10.0

really awful
Crashes / Fires:
4 / 1
Injuries / Deaths:
1 / 0
Average Mileage:
5,568 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.

1996 Dodge Ram 2500 transmission problems

transmission problem

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1996 Dodge Ram 2500 Owner Comments (Page 2 of 5)

« Read the previous 20 complaints

problem #75

Aug 132001

Ram 2500 4WD Diesel

  • Automatic transmission
  • miles

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

No summary listed for above vehicle.

- Cheyenne, WY, USA

problem #74

Aug 072001

Ram 2500 4WD

  • Automatic transmission
  • miles
Transmission slips going from 2 gear to 3 gear.

- Columbus, OH, USA

problem #73

Sep 032001

Ram 2500

  • miles
Vehicle jumps from fifth gear to neutral because bolt in column shift comes out. Dealer has been notified. Please provide additional information.

- Wilder, ID, USA

problem #72

Aug 012000

Ram 2500 4WD

  • Manual transmission
  • miles

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

Transmission does not shift from second to third gear easily. Consumer contacted several mechanics, including Chrysler dealer, who said that it was a "manufacturing defect and should be recalled." Transmission began to fail at 57, 000, it was a heat related problem. An overdrive unit w/ torque converter heated up seals which will not allow the seals to hold pressure.

- Monclova, OH, USA

problem #71

Feb 172000

Ram 2500

  • miles
I have replaced mirrors at my own cost.

- Oceanside, CA, USA

problem #70

May 172001

Ram 2500 4WD Diesel

  • Automatic transmission
  • miles
I was not able to enter the VIN # here it is: [xxx]. I was traveling @ 75 mph in the fast lane of interstate 95 in heavy traffic. Felt sudden loss of power & decline of speed, narrowly escaped major accident. Found that transmission lost 5th gear. Researched and found manufacturer published service bulletin (#21-10-98A) Sept. 98. I was never made aware of this known problem. Dodge does not consider this a safety concern - I wish they were in the vehicle when this happened instead of my two sons & I. information redacted pursuant to the Freedom Of Information Act (FOIA), 5 U.S.C. 552(B)(6).

- Port Deposit, MD, USA

problem #69

Mar 042001

Ram 2500

  • Automatic transmission
  • miles

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

While vehicle is in park, could move the pawl from park to drive, but vehicle will not move, and providing no power.

- Corn Wall Ontario, CD, USA

problem #68

Feb 022001

Ram 2500 4WD

  • Automatic transmission
  • miles
Transmission will not shift from 2nd to 3rd gear must let off of gas in order to shift. Garage told me that 3rd gear is gone and must be replaced. Other people w/ 96 Dodge Ram are also having this problem

- Trout Run, PA, USA

problem #67

Nov 012000

Ram 2500

  • Automatic transmission
  • miles
Steering has to much play, also there is a popping sound, to dealer 4 times, cannot find problem. Vehicle will not stay in overdrive.

- Mishawaka, IN, USA

problem #66

Feb 262001

Ram 2500 4WD

  • Automatic transmission
  • miles
Engine would hesitate before shifting gears. 3rd gear was burning out. Dealer said nothing was wrong with it. Consumer took vehicle into an amoco, and test drove it to find problem. Dealer replaced the transducer and solenoid.

- Fairport, NY, USA

problem #65

Jun 152000

Ram 2500 4WD

  • Automatic transmission
  • miles

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

No summary listed for above vehicle.

- Gray, TN, USA

problem #64

Jan 112001

Ram 2500

  • miles
Was driving home when vehicle started to slow down, applied more gas, but vehicle was not going anywhere. Motor would rev up. Managed to get vehicle to side of road. Placed vehicle in park and was getting out when vehicle almost ran over driver. Vehicle did not have park/drive or reverse. Vehicle was towed. Was informed, it had no rear end.

- Imperial, MO, USA

problem #63

Dec 032000

Ram 2500

  • Automatic transmission
  • miles
This is the second time we've had the transmission replaced. Once at 43,832 miles, now at 71,750 miles. Almost caused an accident when we pulled into traffic and the transmission slipped out of gear.

- Oviedo, FL, USA

problem #62

Nov 252000

(reported on)

Ram 2500

  • Automatic transmission
  • miles
The original transmission was replaced under warranty, the vehicle has not been used for any towing or other power train stressing jobs. The second transmission has failed, under similar "no stress" condition less than 20K miles later. A widely accepted industry standard for transmission life expectancy is 7yrs/100,000 miles.

- Villa Park, IL, USA

problem #61

Nov 182000

Ram 2500 4WD

  • Automatic transmission
  • miles
Have had to rebuild transmission, also know of others in this same area with the same problem and they are also 1996 models

- Athens, TN, USA

problem #60

Sep 292000

(reported on)

Ram 2500

  • Automatic transmission
  • miles
Frame separated because of improper welding, causing the transmission bolts to separate.

- Sulfer Springs, TX, USA

problem #59

May 302000

Ram 2500 4WD Diesel

  • miles
NHTSA id 97V08400

- Chandler, AZ, USA

problem #58

Jul 022000

Ram 2500 4WD Diesel

  • miles
The problem is the same as NHTSA campaign id number: 97V084000. This has happened three times since the truck was new. Each time there was a lot of smoke, but no fire. Twice the truck was towed to a dealer and once it stayed together, but was leaking badly. Chrysler Corp. Says this truck is not included in the recall as does the dealer where it has been repaired. Twice the truck came to a stop where there was no shoulder to get off the roadway. Any information I could get would help.

- Acton, CA, USA

problem #57

Aug 042000

Ram 2500

  • Automatic transmission
  • miles
While driving gas pedal may be down to the floor, but vehicle won't go anywhere. Took vehicle to dealer, and they found pieces of rubber O-ring, metal slitherings, clutch materials in transmission pan. Consumer took vehicle to dealer, and they said consumer needed a new transmission/front pump, consumers felt this car was 4 years old, and should not be having transmission problems.

- Danielson, CT, USA

problem #56

Jun 252000

Ram 2500

  • Automatic transmission
  • miles
While driving vehicle experience problems with transmission which the vehicle does shift properly and may result in a crash. Also, the engine check light stayed on. But, dealer could not determine the problem.

- Modesto, CA, USA

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