FaultScore

Dodge RAM 2500 transmission problems

686 of the 8,415 complaints filed about the Dodge RAM 2500 are about the transmission — 8% of everything owners reported. The worst model year for it is 2004.

686

Complaints

8%

Share of all complaints

89

Crashes

12

Fires

Transmission & Drivetrain complaints by model year

1991 RAM 2500 1 0.1%
1992 RAM 2500 4 0.6%
1993 RAM 2500 6 0.9%

Median failure at 122,021 miles

1994 RAM 2500 24 3.5%

Median failure at 225,000 miles

1995 RAM 2500 49 7.1%

Median failure at 160,000 miles

1996 RAM 2500 46 6.7%

Median failure at 105,000 miles

1997 RAM 2500 36 5.2%

Median failure at 97,420 miles

1998 RAM 2500 33 4.8%

Median failure at 95,105 miles

1999 RAM 2500 38 5.5%

Median failure at 54,032 miles

2000 RAM 2500 16 2.3%

Median failure at 50,520 miles

2001 RAM 2500 30 4.4%

Median failure at 69,500 miles

2002 RAM 2500 21 3.1%

Median failure at 58,677 miles

2003 RAM 2500 56 8.2%

Median failure at 12,000 miles

2004 RAM 2500 115 16.8%

Median failure at 25,450 miles

2005 RAM 2500 63 9.2%

Median failure at 25,000 miles

2006 RAM 2500 37 5.4%

Median failure at 80,000 miles

2007 RAM 2500 17 2.5%

Median failure at 64,621 miles

2008 RAM 2500 20 2.9%

Median failure at 79,000 miles

2009 RAM 2500 7 1.0%

Median failure at 10,000 miles

2010 RAM 2500 14 2.0%

Median failure at 119,000 miles

2011 RAM 2500 16 2.3%

Median failure at 44,761 miles

2012 RAM 2500 37 5.4%

Median failure at 43,744 miles

What owners said

2007 Dodge RAM 2500 at 59,242 miles Sherwood, OR

POWER TRAIN

The contact owns a 2007 Dodge Ram 2500. The contact stated that it was difficult to shift the gear shifter out of park(P). The vehicle was taken to a dealer, where it was discovered that the vehicle could be shifted out of park(P) without depressing the brake pedal. The contact was informed that the brake transmission shift interlock (BTSI) had failed. The contact researched the failure and stated that millions of similar vehicles were included in a recall for the BTSI; however, the year and VIN were not included in the recall. The vehicle was not repaired. The manufacturer was notified of the failure and referred the contact to the NHTSA Hotline to report the failure. The failure mileage was 59,242.

NHTSA complaint #11731481 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.

2006 Dodge RAM 2500 Holton, KS

POWER TRAIN

The pickup has had issue with being very difficult to come out of park. Upon searching internet is seems this is very common and expensive to fix being one of two (or both) things. The shift cable linkage and bushings premature wear, or the valve body release allowing the shifter to be removed from park. Either way concern is this will fail causing inability to shift safely into park and prevent an accident. Extremely unsafe. I have been advised this was already corrected by qualified dealer, but no change. Vehicle has just under 93,000 miles on it and only highway

NHTSA complaint #11645264 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.

2011 Dodge RAM 2500 Sterling, OH

POWER TRAIN

Warped head / blown head gasket

NHTSA complaint #11611894 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.

2012 Dodge RAM 2500 Silver Bay, MN Crash

POWER TRAIN

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.

NHTSA complaint #11596979 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.

2012 Dodge RAM 2500 at 220,000 miles York, PA

POWER TRAIN

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.

NHTSA complaint #11545591 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.

2006 Dodge RAM 2500 at 223,800 miles Great Bend, KS

POWER TRAIN

The contact owns a 2006 Dodge Ram 2500. The contact stated that the transfer case was making abnormal shifting sounds while the vehicle was parked. The contact stated that the transfer case was replaced; however, the failure persisted. Additionally, the contact stated that the vehicle was parked while he was working in the garage. The contact stated that he heard a clicking sound coming from the engine, and the vehicle started rolling backwards towards the street. The contact stated that he immediately entered the vehicle and engaged the electronic parking brake, and the vehicle stopped. The contact also stated that the vehicle hesitated to shift into the proper gear while driving. The dealer was notified of the failure and informed the contact that the VIN was not included in TSB Number: 18-091-22. The vehicle was taken to an independent mechanic, where the computer was flashed; however, the failure persisted. The vehicle was not repaired. The manufacturer was notified of the failure and contacted the dealer; however, no assistance was provided. The failure mileage was approximately 223,800.

