Ram 3500 transmission and drivetrain problems, 2016–2026
252 of the 1,885 complaints owners filed with NHTSA about the Ram 3500 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: 2022 (124), 2017 (27), 2018 (23). Filed under the same heading across these years: 1 manufacturer bulletin, 7 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 3500 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 | |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2026 | 4 | 15% | — | 25 TSBs | the year → |
| 2025 | 7 | 17% | — | 30 TSBs · 1 recall | the year → |
| 2024 | 6 | 14% | — | 36 TSBs | the year → |
| 2023 | 0 | — | — | 41 TSBs · 1 recall | the year → |
| 2022 in depth | 124 | 65% | 16k | 56 TSBs · 1 recall · 1 investigation | the record → |
| 2021 | 11 | 18% | — | 63 TSBs · 1 recall | the year → |
| 2020 | 13 | 11% | — | 110 TSBs · 2 recalls | the year → |
| 2019 | 18 | 13% | — | 105 TSBs · 1 recall | the year → |
| 2018 | 23 | 3% | — | 38 TSBs · 1 recall · 1 investigation | the year → |
| 2017 | 27 | 9% | — | 38 TSBs · 2 recalls · 1 investigation | the year → |
| 2016 | 19 | 14% | — | 92 TSBs · 2 recalls · 1 investigation | the year → |
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: 3 · 2017: 9 · 2018: 13 · 2019: 7 · 2020: 17 · 2021: 9 · 2022: 13 · 2023: 92 · 2024: 44 · 2025: 15 · 2026: 30
Across the model years, half of the 52 owners who gave an odometer reading reported the transmission and drivetrain problem between 4,000 and 46,000 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.
While traveling approximately 15 miles per hour transmission locked-up in the middle of the road and would not move. Dash lit-up with check engine lights. Truck was towed to dealership where it was determined that a new transmission was needed and ordered. As of today, the truck has been at the dealership for repair for just under 40 days
Backed out of a parking spot onto a busy road, put the truck in drive and nothing. Transmission failure. ME and my daughter were stuck in the middle of the road and truck would only go in reverse. Had to reverse a u-turn in middle of road and back into parking spot.
There are two outstanding recalls on the vehicle; vb2, engine cooling fan & w00 shifter cable. I have been talking to dealers & fca about getting the vehicle fixed since august & AM told that the parts are not available.
The contact owns a 2017 Ram 3500. The contact received notification of NHTSA campaign number: 20v036000 (power train) however, the part to do the recall repair was not yet available. The contact stated that the manufacturer had exceeded a reasonable amount of time for the recall repair.
vehicle intermittently sets check engine light for code p0871 and causes truck to go into a limp mode and a 4th gear start only. I have notice online this issue going on for years on Ram trucks with no recall. The light will go off and store code but dealers will not address if light is not on.
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
- 25V297000 HighMay 8, 2025 · 778 vehicles
- Chrysler (FCA US, LLC) is recalling certain Ram 2500 and Ram 3500 vehicles equipped with a 3.5" cluster and column shifter. A software error may cause the gear selection display to be inaccurate. As such, these vehicles fail to comply with the requirements of Federal Motor Vehicle Safety Standard number 101, "Control and Displays."
- 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.
- 22V835000 CriticalNov 10, 2022 · 250,079 vehicles
- 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.
- 20V043000 CriticalJan 24, 2020 · 87,431 vehicles
- 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.
- 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.
- 16V495000 HighJul 1, 2016 · 889 vehicles
- 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. The transfer case may have been manufactured with a misshapen main output shaft, creating voids that may cause a shaft fracture.
NHTSA investigations
- PE24009 2022 RAM Transmission Snap Ring Failureopened Mar 27, 2024 · open
- 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. The subject vehi…
- 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…
1 manufacturer bulletin filed under this heading, any model year
- Sep 24, 2026
- TRANSMISSION KIT - WITH TORQUE CONVERTER
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 3500
Source: the same filesCommon questions
Source: NHTSA complaint database, recalls and manufacturer communicationsWhich Ram 3500 years have the most transmission and drivetrain complaints?
2022, 124; 2017, 27; 2018, 23. 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 (65%).
Is there a recall for the transmission and drivetrain on the Ram 3500?
Yes — 7 campaigns are filed under this heading across these model years: 25V297000 (2025), 24V413000 (2023), 22V835000 (2022), 20V043000 (2020). 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 3500?
Owners who gave an odometer reading reported it at a median of 20,000 miles across the model years; half of them between 4,000 and 46,000. 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.