Transmission complaints by model year
| Year | Complaints | Share of year's complaints | Typical mileage |
|---|---|---|---|
| 2012 | 35 | 12% | 50,000 miles |
| 2011 | 16 | 5% | 45,000 miles |
| 2010 | 13 | 6% | 118,000 miles |
| 2009 | 6 | 3% | 65,000 miles |
| 2008 | 20 | 6% | 79,000 miles |
| 2007 | 17 | 5% | 70,000 miles |
| 2006 | 37 | 6% | 80,000 miles |
| 2005 | 63 | 15% | 25,000 miles |
| 2004 | 110 | 19% | 27,000 miles |
| 2003 | 55 | 8% | 12,000 miles |
| 2002 | 19 | 12% | 65,000 miles |
| 2001 | 28 | 6% | 48,000 miles |
| 2000 | 15 | 7% | 51,000 miles |
| 1999 | 35 | 11% | 60,000 miles |
| 1998 | 29 | 13% | 97,000 miles |
| 1997 | 32 | 15% | 108,000 miles |
| 1996 | 44 | 15% | 106,000 miles |
| 1995 | 39 | 15% | 160,000 miles |
Which parts fail
Components named in complaints (automatic and manual transmissions, CVT, axles, driveshaft, 4WD/AWD).
Mileage when the problem started
What owners report
The contact owns a 2012 Ram 2500. The contact stated while the vehicle was parked, the vehicle rolled away. The contact was standing near the vehicle with the key fob. There were no warning lights illuminated. The local dealer was not contacted. The vehicle was not diagnosed or repaired. The contact related the failure to NHTSA Campaign Number: 17V821000 (Power Train). The manufacturer was not contacted. The failure mileage was approximately 220,000.
Recall T79 or 17V-821 or break transmission shift pin stuck in open position. This is the 2nd time this has happened and serious damage has occurred to the vehicle. Dodge won't do anything about it. Vehicle was parked, turned off, no key. I came out of building and it shifted into gear on its own and rolled backwards into a pole.
Tl* the contact owns a 2011 Ram 2500. While driving 65 MPH, the contact noticed a vibration followed by a large explosion. The contact pulled the vehicle over to the side of the road. The inside of the vehicle filled with smoke and a hole was observed in the floor area along with flames. The fire was extinguished with a fire extinguisher. The contact called 911 where the police officer waited for the tow truck. A police report was not filed and there were no injuries. The vehicle was towed to the dealer (lithia Chrysler, 7171 west canel dr, kennewick, washington 99336) where it was diagnosed that the front driveline became loose. The vehicle was traded in due to the failure. The manufacturer was notified and sent a represenative to do a report on the incident. …
Tl* the contact owns a 2011 Ram 2500. While driving 65 MPH, the vehicle turned off and restarted independently. The contact was concerned for his safety. Additionally, while the vehicle was parked on several occasions, the contact was unable to shift the vehicle out of park. When the vehicle was turned off and restarted, it resumed normal operation. The vehicle was not diagnosed or repaired. The contact stated that the failures recurred once. The dealer and manufacturer were not contacted. The approximate failure mileage was 68,000.
I have had this 2010 Dodge Ram 2500 hd crewcab 4x4 for 3 years. I bought it used at 74000. So far I have had 3 actuators, tie rod, 3 differential seals, 1 transmission seal, 1 rearend seal, full HVAC control and duct work with 2 heater cores, 2 front u-joint, and now all the bearings in the front differential. And extreme amount of time, money, and trouble of not having my truck invested in this. I need to know how May other of this model of truck has been having this trouble. 99% hwy miles, only about 5% towing or hauling, no off roading, very little long distance driving. I have an extended warranty for drive train. Is your definition the standard term for drivetrain?
Tl* the contact owns a 2010 Ram 2500. While the vehicle was stationary with the gear shifter in park, it rolled backwards. The contact attempted to re-enter the vehicle by gripping the steering wheel, but the steering wheel inadvertently turned and the contact fell. The contact fractured his left collar bone, which required medical attention. A police report was filed. A dealer was not notified of the failure. The vehicle was included in NHTSA campaign number: 17V821000 (power train). The vehicle was towed and not repaired. The manufacturer was notified of the failure. The approximate failure mileage was 120,000.
Tl* the contact owns a 2009 Dodge Ram 2500. The contact stated that while driving at various speeds, the check engine warning light illuminated and vehicle would hesitate to accelerate when depressing the accelerator pedal. The vehicle was taken to the dealer who was unable to diagnose the cause of the failure. In addition, the recall notice for NHTSA campaign number: 15V313000 (air bag system) was received in June 2015. After contacting the dealer and the manufacturer, the contact was informed that the parts needed to repair the vehicle were not available. The failure mileage was 1,000.
