suddenly shook violently and it was very difficult to keep a grip on the steering wheel or switch to the brake pedal. I was thrust around in my seat and items from under the back seat were thrown forward into the dash of the vehicle as well. Vehicles around me also noticed and slowed down and steered clear of my vehicle. I was able to slow to a stop at the curb and it stopped. That was the first incident. I did look over the front end and felt the tie-rods, ect to test and everything is tight as it should be and nothing visible to cause this problem. It happened again a week later traveling at 65 MPH. It has occurred occasionally since those incidents in june and the speed seems to be less each time. I have avoided driving it for fear I will wreck and kill myself or someone else. I have researched and found it is the "death wobble" that chrysler has been investigated for and did a recall on. But, the recall does not cover all second generation dodge pickups, such as mine. This must be noticed and the recall must cover all trucks in the second generation class as well. I will sue if I wreck this truck during a death wobble.
Tl* the contact owns a 1998 dodge ram 3500. The contact stated that the headlights and running lights failed to activate. The vehicle was taken to an independent mechanic, who diagnosed that the wiring melted to the connector and the internal switch was melted. The vehicle was repaired but the failure persisted. The manufacturer was not made aware of the failure. The approximate failure mileage was 120,000.
Tl* the contact owns a 1998 dodge ram 3500. The contact stated that while driving approximately 55 MPH, the vehicle suddenly stalled. The driver stopped and merged the vehicle on the shoulder of the road. The contact inspected the vehicle and noticed the fuel pump would needed to be replaced. The vehicle was repaired. The contact stated the fuel pump was replaced three different times. The approximate failure mileage was 70,000.
Compare the 1998 Dodge RAM 3500
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Questions about the 1998 Dodge RAM 3500
Is the 1998 Dodge RAM 3500 reliable?
Owners have filed 105 complaints about the 1998 Dodge RAM 3500, fewer than a typical RAM 3500 model year.
What is the most common problem with the 1998 Dodge RAM 3500?
Brakes, with 20 complaints, typically around 130,000 miles. Next is transmission (19).
How many recalls does the 1998 Dodge RAM 3500 have?
No recalls on record.
What year does the Dodge RAM 3500 have bad brakes?
The Dodge RAM 3500 model years with the most brakes complaints are 1996 (38 complaints), 1995 (28 complaints) and 1998 (20 complaints).
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