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 owners, lightly cleaned up (personal details are redacted by NHTSA).
Tl* the contact owns a 1998 Dodge Ram club cab with cooper futura dakota h/t tires, line size 33x/12.5/r15. While driving approximately 70 MPH, the contact heard a noise coming from the rear passenger side tire. The contact merged onto the shoulder of the road and stopped the vehicle. After inspecting the rear passenger side tire, the contact noticed that the tread of the tire had separated but the tire was not flat. The contact replaced the tire with the spare. The manufacturer was made aware of the failure and informed the contact to mail the tire in for further inspection. The dot number was unavailable. The failure mileage of the vehicle at the time of failure was 93,250. The approximate failure mileage of the tire was 4,800.
The spare tire mechanism that hold the tire under the bed broke. This failure was very dangerous since it occurred while I was driving, my spare tire fell onto the street and rolled. Luckily I was in a 35 MPH area, but cars still had to move out of the way of the rolling tire. Had I been on the interstate, it could have been disastrous.
1998 Dodge Ram tire fell off while driving. Consumer states that the tire fell off while driving on the highway. This caused the vehicle to stop in the center lane of the highway. The lug nuts were missing. The vehicle was also struck my another vehicle. (ohio traffic crash report # 10-0246-90)
Goodyear, wrangler, p265/75r16 , dot#4b73d5dr1900 sidewall separation on front passenger's side. Consumer was driving at highway speed when separation occurred. Tires had less than 20,000 miles on them.
Tire size is lt265/75r-16/c. The tire failed while returning from omaha with my wife and 8 month old son. I have digital pictures of the tire and truck that can be sent over e-mail. I have contacted pirelli and they want me to send the tire along with estimates to fix the truck. I spoke with nadine calderwood at [phone] ext 387. She did not seem to care if anyone was injured or not and seemed to be exactly like her title a risk manager. The tires have aprox 20,000 miles on them. I was driving 75 MPH and the truck had a slight vibration I checked tire pressure when we stopped and visually inspected the tires. After we filled with gas the vibration was no longer there. After our second stop the vibration returned and then the tread separated with a violent crash destroying the entire side of the truck and causing the truck to almost loose control and shake violently. …
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 Goodyear. Now, at about 50,000 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 occurances, 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: unknown tiresize: lt24575r16)
Studs keep breaking on the front wheels. In November 2002 right front studs "fell off" as a mechanic was taking the tires off as part a maintenance inspection. Items replaced. In March 2002, I was replacing the calipers and as I placed the lug wrench "manual type" on the lug nuts two fell off from the front right and one from the front left. I am not sure if the two front right were the same ones that were replaced in nov 2002. I am currently working with a dealership to have the broken studs replaced. Would like further information if available as it concerns me that they May pop while driving and I May loose a tire. Thank you for your time.
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.
Pe00.046; consumer was traveling about 65mph on highway and suddenly driver's front side tire exploded. He was able to pull over to shoulders. Goodyear, lt245/75r16, there were no injuries. Right rear tire tread had separated from rim. There were two tire tread separations. Goodyear lt245/7516. There were no injuries.
Tread separation on my Goodyear wranglers rt/s lt245-75r16 load e. Contacted Goodyear customer service however they stated nothing is wrong with those tires. Tires are on a Dodge Ram 2500 hd, diesel. Discovered flaw when after noticing the tire was low on air. (tiresize: lt24575r16)( dot number: tire size: lt24575r16 )
Wheel & Tire complaints in other Ram years
Frequently asked questions
How common are wheel & tire problems on the 1998 Dodge Ram?
NHTSA has 33 complaints about the wheels & tires of the 1998 Dodge Ram, 6% of the model year's 517 complaints. The component named most often is lugs/nuts/bolts/studs (7 mentions).
Is there a recall for 1998 Dodge Ram wheel & tire problems?
No. NHTSA lists no wheels & tires recall for the 1998 Dodge Ram, though it has 14 recalls for other components. 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 wheel & tire problems start?
Half of the complaints with a recorded mileage happened before about 93,000 miles, and 33% before 25,000 miles.
Is it dangerous?
Owners linked 2 crashes, 0 fires and 0 injuries 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.