Death wobbles: I have replaced upper and lower ball joints with problem solvers. Replaced the tie rods and ends. Replaced the stabilizer shock, replaced the track bar rubber bushings, replaced the otter universal joints on the aam 9.50 14 bolt electric hubs. New shocks all around. Drove to salt lake city and the death wobbles came back have to pull off the hwy and come to a stop while it is shaking the truck apart. 15 times from idaho.. This is a major safety problem the steering box has problems and it is not listed under any recalls. New alignment also. New transmission, at 163,000 boiled over onto the turbo, the dipstick never fit in the tube and fluid caused the truck to catch fire. 3 years ago.
Dodge RAM 2500 transmission failure problems
48 of the 6,440 owner complaints about the Dodge RAM 2500 describe complete transmission failure, most of them for the 1996 model year.
- owner complaints
- 48
- worst model year
- 1996
- typical repair cost reported
- $6,000
- typical mileage
- 91,400
Is there a fix? There are 3 recalls for this area of the car. See below
By model year
Often reported together
Ball joint 4Won't shift 3Stalling 2Slipping 2Fire or smoke 2Engine failure 2Brake failure 2Won't start 1
What owners say
Tl* the contact owns a 2010 dodge ram 2500. The contact stated that the federal safety agency campaign number: 17v821000 (power train) exceeded a reasonable amount of time for repair. The contact received a recall notification in december of 2017 but had not yet received a letter of confirmation that the parts were available or an expected available date. The dealer and manufacturer were not contacted. The contact experienced a transmission failure. The failure mileage was unknown. Parts distribution disconnect. *tt the consumer stated the transmission was repaired at the tune of $6,000.
Tl* takata recall. The contact owns a 2003 dodge ram 2500. The contact received notification of the federal safety agency campaign numbers: 05v462000 (power train) and 15v312000 (air bags); however, the parts to do the repairs were unavailable. The contact stated that the manufacturer exceeded a reasonable amount of time for the recall repair. The manufacturer was not made aware of the issue. The contact had not experienced a failure. Parts distribution disconnect. Updated 08/17/16*lj the consumer stated the transmission failed at 2,500 miles. The ball joints and water pump failed and the windshield leaked. Updated 10/26/16.
Two years ago, while driving at low speed on a city street, the right tie-rod ball joint broke and the tie rod dropped and wedged into the right front tire. Brought me to an abrupt stop and swerved the truck into the curb. At the time, I was not aware of a recall. I fixed it. Since then, the front transmission blew up. I replaced the whole front end. The right tie-rod broke on the new front end. I fixed it again. The other day, the right wheel bearing seized and the brakes failed. I was travelling at 65 MPH towing a flatbed trailer. Bringing it to a stop provided me with some maalox moments. I've had enough and am getting rid of this truck before it kills me.
Tl* the contact owns a 2006 dodge ram 2500. When pulling into the driveway, the transmission failed. The vehicle was towed to an independent mechanic, but was not diagnosed or repaired. The manufacturer was not notified of the failure. The approximate failure mileage was 150,000.
I lost control of steering , the steering wheel just spun with no control and I was driving through a school zone with grade school letting out and I went in other lane of traffic in between cars and headed to a gas pump at gas station and I hit brakes as soon as I was out of opposite lane with head on traffic and gas pump was rite off side of road I could have been killed or killed others when this happened, I had to fix my truck because I never knew of recall and also transmission went out at 55,000 miles and transfer case also another 20,000 miles later , I have a truck I can't drive because I can't afford to put a transmission and transfer case in it and I almost lost my life from all the trouble it's gave me and I could have killed others at the school zone. I'd like for dodge to fix my truck for all the trouble iv had and this happen on city street and I was in motion wen this happened, if I'd hit gas pump it would have blown up and killed a lot people and children
Tl* the contact owns a 2004 dodge ram 2500. The contact received notification of the federal safety agency campaign numbers: 05v462000 (power train), 09e001000 (steering), 13v528000 (steering), and 15v313000 (air bags). However, the parts needed were not available. In addition, the contact stated that while driving at an unknown speed, the four wheel drive was engaged and the vehicle started to spin out of control. The failure recurred several times. The vehicle was towed to the dealer. The technician diagnosed that the transmission needed to be replaced. The transmission was replaced. However, the failure recurred. The vehicle was not repaired. The failure mileage was 80,000.