NHTSA complaint #11540100 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.

2005 Dodge RAM 2500 at 55,000 miles Bailey, CO

POWER TRAIN

The contact owns a 2005 Dodge Ram 2500. The contact stated that after starting the vehicle, the gear shifter was shifted to the selected gear, but the vehicle would not move. Additionally, the vehicle made an abnormal sound. The vehicle was not diagnosed nor repaired by an independent mechanic or dealer. The manufacturer was not made aware of the failure. The failure mileage was approximately 55,000.

NHTSA complaint #11454555 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.

2007 Dodge RAM 2500 Bradenton, FL

POWER TRAIN

Engine died and would not start... while driving in traffic causing a near crash and blocking traffic..Problem confirmed to be the ECM, and confirmed to be faulty by Dodge Dealer and the Cummings repair factory and not repairable..did not see or hear any warning..

NHTSA complaint #11442895 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.

2003 Dodge RAM 2500 Tilly, AR

POWER TRAIN

I was driving on I55 this morning and all of a sudden my truck started vibrating really bad, the steering wheel was veering, I had to constantly fight to keep in my lane. And when I touched my brakes it veered. Riding really rough, and has power loss. I took it to the nearest shop and they said my driveshaft was very loose, and that it is affecting everything that I described. The center driveshaft support bearing is also failing.

NHTSA complaint #11419423 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.

2006 Dodge RAM 2500 at 230,000 miles Bluffton, OH

POWER TRAIN

I WAS DRIVING ON I-75 @70MPH, A LOUD BANG HAPPENED, TRUCK SHUT OFF, I GUIDED IT OFF THE ROAD. I HAD WIRES HANGING I LOOKED FURTHER AND SEEN THE FRONT DRIVE SHAFT BLEW APART. MY MECHANIC SAID IT HAD LOCKED UP. THE TRANSFER CASE, TRANSMISSION, FLOOR BOARD OF THE TRUCK WAS ALSO ALL DAMAGED. ALSO SAID I WAS LUCKY THAT THE TRUCK DID NOT CAUSE A SERIOUS ACCIDENT. THIS TRUCK IS A 2006 DODGE RAM 2500 HD. WELL TAKEN CARE OF. NO GIVEN REASON WHY THIS HAPPENED. MY MECHANIC SAID HE HAS SEEN THIS MANY TIMES IN THE DODGE TRUCKS THAT THE FRONT DRIVE SHAFT BLOWS APART. TOTAL DAMAGES WILL BE THE COST OF $8,000-$10,000

NHTSA complaint #11416027 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.

2011 Dodge RAM 2500 at 325,000 miles Rush Springs, OK Fire

POWER TRAIN

TRANSFER CASE EXPLODED WHILE DRIVING DOWN THE ROAD

NHTSA complaint #11414470 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.

2005 Dodge RAM 2500 at 50,000 miles Butner, NC

POWER TRAIN

ENGINES NEEDING CAM SHAFTS LIFTERS TIMING CHAINS THEY OVER HEAT ELECTRIC FANS NOT WORKING BATTERIES EXPLODE TRANSMISSIONS STOP SHIFTING BAD VALVE BODIES BAD ELECTRICAL PARTS THESE TRUCKS ARE DRIVEN AROUND ONE LOCATION AT 35 MPH OR LESS 24-7 AND PARKED FOR LONG TIMES AT IDLE. NO CITY OR HWY DRIVING 4 DIFFERENT TRUCKS AT DEALERSHIPS SINCE 9/16/2020 STILL NOT REPAIRED

NHTSA complaint #11394625 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.

