10.0

really awful
Crashes / Fires:
1 / 1
Injuries / Deaths:
2 / 0
Average Mileage:
4,964 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 Van 1500 transmission problems

transmission problem

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1998 Dodge Ram Van 1500 Owner Comments (Page 1 of 3)

problem #42

Apr 062005

Ram Van 1500 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 #41

Jan 032005

Ram Van 1500 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 #40

Dec 282002

Ram Van 1500 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 #39

Apr 082004

Ram Van 1500

  • 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 #38

Sep 022003

Ram Van 1500

  • 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 #37

Jul 282003

Ram Van 1500

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

- Cottage Grove, OR, USA

problem #36

Jun 102003

Ram Van 1500

  • 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 #35

Jan 052003

Ram Van 1500

  • 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 #34

Aug 122002

Ram Van 1500

  • 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 #33

Jul 292002

Ram Van 1500 4WD Diesel

  • Automatic transmission
  • miles
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 #32

Jul 052002

Ram Van 1500 Diesel

  • miles

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

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 #31

Feb 012002

Ram Van 1500

  • Automatic transmission
  • miles
Transmission has been replaced because transmission went out while consumer was driving, there was no warnings, but consumer was driving at 25-30 mph before it went out.

- Toledo, OH, USA

problem #30

Sep 012001

Ram Van 1500

  • Automatic transmission
  • miles
Transmission failure.

- Elyria, OH, USA

problem #29

Mar 072001

Ram Van 1500

  • 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 #28

Sep 212000

Ram Van 1500

  • 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

problem #27

Jan 172001

Ram Van 1500

  • Automatic transmission
  • miles
Major transmission repair/overall needed. Overdrive remained on, fluid heated up quickly. Repairs bill over $1890. Vehicle has 46,000 mile and only 2 1/2 yrs old.

- Temecula, CA, USA

problem #26

Jun 152000

Ram Van 1500 4WD

  • Automatic transmission
  • miles
Transmision failed with no warning, I.e. slipping.

- Arlington, TN, USA

problem #25

Mar 161998

Ram Van 1500

  • Automatic transmission
  • miles
Vehicle has antil-lock brakes. When consumer applies brakes brake pedal goes to the floor, and there is pulsation within the brakes. Also, transmission doesn't have speed/gears slip, and there is a leak underneath the hood.

- Oakhurst, CA, USA

problem #24

Apr 182000

(reported on)

Ram Van 1500 4WD

  • Automatic transmission
  • miles
Tranamission failed due to incorrect installation at factory.

- Mattawamke, ME, USA

problem #23

Dec 091999

(reported on)

Ram Van 1500

  • Automatic transmission
  • miles
Vehicle experienced failure of the transmission while in 5th gear as described in tsb#21-10-98, prior to repair. Mjs

- Woodland, CA, USA

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