On a 2008, 2500 ram diesel with a manual transmission, failed to engage in gear while towing. First time (june 2008) the transmission failed the vehicle had approx. 10,000 miles and would not shift to lower gears. I took it to dealer who said nothing was wrong. Truck is now at dealer with over 17000 miles and they say it now needs a new clutch. Yesterday while towing vehicle failed to downshift and every stop the truck had to be shut down to engage transmission. The vehicle also launches forward while the clutch is depressed after I get it in gear. I have less then 18000 miles on the truck and 15000 miles are highway miles a clutch should not fail without having something else wrong. I was with a friend of mine, who is a diesel tech. When the transmission failed to engage, he said he believed it was the hydraulic system failing to engage the clutch. Yesterday while making a left turn, in the middle of a intersection I had to shut the vehicle off and engage the transmission. I was lucky no cars were behind me and the light had changed to green for the cross traffic who had to wait until I turned the truck off to engage the gears and restart the truck.
Tl* the contact owns a 2006 dodge ram 2500. While idling at a stop light the rpms increase as if the vehicle would accelerate. He has to grip the steering wheel tightly to prevent vehicle movement. The vehicle was taken to the dealer for inspection. He was advised that the torque converter in the transmission would fail. He has to pay to replace the transmission. The failure mileage was 114,000.
Tl*the contact owns a 2003 dodge ram 2500. While driving less than 60 MPH, the RPM's idled very highly. The vehicle would not shift into third and fourth gears and the automatic transmission failed. The dealer stated that there was a large amount of sludge and build-up inside the transmission. The contact was advised to have the transmission rebuilt, instead of replaced. The VIN was unavailable. The current and failure mileages were less than 48,000.
Related recalls
Power train: automatic transmission: lever and linkage: column shift
- What is wrong
- Chrysler (FCA US LLC) is recalling certain 2016-2017 Ram 3500 Cab Chassis with a Gross Vehicle Weight Rating (GVWR) of less than 10,000 lbs, 2011-2017 Ram 3500, 4500 and 5500 Cab Chassis vehicles, 2009-2017 Ram 1500 and 2010-2017 Ram 2500 and 3500 pickup trucks, all equipped with a column shifter. Pushing the brake pedal for prolonged periods when the vehicle is running and in PARK may cause the Brake Transmission Shift Interlock (BTSI) pin to stick in the open position. With the pin in the open position, the transmission can be shifted out of PARK into any gear without pushing the brake pedal or having the key in the ignition.
- Risk
- Being able to shift the transmission without pushing the brake pedal and/or without a key in the ignition can increase the risk of an unintended vehicle rollaway that may result in personal injury or a crash.
- Remedy
- Chrysler will notify owners, and dealers will update the vehicle software, inspect the BTSI, and, as necessary, replace it, free of charge. The recall began February 26, 2018. Owners may contact Chrysler customer service at 1‑800‑853‑1403. Chrysler's number for this recall is T79.
Recall number 17V821000 · Recall details
Power train: automatic transmission: lever and linkage: column shift
- What is wrong
- On certain pickup trucks equipped with diesel engines and automatic transmissions, in an attempt to exit the vehicle quickly without shutting off the engine and removing the key, the driver may inadvertently leave the automatic transmission shift control in indicated reverse.
- Risk
- This error is an unintended action that may result in a lack of transmission park pawl engagement and possibly delayed rearward movement of the vehicle.
- Remedy
- Dealers will perform a software modification to equip these vehicles with an out-of-park alarm. Owners may contact daimlerchrysler at 1‑800‑853‑1403.
Recall number 05V462000 · Recall details
Power train: automatic transmission
- What is wrong
- On certain pickup trucks, the transfer case to transmission attaching fasteners may not be tightened correctly. This could cause the transmission adapter or transfer case housing to crack and leak fluid.
- Risk
- Continued operation can result in propeller shaft separation and damage to fuel system components, which could lead to a fuel leak. Fluid and/or fuel leakage in the presence of an ignition source can cause an underbody fire.
- Remedy
- Dealers will retighten the transfer case to transmission fasteners. Owner notification began on december 22, 2003. Owners should contact daimlerchrysler at 1‑800‑992‑1997.
Recall number 03V503000 · Recall details
Questions about the Dodge RAM 2500 transmission failure
Which Dodge RAM 2500 years have complete transmission failure problems?
The model years with the most reports are 1996 (8 complaints), 1999 (7 complaints) and 2003 (5 complaints).
How much does it cost to fix complete transmission failure on the Dodge RAM 2500?
Owners who mentioned a price put the repair at about $6,000 (median of 5 complaints that include a dollar amount). Costs vary with mileage, warranty and where the work is done.
VIN decoder
See the problems and recalls for an exact car
Buying a used Dodge RAM 2500?
Check the exact car before you pay: accidents, salvage or flood titles, odometer readings and previous owners.
Check its history