2003 Dodge RAM 2500 at 135,000 miles Sicklerville, NJ

POWER TRAIN

ON A 35MPH STREET, TRUCK SUDDENLY BUCKING AS IF IT WAS GOING TO STALL, AND THE RPM'S WERE ERRATIC. I PUT IT IN N PULLED OVER AND SHUT IT OFF. IT RESTARTED WITH NO ISSUES. I DROVE ABOUT 9 MILES, PULLED INTO MY DRIVEWAY AND WAS COASTING UP IT, WHEN SUDDENLY THE TRUCK ACCELERATED. I DEPRESSED THE BRAKE, NOTHING. I SLAMMED IT IN PARK AND SHUT IT OFF. IT HAPPENED A FEW TIMES WHILE IDLING, OR MOVING AT A SLOW RATE. I WAS STOPPED AT A LIGHT WHEN IT SUDDENLY ACCELERATED INTO A 50MPH, 4 LANE MAIN THOROUGHFARE. I STEPPED ON PARKING BRAKE, TURNED IT OFF AND THANKED GOD THAT I WAS UNHARMED. I STARTED BACK UP, PUT IT IN D, DEPRESSED THE GAS PEDAL (LIGHT TURNED GREEN) AND IT WOULD NOT ACCELERATE. I TOOK MY FOOT OFF THE GAS, THEN IT BUCKED A FEW TIMES AND ACCELERATED ON IT'S OWN. I DEPRESSED THE BRAKE PEDAL, BUT IT KEPT REVVING UP AND ACCELERATING. AGAIN, I DEPRESSED THE EMERGENCY BRAKE AND SHUT IT OFF. IT JUST HAPPENED AGAIN AS I WAS COMING UP MY SUBURBAN 35MPH STREET. I GOT TO APPROXIMATELY 20MPH WHEN IT WOULDN'T ACCELERATE FURTHER. I BUCKED AND CHOKED, RPM'S JUMPING UP AND DOWN THE LAST 100 YARDS. I TURNED INTO MY DRIVEWAY AT AN IDLING RATE AND IT TOOK OFF LIKE A SHOT. I PRESSED THE BRAKE AND IT STILL KEPT ACCELERATING. IF I HADN'T TURNED THE WHEEL, I WOULD HAVE DRIVEN THROUGH MY GARAGE. THIS IS NOT AN ISOLATED INCIDENT. I SUFFER FROM IDIOPATHIC CARDIOMYOPATHY AND CKD, THESE INCIDENTS HAVE CAUSED ME TO BE UNABLE TO BREATHE AS MY HEART WAS BEATING SO FAST. THIS MUST BE ADDRESSED IMMEDIATELY!

NHTSA complaint #11390758 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.

2012 Dodge RAM 2500 at 240,000 miles Newburyport, MA

POWER TRAIN

MY WIFE AND I WERE GOING DOWN THE HIGHWAY AT 75 MPH WHEN THERE WAS A SUDDEN VIBRATION THEN A LOUD BANG, AND THERE WAS SOMETHING HITTING UNDERNEATH THE FLOOR. I WAS ABLE TO GET IN THE BREAKDOWN LANE. I LOOKED UNDERNEATH THE TRUCK AND THE FRONT DRIVE SHAFT WAS MISSING AND MOST OF THE TRANSFER CASE. I WENT BACK AND CLEANED ALL THE STUFF OFF THE ROAD. ALSO AFTER FURTHER EXAMINATION THERE WAS A LARGE HOLE IN THE TRANSMISSION HOUSING FROM THE FRONT DRIVE SHAFT HITTING IT AND THE BRAKE LINES AND OTHER LINES AND HOSES IN THE VICINITY WERE DESTROYED.THE INS CO. WOULD NOT COVER IT AND THE REPAIR BILL WAS IN EXCESS OF 10,000.

NHTSA complaint #11361099 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.

2005 Dodge RAM 2500 at 203,300 miles Kooskia, ID Crash

POWER TRAIN

THE TRUCK WITH ATTACHED TRAILER WAS PARKED ON AN INCLINED DRIVEWAY. THE TRUCK WAS PLACED IN PARK AND THE KEY WAS REMOVED FROM THE IGNITION. I PROCEEDED TO LOAD A COMPACT TRACTOR APPROXIMATELY 2500 LBS. THE TRUCK STARTED TO ROLL DOWN THE HILL AND CRASHED THRU A FENCE DOING EXTENSIVE DAMAGE TO THE TRUCK. I DID NOT TRY TO START THE TRUCK AND WAITED FOR MECHANIC TO ASSESS ANY MECHANICAL DAMAGE. THE MECHANIC CAME TO MY PLACE AND WHEN HE GOT IN THE TRUCK THE TRANSMISSION INDICATED THAT IT WAS STILL IN PARK. DODGE TOLD ME THAT THERE WAS NO RECALL ON THIS TYPE VEHICLE WITH THE TRANSMISSION NOT HOLDING. THE REPRESENTATIVE TOLD ME THAT THERE HAD BEEN SIMILAR PROBLEMS WITH GAS POWERED ENGINES BUT NOT THE DIESEL. I WOULD LIKE TO KNOW IF THIS CAN BE EVALUATED FOR RECALL. NO ONE GOT HURT IN THIS INSTANCE BUT CAUSED EXTENSIVE DAMAGE TO THE TRUCK MECHANICALLY AND COSMETICALLY.

