46 of the
365 complaints about the 1996 Dodge RAM 2500 are about the
transmission — 13% of everything
reported for this model year.
Half of the failures with a mileage on record happened before
105,000 miles.
C
46
Complaints
1
Crashes
2
Fires
0
Injuries
Exactly what failed
Automatic Transmission
1941.3%
Cooling Unit AND Lines
1226.1%
Manual Transmission
613.0%
Power Train
36.5%
Axle Assembly
24.3%
Driveshaft
24.3%
Clutch Assembly
12.2%
Transfer Case (4-WHEEL Drive)
12.2%
Transmission & Drivetrain across every Dodge RAM 2500 year
AFTER OPERATING VEHICLE UNDER HEAVY LOAD (SNOWPLOWING), THE HYDRAULIC CLUTCH LINE RUPTURED WHEN THE CLUTCH WAS DEPRESSED AND THE HYDRAULIC FLUID IGNITED ON THE HOT EXHAUST SYSTEM. NOTE: THERE WAS A RECALL (NHTSA CAMPAIGN ID NUMBER : 99V115000 ) ISSUED FOR THE EXACT SAME PROBLEM WITH THIS MAKE/MODEL/YEAR TRUCK WITH A V10 ENGINE VERSES THE V8. THE HEAT FROM THE NEARBY EXHAUST PIPE EXCEEDED THE TEMPERATURE RATING OF THE HYDRAULIC CLUTCH LINE MATERIAL CAUSING IT TO RUPTURE.
NHTSA complaint #10444959 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
at 96,998 milesFrenchtown, MTFire
POWER TRAIN
AFTER OPERATING VEHICLE UNDER HEAVY LOAD (SNOWPLOWING), THE HYDRAULIC CLUTCH LINE RUPTURED WHEN THE CLUTCH WAS DEPRESSED AND THE HYDRAULIC FLUID IGNITED ON THE HOT EXHAUST SYSTEM. NOTE: THERE WAS A RECALL (NHTSA CAMPAIGN ID NUMBER : 99V115000 ) ISSUED FOR THE EXACT SAME PROBLEM WITH THIS MAKE/MODEL/YEAR TRUCK WITH A V10 ENGINE VERSES THE V8. THE HEAT FROM THE NEARBY EXHAUST PIPE EXCEEDED THE TEMPERATURE RATING OF THE HYDRAULIC CLUTCH LINE MATERIAL CAUSING IT TO RUPTURE.
NHTSA complaint #10444959 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
at 155,831 milesKeithville, LA
POWER TRAIN
PULLING LOADED CARGO TRAILER ON A HOT DAY IN HEAVY TRAFFIC KIN SAN ANTONIO, TX. ALL A SUDDEN TRUCK STARTED SLOWING DOWN AND SMOKE STARTED COMING OUT FROM UNDER THE TRUCK. STOPPED AND LOOKED UNDER AND TRANSMISSION FLUID WAS COMING OUT OF TRANSMISSION ON TO HOT EXHAUST. THE HOT TRANSMISSION FLUID MELTED THE PLASTIC/NYLON MATERIAL AT THE FLUID LINE OF THE TRANSMISSION AND CAUSED FLUID TO SPRAY ALL OVER THE EXHAUST AND UNDER SIDE OF TRUCK AND ONTO THE PAYMENT. TRANSMISSION AND LINES HAD TO BE REPLACED. I WAS NOT AWARE OF THIS RECALL AS I HAD NEVER BEEN CONTACTED. I WISH I HAD, I WOULD HAVE SAVED ABOUT $4000.00!!!!
