I have a 1996 Dodge Ram 2500 V10 Automatic it has 69K miles on it. The truck has never towed anything more than a snowmobile trailer (three times) and has never had a plow on it. I had Dodge perform the scheduled transmission service at 60K miles. This weekend I drove to Augusta, ME about 400 miles. On the way up I noticed the truck was not shifting up out of second gear properly. It would hang in second, but eventually would shift to drive and settle into overdrive. The problem continued to get more evident, until it just would not shift out of second. I made it to a hotel, but in the AM when I went to take it to the Dodge dealer it would not go into reverse unless I really pushed the rpm's to 4000+ then bang into reverse so I could back up. The dealer has told me it needs to be rebuilt, including a torque converter. He is talking $2300. I called Detroit and they opened a ticket number but they said there is nothing they can do for me. From asking around I understand there is a drum that is a factory defect that causes this problem. This is a known factory defect. One dealer in Connecticut told me they have repaired hundreds of these transmissions, all with problems originating from this drum failure. I would like to participate in a class action legal proceeding. Any information or help would be appreciated.
Over the last year repairs are now well over 4,000.
So far I have replaced:
Both Catalytic Converters
The Exhaust system (Factory parts - look in the picture, it's all rusted out again in 2 months?)
Brakes All Wheels
Upper and Lower Ball Joints Both Sides
Front wheel Universal Joint
And now there is a bad vibration or bounce when breaking, could be the rotors or ?
NEWS FLASH -- I have found a way to stop pumping money into my Dodge!
I traded it in on a Ford F-350 Super Duty!!
See the NEW Ford F-350 Super Duty Page!
I will keep the Dodge page alive to help others!