Which parts fail
Components named in complaints (wheels, lug nuts, original-equipment tires, TPMS).
Mileage when the problem started
Owner reports
Selected complaints filed with NHTSA by 1998 Dodge Ram 2500 owners, lightly cleaned up (personal details are redacted by NHTSA).
I I purchased new truck tires that self destructed in 4,000 miles. Complete a massive tread separation resulting in freeway speed tire blow out. Veerubber taiga h/t r33. Four out of two failed. Dallas dealer said they were unsafe at any speed upon examination.
I have a 98 Ram 2500 v10 if I go about 65 MPH there is a massive wobble in the steering wheel but if I speed up to 70 it stops or if I slow down to 60 it stops. There should be a recall on this because all of the Ram trucks that I have had do this exact same thing.
On 4-21-2006, my right rear tire catastrophically blew out. The entire perimeter of tread separated, doing at least $2,158.80 damage to my truck. I did not lose control and there was no other damage. On 4-22-2006, 234 miles after the first blowout, the left rear tire blew out in a similar fashion. Damage this time was $1,896.82. The tires were cooper dominator sport a/t, size lt 265/75-16e. The dot code for both tires was upw8 xdj 3104. The first tire had 22,467 miles at the time of blowout; the second 22,701. In both cases I was heading eastbound on I-40, the first time at mp 259, 14 miles west of santa rosa, nm; the second at mp 122, about 60 miles east of amarillo, tx. Both tires were inflated to 80 psi, checked the morning of 4-21-06. My speed for at the first blowout was 60 MPH; 53 MPH at the second. Temperature at the first blowout was 70; for the second was 85. …
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. The fourth tire blew one week ago while towing a light boat (2000lbs) at approximately 65mph. I was able to maintain control, but I had my wife and two children aboard and am upset that the same problem has occurred repeatedly due to an admitted manufacturer error. The tires have less than 45,000 miles on them and the replacements are showing minute signs of sidewall separation with less than 10,000 miles. To replace these tires would cost approximately $800, $1000 with the spare. I feel endangered by the reputation of the tires and truly feel that the product that I have paid for has fallen woefully short of expectation, while operated under very light workloads and very low mileage. …
While traveling on the highway on January 23,20 04. At approximately 60 MPH, the tread on the front passenger side tire separated, resulting in complete destruction of the tire. On March 23, 2004 while driving at the same speed, the tread on the rear driver side tire separated, resulting in tire failure. Hercules, terra track, r123, lt245/75r16, the tires had only 17,000 miles on them. The first incident occurred with no warning. The vehicle jerked and pulled to the right. The tire was inflated but the tread in the center was gone. The second incident occurred while in motion. A loud noise was heard, the vehicle swerved across the lanes. Tread wrapped around the axle. The tire didn't go flat. The right rear tire was out of shape and had to be replaced. (terra track r123)
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. While driving approximately 65 MPH and pulling a trailer, the front passenger tire suddenly blew out. During the incident, the front passenger rim was destroyed. The contact indicated that the exact tire pressure was checked before starting the trip. The manufacturer and local dealer (elliston repair and tire in fredricktown, ohio were notified. The VIN and vehicle failure mileage were unknown. The tire failure mileage was 100.
While parked at my house, in my driveway, the front right tire exploded. The tire was a Michelin ltx m/s lt245/75r16 the truck had not been moved for 9 days. The blowout left a 14" tear in the sidewall of the tire with shard of rubber clad steel belt material sticking out of the gash. No one was near the truck when the explosion occurred. I hear a loud report at about 11:30 am when the tire blew. The temperature at the time was between 75f and 80f.
Driving on hwy880 north bound just past 238 junction pulling my boat. My boat weighs approx 7000#. I had just merged onto the highway and I was going about 50mph when I noticed a severe vibration. The vibration got worse and all of a sudden a huge piece of tread separated from the rear drivers side tire. I can say this because I saw it fly past me in the lane to my left. Following the tread separation the tire exploded and my truck started to fishtail. I was able to signal and make my way to the right hand shoulder. The tire had 3/4 of the tread missing and had a huge hole in the sidewall. I was able to remove tire and replace with spare. When the tread detached it did some damage to the rear quarter panel. The 2 sidebody support rods in the wheel well where completely torn free. Also the wheel well trim was completely torn loose. …
This is a "load range e" Goodyear tire problem. At 30081, 30805, 35213, and 38060, miles one each of the original equipment tires failed due to sidewall separation and was replaced at varying charges by dealers. Now, at about 50,612 miles, one of the replacement tires has failed for the same reason. Goodyear is giving me a "run around" as has been the case in all previous occurrences variously claiming that the tire is "no longer avaailable" "on backorder" "no longer manufactured" "not adjustable" etc. It has now been two weeks since the last failure was shown to Goodyear, and they claim not to be able to locate a replacement. I have complete documentation of each of these situations, dealer names and locations, and am ready to assist you in whatever way is appropriate. (dot number: mk11 tiresize: lt24575r16)
Sunday September 6, 2009 at 11:30 am, I was driving a 1998 Dodge Ram 2500 pulling a small 6x10 single axle trailer at 60 miles per hour on highway 79 loop in taylor, tx. I had a cooper 265/75/r16 m+t tire on the passenger front with tire pressure of 50 lbs. The tread separated from the tire, but the tire never lost inflation. The tread damaged the panel under the passenger door, dented the front passenger fender, the plastic front bumper cover was torn loose, and the inside fender covers and mudflap was torn loose. I retrieved the tire tread from the road and have the inflated carcass in my possession. No injuries to myself or my wife. I am a professional driver by trade working for smith county texas road & bridge department.
Wheel & Tire complaints in other Ram 2500 years
Frequently asked questions
How common are wheel & tire problems on the 1998 Dodge Ram 2500?
NHTSA has 25 complaints about the wheels & tires of the 1998 Dodge Ram 2500, 11% of the model year's 225 complaints. The component named most often is tread/belt (7 mentions).
Is there a recall for 1998 Dodge Ram 2500 wheel & tire problems?
No. NHTSA lists no wheels & tires recall for the 1998 Dodge Ram 2500. If the problem is widespread, a repair may still be covered by an extended warranty or a manufacturer service bulletin — ask a dealer.
At what mileage do 1998 Dodge Ram 2500 wheel & tire problems start?
Half of the complaints with a recorded mileage happened before about 48,000 miles, and 14% before 25,000 miles.
Is it dangerous?
Owners linked 1 crash, 0 fires and 1 injury to wheels & tires problems on this model year. If you notice symptoms, have the car checked before driving further.
Source: U.S. National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA) — owner complaints through October 20, 2026, recalls and defect investigations; fuel economy from the EPA. Complaints are unverified reports and are not proof of a defect. How we rate model years.