Continuous transmission trouble:minor slipping,searching for a gear,surging,not going into passing gear,when it does it does not stay there,clunks hard when put in rev. Vibration at start up(moving) heat shield or rear-end,@time of original trade,when they changed the oil they eiter didnt put any in or very little I had to add 5qts now there is a ticking noise on the pass, side of engine,the salesman lied to me about the truck I asked him "has this ever plowed or towed anything before?" he said "no" after talking to prev.owner they were towing a big boat with it .at this time I have a complaint with the me. Atty gen,dodge,file#9921927 on 4-18-02,may I please have a copy of this with your letterhead as well as a reply so I can foward this to the atty gen. Thank you!!!!
1997 Dodge Ram: transmission slipping
10 of the 396 complaints about the 1997 Dodge Ram describe transmission slipping.
- owner complaints
- 10
- of this car's complaints
- 3%
- recalls
- 2
Transmission slipping by model year
What owners say
Made three trips to dealer for engine light over a period of 45 days. First trip was on 10/3/01with a charge of $132.25 tech found torque converter not working. Cleaned torque converter solenoid. Second trip to dealer was made on 10/30/01 with check engine light on again. Tech found same problem again and replaced torque converter solinoid for charge of $246.58. Third trip was made on 11/13/01 with check engine light again on. This time tech said probably an internal leak "somewhere" but don't know where. Said ok to drive until transmission starts slipping. Check engine light came on again on the way home and trans began slipping next day. Returning to dealer on 11/15/01 the transmission gave out completely and had to be towed. Dealer called on 11/16/01 stating that the front plate in transmission had failed and probably could never get all the metal out of transmission. Now cost will be $2200 for a rebuilt transmission.
Transmission failed due to transmission fluid not reaching overdrive mechanism. It started slipping as I was driving home late one night and it completely went out two days later. Mechanic says it started in the overdrive mechanism and went from there. He stated dodge knows about these problems with the transmissions and won't do anything about it as far as the customers expenses. My husbands dodge truck is having the same problem. It seems to be common in these trucks from 80,000 - 100,000 miles, and dodge refuses to pay for any of it, although they apparently made an upgrade kit for it. Manufacturers defect. Transmissions are extremely expensive to fix, and dodge should take responsibility for the defective parts. I have contacted dodge/chrysler, and was told they would not assist me in my transmission problems because my warranty was expired. The truck is only four years old, and we would have thought it to be more reliable. I have noticed on the complaint screen on the federal safety agency that there are several of these complaints regarding transmissions. I have documentation of dodge's declination, as well as my efforts to have them help me. At this time both our dodge trucks are unreliable, and becoming increasingly expensive to continue to fix. I have replaced the power steering pump and the u-joints also. Any amount of help would be appreciated. It's expensive enough to purchase the vehicles without continually putting money into them to keep them running, especially when the trucks are only 4 years old. Thank you so much for your help and your internet site. I was quite relieved to find it.
Transmission started slipping, tried to take to the shop next day. Trans would not shift and it ground when put into reverse. Took truck to aamco and they said it was caused by a check vaulve that was in the transmission line that was replaced due to a recall. The repair costed over $2,000.00. The entire transmission needed to be rebuilt. I have a coppy of the repair bill with a listing of parts replaced. Thank you.
Transmission slips into neutral when going up an incline. Dealer has inspected vehicle, and has not been able to repair it.
Torque converter burned, transmission was slipping, but dealer refused to fix the problem.
While traveling noticed gear slipping, and sensor indicator light coming on. Dealer has been notified, and stated that transmission needed to be replaced. Please provide further information.
Intermittently when accelerating transmission will slipped out of gear. Manufacturer has been notified.
Since july of 1997, I have experienced the transmission slipping out of gear into neutral at highway speeds. Also, a thump in the front end intermittently while driving down all types of road, a spark knocked so loud I sometimes wonder if the motor is going to last. There is often the smell of burning wires and burning fluid and sometimes the cab fills with smoke. In addition, cruise control gains speed (sometimes 5 to 8 MPH over what it is set at). The odometer gains miles.
Truck was in park position and the truck slipped out of gear and went forward and went into someones yard. Then the truck finally hit a tree which caused the truck to come to a stop.
Service bulletins that may apply
- Automatic transmission fluid usage ATF+4
- This bulletin explains the operation and application of the leak detection pump (LDP) monitor test
- 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
- When servicing the release fork it is necesssary to insure that the fork is installed properly
- Subject on 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 1997 Dodge Ram slipping
Is transmission slipping a common problem on the 1997 Dodge Ram?
10 of 396 owner complaints about the 1997 Dodge Ram (3%) mention transmission slipping. The model year with the most reports is 1996.
Is there a recall or service bulletin for this on the 1997 Dodge Ram?
There are 2 recalls and 15 service bulletins for the same area of the car. Check them below with your VIN.
Other symptoms on the 1997 Dodge Ram
No deployment 18Pulling 14Grinding brakes 13Fire or smoke 13Headlights 11Tire blowout 11Brake failure 10ABS 8Adaptive cruise 7Transmission failure 6Fuel pump 5Jerking 5Won't shift 5
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