1998 Dodge RAM 3500 Electrical system Problems
- Complaints
- 14about this part
- Share
- 13%of 105 total for the year
- Median mileage
- 106,090miles
- Trend
- Not enough dataFewer than 15 complaints, too few for a reliable trend.
NHTSA recorded 14 complaints about the electrical system of the 1998 Dodge RAM 3500, 13% of the 105 complaints for this model year. Where a mileage was given, the median is 106,090 miles. 7 a fire, according to the filers.
Fewer than 15 complaints name this part, so treat the figures as a rough indication only.
Example complaints
Selected from NHTSA records; personal details are removed. They are consumer reports, not findings.
“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“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“On three different occasions the retaining nut for fifth-gear has failed. Dealer offered repair kit... Contained new main shaft for tranny. Cost was $3600.00, chrysler refuses to acknowledge defect in manufacturing of thread tapering. There is also no power brakes. Abs seems to not be working, relies on pressure from oil to brake. If pressed continuously, will go all the way to the floor. Wiring harness burned up after dealer work, frank shoupe of georgetown kentucky refused to repair their mistake. Said it was my fault, then refused to keep speaking with me. …”
NHTSA complaint #10249797, filed 2008-11, 150,000 miles“Dt: the contact started vehicle in order to move it. Then, he turned the vehicle off. The starter kept running, causing the vehicle to catch on fire. The fire was extinguished. The vehicle was towed to a dealership to be inspected. They found the fuel shut off solenoid shorted out. The manufacturer was contacted.”
NHTSA complaint #10145834, filed 2005-12, 92,179 miles“- the wiring of the headlight harness switch burned on the contact's 1998 Dodge RAM 3500. There was a recall for this failure, but this vehicle was not included due to the VIN. The Dodge dealer refused to acknowledge that the prior years vehicles and this truck were having the same failures and refused to honor the recall. He called Dodge, and they also refused to honor the recall. He had to repair the vehicle at his own cost.”
NHTSA complaint #10182726, filed 2007-02, 270,000 milesRelated service bulletins
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Electrical system: other model years
| Year | Complaints | Share of year |
|---|---|---|
| 2012 | 45 | 12% |
| 2011 | 17 | 8% |
| 2010 | 17 | 11% |
| 2009 | 6 | 6% |
| 2008 | 18 | 10% |
| 2007 | 24 | 11% |
| 2006 | 53 | 21% |
| 2005 | 15 | 8% |
| 2004 | 15 | 7% |
| 2003 | 9 | 3% |
| 2002 | 2 | 5% |
| 2001 | 6 | 5% |
| 2000 | 7 | 12% |
| 1999 | 5 | 5% |
| 1998 | 14 | 13% |
| 1997 | 6 | 5% |
| 1996 | 10 | 8% |
| 1995 | 8 | 7% |
| 1994 | 14 | 20% |
| 1993 | 3 | 15% |
| 1992 | 1 | 10% |
Other parts of the 1998 Dodge RAM 3500
20 complaintsTransmission and drivetrain
19 complaintsExterior lighting
14 complaintsFuel system
10 complaintsAir bags
9 complaintsSteering
8 complaintsEngine cooling
7 complaintsOther or unknown
5 complaintsVehicle speed control
5 complaintsSuspension
4 complaintsSeat belts
3 complaintsBody and structure
3 complaints
← All problems reported for the 1998 Dodge RAM 3500
About this data. Data from NHTSA (ODI) complaints, recalls, TSBs and investigations, updated Oct 28, 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