FaultScore

RAM 3500 transmission problems

333 of the 3,354 complaints filed about the RAM 3500 are about the transmission — 10% of everything owners reported. The worst model year for it is 2022.

333

Complaints

10%

Share of all complaints

10

Crashes

3

Fires

Transmission & Drivetrain complaints by model year

2009 3500 1 0.3%

Median failure at 8,000 miles

2013 3500 11 3.3%

Median failure at 10,750 miles

2014 3500 39 11.7%

Median failure at 30,000 miles

2015 3500 32 9.6%

Median failure at 25,750 miles

2016 3500 19 5.7%

Median failure at 15,399 miles

2017 3500 27 8.1%

Median failure at 15,300 miles

2018 3500 23 6.9%

Median failure at 1,000 miles

2019 3500 18 5.4%

Median failure at 13,150 miles

2020 3500 12 3.6%

Median failure at 112,500 miles

2021 3500 11 3.3%

Median failure at 62,000 miles

2022 3500 124 37.2%

Median failure at 16,000 miles

2023 3500 1 0.3%
2024 3500 6 1.8%
2025 3500 6 1.8%

Median failure at 9,000 miles

2026 3500 3 0.9%

Median failure at 458 miles

What owners said

2026 RAM 3500 Bronson, FL

POWER TRAIN

Started with only 320 miles just days after purchasing this new 2026 RAM 3500 on XXX. I have taken the truck to three differ RAM dealerships as this issue continues to occur. [XXX]; [XXX]; and [XXX] Westside all had attempted to fix the issue. I had to return the truck a number of times to [XXX] and [XXX] for the same reasons. The following warmings messages are displayed: FCW/Cruise Control Unavailable Service Required - occurs when using cruise control, Service Electronic Stability Control, Auto Emergency Braking (AEB) Unavailable Service Required, Park Sense Temporarily Unavailable, Service Antilock Brake System, 4WD System Temporarily Unavailable, and Service engine light comes on. Two RAM dealers are saying the issue is the speed sensor, which has been replaced over three times. The RAM dealership had to open an engineer ticket with the manufacture, but the issue is not fixed. The Jacksonville service manger told me I can keep bringing the truck in, but until a different manufacture makes a new speed sensor, the truck will continue to have the same issue. I use the RAM 3500 to pull my RV. Brake system failure put myself and family and others safety at risk while on the road, therefore, I do not drive the truck in fear the brake system will fail and I won't be able to stop 20,000 pounds of truck and RV. The truck is available for inspection, but I am currently in the process of returning the truck under Flordia's Lemon Law. INFORMATION REDACTED PURSUANT TO THE FREEDOM OF INFORMATION ACT (FOIA), 5 U.S.C. 552(B)(6)

NHTSA complaint #11754877 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.

2026 RAM 3500 Oakboro, NC

POWER TRAIN

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

NHTSA complaint #11754685 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.

2022 RAM 3500 West Hartford, CT

POWER TRAIN

Loss of transmission due to Aisin K1 Clutch / Input Shaft failure.

NHTSA complaint #11752725 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.

2022 RAM 3500 at 46,000 miles San Antonio, TX

POWER TRAIN

The contact owns a 2022 Ram 3500. The contact stated that while parking the vehicle, the contact unhooked the camper that was being towed and shifted the vehicle to drive(D) but the vehicle failed to move forward or backwards while in reverse(R). The contact associated the failure with NHTSA Action Number: PE24009 (Power Train). The vehicle was towed to the dealer and was diagnosed with transmission failure. The vehicle was repaired; however, the failure persisted. The manufacturer was made aware of the failure. The failure mileage was approximately 46,000.

NHTSA complaint #11752325 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.

2018 RAM 3500 Chehalis, WA

POWER TRAIN

Front axle disconnect failed at only 15,136 miles

NHTSA complaint #11743238 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.

2019 RAM 3500 West Wareham, MA

POWER TRAIN

While driving transmission just died would only go in reverse. lucky it happened at midnight so there was no traffic and was able to pull over safely. I drove truck home in reverse has I was only about 1000ft from house. Checked transmission fluid was burnt and all black. there was no warning signs check engine light came on just has it happened. I then ordered a aftermarket transmission and had it installed . When old transmission was sent back for core was told under drive and overdrive clutch packs are welded together. Was not brought to dealer because warranty was already up. didn't think to keep codes that populated when check engine light came on there was about six all seemed to do with shift solenoids. I am filling this out in case others have had same issue and maybe its a defect seems like low miles for this to have happened.

