Which parts fail
Components named in complaints (automatic and manual transmissions, CVT, axles, driveshaft, 4WD/AWD).
Mileage when the problem started
Owner reports
Selected complaints filed with NHTSA by 2000 Dodge Ram 1500 owners, lightly cleaned up (personal details are redacted by NHTSA).
I have a 2000 Dodge Ram 4x4. My truck had 56,000 miles on it when the posi unit in the rear end exploded and tore up the gearing in the rear end. I was driving the truck down I-95 when this happed I did not know anything was wrong I got off 95 and thank god I did about a mile down lantana road I lost control of the steering and the rear tire started locking up. There were 3 of us in the truck if this would have happened on I-95 I dont know if we would still be here. Dodge built these trucks knowing there was a defect in the rear end along with mine there were 5 others with in miles of each other all with the same rear end problem. I contacted Dodge and ask them why this problem hasd not been fixed or recalled there answer was they did not care. This is a major problem in Dodge rams with a posi rear end we got lucky but what about the other millions who have one of these trucks. …
Driving my vehicle down a city street I started to approach a stop sign. As the vehicle came almost to a stop I heard a scraping noise and then the vehicle abruptly stopped. When I pressed the accelerator pedal the engine would rev and the truck would act like it was in park while in "d". I got out of the truck to inspect and found my driveshaft was no longer attached at the rear of the vehicle, to the transfer case. No abnormal noises were heard prior to this, or any running issues that would have indicated a problem. The truck will not move in forward position, but will roll backwards in neutral. Once I was able to remove the driveshaft from the transfer case and inspect, I found that the pinion nut had backed off and was still encased inside the rear flange attached to the driveshaft & u-joint. Fluid had been blown out and covered all of the rear axle and differential. …
Tl contact owns a 2000 Dodge Ram 1500. After putting 400 miles on the vehicle, it began overheating while driving uphill at an unknown speed. The vehicle was taken to the dealer and they replaced the transmission cap. When the windows were rolled down, they would not go back up. In addition, the headlights would dim when the windows were rolled up and down. While driving between 5-10 MPH uphill, the exhaust system fell off the vehicle. The bolts were not properly tightened. The cd changer had to be replaced after failing twice. There was also a grinding noise in the transmission when the shifter was placed into gear, and there was a hesitation when placing the gear into reverse or drive. The transmission has been rebuilt, but the vehicle is still grinding and hesitating when placed into gear, drive, or reverse. …
Dashboard cracking becoming severe. Many cracks over the complete dash board top surface. This May be related..... Possible chemical reaction - per dealer. Fumes from the transmission overflow seep into driver compartment. The dashboard engine light comes on periodically. Transmission functions fine but dealer says the torque convert is slipping at lock up causing a no-lockup slippage condition after 8 seconds. Dealer says I probably should replace the transmission completely and replace the dash at my cost. Total would be about what the value of the 1500 book is when they got done. I hardly tow anything but a small boat. It spits out fluid out the overflow over a period of time. Have installed a transmission cooler but condition, slight odor and spilling continued. Repeated flashing the computer only popped up the acceleration a little but has not made any other changes. …
I bought a 2000 Dodge Ram 1500 4x4 truck. It was 2 yrs this May/08, it is now in the transmission shop getting a rebuilt tranny at the tune of $3K. The electronics went out and it was full of metal!!! It had low mileage when I bought and seemed in great shape, boy was I screwed. One week after buying it I called clarke motors in virginia to tell them about this light coming on and they told me it was nothing , just a computer sensor - not to worry about it. It is a [redacted] crime that this company continues to build faulty vehicles and puts the consumer as well as their employees at risk. Where is the class action??? Where do I sign up?
Front and rear axle seals leaking on drivers side. Rubbing sound on front wheel when cornering. Drove straight to mechanics when sound heard. Front wheel bearing was bad causing sound, was told it was very dangerous to drive. Replaced axle seals at time of wheel bearing. While replacing rear axle seals mechanics found a retaining washer half shattered in rear differential that holds the clutch plates solid for the anti-spin differential. Was told that if any more shatters off this could have dire consequences, including having the rear axle lock up solid while driving. Must have repaired immediately.
Truck purchased in 1999. Maintained regular recommended scheduled service. 2006, tcc transmission solenoid needed replacement. 2007, tcc solenoid replaced again. 2007, transmission with 84,000 miles needed replacement. Jan 2007, contacted Chrysler corp for split of cost for new transmission. (denied). 2007, second new transmission replaced. 2008, long cracks on dashboard. 2009, compressor, clutch fan and ac system replaced. 2009, front and rear passenger speakers inop. 2010 second transmission slipping, od light and tran temp light on at 33,000 miles on new transmission.
I was driving down a dirt road at about 35mph. The rear end of my 2000 Dodge Ram 1500 sport 4x4 started grinding. I started slowing down and the rear drive shaft hit the pavement. I came to a stop and looked under my truck. The rear drive shaft was hanging and the pinion gear was pointed up towards the bed. I tried to move the truck farther off the road and the rear end was froze up. Once I got it to a mechanic we discovered that the pinion nut had backed itself off the pinion gear, causing the pinion gear to get wedged in the other gears.
Dt: consumer stated that when the vehicle was in overdrive, there was a noise between the cab and back of the truck. The transmission has been overhauled and they replaced the linkage box. The vehicle has been in the shop 17 times for the transmission problem. They have also replaced the bearings in the overdrive 1 or 2 years ago. At that time it was making the same noise and they will not touch it again. The dealership is helping the consumer and he stated it has been in and out of the shop over the last 5 years.
Tl* the contact owns a 2000 Dodge Ram 1500. The contact stated that the vehicle was making a loud, abnormal noise. The contact was attempting to pull over to inspect the failure when the transfer case exploded. The vehicle was towed to a local mechanic and as the vehicle arrived, the drive shaft detached from the vehicle. The mechanic was unable to provide a cause for the failure. The vehicle was not repaired. The VIN was not available. The failure and the current mileage was 180,000.
Transmission complaints in other Ram 1500 years
Frequently asked questions
How common are transmission problems on the 2000 Dodge Ram 1500?
NHTSA has 45 complaints about the transmission & drivetrain of the 2000 Dodge Ram 1500, 9% of the model year's 513 complaints. The component named most often is automatic transmission (28 mentions).
Is there a recall for 2000 Dodge Ram 1500 transmission problems?
No. NHTSA lists no transmission & drivetrain recall for the 2000 Dodge Ram 1500, though it has 2 recalls for other components. If the problem is widespread, a repair may still be covered by an extended warranty or a manufacturer service bulletin — ask a dealer.
At what mileage do 2000 Dodge Ram 1500 transmission problems start?
Half of the complaints with a recorded mileage happened before about 60,000 miles, and 12% before 25,000 miles.
Is it dangerous?
Owners linked 1 crash, 0 fires and 0 injuries to transmission & drivetrain problems on this model year. If you notice symptoms, have the car checked before driving further.
Source: U.S. National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA) — owner complaints through October 20, 2026, recalls and defect investigations; fuel economy from the EPA. Complaints are unverified reports and are not proof of a defect. How we rate model years.