Transmission complaints by model year
| Year | Complaints | Share of year's complaints | Typical mileage |
|---|---|---|---|
| 2026 | 4 | 15% | 0 miles |
| 2025 | 8 | 19% | 9,000 miles |
| 2024 | 6 | 13% | — |
| 2023 | 1 | 6% | — |
| 2022 | 114 | 60% | 16,000 miles |
| 2021 | 11 | 18% | 64,000 miles |
| 2020 | 12 | 10% | 150,000 miles |
| 2019 | 18 | 13% | 22,000 miles |
| 2018 | 23 | 3% | 1,000 miles |
| 2017 | 27 | 9% | 15,000 miles |
| 2016 | 19 | 14% | 21,000 miles |
| 2015 | 32 | 23% | 27,000 miles |
| 2014 | 39 | 19% | 30,000 miles |
| 2013 | 12 | 10% | 14,000 miles |
| 2009 | 1 | 33% | 8,000 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 2026 Ram 3500. The contact stated that while driving at an undisclosed speed, the check engine, 4WD, ABS, park sensors, and several other unknown warning lights illuminated. The vehicle was taken to the dealer, who replaced the speed sensor for the rear wheels; however, the failure persisted, and the transmission failed to recognize that the gear selector was in park(P). Roadside Assistance arrived and unplugged the battery cables to turn off the engine. The vehicle was towed to the dealer and was waiting for engineers to diagnose the vehicle. The vehicle was not repaired. The manufacturer was made aware of the failure. The failure mileage was approximately 458.
What component or system failed or malfunctioned, and is it available for inspection upon request? Rear Axle Failure - Dealership has the truck currently How was your safety or the safety of others put at risk? - It was not Has the problem been reproduced or confirmed by a dealer or independent service center? - Yes Has the vehicle or component been inspected by the manufacturer, police, insurance representatives or others? - yes, by the dealer Were there any warning lamps, messages or other symptoms of the problem prior to the failure, and when did they first appear? - No warning of any kind. Just loud grinding noise
The contact owns a 2025 Ram 3500. The contact stated that while driving approximately 60 MPH, several unknown warning lights illuminated, and the vehicle stalled. The vehicle was towed to a dealer where it was diagnosed, and determined that several repairs were needed, and there was an issue with the battery. The dealer replaced two batteries, but the failure persisted. The vehicle was taken back to the same dealer, but the cause of the failure was not duplicated. On another occasion, while driving approximately 50 MPH and hauling a trailer, there were several unknown warning lights illuminated, and the contact heard a loud banging coming from the engine compartment before the vehicle stalled. The vehicle was towed to a different dealer, where it was diagnosed with transmission failure. The contact was informed that the transmission needed to be replaced. The vehicle was not repaired. …
Brand new truck (497 miles) while driving on freeway at 70 mph, truck kicked out of cruise control and threw traction control, adaptive cruise control, 4wd, check engine, and anti lock brakes disabled fault lights and codes. The vehicle will disable all these safety features for 30-50 miles, and then the faults will randomly disappear except for the check engine light. This has happened 10-12 times. This truck has had 4-5 "ram cares" case numbers, has been at the dealership for over a month combined. The faulty part supposedly is a right rear wheel speed sensor on the 12" dually axles. There is hundreds if not thousands of these trucks affected. Stellantis/ram says the sensor is has been updated, but is currently not built or for sale., there is a national backorder. We are being told to drive these trucks while ram comes up with a fix. …
On 01/21/2026 there was a warning light that came on stating accelerator control sensor, the next morning the truck started stalling, and continued stalling multiple times. I attempted to get the vehicle to the service center. It then stalled 2 more times, the service center told me they couldn't look at the truck until the next day, the vehicle then stalled on me again that evening, they kept the truck until Friday evening, and told me they couldn't duplicate the issue. They knew it had happened, but they couldn't find the cause without replacing a bunch of parts until they found the correct issue. I took the vehicle home, started it the next morning and the maintenance required issue again returned, I took it back to the service center, they checked the codes, and told me it shows the 3rd taillight is staying on which indicates usually a fuel issue. …
We bought our 2024 3500 Dodge RAM in Florida in late March. Last weekend the truck started to feel like it was jerking while we were pulling our 5th wheel. On Monday we schedule an appointment in Brockton Massachusetts at a dealership. We were told there need to be a system update and that it was all set. On Wednesday we started our 3 hour drive to Maine when suddenly while we were on the highway the truck began to overheat and revving loud only going 35mph. We pulled over into a parking lot and called RAM roadside assistance. We were told to let the truck cool down and try again. After being in a parking lot with our 4 kids and 2 dogs in 100 degree weather for 6 hours we attempted to start the truck. However every time we put it in drive the truck shut off. …
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.
