2018 Ram 2500 Transmission Problems

Which parts fail

• Driveline › Differential unit
  1

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

Mileage when the problem started

• Under 25k
  1043%
• 25k–50k
  522%
• 50k–75k
  00%
• 75k–100k
  522%
• 100k–150k
  313%
• 150k+
  00%

Owner reports

Selected complaints filed with NHTSA by 2018 Ram 2500 owners, lightly cleaned up (personal details are redacted by NHTSA).

The contact owns a 2018 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 while driving at various speeds, the messages "Check ABS" and "ABS not Engaging" were displayed. Additionally, the contact stated that while driving at various speeds, the transmission shifted hard and made abnormal sounds. The contact stated that upon coming to a stop, the vehicle unintendedly shifted to 4th gear. The contact stated that upon parking the vehicle on an inclined driveway, the vehicle rolled backwards. The contact was able to successfully park the vehicle upon shifting in and out of park(P) several times. The check engine warning light was illuminated. …

The contact owns a 2018 Ram 2500. The contact stated while driving and attempting to shift from third gear to a higher gear, the engine revved and the vehicle failed to respond as intended. The contact pulled over to the side of the road, turned off and restarted the vehicle, and the vehicle responded as needed. The contact stated that the failure had been recurring while driving. The vehicle was taken to the dealer, where it was diagnosed with transmission failure. The contact was informed that the transmission needed to be replaced. The vehicle was not repaired. Additionally, 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 ABS warning light was illuminated. The local dealer was contacted. The vehicle was not repaired. …

The contact owns a 2018 Ram 2500. The contact stated that while the vehicle was parked and turned off, the vehicle unintendedly shifted out of park(P) while the key was not in the ignition switch. There was no warning light illuminated. The contact stated that the parking brake was engaged to prevent the vehicle from rolling away. Additionally, the contact received notification of NHTSA Campaign Number: 24V896000(Service Brakes, Hydraulic); however, the recall remedy parts were not yet available. The dealer was contacted and confirmed that the recall remedy parts were not available. The vehicle was not diagnosed or repaired. The contact stated that the manufacturer had exceeded a reasonable amount of time for the recall repair. The manufacturer was made aware of the failure. The contact had not experienced a failure related to the recall. The approximate failure mileage was 84,000.

The contact owns a 2018 Ram 2500. The contact stated that the vehicle was difficult to shift into gear. The traction control warning light was illuminated, and the message to shift into 4WD was displayed. Additionally, the brake light was illuminated. The contact received notification of NHTSA Campaign Number: 24V896000 (Service Brakes, Hydraulic). The local dealer was contacted, and the vehicle was diagnosed. The contact was informed of hydraulic pump failure, control 68143-part 491AA, control panel 08035030, module 08035030, brake fluid, ABS module, and a HECU internal failure. The vehicle was repaired, but the failure recurred. The dealer informed that the contact parts for the recall repair were not available. The manufacturer was contacted and confirmed that parts were not yet available. The failure mileage was approximately 18,000.

The contact owns a 2018 Ram 2500. The contact stated that the vehicle was repaired at the dealer under NHTSA Campaign Number: 20V036000 (Power Train) however, the failure occurred after the recall was repaired. The transmission shifter would not shift to drive after the vehicle was parked. The transmission shifter cable disconnected from the transmission, causing the vehicle to not perform shifts intended by the driver. Additionally, the gear shift lever position on the dashboard did not match the actual transmission gear. The vehicle was towed to the dealer. The vehicle was not diagnosed nor repaired and remained at the dealer. The manufacturer was made aware of the failure. The failure mileage was approximately 30,000.

The contact owns a 2018 Ram 2500. The contact stated that the ABS warning light was illuminated. The contact stated that the brakes were making abnormal clunking sounds. The contact stated that the traction control, 4WD, and cruise control were inoperable. 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 local dealer was contacted. The contact stated that the manufacturer had exceeded a reasonable amount of time for the recall repair. The manufacturer was not made aware of the issue. The contact had not experienced a failure. The approximate failure mileage 125,000. VIN tool confirms parts not available.

The contact owns a 2018 Ram 2500. The contact stated while driving 60 MPH, he noticed an abnormal clicking sound. The contact stated that several unknown warning lights were illuminated. The contact stated that the braking system was inoperable. The contact stated that the brakes engaged intermittently while depressing the brake pedal. The vehicle was taken to the dealer, who diagnosed and replaced the two rear wheel speed sensors. The failure reoccurred, and the vehicle was taken to the same dealer again and diagnosed with ABS sensor failure; however, the vehicle was not repaired. The manufacturer was not made aware of the failure. The failure mileage was approximately 111,223.

The contact owns a 2018 Ram 2500. The contact stated that the vehicle had failed to start up after multiple attempts. The contact also discovered that the gear shifter would move while the engine was turned off and without depressing the brake pedal. The contact discovered that the brake transmission shift interlock was defective. The vehicle was initially towed to an independent mechanic who informed the contact that he did not have the capability to repair the vehicle. The vehicle was then towed to a dealer where the part was replaced. The manufacturer was notified of the failure. The vehicle was repaired. The failure mileage was approximately 80,000.

The contact owns a 2018 Ram 2500. The contact stated that the vehicle failed to shift into 4WD Low. The traction control and ABS warning lights were illuminated. The contact was concerned about the safety while driving the vehicle. The contact received notification of NHTSA Campaign Number: 24V896000 (Service Brakes, Hydraulic). The local dealer was contacted and informed the contact that the part for the recall repair was on back order. The dealer added the contact to a waiting list. The vehicle was not diagnosed or repaired. The manufacturer was contacted and confirmed that parts were not yet available. The failure mileage was approximately 30,000.

The contact's husband owns a 2018 Ram 2500. The contact stated that while driving at various speeds on several occasions, the vehicle started shaking and lost motive power. The contact stated that the message "Transmission Hot" was displayed and the check engine warning light illuminated. The vehicle was taken to a dealer where it was diagnosed and determined that the transmission needed to be replaced. The vehicle was then taken to an independent mechanic where it was diagnosed and determined that the transmission needed to be replaced. The vehicle was repaired. The manufacturer was not notified of the failure. The failure mileage was 79,790.

Related recalls

NHTSA investigations

Transmission complaints in other 2500 years