10.0

really awful
Crashes / Fires:
2 / 0
Injuries / Deaths:
2 / 0
Average Mileage:
10,714 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 1500 transmission problems

transmission problem

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1997 Dodge Ram 1500 Owner Comments (Page 3 of 4)

« Read the previous 20 complaints

problem #35

Jan 172001

(reported on)

Ram 1500

  • Automatic transmission
  • miles

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

Transmission slips into neutral when going up an incline. Dealer has inspected vehicle, and has not been able to repair it.

- Tacoma, WA, USA

problem #34

Dec 182000

Ram 1500 4WD

  • Automatic transmission
  • miles
Repairs were made to the transmission of this vehicle due to whining noise from cold transmission when in reverse. Symptoms and repairs pertain to technical service bulletins 21-08-99 and 21-11-97 rev. A. repair shop is doing quite a number of these repairs. Repair cost $500 and 4 days of down time.

- Fairmont, MN, USA

problem #33

Dec 012000

Ram 1500

  • Automatic transmission
  • miles
Premature failures on transmission on Dodge Ram pickups 1995-1997. Redesigned parts by Dodge because of know failure rate leads to high dollar repairs because of part compatiblity.

- Union City, MI, USA

problem #32

Nov 112000

Ram 1500

  • Automatic transmission
  • miles

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

No summary listed for above vehicle.

- Memphis, TN, USA

problem #31

Jan 072000

(reported on)

Ram 1500

  • miles
Transmission problems.

- Washington, DC, USA

problem #30

Sep 132000

Ram 1500 4WD

  • miles
Manufacturer replaced part free of charge, however, I had to pay for 12 hours of labor. Having an obviously defective part in a three year old vehicle, should not warrant a penalty of payment by me.

- Sinking Spring, PA, USA

problem #29

Jul 012000

Ram 1500 4WD

  • Automatic transmission
  • miles

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

Since January I have been having problems with it stalling when I put it in reverse if I had it idle for awhile or warming up. I took it back to auto nation and they could not find anything wrong. They took it to dickinson Dodge (910) 864-2411 and they could not get it to duplicate. The problem continued periodically until April when the transmission started slipping. This would only happen when I was in reverse then would try to put it in drive. The transmission would hesitate and it was like I was in nuetral. After a few seconds the drive gear would kick in and it was fine. A few times I had to put it in D2 then pull out and put it in drive. I had dickinson Dodge check this again and they could find no problem. In late June I took it in for service and told dickinson to check the transmission again and they could not find anything or get it to duplicate the slipping and stalling. They di replace the serpentine belt and told me that could have been the problem but it wasn't. two ddays after on July 1st I was driving around fayetteville and the check engine light came on. I contacted dickinson Dodge again and on 5 July took it in. Initially they said the fault registered as a drop in RPM's. they could not find the source of the problem and thought it was electrical initially. Then on 6 July they decided to drop the transmission pan and found the torque converter was separating and putting metal fragments in the transmission. They said this ate away the seal for the gear box and allowed oil in the clutches. That was causing the slippage and the transmission would have to be rebuilt. They also said my overdrive gear was already out. They said it would cost approximately $1500 to rebuild it. I have already spent $95 for testing which showed nothing and another $80 for the serpentine belt replacement. I would think a truck with only 48,000 miles on it the transmission would be in excellent condition. I am suspecting it may be a flood vehicle.

- Fayetteville, NC, USA

problem #28

May 152000

(reported on)

Ram 1500

  • miles
While traveling noticed gear slipping, and sensor indicator light coming on. Dealer has been notified, and stated that transmission needed to be replaced.

- Madris, OR, USA

problem #27

May 112000

(reported on)

Ram 1500

  • miles
When driving consumer noticed vehicle was overheating/melting parts within the transmission. Consumer has contacted the dealer, dealer has replaced parts.

