Dt*: the contact stated while driving 70 MPH on the highway, the vehicle operated at a reduced speed followed by a loss of all power without warning. The contact pulled the vehicle over without incident. The vehicle was towed to the contact's residence. The contact determined the lift fuel pump and injector pumps were inoperative and both pumps were replaced. The manufacturer was not notified.
1998 Dodge RAM 3500: sudden loss of power
5 of the 105 complaints about the 1998 Dodge RAM 3500 describe sudden loss of power.
- owner complaints
- 5
- of this car's complaints
- 5%
- recalls
- 0
Is there a fix? 4 service bulletins cover this area of the car. See below
Sudden loss of power by model year
What owners say
My vehicle completely stalled and lost power at 70 MPH leaving me with no power steering or power brakes. I was barely able to force the vehicle into the breakdown lane. I brought it to a dodge dealer where it cost me $3,700. For an ECM computer and injector pump for this diesel engine. Eight months previous I had replaced the lift pump at a cost of over $800. I now understand that the federal safety agency has earlier investigated this diesel engine and found no 'safety' problem relating to this failure. I further understand that there was a 'limited' recall performed by cummins, the engine manufacturer, which only included school busses and emergency vehicles as well as for their big customers, ups and fedex. Is there no consideration of the individual owner's safety? By my research there are 350,000 of these vehicles still on the road (122,000 were repaired under warranty in a dodge 'fix-if-fail' program) with potentially catastrophic safety defects. This is a truly dangerous condition. Fortunately for me, I am an above average size male. I'd seriously doubt if a young driver or small individual would have been able to safely navigate this vehicle to the side of the road. Conversations with the dodge dealership and with the dodge consumer hotline resulted in their denial of being aware that there is or has been any problem with this vehicle. A blatant lie on at least the hotline supervisor's part. *nm
Driving down intrastate highway in 5th gear, complete loss of power (as if shifting into neutral). Vehicle taken to transmission shop...nut holding 5th gear backed off--disengaging 5th gear. This is a well know problem with dodge diesels. Dodge introduced a retrofit kit to hopefully resolve problem. If the problem requires a retrofit, why not recall the transmissions and fix the problem. A nut backing out cost me $1400 plus 2 weeks of no vehicle...an phelps.
While towing my trailer in 5th gear on a crowded interstate, the gear suddenly failed without warning. I lost power and safely pulled over. The other 4 gears worked to get me home.
While driving in 5th gear there was a loss of power as if in neutral. The other gears were functional. Dealer said a new lock nut was needed to hold gear in place.
Service bulletins that may apply
Related recalls
No recalls on record for this model year.
Questions about the 1998 Dodge RAM 3500 loss of power
Is sudden loss of power a common problem on the 1998 Dodge RAM 3500?
5 of 105 owner complaints about the 1998 Dodge RAM 3500 (5%) mention sudden loss of power. The model year with the most reports is 2012.
Is there a recall or service bulletin for this on the 1998 Dodge RAM 3500?
There are 0 recalls and 4 service bulletins for the same area of the car. Check them below with your VIN.
Other symptoms on the 1998 Dodge RAM 3500
VIN decoder
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