The original transmission was replaced under warranty, the vehicle has not been used for any towing or other power train stressing jobs. The second transmission has failed, under similar "no stress" condition less than 20K miles later. A widely accepted industry standard for transmission life expectancy is 7yrs/100,000 miles.

- Villa Park, IL, USA

Have had to rebuild transmission, also know of others in this same area with the same problem and they are also 1996 models

- Athens, TN, USA

Frame separated because of improper welding, causing the transmission bolts to separate.

- Sulfer Springs, TX, USA

NHTSA id 97V08400

- Chandler, AZ, USA

While driving gas pedal may be down to the floor, but vehicle won't go anywhere. Took vehicle to dealer, and they found pieces of rubber O-ring, metal slitherings, clutch materials in transmission pan. Consumer took vehicle to dealer, and they said consumer needed a new transmission/front pump, consumers felt this car was 4 years old, and should not be having transmission problems.

- Danielson, CT, USA

While driving vehicle experience problems with transmission which the vehicle does shift properly and may result in a crash. Also, the engine check light stayed on. But, dealer could not determine the problem.

- Modesto, CA, USA

Poor/loss of acceleration, shifting at high RPM's, hot floor boards. The generic transmission fluid used by Dodge (1996) deteriorated the bands in the "transmission causing them to slip and fail is my opioion of why the transmission failed.

- Redwood City, CA, USA

During failure all of the warning lights flash the transmission goes haywire and the tachometer goes haywire. This truck has been at three different shops, we have changed out the transmission relay, the headlight lamp, serviced the transmisison and still cannot find the cause. In addition, we have replace a radio which has shorted out and the fuel indicator doesn't work. Both of which failed before the truck was three years old, unfortuneately just out of warranty.

- Tomball, TX, USA

When driving at 35mph transmission went out/locked up, causing loss of all acceleration. Consumer contacted the dealer, dealer linked the problem to the radiator which backed up fluid, causing the transmission to go bad.

- Augustia, GA, USA

Vehicle will lose power when going up a hill. Dealer has rebuilt transmission, but defect has reoccurred.

- Killeen, TX, USA

Transmission failure 1/00 ; original eq chrome rims bent, dealer says metal in rim was inferior. Did not offer to replace it.

- Mineral Wells, WV, USA

Automatic transmission fails to shift into 3rd gear at any speed. Fails to shift into reverse when vehicle warm. Problem began intermittently but got progressively worse. Took to dealer 7/99 and was unable to diagnose. Dealer informed me transmission would need to be removed at my expense to complete diagnosis and repair. Have seen numerous similar complaints in your database and feel this is an obvious defect and should be subject to a recall.

- Duanesburg, NY, USA

The exhaust system and the radio were repalced with no problems from the dealer, the brake system I replaced myself, the transmission was repaired by the dealership with a $100 deductable after contacting chysler, the pitman and idler arm have not yet been repaired, I am not driving the vechicle

- Brown Deer, WI, USA

The transmission failed at 31, 700 mi. It required a major overhaul to return it to operation. Labor costs were $1100 dollars and parts $800. After discussions with the dealer the labor charges were paid by the dealer. Investigation into continuing problems with Dodge Ram transmissions prompted owner to call Chrysler 800 number to complain about $800 payment. Owner was told that since the $800 was paid, no refund could be provided. Owner was told that this determination was final and no appeal to higher authority was possible. Owner personally knows three other individuals with Dodge Ram pickups that had the same problem at the same mileage. Chrysler refuses to acknowledge this defect preferring instead to defer the expense to the vehicle owner.

- Nashua, NH, USA

This is the second time that my trans has failed since I purchased it. First time the dealership rebuilt it under warranty. This time it is just ?!@#$% I have never had so many problems with a vehicles powertrain as I have had with this one. I' M not the only one who has this problem either. I'm worried that the next time it goes out it could cause an accident.

- Marshall, MI, USA

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.

- Falls Village, CT, USA

While attempting to shift into 3rd gear or overdrive at speed between 40-45 mph, vehicle will either not shift and stay in 2nd gearso rpms continue to rise or will act as if in neutral and not shift or respond to the gas pedal, only resulting in high rpms.

- Rock Island, IL, USA

Transmission failed after making knocking noise which got progressively louder over a period of several months. A new transmission was installed and now that transmission is making the same noise after only a few days. I believe that this model of transmission may be defective as it failed after only 58,000 miles and now the new one is making the same noise that the old one started out making.

- San Diego, CA, USA

Transmission will not shift to 2-3 geras normaly, also, ABS brake light comes on at idle.

- Kernersville, NC, USA

The automatic transmission has not failed. It continually skipps in and out of 2nd gear. When pulling away from a stop sign in first gear, the transmission jumps to 2nd and back to 1st, then into drive. This action is random and occurs more frequently sometimes. It will jump in and out of 2nd gear when ever the vehical speed is low enough to require 2nd gear. The vehical is maintained extremely well. The transmission has had 5 full service filter and oil changes. It has a factory transmission oil cooler. The problems are not related to neglect, or to heat. This transmission drives me "nuts!" in fact it, could disrupt ones attention just enough to result in an accident.

- Eagle, ID, USA