Ram 1500 transmission and drivetrain problems, 2016–2027
927 of the 7,221 complaints owners filed with NHTSA about the Ram 1500 2016–2027 name the transmission and drivetrain (NHTSA’s “Power Train” heading — the transmission, transfer case, driveshafts, axles and differentials — NHTSA files them under one heading). The loudest years: 2019 (207), 2016 (202), 2022 (101). Filed under the same heading across these years: 3 manufacturer bulletins, 11 recall campaigns, 2 NHTSA investigations. Every figure is a linked federal record; none is a failure rate, none a repair cost, and none a verdict on one car.
Ram 1500 transmission and drivetrain problems by model year
Source: NHTSA complaints, recalls, investigations and manufacturer communicationsOne row per model year on file, newest first. A year marked in depth has its own page: the complaints, the owners’ words and every document under this heading for that year.
| Model year | Complaints naming the transmission and drivetrain | Share of the year’s | Typically at | On file under the heading | |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2027 | 0 | — | — | — | the year → |
| 2026 | 9 | 9% | — | 23 TSBs | the year → |
| 2025 | 48 | 13% | — | 51 TSBs | the year → |
| 2024 | 14 | 19% | — | 29 TSBs | the year → |
| 2023 | 28 | 14% | — | 75 TSBs · 1 recall | the year → |
| 2022 in depth | 101 | 16% | — | 107 TSBs | the record → |
| 2021 in depth | 99 | 15% | 28k | 149 TSBs · 1 recall | the record → |
| 2020 in depth | 62 | 10% | 22k | 118 TSBs | the record → |
| 2019 in depth | 207 | 14% | 15k | 88 TSBs · 3 recalls | the record → |
| 2018 in depth | 59 | 9% | 25k | 4 recalls · 1 investigation | the record → |
| 2017 in depth | 98 | 11% | 21k | 3 recalls · 2 investigations | the record → |
| 2016 in depth | 202 | 13% | 32k | 72 TSBs · 4 recalls · 2 investigations | the record → |
Two things the counts carry that are not the car: how many of each year were sold, and how long each has been on the road — an older year out-counts a newer one before anything is wrong with it. The share column is the honest comparison across years: what part of that year’s complaints named the transmission and drivetrain. Nothing here is a rate.
When the transmission and drivetrain complaints were filed, and at what mileage
Source: NHTSA complaint databaseFiled per calendar year, every model year together: 2016: 20 · 2017: 41 · 2018: 45 · 2019: 105 · 2020: 67 · 2021: 62 · 2022: 82 · 2023: 98 · 2024: 124 · 2025: 160 · 2026: 123
Across the model years, half of the 362 owners who gave an odometer reading reported the transmission and drivetrain problem between 6,000 and 54,000 miles. A median of reports, not the life of a part.
In owners’ own words
Source: NHTSA complaint databaseFiled with NHTSA by the people who own these cars, about the transmission and drivetrain, from the model years with the most to say. Quoted as written, with anything identifying removed; unverified reports — what was said, not a finding that it was true.
The transmission failed while I was driving. The vehicle coasted to a stop and became immobile. I could not get the transmission to shift into neutral and I was left in an unsafe situation as my vehicle was blocking the road. The police and others arrived but nobody could move the truck until the tow truck arrived
Park to drive shifting problem. Transmission and indicators go to from park to drive, however vehicle does not move. To rectify the problem you must place the vehicle in reverse, than into drive. If you hit gas when it is stuck vehicle does not move, then will lunge forward aat an unsafe speed.
It seems that my truck rolled down the drive way when it was parked and the rotary shifter was in "p" position. I parked it saturday night (12/17/2016) and found it sunday morning against the garage. The truck rolled against the garage door post. The rear bumper and the tailgate of the truck are damaged as well as the siding of the garage
On dec 5th 2016 I was backing out of my driveway and forgot the trash can was behind the truck got out my 2016 dodge Ram that has 4700 miles to move the trash can from behind my truck. Thought I had it in park and it rolled forward into the garage door. Before it pushed completely in to touch the other car I got the truck stopped.
My vehicle is equipped with a dial for gear shifting. While stopped at a light I was adjusting the radio. As I took my foot off the brake but before I placed it on the accelerator I was also moving my hand from the radio controls back to the steering wheel.
What is on file about the transmission and drivetrain, across the years
Source: NHTSA recalls, investigations and manufacturer communicationsRecall campaigns filed under this heading, any model year
- 24V413000 HighJun 6, 2024 · 214 vehicles
- 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.
- 23V265000 HighApr 13, 2023 · 131,700 vehicles
- Chrysler (FCA US, LLC) is recalling certain 2021 Ram 1500 vehicles equipped with 5.7L eTorque engines. The powertrain control module software may cause an incorrect fuel mixture condition in the engine, and result in an engine stall.
