Model year record

1998 Dodge Ram 3500 recalls & problems

The 1998 Dodge Ram 3500 has 1 safety recall and 105 owner complaints on file with NHTSA. The most-reported problem area is power train (20 complaints).

Recalls1safety recalls

Complaints105filed by owners

Crashes · fires12 · 10reported in complaints

Injuries · deaths11 · 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.

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*
Power trainManual transmission; Automatic transmission	20	0	1	0	117,620 mi
Electrical systemWiring › Interior/under dash; Wiring › Front underhood	15	0	8	0	106,089 mi
Exterior lightingHeadlights › Switch; Headlights	15	0	5	0	79,500 mi
Service brakes, hydraulicAntilock/traction control/electronic limited slip; Foundation components	14	5	1	3	65,700 mi
Air bagsFrontal	9	6	0	9	88,000 mi
Engine and engine coolingEngine › Diesel; Engine › Gasoline	8	0	0	0	—
SteeringSteering wheel/handle bar; Hydraulic power assist system	8	0	0	1	—
Fuel system, gasolineStorage › Tank assembly; Delivery › Fuel pump	7	0	0	0	—
SuspensionFront; Front › Control arm › Lower ball joint	6	0	0	0	75,000 mi
Vehicle speed control	5	0	0	0	—
Unknown or other	4	0	0	1	—
Seat beltsFront › Buckle assembly; Front › Anchorage	3	0	0	0	—

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

Recent owner complaints

Electrical system
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.
Dec 1, 2018 · 360,000 miles
Unknown or other
DASHBOARD IS CRACKED AND DISINTEGRATING
Jun 14, 2017
Unknown or other1 injury
DASHBOARD IS DISINTEGRATING AND HAS SHARP SHARDS THAT CUTS HANDS WHEN CLEANING IT.
Jul 18, 2017 · 121,613 miles
Visibility/wiper
DEFROSTER WON'T WORK DUE TO BROKEN DASH
Sep 30, 2003
Unknown or other
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.
Jan 1, 2000 · 56,000 miles
Steering
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.
Mar 3, 2016 · 173,000 miles
Service brakes
TAKATA RECALL SITTING IN PARK AND THE TRANSMISSION BUCKED TRIED TO GO FORWARD EVEN AGAINST THE BRAKES
Mar 1, 2016 · 350,000 miles
Steering
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…
Jun 24, 2014 · 300,000 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.

NHTSA defect investigations

TIRE VALVEClosed
PE02049 · opened Jun 3, 2002 · closed Oct 1, 2002