Car was brought in 5 times to have various front end recalls performed , two different dealers bedard brothers in cheshire mass. And beterra for steering recall (now n49/NHTSA 13v-529) previously same recall had two or three different numbers. They have never had the parts and could never perform the recall. Because they say that the steering May fail at any moment I have used the vehicle only when I absolutely have no other transportation. Hence as of today the car has 17,200 miles only. The other problem is loss of coolant , the EGR cooler has been leaking , I have had it at dealers three times and they have no clue how to repair . This is a common complaint. Because this internal leak goes into the turbocharger. The turbocharger failed and on 7/08/13 had to be replaced at 16,150 miles . …
Related recalls (3)
Power train › Automatic transmission › Lever and linkage › Column shift
Chrysler (FCA US LLC) is recalling certain 2016-2017 Ram 3500 Cab Chassis with a Gross Vehicle Weight Rating (GVWR) of less than 10,000 lbs, 2011-2017 Ram 3500, 4500 and 5500 Cab Chassis vehicles, 2009-2017 Ram 1500 and 2010-2017 Ram 2500 and 3500 pickup trucks, all equipped with a column shifter.
Remedy: Chrysler will notify owners, and dealers will update the vehicle software, inspect the BTSI, and, as necessary, replace it, free of charge. The recall began February 26, 2018.
Power train › Automatic transmission › Lever and linkage › Column shift
On certain pickup trucks equipped with diesel engines and automatic transmissions, in an attempt to exit the vehicle quickly without shutting off the engine and removing the key, the driver May inadvertently leave the automatic transmission shift control in indicated reverse.
Remedy: Dealers will perform a software modification to equip these vehicles with an out-of-park alarm. Owners May contact daimlerchrysler at 1-800-853-1403.
Power train › Automatic transmission
On certain pickup trucks, the transfer case to transmission attaching fasteners May not be tightened correctly. This could cause the transmission adapter or transfer case housing to crack and leak fluid.
Remedy: Dealers will retighten the transfer case to transmission fasteners. Owner notification began on December 22, 2003. Owners should contact daimlerchrysler at 1-800-992-1997.
NHTSA investigations
FALSE PARK
There have been 50 complaints to odi and daimlerchrysler alleging incidents of reverse powered rollaway in subject vehicles that were parked with the engine running and the parking brake disengaged.the incidents are alleged to have resulted in 42 crashes and 3 injuries.
FALSE PARK
The subject vehicles are heavy duty pickup trucks with diesel engines and automatic transmissions commonly used for commercial and work purposes.a column mounted shift lever is used for gear selection and an electronic PRNDL on the instrument panel provides gear position information to the driver.the subject vehicles are also equipped with a brake-transmission shift interlock that prevents the shift lever from being…
ENGINE STALL
On May 16, 2005,odi opened preliminary evaluation pe05-027 to investigate complaints of engine stalling in model year 2004-05 Dodge durango suvs and Ram 1500 series pickups equipped with the 5.7l v8 engine.information provided by daimlerchrysler during pe05-027 indicated that a large percentage of the complaints are related to an idle undershoot condition that May cause the engine to stall during turning…
ENGINE STALL
Analysis of the complaint, field report and warranty data shows that the majority of stalling incidents in the subject vehicles appear to be related to the engine calibration concerns that daimlerchrysler addressed with service bulletins releasing revised PCM software.analysis of the complaints and odi's survey of owners of vehicles that received engine management software updates under TSB #18-013-05 show that…
Frequently asked questions
Which Dodge Ram 2500 years have transmission problems?
By NHTSA complaints, the 2004 (110), 2005 (63), 2003 (55), 1996 (44) and 1995 (39) model years. Transmission complaints make up 19% of all complaints for the 2004.
Is there a recall for Dodge Ram 2500 transmission problems?
Yes — 3 recalls, including 17V-821 (column shift, Dec 20, 2017); 05V-462 (column shift, Oct 6, 2005); 03V-503 (automatic transmission, Dec 4, 2003). Recall repairs are free at authorized dealers; check a specific car with the VIN recall check.
At what mileage do Dodge Ram 2500 transmission problems start?
Across all years, half of the complaints with a recorded mileage happened before about 48,000 miles; 54% happened before 50,000 miles.
What part fails most often?
Owners most often name the automatic transmission (217 mentions), followed by the manual transmission (36).
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.