1998 DODGE RAM 3500 — Problems, Recalls & Safety Data

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N/A

Safety Rating

134

Owner Complaints

13 Crashes 17 Fires

1

Recall

ACTIVE RECALL

1

Service Bulletin

0

Investigations

Overview of the 1998 DODGE RAM 3500

The 1998 DODGE RAM 3500 has received a total of 134 safety complaints filed with the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA). There has been 1 recall campaign affecting this vehicle, covering issues with STEERING:LINKAGES:TIE ROD ASSEMBLY. 1 technical service bulletin have been issued by Chrysler (FCA US, LLC) for this model year. The most commonly reported problems involve the Power Trainmanual Transmission (9 complaints), Service Brakes Hydraulicantilocktraction Controlelectronic Limited Slip (9 complaints), and Exterior Lightingheadlightsswitch (8 complaints).

Recalls for the 1998 DODGE RAM 3500

NHTSA has recorded 1 recall for the 1998 DODGE RAM 3500, potentially affecting up to 5,700 vehicles.

Recall 08E027000 — STEERING:LINKAGES:TIE ROD ASSEMBLY

| 5,700 vehicles affected

Defect: 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...

Consequence: 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.

Remedy: 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.

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Owner Complaints for the 1998 DODGE RAM 3500

134 complaints have been filed with NHTSA for the 1998 DODGE RAM 3500. Below is a breakdown by vehicle component.

Power Trainmanual Transmission
Complaints: 9 1 Fire
Service Brakes Hydraulicantilocktraction Controlelectronic Limited Slip
Complaints: 9 4 Crashes 3 Injuries
Exterior Lightingheadlightsswitch
Complaints: 8 2 Fires
Air Bagsfrontal
Complaints: 7 6 Crashes 9 Injuries
Electrical Systemwiringinteriorunder Dash
Complaints: 6 3 Fires
Electrical System
Complaints: 5 1 Fire
Power Trainautomatic Transmission
Complaints: 5
Vehicle Speed Control
Complaints: 5
Exterior Lightingheadlights
Complaints: 4 1 Fire
Unknown Or Other
Complaints: 4 1 Injury
Exterior Lighting
Complaints: 3 2 Fires
Fuel System Gasolinestoragetank Assembly
Complaints: 3
Service Brakes Hydraulic
Complaints: 3 1 Fire
Steering Steering Wheelhandle Bar
Complaints: 3 1 Injury
Air Bags
Complaints: 2
Engine And Engine Cooling
Complaints: 2
Engine And Engine Coolingenginediesel
Complaints: 2
Fuel System Diesel
Complaints: 2 1 Fire
Fuel System Gasolinedeliveryfuel Pump
Complaints: 2
Interior Lighting
Complaints: 2
Parking Brake
Complaints: 2 1 Crash
Power Train
Complaints: 2
Service Brakes
Complaints: 2
Steering
Complaints: 2
Steeringhydraulic Power Assist System
Complaints: 2
Structure
Complaints: 2
Visibilityrearview Mirrorsdevicesexterior
Complaints: 2
Electrical Systemstarter Assemblysolenoid
Complaints: 1 1 Fire
Electrical Systemwiring
Complaints: 1 1 Fire
Electrical Systemwiringfront Underhood
Complaints: 1 1 Fire
Electrical Systemwiringfuses And Circuit Breakers
Complaints: 1 1 Fire
Engine And Engine Coolingcooling System
Complaints: 1
Engine And Engine Coolingcooling Systemradiator Assembly
Complaints: 1
Engine And Engine Coolingengine
Complaints: 1
Engine And Engine Coolingenginegasoline
Complaints: 1
Fuel System Gasoline
Complaints: 1
Fuel System Gasolinefuel Injection System
Complaints: 1
Fuel System Otherdeliveryfuel Pump
Complaints: 1
Fuel System Otherfuel Injection System
Complaints: 1
Fuelpropulsion System
Complaints: 1
Power Trainautomatic Transmissionparkneutral Start Interlock Switch
Complaints: 1
Power Trainaxle Assembly
Complaints: 1
Power Trainaxle Assemblyaxle Shaft
Complaints: 1
Power Traindrivelinedriveshaft
Complaints: 1
Seat Beltsfront
Complaints: 1
Seat Beltsfrontanchorage
Complaints: 1
Seat Beltsfrontbuckle Assembly
Complaints: 1
Service Brakes Airantilockinterconnecting Assemblywiring
Complaints: 1 1 Fire
Service Brakes Electric
Complaints: 1 1 Crash
Service Brakes Hydraulicfoundation Components
Complaints: 1
Service Brakes Hydraulicfoundation Componentsdrum
Complaints: 1 1 Crash
Steeringgear Box Other Than Rack And Pinion
Complaints: 1
Structurebody
Complaints: 1
Suspension
Complaints: 1
Suspensionfront
Complaints: 1
Suspensionfrontcontrol Armlower Ball Joint
Complaints: 1
Suspensionfrontcontrol Armupper Arm
Complaints: 1
Suspensionfrontcontrol Armupper Ball Joint
Complaints: 1
Suspensionfrontwheel Bearing
Complaints: 1
Trailer Hitches
Complaints: 1
Visibilitywiper
Complaints: 1

Most Recent Complaints

#11155548 | ELECTRICAL SYSTEM | | 360,000 miles
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.
#11045458 | UNKNOWN OR OTHER | | N/A miles
DASHBOARD IS CRACKED AND DISINTEGRATING
#11011839 | UNKNOWN OR OTHER | | 121,613 miles 1 Injury
DASHBOARD IS DISINTEGRATING AND HAS SHARP SHARDS THAT CUTS HANDS WHEN CLEANING IT.
#11011520 | VISIBILITY/WIPER | | N/A miles
DEFROSTER WON'T WORK DUE TO BROKEN DASH
#11010286 | UNKNOWN OR OTHER | | 56,000 miles
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.

View all Power Trainmanual Transmission complaints →

Safety Rating for the 1998 DODGE RAM 3500

NHTSA has not yet tested the 1998 DODGE RAM 3500 in its New Car Assessment Program.

Technical Service Bulletins for the 1998 DODGE RAM 3500

Chrysler (FCA US, LLC) has issued 1 technical service bulletin (TSBs) for the 1998 DODGE RAM 3500. TSBs are notices sent by manufacturers to their dealers describing a known issue and the recommended repair procedure.

817 — ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING:EXHAUST SYSTEM

EMISSIONS RECALL NO. 817 REGARDING THE POWERTRAIN CONTROL MODULE NOT ILLUMINATING THE MAINTENANCE REQUIRED LIGHT AS SPECIFIED BY FEDERAL REGULATIONS. *TT

NHTSA Investigations for the 1998 DODGE RAM 3500

There are no NHTSA defect investigations on record for this vehicle.

Other Model Years of the DODGE RAM 3500

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Other DODGE Models

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