Which parts fail
Components named in complaints (fuel pump, injectors, fuel tank, hybrid and EV propulsion).
Mileage when the problem started
Owner reports
Selected complaints filed with NHTSA by 1998 Dodge Ram owners, lightly cleaned up (personal details are redacted by NHTSA).
As we were driving down the road the van starting making whirring sound and starting lose speed. We heard a loud pop. A car beeped and my husband looked in the side mirror and saw fire coming from under the van. We quickly pulled over and jumped out. The fuel line was leaking and the van engulfed in flames. We total lost the van and everything in it. We purchased the van from a local church which never had any issues with it. It was inspected in December of 2016 and had only been driven a few times without any complications. We had read that there is a recall for 1998 Dodge Ram 3500 trucks with a 8.0l v-10 engine or a 5.9l v-8 heavty duty gasoline engine where an exhaust system heat shield attaching screw is tool close to the underbody fuel line. The line can rub against the screw, possibly causing fuel leakage. …
I was driving on the road after driving up and down the steep hill,when I heard pop, and look at my rear view mirror and my truck was on fire mostly around the left hand rear tire and around right behind the driver's side. I drove to the side of the road and got, than I call the police and fire dept. For assistant/help.
Fire started while driving up a mountain on vacation. Took to dealership in maine - cause unknown. While driving home from vacation we stopped to get gas. Filled up, and gas started pouring out from top of tank. Towed to sjm auto sales & repair, found out about faulty gas line and melted seals on tank. Chrysler towed to dealership in pennsylvania - sherrock brothers inc. Truck is still there. As of right now they will not pay for repairs.
My name is john simonelli and I purchased a Dodge Ram truck. I had many problems with it like brakes,air, fuel problems, raidiator, and worse of all stalling on left turns. I reported to bell Dodge of my truck stalling on left turns. They looked at it once and said the truck was OK. After that I took the truck down to the dealer each time reporting of incident. All they did was document the problem and send me away. They would not even make an attempt to solve the problem despite the danger the truck was to me and others. To prove my case I had to push them to hook up a co-pilot for readings. The computer would show the vehicle died for some unknown reason. However the co-pilot would not tell them how to fix problem so their for the problem did not excist. Then I had to drive around with a cam-corder to record problem. …
Spark knock noticed, vehicle taken to nearest Dodge dealership(colonial dr., orlando,fl). Vehicle was evaluated by computer diagnostic system and road test: reported as normal. On further insistance and discussion, service tech found intake manifold gasket was defective and would need replacement. It was also mentioned by this dealership, as well as by several other mechanics, that this is a problem Dodge is having on v-6 and v-8 style engines. This problem has become so widespread that Dodge has published bulletins on repair of this defect. Dodge has also agreed to repair this defect in the v-6 engines. Since I am the owner of a v-8 engine that this defect also exists, I feel Dodge is responsible for the failure of the part in my engine and I should be compensated for the diagnostic test and repair of engine manifold plenum pan gasket. Thank-you for your assisstance in this matter.
I have a Dodge Ram 1500 wagon 1998, and I have been experiencing alot of problems with the transmission and keeps stalling whenever I turn the wheel to the right side. This is very weird and the mechanics do not understand this complaint. The ABS light has been coming on for a while and no one knows why either, but I do not see any recalls on this problem either. Can you help me resolve this matter. I have replaced the door locks on each door at least twice in this van and it has cost alot of money, I think by now this should have been recalled on this vehicle as well. Please help me with this vehicle, I love riding it but it has been having alot of the same riding and maitenance problems and no one knows why or understands why it keeps coming back after fixing them multiple times. Thank you, the dealerships do not help either.
When driving at 40-45 and without prior warning vehicle cut completely off, causing loss of all power steering and power brakes. Consumer contacted the dealer, dealer instructed consumer to get up underneath vehicle and bang on fuel tank right at the location of t fuel pump. Consumer noted after banging on the fuel tank that vehicle restarted. Consumer drove six miles and vehicle cut completely off without prior warning. Mechanic again banged on fuel tank and vehicle restarted. Fuel pump internall shorted, dealer replaced fuel pump and vehicle has not stalled anymore.
Consumers vehicle ran into a trailer on his property and ABS was defective, also brake drums were rusted, dealership was aware of problem. Consumer stated that headache bar and fuel tank, tires, fuel filter, steering stabilizer, front shocks, rear shocks, air filter, rear axle seal and fluid, rear transfer case seal and u-joints in rear drive shaft failed and replaced.
Fuel line failure caused fuel leakages under vehicle while driving. Vehicle towed to dealer for repairs. The fuel feed line broken between injedctor pump and return fitting. Consumer checking internet, Dodge had a recall for 98 Dodge. But they told him the vehicle missed the recall by 30 days.
Since the 1st pump failed I have seriously diminished power and mileage. After Chrysler got involved...they kept throwing parts at it but handed me a lot of stories. Would not send to cummins. Cummins agreed to diagnose the problem after several months of run around with Chrysler. Still not resolved.
Related recalls
Fuel system, gasoline › Delivery › Hoses, lines/piping, and fittings
Vehicle description: light duty trucks equipped with either a 8.0l v-10 engine or a 5.9l v-8 heavy duty gasoline engine. An exhaust system heat shield attaching screw is too close to the underbody fuel line. The line can rub against the screw, possibly causing fuel leakage.
Remedy: Dealers will remove the underbody heat shield attaching screw and replace it with rubber adhesive. The chassis fuel line will be inspected for signs of wear and any tubes indicating wear will be replaced.
Fuel System complaints in other Ram years
Frequently asked questions
How common are fuel system problems on the 1998 Dodge Ram?
NHTSA has 28 complaints about the fuel & propulsion system of the 1998 Dodge Ram, 5% of the model year's 517 complaints. The component named most often is storage › tank assembly (5 mentions).
Is there a recall for 1998 Dodge Ram fuel system problems?
Yes — NHTSA recall 98V-182 (hoses, lines/piping, and fittings, Aug 6, 1998). Recall repairs are free at authorized dealers.
At what mileage do 1998 Dodge Ram fuel system problems start?
Half of the complaints with a recorded mileage happened before about 107,000 miles.
Is it dangerous?
Owners linked 0 crashes, 4 fires and 0 injuries to fuel & propulsion system 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.