Tap a category to read its complaints. One report may name several components.
When problems were reported
Mileage at the reported incident
20–25K
425–50K
650–75K
1475–100K
8100–150K
12150K+
46 reports with mileage · 59 unknown
NHTSA’s mileage field refers to the reported incident, not necessarily the filing date. This shows report counts, not the likelihood of a failure.
What to inspect
Issues worth paying extra attention to based on owner reports.
Power Train. Review the 19 owner reports in this category and discuss these concerns during a pre-purchase inspection. Read reports →
Electrical System. Review the 14 owner reports in this category and discuss these concerns during a pre-purchase inspection. Read reports →
Exterior Lighting. Review the 14 owner reports in this category and discuss these concerns during a pre-purchase inspection. Read reports →
NHTSA owner reports · September 18, 2026 snapshot.
12 crash reports10 fire reports7 injury reports
What owners actually said
105 reports
45,000 miles · Nov 11, 2003
Exterior Lighting
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 RE…
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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.*AK
NHTSA ODI #10046031
45,000 miles · Nov 11, 2003
Exterior Lighting
DRIVING DOWN INTRASTATE HIGHWAY IN 5TH GEAR, COMPLETE LOSS OF POWER (AS IF SHIFTING INTO NEUTRAL). VEHICLE TAKEN TO TRANSMISSION SHOP...NUT HOLDING 5TH GEAR BACKED OFF--DISENGAGING 5TH GEAR. THIS IS A WELL KNOW PROBLEM WITH DODGE DIESELS. DODGE INTRODUCED A RETROFIT KIT TO HOPEFULLY RESOLVE PROBLEM. IF THE PROBLEM REQUIRES A…
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DRIVING DOWN INTRASTATE HIGHWAY IN 5TH GEAR, COMPLETE LOSS OF POWER (AS IF SHIFTING INTO NEUTRAL). VEHICLE TAKEN TO TRANSMISSION SHOP...NUT HOLDING 5TH GEAR BACKED OFF--DISENGAGING 5TH GEAR. THIS IS A WELL KNOW PROBLEM WITH DODGE DIESELS. DODGE INTRODUCED A RETROFIT KIT TO HOPEFULLY RESOLVE PROBLEM. IF THE PROBLEM REQUIRES A RETROFIT, WHY NOT RECALL THE TRANSMISSIONS AND FIX THE PROBLEM. A NUT BACKING OUT COST ME $1400 PLUS 2 WEEKS OF NO VEHICLE...AN PHELPS. *AK
NHTSA ODI #10046029
164,000 miles · Oct 16, 2003
Engine And Engine Cooling
OWNER OF VEHICLE HAD A ROUTINE OIL CHANGE DONE. WHILE DRIVING OWNER NOTICED THAT OIL GAUGE DROPPED, AND VEHICLE WAS LOSING OIL. *AK
NHTSA ODI #10044093
Mileage unknown · Oct 6, 2003
Structure
FLOOR BOARD IS CRACKING AROUND THE FRONT SEATS.*AK
NHTSA ODI #10042371
79,500 miles · Sep 29, 2003
Electrical SystemExterior Lighting
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 SWITC…
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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.*AK
NHTSA ODI #10040938
46,565 miles · Sep 8, 2003
Electrical SystemService Brakes, AirFire
1998-2001 B-VAN (DODGE FULL SIZE) BS CONTROL MODULE IS PROTECTED WITH A 40 AMP FUSE. A 10 GA. WIRE COMES OUT OF THE CONTROL MODULE THEN THE WIRE "Y"'S OUT TO TWO 14 GA. WIRES. IT APPEARS AS THOUGH THE ABS PUMP OR RELAY STICKS ON THESE VEHICLES. THEN ONE OF THE 14 GA. WIRES OVER HEATS AND STARTS THE WIRING HARNESS ON FIRE. THE 4…
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1998-2001 B-VAN (DODGE FULL SIZE) BS CONTROL MODULE IS PROTECTED WITH A 40 AMP FUSE. A 10 GA. WIRE COMES OUT OF THE CONTROL MODULE THEN THE WIRE "Y"'S OUT TO TWO 14 GA. WIRES. IT APPEARS AS THOUGH THE ABS PUMP OR RELAY STICKS ON THESE VEHICLES. THEN ONE OF THE 14 GA. WIRES OVER HEATS AND STARTS THE WIRING HARNESS ON FIRE. THE 40 AMP FUSE DOES NOT BLOW. THE FIRE CONTINUES UNTIL THE ENTIRE VAN IS FULLY ENGULED IN FLAMES.*AK
NHTSA ODI #10037427
36,200 miles · Jul 31, 2003
Power Train
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…
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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. *PH
NHTSA ODI #10030505
130,000 miles · Jun 25, 2003
Parking Brake
EMERGENCY BRAKE RELEASES WITHOUT PULLING THE RELEASE LEVER. RANDOMLY POPS OFF. *NLM
NHTSA ODI #10023748
Mileage unknown · May 15, 2003
Fuel System, Gasoline
THE FUEL PICKUP PUMP BURNED THE INJECTOR PUMP. *NLM
NHTSA ODI #10019940
Mileage unknown · May 15, 2003
Fuel System, Gasoline
THERE WAS A PROBLEM WITH THE GASOLINE GAUGE. *NLM
NHTSA ODI #10019939
Official recalls
0
No recalls in this snapshot.
Model-level recall history does not show whether a particular VIN is affected or has received a repair. Check a VIN with NHTSA ↗
NHTSA investigations
1
PE02049 · Tire Valve
Opened Jun 3, 2002 · Closed Oct 1, 2002
Status: closed (inferred from source dates) · Tires
No summary supplied.
1998 Dodge RAM 3500 Problems, Complaints & Recalls | Skip That Year
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