1998 DODGE RAM 1500 Power Train Problems

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 1998 DODGE RAM 1500. THE CONTACT STATED THAT AFTER HIS WIFE WAS PARKED THE VEHICLE AND ATTEMPTED TO SHIFT THE GEAR SHIFTER INTO PARK, THE GEAR SHIFTER INSTEAD SHIFTED INTO REVERSE. THE CONTACT'S WIFE EXITED THE VEHICLE AND THE VEHICLE STARTED ROLLING BACKWARDS. THE CONTACT USED A BRICK TO CHOCK THE PASSENGER'S SIDE FRONT TIRE TO PREVENT THE VEHICLE FROM ROLLING. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT TAKEN TO BE DIAGNOSED NOR REPAIRED. NEITHER THE DEALER NOR THE MANUFACTURER WERE NOTIFIED OF THE FAILURE. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 98,000.

Mileage: 98,000

I WAS DRIVING DOWN THE ROAD AT ABOUT A BOUT 50 MPH DOWN THE ROAD AND STARTED HEARING A NOISE WHEN LETTING OFF THE THROTTLE AND SLOWED DOWN A LIL GAVE IT SOME GAS THEN LET OFF AGAIN NEXT THING I HEAR IS THE DRIVE SHAFT HITTING THE ROAD AND THE TIRES SLIDING ACROSS THE ROAD AND CAUSING ME TO SLIDE ACROSS THE ROAD LOCALLY THERE WAS NO TRAFFIC COMING TOWARDS ME I WAS ABLE TO CONTROL THE SLIDE OF THE REAR TIRES TO A STOP ON THE SIDE OF THE ROAD. I GOT OUT AND WAS LOOKING WHAT HAPPEN THE PION NUT CAME OFF THE PION GEAR LOCKING UP THE REAR DIFFERENTIAL I THINK THIS IS A SAFETY ISSUE BECAUSE IT COULD HAVE ENDED UP SOMEONE GETTING HURT AND OR KILLING SOMEONE IN A CRASH. THE TRUCK IS VERY WELL TAKING CARE OF AND HAS 108K MILES LOW FOR ITS AGE AND THERE WAS A RECALL ON THIS BEFORE BUT ON THE 05 DODGE RAM TRUCK'S THAT WAS MADE IN 04 IS WHAT SOMEONE TOLD ME

Mileage: 108,000

IN MOTION THE STEERING IS VERY LOOSE. THE STEERING WHEEL WILL TRAVEL VERY OFTEN FROM 3 O'CLOCK TO 9 O'CLOCK AND HOPEFULLY, I AM STILL GOING STRAIGHT. THE TRUCK WILL DRIFT TO THE RIGHT AND HAVE TO OVERSTEER TO GET THE TRUCK IN THE TRAVEL LANE. I REPLACED STEERING GEAR BOX, BALL JOINTS, TIE RODS, STEERING ROD, TRACK BAR, RACK, AND PINION. THIS IS AN ONGOING PROBLEM FOR A NUMBER OF YEARS. TRANSMISSION PLASTIC PART IS BROKEN SO THERE HAS TO BE REPLACED.

Mileage: 180,000

I WAS DRIVING ON THE HIGHWAY THEN HEARD A LOUD THUMP AND THE DRIVER SIDE REAR WHEEL IS PUSHED OUT AND IT NO LONGER ENGAGES

Mileage: 1,700,000

WHEN BACKING THE VEHICLE OUT OF THE GARAGE, I NOTICED AN OILY SUBSTANCE IN THE CENTER OF THE VEHICLE DIRECTLY BELOW THE REAR DIFFERENTIAL. INSPECTING THE VEHICLE, I COULD SEE THERE IS A LEAK EMANATING FROM THE DRIVE-SHAFT AND DIFFERENTIAL WHERE THE PINION SEAL IS LOCATED. THERE IS A RECALL ON THE PINION SEAL FOR THE 2009 AND 2010 MODEL YEARS THAT DOES NOT COVER MY 2008 DODGE RAM 1500. I BELIEVE THE RECALL NEEDS TO EXTEND TO THE 2008 MODEL YEAR ALSO.

Mileage: 41,000

I WAS DRIVING DOWN A 45MPH ROAD AND THE TRUCK WAS NOT SHIFTING SO I PULLED TO THE SIDE SHUT IT OFF TURNED IT BACK ON THE CHECKED ALL THE GEARS AND EVERYTHING SEEMED FINE THEN I TRIED DRIVING AGAIN AND IT STALLED WHILE DRIVING DOWN THE ROAD AND WILL NOT START AND THE ENGINE MAKES A WEIRD RUMBLE NOISE. *TR

Mileage: 211,077

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 1998 DODGE RAM 1500. THE CONTACT STATED THAT HE RECEIVED NOTIFICATION OF NHTSA CAMPAIGN ID NUMBER: 13V038000 (POWER TRAIN) SEVERAL MONTHS AGO AND WAS INFORMED BY THE DEALER THAT THE PART FOR THE REPAIR WAS NOT AVAILABLE. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOT CONTACTED ABOUT THE ISSUE. THE CONTACT HAD NOT EXPERIENCED A FAILURE.

