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1998 Dodge RAM 1500 transmission problems

85 complaints (16% of all complaints for this car). Typical mileage when it fails: 90,000. 8 crashes reported.

owner complaints
85
of this car's complaints
16%
typical mileage
90,000
crashes
8
recalls
0

Which part fails

  • Automatic transmission
    33
  • Axle assembly
    13
  • Driveline: differential unit
    6
  • Axle assembly: axle shaft
    4
  • Automatic transmission: park/neutral start interlock switch
    4
  • Driveline
    3
  • Axle assembly: axle shaft: seal
    3
  • Automatic transmission: gear position indication (PRNDL)
    3

At what mileage

Complaints by mileage at the time of the problem.

0k-25k
25k-50k
50k-75k
75k-100k
100k-125k
125k-150k
150k-175k
175k-200k
200k+

Dodge RAM 1500 transmission problems in other years

19931995200020052012

Specific symptoms reported on the 1998 Dodge RAM 1500 transmission

Phrases found in the owners' own descriptions, so one complaint can mention several symptoms.

Transmission failure 10Slipping 6Jerking 5

Related recalls

No recalls on record for this model year.

What 1998 Dodge RAM 1500 owners say

Most recent owner complaints, unedited.

Filed Aug 6, 2020 · Transmission · 98,000 miles · CA

Tl* the contact owns a 1998 dodge ram 1500. The contact stated that after his wife was parked the vehicle and attempted to shift the gear shifter into park, the gear shifter instead shifted into reverse. The contact's wife exited the vehicle and the vehicle started rolling backwards. The contact used a brick to chock the passenger's side front tire to prevent the vehicle from rolling. The vehicle was not taken to be diagnosed nor repaired. Neither the dealer nor the manufacturer were notified of the failure. The failure mileage was 98,000.

Filed Jul 13, 2019 · Transmission · 108,000 miles · NC

I was driving down the road at about a bout 50 MPH down the road and started hearing a noise when letting off the throttle and slowed down a lil gave it some gas then let off again next thing I hear is the drive shaft hitting the road and the tires sliding across the road and causing me to slide across the road locally there was no traffic coming towards me I was able to control the slide of the rear tires to a stop on the side of the road. I got out and was looking what happen the pion nut came off the pion gear locking up the rear differential I think this is a safety issue because it could have ended up someone getting hurt and or killing someone in a crash. The truck is very well taking care of and has 108k miles low for its age and there was a recall on this before but on the 05 dodge ram truck's that was made in 04 is what someone told me

Filed May 30, 2018 · Steering, Transmission · 180,000 miles · NH

In motion the steering is very loose. The steering wheel will travel very often from 3 o'clock to 9 o'clock and hopefully, I am still going straight. The truck will drift to the right and have to oversteer to get the truck in the travel lane. I replaced steering gear box, ball joints, tie rods, steering rod, track bar, rack, and pinion. This is an ongoing problem for a number of years. Transmission plastic part is broken so there has to be replaced.

Filed Dec 3, 2017 · Transmission · CA

I was driving on the highway then heard a loud thump and the driver side rear wheel is pushed out and it no longer engages

Filed Aug 8, 2015 · Transmission · 41,000 miles · MI

When backing the vehicle out of the garage, I noticed an oily substance in the center of the vehicle directly below the rear differential. Inspecting the vehicle, I could see there is a leak emanating from the drive-shaft and differential where the pinion seal is located. There is a recall on the pinion seal for the 2009 and 2010 model years that does not cover my 2008 dodge ram 1500. I believe the recall needs to extend to the 2008 model year also.

Filed Mar 17, 2014 · Transmission · 211,077 miles · MI · crash

I was driving down a 45mph road and the truck was not shifting so I pulled to the side shut it off turned it back on the checked all the gears and everything seemed fine then I tried driving again and it stalled while driving down the road and will not start and the engine makes a weird rumble noise.

Filed Aug 13, 2013 · Transmission · PA

Tl* the contact owns a 1998 dodge ram 1500. The contact stated that he received notification of the federal safety agency campaign id number: 13v038000 (power train) several months ago and was informed by the dealer that the part for the repair was not available. The manufacturer was not contacted about the issue. The contact had not experienced a failure.

Filed Jun 4, 2012 · Transmission · 98,000 miles · NY

The contact owns a 1998 dodge ram 1500. The contact stated the structure body of the vehicle has rotted away. The vehicle was taken to a mechanic for routine maintenance and was informed that the structure was rusted and corroded. The vehicle was undrivable. The manufacturer was not notified. The VIN was unknown. The failure mileage was 98,000. Mw

Filed Apr 12, 2012 · Transmission · 90,000 miles · SC

Transmission slips into neutral when turning corners. We have to let the engine idle down and wait 15 to 30 seconds before transmission catches.

Filed Aug 23, 2011 · Body, Transmission · 130,000 miles · SC

I own a 1998 dodge ram 1500 extended cab. I bought the vehicle new. For several years the dash has been cracking and the plastic air conditioning vents are falling apart. I have made no repairs and it needs fixing. Also the rear end is roaring probably from a bearing going bad. Other than this problem, it has been a good truck.

Questions about the 1998 Dodge RAM 1500 transmission

Does the 1998 Dodge RAM 1500 have transmission problems?

Owners have filed 85 complaints about the transmission of the 1998 Dodge RAM 1500, 16% of all its complaints.

At what mileage do 1998 Dodge RAM 1500 transmission problems start?

The typical (median) mileage in owner complaints is 90,000 miles.

Was there a recall on the 1998 Dodge RAM 1500 transmission?

There is no recall for this problem on this model year.

What year does the Dodge RAM 1500 have bad transmission?

The Dodge RAM 1500 model years with the most transmission complaints are 2005 (595 complaints), 2009 (231 complaints) and 2010 (229 complaints).

Other 1998 Dodge RAM 1500 problems

Body 102Brakes 64Airbags 63Engine 36Seat belts 34Suspension 34Electrical 32Steering 28Tires 27Fuel system 21Locks 17Acceleration 13Visibility 13Lights 6Wheels 5Seats 4

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