Reliability & 5-year cost of ownership — 1998 Dodge Ram 2500
NHTSA data on file today
The 1998 Dodge Ram 2500 has 2 NHTSA recall campaigns and 225 owner complaints on file as of . Recall data is refreshed daily from NHTSA.
Recall campaigns on file
- NHTSA #08E027000 CHASSIS TIE RODS NHTSA notice
- NHTSA #06E024000 REPLACEMENT AIR INTAKE SYSTEMS/DEBRIS CAN ENTER NHTSA notice
Most-cited components in owner complaints
- Service Brakes, Hydraulic 34 complaints
- Power Train 27 complaints
- Steering 24 complaints
- Structure 21 complaints
- Tires 21 complaints
- Air Bags 18 complaints
Of the 225 complaints on file, 19 report a crash and 3 a fire; across all 225 complaints, owners report 20 injuries (owner-reported, not verified by NHTSA).
Average
Estimated 5-year repair + maintenance cost: $4,000–$10,000AI estimate — not from NHTSA data
The 1998 Dodge RAM 2500 has an average reliability rating. The number of recalls is low, but it has 225 owner complaints, mainly regarding the brakes, power train, and steering. Given these figures, the vehicle shows a mix of durable components with some areas of concern. The evidence from complaints is limited, and this affects the certainty of the rating.
Most-common failures
| Part | Typical mileage (AI estimate) | Cost range (AI estimate) | Frequency |
|---|---|---|---|
| service brakes | 60,000–110,000 miles | $300–$1,000 | common |
| power train | 70,000–120,000 miles | $800–$2,500 | common |
| steering system | Unknown | $500–$1,500 | occasional |
AI estimate — not from NHTSA data: the mileage bands and repair-cost ranges above. Get a written repair quote before you budget.
Scheduled maintenance to budget
Routine items every owner should plan for.
- Oil changes every 5,000 miles
- Brake inspection annually
- Transmission fluid change every 30,000 miles
- Tire rotation every 6,000 miles
- Coolant replacement every 60,000 miles
- Steering system check annually
Warning signs to watch for
Symptoms that signal a major upcoming repair.
- Brake pedal vibration
- Transmission slipping
- Loose steering feel
- Unusual tire wear
- Engine overheating
Generated by gpt-4o on from the NHTSA recall campaigns and owner-complaint counts on file for the 1998 Dodge Ram 2500 at the time. The rating is an AI assessment; cost and mileage figures are AI estimates, not NHTSA data.