NHTSA complaint #10371708 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
at 110,000 milesSIX Lakes, MICrash
POWER TRAIN:AUTOMATIC TRANSMISSION
DT*: THE CONTACT STATED WHILE PLACED IN PARK WITH THE ENGINE IDLING, THE VEHICLE WENT INTO REVERSE WITHOUT WARNING. THE VEHICLE WAS MOVING AT ABOUT 5 MPH. THE SALES/SERVICE DEALER WAS NOTIFIED BUT THE CONTACT WAS PLACED ON HOLD AND EVENTUALLY THE CONTACT HUNG UP. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOT CONTACTED. THE PROBLEM OCCURRED 3 TIMES. THERE WAS NO DAMAGE ON THE FIRST INCIDENT, BUT AN EMPTY PARKED SCHOOL BUS WAS STRUCK CAUSING DAMAGE TO THE RIGHT FRONT QUARTER PANEL, RIGHT DOOR AND THE HOOD ON THE SECOND OCCASION. ON THE THIRD OCCASION, THE VEHICLE STRUCK THE BARN AND FEED TROUGH, CAUSING A BROKEN HEADLIGHT AND A DENTED BUMPER.
NHTSA complaint #10174762 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
at 190,000 milesPensacola, FL
POWER TRAIN:AUTOMATIC TRANSMISSION:COOLING UNIT AND LINES
DT*: THE CONTACT STATED THE PLASTIC TRANSMISSION COOLER FITTINGS MELTED CAUSING ALL OF THE TRANSMISSION FLUID TO LEAK OUT VERY QUICKLY. THERE IS A NHTSA RECALL, # 97V084000, REGARDING THE POWER TRAIN: AUTOMATIC TRANSMISSION: COOLING UNIT AND LINES. THE VEHICLE HAS THE SAME PROBLEMS AS INDICATED IN THE RECALL; HOWEVER IT IS NOT INCLUDED IN THE RECALL DUE TO THE VIN.
NHTSA complaint #10150101 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
at 72,000 milesPrattville, AL
POWER TRAIN:AUTOMATIC TRANSMISSION
1996 A518 DODGE RAM TRANSMISSION WENT OUT. I HAVE HEARD THAT THEY ARE AWFUL TRANSMISSIONS AND I BELIEVE THAT THERE NEEDS TO BE A RECALL ON THE A518 TRANSMISSION FOR 1996 DODGE RAM TRUCKS!
NHTSA complaint #10134637 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
at 99,800 milesPeshtigo, WI
POWER TRAIN:AUTOMATIC TRANSMISSION
VEHICLE TRANSMISSION WILL NOT SHIFT WITHOUT TAKING FOOT OFF ACCELERATOR TO LOWER RPM. DEALER STATES INTERNAL SEAL FAILURE AND TRANSMISSION NEEDS REBUILDING.
NHTSA complaint #10107825 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
at 106,000 milesGrand Haven, MI
POWER TRAIN:AUTOMATIC TRANSMISSION:COOLING UNIT AND LINES
RECALL 97V084000 CONCERNING TRANSMISSION COOLING LINE. WHILE PULLING A 5TH WHEEL TRAILER UP A INCLINE AT 30 MPH VEHICLE STOPPED WHILE IN MOTION, AND WHITE SMOKE CAME FROM UNDER THE HOOD. VEHICLE WAS TOWED TO A REPAIR SHOP. DEALER WAS NOTIFIED. DEALER INFORMED CONSUMER THAT THIS VEHICLE WAS NOT COVERED UNDER THAT RECALL.
NHTSA complaint #10097569 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
Godfrey, IL
POWER TRAIN:AUTOMATIC TRANSMISSION
VEHICLE SAME PROBLEM AS MENTIONED IN RECALL#97V084000 CONCERNING TRANSMISSION. DEALER WILL NOT REPAIR BECAUSE THIS VEHICLE NOT INCLUDED IN RECALL DUE TO VIN.
NHTSA complaint #10021894 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
Muskego, WI
POWER TRAIN:AXLE ASSEMBLY
THE AXLE SNAPPED WHILE DRIVING. *NLM
NHTSA complaint #10009712 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
at 105,000 milesPuyallup, WA
POWER TRAIN:AUTOMATIC TRANSMISSION
THERE WAS A RECALL ISSUED FOR A TRANSMISSION COOLING LINE FAILURE 97 V 084. THE DEALERSHIP NOR CHRYSLER WILL HONOR THE RECALL FOR THIS VEHICLE.
