2018 Ram 2500: stuck in gear or won't shift

Filed Jul 28, 2026 · Acceleration, Electrical · OH

The electronic throttle control light and check engine light are on. I took it to a mechanic and had the accelerator pedal replaced. The lights remained on and the truck remains in "limp mode" and will not go over 59mph. The mechanic stated that this is due to the unresolved recall problems with the traction control and anti lock braking system, and the HCU needing replaced. These components and labor are over 2-3 thousand dollars! I have called the federal safety agency and the manufacturer with questions and asked for a timeframe for a fix and have received nothing.

Filed Jul 10, 2026 · Electrical, Fuel system · PA

The vehicle has experienced repeated failures of the variable geometry turbocharger (VGT) electronic actuator. The actuator intermittently fails to move the turbo vanes to their commanded position, resulting in fault codes related to turbocharger performance and actuator position. The failed actuator is currently installed on the vehicle and is available for inspection upon request. This failure creates a significant safety concern because the engine can suddenly lose turbocharger performance and enter a reduced-power or "limp mode" condition without warning. During these events, the vehicle experiences a substantial loss of acceleration and power, making it difficult to safely merge onto highways, pass slower traffic, or maintain speed while towing or traveling on grades. This unexpected reduction in power increases the risk of a rear-end collision or other traffic incident, particularly when operating in normal highway traffic. The condition has been reproduced multiple times and confirmed through diagnostic trouble codes. The issue is consistent with a malfunctioning VGT electronic actuator. Numerous other owners of 2013-2018 Ram 2500 and 3500 trucks equipped with the 6.7L Cummins engine have reported similar failures involving the electronic actuator, suggesting this is not an isolated incident. Prior to complete failure, the vehicle displayed intermittent warning symptoms including a Check Engine Light, reduced exhaust brake performance, and occasional turbocharger-related diagnostic trouble codes. The symptoms became progressively more frequent before the actuator ultimately failed to operate reliably. In some cases, cycling the exhaust brake temporarily restored operation, but the problem continued to return and worsened over time. The vehicle has been diagnosed using standard diagnostic equipment, and the fault has been confirmed through the presence of turbocharger actuator-related diagnostic codes.

Filed Mar 22, 2025 · Acceleration, Engine · MI

Truck will not shift and drops out of drive leaving you helpless

Filed Sep 30, 2024 · Brakes, Electrical · CA

I purchased this truck new in 2018. I soon started having problems with very hard shifting and slamming into gear. It has been to the shop and diagnosed and continues to do it. They cant seem to fix it. My ABS lights and alarm are sounding non stop. This happened within 5 miles of my warranty being up. I did diagnostics and they wont cover it and want to charge me 1500 plus i have to wait 8 months for the part. This is an ABS issue and a safety issue! I also get the DEF failure notice telling me its going into limp mode. This has happened multiple times. I still only have 36k miles on it. I was told this ABS issue was now covered and the factory is doing extended warranties based on these problems. But the dealership says they know noting about it and that i have to bring it back in AGAIN to diagnose which i have to pay for AGAIN. I hate this truck and i have had nothing but problems and no one will help.

Filed Apr 5, 2024 · Engine · OH

On 20 Mar 2024, the vehicle throttle went to full throttle and was stuck in full throttle while on the highway. After kicking the accelerator pedal multiple times the throttle came out of full and then entered limp mode with the message “service electronic throttle control” displayed. The accelerator pedal did not stick on anything and the truck actively pulled the accelerator pedal away from my foot and completely into the firewall. Luckily the brakes were strong enough to control the acceleration but this occurred in a packed part of the highway with few options to pull to the side of the road. After kicking the pedal more and cycling the power to the truck, it exited limp mode and normal operation was restored. Afterward the truck displayed no codes so the mechanic could not verify the problem. This has occurred 3 times now.