- Antioch, IL, USA

problem #26

May 032000

(reported on)

Ram 1500

  • Automatic transmission
  • miles
When driving at 55-60 mph consumer noticed loss of acceleration. Vehicle started to jerk. Consumer contacted the dealer, dealer linked the problem to the transmission.

- Kingston, TN, USA

problem #25

Aug 121997

Ram 1500

  • Automatic transmission
  • miles

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

No summary listed for above vehicle.

- Cartersville, GA, USA

problem #24

Jan 282000

Ram 1500

  • Automatic transmission
  • miles
While driving at 60 mph, transmission went out without any kind of warning. Truck was towed to the dealership. Transmission was replaced on Feb 4, 2000, it failed on the next day, Feb 5, 200O, with 46 miles.

- St Charles, MO, USA

problem #23

Dec 071999

Ram 1500

  • Automatic transmission
  • miles
Transmission had grinding noise on reverse, the air conditioner blew warm air and made a weird noise behind dash. Horrendous noise in rear, turned out to be the rearend (mechanic stated it had froze and exploded) no extended warranty, am having it worked on now.

- Riverside, CA, USA

problem #22

Apr 151999

Ram 1500 4WD

  • Automatic transmission
  • miles
Transmission will not downshift/ upshift, causing stalling or hesitation usually at an intersection. 4 repair attempts this year.

- Fountain Inn, SC, USA

problem #21

Nov 171999

(reported on)

Ram 1500

  • Automatic transmission
  • miles
While driving at normal speed transmission gear slips into neutral and vehicle will stop accelerating. To get it back into gear, driver has to put indicator into neutral and shift it back to drive. Dealer has been contacted.

- Belleville, AR, USA

problem #20

Jan 151998

Ram 1500 4WD

  • miles
This problem is in regards to the electrical system:ignition:electronic control unit. Summary of problem: Intermintent surge, buck, driveline clunk, or transfer harshness. The exact same problem as described in service bulletin # 96-40, NHTSA item # sbo49106. I have been esperiencing problems with this for some time I have approached 2 different dealers, hendrick Dodge and bumpous Dodge. They received my truck with 29,000 miles on it continued to drive till warranty expired and claimed nothing was wrong. As a result of this problem it has loosened the the rear shackles causing the rear differential to become loose and cause extreme wear on the passenger side tires. I have had absolutely no satisfaction with the either dealership this vehicle is a lemon. In the past I had to return it 7 times to have a water leak fixed, of course no documentation was given to me, at the time it never occured to me that this would be useful. Smart on their part. I would like some help dealing with this matter, as I am one individual with very little power and recourse. Thank you kevin carlson

- Apex, NC, USA

problem #19

Jun 011999

Ram 1500 4WD

  • miles
1. transmission would not shift into overdrive. After keeping the truck for 34 days, dealership finally put in a rebuilt tranny. 2. driver's side mirror vibrates at highway speeds, rendering it useless. Dealer blamed it on the bug shield. 3. battery completely died right after warranty expired. 4. front wheels make constant clicking noise...suspect failed bearings. 5. steering wheel made cracking sound when turning to left or right...took several attempts to fix it. Truck is total piece of junk!

- Derby, KS, USA

problem #18

Jun 141999

Ram 1500 4WD

  • miles
Slight jerkiness between 45 - 50 mph, less noticable jerkiness at higher speeds. Dealer stated that Dodge does not have an answer to the problem. The component has not failed, but it is very irritating to say the least. There was one occasion where I had 2 sudden jerks while traveling at 50 mph. The dealer where I have the vehicle serviced didn't have an answer. I am surprised that this has not been reported before. I know of a 1998 Ram 1500 that has the same problem.

- Carlisle, PA, USA

problem #17

Nov 011996

Ram 1500 4WD

  • Automatic transmission
  • miles
Transmission fails to go into gear.

- Bakersfiel, CA, USA

problem #16

Aug 241999

(reported on)

Ram 1500

  • Automatic transmission
  • miles
Intermittently when accelerating transmission will slipped out of gear. Manufacturer has been notified.

- Lillington, NC, USA

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