NHTSA complaint #10002546 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
LOS Vegas, NV
POWER TRAIN:AUTOMATIC TRANSMISSION
WHILE PULLING A TRAILER UP HILL, TRANSMISSION CONNECTOR MELTED, VEHICLE LOST ALL FLUIDS; SOME OF THE FLUIDS SPRAYED ON MUFFLER AND STARTED SMOKING. *AK *SCC
NHTSA complaint #8017543 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
Puyallup, WA
POWER TRAIN:AUTOMATIC TRANSMISSION:COOLING UNIT AND LINES
TRANSMISSION COOLING LINES FAILING AT THE CONNECTOR WHEN UNDER HOT TEMPERATURES
NHTSA complaint #9006663 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
North Bend, OR
POWER TRAIN:AUTOMATIC TRANSMISSION:COOLING UNIT AND LINES
I BELIEVE THIS IS COVERED IN YOUR RECALL 97V084000 - TRANSMISSION COOLER LINE TO TRANSMISSION SPLIT AND OR FITTING FAILED CAUSING LOSS OF ALL TRANSMISSION FLUID. FACOTRY DEALER VAGUELY REFERENCED RECALL AND I LOCATED IT ON YOUR WEB SITE. I CONTACTED DAIMLER/CHRIYSLER RECALL CENTER AT 800-853-1403 AND THEY TOOK COMPLAINT REFERENCE # 9992910 AND THEN TOLD ME THAT THERE WAS NO SUCH RECALL ON ITEM AND YOUR 97V084000 WAS A TECHNICAL SERVICE BULLETIN. LOCAL DEALER INDICATES THIS RECALL DOES NOT SHOW ON THEIR DATABASE. SOME INDICATION THAT IT WAS OVER TWO YEARS OLD. MY INSURANCE HAD $340 TOW BILL AND I WAS OUT $278.43 IN REPAIRS. I NOTICED EXTREME AMOUNT OF SMOKE FROM UNDER VEHICLE AND WAS ABLE TO STOP BEFORE DAMAGING TRANSMISSION OTHER THAN RUNNING OUT OF FLUID. I WOULD LIKE TO KNOW IF THERE IS A RECALL AND WHAT IS GOING ON HERE. THANK YOU FOR YOUR ASSISTANCE.
NHTSA complaint #761694 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
Sacramento, CA
POWER TRAIN:AUTOMATIC TRANSMISSION
HEAT IS ON THE MODULE AND WILL CATCH ON FIRE.*AK THE TRANSMISSION FAILED AND WAS REBUILT. CONSUMER WOULD LIKE TO BE REIMBURSED FOR THE MONEY HE PAID TO HAVE THE TRANSMISSION REBUILT.
NHTSA complaint #8008690 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
Sacramento, CA
POWER TRAIN:AUTOMATIC TRANSMISSION
THIRD GEAR LIP SEAL FAILED IN TRANSMISSION.
NHTSA complaint #760589 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
Spirit Lake, IA
POWER TRAIN:AUTOMATIC TRANSMISSION:COOLING UNIT AND LINES
WHILE TRAVELING UP SIDE OF A MOUNTAIN 25 TO 30 MPH AND PULLING A TRAILER, NYLON BUSHING RUNNING FROM TRANSMISSION TO OIL COOLER MELTED, RESULTING IN A LOSS OF TRANSMISSION FLUID. DEALERSHIP MADE REPAIRS TO VEHICLE AT CONSUMER'S EXPENSE. DEALERSHIP INFORMED CONSUMER VEHICLE WAS NOT AFFECTED BY ANY RECALL. *AK THE CONSUMER STATED THAT DEALER SAID EXHAUST SYSTEM CAUSED EXTRA HEAT, BUT THE MAIN HEAT SOURCE COMES FROM THE INSIDE AND NOT FROM THE OUTSIDE BECAUSE OF THE TRANSMISSION FRICTION.