THE CONTACT OWNS A 1998 DODGE RAM 1500. THE CONTACT STATED THE STRUCTURE BODY OF THE VEHICLE HAS ROTTED AWAY. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO A MECHANIC FOR ROUTINE MAINTENANCE AND WAS INFORMED THAT THE STRUCTURE WAS RUSTED AND CORRODED. THE VEHICLE WAS UNDRIVABLE. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOT NOTIFIED. THE VIN WAS UNKNOWN. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 98,000. MW

Mileage: 98,000

TRANSMISSION SLIPS INTO NEUTRAL WHEN TURNING CORNERS. WE HAVE TO LET THE ENGINE IDLE DOWN AND WAIT 15 TO 30 SECONDS BEFORE TRANSMISSION CATCHES. *TR

Mileage: 90,000

I OWN A 1998 DODGE RAM 1500 EXTENDED CAB. I BOUGHT THE VEHICLE NEW. FOR SEVERAL YEARS THE DASH HAS BEEN CRACKING AND THE PLASTIC AIR CONDITIONING VENTS ARE FALLING APART. I HAVE MADE NO REPAIRS AND IT NEEDS FIXING. ALSO THE REAR END IS ROARING PROBABLY FROM A BEARING GOING BAD. OTHER THAN THIS PROBLEM, IT HAS BEEN A GOOD TRUCK. *TR

Mileage: 130,000

TL*THE CONTACT OWNS A 1998 DODGE RAM 1500. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE REVERSE GEAR WAS NON-FUNCTIONAL. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO A LOCAL MECHANIC WHO INFORMED THE CONTACT THAT THE REVERSE GEAR RETENTION CLIP CAME OUT AND DISINTEGRATED. THE VEHICLE HAD NOT BEEN REPAIRED AT THE TIME OF THE COMPLAINT. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 168,534.

Mileage: 168,534

I DRIVE A 98 DODGE RAM. THE TRANSMISSION SLIPS OUT OF OVERDRIVE ON IT'S OWN. I WILL BE REPLACING THIS TRANSMISSION AT A COST OF $2000.00. IT DOES IT AT SPEEDS OF 70 MPH AND COULD BE DANGEROUS IF TOWING A TRAILER. DODGE TRUCKS ARE KNOWN FOR FAULTY TRANSMISSIONS. *TR

Mileage: 148,000

THE DRIVER SEAT BELT BECAME UNBUCKLED VARIOUS TIMES. I HAVE REPLACE THE BUCKLE SIDE OF IT ON MY OWN. ALSO THE REAR END IS MAKING NOISE RIGHT AFTER WARRANTY EXPIRED, NOW I'M SUPPOSED TO REPLACE IT ONMY OWN. *TR

Mileage: 39,898

MY TRANSMISSION HAVE FAILED. INTAKE MANIFOLD GASKET BLEW OUT. *TR

Mileage: 124,000

1998 DODGE RAM 1500 TRUCK TRANSMISSION FAILURE TWICE IN THREE YEARS. HAVE SEEN NUMEROUS COMPLAINTS OVER VARIOUS INTERNET SITES WITH SAME PROBLEMS. FIRST TRANSMISSION FAILED, THEN ALL THE SENSORS FAILED ON TRANSMISSION, AND NOW TORQUE CONVERTER. *TR

Mileage: 150,000

TRUCK PARKED ON DRIVEWAY IN PARK--DID NOT HOLD AND ROLLED BACKWARDS INTO TREE ON THE LAWN CAUSING DAMAGE TO THE REAR BUMPER-LUCKILY IT DID STRIKE THE TREE OTHER WISE IT WOULD HAVE BEEN ON THE STREET. I HAVE THE SAME PROBLEM OF SHIFTING INTO DRIVE--AND REVERSE THE ENGAGEMENT POINTS ARE NO WHERE THEY ARE SHOWN TO BE ON THE SHIFTER. THERE IS ALSO A HESITATION WHEN ENGAGED(SOMETIMES) AND WILL ENGAGE ROUGHLY WITH A JERK. I VE BEEN TOLD THAT THERE WAS A DEFECTIVE CONNECTOR INSIDE THE STEERING COLUMN AND THAT THERE WAS A SAFETY RECALL ON THIS PART--CANNOT GET A DIRECT ANSWER FROM A LOCAL DEALER HERE --WHAT'S THE SCORE ON THIS. *TR

Mileage: 110,000

REAR END LOCKUP GEARS WORN TO LOCKUP. *TR

Mileage: 64,437

(1) STARTED TO PULL AS IF IT WERE NOT GETTING FUEL (2) THE TRANS TEMP LIGHT CAME ON (3)THE OVERDRIVE LIGHT CAME ON (4) PERIODICALLY THERE WAS A GRINDING NOISE (5) TRUCK WOULD DELAY OR JERK WHEN PUT IN DRIVE (6)WILL NO LONGER GO IN DRIVE OR REVERSE (7) TRUCK HAS STALLED AND IS NO LONGER RUNNING. *JB

LOUD DRIVE TRAIN NOISE COMING FROM TRUCK. SERVICED AT 70K BY DODGE DEALERSHIP, REPLACING REAR DIFFERENTIAL/BEARINGS. TRUCK IS NOW MAKING SAME NOISE AT 99K AND FIRST ESTIMATE OF REPAIR INDICATES REAR DIFFERENTIAL/BEARINGS AGAIN. *NM

Mileage: 99,000

TRANSMISSION NO LONGER HAS REVERSE. THIS WAS REPAIRED ONCE AT DEALERSHIP IN FEBRUARY 04 AT COST OF $2135.41. NOW, TO REBUILD FOR SAME PROBLEM 13 MONTHS AND 22K MILES LATER IS $3064.47 AT SAME DEALER. THEY BLAME INCREASE IN COST OF PARTS. CONTACTED DODGE CONSUMER HELP LINE AND WAS TOLD THAT THERE WAS NOTHING THEY COULD DO DUE TO 12/12 WARRANTY EXPIRED. THEY BLAMED INCREASE COST ON INCREASED LABOR RATE AT DEALERSHIP. BOTH SUGGEST REMANUFACTURED TRANSMISSION AT COST OF $3857.95. CALLED LOCAL TRANSMISISON REPAIR SHOPS AND WAS QUOTED $1100 - $1700 FOR SAME REPAIR, AND BOTH OFFER SAME OR BETTER WARRANTY. SECOND SHOP TOLD ME WHAT MY PROBLEM WAS BY JUST KNOWING YEAR AND MAKE OF MY TRUCK. THERE IS A MANUFACTURER'S PROBLEM WITH THIS TRANSMISSION !!!!!!!!!*AK

