10.0

really awful
Crashes / Fires:
10 / 0
Injuries / Deaths:
5 / 0
Average Mileage:
16,690 miles

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problem #29

Jun 082010

Ram 3500 4WD Diesel

  • Automatic transmission
  • 117,370 miles
2005 Dodge Ram 3500 4X4 diesel 48re automatic trans # [xxx]. truck is for personal use and has 117,000 miles on vehicle. Truck was driven to store and torque converter bolts and torque converter studs welded on converter sheared off causing torque converter to evacuate trans fluid all over underside of truck and all over tires and brakes. This did not cause any accidents but could have damaged property and would have caused bodily injury if occurred during daily commute on interstate. This incident has been the first for me with an exceptional repair bill due to the damage that this created to the trans and flywheel and torque converter. Dodge will not warranty any of this because of the mileage and Dodge's bankruptcy. I have read various threads pertaining defective or weak torque converters and breaking of flywheels due to these issues but no recalls as of yet. The Dodge dealer stated my truck was the second one this week with similar issues but they will not cover any of the damage to mine and must be paid out of pocket. There is definitely an issue with the weak parts being used on these veh that cause this problem because after market manufactures are producing different designed parts for this appl. This problem is the first for me but numerous trans shops have repaired the same symptoms for what I have found out. My repair bill for the faulty torque converter mounting bolts is over $2500 and increasing before my truck will be repaired less the money for towing and rental veh being needed. I have told the dealer I need all broken parts for my review and I am waiting for their reply. The dealership is being helpful but the have said that their hands are tied due to their bankruptcy and that if their was a recall that it would create a major panic with in the Dodge name. I am cert. Mechanic with over 25 years of experience and I am seeing more and more problems of this nature. Please assist, and thank you. Information redacted pursuant to the Freedom Of Information Act (FOIA), 5 U.S.C. 552(B)(6).

- Alden, NY, USA

problem #28

Feb 072008

Ram 3500 8-cyl

  • Automatic transmission
  • 39,500 miles
Truck would not go into gear. Dodge had a tsb for a faulty transmission filter that would crack. This is what caused the problem. Truck was just over 3,000 miles over warranty but Dodge would not cover the repair. Now truck is stalling when coming to a stop but only when I first start the truck up in the morning. Truck will restart no problem. Once I have driven the truck a few miles the stalling problem goes away. This happens everytime I drive the truck after it has been sitting for a while. Check engine light just came on today and truck is a the mechanic.

- Brea, CA, USA

problem #27

Jan 092007

Ram 3500 4WD 6-cyl

  • Automatic transmission
  • 30,000 miles
The contact owns a 2005 Dodge Ram 3500 quadcab 4X4 swb. While placed in park, the vehicle rolled backwards into the woods with the keys in the ignition and the motor running. The contact injured his arm. The vehicle sustained $4,000 worth of damages. The vehicle was included and repaired under NHTSA campaign id number 05V462000 (power train:automatic transmission). The dealer was notified. The current mileage was 96,000 and failure mileage was 30,000. Updated 11/12/08 the consumer stated the transmission shifted from park to reverse by itself. Updated 11/18/08.

- Elberton, GA, USA

problem #26

Jan 012005

Ram 3500 6-cyl Diesel

  • Automatic transmission
  • 10,000 miles
The contact owns a 2005 Dodge Ram 3500. The contact stated that the transmission vibrated roughly and made noises while driving 30 mph. The vehicle also does not shift and would only drive normally at 45 mph. The vehicle was taken to the dealer several times and was test driven. The dealer stated that the vehicle was driving normally. The current mileage was 59,000 and failure mileage was 10,000.

- Puryear, TN, USA

problem #25

Jul 042007

Ram 3500 4WD 8-cyl

  • Automatic transmission
  • 11,000 miles
(1) vehicle stalls without warning while driving it, vibration while applying brakes, humming noise coming from trans and vehicle vibration at 50 to 65 miles an hour (2) these problems nearly caused an accident on 4 deferent occasions, complained to the dealership many times how unsafe this vehicle is and they won't fix the problems. (3) I finally had to pay them to replace the rotors and brake pad front and rear, how the stalling, the vibration, humming from the trans at 50 to 65 still occurs to date and was refused at two other dealerships and turned away.

