1998 Dodge RAM Exterior lighting Problems
- Complaints
- 13about this part
- Share
- 3%of 483 total for the year
- Median mileage
- 141,108miles
- Trend
- Not enough dataFewer than 15 complaints, too few for a reliable trend.
NHTSA recorded 13 complaints about the exterior lighting of the 1998 Dodge RAM, 3% of the 483 complaints for this model year. Where a mileage was given, the median is 141,108 miles. 1 of these say a crash was involved and 1 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.
“The contact owns a 1998 Dodge RAM. The contact stated that the brake lights and interior lighting fail to dim when the vehicle is turned off. Prior to the failures, she noticed that the instrument panel lights would not dim. The vehicle has not been diagnosed by the dealer. The current and failure mileages were 132,216. Updated 07/28/09. Updated 07/30/09.”
NHTSA complaint #10276115, filed 2009-07, 132,216 miles“Electrical system kept burning out, causing dashboard and tail lights to go out, without warning. *akheadlight switch was checked and dealer found melted plastic wire to the switch connector. Switch was replaced, then the tail lights went out. Still the same problem.”
NHTSA complaint #8008258, filed 2002-04“Transmission shifts late on certain occasions jumping into gear, diagnostics' were performed by dealership resulting in a negative result, the truck still persist's with the problem usually at speeds' 35 MPH and under. The truck has pulled right upon delivery, dealership replaced calipers stating that the o.e.m. Calipers were seized from factory, three days later the problem was back, dealership performed alignment, problem still persisted and continues to do so. …”
NHTSA complaint #705725, filed 1999-04“Headlight switch failed to connect 3 or 4 times when pulled as though shaft was simply in a hole. Accelerator stuck and I had to brake heavily before it released.”
NHTSA complaint #707068, filed 1999-06Exterior lighting: other model years
| Year | Complaints | Share of year |
|---|---|---|
| 2010 | 1 | 4% |
| 2008 | 1 | 4% |
| 2007 | 2 | 12% |
| 2006 | 3 | 12% |
| 2004 | 2 | 3% |
| 2003 | 2 | 4% |
| 2002 | 1 | 1% |
| 2001 | 3 | 1% |
| 1999 | 9 | 2% |
| 1998 | 13 | 3% |
| 1997 | 9 | 2% |
| 1996 | 18 | 3% |
| 1995 | 24 | 4% |
| 1994 | 15 | 3% |
| 1993 | 3 | 6% |
| 1992 | 1 | 2% |
| 1991 | 1 | 2% |
| 1988 | 1 | 5% |
Other parts of the 1998 Dodge RAM
113 complaintsTransmission and drivetrain
80 complaintsAir bags
66 complaintsElectrical system
48 complaintsEngine cooling
38 complaintsSuspension
31 complaintsSteering
28 complaintsOther or unknown
26 complaintsVehicle speed control
25 complaintsFuel system
24 complaintsBody and structure
18 complaintsTires
18 complaints
← All problems reported for the 1998 Dodge RAM
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