MYRModel Year Report

1998 Dodge RAM 2500

● Typical for this model
1998 Dodge RAM 2500
BUILT 2026-10-10

This year's complaint volume is within 30% of this model's typical year.

This verdict reflects complaint volume compared to this model's typical year. Recalls and safety issues below apply regardless of the verdict — always check them.

How is this computed?

Complaints
225
Recalls
2

Campaigns on file for 1998

Investigations
0

None on file

Top problem
Service brakes

24% of complaints

Complaints per year

1991: 16 complaints 1991 1992: 32 complaints 1993: 39 complaints 1994: 168 complaints 1994 1995: 267 complaints 1996: 291 complaints 1997: 213 complaints 1998: 225 complaints 1998 225 1999: 313 complaints 2000: 211 complaints 2001: 469 complaints 2002: 155 complaints 2003: 661 complaints 2003 2004: 581 complaints 2005: 422 complaints 2006: 668 complaints 2006 2007: 361 complaints 2008: 317 complaints 2009: 214 complaints 2009 2010: 236 complaints 2011: 298 complaints 2012: 283 complaints 2012
1991: 16 complaints 1991 1992: 32 complaints 1993: 39 complaints 1993 1994: 168 complaints 1995: 267 complaints 1995 1996: 291 complaints 1997: 213 complaints 1998: 225 complaints 1998 225 1999: 313 complaints 2000: 211 complaints 2001: 469 complaints 2001 2002: 155 complaints 2003: 661 complaints 2003 2004: 581 complaints 2005: 422 complaints 2005 2006: 668 complaints 2007: 361 complaints 2007 2008: 317 complaints 2009: 214 complaints 2009 2010: 236 complaints 2011: 298 complaints 2011 2012: 283 complaints
1991: 16 complaints 1991 1992: 32 complaints 1992 1993: 39 complaints 1993 1994: 168 complaints 1994 1995: 267 complaints 1995 1996: 291 complaints 1996 1997: 213 complaints 1997 1998: 225 complaints 1998 225 1999: 313 complaints 1999 2000: 211 complaints 2000 2001: 469 complaints 2001 2002: 155 complaints 2002 2003: 661 complaints 2003 2004: 581 complaints 2004 2005: 422 complaints 2005 2006: 668 complaints 2006 2007: 361 complaints 2007 2008: 317 complaints 2008 2009: 214 complaints 2009 2010: 236 complaints 2010 2011: 298 complaints 2011 2012: 283 complaints 2012

1998: 225 complaints

View as data table
YearComplaints
199116
199232
199339
1994168
1995267
1996291
1997213
1998225
1999313
2000211
2001469
2002155
2003661
2004581
2005422
2006668
2007361
2008317
2009214
2010236
2011298
2012283

Known problem areas

Percentages can add to more than 100% — a complaint can name more than one system.

Service brakes

24% · 54 reports

Most commonly citing hydraulic and air.

CRASHINJURY

Power train

14% · 32 reports

Most commonly citing automatic transmission and torque converter.

CRASHINJURY

Steering

12% · 27 reports

Most commonly citing steering wheel/handle bar and gear box (other than rack and pinion).

CRASHINJURY

Structure

10% · 23 reports

Most commonly citing body and door.

Tires

10% · 22 reports

Most commonly citing tread/belt and sidewall.

INJURY
Show complaint excerpts

Traveling north on interstate 75 in manatee county. Pick-up truck began to fish tail, causing several vehicles to swerve to avoid accident, followed by loud banging noises at left rear of truck.

NHTSA ODI report, 2006-10-09

Tl* the contact owns a 1998 Dodge RAM 2500 equipped with four mastercraft courser axt (Na) tires, size: 285/75/R16/ (Na). The tires were purchased in January of 2018.

NHTSA ODI report, 2018-02-27

On a 1998 Dodge RAM 2500 three of the five stock goodyear wrangler rt/s 245/75 R16 tires have been voluntarily replaced by the manufacturer for sidewall separation.

NHTSA ODI report, 2012-04-02

Safety timeline

2 recalls · 0 investigations · oldest first

To check one car, enter its VIN on the NHTSA recall page. Check a VIN →

  1. R
    2006-04-20Engine and engine cooling06E024000 Certain replacement k&n fuel performance kits, p/nos. 57-1509, 57-1511, 57-1511-1, 57-1517, 57-1517-1, 57-1527, and 57-1530. Also, a small percentage of these kits were sold under the mopar…

    Remedy: K&n will provide owners with a free repair kit along with repair instructions. The recall began on April 20, 2006.

    Check if this car was fixed →

  2. R
    Date not on fileSteering08E027000 Affinia is recalling 5,700 aftermarket chassis tie rod assemblies manufactured from March 28, 2006 through March 17, 2008, sold for use on my 1998 and 1999 Dodge RAM 2500 and 3500 heavy duty trucks.

    Remedy: Affinia will notify owners and replace the affected chassis tie rod assemblies free of charge. The recall is expected to begin during April 2008. Owners may contact affinia at 734-827-5400.

    Check if this car was fixed →

Buy-smart checklist

1998 Dodge RAM 2500 — pre-purchase inspection

Inspect

  • Service brakes: 54 reports on file for this year.
  • Power train: 32 reports on file for this year.
  • Steering: 27 reports on file for this year.

Verify these recalls were completed

  • Recall 08E027000 · Steering
  • Recall 06E024000 · Engine and engine cooling
Inspected by ______________ Date ______________

Other years of this model

See all years ranked →

Best years3 years

Worst years3 years

FAQ

Is the 1998 Dodge RAM 2500 reliable?
Based on NHTSA complaint volume compared to this model's typical year, the 1998 Dodge RAM 2500 is rated "typical".
What are the most common problems with the 1998 Dodge RAM 2500?
The most-reported component is service brakes, accounting for 24% of complaints on file.
How many recalls does the 1998 Dodge RAM 2500 have?
2 recalls on file for this model year.

Data updated 2026-10-09 · Complaints are unverified owner reports filed with NHTSA, not independently verified defects. Methodology.