10.0

really awful
Crashes / Fires:
1 / 1
Injuries / Deaths:
2 / 0
Average Mileage:
6,114 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 2500 transmission problems

transmission problem

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1998 Dodge Ram 2500 Owner Comments (Page 1 of 3)

problem #50

Apr 062005

Ram 2500 8-cyl

  • Automatic transmission
  • miles

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

While driving vehicle stalled. Driver was unable to restart vehicle, and had it towed to dealer. Mechanic determined that transmission and engine needed to be replaced due to wear and tear.

- Las Vegas, NV, USA

problem #49

Jan 032005

Ram 2500 8-cyl

  • Automatic transmission
  • 85,000 miles
The rpms increased, and the gears popped on the vehicle on their own. Took vehicle to repair shop for check up, and results showed that a new transmission needed to be replaced.

- Detroit, MI, USA

problem #48

Dec 282002

Ram 2500 4WD

  • Automatic transmission
  • miles
Truck has been nothing but problems replaced many parts for leaks and transmission problems engine light consistently comes on even after repairs. Truck buck when accelerating looses engine power. Would like it fixed I read other complaints and they had the same problem. I put a lot of money into the truck and have not yet been able to fix problem because they cant seem to figure out the cause. Problem has been on going since vehicle was purchased.

- Salisbury, MA, USA

problem #47

Apr 082004

Ram 2500

  • miles

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

Vehicle changed gears on its own. Then, engine raced. Consumer felt vehicle was going to take off.

- Murrayville, GA, USA

problem #46

Sep 022003

Ram 2500

  • 56,000 miles
The bolt that holds fifth gear in place dislodged and the gear came off the shaft. Vehicle was still drivable in the other four gears but fifth gear was inoperable. Manufacturer and the dealer have been notified.

- Langley, 00, USA

problem #45

Jul 282003

Ram 2500

  • miles
While shifting the vehicle transmission started shifting left to right.

- Cottage Grove, OR, USA

problem #44

Jun 102003

Ram 2500

  • miles

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

While traveling about 55mph on the highway without prior warning. The fifth gear gave out.

- Battle Creek, MI, USA

problem #43

Apr 302003

Ram 2500 4WD 8-cyl

  • Automatic transmission
  • 97,210 miles
Transmission failure in my 1998 Dodge Ram 2500. Jasper.com lists this transmission as a high rate of failure due to lack of lubrication. This problem exists in all Dodge trucks manufactured from 1995 to 2001 and maybe more. Local transmission rebuilders also agree that the transmission was built with to low a volume transmission pump and that you should not let the truck idle, because there is no lubrication.

- Cropseyville, NY, USA

problem #42

Jan 052003

Ram 2500

  • Automatic transmission
  • 67,500 miles
The transmission failed without warning while attemping to drive from a red light. The dealer was notified. Please provide additional information.

- Ottisville, MI, USA

problem #41

Aug 122002

Ram 2500

  • Automatic transmission
  • miles
While driving at any speed andwith no warning transmission locked up, locking rear tires. It was hard to control vehicle. Consumer was forced to pull over. Dealer notified.

- Center Point, TX, USA

problem #40

Jul 292002

Ram 2500 4WD Diesel

  • Automatic transmission
  • miles

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

The vehicle will not go into reverse and back up, but will go forward. Consumer had taken the vehicle to dealer when it was first purchased, due to a vibrating noise. At 36041 miles, the overdrive unit failed which had taken out the reverse. A new transmission was installed. This corrected the vibration noise which turned out to be coming from a broken snap ring that held the overdrive unit.

- Portland, OR, USA

problem #39

Aug 082002

(reported on)

Ram 2500 4WD

  • Manual transmission
  • miles
Front brake pads and shoes wear excessively and cause truck to pull when depressing brake pedal. Other failure involved a bolt that holds 5th gear in place fell off while truck was being driven. Had item repaired, and it fell off again.

- Floral City, FL, USA

problem #38

Jul 052002

Ram 2500 Diesel

  • miles
The overdrive or 5th gear of the truck slipped out while driving home from a trip to myrtle beach, SC. I have found out that this has happen to numerous other truck like mine. This could have caused problems if I hadn't been the only vehicle on the road at that time.

