1998 Dodge RAM 2500 Electrical system Problems
- Complaints
- 15about this part
- Share
- 7%of 225 total for the year
- Median mileage
- 100,000miles
- Trend
- StableComplaints filed in the last 3 full calendar years are within 25% of the 3 years before.
NHTSA recorded 15 complaints about the electrical system of the 1998 Dodge RAM 2500, 7% of the 225 complaints for this model year. Where a mileage was given, the median is 100,000 miles. 1 a fire, according to the filers.
Example complaints
Selected from NHTSA records; personal details are removed. They are consumer reports, not findings.
“Horn fails to sound approximately 60% of the time. Force required and size of activating area on steering wheel were severely overlooked by design engineers. I am a 6' tall physically active male and I have a very difficult time sounding horn (very dangerous)”
NHTSA complaint #10095899, filed 2004-10, 1 miles“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. …”
NHTSA complaint #11176318, filed 2019-02, 170,000 miles“Horn does not work. It is very hard to make the horn go off. You have to press very hard on the steering wheel. The button is inside of the airbag. If in an emergency you will not be able to honk the horn and will possibly crash.”
NHTSA complaint #10151670, filed 2006-03, 100,000 miles“Vehicle was taken the dealer because the horn operated intermittently. Dealership/mechanic informed the consumer that driver's air bag must be replaced to fix the horn. Horn has been difficult to operate since consumer purchased vehicle. Horn has to be depressed on the right spot to work. Vehicle has 55,000 miles when it was brought to dealership for its repair. Chrysler offered to split (50/50) the cost with the repair on horn and airbag assembly. Consumer felt at that time and given that they had extended warranty on their vehicle the situation should be corrected. …”
NHTSA complaint #10057432, filed 2004-03, 40,000 miles“The horn difficult to press in to honk if necessary. Very difficult to sound horn while driving in normal conditions. Would be extremely difficult to sound in an emergency. I have need to easyily sound horn to worn animals out of my path and have been unable to due to this problem.”
NHTSA complaint #10005310, filed 2003-02Related service bulletins
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Electrical system: other model years
| Year | Complaints | Share of year |
|---|---|---|
| 2012 | 51 | 18% |
| 2011 | 24 | 8% |
| 2010 | 22 | 9% |
| 2009 | 10 | 5% |
| 2008 | 16 | 5% |
| 2007 | 24 | 7% |
| 2006 | 131 | 20% |
| 2005 | 34 | 8% |
| 2004 | 47 | 8% |
| 2003 | 26 | 4% |
| 2002 | 4 | 3% |
| 2001 | 19 | 4% |
| 2000 | 10 | 5% |
| 1999 | 16 | 5% |
| 1998 | 15 | 7% |
| 1997 | 18 | 8% |
| 1996 | 26 | 9% |
| 1995 | 25 | 9% |
| 1994 | 14 | 8% |
| 1993 | 4 | 10% |
| 1992 | 4 | 13% |
| 1991 | 1 | 6% |
Other parts of the 1998 Dodge RAM 2500
44 complaintsTransmission and drivetrain
29 complaintsSteering
24 complaintsBody and structure
22 complaintsTires
22 complaintsFuel system
19 complaintsSuspension
19 complaintsAir bags
18 complaintsVehicle speed control
18 complaintsEngine cooling
13 complaintsSeat belts
10 complaintsOther or unknown
9 complaints
← All problems reported for the 1998 Dodge RAM 2500
About this data. Data from NHTSA (ODI) complaints, recalls, TSBs and investigations, updated Oct 29, 2026. Complaints are unverified consumer reports and may be duplicated or inaccurate.
To check a specific vehicle for open recalls, use its VIN at nhtsa.gov/recalls. Methodology