1998 Dodge RAM 3500 Problems

What owners report

Owners of this model year most often report headlight switch and wiring failures that cause loss of lighting or a burning smell, and manual-transmission fifth-gear failures on diesel trucks. Many complaints come from trucks well past 100,000 miles, and several owners note the headlight switch recall covered earlier model years but not this one.

1. 1
   Exterior lighting

   Headlight switch and wiring overheating

   • 31 complaints (30%)
   • median 84,896 mi at 6.4 yrs old (22 state mileage)
   • 7 mention a crash, fire or injury
   • owner-quoted repair $1,200 (median of 6 quotes)
   • filed 1998–2018

   Owners describe headlights or running lights that quit without warning, sometimes along with a burning smell, light smoke from the dash, or melted connectors and wires. Several say the headlight switch was replaced repeatedly, and in some cases a burned wire block required replacing the whole harness. According to the complaints, dealers often told owners this is a known failure, and owners report that a headlight switch recall covering earlier model years did not apply to their truck. Reported across a wide mileage range, from about 50,000 to over 280,000 miles, often after extended headlight use.

   1 related service bulletin

   What to check: Turn the headlights on for a while and inspect the switch, connector and nearby wiring for discoloration, hardening or a hot plastic smell. Ask whether the switch or harness has been replaced.

   2 excerpts from owner complaints in NHTSA records

   “5th gear suddenly ceased to work on my very well maintained 36,000 mile 98 Dodge 3500 manual drive truck. My father and I were nearly in a multiple 18 wheeler crash on a bridge before we were able to finally limp along. I now come to realize that there is a service bulletin on this very problem ( 21-10-98a ) which was ignored by the manufacturer. It nearly cost my family dearly.”

   NHTSA complaint #10030505, filed 2003-07, 36,200 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.”

   NHTSA complaint #11155548, filed 2018-12, 360,000 miles
2. 2
   Brakes

   Brakes fading, grabbing or locking

   • 12 complaints (11%)
   • median 75,400 mi at 8.8 yrs old (5 state mileage, few)
   • 6 mention a crash, fire or injury
   • filed 1998–2016

   Owners describe brake pedal travel going to the floor, rear brakes locking or fading when coming to a stop, and ABS engaging at low speed and lengthening stopping distance. Some report sudden loss of assist or difficulty stopping after repeated pedal application. Complaints say dealers could not reproduce the problem or would not replace parts without a recall. Reported from about 19,000 miles up to roughly 160,000 miles, at both low speed and highway driving.

   What to check: Test the brakes at low speed and on a clear road, feeling for pedal firmness and any ABS chatter. Have the brake lines, fluid and ABS function inspected before purchase.

   2 excerpts from owner complaints in NHTSA records

   “The service brakes fail completely often. I believe that it's in the antilock system however when I take it for evaluation & repair the problem cannot be duplicated. This has caused numerous near collisions and I haven't found a way to repair it yet. The dealer says they cannot replace suspected parts issues without a recall being issued. The 1st failure occurred at about 19,000 miles and has happened approximately 14 times between then and 102,000 miles now.”

   NHTSA complaint #10258611, filed 2009-02, 19,000 miles

   “Electric brakes on both axles of the fifth wheel, hydraulic brakes on my truck w/ ABS on the rear duels--no ABS on the front wheels--applied the brakes failed to slow down--manually applied the electric brakes--control head of the electric trailer brakes malfunction, no electric trailer brakes--the increased pressure on the foot brake locked up the front wheel leaving me skidding on the front tires w/ loss of control over steering--when the front wheels locked the rear duel ABS failed to function and I skidded into the car in front at around …”

   NHTSA complaint #566347, filed 2002-10
3. 3
   Transmission and drivetrain

   Fifth gear nut backs off (manual transmission)

   • 15 complaints (14%)
   • median 109,387 mi at 6.0 yrs old (9 state mileage, few)
   • 2 mention a crash, fire or injury
   • owner-quoted repair $1,400 (median of 5 quotes)
   • filed 1998–2008

   Owners of diesel trucks with the manual transmission describe fifth gear dropping out as if shifted into neutral, usually at highway speed, sometimes with jerking or rapid deceleration. Complaints mention a retaining nut or bolt that backs off and can damage the main shaft. Some owners say a retrofit kit exists and that dealers offered it, but they had to pay for the repair themselves. Mostly reported between roughly 36,000 and 120,000 miles, often while towing or climbing at highway speed.

   1 related service bulletin

   What to check: On a test drive, confirm fifth gear engages and holds at highway speed. Ask whether the fifth-gear nut or retrofit kit has been installed and whether the transmission has been rebuilt.