NHTSA complaint #11737771 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.

2016 RAM 3500 at 74,500 miles Newberg, OR

POWER TRAIN

The contact owns a 2016 RAM 3500. The contact stated that while her husband was driving on several occasions at various speeds, the vehicle lost power and did not accelerate as intended. The vehicle was not diagnosed or repaired. The contact stated that her husband hooked the vehicle up to a handheld diagnostic machine where codes: P003A, P006a, P0046 populated. The manufacturer was notified of the failure. The failure mileage was approximately 74,500.

NHTSA complaint #11736634 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.

2017 RAM 3500 Orchardpark, NY

POWER TRAIN

Grid heater bolt broke while towing our camper and destroyed our engine while traveling through Virginia!

NHTSA complaint #11732828 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.

2022 RAM 3500 Cultus Lake, BC Canada, WA

POWER TRAIN

While travelling in Southern California, I came to a stop to enter I8 on ramp. When I tried to start down the on ramp the truck didn’t want to move and a check engine light came on. The truck went into limp mode so would travel slowly along. I called Mango Auto who could diagnose it the following morning. I did not make it to the shop before the transmission failed completely and the truck wouldn’t move leaving me in traffic in a dangerous spot. Eventually I was towed to the shop in Yuma AZ. They diagnosed it as a complete transmission failure requiring a $10,000 replacement. FCA has issued an extended warranty, but my mileage is 16700 miles over. FCA has a technical bulletin on the issue with the Austin transmission, but has not but should have issued a recall. This failure To issue a recall left me stuck in a dangerous situation and could have resulted in a crash.

NHTSA complaint #11732046 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.

2022 RAM 3500 Flagstaff, AZ

POWER TRAIN

Vehicle lost drive via the transmission when it disengaged unexpectedly. Known issue that Stellantis classifies under "Customer Satisfaction Notice" instead of a recall. There are many examples of recalls issued by other manufacturers related to loss of drive via the transmission, so why is this being treated as a notice of inconvenience versus a safety issue? Issue is being addressed via a Technical Service Bulletin where units that fail are repaired after the fact versus proactively inspected and replaced.

NHTSA complaint #11730205 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.

2022 RAM 3500 Flagstaff, AZ

POWER TRAIN:AUTOMATIC TRANSMISSION

Vehicle lost drive via the transmission when it disengaged unexpectedly. Known issue that Stellantis classifies under "Customer Satisfaction Notice" instead of a recall. There are many examples of recalls issued by other manufacturers related to loss of drive via the transmission, so why is this being treated as a notice of inconvenience versus a safety issue? Issue is being addressed via a Technical Service Bulletin where units that fail are repaired after the fact versus proactively inspected and replaced.

NHTSA complaint #11730205 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.

2018 RAM 3500 Rock Hill, SC

POWER TRAIN

[XXX] - I have called the Dealer numerous times and even Stelatis for 2 years and I keep getting the SORRY there are no parts to fix your vehicle. PLEASE help me with this non stop run around. INFORMATION REDACTED PURSUANT TO THE FREEDOM OF INFORMATION ACT (FOIA), 5 U.S.C. 552(B)(6)

NHTSA complaint #11729825 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.

2018 RAM 3500 Lawrence, MI

POWER TRAIN

We have been waiting for almost two years for the traction control and ads break repair. When will something be done about this recall not being repaired?

NHTSA complaint #11725336 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.

2025 RAM 3500 at 9,000 miles Orlando, FL

POWER TRAIN

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. The manufacturer was not notified of the failure. The failure mileage was approximately 9,000.

NHTSA complaint #11724654 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.

