1998 Dodge Ram 3500

Reliability tier: verified - see /disclosure/

Engine: 5.9L ISB (12v/24v split) (Cummins, 5.9L)

generation split mid-year: 12v P-pump to early 1998, 24v ISB (VP44) from 1998.5

Applicable failure modes (7)

• APPS (throttle position sensor) failure / dead pedal (24v)
• Intake grid heater / relay failures (cold starts)
• Killer Dowel Pin (KDP) on the 12v P-pump engines
• Fuel lift (transfer) pump failures
• 12v overflow valve weak (hard start / low power)
• Turbo wastegate actuator seize / boost control (HX35W, HE351CW)
• VP44 injection pump death (24v ISB)

Applicable parts (16)

• 5.9L Cummins Throttle Position Sensor / APPS (XDP)
• 5.9L Cummins 24v Cylinder Head, remanufactured (Fleece Freedom Series Street HD, 1998.5-2002)
• cummins-5_9: engine-gasket-set (honest catalog gap)
• 5.9L Cummins Billet Grid Heater Replacement (1/2-inch taller)
• 5.9L Cummins Head Gasket Set, 12v (PSP MLS, 89-98)
• 5.9L Cummins Head Gasket Set, 24v (PSP MLS, 98.5-02)
• cummins-5_9: injector-seal-kit (honest catalog gap)
• 5.9L Cummins Killer Dowel Pin Tab Kit (Power Driven)
• 5.9L Cummins Fuel Lift Pump, 12v (Alliant Power)
• 5.9L Cummins Lift Pump, 24v Direct Replacement (FASS DRP02)
• 5.9L Cummins Lift Pump Relocation Kit for FASS DRP02 (FASS RK02)
• 5.9L Cummins Overflow Valve, P7100 12v (Dynomite Diesel)
• 5.9L Cummins Turbocharger HX35W (PurePower new / Holset)
• 5.9L Cummins Injection Pump VP44 (XDP remanufactured)
• 5.9L Cummins Water Pump (Diesel Site cast iron / XDP Xtra Cool)
• cummins-5_9: turbo-actuator (honest catalog gap)

Platform recipes (4)

• Common-rail injector replacement for 2003-2007 trucks (mode fm-c59-cr-injector-wear): worn nozzles and copper-seal blow-by ('chuffing')
• Fuel supply health across all three 5.9 generations (mode fm-c59-lift-pump-failure): every electric frame pump on these trucks is a consumable, and 2005+ moved it in-tank
• Killer Dowel Pin (KDP) prevention for the 12v P-pump engines (mode fm-c59-kdp-dowel-pin): the dowel pin that locates the front cover can back out and drop into the gear case
• VP44 death cascade repair for 1998.5-2002 24v trucks (mode fm-c59-vp44-failure)

Recalls that include this truck (3)

• 02V-161 (June 14, 2002) - VEHICLE SPEED CONTROL: ON CERTAIN PICKUP TRUCKS EQUIPPED WITH DIESEL ENGINES ONLY, THE THROTTLE LINKAGE JOINTS CAN CORRODE AND CAUSE THE THROTTLE TO BIND OR STICK.
• 98V-209 (September 8, 1998) - ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING:ENGINE:DIESEL: VEHICLE DESCRIPTION: LIGHT DUTY PICKUP TRUCKS EQUIPPED WITH 5.9L - 24 VALVE DIESEL ENGINE. AN INTERMITTENT HIGH ENGINE IDLE CONDITION CAN OCCUR DUE TO A MALFUNCTION OF THE VEHICLE SPEED SENSOR.
• 98V-207 (September 8, 1998) - ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING:ENGINE:DIESEL: VEHICLE DESCRIPTION: LIGHT DUTY PICKUP TRUCKS EQUIPPED WITH 5.9L - 24 VALVE DIESEL ENGINE. THE LOW PRESSURE DIESEL FUEL SUPPLY TUBE LOCATED IN THE ENGINE COMPARTMENT BETWEEN THE FILTER AND THE HIGH PRESSURE PUMP CAN...

Matched by the model and model year NHTSA lists for each recall - a recall often covers only part of a year's production, so read its text for the build dates and versions it names. Whether a recall is still open on your VIN is not known here; check nhtsa.gov/recalls. All recalls, investigations and bulletins for this engine: /recalls/cummins-5_9/

Reference for this truck