Mileage: 91,500

AT 35 DEGREE OR COLDER ORJUST RAINY DAYS WITH WARM TEMP.TRANSMISSION WILL NOT SHIFT INTO OVERDRIVE ,CAN DRIVE 15 MILES ON HIGHWAY IN 3RD GEAR. WHEN IT DOES SHIFT INTO OVERDRIVE AND I HIT A BUMP IN ROAD IT WILL GO OUT OF OVERDRIVE. ALSO THE ENGINE WILL REV AS IF IT IS TRYING TO SWITCH OUT OF OVERDRIVE. ALL OF THESE FACTORS ARE RESULTING IN INCREASED FUEL USAGE, WHICH AT $2 A GALLON IS BECOMING AN EXPENSIVE PROBLEM. I WAS TOLD AT TIME OF PURCHASE,THIS WAS A NORMAL FUCTION OF THE TRANSMISSION, BOUGHT TRUCK FEB. 2003 AND BROUGHT TRUCK BACK 2 TIMES TO A CHYSLER DEALER AND WAS TOLD SAME STORY, DEALER IS NOW NO LONGER IN BUSINESS AND MY WARRANTY HAS EXPIRED, BUT STILL HAVE PROBLEM. *JB

Mileage: 62,000

WE HAVE NOT HAD A CRASH, BUT MY DODGE RAM HAS BEEN IN OUR GARAGE SINCE APRIL WE ARE AFRAID TO DRIVE IT, THE ABS BREAKS ARE ON AND THE TRANSMISSION IS GOING OUT ALSO SMELLS LIKE FIRE CRACKERS AT TIMES. *NM

Mileage: 108,650

I WAS DRIVING ON A 4 LANE HIGHWAY AT 65 MILES PER HOUR WHEN I SUDDENLY LOST SPEED AND THE RPM WERE HEADING TO REDLINE. I HIT MY BRAKE IN THE MIDDLE OF TRAFFIC TRYING TO KEEP FROM HURTING MY ENGINE. WHEN I GOT PULLED TO THE SIDE OF THE ROAD I CHECKED TO SEE IF I COULD GO AND I HAD NO TRANSMISSION. I ONLY HAVE 78,000 MILES ON MY TRUCK AND DON'T PULL HEAVY LOADS OR LOAD MY PICK-UP WITH HEAVY LOADS. I HAVE TALKED WITH OTHER PEOPLE THAT HAVE THE SAME YEAR DODGE PICK-UP AND THEY HAVE HAD SIMILAR PROBLEMS. I AM HAVING MY TRANSMISSION REPLACED ALONG WITH THE TRANSMISSION COOLER BECAUSE IT HAS PARTS OF MY CLUTCH IN IT. I FOUND 5 PEOPLE IN MY COUNTY THAT HAVE HAD PROBLEMS WITH THEIR 98 PICK-UPS AND HAVE HAD THEM FIXED AND THEN TRADED THEM FOR ANOTHER BRAND OF VEHICLE. I WOULD REALLY LIKE TO KNOW WHY NOBODY HAS INVESTIGATED THIS OR RECALLED THE VEHICLE BECAUSE OF THIS PROBLEM. *NM

Mileage: 78,000

TRANSMISSION LEAKAGE..AXEL FLUID LEAKAGE..THIS IS THE THIRD VECHILE THAT THIS DEALERSHIP HAS PUT US IN IN 15 MONTHS!!THE TRUCK WE HAVE NOW ISNT SAFE AND THEY REFUSE TO FIX IT AND THEY ARE RESPONSIBLE BECAUSE THEY DID NOT GIVE US A WARRANTY LIKE THEY TOLD US WHEN WE BOUGHT TRUCK IN APRIL. *AK

Mileage: 13,100

TRANSMISSION LEAKAGE..AXEL FLUID LEAKAGE..THIS IS THE THIRD VECHILE THAT THIS DEALERSHIP HAS PUT US IN IN 15 MONTHS!!THE TRUCK WE HAVE NOW ISNT SAFE AND THEY REFUSE TO FIX IT AND THEY ARE RESPONSIBLE BECAUSE THEY DID NOT GIVE US A WARRANTY LIKE THEY TOLD US WHEN WE BOUGHT TRUCK IN APRIL. *AK

Mileage: 13,100

WHILE RETURNING HOME FROM SEEING MY FIRST GRANDCHILD, SOUTH OF HERSHEY PA MY TRANSMISSION DIED AT APPROX. 50,000 MILES. I HAD TO HAVE THE VEHICLE TOWED FROM THE INTERSTATE AND THE TRANSMISSION REBUILT. THEY TOLD ME THERE WERE A LOT OF METAL SHAVINGS IN THE TRANSMISSION WHICH CLOGGED UP THE WORKS. THIS COST ME ALMOST $3,000.00 PLUS THE COST OF BEING STRANDED OUT OF TOWN FOR 5 DAYS. I NOW HAVE 92,000 MILES ON THE TRUCK AND HAVE TO HAVE THE TRANSMISSION REBUILT AGAIN. I DO NOT KNOW THE COST TO DO THIS YET. PLUS I HAVE THE COST OF OBTAINING ALTERNATE TRANSPORTATION TO GET TO WORK FOR ABOUT 14 DAYS UNTIL I GET THE WORK COMPLETED. THE FIRST REPAIR WORK WAS DONE BY AAMCO AND THE WARRANTY ON THEIR WORK WAS FOR 12 MONTHS OR 12,000 MILES, WHICHEVER CAME FIRST. I HAD AAMCO DO A DIAGNOSTIC ON THE VEHICLE AND THEY TOLD ME THE TRANSMISSION WAS "TOAST". *JB

Mileage: 91,987

1998 DODGE RAM 1500 TRANSMISSON; THE TRANMISSION FAILED ON MY TRUCK AT 60,000 MILES! EVIDENTLY, THERE IS A PROBLEM WITH THESE DODGE TRANSMISSIONS AND THIS IS A VERY COMMON PROBLEM.*AK NOBODY CAN SAY THAT 60,000 MILES IS RESONABLE FOR SUCH A MAJOR REPAIR (ABOUT $3,000 IN MY CASE). I WANT DODGE TO ACKNOWLEDGE THIS PROBLEM (RECALL PROBABLY) AND REIMBURESE ME FOR THIS REPAIR.

