2017 Ram 2500 Transmission Problems

Which parts fail

• Automatic transmission › Fluid/lubricant › Valves/valve body
  1
• Automatic transmission › Internal › Clutches/bands › Actuators/solenoids
  1
• Automatic transmission › Control module (TCM/PCM/tecm)
  1

Components named in complaints (automatic and manual transmissions, CVT, axles, driveshaft, 4WD/AWD).

Mileage when the problem started

• Under 25k
  732%
• 25k–50k
  418%
• 50k–75k
  418%
• 75k–100k
  29%
• 100k–150k
  418%
• 150k+
  15%

Owner reports

Selected complaints filed with NHTSA by 2017 Ram 2500 owners, lightly cleaned up (personal details are redacted by NHTSA).

The contact's son-In-Law owns a 2017 Ram 2500. The contact stated while her daughter was putting her grandchildren in the vehicle, her 2-year-old grandson, who was briefly left in an unknown front seat with the doors closed, pushed the gear shifter into drive (D) and the vehicle accelerated without applying the brakes. The vehicle crashed into a trailer filled with tools located 20-30 ft. away. The vehicle then crashed into the corner of a storage building and stopped. There were no injuries sustained. The air bags did not deploy. There was no police report filed. The vehicle was taken to the dealer where it was diagnosed that the Brake Transmission Shift Interlock (BTSI) had failed and needed to be replaced. The dealer associated the failure with NHTSA Campaign Number: 18V100000 (Power Train). …

The contact owns a 2017 Ram 2500. The contact received notification of NHTSA Campaign Number: 24V896000 (Service Brakes, Hydraulic); however, the part to do the recall repair was not available. The contact stated that while driving at various speeds, the ABS and check engine warning lights illuminated. The vehicle was initially taken to the dealer to be diagnosed. The diagnostic test determined that there was a failure with the ECM. The ECM was replaced; however, soon after the repair, the warning lights returned with the vehicle going into LIMP Mode. The vehicle was taken back to dealer, where the vehicle remained for months while attempting to determine the cause of the failure. The contact was then informed that the transmission needed to be replaced. …

The contact owns a 2017 Ram 2500. The contact stated while driving at an undisclosed speed, the accelerator pedal was depressed; however, the vehicle failed to accelerate as intended. The contact stated that the failure occurred intermittently. The vehicle was taken to the dealer where it was diagnosed with a failed turbocharger and that the turbocharger needed to be replaced. The vehicle was repaired; however, the failure reoccurred. The vehicle was taken back to the dealer where it was diagnosed with a failed transmission and cooling lines, and it was determined that the transmission and the cooling lines needed to be replaced. The vehicle was not repaired. The manufacturer was made aware of the failure but provided no assistance. The contact was advised to report the failure to the NHTSA Hotline. The failure mileage was approximately 135,800.

The contact owns a 2017 Ram 2500. The contact stated that while operating the vehicle, the transmission malfunctioned, and the vehicle would not move. The message "transmission overheated" was displayed. Additionally, the transmission had experienced slipping and shifting issues. The vehicle was taken to the local dealer. The cause of the failure was not yet determined. The manufacturer was notified of the failure, but no assistance was offered. The failure mileage was 70,000. Consumer stated, note that the 70,000 miles was when heater core issues was discovered, casting sand in the engine block that plugged it up. The transmission issues started at about 98,500 miles. The second repair of the transmission and didn't even get 10 miles down the road until it stopped working and they had to be towed away.

The contact owns a 2017 Ram 2500. The contact stated while the vehicle was parked and turned off on a slight incline with the keys outside of the vehicle, while the contact's grandson was seated in the front seat, the contact's grandson was able to move the gear shifter out of park(P), and the vehicle started rolling backwards. The contact's daughter who was putting a baby in the car seat in the rear seat, jumped to the front seat, depressed the brake pedal, and shifted to park(P) and the vehicle stopped rolling. The dealer and the manufacturer were not notified of the failure. The vehicle was not diagnosed or repaired. The contact stated that the vehicle was previously repaired under an unknown related recall. The failure mileage was approximately 164,000.

The contact owns a 2017 Ram 2500. The contact stated that while driving at approximately 30-35 MPH, the transmission became stuck in second gear and the vehicle went into LIMP Mode. The contact stated that the vehicle failed to accelerate above 35 MPH. The check engine warning light was illuminated. The contact used a scanner and retrieved DTC codes for pressure and gear ratio faults. The vehicle was taken to the local dealer, where it was diagnosed and determined that the transmission needed to be replaced. The vehicle was not repaired. The vehicle was taken to a transmission specialist, and it was determined that the failure was due to the valve body and shift solenoid. The manufacturer was not contacted. The failure mileage was approximately 105,369.

The contact owns a 2017 Ram 2500. The contact received notification of NHTSA Campaign Number: 24V896000 (Service Brakes, Hydraulic); however, the part to do the recall repair was not yet available. The contact stated that the manufacturer had exceeded a reasonable amount of time for the recall repair. The contact stated that while driving at an undisclosed speed, the vehicle lurched forward, and the transmission inadvertently shifted into neutral(N). No warning light was illuminated. The dealer was made aware of the failure but confirmed that parts were not yet available. The vehicle was not repaired. The manufacturer was made aware of the failure, and a case was filed. The failure mileage was approximately 85,000.

The contact owns a 2017 Ram 2500. The contact stated while driving at an undisclosed speed, the contact had reached a stop sign and when depressing on the accelerator pedal to accelerate when the vehicle loss motive power and stalled. The contact had to restart the vehicle for the vehicle continue to drive, however the failure persist several times intermittently. No warning lights illuminated on the vehicle. The contact took the vehicle to a local dealer to have inspected the vehicle but could not duplicate the failure on the vehicle and could not diagnosed the failure on the vehicle. The vehicle was not repaired. The manufacturer was made aware of the failure. The failure mileage was approximate 15,000.

The contact owns a 2017 Ram 2500. The contact stated that after starting the vehicle, the check engine warning light remained illuminated. The contact stated that a diagnostic scanner was used to retrieve DTC: P2609; which indicated a failure in the intake air heater system. The vehicle was not yet repaired. The local dealers were contacted and indicated that the part was not available to order. No further information was available. The manufacturer was not yet contacted regarding the failure or parts availability. The failure mileage was 123,200.

The vehicle randomly goes into 4WD without the user turning the knob to request 4WD. If this happens at high speed it will cause severe damage to the vehicle drive train. Makes steering extreemly difficult on pavement. 1. Service 4WD lamp illuminates. 2. Reduced speed and exited highway. 3. Steered vehicle to off ramp. Upon steering left vehicle entered 4WD without user request making steering very difficult. Vehicle would not return to 2WD unless user shut down vehicle, turn knob to 4WD then back to 2WD. Investigated by certified RAM technician at a dealership on 5/11/2]22 who could not find the issue. The dealership cleared the truck for ordinary use. Currently the vehicle status is service 4WD light is on and it will not shift to 4WD or 2WD. 2 incidents one in 1 June 2021 2 September 2022

Related recalls

NHTSA investigations

Transmission complaints in other 2500 years