2024 RAM 3500 Cedar Park, TX

POWER TRAIN

RAM 3500 truck was purchased in Ventura, CA and has experienced multiple electrical and drivetrain failures beginning shortly after purchase. In January 2025 while traveling in Oregon, the infotainment system repeatedly blacked out and the cruise control button stopped functioning. A dealership replaced the cruise control button, restoring cruise control, but the infotainment problem remained. When the vehicle was returned after the repair, a new defect appeared: the horn button no longer worked. Loss of the horn creates a safety risk because the driver cannot warn other vehicles or pedestrians. Around 20,000 miles during a routine service visit at the selling dealership in Ventura, we reported a driveline vibration. The dealership and the upfitter inspected the vehicle and observed tire cupping. They checked the tires for premature wear and recommended overinflating tires as a remedy. The vibration continued and worsened, the infotainment failures persisted. In October 2025 while driving in Wyoming, the vehicle experienced a major drivetrain failure involving the front differential and axle assembly and required towing. The truck was first towed to the Yeti dealership in Afton, Wyoming, which closed shortly after the vehicle arrived. The truck then had to be towed again to Yeti dealership in Jackson Hole. There, technicians diagnosed front differential and axle assembly as the primary failure and also observed premature wear on aftermarket shocks installed by the upfitter. Technicians indicated the differential assembly was not readily available and would require special order. The vehicle was later transferred to another dealership in Dodge City for repair, but the differential components were not immediately inspected or ordered, causing additional delay. The vehicle remains out of service awaiting drivetrain repair. Safety concerns include horn failure, repeated electrical malfunctions, and drivetrain failure while driving.

NHTSA complaint #11722137 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.

2018 RAM 3500 Wakarusa, IN

POWER TRAIN

No anti lock brakes which causes unsafe braking in acclimate weather which slid sideways as well as almost rear end vehicles ,also causes multiple functions to not work like exhaust brake and transmission issues !

NHTSA complaint #11721254 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.

2019 RAM 3500 Minerva, OH

POWER TRAIN

While entering the interstate highway and accelerating to merge into traffic the transmission would not shift properly and check engine light came with code p0871. I could not fully control the speed to keep up with traffic due to the erratic shifting of the transmission and was nearly rear ended by another vehicle also merging into traffic. This could have caused a multi vehicle accident at highway speed of 65 MPH. The p0871 code is transmission fluid pressure sensor / switch c circuit range/performance. There have been previous recalls with this transmission for the same problem but my vin was not listed. Transmission would not shift properly until code is reset with scan tool.

NHTSA complaint #11720125 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.

2020 RAM 3500 at 150,000 miles Apache Junction, AZ Crash

POWER TRAIN:AUTOMATIC TRANSMISSION:INTERNAL:GEARS

The contact owns a 2020 Ram 3500. The contact stated that while the vehicle was parked and the engine was turned off, the gear shifter shifted into the drive position when the contact's minor [XXX] child entered the vehicle to retrieve an item using the steering wheel and gear shifter to enter, causing the vehicle to roll down a hill and collide with a tree. The impact resulted in significant damage to the passenger side door, bumper, and truck bed. Although a child was inside the vehicle at the time of the incident, no injuries were reported following the collision. No air bags deployed. The vehicle was towed to a dealer where it had notyet been inspected. The vehicle was not repaired. The manufacturer was notified of the failure. The failure mileage was 150,000. INFORMATION REDACTED PURSUANT TO THE FREEDOM OF INFORMATION ACT (FOIA), 5 U.S.C. 552(B)(6)

NHTSA complaint #11718937 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.

2020 RAM 3500 at 75,000 miles Apache Junction, AZ

POWER TRAIN

The contact owns a 2020 Ram 3500. The contact stated that while the vehicle was parked and turned off, the gear shifter shifted into drive independently, causing the vehicle to roll away. The vehicle stopped before crashing. The vehicle was taken to a dealer; however, the vehicle was not repaired. The manufacturer was notified of the failure. The failure mileage was 75,000.

NHTSA complaint #11718941 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.

2024 RAM 3500 Elm Springs, AR

POWER TRAIN

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. They then sent me a quote stating a bunch of things that’s already been done to the vehicle outside of their service center, as well as the part they told me was where they had started to diagnose the issue and it didn’t work, all of which are not covered under the current warranties of the vehicle and basically the way I understood it that I would have to keep buying parts and replacing things out of pocket until the drivetrain issues were resolved.

NHTSA complaint #11715041 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.

Other RAM 3500 problems