Mileage: 60,200

TRANSMISSION SLIPPAGE 1998 DODGE RAM 1500 AT 49,000 MILES . PLEASE RECALL, THIS PROBLEM IS PRESENT WITH EVERYONE I KNOW THAT OWNES A DODGE WITH AN AUTOMATIC TRANSMISSION, THANK YOU FOR YOUR TIME.*AK

Mileage: 50,000

HORN IS HARD TO BLOW. REAR END MAKES WHINING NOISE AND IT STARTED USING 5 QUARTS OF OIL BETWEEN OIL CHANGES. I ONLY HAVE 36000 MILES ON IT. THEY REPLACED MANIFOLD INTAKE GASKET AT MY EXPENSE. THE FUEL GAUGE DOES NOT WORK RIGHT. LUCKILY I DIDN'T RUIN THE ENGINE THAT I KNOW OF. I UNDERSTAND THERE HAVE BEEN A LOT OF PROBLEMS WITH INTAKE GASKETS. HOW LONG DOES IT TAKE TO GET A RECALL ON DEFECTIVE PARTS? *JB

THE AUTO TRANSMISSION LINKAGE THAT CONNECTS TO THE FRAME BOLT SHEERED OFF. WHEN THIS OCCURED THE VEHICLE REMAINED IN THE GEAR IT WAS IN AT THE TIME OF THE FAILURE. THE CAUSE OF THE FAILURE IS UNDETERMINED. *PH THE BOLTS SHEARING OFF THE FRAME CAUSED THE LINKAGE BRACKET TO FALL OFF THE TRUCK FRAME DISABLING THE TRANSMISSION FROM BEING SHIFTED. *TS

Mileage: 63,000

98 DODGE RAM 1500 QUAD CAB - THE BEARINGS IN THE REAR END AXLE ASSEMBLIES OF THESE TRUCKS FAIL PREMATURELY. I HAVE FOUND MANY INQUIRIES OVER THE INTERNET ABOUT THIS PROBLEM. ALL OF THE VEHICLES HAVE LOW MILEAGE (LESS THAN 100000 MILES) AND THE BEARINGS HAVE WORN OUT. THERE IS A LOUD WHINING NOISE FROM THE REAR END ASSEMBLY. *JB

Mileage: 98,600

CONSUMER NOTICED WHILE SHIFTING VEHICLE OUT OF PARK INTO DRIVE GEARS POSITION WERE SWITCHED AROUND, MAKING IT IMPOSSIBLE FOR CONSUMER TO SHIFT TO CORRECT GEAR. VEHICLE WAS SERVICED, TECHNICIAN NOTICED STEERING COLUMN NEEDED TO BE REPLACED. *AK

WHILE DRIVING AT 40MPH TRANSMISSION BROKE. *AK

AUTOMATIC TRANSMISSION DID NOT ENGAGE TO NEXT GEAR AFTER DRIVING SLOW. WHEN YOU STEP ON GAS PEDAL, IT SEEMS THAT THE TRANSMISSION DOES NOT WANT TO ENGAGE INTO NEXT GEAR. HAD TO PUSH DOWN ON GAS PEDAL AS IF TRYING TO GET INTO PASSING LANE IN ORDER FOR TRANSMISSION TO ENGAGE. CHRYSLER COULD NOT FIND ANY PROBLEM. *TT

HAVE EXPERIENCED FAILURE IN PASSENGER SIDE REAR AXLE 1998 DODGE RAM. GOING TO OPEN REAR END ON 5/26/03 FOR INSPECTION. HAVE APPROX. 1/4 IN HORIZONTAL MOVEMENT IN AXLE. FROM CHECKING SITE CONCLUDE THAT THIS MAY NOT BE ISOLATED FAILURE AS FIRST SUSPECTED BUT MAY BE FAILURE IN HEAT TREAT OF AXLE OR BEARING NOT SET CORRECTLY. VEHICLE HAS 68,200 MILES. *NLM

Mileage: 68,200

TRANSMISSION OVERHEATS. AS NEAR AS I CAN TELL, FROM READING THE NUMEROUS COMPLAINTS ON MESSAGE BOARDS, THE PROBLEM IS DUE TO TWO POSSIBLE THINGS. A BAD TORQUE CONVERTER (FREQUENT PROBLEM)AND/OR CLOGGED COOLING SYSTEM LINES AS THE LINES AND PASSAGEWAYS ARE TOO NARROW AND FILTER IS INSUFFICIENT. *NLM

Mileage: 67,000

WHILE DRIVING THE REAR DIFFERENTIAL BROKE. THE DEALER WAS NOTIFIED. *NLM

I OWN A 1998 DODGE RAM 1500. THE TRANSMISSION WENT OUT ON ME AND THE PICKUP ONLY HAD 61000 MILES ON IT. THERE WAS ACTUALLY FIRE INSIDE THE TRANSMISSION, YOU COULD TELL WHEN THE MECHANIC DROPPED THE PAN, THERE WAS NOTHING LEFT EVERY THING WAS FRIED. THAT COULD OF STARTED THE WHOLE PICKUP ON FIRE AND I COULD OF BEEN KILLED OR BADLY HURT. I HAVE TALKED TO SOME OTHER GUYS AND THEY OWNED 1998 RAMS AND THE SAME THING HAPPENED. NOW THIS IS A BIG SAFETY THING AND THERE WAS NOT A RECALL ON THE FAULTY TRANSMISSION. I CONTACTED CHRYSLER TO SEE IF THEY WOULD PAY FOR A NEW TRANSMISSION AND THEY SAID NO, THEY WOULDN'T EVEN HELP ME OUT. THIS COULD OF BEEN A BIG LAW SUIT IF I WOULD OF GOTTEN HURT. *JB

