7.4

pretty bad
Typical Repair Cost:
$20
Average Mileage:
84,900 miles
Total Complaints:
21 complaints

Most Common Solutions:

  1. not sure (19 reports)
  2. replace tps sensor (2 reports)
2001 Dodge Ram 1500 transmission problems

transmission problem

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2001 Dodge Ram 1500 Owner Comments (Page 1 of 2)

problem #21

Aug 262017

Ram 1500 5.3L

  • Automatic transmission
  • 102,402 miles

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

Transmission should not fail like this, not shifting properly. Took truck to a reliable transmission shop in city. Scanned and test drove it, not a sensor problem. The problem is inside, needs rebuild, est $3000 to do.

- stanleyk, Thunder Bay, ON, Canada

problem #20

May 192011

Ram 1500 V8

  • Automatic transmission
  • 106,000 miles

I'm pissed man! this truck should just now be broke in and it's already giving me grief. It works fine in first and reverse, but the damn thing won,t grab any higher gears. The fluid level is fine, but smells funny like it,s burnt or something.

- Jacob T., Somesbar, CA, US

problem #19

Nov 212010

Ram 1500 SLT Quad Cab 5.2 Liter V8

  • Automatic transmission
  • 97,561 miles

I have always had the occasional issue with my transmission revving too high but never thought much of the issue because it was rarely an issue and always fixed itself... Unfortunately, over the last few days the truck has had an issue getting in to the proper gear after reaching 50 mph... I've been manually correcting it by rapidly accelerating then releasing the pedal until it downshifts and corrects itself

If anybody has had to fix this problem and could offer some insight it would be greatly appreciated.

- wbond12, Gaithersburg, MD, US

problem #18

Jul 032010

Ram 1500 5.2L V8

  • Automatic transmission
  • 40,000 miles

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

On the way back from LA to Sacramento the transmission startad to kick out of the top gear at intervals while traveling at approx. 65 MPH and the RPM'S went up several hundred revolutions momentarily each time. While this was very annoying we never got panicy knowing I had a very good towing insurance. The Ram did get us home OK driving it ginserly.

Before taking it to the dealer for a fix, not knowing what was wrong with the transmission, we decided to look into it on the internet and did learned about the TPS (throttle positioning sensor) located just behind the air cleaner on the driver side.Finding the part from Pep Boy's for $30, as was suggested, I was able to fix the problem my self in about 15 minutes.

P.S . I still love my RAM 1500.

- Juha S., Citrus Heights, CA, US

problem #17

Aug 082009

Ram 1500 Sport 5.2L L

  • Automatic transmission
  • 110,000 miles

This is a 2001 Dodge Ram 1500 5.2L 2 wd/r/n

I drive the vehicle for 30 minutes and the the Overdrive turns "off" a short time later the "trans temp" warning light comes on". The overdrive turns off and STAYS OFF. I then shut it down. It has been towes 3 times in the last month precautionary that the trans temp light stays ON.

Trans flushed, pump, torque converter sensors replaced. Basically rebuilt.

After the last repair it took about 2 hours to "turn off", I was rolling at about 10 mph when the "Overdrive Off" light. I don't even want to take it back to this mechanic, it has been "tied up" for weeks,

I am unable to use this vehicle because of this problem.

Can anyone assist me with some advise. It would be greatly appreciated

- rich3522, Twinsburg, OH, US

problem #16

May 142008

Ram 1500 1500 5.9L V8

  • Automatic transmission
  • 140,000 miles

I'v had the truck for almost a year. This problem starts when the truck is accelerating and starts at about 25-30 mph. The motor starts to rev out of control, and the tranny stops accelerating. when the truck is accelerating slowly, then everything goes just fine.

- granadozricky, Wellington, TX, US

problem #15

Oct 162008

Ram 1500 SLT 5.9L

  • Automatic transmission
  • 100,000 miles

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

Fluctuating RPM problem (in my case anyway), was due to Throttle Position Sensor (TPS) going bad. Started a little at a time and eventually got worse. Most noticeable around 50mph and engine seems to "surge". RPM's would kick up another 500-600 RPM, and would not idle down properly. Definitely dropped the gas mileage. I paid $30 for replacement part at Pep Boys. It took all of 5 minutes to replace. 2 screws and 1 plug. TPS is located behind Air Cleaner Assy, facing driver's side. Easy fix. Do this yourself, don't let dealer overcharge you for repair.

