1998 Dodge RAM 2500 Problems

What owners report

Owners of the 1998 Ram 2500 report most often about a cracked or crumbling dashboard, brakes that act up or have corroded components, steering wander, and — on Cummins diesel trucks — fuel lift and injection pump failures that leave the truck unable to start. Many of the dashboard and body complaints come in at high mileage on trucks now over 20 years old, while tire tread and sidewall separations were reported on much newer, lower-mileage tires.

1. 1
   Body and structure

   Cracked or crumbling dashboard

   • 24 complaints (11%)
   • median 97,500 mi at 9.9 yrs old (21 state mileage)
   • 1 mention a crash, fire or injury
   • filed 2006–2022

   The plastic dashboard cracks, becomes brittle and often breaks into pieces, sometimes crumbling when the dash is removed for heater or evaporator work. Several owners say cracks run toward the passenger airbag area and that loose pieces could be thrown around in a crash. Some report that the horn and airbag parts were only sold together as one costly assembly, and most say the dealer or manufacturer did not offer a repair. Reported from roughly 50,000 miles upward, with many examples between 60,000 and 200,000 miles on older trucks; several note cracking starting around age six.

   5 related service bulletins

   What to check: Look closely at the dash top and around the passenger airbag for hairline cracks, and check that the glovebox and ductwork areas are intact. Ask whether the dash has been replaced.

   2 excerpts from owner complaints in NHTSA records

   “Cracked dash on 1998 Dodge RAM 2500 pickup truck. Crack is about 6 inches long and working its way down to where the airbag is stored. No particular event LED to the dash cracking, it just started one day and has increased in size over time. This is a common issue and several other people with the same vehicle have the same problem. I would like Dodge to replace the dash as I am concerned about airbag deployment.”

   NHTSA complaint #10151144, filed 2006-02, 80,000 miles

   “The dash board on my truck is cracking and I am very concerned with the air bag being rendered useless as a result of this and also the dangers to myself and possible passengers due to the broken pieces of dash being thrown around in the event of an accident.”

   NHTSA complaint #10166524, filed 2006-08, 74,000 miles
2. 2
   Fuel system

   Diesel lift pump and injection pump failure

   • 21 complaints (9%)
   • median 70,000 mi at 6.4 yrs old (11 state mileage)
   • filed 1998–2014

   Owners of Cummins diesel trucks report the lift pump failing and the engine refusing to start or shutting off at speed, followed by the Bosch VP44 injection pump needing replacement. Several describe repeat failures of both pumps with repair costs of $1,000 to $2,000 or more and being left stranded. One report also describes unintended acceleration or a stuck throttle linked to the fuel and speed control system. Mostly reported between about 35,000 and 133,000 miles; one repeat case at 260,000 miles on a highway cruise-control and throttle problem.

   2 related service bulletins

   What to check: Ask for records of lift pump and injection pump replacement, and whether a fuel pressure gauge is fitted. Check for hard starting, low power or a check-engine light on a test drive.

   2 excerpts from owner complaints in NHTSA records

   “1998.5 24valve cummins diesel, one owner with factory ECM (799) update, never any chips . On cold start up, everything normal until I go to take off, any application to the accelerator and as if I put the accelerator all the way to the floor, truck will continue to accelerate until either I remove my foot completely off the pedal, or the governor kicks in.”

   NHTSA complaint #10563484, filed 2014-02, 290,000 miles

   “Driving at highway speed the cruise control would not disengage via the brake or by hitting off on the steering wheel. If I put the clutch in the engine was idling at 2300 rpms. The throttle was stuck on and I could not slow down... I turned the engine off and turning it back on again the problem was not reset. My clutch and breaks got a little burnt up making it home that night...as the problem happened when I was in the middle of nowhere. …”

   NHTSA complaint #10643879, filed 2014-10, 260,000 miles
3. 3
   Tires

   Tire tread and sidewall separation

   • 23 complaints (10%)
   • median 44,917 mi at 11.7 yrs old (6 state mileage, few)
   • 2 mention a crash, fire or injury
   • filed 2000–2020

   Owners describe tread peeling off or sidewalls separating, sometimes on highway trips while towing, with tires exploding or blowing out at speed. Several say tires from multiple brands failed at low mileage, one had a tire burst while parked in the driveway, and in some cases a manufacturer replaced tires for sidewall separation before another failed. Mostly reported between about 4,000 and 55,000 miles on the tires themselves, including highway towing conditions.

   What to check: Check tire age by the date code and look for sidewall bulges, cracks or uneven tread wear; ask how old the current tires are and consider replacing old ones regardless of tread depth.

