Model year record

1998 Dodge Ram 2500 recalls & problems

The 1998 Dodge Ram 2500 has 2 safety recalls and 225 owner complaints on file with NHTSA. The most-reported problem area is service brakes, hydraulic (49 complaints).

Recalls2safety recalls

Complaints225filed by owners

Crashes · fires19 · 3reported in complaints

Injuries · deaths20 · 0reported in complaints

Safety recalls

SteeringMar 28, 2008

Linkages › Tie rod assembly

Recall 08E0270005,700 vehicles

Problem: AFFINIA IS RECALLING 5,700 AFTERMARKET CHASSIS TIE ROD ASSEMBLIES MANUFACTURED FROM MARCH 28, 2006 THROUGH MARCH 17, 2008, SOLD FOR USE ON MY 1998 AND 1999 DODGE RAM 2500 AND 3500 HEAVY DUTY TRUCKS. THE DUST SEAL SUPPLIED WITH THE CHASSIS TIE RODS WERE MANUFACTURED TO THE WRONG SPECIFICATION. AS A CONSEQUENCE, THE DUST SEAL MAY PREVENT THE BALL STUD OF THE CHASSIS TIE ROD FROM PROPERLY SEATING INTO THE TAPER OF THE VEHICLE STEERING KNUCKLE DURING AFTERMARKET INSTALLATION.
Risk: IF THIS CONDITION REMAINS UNDETECTED, THE BOLT CAN EVENTUALLY UNSEAT COMPLETELY, CAUSING THE AFFECTED WHEEL TO DISENGAGE FROM THE STEERING MECHANISM, POSSIBLY RESULTING IN A CRASH.
Fix: AFFINIA WILL NOTIFY OWNERS AND REPLACE THE AFFECTED CHASSIS TIE ROD ASSEMBLIES FREE OF CHARGE. THE RECALL IS EXPECTED TO BEGIN DURING APRIL 2008. OWNERS MAY CONTACT AFFINIA AT 734-827-5400.

Engine and engine coolingMar 15, 2006

Engine and engine cooling

Recall 06E02400044,386 vehicles

Problem: CERTAIN REPLACEMENT K&N FUEL PERFORMANCE KITS, P/NOS. 57-1509, 57-1511, 57-1511-1, 57-1517, 57-1517-1, 57-1527, AND 57-1530. ALSO, A SMALL PERCENTAGE OF THESE KITS WERE SOLD UNDER THE MOPAR PERFORMANCE PARTS BRAND NAME (P/NOS. P5007069 AND P5007070). ALL KITS WERE MANUFACTURED FROM APRIL 20, 1999, THROUGH SEPTEMBER 23, 2004. THESE ASSEMBLIES WERE MANUFACTURED AS REPLACEMENT EQUIPMENT FOR CERTAIN DODGE PICKUP TRUCKS AND SUVS. A SMALL PIECE OF MATERIAL FROM THE TUBE WALL COULD BE SUCKED INTO THE ENGINE THROTTLE BODY, WHICH COULD CAUSE THE THROTTLE TO BECOME JAMMED IN THE OPEN POSITION.
Risk: A JAMMED OPEN THROTTLE COULD CAUSE UNINTENDED ACCELERATION OF THE VEHICLE, POSSIBLY RESULTING IN A CRASH OR INCREASED STOPING DISTANCES WHEN BRAKING.
Fix: K&N WILL PROVIDE OWNERS WITH A FREE REPAIR KIT ALONG WITH REPAIR INSTRUCTIONS. THE RECALL BEGAN ON APRIL 20, 2006.

Recall repairs are free at any authorised dealer. A recall listed here may already have been fixed on a particular car: enter its 17-character VIN at nhtsa.gov/recalls to see open recalls.

What owners report

Problem area	Complaints	Crashes	Fires	Injuries	Typical mileage*
Service brakes, hydraulicAntilock/traction control/electronic limited slip; Foundation components	49	1	0	1	140,000 mi
Power trainAutomatic transmission; Automatic transmission › Torque converter	33	1	0	1	95,105 mi
SteeringSteering wheel/handle bar; Gear box (other than rack and pinion)	27	2	0	2	116,000 mi
StructureBody; Body › Door	23	0	0	0	130,000 mi
TiresTread/belt; Sidewall	22	0	0	1	47,835 mi
SuspensionFront; Rear	20	2	0	2	138,000 mi
Air bagsFrontal; Frontal › Driver side › Inflator module	18	12	0	15	82,050 mi
Vehicle speed controlAccelerator pedal; Linkages	18	1	0	0	140,000 mi
Electrical systemHorn; Wiring › Front underhood	15	0	1	0	100,000 mi
Engine and engine coolingEngine › Diesel; Engine › Gasoline	14	0	2	0	95,500 mi
Seat beltsFront; Front › Anchorage	11	1	0	2	68,000 mi
VisibilityWindshield; Windshield wiper/washer	8	0	0	0	—

*Median odometer reading when the problem happened, where owners gave one. One complaint can name several problem areas.

