1998 Dodge Ram 2500 problems
Owners have filed 310 complaints with NHTSA about the 1998 Dodge Ram 2500. Brakes is the most reported problem area, at 18% of complaints. After that come steering (9%) and body & structure (7%).
At a glance
- Complaints
- 310 filed with NHTSA
- Most reported
- Brakes 18% of complaints
- Crashes and fires
- 22 and 3
- Injuries and deaths
- 24 and 0
- Typical mileage
- 98,000 miles 95 complaints with mileage
Source: NHTSA owner complaints
Where the complaints are
Share of this model year's complaints by the part of the car involved. One complaint can name more than one part, so the shares can add up to more than 100%.
When problems show up
View the numbers
| Mileage | Complaints |
|---|---|
| 0k to 20k miles | 6 |
| 20k to 40k miles | 8 |
| 40k to 60k miles | 8 |
| 60k to 80k miles | 12 |
| 80k to 100k miles | 16 |
| 100k to 120k miles | 5 |
| 120k to 140k miles | 6 |
| 140k to 160k miles | 10 |
| 160k to 180k miles | 14 |
| 180k to 200k miles | 1 |
| 200k+ miles | 9 |
What the data shows
Among the 95 complaints that report mileage, the typical (median) problem appeared at about 98,000 miles.
Safety-related details: 22 complaints mention a crash; 3 complaints mention a fire; 24 injuries reported.
Looking only at complaints filed within five years of the model year (so older and newer years are comparable), the 1998 ranks 15th most-complained-about out of 21 model years of the Dodge Ram 2500 with enough data (158 complaints in that window).
What owners wrote
A few complaints as filed, shortened and with personal details removed. The first ones are among the most serious reports for this model year; the rest are typical.
On 3/19/99 I was involved in a head-on collision of significant impact and neither the driver's or passenger's airbag deployed. The accident occurred in amarillo texas and a police report # 9922093 was filed. A state farm insurance claim # 43r231753 has been initiated, and the truck is being estimated at moss body shop in amarillo texas. Chrysler was contacted and has inspected the truck and denied any and all product failure/defect. More information can be provided upon request.
High speed highway crash (65 MPH) neither seat belt held front seat occupants - both of whom were hurt. Air bags did not deploy. 2 vehicles totaled.
1998 dodge truck ate the injector pump when the fuel pump failed. This can cause sudden loss of power, brakes and steering if it happens at high speeds or when carrying large loads as I do when on the job.
While traveling on the highway on january 23,20 04. At approximately 60 MPH, the tread on the front passenger side tire separated, resulting in complete destruction of the tire. On march 23, 2004 while driving at the same speed, the tread on the rear driver side tire separated, resulting in tire failure. Hercules, terra track, r123, lt245/75r16, the tires had only 17,000 miles on them. The first incident occurred with no warning. The vehicle jerked and pulled to the right.