Filed Dec 26, 2023 · Brakes, Transmission · CO

I purchased the truck used from Kunes dealership in Sterling Illinois with about 80k miles. It shifted harder than I was use to in low gears, right off the bat. I was advised everything was good with it at the oil changes and inspections. In June 2023 I noticed it would not shift into reverse and without yanking in the shifter. It lunges once forward while in park in my driveway. At just over 100k miles the check engine light came on. Coded as needing a new transmission. Also in September 2023 while driving it a brake warning light flickered in and went off. Haven’t seen it again. I think there are problems with this truck. The shifting slow and hard in low gears seemed odd and I worried about proper acceleration to avoid a rear end collision. I understand very little about vehicles but this one has been doing dangerous things that makes me worry about the safety of it.

Filed Nov 21, 2022 · Electrical · NC

A few weeks ago, the seat and steering wheel was so hot, I could hardley hold the steering wheel to drive. I immediately checked the controls for the heat, it was on and I turned off, it turns back on. I finally found a safe place to pull over and went to settings and made sure it was off. It automatically comes back on, then it wouldn't let me turn it off. Finally it switches to cool seats, then then fan is coming on wide open and I couldn't turn that off. I finally shut the truck down for a few minutes. Then restarted the truck, then the truck wouldn't go in drive, it was stuck in park. I kept working with the shifter and finally got it in drive. As soon as I pull back into traffic, the backup camera is on, the radio starts going crazy, going from station to station, I tried turning off the screen, it wouldn't turn off. Then all my phone contacts come up on the screen and then starts randomly calling people. I couldn't make it stop until I disconnected it from Bluetooth. I finally made it home and shut the truck off, and disconnected the battery hoping to reset the entire system. The next day, same stuff, but different stuff. Doors locking and unlocking. Also, had to take off Bluetooth again, because it starts talking and reading all my text messages. I love my truck, but it is driving me crazy, it's so distracting trying to keep it from doing all this crazy stuff. The steering wheel getting hot is crazy, I can't get nothing done sitting on the side of the road. Please help!!!

Filed Aug 8, 2022 · Transmission · WI

Transmission abrubtly shifts into 4th gear and will not shift up or down. Cannot manually shift either. Must pull over and shut off vehicle and restart.

Filed Oct 25, 2021 · Transmission · 30,000 miles · CA

The contact owns a 2018 Ram 2500. The contact stated that the vehicle was repaired at the dealer under the federal safety agency Campaign Number: 20V036000 (Power Train) however, the failure occurred after the recall was repaired. The transmission shifter would not shift to drive after the vehicle was parked. The transmission shifter cable disconnected from the transmission, causing the vehicle to not perform shifts intended by the driver. Additionally, the gear shift lever position on the dashboard did not match the actual transmission gear. The vehicle was towed to the dealer. The vehicle was not diagnosed nor repaired and remained at the dealer. The manufacturer was made aware of the failure. The failure mileage was approximately 30,000.

Filed Jul 30, 2021 · Engine · LA

The DEF Pump responsible for controlling the flow of Diesel Exhaust Fluid to reduce exhaust emissions prematurely fails (in my case, it was at 61,000 miles) which forces the truck into "limp mode" limiting the speed of the vehicle to 5 miles per hour. Additionally, once this part fails, the truck cannot properly dispense DEF to the exhaust to reduce diesel emissions as designed and as mandated by the EPA. Manufacturer acknowledged failure of the part and began redesign and remanufacture of the DEF Pump prior to the Covid pandemic. Replacement part availability is sporadic at best. Further, repair of this component has not been covered by Federal emissions warranty or any extended warranty of the drivetrain, thus forcing a several thousand dollar repair on the consumer. Online search reveals thousands of other Ram truck owners who are experiencing the same issues as described here My vehicle has been appropriately maintained and yet this occurred without warning of the imminent failure. Once the failure occurs, the vehicle poses significant risk to the environment due to inappropriate emissions, and places an undo financial burden on the consumer for a known manufacturing defect. I brought my vehicle to an authorized Ram dealership who diagnosed the issue as described above and then repaired the vehicle at a cost to me of approximately $ 2,100.00.