⌘K
Find a vehicleRecallsCompareNewsPricing
Look one up
VIN decoderTrouble codesProblems by systemService bulletinsInvestigations
Browse the record
GuidesRankingsAll makesDriver-assist crashesWhat is in the dataWarranty extensions
Tools & data
Recall WatchFleet VIN checkRecall disclosure formCar crosswordCost calculatorsTitle brandsAPI & data
Account
Sign inGarage
Home›Ram›Ram 2500› transmission and drivetrain problems
Owner complaints · Power Train · every model year

Ram 2500 transmission and drivetrain problems, 2016–2026

329 of the 4,388 complaints owners filed with NHTSA about the Ram 2500 2016–2026 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: 2018 (75), 2016 (64), 2022 (50). Filed under the same heading across these years: 1 manufacturer bulletin, 7 recall campaigns, 1 NHTSA investigation. Every figure is a linked federal record; none is a failure rate, none a repair cost, and none a verdict on one car.

329 complaints, 11 model years 7% of everything filed about the 2500 typically at 24k miles

Ram 2500 transmission and drivetrain problems by model year

Source: NHTSA complaints, recalls, investigations and manufacturer communications

One 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 yearComplaints naming the transmission and drivetrainShare of the year’sTypically atOn file under the heading
2026312%—21 TSBs · 1 recallthe year →
2025711%—24 TSBs · 2 recallsthe year →
2024712%—35 TSBs · 1 recallthe year →
2023612%—30 TSBs · 3 recallsthe year →
2022 in depth5028%—1 recallthe record →
20212523%—1 recallthe year →
20202012%—69 TSBs · 2 recallsthe year →
20192915%—68 TSBs · 1 recallthe year →
2018 in depth753%30k36 TSBs · 1 recall · 1 investigationthe record →
2017436%55k35 TSBs · 2 recalls · 1 investigationthe year →
2016 in depth6425%26k67 TSBs · 1 recall · 1 investigationthe 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.

Advertisement

When the transmission and drivetrain complaints were filed, and at what mileage

Source: NHTSA complaint database
329complaints name the transmission and drivetrain, all years

Filed per calendar year, every model year together: 2016: 4 · 2017: 12 · 2018: 25 · 2019: 17 · 2020: 32 · 2021: 15 · 2022: 24 · 2023: 72 · 2024: 39 · 2025: 42 · 2026: 47

24kmiles, typically

Across the model years, half of the 109 owners who gave an odometer reading reported the transmission and drivetrain problem between 8,000 and 62,000 miles. A median of reports, not the life of a part.

In owners’ own words

Source: NHTSA complaint database

Filed 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 contact called inquiring about a Law Enforcement vehicle (2018 RAM 2500). November 2020, vehicle shut down while traveling up a road. “Lost all PCM communication.” Instrument cluster was on, but vehicle would not start, multiple warning lights were illuminated. The vehicle was not drivable.
Power Train Nov 2, 2021 NHTSA owner report
The contact owns a 2018 Ram 2500. The contact stated that the vehicle was repaired at the dealer under NHTSA Campaign Number: 20V036000 (Power Train) however, the failure occurred after the recall was repaired. The transmission shifter would not shift to drive after the vehicle was parked.
Power Train at 30,000 miles Oct 25, 2021 NHTSA owner report
The contact owns a 2016 Ram 2500. While parked at home, the vehicle independently rolled away while engaged in park. The contact received notification of NHTSA campaign number: 17v821000 (power train); however, the parts to do the repair were unavailable.
Power Train at 30,000 miles Apr 6, 2018 NHTSA owner report
The contact owns a 2016 Ram 2500. The contact received notification of NHTSA campaign number: 17v562000 (engine and engine cooling); however, the parts to do the repair were unavailable.
Power Train Feb 7, 2018 NHTSA owner report
The transmission feels like it is shifting hard. When you come to a stop and it downshifts from 2nd to 1st sometimes it transfers all the power into 1st gear hard and makes the truck lunge forward as you almost come to a stop. You have to keep your foot firmly planted on the brake as you never know when it’s going to happen.
Power Train Apr 25, 2023 NHTSA owner report

What is on file about the transmission and drivetrain, across the years

Source: NHTSA recalls, investigations and manufacturer communications

Recall campaigns filed under this heading, any model year

NHTSA investigation

1 manufacturer bulletin filed under this heading, any model year

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 2500

Source: the same files

Every system, every model year: Ram 2500 problems by year →

From here
Every 2027 model on file, by price Compare two vehicles, trim vs trim See what a VIN was priced at See what owners reported

Common questions

Source: NHTSA complaint database, recalls and manufacturer communications

Which Ram 2500 years have the most transmission and drivetrain complaints?

2018, 75; 2016, 64; 2022, 50. Raw counts, and an older year has had longer to collect them; by share of each year's own complaints the loudest is the 2022 (28%).

Is there a recall for the transmission and drivetrain on the Ram 2500?

Yes — 7 campaigns are filed under this heading across these model years: 26V288000 (2026), 25V297000 (2025), 24V413000 (2023), 22V835000 (2023). 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 2500?

Owners who gave an odometer reading reported it at a median of 24,000 miles across the model years; half of them between 8,000 and 62,000. 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.