2021 Ram 1500: stuck in gear or won't shift

Filed Oct 29, 2026 · Transmission · SC

Transmission issues are a known problem in the 2021 Ram 1500 and have been for a while, with no recalls. Slipping of gear. Delay or jerking into reverse. Putting it in reverse and it telling me to put it into park or it auto-correcting itself into park. While driving twice and going from complete stop after the auto correcting went to pull off & the vehicle did not go into gear the RPM was raised and the truck moved forward but would not go into gear. The smell of transmission fluid and possible coolant seem to be in truck through vent. The Malfunction Indicator light came on. Had a Shop check code said it showed Valve Body. All these are known issues with the transmission and should be recalled as this is very dangerous for driving as it could stop in road, loose power going up hill on interstate and if there are leaks it could cause a fire. There should have been recalls and investigations. Manufacture knows these issues are and have been happening but does not want to spend the money to fix problems. Ignores and hopes warranty will be gone before it happens so it will be on the owner. That is what they did with me.

Filed Mar 14, 2026 · Engine, Fuel system · OH

Wa driving with cruise on at 60 mph. Truck stalled with no notice, no warning lights or check engine light. All temperatures and pressures seemed okay at time of incident. Could not move electronic shifter into neutral, was stuck in drive. Alarm came up to shift to park, I did not shift due to moving at 55mph at this time. Coasted to a stop on side of the road. At about 2-3 mph, truck automatically shifted to park. I attempted to restart truck but engine just cranked over with no fire. Attempted 3 times and still nothing. Waited 20-30 min and attempted again and same result. Call for tow truck and had towed to dealership. While waiting for tow truck, had full power in truck, no warning lights. Checked fuses for fuel and found no issues. Did hear fuel pump engage when turned ignition to run. Checked oil level, oil was changed 800 miles prior to incident, oil was at full level on dip stick.

Filed Mar 17, 2025 · Transmission · GA

Upon starting the vehicle, shifting into drive from park, and depressing the gas pedal, the vehicle would not shift out of first gear into higher gears. The engine began to whine and the RPM gauge registered much higher than when the vehicle typically shifts into higher gears during acceleration. Upon realizing, I pulled over and shifted from Drive to Park. I then shifted back to drive and the vehicle operated normally. This is the first time the vehicle has behaved in this manner, although there have been times when the transmission feels as if it is not shifting as smooth as it should.

Filed Sep 5, 2024 · Acceleration, Brakes · FL

In July 2024, with approximately 31,500 miles on my vehicle, I began experiencing issues with the "service electronic braking system" warning appearing on the dashboard. I brought the vehicle in for inspection, and the dealership identified and replaced the tire sensor under my extended warranty. A week later, the warning reappeared, and the dealership replaced the brake master cylinder sensor, also under warranty. However, upon picking up the vehicle after the second repair, the dashboard immediately displayed both the "service braking system" warning and the check engine light. On July 23, 2024, I left the vehicle at the dealership for a third time. The following day, they informed me that the problem was with the ABS module, which was under engineering review and unavailable. They advised contacting RAM customer care, which confirmed the part's unavailability and anticipated delays due to a lack of vendor supply, with no clear resolution timeline. Despite ongoing efforts, the issue remains unresolved. The vehicle is now unsafe to drive, lacking ABS and traction control due to system shutdowns. Additionally, on September 3, 2024, and a few weeks prior, I experienced problems with the vehicle being stuck in park mode because the brakes would not disengage. Restarting the vehicle temporarily resolved the issue, but it persists.

Filed Aug 22, 2023 · KY

Motor decelerates and won't shift. when at a stop light I press the accelerator to gain speed an motor winds out but won't correct its self until I pull over turn the motor off and start the truck again. It happens every 1000 miles or so

Filed Mar 7, 2023 · Transmission · WA

Vehicle would not shift from 1st gear when starting off. Had to pull of to the shoulder to turn off the vehicle and restart. Said "service transmission" and check engine light lit.

Filed Apr 28, 2022 · Engine, Fuel system · NV

April 12, 2022 multiple warning lights ( check engine, electronic throttle, etc. ) appeared, screen warning to get to dealer to service. April 13, 2022 visited local dealer, earliest to service April 20, 2022. April 16, 2022 limp mode, restarted vehicle, restored normal operation with warning lights still showing. April 18, 2022, dealer serviced and stated fixed. April 19, 2022, warning lights and limp mode while driving on highway at 70 MPH. Managed to get to side of road in traffic, waited for break, turned around home. April 20, 2022 vehicle to dealer to repair. Still there as of April 28, 2022. "Star Case" opened. All diagnostics failed to locate problem, now trying various inspections / repairs per FCA technical. Dealer advises they have another similar vehicle ( 2021 Jeep Gladiator Eco Diesel ) with exact same situation so this is not one odd vehicle. Further extent of affected vehicles unknown. Safety issue due to vehicle going into limp mode with no warning, causing difficulty driving in traffic, especially at highway speeds, and risk of accident. Dealer and this owner note that all of this happened right after dealer completed recall for exhaust fluid software system. It appears likely that something done with this recall triggered these problems.