- Blackwood, NJ, USA

problem #24

Jun 112007

Ram 3500 4WD 8-cyl

  • Automatic transmission
  • 23,000 miles
The contact owns a 2005 Dodge Ram 3500. The vehicle was parked on an incline and the key was removed from the ignition. However, the vehicle began to roll forward and crashed into a tree. The air bags failed to deploy. The vehicle was drivable. The dealer was unable to diagnose the cause of failure, but suggested that the vehicle may have been bumped into neutral inadvertently. There was one minor injury. A police report was filed. The current and failure mileages were 23,000.

- Pottsville, PA, USA

problem #23

Dec 162006

Ram 3500 4WD 6-cyl Diesel

  • Automatic transmission
  • 20,000 miles
While in reverse with the driver side door open and wearing the seat belt the out-of park alarm sounded. The out-of park alarm was installed on the vehicle under NHTSA recall # 05V462000. When contacting the manufacturer it was determined the out-of park alarm should not sound when the seat belt is being worn.

- Breckenridge, CO, USA

problem #22

Jan 192007

Ram 3500 4WD 8-cyl

  • Automatic transmission
  • 10,000 miles
Engine stalls or rough idles whiles coming to brief stops, ie stop signs or red lights. It is usually but not always when I have run the car for the first time of the day within about 5 miles or less, and seems to occur more when outside temps are low. Updated 04/19/07.

- San Antonio, TX, USA

problem #21

Nov 172005

Ram 3500

  • miles
Customer has a voq (10170663) and wants a response letter to the question about having to drive an unsafe truck* the consumer stated he placed the vehicle in park, got out of the truck, opened the tailgate and the transmission shifted into reverse. The consumer was able to get out of the way. The consumer stated adding an alarm doesn't solve the problem.

- Grayling, MI, USA

problem #20

Jan 012006

Ram 3500 4WD 6-cyl Diesel

  • Automatic transmission
  • 13,000 miles
: the contact stated the NHTSA recall for the automatic transmission for the out of park alarm did not rectify the issue. The vehicle went out of park on its own 25 times and the alarm did not resolve the issue. The service dealer was unable to correct the problem. The gear doesn't indicate it is in park. It displays that it is in reverse and it will not start due to this. Updated 12/18/06.

- Rio Rancho, NM, USA

problem #19

Oct 282006

Ram 3500 4WD 8-cyl Diesel

  • Automatic transmission
  • 11,000 miles
: the contact stated the vehicle was in park and the engine was turned off when the vehicle was exited. The unattended vehicle rolled back and struck another vehicle. A police report was taken, but no speed was determined. A notice was received for recall # 05V462000 regarding the power train: Automatic transmission, a few days prior to the accident. The contact was waiting for a return call from the service dealer. The manufacturer was not alerted.

- Florence, TX, USA

problem #18

Aug 192006

Ram 3500 6-cyl Diesel

  • Automatic transmission
  • 59,600 miles
: the contact stated while parked, the vehicle shifted to reverse by itself and rolled backwards. The manufacturer was contacted, but could not determine the problem. There was a NHTSA recall, # 05V462000, regarding the power train: Automatic transmission. The consumer stated he received the recall after the accident happened. Updated 11/30/06.

- Greencastle, IN, USA

problem #17

Jun 012006

Ram 3500 6-cyl Diesel

  • Automatic transmission
  • miles
2005 Dodge Ram heavy duty pickup, problem with the shift lever. The consumer received a recall notice in the mail regarding the transmission. The consumer noticed the problem within the first week of driving the vehicle.