   2 excerpts from owner complaints in NHTSA records

   “2 years ago the 5th gear failed and chrysler covered it the truck was 1000 miles out of warranty. In 8-2001 the part failed again we took it to a trans shop and they fixed it for $213.oo, in 9-2001 it failed again the trans shop that fixed it in 8-2001 would not warrany the nut backing off. So we had to pay $766.oo in 9-2001 this is an ongoing problem with these type vehicles chrysler knows this but they do not want to fix the problem because it would cost alot of money to recall all these vehicles. …”

   NHTSA complaint #752647, filed 2001-09

   “Nut fell off back of fifth gear, damaging the main shaft and causing truck to jump all over the highway. Dodge admits this is a known design defect, yet they will not issue a recall. A horse in the trailer being towed was injured in this incident due to the violent jerks and swerves involved. **dimsii ivoq entry posted after 12/12/02 cut over to artemis*762504”

   NHTSA complaint #10009362, filed 2002-05, 117,620 miles
4. 4
   Electrical system

   Electrical shorts, melted harnesses and dash fires

   • 22 complaints (21%)
   • median 92,179 mi at 8.0 yrs old (15 state mileage)
   • 8 mention a crash, fire or injury
   • filed 1999–2018

   Owners report burning wiring harnesses, smoke or fire from the dashboard or under the driver seat, and repeated fuse blowing for interior and instrument lights. In one case a starter kept running after shutdown and started a fire traced to a fuel shut-off solenoid. Complaints describe repairs replacing harnesses, fuse boxes and switches, sometimes with the problem returning. Reported from around 45,000 to over 300,000 miles, with several cases on trucks parked or just after shutdown.

   3 related service bulletins

   What to check: Inspect under the dash and seats for scorched or repaired wiring, check that fuses are correct, and ask about any harness or fuse box replacement history.

   2 excerpts from owner complaints in NHTSA records

   “Dashboard cracked and caved in when I hit a bump while driving approx 68 MPH on the freeway (I- 15 northbound through las vegas). Plastic falling into the dashboard area disconnected several wires causing the headlights to go out as well as several other electrical accessories. Freeway was well lit enough for me to stop safely and call for assistance.”

   NHTSA complaint #10253001, filed 2008-12, 155,000 miles

   “Events are that the dashboard began to crack, crumbling small pieces into the electrical wiring, air bag vicinity, and even into the floorboard. Eventually, huge chunks of plastic has fallen into the cavities, impeding braking, and causing concern of fire under the dashboard area. Care must be taken not to touch the dashboard or your hand will go through what remains of it.”

   NHTSA complaint #10260257, filed 2009-02, 75,000 miles
5. 5
   Air bags

   Airbags not deploying in frontal impacts

   • 8 complaints (8%)
   • median 92,000 mi at 7.1 yrs old (3 state mileage, few)
   • 7 mention a crash, fire or injury
   • filed 1998–2010

   Several owners describe frontal collisions at moderate to highway speeds in which neither frontal airbag deployed. Others report airbags deploying with the engine off, or an airbag warning light and chime coming on while driving with the dealer tracing it to the clockspring. In the collision reports, owners say the manufacturer told them deployment thresholds were not met. Reported at varied mileages, from under 50,000 up to around 150,000 miles, across both collisions and warning-light cases.

   1 related service bulletin

   What to check: Check that the airbag warning light comes on at startup and goes out, and have the stored airbag codes read. Ask whether the clockspring has been replaced.

   2 excerpts from owner complaints in NHTSA records

   “On may 10th, 2004, I was driving my 1998 Dodge 3500 and traveling south on hwy 116 approximately 5 miles from copperas cove when I left the road due to a medical condition. The final spot of the truck was about 50 feet off the roadway in a stand of medium size trees. There was direct frontal impact however the drivers air bag did not deploy. I have stitches, multiple lacerations, bruises, black eyes on my face. I am in a cervical collar and have reoccuring and continuous headaches and dizziness. …”

   NHTSA complaint #10072683, filed 2004-05, 93,000 miles

   “Consumer's vehicle rear ended another vehicle in front at an impact of 30-40 MPH, and neither frontal air bag deployed. Consumer reported no injuries. Dealer was notified. The consumer stated that damage to vehicle $9607.80 using recycled parts. Chrysler notified the dealer stating parameters for airbag deployment were not met. The consumer stated the the vehicle has been repaired but does not know if the air bags work or not.”

   NHTSA complaint #10101656, filed 2005-01, 84,000 miles

Buying note. These trucks are old enough that condition and repair history matter more than the model year itself; ask for records on the headlight switch and harness, the transmission (especially fifth gear on manual diesel trucks) and the brakes. A pre-purchase inspection focused on wiring, brakes and the airbag system is worthwhile.

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.