8.7

pretty bad
Crashes / Fires:
0 / 0
Injuries / Deaths:
0 / 0
Average Mileage:
3,083 miles

About These NHTSA Complaints:

This data is from the NHTSA — the US gov't agency tasked with vehicle safety. Complaints are spread across multiple & redundant categories, & are not organized by problem.

So how do you find out what problems are occurring? For this NHTSA complaint data, the only way is to read through the comments below. Any duplicates or errors? It's not us.

1998 Dodge Ram 1500 transmission problems

transmission problem

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1998 Dodge Ram 1500 Owner Comments

problem #12

Mar 012003

Ram 1500 8-cyl

  • Manual transmission
  • 37,000 miles

A D V E R T I S E M E N T S

Transmission failed at aprox 80,000 mile. Lost all gears execpt for 4th. Could have resulted in a major accident had it failed on the freeway which we had just exited. Also the clutch has been replaced three times since the truck was new. One at 37000, 56,000 and 81,000.

- Wildomar, CA, USA

problem #11

Oct 082002

Ram 1500

  • miles
Upon starting vehicle and motor is cold, vehicle will not shift properly. Mechanic states lip seal is wearing causing the vehicle not to shift properly.

- Pride, LA, USA

problem #10

Oct 152002

Ram 1500 4WD Diesel

  • miles
I was driving on the highway at 55 mph and the 5th gear in the manual transmission completely went out. I contacted scott enkirk and in turn contacted Dodge and was told that they claim no responsibility. My neighbor's 1998 Dodge Ram truck also did the same exact thing.

- Sperry, IA, USA

problem #9

Jul 202002

(reported on)

Ram 1500 4WD

  • Automatic transmission
  • miles

A D V E R T I S E M E N T S

Gear selector shaft broke inside steering column housing, 3 dealers could not fix the problem because the entire steering column has to be replaced.. zlso, steering column/track bar for front axle, and catalytic converter malfunctioned.

- Pell City, AL, USA

problem #8

Sep 012000

Ram 1500 Diesel

  • miles
Lost fifth gear - nut spun off allowing gear to slip on shaft.

- Lenexa, KS, USA

problem #7

Mar 112000

(reported on)

Ram 1500

  • miles
Vehicle shifts into neutral when hitting bumps in the road, manufacturer said that this is normal. Nlm

- Carson Cit, NV, USA

problem #6

Nov 231999

Ram 1500 4WD Diesel

  • miles

A D V E R T I S E M E N T S

Fifth gear loss is caused by ( nut holding fifth gear backing off) as I was told by dealer. This is a common problem according to the dealer (tsb 21-10-98) cost to fix this is $400-$799 and they said it could happen again. I was told it was caused by backing off the throtle in fifth gear. This is a clear case of design defect in the transmission. I know of many people with this truck who are having the same problem.

- Dammeron Valley, UT, USA

problem #5

Nov 031999

Ram 1500 Diesel

  • miles
5th gear lost while on I-37 norhtbound in corpus christi, tx. Shifted up from 4th gear to 5th after entering freeway. No 5th gear.

- Cedar Park, TX, USA

problem #4

Oct 071999

Ram 1500

  • Manual transmission
  • miles
Clutch would not return to postion, clutch go on, causing transmission to become inoperative. Asking NHTSA to look into this matter.

- Rowlett, TX, USA

problem #3

Sep 191999

(reported on)

Ram 1500 4WD

  • miles
There is a buzzing noise in the transmition when put in reverse after a cold start. I have had the truck in 4 times now to remedy the problem. They say all the trucks have this problem and it is a non harmful problem that a modification has been made for. The have preformed the modification and it hasn't fixed the problem. I am bringing the truck in again for them to do the mod again. My problem is that I am about out of warrenty, and they are telling me this is a harmful problem. I have mechanic friends that agree with me when I say it sounds like the transmition isn't getting fluid when it is first put in reverse. If what myself and the mechanic friends I have are right, the transmition will eventually break. There are alot of people I know that have Dodge, and none of them have this problem. Why can"T they fix this problem?

- Meridian, ID, USA

problem #2

Aug 211998

Ram 1500

  • miles
Transmission shifts late on certain occasions jumping into gear, diagnostics' were performed by dealership resulting in a negative result, the truck still persist's with the problem usually at speeds' 35 mph and under. The truck has pulled right upon delivery, dealership replaced calipers stating that the O.E.M. calipers were seized from factory, three days later the problem was back, dealership performed alignment, problem still persisted and continues to do so. The reason I put power steering down under the comments section is because of my belief that the problem resides in the steering gear-box, which has not been checked. The back-up lights did not work upon delivery but were fixed immediately and have been fine ever-since. The drver-side window molding leaks and on certain days causes fogging of the window resulting in a loss of vision and an unsafe driving condition. O.E.M. jackstand is also to short to replace tire on independent front suspension.

- Berkey, OH, USA

problem #1

Mar 101999

(reported on)

Ram 1500 4WD

  • miles
Transmission cooler lines leaking, requiring replacement.

- Greenbrae, CA, USA

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