7.1

pretty bad
Crashes / Fires:
0 / 0
Injuries / Deaths:
0 / 0
Average Mileage:
8,154 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

Find something helpful? Spread the word.
Get notified about new defects, investigations, recalls & lawsuits for the 1998 Dodge Ram 2500:

Unsubscribe any time. We don't sell/share your email.

1998 Dodge Ram 2500 Owner Comments

problem #13

Jul 022003

Ram 2500 4WD 6-cyl Diesel

  • Manual transmission
  • 106,000 miles

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

While driving on freeway, 5th gear went out as if clutch was pushed in. Could not get 5th gear to work, had to drive to dealership in 4th gear which is challenging to do in a diesal truck. After santa cruz Nissan Dodge supposedly replaced the entire manual transmission, driving back home, the 1st gear would not engage.

- Elk Grove, CA, USA

problem #12

Oct 082002

Ram 2500

  • 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 #11

Oct 152002

Ram 2500 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 #10

Aug 272001

Ram 2500

  • Manual transmission
  • miles

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

While driving, consumer heard a sound and then attempted to shift back into fifth gear realizing it was no longer operational, after inspection mechanic indicated that the fifth gear nut had backed off causing failure of the fifth gear, further discussion with mechanic revealed Dodge redesigned the locknut, Dodge now puts a set screw in the nut that is tightened down on the threaded shaft to hold it in place.

- Bayfield, CO, USA

problem #9

Aug 272001

Ram 2500

  • Manual transmission
  • miles
While driving, consumer heard a sound and then attempted to shift back into fifth gear realizing it was no longer operational, after inspection mechanic indicated that the fifth gear nut had backed off causing failure of the fifth gear, further discussion with mechanic revealed Dodge redesigned the locknut, Dodge now puts a set screw in the nut that is tightened down on the threaded shaft to hold it in place.

- Bayfield, CO, USA

problem #8

Sep 012000

Ram 2500 Diesel

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

- Lenexa, KS, USA

problem #7

Mar 112000

(reported on)

Ram 2500

  • miles

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

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 2500 4WD Diesel

  • miles
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 2500 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 2500

  • 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 2500 4WD

  • miles

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

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 2500

  • 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 2500 4WD

  • miles
Transmission cooler lines leaking, requiring replacement.

- Greenbrae, CA, USA

Not what you are looking for?