NHTSA Complaint #763295 — 1997 DODGE RAM 2500

5TH GEAR FAILED WHILE GOING DOWN A SLIGHT (~4%) GRADE WHILE USING THE ENGINE AND THE EXHAUST BRAKE. FORTUNATELY THE SPEED WAS SLOW ENOUGH THAT IT WAS POSSIBLE TO DOWNSHIFT. I CONSIDER THIS A SAFETY HAZARD. IF THE SPEED HAD BEEN HIGHER OR IT WAS NOT POSSIBLE TO DOWNSHIFT AN ACCIDENT COULD HAVE EASILY OCCURRED. THIS IS NOT AN UNCOMMON PROBLEM WITH THE 5-SPEED TRANSMISSION IN THE DODGE CUMMINS DIESEL TRUCKS.THERE IS SOME INFORMATION ON THE INTERNET INDICATING THAT THIS IS RATHER COMMON.THIS PROBLEM APPEARS TO BE A DESIGN FLAW. THE REPAIR INVOICE INDICATES THAT A 'NUT PACKAGE" WAS REQUIRED TO PREVENT THIS FROM OCCURING AGAIN. THIS INDICATES THAT THE ORIGINAL DESIGN IS FLAWED. THIS SHOULD BE A RECALL ITEM, BUT PROBABLY ISN'T AND WON'T BE BECAUSE OF THE COST TO FIX ($675.) I HAVE SUBMITTED A COMPLAINT AND REQUEST FOR REPAIR REIMBURSEMENT TO CHRYSLER. IT HAS BEEN DENIED BECAUSE OF THE TIME OR MILEAGE LIMITATIONS HAVE BEEN EXCEEDED. HOWEVER, IT IS BOTH A SAFETY ISSUE AND A DESIGN FLAW, AND BOTH SHOULD BE ADDRESSED.