The rpms increased, and the gears popped on the vehicle on their own. Took vehicle to repair shop for check up, and results showed that a new transmission needed to be replaced.
1998 Dodge Ram: complete transmission failure
7 of the 482 complaints about the 1998 Dodge Ram describe complete transmission failure.
- owner complaints
- 7
- of this car's complaints
- 1%
- recalls
- 1
Is there a fix? There is 1 recall and 12 service bulletins for this area of the car. See below
Complete transmission failure by model year
What owners say
The transmission failed at roughly 64,000 miles and I had it repaired at a dodge dealership. In september of 2003, the transmission failed again at 108,000.
The transmission failed due to lack of lubrication. Just go to jasper.com. They say that 1995 to 2001 dodge truck transmissions have a high rate of failure due to lack of lubrication. Seems that dodge put to low a volume pump in all these transmissions. Local transmission rebuilders tell me that you can not let the truck idle because the tranny gets no lubrication at low RPM's. So during the winter while you are waiting for the windsheild to clear off to drive in the northeast where it snows. You are damaging your tranny. The tranny over heat light never came on just the service engine light.dodge says there is nothing wrong. I have a list of other people who have had dodge tranny problems. One is my brother-in-law.
The transmission failed without warning while attemping to drive from a red light. The dealer was notified. Please provide additional information.
The vehicle will not go into reverse and back up, but will go forward. Consumer had taken the vehicle to dealer when it was first purchased, due to a vibrating noise. At 36041 miles, the overdrive unit failed which had taken out the reverse. A new transmission was installed. This corrected the vibration noise which turned out to be coming from a broken snap ring that held the overdrive unit.
Transmission failure.
Transmission overheated ,overdrive automatically disengaged. The odor of burned transmission oil was evident.this was a new transmission and was replaced with a rebuilt transmission by the dealer at $50 deductible. The rebuilt will only be warranted for the first 12 months or 12000 miles.I suspect the transmission is either undercooled or a failure to use the proper atf fluid caused this.vehicle is under service contract and is serviced for all fluid changes by the dealer.
Service bulletins that may apply
- Subject regarding revision in diagnostic procedures and labor operation times for re transmissions
- Automatic transmission fluid usage ATF+4
- ;Subject regarding rtv use on corporate axle. tt
- 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
- Subject regarding erratic torque converter clutch (TCC) operation
- Driveline induced vehicle surge / vibration diagnosis
- Conditions with loss of fifth gear
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
Questions about the 1998 Dodge Ram transmission failure
Is complete transmission failure a common problem on the 1998 Dodge Ram?
7 of 482 owner complaints about the 1998 Dodge Ram (1%) mention complete transmission failure. The model year with the most reports is 1995.
Is there a recall or service bulletin for this on the 1998 Dodge Ram?
There is 1 recall and 12 service bulletins for the same area of the car. Check them below with your VIN.
Other symptoms on the 1998 Dodge Ram
No deployment 36Pulling 25Brake failure 15ABS 11Headlights 10Airbag light 9Premature wear 8Stalling 8Adaptive cruise 6Grinding brakes 6Fuel pump 6Overheating 6Check engine light 5Engine failure 5Loss of power 5Slipping 5Tire blowout 5
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