- wgetchell, Richmond, VA, US

problem #14

Dec 302008

Ram 1500 SLT 5.9L

  • Automatic transmission
  • 127,000 miles

I have a 2001 ram 1500 and I have had problems with the transmission. It shifts into a lower gear while driving at normal speed. I believe it may be the throttle position sensor. the transmission is controlled electronically and the tps tells the transmission when to shift. On another trouble shooting web site they stated that the tps is most likely the problem. the way to tell is to check the voltage coming from the tps. it should be 0.8-1.2 volts at idle and 3.1-3.9 volts at wide open throttle. you should check with key on but engine not running.I am still working on mine. This is a very common problem with the dodge transmission.

- Daniel C., Franklin, IN, US

problem #13

Aug 012008

Ram 1500 LT 5.9L

  • Automatic transmission
  • 72,000 miles

First and last dodge I will own. It had 31,000 miles on it when I bought it and 1 month later it started this and when I took it back to the dealer I was told warranty will cover it but not to bring it in just yet cause they would question if it was like that when I bought it. It is in the shop now so we will see what happens!

- jerryar, El Paso, AR, US

problem #12

Aug 152007

Ram 1500 Laramie 360

  • Automatic transmission
  • 60,000 miles

Don't get me wrong, the truck is great. I'm in the process of adding a Velocity spacer, cold air intake and dual exhaust. My only rant is that alot of the times when I'm either going up hill or even driving on the highway on a gradual incline, my truck starts to dog it, like, if I were climbing a fairly steep climb, the truck is in 3rd gear and it seems to go into fourth without the overdrive on. I can actually switch the overdrive off and on and nothing happens. 50km to 80km, nothing! Then, I'm driving along the freeway, 100km and hour and if I start to climb gradually, the truck starts to slowly slow down, losing power, till I actually force the pedal down to kick it into third. This is a 5.9. What the hell is going on? It seems like the tranny always locks up if I drive around town in third gear. Help!!!!

- Frank L., Abbotsford, BC, Canada

problem #11

May 012008

Ram 1500 Slt Laramie 5.9L V8

  • Automatic transmission
  • 87,000 miles

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

confused as to why dodge is allowed to produce more vehicles, I bought this truck two years ago to get out of a lease on a ford well the lease didn't ream me half as bad as this dodge it has been back 5 times in two years and 4 of which were transmission related.. surging in overdrive, kicking out of gear when accelerating heavily then slamming back in gear, kicking out of O/D when going down hills, not down shifting at stops so it tried to take off in high gear, it has done everything except fall out completely.. the most recent problem i had a front wheel bearing lock up, no big deal right every vehicle has little things go wrong, well i had it towed to the dealer and i had them plug the computer in to see why it was running and shifting weird... well they called me back and the cylinder head is cracked and the don't think the tranny is even worth rebuilding... and this damn granny car loaner wont haul my friggen boat....not to mention the annual ball joints and other expensive front end parts and 10 MPG with disappointing power for a 5.9 L........dodge should buy back their junk and go to building bicycles maybe they could do that right.

- Eric P., Charleston, ME, US

problem #10

Mar 012008

Ram 1500 SLT 3.9L V8

  • Automatic transmission
  • 92,000 miles

Started having a problem in October, but the problem recently worsened a LOT. Starting as a vague clicking sound coming from the front of the truck. I thought it was a problem with my gauges, as the sound was similar to needles ticking on a gauge. I soon realized that it had nothing to do with the gauges at all, but was coming from somewhere under the hood. When pulling a hill or driving at a consistent speed for a long time (such as when using cruise control), I will hear the clicking sound, and will shortly after feel the truck shuddering terribly. Twice my engine light has come on and actually flashed (to show an emergency). Each time, if I let off the gas, the shuddering stops as does the clicking sound. This has been going on for a while, but it's gotten worse--now, whenever I try to pass someone, my truck seems to shift out of drive (or overdrive), and into neutral, causing the engine to over-rev. My husband and I own an automotive repair shop and have spent quite a few hours trying to figure out what is going on. He recently rebuilt my transmission (it needed it anyway), so it's definitely not transmission-related (especially since the problem existed both before and after the rebuild). At this point, my husband thinks that the fuel pressure regulator may be bad. He has ordered a fuel pressure gauge (at the cost of $200), and will check that out as soon as it arrives. As far as getting help from Dodge, forget about it. Even a NYS registered repair shop can't get any info out of them!!

Update from Sep 12, 2009: Problem was due to misadjusted TV cable (aka: kickdown cable). Cable was too tight. Loosening cable solved problem completely.

