10.0

really awful
Crashes / Fires:
1 / 1
Injuries / Deaths:
0 / 0
Average Mileage:
6,385 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.

1997 Dodge Ram 3500 transmission problems

transmission problem

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1997 Dodge Ram 3500 Owner Comments

problem #13

Jul 012002

Ram 3500 Diesel

  • Manual transmission
  • 83,000 miles

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

While traveling on the highway, the 5th gear to the transmission went out. It was discovered the nut which held the 5th gear into place became loose.

- Grass Valley, CA, USA

problem #12

Feb 032003

(reported on)

Ram 3500

  • miles
Manual transmission failed twice.

- Largo, FL, USA

problem #11

Feb 032003

(reported on)

Ram 3500

  • miles
Manuel transmission failed twice.

- Silver Springs, FL, USA

problem #10

Sep 152002

Ram 3500

  • miles

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

Vehicle suffered sudden acceleration when shifted from "park into drive." Vehicle collided with three other vehicles.

- South Windsor, CT, USA

problem #9

Aug 012001

Ram 3500

  • Manual transmission
  • miles
Fifth gear of manual transmission is no longer working.

- Deer Park, WA, USA

problem #8

Apr 282001

Ram 3500 4WD Diesel

  • Manual transmission
  • miles
Consumer was traveling at approximately 60 mph in 5th gear when vehicle lost all power in 5th gear, but it did have power in all of the other gears. Consumer stated this occurred in 1998 the first time, exact same thing happened and was repaired under warranty the first time. The dealership stated that the fifth gear nut came loose.

- Indiana, PA, USA

problem #7

Oct 202000

(reported on)

Ram 3500 Diesel

  • miles

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

Nut on transmission is slowly loosening when shifting. When the nut falls off, 5th gear is no longer working. Dealer will not authorize repairs of transmission until the bolt is completely off transmission, and 5th gear fails. This pick up is used for pulling boat and carring a camper. Eventhough the loose parts were replaced by the dealer, the customer is concerned about the defect possibly causing an accident.

- Missoula, MT, USA

problem #6

Dec 011997

Ram 3500

  • miles
Transmission failed 6 months after purchase. Nlm

- Putnam , CT, USA

problem #5

Dec 081999

Ram 3500

  • Automatic transmission
  • miles
No summary listed for above vehicle.

- Lacenter, WA, USA

problem #4

May 171999

Ram 3500 4WD Diesel

  • miles
Both problems could have led to crashes if not caught and major injuries and or fatalities. We have been dealing with the problems ever since they have started and the truck has been in the shop more than it has been out. We know that breakdowns do exsist and will happen but this much and the same parts is a little ridiculous.

- Martin City, MT, USA

problem #3

Apr 221998

Ram 3500 4WD

  • miles

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

Transmission failed.

- Brockton, MA, USA

problem #2

Aug 071998

Ram 3500

  • miles
The dealers were notified and they weren't able to fix the problem. I was told that other people have reported similar problem and that it happens on hot days. Since they were not able to repeat the problem when they test drove my vehicle they were not able to pin point the problem to attend to. They didn't think it was a safety issue. I disagree! here is the problem. After a complete stop the vehicle sometimes would hesitate to accel when I step on the gas peddle. I hear the RPM going up as I press the gas but the vehicle doesn't respond accordingly. I see the safety issue in these possible situations: When I am making a left turn after a complete stop if my vehicle doesn't get out of the intersection as I expect it to, it could turn into a dangerous situation for me and the on coming traffic. Another situation would be when I enter the freeway after a complete stop. The vehicle must accelerate adaquately in order for it to join the on coming traffic. I thank you so much for your services. I'm glad that I can turn to someone who will listen to my concerns. My encounters with the dealers were not pleasant soon after they sold me the car. Thank you again. I hope to hear from you soon.

- Riverside, CA, USA

problem #1

Jul 171998

Ram 3500

  • Manual transmission
  • miles
Truck just blew up without any warning, the engine just started to burn. Defective dtransmission started fire.

- Erath, LA, USA

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