10.0

really awful
Crashes / Fires:
2 / 0
Injuries / Deaths:
1 / 0
Average Mileage:
5,667 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 Van 3500 transmission problems

transmission problem

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1997 Dodge Ram Van 3500 Owner Comments (Page 1 of 2)

problem #37

May 142004

Ram Van 3500 8-cyl

  • Automatic transmission
  • 144,678 miles

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

Park position with ignition key in the lock position, vehicle shifter moved out of park, knocked owner down and ran over me, continued to roll back hit second car, continued to keep going until it hit a curb. This was a very dangerous and could have caused other accidents. Consumer sent in a fax copy of the internet voq.

- Abilene , TX, USA

problem #36

Sep 302003

Ram Van 3500 4WD 8-cyl

  • Automatic transmission
  • 65,000 miles
While driving at 35-45 mph vehicle suddenly stopped accelerating. The vehicle felt as if it was in neutral. Transmission burned fluid, causing it to fail. A mechanic ant the transmission repair shop indicated that this was due to the coolant not circulating through the transmission when vehicle was idling in the park gear. Transmission needed to be rebuilt. Consumer was told by two different mechanics that rear wheel drive Chrysler vehicles if in park with the engine running, coolant doesn't circulate to the transmission. Consumer phoned Chrysler customer service and they advised her to contact NHTSA for a possible recall. Consumer learned of the trans coolant connect recall. Then she recalled that part being replaced prior to the failure. The fluid was checked before the vehicle was towed, and it was thick and brown as a result of being burnt. The consumer feels a fair resolution would be for Chrysler to reimburse her at least half the cost of the transmission repairs.

- Madison Heights, MI, USA

problem #35

Jan 022002

Ram Van 3500 4WD

  • Automatic transmission
  • miles
Continuous transmission trouble:minor slipping, searching for a gear, surging, not going into passing gear, when it does it does not stay there, clunks hard when put in rev. Vibration at start up(moving) heat shield or rear-end, @time of original trade, when they changed the oil they eiter didnt put any in or very little I had to add 5qts now there is a ticking noise on the pass, side of engine, the salesman lied to me about the truck I asked him "has this ever plowed or towed anything before?" he said "no" after talking to prev.owner they were towing a big boat with it.at this time I have a complaint with the me. Atty gen, Dodge, file#9921927 on 4-18-02, may I please have a copy of this with your letterhead as well as a reply so I can foward this to the atty gen. Thank you!!!!

- Camden, ME, USA

problem #34

Feb 012002

Ram Van 3500 Diesel

  • Automatic transmission
  • miles

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

While driving 55-60 mph in 5 th gear engine revved, but vehicle started to slow down. Consumer shifted out of gear into neutral, and then tried to shift back, was not able to shift back into gear. Please add further details.

- Mount Pleasant, TN, USA

problem #33

Nov 162001

Ram Van 3500 4WD

  • miles
Made three trips to dealer for engine light over a period of 45 days. First trip was on 10/3/01with a charge of $132.25 tech found torque converter not working. Cleaned torque converter solenoid. Second trip to dealer was made on 10/30/01 with check engine light on again. Tech found same problem again and replaced torque converter solinoid for charge of $246.58. Third trip was made on 11/13/01 with check engine light again on. This time tech said probably an internal leak "somewhere" but don't know where. Said ok to drive until transmission starts slipping. Check engine light came on again on the way home and trans began slipping next day. Returning to dealer on 11/15/01 the transmission gave out completely and had to be towed. Dealer called on 11/16/01 stating that the front plate in transmission had failed and probably could never get all the metal out of transmission. Now cost will be $2200 for a rebuilt transmission.

- Cabool, MO, USA

problem #32

Jun 092001

Ram Van 3500 4WD

  • miles
Transmission failed due to transmission fluid not reaching overdrive mechanism. It started slipping as I was driving home late one night and it completely went out two days later. Mechanic says it started in the overdrive mechanism and went from there. He stated Dodge knows about these problems with the transmissions and won't do anything about it as far as the customers expenses. My husbands Dodge truck is having the same problem. It seems to be common in these trucks from 80,000 - 100,000 miles, and Dodge refuses to pay for any of it, although they apparently made an upgrade kit for it. Manufacturers defect. Transmissions are extremely expensive to fix, and Dodge should take responsibility for the defective parts. I have contacted Dodge/Chrysler, and was told they would not assist me in my transmission problems because my warranty was expired. The truck is only four years old, and we would have thought it to be more reliable. I have noticed on the complaint screen on NHTSA that there are several of these complaints regarding transmissions. I have documentation of Dodge's declination, as well as my efforts to have them help me. At this time both our Dodge trucks are unreliable, and becoming increasingly expensive to continue to fix. I have replaced the power steering pump and the U-joints also. Any amount of help would be appreciated. It's expensive enough to purchase the vehicles without continually putting money into them to keep them running, especially when the trucks are only 4 years old. Thank you so much for your help and your internet site. I was quite relieved to find it.