- Phil Campbell, AL, USA

problem #37

Nov 282001

Ram 2500 4WD

  • Automatic transmission
  • miles
From day 1 of the new truck, I had shifting problems. Before I had 1200 miles on the truck it was in the shop twice. The first time they took the transmission apart and inspected and placed back into the truck. Problem shifting continued. The 2nd time in the shop, they replaced the transmission, clutch and slave cylinder, this worked. Then at 53000 miles I took the truck in for recall work (828), to replace the slave cylinder. At 60000 miles I had shifting problems again. They replaced the transmission and clutch which was 50% out of my pocket. The day I picked the truck up from the dealer I went on vacation for 2000 miles which resulted in shifting problems. I took the truck back at 62000 and they replaced the slave cylinder, but the transmission was leaking. At 64470 miles the trans went dry and dealer replaced another trans. After I picked the truck up from the dealer, the slave cylinder blow apart 5 miles away from the dealer on the way home. Hydralic fluid spilled on to the hot exhaust pipes, which cause smoke. After picking the truck up from the dealer on 11/28/01 the slave cylinder blow again 1 mile from the dealership with fluid again pouring onto the exhaust pipes which cause smoke. The truck is currently at the dealer putting in a 5th cylinder with 64477 miles on the truck.

- Clarksville, TN, USA

problem #36

Sep 012001

Ram 2500

  • Automatic transmission
  • miles
Transmission failure.

- Elyria, OH, USA

problem #35

Apr 242001

Ram 2500 4WD

  • miles
While I was driving the vehicle at about 35 mph, the truck began revving, then stopped. I could see transmission fluid leaking. The truck was towed to the dealer, who removed the transmission and rebuilt it.

- Otis, MA, USA

problem #34

Jun 011998

Ram 2500

  • Automatic transmission
  • miles
Automatic transmission has difficulty shifting between drive and overdrive. Also, vehicle will not accelerate properly with gas pedal being pressed all way to floor. Also, there was erratic operation of overdrive kicking in without provocation. The consumer was informed by the district manager that the manufacturer was increasing the horse power and torque to help solve the transmission shifting problem.

- Lewistown, IL, USA

problem #33

Apr 302001

(reported on)

Ram 2500

  • miles
While traveling at 60 mph -70 mph vehicle popped out of gear and had no power in 5th gear. Dealer stated that 5th gear nut disconnected. Please provvide further information.

- Port Gamble, WA, USA

problem #32

Mar 072001

Ram 2500

  • Automatic transmission
  • miles
Transmission overheated, overdrive automatically disengaged. The odor of burned transmission oil was evident.this was a new transmission and was replaced with a rebuilt transmission by the dealer at $50 deductible. The rebuilt will only be warranted for the first 12 months or 12000 miles.I suspect the transmission is either undercooled or a failure to use the proper atf fluid caused this.vehicle is under service contract and is serviced for all fluid changes by the dealer.

- Toms River, NJ, USA

problem #31

Sep 212000

Ram 2500

  • miles
We purchased a 1998 Dodge conversion van as our family vehicle. On Sept 21,2000 my wife loaded our children, ages 7,6, & 2, into the vehicle. She then went & locked the house door. Our 2 year old got out of her car seat, went to the front of the van, & pulled down on the gear shift pulling it into gear. The vehicle rolled over a 3 foot wall, down a steep hill, through a 2 foot ditch, and then struck a telephone pole. Thank goodness no one was seriously injured, but this condition could have tragic. I own an insurance Agency so I started to check around to see if this was a defect that the vehicle could be put into gear without first applying the brake. What I found out was shocking, I was informed by the Dodge dealer that this safety feature was an option on this vehicle, which I was not informed of at time of purchase, this is ludicrous!!! in my research I have yet to find a private passenger vehicle that is not equipped with this safety feature and to declare it an option on a family use vehicle is irresponsible. Thank goodness the lord was looking over my family that day, but what about the next family. Please look into this situation, so no family has to needlessly endure a tragedy.

- Roseburg, OR, USA

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