The 1998 Ram 2500 is a workhorse truck with three engine choices, each bringing its own quirks. The Cummins diesel is bulletproof mechanically but tough on transmissions; the V8 and V10 gas engines suffer from intake plenum gasket failures and automatic transmission cooler issues that can be catastrophic if ignored.
Intake Plenum Gasket Failure (5.9L V8 Magnum)
Common · medium severityTypical onset: 60,000-120,000 mi
Symptoms: Rough idle and stumbling on acceleration, Oil in throttle body or air intake tube, Check engine light with lean codes (P0171/P0174)
Fix: Replace intake manifold gasket with updated composite or steel gasket kit. Requires upper plenum removal, throttle body cleaning. 3-4 hours labor at a shop.
Estimated cost: $400-700
Automatic Transmission Failure (46RE/47RE)
Common · high severityTypical onset: 100,000-180,000 mi
Symptoms: Slipping between gears, especially 2nd-3rd shift, Delayed engagement when shifting into drive or reverse, Burnt transmission fluid smell, dark or metallic fluid, Loss of overdrive or limp mode
Fix: The 46RE/47RE behind the gas engines and especially the Cummins cannot handle the torque long-term without upgrades. Factory transmission oil cooler often fails internally, contaminating fluid with coolant and destroying clutches. Full rebuild with upgraded clutches, bands, and external cooler: 12-16 hours labor. Many owners opt for aftermarket rebuild kits designed for towing.
Estimated cost: $2,500-4,200
Transmission Oil Cooler Contamination (All Engines)
Common · high severitySymptoms: Strawberry milkshake appearance in transmission fluid (coolant mixing), Transmission slipping or erratic shifting after coolant leak, Overheating transmission, even with normal coolant temps
Fix: Factory cooler in radiator fails internally, allowing coolant into transmission lines. Requires immediate flush, external cooler install, and often transmission rebuild if driven after contamination. Prevention: install external cooler and bypass factory unit. Cooler install: 2-3 hours. If trans is contaminated, add rebuild cost.
Estimated cost: $800-1,200 (cooler + flush); $3,000-4,500 (if rebuild needed)
Lift Pump Failure (5.9L Cummins Diesel)
Occasional · high severityTypical onset: 150,000+ mi
Symptoms: Hard starting, especially when hot, Loss of power under load or at highway speeds, Stalling or dying after idling, Low fuel pressure at injection pump (should be 15+ PSI)
Fix: Factory in-tank lift pump is weak and fails, starving the high-pressure injection pump. Injection pump relies on lift pump for lubrication and cooling—if it runs dry, the $1,200+ injection pump grenades. Aftermarket lift pump install on frame rail: 2-4 hours. DO THIS PREVENTIVELY on any used Cummins.
Estimated cost: $400-700 (lift pump kit + install); $2,000-3,000 (if injection pump also damaged)
Front Track Bar and Ball Joint Wear
Common · medium severityTypical onset: 80,000-140,000 mi
Symptoms: Death wobble—violent steering wheel shake at 45-55 mph after hitting bump, Clunking from front end over bumps, Wandering or loose steering feel
Fix: Heavy front axle and soft factory track bar bushings lead to play in steering linkage and ball joints. Track bar is often the trigger for death wobble. Replace track bar, inspect/replace ball joints, tie rod ends, and steering stabilizer as a set. 4-6 hours labor for full front-end overhaul.
Estimated cost: $800-1,400
Dash Cracking and Gauge Cluster Failure
Common · low severitySymptoms: Deep cracks across dashboard top, especially in sun-exposed trucks, Intermittent gauge dropout—speedometer, tachometer, or fuel gauge goes dead, Backlight bulbs burn out frequently
Fix: Chrysler dashboards from this era are notorious for UV damage. Dash caps are cosmetic fix (~$150 parts, 1 hour). Gauge clusters fail from cold solder joints on circuit boards—can be DIY resoldered or sent out for rebuild ($150-250). Replacement cluster from junkyard: 0.5 hours labor to swap.
Estimated cost: $150-400
Exhaust Manifold Cracking (5.9L V8 and 8.0L V10)
Occasional · low severityTypical onset: 100,000+ mi
Symptoms: Ticking noise from engine bay that increases with RPM, Exhaust leak smell in cabin with heat on, Visible cracks on cast-iron manifolds, usually between ports
Fix: Cast manifolds crack from heat cycling, especially on passenger side. Aftermarket headers or OEM replacement manifolds. 4-6 hours labor due to tight engine bay and rusted studs. V10 is worse due to even more heat.
Estimated cost: $600-1,200
Buy the Cummins if you need towing capacity and can budget $1,500 up front for lift pump and transmission cooler mods—it'll outlast the truck. The gas engines are cheaper to maintain but won't hold value or last as long under heavy use.
AI-assisted summary drawn from NHTSA recall data, our labor-times database, and platform knowledge. Not a substitute for a pre-purchase inspection on a specific vehicle.