2019 Ram 1500: complete transmission failure

Filed Aug 10, 2026 · Electrical, Transmission · 137,700 miles · TX

The contact owns a 2019 Ram 1500. The contact stated that while driving at an undisclosed speed, the check engine warning light illuminated shortly afterwards. Several unknown warning lights were illuminated. The contact stated that the transmission failed to shift out of first gear. The message “Slow Down - Service Shifter” was displayed. The contact associated the failure with TSB: (23-029-22 Rev. A); and referenced an extended warranty coverage. The vehicle was taken to a local dealer, where it was diagnosed and produced DTC: U0645 - Lost Communication with Active Air Dam Module. The vehicle was not repaired. The manufacturer was contacted and opened a case. The failure mileage was approximately 137,700.

Filed Mar 26, 2026 · Transmission · WA

Transmission won't go into reverse at times, auto shifting back to park before check engine light comes on. Vehicle initially started with hard shifts at low speeds about 25 mph. Issue progressed to the point where vehicle has to be put into reverse. Otherwise vehicle would not shift at the same point about 25 mph and would be stuck in the low gear until vehicle is shut off and restarted then put into reverse before proceeding. The issue has continued to grow where shifting into reverse causes the vehicle to noticeably lurch back with a very heavy thunk before putting it into drive. Reverse takes time engaging. However the issue will persist and it will not go into reverse before Auto shifting to park and the check engine light comes on. Vehicle would drive for a little while before the transmission would stop shifting and go into limp mode where I wouldn't be able to drive over 30 miles per hour without very high RPMs. During some of those times the vehicle would take a long time before the transmission would engage and shift which would cause the vehicle to jerk abruptly forward. And at times back tires have lost traction. Recently the vehicles transmission has disengaged entirely while driving. At times it'll be 40 mph where it will disengage or in one case about 15 mph as I was making a turn and in the intersection it disengaged. First time the vehicle went to a dealership. They were unable to replicate the problem and that was approximately 30,000 mi on the odometer. The second time it went in with the issue it was diagnosed as being a service bulletin which was then updated and issue remained. The third time it was brought in there was a code that showed that the clutch gear ratio was incorrect. Mechanics have said the vehicle needs a new transmission and this has been a known issue with the 8-speed 8 HP75 by ZF transmissions. Transmission has also surged and lunged while braking at various points. While completely stopped, vehicle has lurched forward.

Filed Jul 17, 2025 · Electrical, Transmission · 154,000 miles · TX

The contact owns a 2019 Ram 1500. The contact stated that while driving on the highway at 60 MPH the messages "Service Air Bag System", "Service Electric Stability Control", "Service Trailer Brake System", "Service Park Brake", "Service Anti-Lock Brake System" and "Service Power Steering" were displayed and several unknown warning lights were illuminated. The contact stated that soon after, the transmission failed to shift into gears as intended, and the vehicle lost power steering functionality. The contact also stated that while driving and making turns the transmission will slip into neutral(N) upon depressing the accelerator pedal. The contact stopped the vehicle, shifted to park(P), shifted back to drive(D) and drove to the residence. The vehicle was towed to a local dealer, where it was diagnosed that the Electric Harness and RF Hub had failed and needed to be replaced. The vehicle was not repaired. The manufacturer was notified of the failure. The failure mileage approximately 154,000.

Filed Apr 11, 2025 · Electrical, Engine · AZ

While driving down a curving mountain highway above 70 mph, the gauge cluster displayed “shift to park” or “shift to drive” I don’t recall exactly. The transmission then downshifted dramatically, perhaps into 3rd gear, then the motor shut off.Thankfully, I successfully merged through heavy traffic to the narrow shoulder but the truck would not restart. After over 30 minutes of attempts (fuel tank above half)I called a tow truck. My family climbed up the hill to get a safe distance from the road. It was cold and dark and things could have gone much worse. Ram owners on internet forums have described this exact problem many times and it’s clear that this is a wide spread safety issue. This is the second time the truck had lost power while driving in the same manner. The first time the dealer could not replicate the issue while it was under warranty and returned it to service. No I’m out of warranty, need a new transmission at largely my own expense and there are zero available in the country. The dealer has my truck for an “indefinite” time period.

