1998 Dodge RAM 3500 Transmission and drivetrain Problems
- Complaints
- 19about this part
- Share
- 18%of 105 total for the year
- Median mileage
- 117,620miles
- Trend
- StableComplaints filed in the last 3 full calendar years are within 25% of the 3 years before.
NHTSA recorded 19 complaints about the transmission and drivetrain of the 1998 Dodge RAM 3500, 18% of the 105 complaints for this model year. Where a mileage was given, the median is 117,620 miles. 1 a fire, according to the filers.
Example complaints
Selected from NHTSA records; personal details are removed. They are consumer reports, not findings.
“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“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“Diesel engine, manual transmission, 3500. The nut that holds the 5th gear on in the transmission comes off while the vehicle is moving at a high rate of speed. Resulting in no 5th gear. It is known that the nut sometimes jams the rest of the transmission, resulting in no transmission at all when moving at a high rate of speed. It has happened to me twice and it is about $600+ to fix each time. I live in california, my business friend in south caroline has had it happened twice also, and he knows of another person in texas that had the same problem. …”
NHTSA complaint #10138517, filed 2005-10, 109,387 miles“Driving down highway at 65 MPH, 5th gear disengaged--(as if shifted into neutral). Taken to transmission shop, told bolt holding 5th gear backed off. Told there is a retrofit kit available to hopefully fix the problem and prevent re-occurance. This is a common problem with Dodge diesel/5 speed combos. This bolt (known defect) cost me $1400 and 2 weeks with no vehicle.”
NHTSA complaint #10046032, filed 2003-11, 56,000 miles“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 milesRelated service bulletins
- 10148822Jun 11, 2018This SKU is an Automatic Transmission Oil Cooler Line. The Customer communication requested return of unsold inventory to inspect for improperly crimped hose fittings. Improperly…
Transmission and drivetrain: other model years
| Year | Complaints | Share of year |
|---|---|---|
| 2012 | 28 | 8% |
| 2011 | 9 | 4% |
| 2010 | 8 | 5% |
| 2009 | 4 | 4% |
| 2008 | 10 | 6% |
| 2007 | 14 | 7% |
| 2006 | 22 | 9% |
| 2005 | 32 | 16% |
| 2004 | 64 | 30% |
| 2003 | 26 | 9% |
| 2002 | 5 | 11% |
| 2001 | 14 | 11% |
| 2000 | 8 | 14% |
| 1999 | 22 | 21% |
| 1998 | 19 | 18% |
| 1997 | 26 | 21% |
| 1996 | 19 | 15% |
| 1995 | 19 | 18% |
| 1994 | 10 | 14% |
| 1992 | 1 | 10% |
Other parts of the 1998 Dodge RAM 3500
20 complaintsElectrical system
14 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 30, 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