Dodge RAM 1500 harsh shifting problems

Filed Oct 22, 2025 · Fuel system · WI

While driving my Ram truck at approximately 55 MPH, the front gas tank strap failed, causing the front portion of the fuel tank to drop below the vehicle’s body. Upon inspection, I found that the strap securing the tank had detached from its connection point on the frame. The failed part is available for inspection upon request. This incident presented a serious safety hazard to myself and others on the road, as the entire fuel tank could have separated from the vehicle, creating a significant risk of fire or collision. The issue was reported to a local dealership, which advised me to contact Dodge. Dodge acknowledged the issue but stated there is no warranty coverage or recall, and that any repair would be at my expense. No formal inspection has been performed other than my own, and I have implemented a temporary repair to secure the tank. There were no warning lights or prior symptoms before the failure. The only indication was a loud clunking noise followed by the sound of the strap repeatedly striking the drivetrain.

Filed Sep 19, 2025 · Electrical, Suspension · IA

Several safety-critical systems on my vehicle are failing, and the symptoms match existing recalls shown on Kelley Blue Book for my VIN. However, the manufacturer (Dodge/Stellantis) shows only 4 recalls, all marked completed — despite ongoing issues. 1. ABS / Brake System: The ABS warning light is on continuously, indicating a malfunction in the ABS control module. This disables anti-lock braking, increasing the risk of skidding or loss of control during emergency stops. KBB shows a recall for this issue, but Dodge says it’s either not open for my VIN or already completed. The ABS light has remained on since 2. Front Wheel Bearing: There is a grinding noise and vibration from the front wheel area, suggesting a worn or failing wheel bearing. This poses a risk of steering loss or wheel detachment. No warning lights have appeared for this issue. 3. Transfer Case / 4WD: The 4WD system intermittently fails to engage or disengage, sometimes with clunking noises or jerking. This can cause unpredictable handling or loss of traction. Issue is still ongoing. 4. Electrical System: Intermittent electrical issues include random warning messages, dimming lights, and occasional no-starts. These affect essential safety systems and match known electrical recalls. These issues have not been confirmed by a dealer but are ongoing and present serious SAFETY risks. I believe my vehicle may have been incorrectly excluded from applicable recalls or that prior recall work was not properly completed. These components are available for inspection.

Filed Jun 23, 2025 · Transmission · 120,000 miles · NC · crash · 1 injury

The contact owns a 2011 Dodge Ram 1500. The contact stated that while driving at approximately 45 MPH, an abnormal clunk was heard coming from under the vehicle before the rear end of the drive shaft disconnected. No warning lights illuminated. The contact stated that he lost control and the vehicle had jumped the curb into a ditch before coming to a stop on a culvert. The air bags did not deploy. The contact sustained minor injuries to his neck however, no medical attention was sought. A police report was not filed. The vehicle was towed and parked at the contact's home address, where it remains until further investigation. The local dealer was contacted. The vehicle was not diagnosed or repaired. In addition, the contact related to the failure to the federal safety agency Campaign Number: 14V796000 (Power Train) however, the VIN was not included. The manufacturer was made aware of the failure. The failure mileage was approximately 120,000.

Filed Jan 5, 2022 · Transmission · PA · crash

Around midday of November 25, 2021, a clear day with no precipitation, while operating the 2003 Dodge Ram 1500 with about 155k miles on it at approximately 35 MPH, the drive train locked up causing the vehicle to go into a skid and a spin that sent the vehicle into a telephone pole. We could have slid into oncoming traffic, fortunately, we did not. The vehicle was totaled. While loading the vehicle onto the tow truck, responders noted that the axle was sheared at the back due to the rear differential locking up unexpectedly. There was a noise, like a whistle or a whine for a few minutes leading up the incident, but not anything that I would associate with this kind or failure, no grinding, roughness, or clunking.

