10.0

really awful
Crashes / Fires:
1 / 1
Injuries / Deaths:
2 / 0
Average Mileage:
4,633 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 3500 transmission problems

transmission problem

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1998 Dodge Ram 3500 Owner Comments (Page 1 of 3)

problem #45

Apr 062005

Ram 3500 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 #44

Jan 032005

Ram 3500 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 #43

Dec 282002

Ram 3500 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 #42

Apr 082004

Ram 3500

  • 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 #41

Sep 022003

Ram 3500

  • 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 #40

Jul 282003

Ram 3500

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

- Cottage Grove, OR, USA

problem #39

Jun 102003

Ram 3500

  • 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 #38

Jan 052003

Ram 3500

  • 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 #37

Sep 232002

Ram 3500 4WD 6-cyl Diesel

  • Automatic transmission
  • miles
Consumer states that the transmission slipped out of park and into reverse. Dealer and the manufacturer has been notified.

- Escondido, CA, USA

problem #36

Aug 122002

Ram 3500

  • 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 #35

Jul 292002

Ram 3500 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 #34

Jul 052002

Ram 3500 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 #33

Sep 012001

Ram 3500

  • Automatic transmission
  • miles
Transmission failure.

- Elyria, OH, USA

problem #32

Sep 132001

Ram 3500 4WD Diesel

  • Automatic transmission
  • miles
2 years ago the 5th gear failed and Chrysler covered it the truck was 1000 miles out of warranty. In 8-2001 the part failed again we took it to a trans shop and they fixed it for $213.oo, in 9-2001 it failed again the trans shop that fixed it in 8-2001 would not warrany the nut backing off. So we had to pay $766.oo in 9-2001 this is an ongoing problem with these type vehicles Chrysler knows this but they do not want to fix the problem because it would cost alot of money to recall all these vehicles. The problem almost caused us to have a wreck, when you are driving down the interstate at 70 mph and you have to downshift because the 5th gear fails and it is like driving in neutral so you downshift and hope noone is close behind you. There was an 18 wheeler behind us this last time and almost hit us in the rear end. We have 2 children and they were scared to death. Chrysler needs to face up to this problem before the children that rides in these vehicles or even adults get killed because Chrysler wants to save money. The vehicles with this problem are unsafe and needs to be fixed not at our cost but Chrysler expense. I am tired of paying for this problem when chrylser knows that it is a problem. But I got news for Chrysler this will be the last Chrysler vehicle I own. They are the sorriest people and something needs to be done before someone gets killed. Thank you christy houston.

- Deridder, LA, USA

problem #31

Dec 062000

Ram 3500 Diesel

  • Automatic transmission
  • miles
While towing my trailer in 5th gear on a crowded interstate, the gear suddenly failed without warning. I lost power and safely pulled over. The other 4 gears worked to get me home.

- Grandview, TX, USA

problem #30

Mar 072001

Ram 3500

  • 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 #29

Sep 212000

Ram 3500

  • 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 #28

Jan 172001

Ram 3500

  • 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 #27

Jun 152000

Ram 3500 4WD

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

- Arlington, TN, USA

problem #26

Mar 161998

Ram 3500

  • 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

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