- Central City, CO, USA

problem #31

May 142001

(reported on)

Ram Van 3500

  • Automatic transmission
  • miles

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

Intermittently transmission hesitates and then will kick in. Dealer has inspected vehicle.

- Gilroy, CA, USA

problem #30

Oct 012000

Ram Van 3500 4WD

  • Automatic transmission
  • miles
At 60,000 transmission replaced; 68,000 both U-joins replaced; 75,000 differential rebuilt; 80,000 universal joint replaced; now differential slips after stopping

- Mountainburg, AR, USA

problem #29

Apr 212001

Ram Van 3500

  • miles
Transmission started slipping, tried to take to the shop next day. Trans would not shift and it ground when put into reverse. Took truck to aamco and they said it was caused by a check vaulve that was in the transmission line that was replaced due to a recall. The repair costed over $2,000. The entire transmission needed to be rebuilt. I have a coppy of the repair bill with a listing of parts replaced. Thank you.

- Dewy Rose, GA, USA

problem #28

Mar 012001

Ram Van 3500

  • Automatic transmission
  • miles
Transmission failure. Dealer replaced transmission once already, but problem still occurs.

- Gansevoort, NY, USA

problem #27

Mar 082001

Ram Van 3500 4WD

  • miles

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

Mechanic explained that overdrive failed, causing complete destruction of transmission, torque converter and related electronics. Mechanic also mentioned many similar failures in newer pickup trucks.

- Springfield, OR, USA

problem #26

Aug 012000

Ram Van 3500

  • Automatic transmission
  • miles
Transmission will fail to function during cold weather. Has taken vehicle to dealership for problem, and has not been resolved. Dealer replaced valve body, however this did not fix problem.

- Pekin, IL, USA

problem #25

Nov 182000

Ram Van 3500 4WD

  • Automatic transmission
  • miles
Transmission would have late or no shift into third gear causing engine to rev to high rpms not allowing the vehicle to go over 45 mph. Upon taking the vehicle for repairs the mechanic informed us that the manfacturer was aware of the problem, which was caused by an inner seal groove. Has there ever been a recall or has the manufacter offered any compensation for this defect?

- Sturgeon Bay, WI, USA

problem #24

Feb 152001

(reported on)

Ram Van 3500

  • Automatic transmission
  • miles
We have changed tire brands. Transmission or driveshaft is still noisy, but does not seem to effect anything. It should be on recall but the car place said that this problem could easily be mistaken for losing the rear end. The one brake has continually not closed properly and therefor does not wear like the other 3.( dot number: )

- Falcon Heights, MN, USA

problem #23

Nov 162000

Ram Van 3500 4WD

  • miles
Transmission ceased to work while driving at 55 mph. No forward movement. Had truck towed home. Drove the next day, but would not shift into 2nd. Gear. Scranton Dodge performed diagnostic test (revealed code 37: Overdrive lockup solenoid malfunction), said trans. Was bad and wanted $2,456 for replacement. No warranty help because truck was over warranty coverage by 2,950 miles. Mechanic said fluid was burnt and there was "metal in the pan and it ruined the solenoids." (inspection later revealed no metal in pan or burnt fluid). Called Chrysler (1-800-992-1997) spoke to don griesbaum, ext. 7088 gave authorization no. 7934794. He said that Chrysler would "help" with the cost, but would not give a hint as to what "help" might be. Scranton Dodge would have to disassemble the trans. To determine the problem, and then Chrysler would deem if it was "driver neglect" which would get no "help" from Chrysler. Also once trans is disassembled, it cannot leave the dealer until it has been fully repaired. I would have ok'd the teardown but $2,456 for a trans with a 36K mile warranty seemed useless when mine failed at 38,950 and I put 22K miles on in 19mos. I asked don griesbaum if the transmission is defective with no fault on my part, how much is this going to cost me. He replied that he could not disclose any information to me until my truck was disassembled at a Chrysler dealership. I have been making payments on a truck that has been sitting in my driveway since November. I have spoken to many people who have had problems with Chrysler's auto trans. Aamco transmissions (scranton) said that if Dodge had to recall every faulty trans. They built, they would be bankrupt. Caravan and Ram are notorious for early trans. Failure. The newsgroups on the net are filled with complaints and people requesting info on class action lawsuits. I feel that Chrysler should take a closer look at this problem and take some action to correct it. Thank you for your time, william R. moore.

- Scranton, PA, USA

problem #22

Jan 172001

(reported on)

Ram Van 3500

  • Automatic transmission
  • miles
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 #21

Jan 072000

(reported on)

Ram Van 3500

  • miles
Transmission problems.

- Washington, DC, USA

problem #20

Sep 132000

Ram Van 3500 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 #19

May 152000

(reported on)

Ram Van 3500

  • 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 #18

May 112000

(reported on)

Ram Van 3500

  • 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

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