1997 Dodge Ram Pickup 1500 Ext Cab from North America - Comments

Transmission or Differential made slight noise at 30,000 miles.

Transmission blew at 53,000 miles doing major damage.

After the truck made the first transmission/differential noise I was told it was the differential and to put an additive into it. I did and the noise went away for about a year and a half. Last week at 53,000 miles I started the truck and drove into the driveway to hook up my boat. As I left the driveway there was a loud mechanical noise. I started to back up and there was no reverse. I had the truck towed to the local Dodge dealer. After it was evaluated, he told me the transmission had broken and dumped metal particles into the cooler and all the lines. Estimated bill is around $4000. I am truly amazed that a heavy half ton extended cab truck can have such a major problem. I have had several Chevrolet and Ford trucks with nothing ever going wrong with them. In fact the 1970 Chevy truck had an 11 1/2 long cabover camper on it for over 10 years with no problems. The Dodge was only driven on the highway empty for over 50,000 miles. I have been a part time mechanic for years and this amazes me. I also have been reading a lot of internet sites and it sounds like Dodge has a real problem.

This comment is from me, Dick Jones who wrote the initial statement. I had the pickup towed from the Dodge dealer to AAMCO and I stayed to see them take the transmission apart. We found the four pins which hold in the gears had never been installed causing everything to move around and then fail. A factory defect. I called the consumer hot line and they didn't care. It was out of warrenty (36,000 miles) therefore as far as they were concerned, too bad. More to come. Dick Jones.

I had the same transmission problem at 53,000 miles. I took excellent care of the truck (regular service, etc.) I am very dissatisfied with the Dodge automatic transmission. Why doesn't someone sue Dodge for what seems to be an apparent defect? Matt Hedden 502-296-9449.

I Have a 97 Ram 1500 and love the way it looks. I bought the truck with 60,000 miles and it seemed to have a problem with the transmission from the get go the transmission went at 65,000 and dodge and the used auto dealer I bought it from were great and help cover some of the cost. unforunatly I had the work done by a local dealer who dropped the ball and the rebuilt transmission went at 68,000 but it had been over 1 year and was off warranty so I have a nice lawn ornament until I can afford to replace the transmission with a new one. Good luck with yours.

It's wonderful to see so many people having the same problem =) I had the same problem about 75k miles, luckily the extended warranty picked up the 4k+ bill for the replacement. I've had quite a few problems with my 97 1500, but overall I guess I'm still satisfied with it.

I also agree that the dodge 1500 has great running potential, but the transmission always seems to slip like I need universal joints. Which in all actualality we no the trans is the real problem. But other than that I love the vehicle so until my trns is fried ,I ll see ya later 104,000 miles and running. walt

I have a 1997 1500 sport 4x4 with a 360 and I have never had any problems with the truck. Change the oil and filter every 5000 miles. Replace the air filter every oil change and put wipers and serpentine belt on yearly and the thing runs like a champ. I change the transmission fluid yearly and replace filter and it keeps on plugging. Its 2005 and with 177,000 miles I would not buy another truck unless it was a Dodge. Only problem is I wish it was more fuel efficient.

We have just bought a 1997 Dodge 1500, 5.9 liter, Automatic, extended cab, short box, 4x4. We have no history on this truck at all as it was bought at an auction. It looks and drives like new with 272000 km on it. To comment on the comment before mine, you should re read your comment as the person was talking about a 1997 in 2005. We have had to replace the battery as it seems to be the original. Other than that all seems well!