Transimission Problems - This may help with repairs. Generally, there have been few repairs noted; the eight-speed was well tested by luxury automakers before Chrysler became the first mainstream company to use it.
Some reported rough shifting after work was done on their car, which may indicate a missed step in the repair: skipping the “PROXI alignment,†which updates information in all the car’s systems. Even a TCM update may require PROXI alignment. A technician wrote, “PROXI alignment is required when a module is replaced, or, in this case, the transmission bangs into gear something fierce. It does make a big difference.†One telltale (though it may not always appear) is a blinking odometer
When I was driving, exiting the the beltway traveling 50 miles an hour on wet roads heading down the off ramp, I went to downshift from drive to 8 to 7 to 6 then to 5 then back up to 6 is when I noticed problem... In pushing the + gear plus to go back to normal, the transmission continued to downshift from 5 to 4... Then I pushed the up+ again and it went down to 3 with the the engine racing. This was not good as it is terrifying that the transmission or engine was going to blow up. I immediately pulled off the road and stopped and put truck in park with rotary dial. Once I did this it reset to normal as I put back in drive. The gear shifter buttons don't seem to be working.
Truck is 5 yrs old ~41,000 miles on 96 month Mopar VP warranty. Thank the Good Lord I was on a rural divided highway when this happened. I have the relatively new 8-speed auto tranny. I was doing exactly 60mph on cruise control. Just me in the truck with a few tools. I was going up a slight incline when the truck suddenly and violently and with no warning BLEW OUT OF GEAR! Very loud thud! I thought I had been hit from behind! Gosh awful chiming goes off! Light on shifter is blinking! And, from what I can tell, I'm now coasting in neutral. I get off to the side of road and stopped. Never turned motor off. Info screen says move the rotary shifter to park and then select gear. I do that and everything resets: The chiming stops. The blinking stops. But the check engine light is on. I sit there for about 8-10 minutes changing my underwear and looking at the Ram manual. Sadly, no guidance.
I end up putting it back in Drive and take off. This time without cruise. I creep back up to highway speed approx 62mph and maybe 3 miles down the road and BAM!! It does it again!!! Just POPS RIGHT OUT OF GEAR!!!! Complete stop on side of road. Reset. I turn emergency blinkers on and creep back into town under 35mph.
Later, I crept to nearest dodge dealer and they pulled "P0984 Shift Solenoid 5 Control Circuit Range/Performance." And, of course, the check engine had gone out and, "We're sorry, Mr. Stupid Dodge Purchaser, the 'Check Engine Light' has gone out, the codes are no longer 'Active' and we can't work on your truck." @#$%^&!!!
The folks at FCA in Michigan gave me a "Case Manager." Please standby. And send any ideas, info, suggestions. Thanks in advance.
Update from Sep 22, 2021: I took truck to second dealer in Houston. They had it for 8 days. "P0984 shift solenoid 5" code was still stored. They drove truck multiple times but "Unable to Duplicate" and released truck back to me. Time for the Certified Letter Return Receipt Requested demand to FCA in Michigan. Popping out of gear at highway speed was just scary. I'm almost 70 and I cannot safely and comfortably drive this vehicle. Stay tuned.
Bought the truck new from the dealer. At about 30000 miles the transmission sometimes would not go in to reverse, sometimes would not go into forward. Then it started jerking when it shifted. Took it to the dealer, 46600 miles, and was told it needed a complete rebuild and that the parts were on a 4 MONTH BACKLOG. With all the complaints that you read it is obvious Ram knew of these problems when they sold me the truck. I feel they should but the truck back at kelly blue book full retail price. They refused and told me to wait 4 months. This is not right. Sorry ram, but you should be sued.
I am posting the same information as another user - they described it exactly, mine had 2K miles on it. The other user wrote: "I'm not sure if this will level itself out since I only have 400 miles on the truck, but it sounds just like the complaints on the 2014 Rams. The transmission gets dumb when slowing to a crawl and then speeding up again. It feels like something bumped into the back of the truck. It also happens sometimes when being at a dead stop and taking off. Seems like the transmission never shifted down to first and then it realizes it and it bumps into gear. I hope it levels out because other than that, so far I love this truck."
