2011 Dodge RAM 1500: stuck in gear or won't shift

Filed Dec 6, 2025 · Brakes, Electrical · IN

I was driving my 2001 Dodge Ram 20-30mph and experienced a total power loss, power steering, power brakes and clock reset. My husband was also in the pickup and can attest to issue. I am an older person so had a very hard time stopping the vehicle and attempting to steer it to the side of the road. Traffic backed up behind me before I could put on my warning blinkers.Eventually, I turned off and on the pickup and everything worked somewhat normally but the vehicle went into limp mode. I got home, had the vehicle towed to the dealership. I explained issue, requested a total diagnosis of everything that was wrong but most importantly, I wanted the total power loss issue diagnosed, pinpointed and resolved. because I don't feel safe driving until issue is truly diagnosed and fixed. I gave them my lifetimecarmaxplus warranty . The techs found a list of parts that needed to be fixed besides the power loss problem, but told me they couldn't fix the total power loss because no codes had been thrown. I explained that since there was a total power loss it was reported by other Dodge techs that no codes could be retrieved. I asked the service manager to ask his tech what diagnostics were used and to what extent to determine the problem. He said he would call me after talking to his tech but never did. I went to the dealership 2 weeks later and asked what he found out from his tech. He was confused and apparently never did anything more about the situation. I called Chrysler warranty, they gave me a case number but again seemed oblivious to the total power loss and fixing this major safety issue. No one has attempted to address the problem or offered to have another mechanic inspect the vehicle. There were no codes that I saw on the dash and I did try to immediately retrieve any but none came up. The front passenger window locks also had been working intermittently 2 mos prior. My husband reported vehicle going in limp mode briefly 2 days prior to ...all electrical issues

Filed Feb 21, 2022 · Electrical, Engine · TX

Wireless ignition node and key . Cave in will not work ,can not move truck stuck in park gear

Filed Jan 1, 2021 · Transmission · 79,000 miles · TN

Ram 1500 4wd has 79000 on vehicle not used to tow and all maintenance (fluids,filters ,etc) performed as scheduled. Transmission flashed a manual shift code of "4" and went into limp mode while driving on interstate in clarksville tennessee stopped by autozone and hooked up to computer said "a shift solenoid bad. Called dealer out of warranty so I took to mr transmission and had to have a complete overhaul on transmission. Couldnt rebuild because of the metal savings in transmission. This is unexceptable due to the usage of the vehicle

Filed Feb 25, 2020 · Engine · 138,043 miles · TN

Camshaft and lifters malfunction driving highway vehicle will go into limp mode, when checked out says number 5 misfire, replace coil pack and plugs, same thing

Filed Jan 29, 2017 · Engine, Transmission · 44,000 miles · AZ

The truck burns through oil at a high rate and after it does their is no low oil light being turned on by the truck. The truck ran hot and made the cam position sensor fail. I am afraid it will burn even more and cause premature engine failure and sensor failure which is not cover by warranties. The last time in a month it burned through 4 quarts, the dealer said if they do not find anything wrong they would charge me a diagnostic fee. I have had many old dodge trucks and even a 2007 ram which always had oil between oil changes and that never burned through so much oil. This happens as I drive and never once does it say low oil, the only reason I figured it out is I am mechanically incline and observed the oil pressure drop down to 14ps on the trucks information consol. Also the truck had gone into a mode where the throttle did not respond and the truck would not down shift. All this happens at the same time and if it happens on a highway may cause a crash because the truck does not shift properly along with no oil the engine will fail.

Filed Mar 25, 2016 · Transmission · 55,074 miles · PA

Tl* the contact owns a 2011 ram 1500. The contact stated that the vehicle shifted independently into neutral. After the failure occurred, the vehicle would not shift into park until after the vehicle was restarted. The failure occurred everyday. The check engine warning indicator illuminated. The vehicle was not diagnosed nor repaired. The manufacturer was notified of the failure. The failure mileage was 55,074.

Filed Sep 15, 2013 · Acceleration, Engine · 21,038 miles · NY

I have had previous problems before this with engine and etc bolt light on dash, causing the truck to go in limp mode. I was told it was the throttle body and that the truck had to be reset. On sept 21/2012 the etc bolt light and engine light came on in city driving conditions. When I slowed down for traffic using the brake I let off the brake and before I could do anything the truck raced off on its own almost causing a accident without ever touching the gas, the cruise control was not on. I turned off key and dangerously coasted to the side of road. I turned off the truck and re started the truck. At this point I had only engine light so I took it to dealer. They replaced gas pedal and reset it. The truck always scared me after this. I feel that this is a great danger with the new wireless drive system.this needs to be looked at buy the builder of this truck.

Filed Mar 28, 2012 · Acceleration, Transmission · NY

2011 dodge ram 1500 . Consumer states dealer refused repairs under warranty *tgw the consumer stated the vehicle would not shift out of park, upon start up. Also, the vehicle rolled while the truck was in park and the vehicle accelerated up to 100 MPH. The consumer had to put the gear in neutral in order to stop the vehicle. The consumer stated the vehicle was still running, even though he turned the ignition off.

Filed Feb 16, 2012 · Transmission · 10,100 miles · WY

Tl* the contact owns a 2011 dodge ram 1500. While the ignition was started, the 4wd warning indicator began to illuminate. The contact turned the 4wd control selector off and proceeded to drive. After driving for a few moments the engine warning indicator illuminated continuously on the instrument panel. Also on a separate occasion the transmission shifted into the limp mode. In addition to the other failures, the vehicle unexpectedly lunged forward with the brake pedal engaged. The failure occurred two times. The vehicle was taken to an authorized dealer where they stated the transmission solenoid was defective. The vehicle was currently being repaired. The manufacturer was not notified of the malfunctions. The approximate failure mileage was 10,100.

Filed Dec 19, 2011 · Transmission · 2,319 miles · CA

While driving at 45mph, the truck suddenly and violently downshifted and skidded to a nearly immediate stop with no need to depress the brakes. Luckily there were no vehicles behind me as it surely would have resulted in an accident. Immediately, a strong foul smell and smoke was noticed coming from under the hood. After putting the car in park and lifting the hood, the smoke dissipated immediately, but I found later that putting the truck into reverse or drive had absolutely no affect. Even placing the truck into neutral would not allow the truck to roll. The truck required a flatbed tow to the dealership as the rear wheels would not easily roll forward, and would not roll in reverse. The tow driver needed to place the rear wheels on skids and slide the truck off the flatbed. The dealership found they needed to forcibly manipulate the transfer case to get the truck into neutral as it was seized. They have found that the c2 and underdrive clutches are both completely destroyed, and there are significant amounts of metal shavings in the transmission oil and pan. They said they have never seen such a completely destroyed clutch on any low mileage vehicle. The transmission system was sealed, and pressure tested as expected. They are currently investigating for root cause and to bound the extent of the damage. The truck is supposed to have safety features of both a "limp mode" for the transmission, as well as a further safety feature to go into neutral in such catastrophic failure, both safety mechanisms failed in addition to the transmission. Multiple transmission systems failing in such a way, and yet it is likely (already positioning without root cause) that chrysler will want to rebuild the transmission rather than replace it as they should. I'm not confident that this transmission can be repaired such that it will not fail again in short order. Dangerous.