Two problems related to transmission noise have been reported for the 1997 Dodge Ram 1500. The most recently reported issues are listed below.
While pulling onto a ramp rear wheel locked up. Vehicle taken to a repair shop, and informed consumer that pinion gear sheared off in rear end. Dealer and the manufacturer were notified. The vehicle made a noise when accelerating uphill, the heat shield broke and was fixed. The transmission locked up.
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.