NHTSA complaint #11355102 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.

2006 Dodge RAM 2500 at 259,928 miles Louisville, KY

POWER TRAIN

COLUMN SHIFTER LEVER HAD BEEN DIFFICULT TO MOVE FOR MONTHS FROM P (PARK) TO ANY OTHER GEAR (R, D, 1-2-3). THE SHIFTING MECHANISM BROKE TODAY AFTER I STARTED THE ENGINE (TRUCK HAD BEEN PARKED OVERNIGHT IN MY HOME'S DRIVEWAY) WHEN I TRIED TO MOVE THE SHIFTER FROM PARK TO REVERSE TO EXIT THE DRIVEWAY AND DRIVE VEHICLE ELSEWHERE. SHIFTER WILL NOT ENGAGE TRANSMISSION INTO ANY GEAR NOW; TRUCK IS NOT DRIVABLE. REQUIRED AN OVERSIZE ROLLBACK TOW TRUCK TO COME GET IT AND TAKE IT TO A REPAIR SHOP SINCE MY PICKUP HAS A LONG BED.

NHTSA complaint #11296823 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.

2011 Dodge RAM 2500 at 68,000 miles Clinton, UT

POWER TRAIN

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. *DT

NHTSA complaint #11280379 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.

2010 Dodge RAM 2500 Roseburg, OR

POWER TRAIN

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2010 RAM 2500. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE VEHICLE STALLED A COUPLE OF TIMES WHILE HER FATHER WAS DRIVING. THE VEHICLE STALLED AND SHUT DOWN WITHOUT WARNING. WHEN THE DRIVER ATTEMPTED TO PULL INTO THE DRIVEWAY, THE VEHICLE SHUT DOWN. WHEN THE VEHICLE WAS RESTARTED, IT IMMEDIATELY SHUT DOWN. THE DRIVER HELD THE IGNITION KEY IN THE ON POSITION TO KEEP THE ENGINE RUNNING, BUT THE ENGINE SHUT OFF. THE CONTACT CALLED LITHIA CHRYSLER JEEP DODGE OF ROSEBURG AT 541-378-4945 (LOCATED AT 1600 NE AIRPORT RD, ROSEBURG, OR 97470), BUT WAS UNABLE TO REACH SOMEONE. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOT MADE AWARE OF THE FAILURE. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT REPAIRED. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS NOT PROVIDED.

NHTSA complaint #11256945 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.

2010 Dodge RAM 2500 at 30,055 miles Claysville, PA

POWER TRAIN

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2010 RAM 2500. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE TRANSMISSION MALFUNCTIONED AND FRACTURED WHILE DRIVING 70 MPH. THE CONTACT WAS ABLE TO COAST THE VEHICLE TO THE SIDE OF THE HIGHWAY. THE VEHICLE WAS TOWED BACK TO THE CONTACT'S HOUSE. RON LEWIS CHRYSLER DODGE JEEP RAM WAYNESBURG (1625 E HIGH ST, WAYNESBURG, PA 15370) WAS CONTACTED AND INFORMED THE CONTACT TO BRING THE VEHICLE IN FOR AN INITIAL DIAGNOSTIC AT THE COST OF $121. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOT CONTACTED. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 30,055. THE VIN WAS INVALID. *BF

NHTSA complaint #11244916 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.

2003 Dodge RAM 2500 Sulphur, LA

POWER TRAIN

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2003 DODGE RAM 2500. THE CONTACT RECEIVED NOTIFICATION OF NHTSA CAMPAIGN NUMBER: 05V462000 (POWER TRAIN). THE CONTACT CALLED MARK DODGE AT 337-474-2640 (LOCATED AT 3777 GERSTNER MEMORIAL BLVD, LAKE CHARLES, LA) AND WAS INFORMED THAT THE PARTS WERE NOT AVAILABLE. THE MANUFACTURER WAS MADE AWARE OF THE ISSUE AND WAS NOT ABLE TO CONFIRM WHEN THE PARTS WERE TO BECOME AVAILABLE. THE CONTACT HAD NOT EXPERIENCED A FAILURE. PARTS DISTRIBUTION DISCONNECT.

NHTSA complaint #11232010 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.

Other Dodge RAM 2500 problems