2022 Ram 3500 Transmission Problems

114 owners have reported transmission & drivetrain problems with the 2022 Ram 3500 to NHTSA — 60% of all 190 complaints for this model year. The typical failure happened around 16,000 miles. That ranks #1 of 15 3500 model years for transmission complaints (a typical year has 12). One related recall has been issued.

114complaints
16ktypical miles
1related recalls
1crashes
0fires
1injuries

Which parts fail

  • Automatic transmission
    10
  • 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
    969%
  • 25k–50k
    431%
  • 50k–75k
    00%
  • 75k–100k
    00%
  • 100k–150k
    00%
  • 150k+
    00%

Owner reports

Selected complaints filed with NHTSA by 2022 Ram 3500 owners, lightly cleaned up (personal details are redacted by NHTSA).

The contact owns a 2022 Ram 3500. The contact stated that he stopped at a service station to refuel the vehicle however, after the vehicle was refueled, he depressed the brake pedal and restarted the vehicle. The contact then stated that when he shifted in the drive position, he heard a loud bang sound and then depressed the accelerator pedal however, the vehicle failed to increase speed. The check engine warning light illuminated. Despite the failure, the contact proceeded to drive the vehicle at slow speeds when smoke appeared from underneath the vehicle. The vehicle was towed to the dealer where it was diagnosed that the transmission failed and needed to be replaced. The vehicle was not repaired. The manufacturer was notified of the failure and the contact was informed that the VIN was not included in a recall and provided a case number. The failure mileage was approximately 16,000.

Automatic transmission · 16,000 miles · Apr 2023

The transmission spontaneously slipped out of park and went into reverse. My safety was close to critically impacted. When it began to roll on its own, I was scooped by the driver door and dragged several yards until the truck impacted another vehicle and came to a stop. I very likely could have been killed. If anyone had been behind the truck they likely could have been killed. The incident resulted in significant damage to my vehicle and the vehicle that it ran into. I have not driven the truck since the incident to reproduce. Police did come out to inspect the accident. Has not gone to dealer yet. There were no warning light, buzzers, etc. completely spontaneous. Note: the vehicle was running when this happened. When I was able to get back in truck the stalk was still in park position

Nov 2022 · crash · 1 injury

The contact owns a 2022 Ram 3500. The contact stated that while hauling a 14,000 lbs. load at approximately 70 MPH, there was a loud explosion underneath the vehicle. The vehicle suddenly came to a halt as if the transmission had failed. The vehicle was hesitating while shifting gear, especially while switching lanes. The contact was able to coast to the side of the roadway and had the vehicle towed to the dealer. The dealer informed the contact that the K1 clutch pack had failed. The contact related the failure to NHTSA ID Number: 21-002-23 (Power Train, Exterior Lighting) however, the dealer had not checked the K2 portion of the repair which implied that the vehicle may not have had a complete repair. The manufacturer was made aware of the failure. The approximate failure mileage was 20,667.

21,000 miles · Jun 2023

The contact owns a 2022 Ram 3500. The contact stated while driving 30 MPH and towing an RV, the vehicle inadvertently lost motive power. The contact was able to pull to the shoulder of the roadway, where the failure persisted, after which the contact became aware that the vehicle was only able to shift into reverse. The check engine warning light was illuminated. The vehicle was towed to the dealer, who diagnosed a failure with the transmission. The contact was informed that the transmission needed to be replaced. The vehicle was not repaired due to parts not being available. The manufacturer was notified of the failure, a case was opened, and the contact was referred to the NHTSA Hotline for assistance. The failure mileage was 17,000.

17,000 miles · Mar 2024

The contact owns a 2022 Ram 3500. The contact stated while driving 10 MPH and depressing the accelerator pedal, the vehicle failed to respond. The contact stated that the gear shifter was in drive (D); however, the vehicle operated as if the transmission was in neutral (N). The check engine warning light was illuminated. The contact was able to veer to the side of the road after persistently depressing the accelerator pedal. The contact stated that the transmission was stuck in fifth gear. The vehicle was towed to the residence. The local dealer was notified of the failure. The vehicle was not diagnosed nor repaired. The manufacturer was notified of the failure, but no assistance was provided. The failure mileage was 1,945.