Mileage: 60,000

FROM THE DAY I SAW THAT 96 DODGE TRUCK ROLLING DOWN THE STREET I FELL IN LOVE. I SAVED EVERY WAY POSSIBLE TO PURCHASE THE BIG BAD 1500 4X4 5.9(98)WITH EVERY OPTION AVAIL. HAD EVERYTHING AND FROM WEEK 1 HAD PROBLEMS. FRONT WINDSHIELD CRACKED WHILE DRIVING "DUE TO FRAME STRESS" IT ABOUT 2 WEEKS INTO IT. BRAKE FAILURE CAUSE SERIOUS ASSAULT ON GUARD RAIL, AND DODGE SAID I MUST HAVE BEEN DRIVING TO FAST (@ 30 MPH). THEY REFUSED ANY WARRANTY BECAUSE "NOTHING CAN TOUCH THE WHEEL" AND SINCE THE INCIDENT OCCURRED AFTER 93 DAYS LEMON LAWS DID NOT APPLY SO AFTER (2) $900 BRAKE JOBS TWO WEEKS APART EVERYTHING WAS FINE. NOT TO MENTION DAMAGE TO BODY I PAID FOR OUT OF POCKET. NOW I JUST GO THROUGH AN ENTIRE SET OF BRAKES EVERY 6 MONTHS. BUT I STOP UNTIL THEN.. I REPLACED THE TRANSMISSION AT 38 K MILES, NOTE THE WARRANTY ON THAT IS 36 K MILES. I HAVE HAD STEERING LINKAGE BECOME SO LOOSE INSTANTANEOUSLY (OR 3 SEPARATE OCCASIONS) THAT IT FELT LIKE I WAS RUNNING OVER MY OWN AXLE, WHICH IS ANOTHER $1000 EACH TIME. FOR THE PAST THREE EMISSIONS INSPECTIONS THE ON BOARD COMPUTER FAILS SO I HAVE TO TAKE IT TO THE DEALER WHILE THEY CHARGE $200 TO FIX IT, BUT WILL NOT GIVE STRAIGHT ANSWER TO WHAT IS PROBLEM. AND TO NIGHT AS I TYPE, I SPREAD THE GRIME OF ENGINE CRUD ACROSS MY KEYBOARD AS I TRY TO FIGURE OUT WHY THE FUEL FILTER SUDDENLY STOPPED. AMAZINGLY I HAVE HAD THIS TRUCK FOR 5 YEARS BECAUSE IT HAS KEPT ME TOO BROKE TO BUY SOMETHING ELSE. ANY "LEGAL" SUGGESTIONS ON WHAT CAN BE DONE WOULD BE APPRECIATED. I RECOGNIZE I HAVE SPENT MORE THAN $15,000 TRYING TO KEEP THIS THING RUNNING RIGHT, AND THAT IS TOO MUCH FOR A "LATE MODEL" TRUCK. I WOULD LOVE TO BLAME A DEALER BUT I HAVE BEEN TO JUST ABOUT ALL OF THEM AROUND HERE AND WITH THE SMILES ON THERE FACES I HEAR "THAT WILL BE ANOTHER $950 SIR".. GOOD GRIEF. *NLM

TRANSMISSION FAILED AT APROX 80,000 MILE. LOST ALL GEARS EXECPT FOR 4TH. COULD HAVE RESULTED IN A MAJOR ACCIDENT HAD IT FAILED ON THE FREEWAY WHICH WE HAD JUST EXITED. ALSO THE CLUTCH HAS BEEN REPLACED THREE TIMES SINCE THE TRUCK WAS NEW. ONE AT 37000, 56,000 AND 81,000. *JB

Mileage: 37,000

WHEN APPROACHING A HILL OR ATTEMPTING TO PASS AT HIGHWAY SPEEDS (75 TO 85MPH) EITHER WITH CRUISE ON OR OFF THE TRUCK WILL DOWN SHIFT FROM OVERDRIVE TO LOW GEAR.(SUDDENLY BRINGING YOU TO A HAULT!) IT WILL THEN CAUSE THE ENGINE TO OVERDRIVE. THEN THE TRUCK WILL STAY EITHER IN LOW GEAR OR 2ND GEAR UNTIL YOU SHUT THE KEY OFF AND RESTART OR BY PUTTING IT INTO NEUTRAL THEN BACK INTO DRIVE AND LETTING IT COAST FOR A BIT. THIS IS VERY DANGEROUS! I HAVE BEEN ALMOST SMASHED INTO SEVERAL TIMES! THIS TRANSMISSION HAS BEEN REBUILT AND THE PROBLEM HAS BEEN WITH IT SINCE REBUILDING. THERE IS ONLY 4000 MILES ON THE REBUILD! I HAVE BROUGHT IT BACK OVER TEN TIMES FOR THIS PROBLEM BUT IT WILL NEVER LEAVE A CODE! I HAVE NOW BEEN TOLD THERE IS NOTHING THEY CAN DO WITH IT! THE REASON THE FIRST TRANNY WENT OUT IS BECAUSE THE PARK CONTROL ROD BROKE AND FELL INTO THE GUTS OF THE TRANNY AND VIRTUALLY DESTROYED IT!

Mileage: 11

AT 71,000 MILES TRANSMISSION FAILED FOR THE SECOND TIME. FIRST TIME WAS AT 34,000. $3200 TO REPACE WITH REBUILT UNIT. ALSO, THE REAR DIFFERENTIAL NEEDS REBUILDING FOR ANOTHER $1600.