- 20V080000 HighFeb 13, 2020 · 11 vehicles
- Chrysler (FCA US LLC) is recalling certain 2019 Ram 1500 pickup trucks equipped with four-wheel drive. A gear within the transfer case may not have been installed correctly, possibly causing the vehicle to become stuck in neutral. If this occurs while driving, there could be a sudden loss of power. Additionally, a loss of 'PARK' function may occur.
- 19V324000 HighApr 25, 2019 · 10,160 vehicles
- Chrysler (FCA US LLC) is recalling certain 2018-2019 Ram 1500 pickup trucks. The rear driveshaft may have an incomplete weld fusion between the tube and tube yoke, which may lead to weld cracking or the driveshaft fracturing.
- 18V556000 HighAug 23, 2018 · 4,171 vehicles
- Chrysler (FCA US LLC) is recalling certain 2018-2019 RAM 1500 trucks. The rear differential may have been insufficiently filled, possibly resulting in its failure.
- 18V280000 HighMay 1, 2018 · 71 vehicles
- Chrysler (FCA US LLC) is recalling certain 2018 Dodge Charger, Durango and Challenger, Jeep Grand Cherokee and Wrangler, Chrysler 300, and RAM 1500 vehicles. An incorrect transmission park lock rod may have been installed in the transmission.
- 18V100000 HighFeb 8, 2018 · 180,462 vehicles
- 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 stick in the open position. With the pin in the open position, the transmission can be shifted out of PARK into any gear without pushing the brake pedal or having the key in the ignition.
- 17V821000 HighDec 20, 2017 · 1,482,874 vehicles
- 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. 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 stick in the open position. With the pin in the open position, the transmission can be shifted out of PARK into any gear without pushing the brake pedal or having the key in the ignition.
The 8 newest of 11; each model year’s page lists its own.
NHTSA investigations
- RQ25003 Post Recall Remedy Brake Transmission Shift Interlock (BTSI) Failureopened Jul 3, 2025 · open
- 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 shif…
- PE16014 Vehicle Rollawayopened Dec 16, 2016 · closed Jan 25, 2024
- Basis – On December 16, 2016, the Office of Defects Investigation (ODI) opened Preliminary Evaluation PE16-014 to investigate 43 vehicle rollaway incidents with operators alleging they had shifted to Park and then exited the vehicle prior to the rollway incidents. These complaints involved multiple Fiat Chrysler Automobiles (FCA) model and model year vehicles that share a common electronic rotary…
3 manufacturer bulletins filed under this heading, any model year
- Sep 25, 2026
- Transmission Rattle Customers may comment on the following: SYMPTOM: ● Rattle noise coming from the transmission. This bulletin involves inspecting and possibly tightening the transmission oil heater mounting nuts to proper specification.
- Jul 9, 2026
- Flash: Transmission Control Module (TCM) Updates Customers may comment on one or more of the following: SYMPTOM: ● **Harsh or slipping feeling during upshifts (1st - 5th). ● Harsh or slipping feeling during kickdown events under throttle. ● Transmission fluid odor (burnt smell).** ● During a 2 - 3 transmission upshift, the engine is hitting rev limit. ● Hesitation feel during a pedal tip in, while
- Mar 9, 2026
- The vehicle will exhibit a service transmission/check engine warning indicator for the following transmission models: 845RE, 8HP45, 850RE, 8HP50, 8HP70, 8HP75, 8HP75-PHEV, 8HP75-LCV, 8HP90, 8HP95. Transmissions may exhibit the following diagnostic codes: P07E4, P1DB2, P0716, P1B14, P0733, P1D90, P1DB7, P1B13.
Every one filed under the heading is listed. Quote the document number at a service desk — it is a diagnosis the maker has already written down.
Other systems with a record on the Ram 1500
Source: the same filesCommon questions
Source: NHTSA complaint database, recalls and manufacturer communicationsWhich Ram 1500 years have the most transmission and drivetrain complaints?
2019, 207; 2016, 202; 2022, 101. Raw counts, and an older year has had longer to collect them; by share of each year's own complaints the loudest is the 2024 (19%).
Is there a recall for the transmission and drivetrain on the Ram 1500?
Yes — 11 campaigns are filed under this heading across these model years: 24V413000 (2023), 23V265000 (2021), 20V080000 (2019), 19V324000 (2019). A recall is matched by VIN, and applies to specific years; check yours at nhtsa.gov/recalls.
When do transmission and drivetrain problems show up on the Ram 1500?
Owners who gave an odometer reading reported it at a median of 22,000 miles across the model years; half of them between 6,000 and 54,000. That is when reports cluster, not the life of a part.
What does NHTSA's "Power Train" heading cover?
The transmission, transfer case, driveshafts, axles and differentials — NHTSA files them under one heading. Owners choose the heading when they file, so it says which area of the vehicle the complaint is about, not which part failed.