NHTSA complaint #8000999 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
Carmel, IN
POWER TRAIN:MANUAL TRANSMISSION
WHILE DRIVING ON THE HIGHWAY THE FIFTH GEAR IN MY TRANSMISSION FELL OFF THE SHAFT. DODGE HAS ISSUED A SERVICE BULLETIN, SEPT.25,1998, BUT HAS NOT ISSUED A RECALL. I WONDER IF THAT SOMEHOW THIS MIGHT CAUSE AN ACCIDENT. THE SERVICE BULLETIN NUMBER IS 21-10-98 REV. A.
NHTSA complaint #754202 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
Princeton, MN
POWER TRAIN:MANUAL TRANSMISSION
DRIVING DOWN INTERSTATE IN 5TH GEAR WHEN VEHICLE SUDDENLY, WITHOUT WARNING LOST 5TH GEAR.
NHTSA complaint #751178 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
Rocky Point, NY
POWER TRAIN:AUTOMATIC TRANSMISSION:COOLING UNIT AND LINES
AUXILLIARY TRANSMISSION COOLING SYSTEM HOSES THAT RUN TO THE FRONT OF THE RADIATOR ARE TOO SHORT TO REACH BED OF AUXILLIARY RADIATOR, THIS CAUSES THE TRANSMISSION FLUID TO LEAK AND LOSE POWER AND MOMENTUM, CONSUMER STATES ALL DIESEL TRUCKS WITH AUXILLIARY TRANSMISSION COOLER'S HAVE THIS DEFECT. *SLC
NHTSA complaint #888180 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
Rocky Point, NY
POWER TRAIN:MANUAL TRANSMISSION
AUXILLIARY TRANSMISSION COOLING SYSTEM HOSES THAT RUN TO THE FRONT OF THE RADIATOR ARE TOO SHORT TO REACH BED OF AUXILLIARY RADIATOR, THIS CAUSES THE TRANSMISSION FLUID TO LEAK AND LOSE POWER AND MOMENTUM, CONSUMER STATES ALL DIESEL TRUCKS WITH AUXILLIARY TRANSMISSION COOLER'S HAVE THIS DEFECT. *SLC
NHTSA complaint #888180 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
Corn Wall Ontario, CD
POWER TRAIN:AUTOMATIC TRANSMISSION
WHILE VEHICLE IS IN PARK, COULD MOVE THE PAWL FROM PARK TO DRIVE, BUT VEHICLE WILL NOT MOVE, AND PROVIDING NO POWER.
NHTSA complaint #885574 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
South Weber, UT
POWER TRAIN:MANUAL TRANSMISSION
TRANSMISSION BEGAN SHIFTING AT 50000 MILES, AT 70000 MILES, VEHICLE WOULD NOT GO IN REVERSE AND WOULD NOT SHIFT INTO 3RD GEAR, DEALER REPLACED TRANSMISSION AT 74000 MILES. *SLC
NHTSA complaint #785267 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
Trout RUN, PA
POWER TRAIN:AUTOMATIC TRANSMISSION
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 RAMS ARE ALSO HAVING THIS PROBLEM
NHTSA complaint #742019 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
Chandler, AZ
POWER TRAIN:MANUAL TRANSMISSION
TRANSMISSION WAS DESTROYED DUE TO LOSS OF FLUID. NLM ON ONE OCCASION, WHILE PULLING UTILITY TRAILER, 2 TIRES DELAMINATED. ALL 5 TIRES HAD TO BE REPLACED. ON A SECOND OCCASION, TWO TIRES DELAMINATED ON THE 1996 JACO 28 FOOT 5TH WHEEL TRAILER CAUSING DAMAGE TO THE TRAILER. ALL FIVE TIRES ON THE TRAILER WERE REPLACED. ON A THIRD OCCASION, RIGHT FRONT TIRE (WRANGLER AT LT245/75R16 M+S DOT MD11 BTOV 197 234R) DELAMINATED ON THE TRUCK. GOODYEAR PAID 50 PERCENT PRORATE OF FOUR TIRES BASED ON TREAD DEPTH. HOWEVER, CONSUMER THOUGHT GOODYEAR WOULD PAY 100 PERCENT OF THE COST ON THE FACTORY DEFECT TIRE AND CONSUMER WOULD PAY FOR REMAINING THREE TIRES. CONSUMER PAID FOR THE FOUR NEW AT/S WRANGLERS. *TT *SLC
NHTSA complaint #557684 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
Loveland, CO
POWER TRAIN:AUTOMATIC TRANSMISSION:COOLING UNIT AND LINES
AUTOMATIC TRANSMISSION HIGH TEMPERATURE LINE CONNECTOR MELTED, CAUSING VEHICLE TO LOSE ALL TRANSMISSION FLUID. FLUID SPRAYED ON MUFFLER, TRANSMISSION, AND ALL OVER THE GROUND. VEHICLE STALLED IN MIDDLE OF ROAD. MAY NEED A NEW TRANSMISSION. *AK CONSUMER BELIEVE THIS FAILURE IS EXACTLY THE SAME AS RECALL #722 (97V-084).