Mileage: 71,000

NOTICED A VIBRATION WHILE DRIVING. TOOK TO DEALER. ADVISED TRANSMISSION NEEDS OVERHAUL. $2400.00. MR

REAR RIGHT AXLE SEAL HAS FAILED FOR THE SECOND TIME IN LESS THAN 2 YEARS. REAR RIGHT BRAKE IS RENDERED USELESS HENCE WAS A FACTOR IN AN ACCIDENT THE 1ST TIME THE SEALS FAILED. CORPORATE REJECTS THE CLAIM AS WELL AS THE DEALERSHIP WHICH "REPAIRED" THE SEALS LAST TIME. CUSTOMER IS LEFT TO EAT THE COST. NLM

I WAS ON THE FREEWAY, AND AS I WENT TO PASS A SLOWER VEHICLE, I FELT THE TRANSMISSION "SLIP" AND WATCHED THE RPM'S INCREASE DRAMATICALLY, WHILE MY SPEED ACTUALLY DECREASED. I SLOWED DOWN AND TRIED TO CONTINUE TO DRIVE AT A SLOWER SPEED, HOWEVER THIS BECAME IMPOSSIBLE VERY QUICKLY. I ALSO SMELLED SOMETHING, PROBABLY THE CLUTCHES "SLIPPING" SO I PULLED OVER AND CALLED FOR A TOW TRUCK.*AK

GEAR SELECTOR SHAFT BROKE INSIDE STEERING COLUMN HOUSING, 3 DEALERS COULD NOT FIX THE PROBLEM BECAUSE THE ENTIRE STEERING COLUMN HAS TO BE REPLACED. *TT . ZLSO, STEERING COLUMN/TRACK BAR FOR FRONT AXLE, AND CATALYTIC CONVERTER MALFUNCTIONED. *AK

GEAR SELECTOR SHAFT BROKE INSIDE STEERING COLUMN HOUSING, 3 DEALERS COULD NOT FIX THE PROBLEM BECAUSE THE ENTIRE STEERING COLUMN HAS TO BE REPLACED. *TT . ZLSO, STEERING COLUMN/TRACK BAR FOR FRONT AXLE, AND CATALYTIC CONVERTER MALFUNCTIONED. *AK

A LOUD HUMMIMG NOISE WOULD COME FROM VEHICLE WHILE DRIVING. DEALER NOTIFIED AND INFORMED CONSUMER THAT REAR BEARING AXLE SHAFT NEEDED TO BE REBUILT. *AK CONSUMER STATES THAT THIS IS THE SECOND TIME THE REAR BEARING AXLE SHAFT FAILED. *TT

WAS LOADING BOAT AT DOCK RAMP WHEN CAME OUT OF PARK INJURED LEG BADLY. NO SAFETY DEFECT LISTED. *AK

DURING NORMAL OPERATION OF THE VEHICLE AT ANY SPEED, THERE IS A LOUD "HUMMING NOISE" COMING FROM REAR OF TRUCK. AN INDEPENDENT MECHANIC DIAGNOSED THAT BEARINGS AND GEARS FOR THE REAR AXLE HAVE TO BE REPLACED. PLEASE PROVIDE ANY ADDITIONAL INFORMATION / DOCUMENTATION.*AK

REAR AXLES SEALS LEAKED LUBRICANT ON THE BRAKE SHOES CAUSING LOSS OF BRAKING. THIS PROBLEM A VERY SERIOUS SAFETY CONCERN WHEN TOWING A TRAILER DUE TO LOSS OF BRAKING AND COULD CAUSE A POSSIBLE ACCIDENT. THE SECOND ISSUE IS THE FUEL SENDER IN THE FUEK TANK FAILING.THE FUEL GAUGE READING WILLINDICATE ZERO TO FULL RANDOMLY, THUS YOU NEVER KNOW HOW MUCH FUEL RESERVE YOU HAVE. THIS HAS BEEN REPLACED ONCE BEFORE UNDER WARRANTY. UPON INSPECTION THE THE SENDING UNIT THE WIPER MECHANISM APPEARS TO WEAR OUT PREMATURELY AND SENDING ERRONEOUS SIGNAL TO THE FUEL GAUGE IN THE DASH.*AK

I REPORTED THE FAILURE TO CHRYSLER WHO AGREED TO A DIAGNOSIS. A REPRESENTATIVE VERBALLY AGREED THAT CHRYSLER WOULD PAY FOR DIAGNOSIS AND REPAIR IF PROBLEM WAS CAUSED BY FACTORY DEFECT. A DIAGNOSIS SHOWED THAT THE FAILURE WAS CAUSED BY A FACTORY DEFECT. AT LEAST ONE METAL PART WAS MISSING FROM THE TRANSMISSION CAUSING THE FAILURE. CHRYSLER THEN SAID I WAS RESPONSIBLE FOR $350 OF THE REPAIR COST, GOING AGAINST THEIR EARLIER AGREEMENT.*AK

THE REAR AXLE BEARINGS AND SEAL HAD TO BE COMPLETELY REPLACED. THE PROBLEM WAS DETECTED FROM HEARING SOME REAR AXLE NOISE. PH *JB **DIMSII IVOQ ENTRY POSTED AFTER 12/12/02 CUT OVER TO ARTEMIS**753546

Mileage: 41,642

AFTER VEHICLE IS WARMED UP IT WILL INTERMITTENTLY NOT SHIFT INTO DRIVE. CONSUMER HAS TO SHIFT IT INTO NEUTRAL, THEN, BACK INTO DRIVE BEFORE VEHICLE RESPONDS. CONSUMER IS CONCERNED ABOUT VEHICLE ROLLING BACKWARDS WHEN THIS OCCURS.*AK *YD

VEHICLE WAS IN REVERSE, ATTEMPTED TO DRIVE BACK IN REVERSE, BUT VEHICLE WAS STILL IN DRVE. CONSUMER SLAMMED ON BRAKES, AND WENT BACK TO REVERSE, AND DROVE. BUT VEHICLE WAS STIL THE SAME. CONSUMER HAD TO TURN VEHICLE OFF TO GET IT CORRECTLY INTO GEAR. SERVICE MANAGER REFERRED THE CONSUMER TO TO ANOTHER MECHANIC, WHO HAD TO REPLACE STEERING COLUMN.*AK

STANDARD MAINTENANCE FOLLOWED AS RECOMMENDED BY DEALER, JACK CAROLL LYNNWOOD DODGE. PREMATURE REAR AXLE BEARING FAILURE. COMMON LIGHT DUTY USE OF VEHICLE AND ALL FLUIDS CHANGES AND MAINTAINED ON SCHEDULE.