- Kiely K., North Creek, NY 12853, US

problem #9

Feb 012008

Ram 1500 Quad Cab 4x4 5.9L V8

  • Automatic transmission
  • 130,000 miles

PISS ON DODGE YOU CANT AFFORD EM! SPOKEN FROM A FORMER DODGE LOVER!!!!!!!!! I HAVE ALWAYS TALKED CRAP ABOUT CHEVY BUT IM GONNA BUY ONE ,OR A FORD OR A BICYCLE LEAST IT WOULD BE MORE RELIABLE!

- Bradford J., Lake Worth, TX, US

problem #8

Jan 172008

Ram 1500 5.2L

  • Automatic transmission
  • 90,000 miles

rpm fluctuates, shutter from transmission, will do in & out of gear when accelerating hard. (passing or entering freeway traffic)

- Dan R., Hanford, CA, US

problem #7

Nov 042007

(reported on)

Ram 1500 SLT V8

  • Automatic transmission
  • 55,000 miles

As previously reported, I wasn't sure if this was a problem with the transmission or not - turns out that at least in my case it's not the transmission. My truck has stopped doing this now - here's what happened.

I got very irritated by the damn thing kicking in and out like it was so one day on the freeway I just tromped the accelerator and held it to th floor as long as I could, causing the RPMs to go almost into the red zone. I repeated this about three times - I mean really got on it hard all three times - and now the truck has quit surging and appears to be running fine.

All I can guess is that there was something somewhere in the fuel delivery system that was causing a bad reading in the computer system somewhere. I have since put some fuel system cleaner in the truck and will continue to do so every other tank of gas or so.

Had the problem not stopped, my next step would have been to reset the computer and/or change out the EGR valve - for right now at least I don't have to do either. Hope this helps. AND BTW - THIS IS STILL MY LAST FREAKIN' DODGE!

- sggray, North Little Rock, AR, US

problem #6

Nov 032007

(reported on)

Ram 1500 Sport 5.9L V8

  • Automatic transmission
  • 60,000 miles

RPMS fluctuate and the truck stays at the same speed usually above 50mph. Truck has been to three dealers nobody can figure it out. They hook it up to a stupid computer and they tell me it says everything is working fine. Bullshit it doesn't take a rocket scientist to see something is wrong.

- Randy K., Boonville, NY, US

problem #5

Oct 172007

(reported on)

Ram 1500 SLT V8

  • Automatic transmission
  • 55,000 miles

Thought this was a transmission problem but I'm not sure. Seems to be a problem whether the OD is on or not, whether the cruise is engaged or not. Engine revs without any increase in ground speed. Anyone know what the hell it takes to fix it?

- sggray, North Little Rock, AR, US

problem #4

Jun 292006

(reported on)

Ram 1500 4x4 Swb

  • 22,600 miles

Started shifting out of drive into neutral. This truck as you can see has very few miles on it. I bought the truck from my brother who is a retired Navy man who knows how to take care of his vehicles. He informed me that he took the truck back to the dealer he bought it from twice telling them that the transmission did not feel right. They assured him that there was nothing wrong with the truck at all. As he only got to drive it on occasion he lived with problem that he still felt was there. When I got the truck I started driving it every day. and now the transmission has finally done what he had told the dealership that he felt it would eventually do. Thats okay dodge because you can be sure that I will really brag on how great you are at taking care of your customers.

- Charles C., Glen St Mary, FL, US

problem #3

Aug 042006

(reported on)

Ram 1500 Sport

  • 112,000 miles

RPM Flucuates, Truck revs and doesnot go any Faster , had the tras rebuilt at 35000 . I have had the truck to 3 differnt dealers and not one could tell me what was wrong with this piece of junk.. Yes I said JUNK !!! The day it was deliverd had to go and tighten not 1 but all the u-joint clamps. some one PLEASE find out what the problem is and Share it. P. S. The thing that Burns My ASS is you can walk into any dealership in the country and talk to the Mechanics and thay can tell you what is going to go Wrong and When within miles on that truck or car you just spent $25000 on..

- Rodney H., Clinton Township, MI, US

problem #2

Apr 162007

(reported on)

Ram 1500 Sport Quadcab V8 5.9L

  • Automatic transmission
  • 71,458 miles

rpm fluctuates, code p1756 governor pressure not equal. still love dodge truck but will never buy somebodies lease ever again

- Mike G., Gatineau, QUÉBEC, Canada

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