   2 excerpts from owner complaints in NHTSA records

   “On a 1998 Dodge RAM 2500 three of the five stock goodyear wrangler rt/s 245/75 r16 tires have been voluntarily replaced by the manufacturer for sidewall separation. The fourth tire blew one week ago while towing a light boat (2000lbs) at approximately 65mph. I was able to maintain control, but I had my wife and two children aboard and am upset that the same problem has occurred repeatedly due to an admitted manufacturer error. …”

   NHTSA complaint #10453808, filed 2012-04, 42,000 miles

   “While parked at my house, in my driveway, the front right tire exploded. The tire was a michelin ltx m/s lt245/75r16 the truck had not been moved for 9 days. The blowout left a 14 tear in the sidewall of the tire with shard of rubber clad steel belt material sticking out of the gash. No one was near the truck when the explosion occurred. I hear a loud report at about 11:30am when the tire blew. The temperature at the time was between 75f and 80f.”

   NHTSA complaint #10166283, filed 2006-08, 47,835 miles
4. 4
   Brakes

   Brake problems, ABS light and corroded lines

   • 42 complaints (19%)
   • median 143,000 mi at 13.0 yrs old (8 state mileage, few)
   • 1 mention a crash, fire or injury
   • filed 1998–2016

   Complaints describe brakes that fail to apply, lock up, grab on a second attempt, or feel like they slip after fluid wets the pads; some report a rear brake line bursting. Others describe the ABS warning light staying on, traced to a corroded ABS module connector or wiring, and a sensor or seal replacement that did not end the problem. Owners frequently say they were told to find out whether a recall covered the brake system. Spread from about 89,000 to 170,000 miles, typically on older trucks in normal driving.

   What to check: Ask for brake service records and have the brake lines, ABS wiring connector and module inspected for corrosion. Check that the ABS and parking brake lights go out after start-up.

   2 excerpts from owner complaints in NHTSA records

   “I have tons of problems with my 1998 Dodge RAM 2500 diesel pick up truck.the brakes chronically fail to work, then lock up or catch on the second attempt. Had a bad sensor according to Dodge, and it was replaced less than a year ago. I nearly ran into an 18 wheeler when the truck failed to stop at 4 way crossing. I had it worked on then and was told that a seal was leaking fluid and it wet the brake pads and caused them to to slip . …”

   NHTSA complaint #10028435, filed 2003-07, 94,000 miles

   “While turning left at any speed have a serious shudder. Truck has new wheel bearings tie rod ends rotors and calipers done at Dodge dealership. The shudder is heard and felt in floor board nothing in brake pedal or steering wheel. Shudder is less audible when put into neutral and coasting while turning left.”

   NHTSA complaint #10465674, filed 2012-07, 146,000 miles
5. 5
   Steering

   Wandering or loose steering

   • 19 complaints (8%)
   • median 99,500 mi at 7.3 yrs old (6 state mileage, few)
   • 2 mention a crash, fire or injury
   • filed 1998–2020

   Complaints describe a wandering front end, vague steering and difficulty holding the truck in its lane, with one owner reporting the steering shaft sheared off the steering box while parking. One owner cites a service bulletin on steering wander after a dealer diagnosed a worn lower column shaft; others describe a shudder or pull. In another report a wheel bearing failure led to a hard pull to one side. Reported across a wide range, from about 5,000 to 146,000 miles, often noted during highway driving.

   What to check: Drive it on the highway and feel for wander or play in the wheel; ask whether the steering shaft and column joints, track bar and front bearings have been checked or replaced.

   2 excerpts from owner complaints in NHTSA records

   “I have recently exerienced what I would describe as a wandering front end on my '98 ram. I had a local dealer look at the problem. They spent 0.60 hrs diagnosing a slightly worn lower column shaft . They were quick to point out that this may not fix the problem and that perhaps I should continue driving the vehicle in hope that the symptoms would become more evident. I declined any repair. I later went on-line and was surprised to find a technical service bulletin on the subject. …”

   NHTSA complaint #10000489, filed 2003-01, 35,000 miles

   “On my 1998 Dodge 2500 4x4 truck the main steering shaft sheared off the steering box above the pitman arm without notice. I am glad I was parking and not going down the freeway.”

   NHTSA complaint #10178470, filed 2007-01, 116,000 miles

Buying note. These are old, high-mileage trucks, so condition and records matter more than the model year itself: inspect the dashboard, front-end steering and brake lines, and on diesel trucks ask specifically about lift pump and injection pump history. Tires should be checked by date code, since several complaints involved separations on tires that looked fine.

Summary written with AI from a sample of 60 NHTSA complaints for this model year (picked at random, with complaints that state a mileage and recent ones taken first), then checked automatically against the source records. Where a problem shows a complaint count, every complaint for this model year was matched with fixed keyword rules (written with AI and tested against the sample), and the mileage, age and repair figures are calculated from those complaints; owners' figures are as stated, not verified. Other counts refer to the sample. The excerpts come from NHTSA's public complaint records and are unverified; capitalisation is normalised, NHTSA staff notes are removed, and shortened text ends with “…”. Something wrong? Request a correction.