2016 Ram 1500: harsh or hard shifting

Filed Jan 13, 2025 · Suspension · IN

I started hearing a clunk coming from the front of my truck and had it checked and the CV shaft broke. My truck isn’t even 10 years old

Filed Aug 19, 2019 · Transmission · 39,068 miles · NY

Hard shifts from gear 1 to gear 2 and delayed shifting from from 3 to 2 and 2 to 1. When coming to a complete stop the car will jolt forward and at times you feel as though you were hit from behind or that you are going to hit the car in front of you due to the aggressive jolt of the transmission down shift.

Filed Jul 27, 2018 · Steering · 22,000 miles · IL

Tl* the contact owns a 2016 ram 1500. The contact stated that the steering wheel was overreacting from any bumps in the road, making driving difficult. The vehicle was taken to the dealer (bettenhausen automotive chrysler dodge jeep ram, 8355 w 159th st, tinley park, il 60477, (708) 532-2665) where unknown repairs were made to the lower shaft of the steering column. The failure recurred after the vehicle was retrieved from the dealer, along with a clunking noise when the steering wheel was turned. The contact returned the vehicle to the dealer and was informed that they performed lock tightening on the steering system and that a new steering gear was needed. The manufacturer stated that the parts would not be available until january or february of 2019. The failure mileage was 22,000.

Filed Aug 9, 2017 · Transmission · 8,000 miles · FL

Unpredictable and sometime violent downshifting causing momentary loss of control of the vehicle when driving in wet, slippery conditions. This has occurred on several occasions while driving through rain storms. The vehicle started to exhibit erratic shifting behavior at ~5,000 miles and has gotten progressively worse to a point that the transmission unpredictable shifting occurs in all conditions. The impact of the shifts is severe enough that it is being transmitted through the driver's seat creating extreme discomfort and pain to the lower back. A 'service shifter' message is also being displayed. The vehicle was taken in to the dealership. The dealership stated that they don't know why the 'service shifter' message is coming on because no trouble codes are showing; they re-flashed the cpu to see if would correct the erratic and unpredictable shifting, it is not working, in fact it has gotten worse. The dealership also stated that the vehicle may have a defective driveshaft which may be contributing to the harsh shifting, they have one order.

Filed Mar 10, 2017 · Transmission · 4,700 miles · IL

At approximately 4700 miles the vehicle began to harshly shift from 2nd gear to 1st gear when slowing to a stop, in slow moving traffic or pulling in to a parking space. The vehicle will lunge forward when this occurs feeling as the vehicle was tapped from behind. The vehicle was returned for service at the original selling dealer who acknowledged the problem and proceeded to perform a "quick learn" procedure which re-calibrates the transmission shift patterns. Upon driving the vehicle after this service noticed it did not resolve the issue. Scheduled another appointment where the dealer replaced the transmission valve body and controller. After driving the vehicle for 3 weeks the issue returned. The ram factory representative coordinated for the truck to be dropped off at the dealership so he could see the problem. I provided detailed information of exactly when the problem occurred and specifically that the transmission needed to be above 170 degrees. This information was ignored and the rep didn't see the problem. After 6 months of dealing with the issue contacted ram corporate and was informed that the dealer never followed up with request from the engineers if their service repaired the problem. Was instructed to take the vehicle to another dealer under an escalated case. To summarize the rest the vehicle has been to the dealer several more times, had firmware flashes and said they have no other repair options, the latest is ram had another representative drive the vehicle once again ignoring the circumstances of when the issues occurs and says that harsh shifting is inerrant once the vehicle breaks in at 5 - 6 thousand miles even though they couldn't give me an explanation of how they were describing "harsh shifting". Ram closed the case saying they had no further repairs for the vehicle because the factory representative says it is acceptable.

Filed Sep 29, 2016 · Engine, Transmission · 4,000 miles · NY

When the vehicle is warm, after about 1/2 hour of driving, the transmission starts to drive rough. When I come to a stop it feels like someone hits me from the rear. When I'm driving around 35 MPH and slow down it down shifts hard (clunk). When I'm driving at speed on the highway and I go to pass,when it press on the gas pedal there is a long hesitation and then it bogs down then accelerates. It's scary my wife gets nervous when she's driving. The longer you drive it the worse it gets. I have 9,500 miles on it. After driving it on the highway and you exit to the streets the gas pedal has a lot of play in it-about 1.5 inches from when you press on the pedal to when it kicks in and then the response is a bit jerky. I brought to the dealership on 9/26/2016 and they said they couldn't replicate the issue. I explained that they needed to drive the truck for a while. When the truck is cold it's ok, no issues. Iv'e talked to my local mechanic who has 40 plus years working on cars and he told me that he's heard the same complaint from other ram truck owners. He told me to register the complaint...thanks [xxx] information redacted pursuant to the freedom of information act (foia), 5 u.s.c. 552(b)(6).