NHTSA complaint #873586 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
Acton, CA
POWER TRAIN:AUTOMATIC TRANSMISSION
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.
NHTSA complaint #726558 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
Sonoma, CA
POWER TRAIN:MANUAL TRANSMISSION
FRONT COIL SPRING BROKE, WHICH CAUSED FRONT END TO DROP. THERE IS A RECALL FOR THIS PROBLEM, BUT THIS VEHICLE IS NOT INCLUDED ALTHOUGH IT HAS THE SAME PROBLEM. ALSO, OCCUPANT RECEIVED A RECALL FOR THE WIRING HARNESS WHICH HE NEVER HAD REPAIRED, AND LOST THE RECALL NOTICE. MANUFACTURER STATED THAT THIS VEHICLE WAS NOT INCLUDED IN WIRING HARNESS RECALL. ALSO, 5TH GEAR QUIT FOR THE SECOND TIME, FIRST TIME COVERED UNDER EXTENDED WARRANTY, THIS TIME OWNER MUST PAY FOR REPAIR. CHRYSLER HAS ISSUED AN UPDATED NUT FOR THIS PROBLEM. *AK
NHTSA complaint #860158 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
Simi Valley, CA
POWER TRAIN:AUTOMATIC TRANSMISSION
TRANSMISSION SLIPPED AND VEHICLE STALLED ON THE ROAD. YH
NHTSA complaint #550863 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
Mounds, OK
POWER TRAIN:DRIVELINE:DRIVESHAFT
I WAS PARKED NEXT TO A CURB IN A LOT AT WORK CARE WAS BEHIND ME. HAD TO GO OVER CURB AT 1-2MPH HEARD BANG TIRE BLEW OUT. DROVE ACROSS STREET, PULLED INTO LOT, GOT OUT, GAS TANK DRAGGING GROUND AND SLOSHED GAS ALL OVER ROAD. DRIVESHAFT HAD BEEN TURNING AGAINST METAL PLATE ON SIDE OF TANK-STRAPS BROKE-HAD NO WARNING OF ANYTHING WRONG-HAD TO HAVE TRUCK TOWED-SLOSHED GAS ALL OVER TRAILER-DRIVERS' PARTING WORDS "PRAY FOR ME". I CALLED DODGE TOLD THEM I WASN'T PAYING FOR A SAFETY DEFECT, AND THAT I WASN'T HAPPY. THEY CALLED DEALER DEALER TOOK CARE OF IT NO CHARGE. VERY UPSETTING HAVING GAS TANK FALL OFF OF WHAT IS SUPPOSED TO BE A HEAVY DUTY TRUCK. APPEARS ONLY ONE STRAP HOLDING TANK UP -NO SECONDARY SUPPORTS. ANYBODY ELSE HAVE THIS TYPE OF THING HAPPENED TO THEM? I CAN'T IMAGINE BEING IN A WRECK IF IT IS THAT FRAGILE.
NHTSA complaint #714767 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.