1998 Dodge RAM 3500 Exterior lighting Problems
- Complaints
- 14about this part
- Share
- 13%of 105 total for the year
- Median mileage
- 77,250miles
- Trend
- Not enough dataFewer than 15 complaints, too few for a reliable trend.
NHTSA recorded 14 complaints about the exterior lighting of the 1998 Dodge RAM 3500, 13% of the 105 complaints for this model year. Where a mileage was given, the median is 77,250 miles. 4 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.
“Plastic headlight lenses have become cloudy in my 1998 Dodge RAM 3500, reducing the amount of light substantially. The dealer where it was purchased wants to charge me $186 to replace them. This is a safety issue. Dodge used inferior materials in the manufacture of the truck and they should replace them free of charge. They are familiar with the problem, so it is not an isolated incident.”
NHTSA complaint #10155340, filed 2006-04, 71,744 miles“This incident involved failure of the headlight switch as described in safety recall #819 for 1995-1997 model vehicles, resulting in smoke and melting of connector and wires. Inaction by Dodge and a copy of the complaint follows: thank you for contacting the ram customer assistance center in regards to your 1998 RAM 3500. Your concerns, particularly in view of the expense and inconvenience involved in this issue, are understandable. …”
NHTSA complaint #10438502, filed 2011-12, 93,500 miles“Headlight switch failure while driving down highway at 65 MPH. Forced to drive down highway w/o lights, putting myself and my family at risk. Cause: headlight swich failure, told at dealer this is a common failure. Burnt harness wire block. Replaced switch, and was told the only part available for the burn wire block--to replace the entire wire harness. Cost over $1000 plus labor.”
NHTSA complaint #10046031, filed 2003-11, 45,000 miles“Burning odor and light smoke from dashboard. All lights going on and off. Turned of headlights and burning odor and smoke stopped. Went to Dodge dealer to check for recall - manufacturer's recall 819 was for similar problem but only applied to model years 1994 - 1997. This truck was 1998 model. Purchased new headlight switch and replaced the burned switch along with some burnt wiring.”
NHTSA complaint #10040938, filed 2003-09, 79,500 miles“Headlight switch overheat/fire no headlights, driving lights. Failure without warning replaced wiring and headlight switch with factory new parts. No recall available for my model, previous years had recall for headlight switch burnout.”
NHTSA complaint #10107640, filed 2005-01, 134,701 milesExterior lighting: other model years
| Year | Complaints | Share of year |
|---|---|---|
| 2012 | 11 | 3% |
| 2011 | 1 | 0% |
| 2009 | 3 | 3% |
| 2008 | 5 | 3% |
| 2007 | 1 | 0% |
| 2006 | 44 | 17% |
| 2005 | 7 | 4% |
| 2004 | 7 | 3% |
| 2003 | 6 | 2% |
| 2001 | 3 | 2% |
| 1999 | 3 | 3% |
| 1998 | 14 | 13% |
| 1997 | 25 | 20% |
| 1996 | 9 | 7% |
| 1995 | 5 | 5% |
| 1994 | 5 | 7% |
| 1993 | 5 | 25% |
| 1992 | 1 | 10% |
Other parts of the 1998 Dodge RAM 3500
20 complaintsTransmission and drivetrain
19 complaintsElectrical system
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 31, 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