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All cars · Ram 1500 · Transmission

Ram 1500 transmission problems by year.

Worst years for transmission complaints per car sold: 2004 (208 complaints), 2005 (165 complaints), 2022 (173 complaints). Fewest since 2010: 2024, 2023, 2020.

Ram 1500
Photo shows a 2014 Ram 1500. Adam Weston, Wikimedia Commons · CC BY-SA 4.0 · background removed

Transmission complaints owners filed with the U.S. government (NHTSA) for each model year, per 100,000 cars sold. A complaint counts when it's filed under the transmission, or under the power train and the owner describes the transmission (shifting, slipping, gears, CVT). It's an owner's report, not a confirmed defect, and older years have had longer to collect complaints.

20006116 per 100K sold200112034.8 per 100K sold20026616.6 per 100K sold200311224.9 per 100K sold200420848.8 per 100K sold200516541.2 per 100K sold20068924.4 per 100K sold20075415.1 per 100K sold20084016.3 per 100K sold20095732.2 per 100K sold20105326.5 per 100K sold20113715.1 per 100K sold20126622.5 per 100K sold20135916.6 per 100K sold201414833.7 per 100K sold201511625.7 per 100K sold201613026.6 per 100K sold20178316.6 per 100K sold20186111.4 per 100K sold201915324.1 per 100K sold2020478.3 per 100K sold2021529.1 per 100K sold202217336.9 per 100K sold2023204.5 per 100K sold2024164.3 per 100K sold20254111 per 100K sold

What owners describe

Rolled away or park trouble12%
Lost power while driving12%
Slipping6%
Stuck in gear or limp mode6%
Hard or jerky shifting5%
Delay or hesitation4%

Share of this model's transmission complaints that mention each symptom. One complaint can mention several.

Transmission and power train recalls

  • 2025 2025

    A software error may cause the gear selection display to be inaccurate.

  • 2025 2026

    A software error in the powertrain control module may improperly allow the vehicle speed to exceed the tire speed rating, which can result in a loss of vehicle control.

  • 2023 2022

    A build-up of pressure and heat inside the transmission may result in a transmission fluid leak from the dipstick tube.

  • 2023 2024

    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.

  • 2021 2023

    The powertrain control module software may cause an incorrect fuel mixture condition in the engine, and result in an engine stall.

Recall repairs are free at any dealer. Check a specific car's VIN at nhtsa.gov/recalls.

In owners' words

While attempting to make a left turn my vehicle in drive would not go forward ie.transmission slipping,motor reving up!

2004 Ram 1500 owner · NHTSA complaint

It will not shift out of park and then after many tries it works fine. It does not happen everytime I start the truck.

2004 Ram 1500 owner · NHTSA complaint

Quick answers

Which Ram 1500 years have transmission problems?

By transmission complaints filed with NHTSA per car sold, the worst Ram 1500 years are 2004, 2005, 2022.

What are common Ram 1500 transmission problems?

Owners most often describe rolled away or park trouble, lost power while driving, slipping.

Which Ram 1500 years have the fewest transmission complaints?

Since 2010, the Ram 1500 years with the fewest transmission complaints per car sold are 2024, 2023, 2020.

See every problem, not just the transmission: Ram 1500 reliability by year. How we count

Updated

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