Filed Dec 11, 2024 · Electrical · NV

While driving vehicle set to park and would not drive until I turned it off and back. Days later every time I set to reverse it automatically set V back to park and was not able to drive that evening. I have seen multiple issues on RAM forum so I took vehicle in for inspection and now have been told Transmission needs replacement although vehicle has less than 70,000 miles on it. Also dashboard lights all light up turned off and on problem seems electrical

Filed Sep 19, 2024 · Brakes, Driver assistance · 187,555 miles · KY

The contact owns a 2019 Ram 1500. The contact stated while driving 70 MPH, the transmission downshifted unexpectedly. The contact stated that while driving at various speeds, the transmission failed to shift to the intended gear while depressing the accelerator pedal or the brake pedal. Additionally, the contact stated that while accelerating from a complete stop, the vehicle hesitated to respond. The check engine warning light and an unknown warning light were illuminated. The vehicle was taken to an auto parts store, where it was diagnosed and determined that the power train and ABS had failed. The contact became aware that the VIN was included in the federal safety agency Campaign Number: 24V653000 (Service Brakes, Hydraulic, Electronic Stability Control (ESC), which the contact related to the failure; however, the part to do the recall repair was not yet available. The local dealer was contacted. The vehicle was not repaired. The contact stated that the manufacturer had exceeded a reasonable amount of time for the recall repair. The manufacturer was not made aware of the failure. The failure mileage was approximately 187,555. VIN tool confirms parts not available.

Filed Sep 4, 2024 · Transmission · 36,000 miles · FL

The contact owns a 2019 Ram 1500. The contact stated while decelerating to come to a stop or to make a turn, the transmission shifted out of gear unexpectedly. The contact stated that the failure also occurred while at a complete stop. A message advising to shift to park(P) and to shift back into gear was displayed on the infotainment system screen display. Additionally, the gear shift indicator light was flickering. The vehicle was taken to the dealer, where it was diagnosed that an unknown transmission sensor had failed. The dealer replaced the transmission; however, the failure recurred. The vehicle was taken back to the dealer, where unknown repairs were performed; however, the failure persisted. The vehicle was taken to a second dealer, Central Florida Chrysler Dodge Jeep Ram (8675 Commodity Cir, Orlando, FL 32819), where the transmission, the gear shift cluster, the fuel vaporizer, and the catalytic converter were replaced. Additionally, an unknown software update was performed; however, the failure persisted. The dealer informed the contact that the cause of the failure could not be determined. The vehicle was not repaired. The manufacturer was notified of the failure several times and referred the contact to the dealer for assistance. The failure mileage was approximately 36,000.

Filed Nov 23, 2022 · Electrical, Transmission · NJ

While driving the truck, driving 80mph on highway the truck disengaged from Drive to neutral, with a notice on the dash to pullover and shift to park to drive. When truck disengaged from Drive while in motion I lost all acceleration power, and had to coast over to side of road to a stop. The truck disengaged from Drive on 3 other occasions. I almost died when the truck disengaged from drive while makeing a turn through an intersection and almost getting hit my a tractor trailer. I contacted Dodge FCA, filed complaint, then i took the truck to the dealer and after having my truck for 22 days, they said I needed a new transmission on my 2019 ram 1500. The truck drove fine for 2 weeks then it disengaged from Drive again while driving, 2 times this morning. I contacted dodge fca and they said they couldn't do anything till the dealer looks at it. This is a major safety issue. I refuse to let my wife and kids ride in this truck because I am not going to have my wife and kids die in this truck because of these major safety issues. This is a known issue on all dodge ram online forums and dodge has not addressed this issue or acknowledged it. There is something wrong with the electrician system. I have had 2 batteries replaced, radio replaced, manifold, transmission, full tail light housing, active noise cancelation system fixed. There has been so many issues from day one when I bought the truck, but this MAJOR issue with the truck disengaging from drive to neutral while in motion is the most serious. Seems like dodge doesn't have an issue till someone dies in an accident from this issue, because this issue can not be replicated and doesn't not show up at a fault on the dealer test systems, due it everything in vehicles being computerized and digital. Something needs to be done about this

Filed Mar 21, 2019 · Transmission · 560 miles · NY

The transmission failed while I was driving. The vehicle coasted to a stop and became immobile. I could not get the transmission to shift into neutral and I was left in an unsafe situation as my vehicle was blocking the road. The police and others arrived but nobody could move the truck until the tow truck arrived.

Filed Jan 6, 2019 · Transmission · 490 miles · MA

Brand new 2019 ram 1500 490 miles ,about 3 times ( owned it a month) when truck is shifted from park to drive ,parking brake is off ( auto park brake disabled as well in settings } the truck will not move ,foot is off brake, foot off of gas ,if I shift into park then drive again and give it some gas it will ,lunge /jerk/jump in first gear and fly forward like a brake stand .so I did some research on the issue , found numerous people with the same issue ,same exact symtoms and results .someone soon ,will be killed by this ,when they get out to check to see if the truck is blocked and it runs them over. So far all the people ive talked to the dealers have no fix ,its a band new transmission for 2019, they turn people away ,when they can't duplicate the problem ,and it won't throw a code. A tsb or recall needs to be issued !!!!!!! Asap.