- Papillion, NE, USA

problem #16

Jun 082006

Ram 3500 4WD 6-cyl Diesel

  • Automatic transmission
  • 11,000 miles
: the contact stated the recall #05V462000; power train; automatic transmission was performed on the vehicle. The recall stated that the remedy was supposed to be audible and visual. The recall work performed on the vehicle is barely visual and not audible. The dealership informed the contact that the audible portion of the recall was not part of the kit for this vehicle. The vehicle's parking brake as well as the emergency brake has to be engaged before the reverse indicator on the shift lever will blink. Updated 6-23-2006 -

- Baker City, OR, USA

problem #15

Mar 062006

Ram 3500 6-cyl Diesel

  • Automatic transmission
  • 6,500 miles
: the contact stated the brake pedal was depressed, the vehicle was placed in park with the engine running and the driver exited. Shortly after the driver exited the vehicle rolled backwards into a concrete truck. The police were not contacted the consumers vehicle sustained $1500 of damaged. The vehicle was inspected by the dealer who was unable to determine what caused the vehicle to roll backwards. The contact received NHTSA recall 05V46200 concerning the transmission. Vehicle is currently at the dealership awaiting repair. The contact felt this recall did not address the issue, a possibility of rollback while in park without warning. Updated on 05/30/06.

- Staunton, IL, USA

problem #14

May 092006

Ram 3500 4WD 6-cyl

  • Automatic transmission
  • 40,000 miles
: the contact stated while in reverse with the driver side door open and wearing the seat belt the out-of park alarm sounded. The out-of park alarm was installed on the vehicle under NHTSA recall # 05V462000. When contacting the manufacturer it was determined the out-of park alarm should not sound when the seat belt is being worn.

- Glen Carbon, IL, USA

problem #13

May 012006

Ram 3500 6-cyl Diesel

  • Automatic transmission
  • 13,500 miles
: the contact stated the remedy for recall # 05V462000; power train: Automatic transmission does not allow the driver to open the door in order to see around the fifth wheel while backing up. When the door is open while backing up, the horn sounded and the headlights flashed. The contact is aware that the side mirror and window can enable the driver to see around the fifth wheel, but feels the driver should have the option of being able to open the door if needed without the horn sounding and the headlights flashing.

- Remer, MN, USA

problem #12

Jul 012005

Ram 3500 4WD Diesel

  • Automatic transmission
  • 12,000 miles
: the contact stated while at a stop light the vehicle came out of gear. It was taken to the dealership however, they where unable to duplicate the problem. The vehicle was driven for a short amount of time before the problem occurred a second time. The vehicle was parked with a trailer behind it; the vehicle came out of gear once again and hit the trailer causing damage. The vehicle was then taken to the dealership where the rooster tail in the transmission was replaced. The vehicle was driven once again for a short amount of time before the problem happened. The vehicle was taken back a third time and the dealer was unable to duplicate the problem. The contact received a recall letter concerning the power train automatic transmission. The NHTSA campaign id # 05V462000. The manufacturer has been alerted.

- Lakewood, WA, USA

problem #11

Sep 292005

Ram 3500 4WD 6-cyl Diesel

  • 1,053 miles
2005 Ram 3500 rolled backwards after consumer put vehicle into park and exited vehicle. When the vehicle rolled backwards, it knocked the consumer down and rolled over his feet. The inspector found no malfunctions when the vehicle was tested. The parking pawl and parking brake held the vehicle properly. The shifter solidly engaged each gate. The consumer had also observed when he shifted the vehicle into park, the P indicator would light up and then the R indicator lit up as well.

- Boerne, TX, USA

problem #10

Nov 122005

Ram 3500 4WD 6-cyl Diesel

  • Automatic transmission
  • 14,250 miles
My 2005 Dodge Ram hd diesel w/auto trans. Come out of park with my 2 year old son inside. He is not tall enough to reach the brake, however he was able to pull it out of park into R and the truck rolled off the hill into the wood and crashed into several saplings. My son was not severely injured, he struck his right cheek, chest and abdomen somewhere in the vehicle during the crash. The vehicle now will come out of park without touching the brake at all. The vehicle was not running at the time of the incident and had been parked for approximately. 10 min.

- Dickson, TN, USA

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