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
Related recalls (6)
Power train › Manual transmission
Chrysler (FCA US, LLC) is recalling certain 2023 Ram 1500, 2500, and 3500 vehicles. An insufficient weld in the transmission control unit can allow transmission fluid to leak on to electrical components, resulting in a loss of drive power or loss of park function.
Remedy: Dealers will replace the valve body and control unit, free of charge. Owner notification letters are expecting to be mailed July 26, 2024. Owners may contact FCA US, LLC customer service at 1-800-853-1403.
Power train › Automatic transmission
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.
Power train › Automatic transmission
Chrysler (FCA US LLC) is recalling certain 2019-2020 Ram 2500 and 3500 Pickup vehicles equipped with six-speed automatic (68RFE) transmissions. A build up of pressure and heat inside the transmission may result in a transmission fluid leak from the dipstick tube.
Remedy: Chrysler will notify owners, and dealers will replace the transmission valve body separator plate and reprogram the powertrain control module. The recall began March 2, 2020.
Power train › Automatic transmission
Chrysler (FCA US LLC) is recalling certain 2017-2018 RAM 1500, 2500, 3500, 3500 Cab Chassis, 4500 Cab Chassis, and 5500 Cab Chassis vehicles, all equipped with a column shifter. Pushing the brake pedal for prolonged periods when the vehicle is running and in PARK may cause the Brake Transmission Shift Interlock (BTSI) pin to…
Remedy: Chrysler will notify owners and dealers will update the Body Control Module software. Dealers will also test the BTSI operation, replacing the solenoid as necessary. The recall began February 26, 2018.
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.
Show 1 more recall
Power train › Transfer case (4-wheel drive)
Chrysler (FCA US LLC) is recalling certain model year 2016 Ram 3500 trucks manufactured July 24, 2015, through January 7, 2016, and 2016 Ram 4500/5500 trucks manufactured July 24, 2015, through October 8, 2015.
Remedy: Chrysler will notify owners, and dealers will replace the transfer case, free of charge. The recall began on August 11, 2016. Owners may contact Chrysler customer service at 1-800-853-1403.
NHTSA investigations
Post Recall Remedy Brake Transmission Shift Interlock (BTSI) Failure
The Office of Defects Investigation (ODI) has received 14 Vehicle Owner Questionnaire (VOQ) reports and 6 EWR Death & Injury (D&I) reports describing post recall remedy failures of the brake transmission shift interlock (BTSI) system in certain Model Year (MY) 2013-2018 RAM pickup trucks.The subject vehicle models include 1500, 2500, 3500, 4500, and 5500 trucks equipped with a column mounted shift lever.The failures…
2022 RAM Transmission Snap Ring Failure
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.
Frequently asked questions
Which Ram 3500 years have transmission problems?
By NHTSA complaints, the 2022 (114), 2014 (39), 2015 (32), 2017 (27) and 2018 (23) model years. Transmission complaints make up 60% of all complaints for the 2022.
Is there a recall for Ram 3500 transmission problems?
Yes — 6 recalls, including 24V-413 (manual transmission, Jun 6, 2024); 22V-835 (automatic transmission, Nov 10, 2022); 20V-043 (automatic transmission, Jan 24, 2020). Recall repairs are free at authorized dealers; check a specific car with the VIN recall check.
At what mileage do Ram 3500 transmission problems start?
Across all years, half of the complaints with a recorded mileage happened before about 24,000 miles; 70% happened before 50,000 miles.
What part fails most often?
Owners most often name the automatic transmission (12 mentions), followed by the driveline › differential unit (1).
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.