Filed Sep 4, 2020 · Engine, Fuel system · OH

When raining the engine misfires to the point of stalling the engine and when hitting the gas the engine will big down when idleing for more that 10 minutes the engine idles rough and begins to putter and stahls out. The rear differential but came loose causing the pinion gear to shift which had resulted in a loud whirling sound when driving at any speed and gets louder when the faster the truck goes and also clunks when coming to a stop. When hitting the brake pedal the front passenger blinker/running light illuminates. Front driver side wheel bearing consistently fails after 8,000-20,000 miles causing a loud humming noise and causing me tons of money. Check engine light comes on telling me to check gas cap even though I've replace it twice now which leads me to believe there is a engineering defect and also through the code for misfire in cylinder 7 even though I've replaced the spark plugs and coils after the code was generated and it went if for about 4 weeks and came back on. I'm conclusion I believe chrysler is knowingly selling unsafe and, unreliable vehicles which end to costing the consumer thousands in repairs and time something we can't get back. This has been happening since 20,000-40,000 miles into owning the vehicle. My vehicle was manufactured 05/2005 but is titled as a 2006 dodge ram 1500 slt crew cab

Filed Sep 2, 2020 · Body, Seats · 168,701 miles · WV

Frame appears bad in several spots, so much rust. Rust on virtually every panel on the body. Above windshield middle of of door. It literally everywhere. The leather seats are junked. I understand it's a 11 year old vehicle but truck is falling apart everywhere you look. You can look inside the truck has been very well cared for drives horribly makes so many sounds from rattles to clunks.mostly on 2 lane roads afraid to drive much interstate after having tire blowing out sidewalk going down interstate eats tires on the inside on both sides been lined up still same result. Exhaust manifolds leaking bad.

Filed Oct 30, 2018 · Transmission · 142,300 miles · MD

Driving about 35 MPH and a whirring started in the rear end. Only happened when I was coasting, not when gas was applied or brakes. After about 15 minutes of driving and several stops the drive shaft fell off. I was coasting down hill on a two lane road as the noise got very loud. First there was a clunk and obviously something was dragging underneath, which I thought was the muffler. There was no where to stop on the road so continued to coast. Less than 5 seconds later another clunk and then it was quiet, piece had fallen off. I was able to pull to side of road but vehicle was inoperable. Estimate from dealership is to replace drive shaft and whole rear end assembly, $6200. Only explanation given was that a u-joint broke and fell off. Drive shaft falling out damaged whole rear end assembly.

Filed Oct 27, 2017 · Transmission · 22,600 miles · OH

1. When putting truck into reverse from park or drive it takes upto 7 plus seconds to engage. 2. When 4x4 is engaged as you come to a stop the truck lunges forward and clunks everytime. Also it happens in 2 wheel drive but not as bad...updated 11/07/17

Filed Aug 1, 2017 · Transmission · 136,000 miles · PA · crash

Tl* the contact owns a 2008 dodge ram 1500. While driving 50 MPH, the contact heard a clunking noise. The contact depressed the brake pedal, but the vehicle failed to slow down and the rear wheels seized. As a result, the vehicle spun, left the roadway, and landed in a ditch. A police report was not filed. There were no injuries. An inspector from the contact's insurance company diagnosed that the rear axle pinion nut had detached from the drive shaft, causing the failure. A dealer and the manufacturer were not contacted. The VIN was not included in the federal safety agency campaign number: 12v474000 (power train). The approximate failure mileage was 136,000.

Filed Jun 3, 2017 · Transmission · 200,000 miles · CA

I was approaching a stop. There was a slight whine as I decelerated. Then a clunk and a loud bang. The rear wheels locked up and I stopped immediately in the middle of the road. The driveshaft had fallen out from the differential and was on the ground. I was only going 25-30 MPH at the time. Luckily I had just gotten off the highway. I had it towed to the dealer and they said the pinion nut had come loose. My wife was looking on the internet and found this problem had been a recall but the dealer said it was VIN specific and mine wasn't included in the recall. They need to expand the recall!!! If it had happened just a few minutes earlier I could have been involved in a deadly crash.