Cylinder head's are cracked, causing truck to damage head gaskets. Overdrive on the truck went out so truck wouldn't shift.
1996 Dodge Ram: stuck in gear or won't shift
12 of the 622 complaints about the 1996 Dodge Ram describe stuck in gear or won't shift.
- owner complaints
- 12
- of this car's complaints
- 2%
- recalls
- 2
Is there a fix? There are 2 recalls and 12 service bulletins for this area of the car. See below
Stuck in gear or won't shift by model year
- 20071
- 20051
- 20041
- 20021
- 20013
- 19991
- 19983
- 19975
- 199612
- 19953
- 19941
- 19922
- 19901
What owners say
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.
Driving up hill, stopped at top of hill and started again. Noticed transmission would not shift out of first gear, pulled over to side observed transmission fluid leaking from disconnected lines, recall 97v084000 does not relate to the deisels vehicles
Transmission does not shift from second to third gear easily. Consumer contacted several mechanics, including chrysler dealer, who said that it was a "manufacturing defect and should be recalled." transmission began to fail at 57, 000, it was a heat related problem. An overdrive unit w/ torque converter heated up seals which will not allow the seals to hold pressure.
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.
Transmission will not shift to 2-3 geras normaly, also, ABS brake light comes on at idle.
Transmission shudders at 45 MPH, does not shift and shakes when going into 3rd or overdirve, and jerks and slips, dealer has replaced the valve body and reconditioned transmission and replaced convertor, transmission continues to lock up and jerk. Driver and passenger side mirrors were both replaced due to being loose. Emergency brake handle came off and was replaced. Fuel gauge read empty with 12 gallons in tank, dealer replaced fuel pump module. Wiper blades weren't cleaning windshield, dealer replaced both wiper blades, windshield washer was inoperable, dealer replaced washer motor. Vehicle has experienced many problems with the interior and dome lights failing, dome light keeps blowing fuse and dealer has replaced the strip lighting and fuse box door and repaired the open circuit to junction block. Radiator cap was replaced due to low coolant. There was a brake fluid leak, dealer replaced caps for the master cylinder, the brake and ABS light were illuminated, dealer replaced rear wheel speed sensor and wiring. Passenger side vent window would not open and leaked air. Vehicle only gets 13mph on highway, consumer states this is poor gas mileage.
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 the federal safety agency provide additional information on this matter.
Transmission will not shift between gears. Transmission needs an overhall. Manufacturer will be notified.
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.
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
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.
Service bulletins that may apply
- Automatic transmission fluid usage ATF+4
- Vehicles exhibiting buzz, whining, or moaning like noise from cold transmission when reverse gear is selected
- Driveline induced vehicle surge / vibration diagnosis
- Conditions with loss of fifth gear
- Transmission opertes normally through all ranges except fifth gear
- Subject on manual transmission gear rattle at operating temperatures
- This bulletin involves overdrive unavailable in extreme cold temperatures, bypass kit installation,...
- Concerns with manual transmission gear rattle at operating temperatures
Related recalls
Power train: clutch assembly
- What is wrong
- Vehicle description: pickup trucks equipped with manual transmission, v10 engines and four-wheel-drive transfer cases. Under sustained maximum rated vehicle load, while driving up a steep grade in four-wheel-drive low range in hot ambient conditions, the local exhaust temperature proximate to the hydraulic clutch line can generate line temperatures that exceed the temperature limit of the clutch line material. If this condition occurs and the clutch is depressed, the line could rupture.
- Risk
- The fluid could ignite on the hot exhaust possibly resulting in a vehicle fire.
- Remedy
- Dealers will replace the hydraulic clutch assembly.
Recall number 99V115000 · Recall details
Power train: automatic transmission: cooling unit and lines
- What is wrong
- Under certain high load operating conditions, the transmission fluid temperature can exceed the melting point of the material used in the connector to retain the fluid line to the transmission.
- Risk
- When these temperatures occur, the fluid line will not stay connected with the transmission and fluid can spray onto the exhaust manifold, resulting in smoke or fire.
- Remedy
- Dealers will replace the high temperature side of the transmission fluid cooler line connector fittings with connectors that incorporate a stainless steel retainer.
Recall number 97V084000 · Recall details
Questions about the 1996 Dodge Ram won't shift
Is stuck in gear or won't shift a common problem on the 1996 Dodge Ram?
12 of 622 owner complaints about the 1996 Dodge Ram (2%) mention stuck in gear or won't shift. The model year with the most reports is 1996.
Is there a recall or service bulletin for this on the 1996 Dodge Ram?
There are 2 recalls and 12 service bulletins for the same area of the car. Check them below with your VIN.
Other symptoms on the 1996 Dodge Ram
ABS 70Brake failure 34No deployment 27Pulling 21Tire blowout 18Fire or smoke 15Headlights 15Transmission failure 14Stalling 12Fuel pump 10Slipping 10Overheating 9Ball joint 8Fuel gauge 8Loss of power 7Power steering loss 7Premature wear 6Sudden acceleration 6Adaptive cruise 5Grinding brakes 5Harsh shifting 5
VIN decoder
See the problems and recalls for an exact car
Buying a used 1996 Dodge Ram?
Check the exact car before you pay: accidents, salvage or flood titles, odometer readings and previous owners.
Check its history