Recent owner complaints

Air bags
Driving down the road going about forty miles per hour and my dash exploded and the air bag deployed
Mar 18, 2022
WheelsCrash
I I PURCHASED NEW TRUCK TIRES THAT SELF DESTRUCTED IN 4,000 MILES. COMPLETE A MASSIVE TREAD SEPARATION RESULTING IN FREEWAY SPEED TIRE BLOW OUT. VEERUBBER TAIGA H/T R33. FOUR OUT OF TWO FAILED. DALLAS DEALER SAID THEY WERE UNSAFE AT ANY SPEED UPON EXAMINATION.
Jun 28, 2020 · 4,100 miles
Steering
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.
Aug 23, 2017 · 415,985 miles
Seat belts
SEAT BELT CONTROLLER FAILED AND CAUSED MY BATTERIES TO DRAIN. LEFT US STRANDED IN THE MIDDLE OF NOWHERE. ONCE WE RECHARGED OUR BATTERIES WE HAD TO UNPLUG THE SEAT BELT CONTROLLER THAT WAS CAUSING THE DRAW ON THE BATTERIES. WE COULD NOT USE OUR SEAT BELTS.
Jun 16, 2019 · 212,000 miles
Unknown or other
THE THROTTLE LINKAGE IS A RECALL. I TOOK IT TO DOUGLAS CHRYSTLER JEEP DODGE RAM DEALER IN VENICE, FL AND THEY SAID THEY COULDN'T HELP ME BECAUSE THE RECALL HAD ALREADY BEEN PERFORMED ONCE. SEEING THAT IT IS A SAFETY RECALL I WAS UNDER THE IMPRESSION THAT THEY WOULD TAKE CARE OF IT BUT WHEN I CALLED THEY SAID THEY CAN ONLY REPLACE A RECALL ITEM ONCE. VEHICLE LUNGES FORWARD WHEN I AM AT A STOP LIGHT AND IDLES HIGH.
Apr 11, 2019
Electrical system
HAZZARD: INTERMITTENT HEAD LAMP OPERATION (LOW AND/OR HIGH BEAM CUT-OFF) CAUSE: UNKNOWN. SAFETY ISSUE: KEEPING THE HEADLAMPS ON WHILE DRIVING (DODGE RAM 1998.5 2500 4X4 QUAD CAB SLT; 5.9L 24V CUMMINS DIESEL; 47RE; STOCK (NO FOG LIGHTS); 170,000 MILES). PROBLEM: HEADLAMPS (LOW AND/OR HIGH BEAM), AND OCCASIONALLY, BUT NOT CONSISTENTLY THE DASHBOARD LIGHTS, CUT-OFF INTERMITTENTLY -- ACTUATING THE DASHBOARD MOUNTED HEADLAMP SWITCH (PUSH-PULL) RESTORES THE LIGHTS. TROUBLE SHOOTING/REPAIRS (EXECUTED BY A CERTIFIED AUTOMOTIVE REPAIR FACILITY): (1) CHECKED MULTIPLE GROUNDS (CLEAN AND TIGHT); (2) CHECKED FUSES; (3) CHECKED OUTPUT FROM GENERATOR (STEADY - APPROX. 14.5 WITH "NO LOAD"; BATTERIES - NEW…
Oct 15, 2018 · 170,000 miles
Structure › Body
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 1998 DODGE RAM 2500. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE ENTIRE DASHBOARD CRACKED AND PIECES WERE FALLING OFF. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT TAKEN TO A DEALER OR INDEPENDENT MECHANIC FOR DIAGNOSTIC TESTING OR REPAIRS. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOT MADE AWARE OF THE FAILURE. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 180,000.
Jan 1, 2016 · 180,000 miles
Seat belts
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 1998 DODGE RAM 2500. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE FRONT PASSENGER AND DRIVER SEAT BELTS WOULD NOT RELEASE OUT OF THE BUCKLES AND THE SEAT BELT WARNING INDICATOR ILLUMINATED. THE FAILURE OCCURRED PERIODICALLY. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT TAKEN TO A DEALER OR INDEPENDENT MECHANIC FOR DIAGNOSTIC TESTING OR REPAIRS. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT REPAIRED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOT NOTIFIED OF THE FAILURE. THE VIN WAS NOT AVAILABLE. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS APPROXIMATELY 55,000.
Jan 1, 2015 · 55,000 miles

Owner complaints are submitted to NHTSA by the public and are not verified. Shown as filed (NHTSA removes personal details); long reports are shortened.