CONSUMER CAN SHIFT VEHICLE INTO ANY GEAR. STEPPED ON GAS PEDAL AND VEHICLE WOULD NOT MOVE. RPMS REVVED HIGH OR LOW BEFORE VEHICLE HAD A DELAYED RESPONSE BY LURCHING FORWARD IN WHATEVER GEAR IT WAS IN. DIAGNOSTIC TEST SHOWED NO CODES AND SHIFTED AS NORMAL. PROBLEM HAD TO DUPLICATE TO BE REMEDIED. *AK

NO SUMMARY LISTED FOR ABOVE VEHICLES. *AK

WE WERE TAVELING ON HWY. 400 AT APPROX. 65MPH, WHEN THE DRIVESHAFT FELL OUT OF THE TRUCK, DUE TO A BROKEN BOLT HEAD. BEING THAT IT IS OUT OF WARRANTY , CHRYSLER DOESN'T WANT TO DO ANY THING ABOUT IT. I FEEL THAT THIS IS A SAFETY HAZARD, AND SHOULD BE COVERED UNDER SOMETHING OTHER THAN A TYPICAL WARRANTY, SINCE THE TRUCK HAS BEEN WELL MAINTAINED AND TAKEN CARE OF. BY THE GRACE OF GOD WE WERE ABLE TO STEER THE TRUCK INTO THE MEDIAN WITHOUT GETTING HIT.

WHILE TRAVELING AT SPEEDS ABOVE 25 MPH AND TAKING FOOT OFF ACCELERATOR, THERE IS A WHINING NOISE COMING FROM REAR AXLE OF VEHICLE, SPECIFICALLY REAR DIFFERENTIAL. PLEASE PROVIDE ANY ADDITIONAL INFORMATION/ATTACHMENTS. *AK

FRONT AXLE STARTED MAKING A NOISE AT 35,000 MILES. IT WAS TAKEN TO DEALER, BUT PROBLEM COULDN'T BE DULPICATED FOR REPAIRS. CURRENTLY, AT 39,000 MILES BEARINGS ARE SHOT AT U-JOINT. DEALER OFFERS TO PAY FOR PART AT BOTH SIDES.*AK

TRANSMISSION GEAR CAN BE PUSHED INTO DRIVE WITHOUT PUTTING FOOT ON BRAKE FIRST. CONCERNED BECAUSE CONSUMER HAS SMALL CHILDREN. *AK CONSUMER WAS NOT INFORMED OF THIS FEATURE PRIOR TO PURCHASE OF VEHICLE. *SLC

TRANSMISSION FAILED IN OVERDRIVE WHICH CAUSED FAILURE TO THE REST OF THE TRANSMISSION WHICH REQUIRED THE TRANSMISSION TO BE REBUILT.*AK

CONSUMER HEARD A HUMMING SOUND FROM REAR OF VEHICLE. DEALER FOUND REAR WHEEL BEARINGS WERE ALL CHEWED UP, MECHANIC STATED THEY WERE TOO TIGHT.*AK EVAPORATOR CORE FAILED. BEARINGS, PINION BEARING, AND AXLE SEALS WERE REPLACED DUE TO POSSIBLY BEING PUT ON TOO TIGHT AT THE FACTORY. *SLC

WHILE STARTING TO PROCEED THROUGH INTERSECTION AT APPOX. 5 MPH, FELT JOLT FROM REAR OF TRUCK AND HEARD SOMETHING BREAK. WHEELS LOCKED UP AND TRUCK CAME TO IMMEDIATE STOP. IT HAD TO BE DRUG ONTO FLATBED AS REAR-END WAS LOCKED-UP. DEALER CLAIMS THAT PROBLEM WAS CAUSED BY DEFECTIVE GEAR.*AK

WHILE DRIVING 5-10 MPH CONSUMER HEARD LOUD NOISE. VEHICLE LURCHED FORWARD, AND REAR END LOCKED UP. CONSUMER PULLED OVER, AND LOOKED UNDERNEATH VEHICLE, AND NOTICED DRIVESHAFT WAS MISSING.*AK

REAR DIFFERENTIAL BEGAN GROWLING AT 39K MILES. DEALER REPORTED IT NEEDED OVERHAUL ($1100 COST). COMPLAINED TO MANUFACTURER AND THEY AGREED TO PAY FOR THE REPAIR. SEEMS TO BE A COMMON PROBLEM WITH 9.25 IN. DODGE REAR ENDS. RUMOR IS DEFECTIVE PINION BEARINGS OR UNDERSTRENGTH EQUIPMENT COMPARED TO ENGINE SIZE. *AK

NO SUMMARY LISTED FOR ABOVE VEHICLE. *AK

I REALLY ENJOY THIS DODGE RAM1500 ,BUT I FEEL THAT SINCE IT IS OUT OF WARRANTY IT WILL NOT HOLD UP TO MY EXPECTATIONS. NO SAFETY DEFECT LISTED IN SUMMARY. *AK

I REALLY ENJOY THIS DODGE RAM1500 ,BUT I FEEL THAT SINCE IT IS OUT OF WARRANTY IT WILL NOT HOLD UP TO MY EXPECTATIONS. NO SAFETY DEFECT LISTED IN SUMMARY. *AK

I HAVE CONTACTED CHRYSLER TOO MANY TIMES ABOUT THESE PROBLEMS, ESPECIALLY THE BRAKES, WHICH I ADMIT IS AN INTERMETTENT PROBLEM. HOWEVER I HAVE DEMONSTRATED THE PROBLEM TO THE SERVICE MANAGER AT RIVERHEAD DODGE. NO REPAIRS WERE EVER MADE. APPARENTLY AFTER SEARCHING ON THE INTERNET I FIND I AM NOT THE ONLY ONE WHO HAS THESE SAME PROBLEMS. HOW MANY PEOPLE HAVE TO BE HURT BEFORE DODGE DOES SOMETHING ABOUT THIS? DOES THIS HAVE TO EVOLVE INTO ANOTHER FIRESTONE PROBLEM BEFORE ANYTHING IS DONE? *AK