2,000 miles · Sep 2023

The contact's son owns a 2022 Ram 3500. The contact stated while her son was driving at highway speeds, an abnormal noise started coming from the vehicle, and the vehicle lost motive power and stalled without warning. Due to the failure, the vehicle was towed to a dealer where it was diagnosed with transmission failure. The vehicle remained in the dealer's possession for two months before the repair was completed. Soon after the vehicle was returned, the failure recurred while driving at highway speeds. The vehicle was towed to an unknown dealer where it remained. The manufacturer was notified of the failure. The vehicle was not repaired. The failure mileage was approximately 5,000.

5,000 miles · Dec 2022

The contact owns a 2022 Ram 3500. The contact received notifications of the NHTSA Campaign Number: 22V835000 (Power Train) and 23V060000 (Electrical System) however, the parts to do the recall repairs were not yet available. The local dealer was contacted. The contact stated the Urgent Important recall and the Contact the Dealer Immediately message was displayed on the instrument panel on June 29, 2023. 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 failure mileage was 15,000. Parts distribution disconnect.

15,000 miles · Jun 2023

The contact owns a 2022 Ram 3500. The contact stated while driving 40 MPH and towing a 40-ft trailer ascending a mountain, a loud clunking noise was coming from the vehicle. The contact stated that the vehicle decelerated. The contact stated that the vehicle failed to accelerate while depressing the accelerator pedal. The vehicle was driven very slowly to the local dealer who diagnosed that the transmission was faulty and needed to be replaced. The vehicle was not yet repaired. The manufacturer was notified of the failure. The VIN was not available. The failure mileage 800.

1,000 miles · Jan 2023

The contact owns a 2022 Ram 3500. The contact stated that while driving at various speeds, the transmission suddenly downshifted, causing the vehicle to decelerate abruptly. Additionally, while driving the vehicle, the engine temperature gauge increased to high, with a burning plastic odor and smoke fumes entering the cabin of the vehicle. The vehicle was taken to the local dealer and the PCM was reprogrammed, and the temperature sensor was replaced; however, the failure persisted. The manufacturer was notified of the failure. The failure mileage was 32,000.

32,000 miles · Jul 2023

The contact owns a 2022 Ram 3500. The contact stated that while driving at an undisclosed speed, the transmission inadvertently shifted to neutral, and the vehicle stalled. The vehicle was turned off and restarted; however, the contact stated he had to shift into 4WD for the vehicle to operate as needed. The check engine warning light was illuminated. The vehicle was taken to a local dealer, where it remained awaiting diagnostic tests and repair. The manufacturer was made aware of the failure and a case was opened. The approximate failure mileage was 28,000.

28,000 miles · Mar 2023

Related recalls

Power train › Automatic transmission

NHTSA recall 22V-835 · Nov 10, 2022 · 250,079 vehicles

FCA US, LLC (Chrysler) is recalling certain 2020-2023 Ram 2500 and 2020-2022 Ram 3500 vehicles. A build-up of pressure and heat inside the transmission may result in a transmission fluid leak from the dipstick tube.

Remedy: Dealers will replace the transmission dipstick and transmission vent assembly, free of charge. Owner notification letters were mailed December 29, 2022. Owners may contact FCA US, LLC customer service at 1-800-853-1403.

NHTSA investigations

2022 RAM Transmission Snap Ring Failure

NHTSA investigation PE24009 · opened Mar 27, 2024 · open

The Office of Defect Investigations (ODI) has received 82 complaints alleging loss of motive power due to an internal transmission failure of the K1 snap ring in model year 2022 Ram 3500, 4500, and 5500 vehicles. Of these complaints, 16 describe a complete loss of motive power at speeds greater than 25 miles per hour, without the ability for the vehicle to resume normal operation.

Transmission complaints in other 3500 years

’07’09’13’14’15’16’17’18’19’20’21’22’23’24’25’2611239321927231812111141684
Transmission complaints per model year, Ram 3500.

Frequently asked questions

How common are transmission problems on the 2022 Ram 3500?

NHTSA has 114 complaints about the transmission & drivetrain of the 2022 Ram 3500, 60% of the model year's 190 complaints. The component named most often is automatic transmission (10 mentions).

Is there a recall for 2022 Ram 3500 transmission problems?

Yes — NHTSA recall 22V-835 (automatic transmission, Nov 10, 2022). Recall repairs are free at authorized dealers.

At what mileage do 2022 Ram 3500 transmission problems start?

Half of the complaints with a recorded mileage happened before about 16,000 miles, and 69% before 25,000 miles.

Is it dangerous?

Owners linked 1 crash, 0 fires and 1 injury 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.