Automatic Transmission problems of the 1996 Dodge RAM - part 1

38 problems related to automatic transmission have been reported for the 1996 Dodge RAM. The most recently reported issues are listed below.

1 Automatic Transmission problem

Failure Date: 11/01/2001

Mechanic said he see this in Dodge's ranging in the yrs. 1994-1999's, it is a faulty part. No safety defec tmentioned.

2 Automatic Transmission problem

Failure Date: 08/13/2001

No summary listed for above vehicle.

3 Automatic Transmission problem

Failure Date: 07/17/2001

When vehicle is cold it will not go into reverse. Also, vehicle will not go into second or third gear unless consumer releases gas pedal and rpms will come down. Dealership was aware of problem.

4 Automatic Transmission problem

Failure Date: 05/17/2001

I was not able to enter the VIN # here it 187kf23c8tj185891. 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.

5 Automatic Transmission problem

Failure Date: 01/11/2001

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.

6 Automatic Transmission problem

Failure Date: 11/18/2000

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

7 Automatic Transmission problem

Failure Date: 11/01/2000

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

8 Automatic Transmission problem

Failure Date: 10/01/2000

Transmission has a delay when shifting from 2 nd to 3 rd gear, also there is a grinding sound when in reverse.

9 Automatic Transmission problem

Failure Date: 06/25/2000

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. Please provide further information.

10 Automatic Transmission problem

Failure Date: 06/15/2000

No summary listed for above vehicle.

11 Automatic Transmission problem

Failure Date: 05/30/2000

Nhtsa id 97v08400.

12 Automatic Transmission problem

Failure Date: 02/17/2000

I have replaced mirrors at my own cost.

13 Automatic Transmission problem

Failure Date: 01/29/2000

Transmission goes into 2nd when going down the road and won't shift out other. People I know with same pickups have had similar problems with transmission.

14 Automatic Transmission problem

Failure Date: 03/15/1999

Transmission has premature internal dysfunction. Hangs in gears, and slips while shifting, causing a dangerous situation. This truck is apparently well known for this problem without submitting a recall. Repair is about $2000.

15 Automatic Transmission problem

Failure Date: 03/05/1999

Vehicle placed in service 10/95 so out of warranty. Manufacturer refuses to do anything because it was not repaired by them. This is the same problem that the 95 trucks had (8/82).

16 Automatic Transmission problem

Failure Date: 12/30/1998

No summary provided by consumer.

17 Automatic Transmission problem

Failure Date: 11/09/1998

Problem was intermittent ,got progressively worse. No safety defec tlisted.

18 Automatic Transmission problem

Failure Date: 10/13/1998

Van 250 transmissioon failure, at 48,000 mi transmission does not shift into 3rd gear. Reverse gear does not ingage until you race the engine in reverse then bangs. Dealer claims upper cluches leaking and transmission has to be rebuilt. This is a heavy duty transmission and it should not go out at only 48,000 miles.

19 Automatic Transmission problem

Failure Date: 08/01/1998

Transmission goes into first gear at a stop position, and won't shift to second, moving the transmission winds. Replaced with new, same problem still exists. Provide further information.

20 Automatic Transmission problem

Failure Date: 07/15/1998

The three out of four bolts that are attached plate at the bottom of the clutch are loose. If all bolts separate clutch could drop. Consumer has contacted the dealer, dealer states bolts need replacing. Please provide any further details.

21 Automatic Transmission problem

Failure Date: 04/25/1998

Transmission replaced last fall. Now lost reverse in transmission. Took to dealer & informed needed a kit to correct problem in transmission at owner's cost. The manufacturer knows about lost reverse gear.

22 Automatic Transmission problem

Failure Date: 06/01/1997

Transmission down shifted.

23 Automatic Transmission problem

Failure Date: 04/29/1997

Vehicle experienced a transmission overheating problem. Also, vehicle pulled to the left upon braking/front end misalignment pulled vehicle to the right.

24 Automatic Transmission problem

Failure Date: 01/12/1997

While driving vehicle in cold wheater the transmission locks up and will not shift in a higher gear. This happens when going about 30mph. Dealer says that they have no idea what the problem is on this vehicle.

25 Automatic Transmission problem

Failure Date: 07/28/1996

Ongoing problem with automatic transmission; transmission has no reverse, and will not shift into 3rd gear. Dealer/manufacturer notifed, and manufacturer is willing to share cost; but consumer believes manufacturer. Should be responsible for full cost. Can NHTSA provide additional information on this matter.

26 Automatic Transmission problem

Failure Date: 07/07/1996

Put the vehicle in park, got out of vehicle and it slipped into reverse and ran over me. Took vehicle to repair shop and the dealer said the linkage was off about 1 inch.

27 Automatic Transmission problem

Failure Date: 04/15/1996

Transmission will jump into low gear and/or won't down shift at times. Consumer added during cold start, transmission will not back up for short time.

28 Automatic Transmission problem

Failure Date: 12/10/1995

While vehicle was warming up in park position , gear selector went from park to reverse causing vehicle to back up into a building. Please describe details. Tt.

29 Automatic Transmission problem

Failure Date: 07/07/1995

Truck was in park, driver got out truck, truck jumped into reverse, ran over driver's leg. Leg was lost. Has happened twice since then.

30 Automatic Transmission problem

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

31 Automatic Transmission problem

Transmission quick cooler line connect recall work not completed due to scheduling problem.

32 Automatic Transmission problem

Vehicle will lose power when going up a hill. Dealer has rebuilt transmission, but defect has reoccurred.

33 Automatic Transmission problem

Transmission will not shift to 2-3 geras normaly, also, abs brake light comes on at idle.

34 Automatic Transmission problem

The automatic transmission has not failed. It continually skipps in and out of 2nd gear. When pulling away from a stop sign in first gear, the transmission jumps to 2nd and back to 1st, then into drive. This action is random and occurs more frequently sometimes. It will jump in and out of 2nd gear when ever the vehical speed is low enough to require 2nd gear. The vehical is maintained extremely well. The transmission has had 5 full service filter and oil changes. It has a factory transmission oil cooler. The problems are not related to neglect, or to heat. This transmission drives me "nuts!" in fact it, could disrupt ones attention just enough to result in an accident.

35 Automatic Transmission problem

No summary.



Fuel Economy of RAM Vehicles
RAM Service Bulletins
RAM Safety Recalls
RAM Defect Investigations