WHILE DRIVING CONSUMER SHIFTED INDICATOR AND IT FAILED TO WORK PROPERLY. COULD NOT LOCATE WHAT GEAR TRANSMISSION WAS IN. POPS OUT OF GEAR INTERMITTENTLY WHEN GAS PEDAL PRESSED. ALSO, WHENEVER APPLYING BRAKES, VEHICLE WOULD CONSTANTLY INCREASE IN SPEED. TOOK TO DEALERSHIP & EACH TIME TEST DRIVEN, BUT NOTHING COULD BE FOUND. TRANSMISSION WAS REPLACED 3 TIMES FOR FAULTY GEAR SHIFTING. IN ADDITION, FUEL TANK ASSEMBLY WAS REPLACED DUE TO PROBLEM WITH TRANSMISSION. ONGOING PROBLEMS. *AK *ML

NO SUMMARY LISTED FOR ABOVE VEHICLE. *AK

THE REAR DIFFERENTIAL WAS FOUND BENT BY THE DEALERSHIP, WHICH REQUIRED REPLACEMENT, NOISE FROM THE UNIT PRIOR TO REPLACEMENT. *MJS

VEHICLE HAS NO INTERLOCK SAFETY MECHANISM. VEHICLE CAN BE PLACED INTO GEAR WITHOUT APPLYING THE BRAKE. THE DEALER HAS BEEN CONTACTED. *AK

TIRE SEPERATED FROM TRUCK, CAUSING LOSS OF CONTROL, ROLLED ? TIMES, EVERYONE WAS EJECTED AND KILLED EXCEPT FOR 1. I DO NOT WANT MY INFORMATION RELEASED TO THE MANUFACTURER, PENDING LEGAL MATTERS.

VEHICLE WAS PARKED IN DRIVEWAY AND ENGINE RUNNING WITH CHILDREN IN BACK SEATS;.ALL OF A SUDDEN A LOUD SOUND WAS HEARD AND THE VEHICLE ROLLED OUT OF DRIVEWAY INTO A TREE. THREE INJURIES WERE SUSTAINED, INCLUDING MINOR CUTS & BRUISES. DEALER NOTIFIED. CAN NHTSA PROVIDE ADDITIONAL INFORMATION. *AK

TRANSNMISSION OUT OF ADJUSTMENT CAUSING SHIFTING PROBLEMS. MJS

TRANSMISSION LEAKAGE AT THE BAND ADJUSTMENT. MJS

A VISITING RELATIVE FROM THE EAST COAST MENTIONED THAT THE DODGE PICKUP WAS NOT HELD IN HIGH ESTEEM DUE TO THE TRANSMISSIONS NOT HOLDING UP UNDER SNOW PLOWING WORK. THIS DIDN'T CAUSE ME ALARM SINCE MY TRUCK IS USED FOR PASSENGER USE ONLY. EXACTLY 10 DAYS LATER MY TRANSMISSION WENT OUT. THE DEALER "RECONDITIONED" IT AND IT LASTED LESS THAN 1000 MILES BEFORE FAILING AGAIN. TO BE CONTINUED. *AK

DRIVER PROCEEDING ALONG INTERSTATE AT 60 MPH WITH CRUISE ENGAGED WHEN FELT A JOLT IN REAR END AND TRUCK STARTED FISHTAILING. TRUCK STRUCK SIDE BARRIER, SPUN, CROSSED 3 TRAFFIC LANES AND CAME TO STOP. RIGHT REAR WHEEL ASSEMBLY WAS DETATCHED AND HAD COME TO REST ALONG SHOULDER. SUBSEQUENT DEPARTMENT MECHANIC INSPECTION REVEALED WHAT APPEARS TO BE SHEARING OF AXLE, WITH CENTER OF AXLE APPEARING POROUS. *AK

PREVIOUSLY REPORTED BY THE OWNER. I AM A METALLURGICAL ENGINEER INVESTIGATING THE FAILED COMPONENTS. BOTH REAR WHEELS CAME OFF OF THE TRUCK WHILE DRIVING ON A 2 LANE ROAD AT AN ESTIMATED SPEED OF 70 MPH. NO OTHER VEHICLE INVOLVED. DID NOT HIT A POT HOLE OR ANY OBJECT IN THE ROAD. AXLE APPEARS TO BE 1050 STEEL NORMALIZED AND INDUCTION HARDENED TO A DEPTH OF ABOUT 7/32 INCH. POSSIBLE FATIGUE. PART ID, DRIVERS SIDE, MFG. MW, CODE Y19 METAL STAMPED 23133, PASSENGER SIDE, MFG. MW, CODE Y70, METAL STAMPED 21142. OBTAINING INFORMATION ON A SIMILAR ACCIDENT WITH ANOTHER DODGE RAM 1500 MADE IN 1998.

REAR WHEELS POPPED OFF AXLE WHILE TRAVELING AT 60 MPH. *AK

AUTOMATIC TRANSMISSION FAILED. MJS

TRIP ODOMETER MALFUNCTIONS, RESETS WHEN VEHICLE SHUTS OFF. YH

GEAR SHIFT LEVER BOWNCES FROM DRIVE TO NUETRAL WHEN HITTING BUMPS FAIRLY HARD. YH

AXLE SEALS FAILED. YH

REA RAXLE FAILED, CAUSING THE TIRE WHEEL AND HUB TO SEPERATE FROM THE AXLLE. ALSO, THE ANTI-LOCK BRAKES FAILED,CAUSING THE DRIVER TO LOSE CONTROL OF THE VEHICLE,RESULTING IN A COLLISION. UPON IMPACT, NEITHER DRIVER'S OR PASSENGER'S AIRBAGS DEPLOYED, EVEN AFTER VEHICLE ROLLED OVER FOUR TIMES.

TRANSMISSION SLIPS OUT OF PARK INTO REVERSE. THE LEVER MUST BE JIGGLED TO LOCK INTO PARK.