I tool love the truck, but I was concerned about buying a dodge because of issues I had with dodge / Chrysler as a kid. I had a Honda Ridgeline for over 5 years, loved that truck and never had a problem with it. I am hoping this is not the beginning of more problems down the line.
Update from Sep 11, 2016: Brought the car in - they updated the PCM and TCM firmware - problem still occurs. Here is my description:
The one thing that is very noticeable is the way the vehicle stops. The brakes seem very "grabby" - this was evident when I test drove the truck, but did not think anything of it, so I compensated for the "grabbiness" by lightly lifting my foot as I came to a stop - so my passengers would not jolt forward. So due to the weight of the vehicle I assume, when lifting the pedal you can hear the pads disengaging from the discs and there was a noticeable noise that I can't describe other than the normal sound of the car moving forward as the calipers are releasing the pads from the disc, most likely normal. (note I have a 2016 Inifniti QX80 which is big and it brakes very smoothly without this noticeable noise) NOW when I slow down gradually - there is a noticeable thud or jolt like the car is either downshifting or a motor mount is moving or something is grabbing. All I can say - is that this did not happen 2K miles ago. I brought it in for service and they updated firmware for the TCM and the PCM - I asked if they checked the brakes and the discs or even test drove the vehicle and they did not. Why? I have no idea - bare minimum amount of work I assume. So now I need to bring it back in for the same issue. Has anyone experienced this before? Is it a transmission issue a brake issue? Another thing I noticed is that when I roll to a stop pressing lightly on the brakes, towards the end when completing the stop I can feel slight intermittent jolting as I come to a stop - like my rotors may be warped? So - I stop, the light turns green - I lift of the pedal - thud / jolt - not exactly slamming into gear - just this thud feeling. Any advice on this is appreciated. Thanks for your time.
Update from Dec 13, 2017: Scheduled another appt and opened case with Chrysler Assist
This is a Beautiful 2016 Ram 1500 (Sport). Bought in Feb. 2016. Ran great for almost 5 months. Took a trip to N.C. for a family reunion and that's where my troubles began. Upon arrival at the hotel the Engine light came on. Very Surprised!! Like What? Looked under hood and found everything visibly OK. Light stayed on several more hours then went away. Got back to ATL and went straight to dealership. Had it check out and I was told everything OK. Less than 1 month later it's idling and a bell goes off and big notification on the dash says - Do Not shift gears, Do not turn off vehicle, until you reached your destination. Transmission needs Service - Not exact but close. Vehicle would only go about 15-20 miles PH and gears never changed. Got the vehicle back after more than a week later and they tell me the software needed updated. What? Only 6 months old. Strange but OK. Approximately 3 weeks later - Same warning light - Straight back to the dealer - Again more than a week before I was told it's ready. Software needed updating? No not again - Tell me what's the problem - I finally speak with a Mechanic - Says something else is wrong. Updating Software did not correct the problem. As of this day, I have yet received my vehicle or been informed of what the problem is. Very Disappointed
I'm not sure if this will level itself out since I only have 400 miles on the truck, but it sounds just like the complaints on the 2014 Rams. The transmission gets dumb when slowing to a crawl and then speeding up again. It feels like something bumped into the back of the truck. It also happens sometimes when being at a dead stop and taking off. Seems like the transmission never shifted down to first and then it realizes it and it bumps into gear. I hope it levels out because other than that, so far I love this truck.
A D V E R T I S E M E N T S
When I was driving, exiting the the beltway traveling 50 miles an hour on wet roads heading down the off ramp, I went to downshift from drive to 8 to 7 to 6 then to 5 then back up to 6 is when I noticed problem... In pushing the + gear plus to go back to normal, the transmission continued to downshift from 5 to 4... Then I pushed the up+ again and it went down to 3 with the the engine racing. This was not good as it is terrifying that the transmission or engine was going to blow up. I immediately pulled off the road and stopped and put truck in park with rotary dial. Once I did this it reset to normal as I put back in drive. The gear shifter buttons don't seem to be working.
Back to the shop!
- Thomas B., Baltimore, MD, US