Ram 2500 harsh shifting problems

Filed Mar 16, 2026 · Transmission · TN

I own a 2023 Ram 2500 equipped with the 6.7L Cummins diesel and 68RFE automatic transmission. The vehicle has experienced ongoing transmission malfunction issues including extremely harsh shifting, intermittent RPM flare during gear changes, delayed engagement, and sudden lurching during acceleration and deceleration. The issue occurs most commonly during low-speed acceleration and normal driving conditions. The transmission will sometimes flare RPM between gears and then slam into the next gear. At other times the vehicle will lurch forward unexpectedly around approximately 35–45 mph. The behavior is inconsistent and unpredictable. Some drives appear normal while others produce severe shifting events. This condition creates a safety concern because the vehicle can surge or jerk unexpectedly during normal driving and while towing. I regularly tow a small enclosed trailer and these sudden shift events create instability and loss of smooth power delivery. The vehicle has been inspected multiple times by an authorized Ram dealership. The dealer has attempted repairs including transmission diagnostics and valve body replacement. The condition has continued despite repair attempts. The vehicle has also remained out of service at the dealership for extended periods of time while the manufacturer attempts to diagnose the issue. No warning lights consistently appear prior to the failure. The symptoms occur intermittently after the vehicle reaches operating temperature and sometimes after driving several miles. This issue has been confirmed by the dealership and the manufacturer has been involved in the case. The vehicle remains unrepaired after multiple attempts. Because this is a heavy-duty truck that frequently tows loads, the sudden harsh shifting and unpredictable transmission behavior creates a potential safety risk to the driver and surrounding traffic.

Filed Jan 16, 2026 · Transmission · NH

The transmission is slipping and making clunking noises and I'm worried it fails while driving it could be a safety issue. I noticed other people online mention the same problem. This should be a manufacture recall to get repaired not a consumer.

Filed Dec 22, 2025 · Transmission · OR

I have a clunk to when coming to a stop, the transmission is down shifting, and just before it comes to a complete stop, the truck has a clunk that is felt through the vehicle and heard. at times while stopped the vehicle will lurch forward as though you have been hit from behind. The truck has been back to the dealership several times for this problem, two different dealerships because the first one gave up and was suggested to take it to another dealership per Ram. The truck has been shut down completely two time to put in relearn mode, three transmission replacements, four valve body replacements, and they wanted to put a fourth transmission in the truck, but the mechanic said he doubts thats the problem to Ram, and so now they want to say that its operating as design, Ram asked me to take it to a third dealership, so I did, the mechanic and I went for a drive in the truck, the mechanic said there is definitely a problem, but he would not take on this job because he would not want to deal with Ram and there politics. So that leaves me driving a 2022 Ram 2500 truck I purchased [XXX] that did not have this problem until after purchase six months later. Ram customer care has offered money for my inconvenience, I said I just want my truck fixed, they said they are not going to do anymore. I have a vehicle that has been in the shop for a total of eleven months since i have purchase it, has not been fixed, and every time I come to a stop I cringe because I know it is going to clunk and I didn't even take my new travel trailer out the last year because of fear of it breaking down. I paid good money for this truck, and it seems Ram does not care, they got my money and so they got what they wanted. If Ram cannot fix this, then let's talk about getting me in another truck. I am really frustrated, and do not know where to turn. Thank you [XXX] [XXX] [XXX] INFORMATION REDACTED PURSUANT TO THE FREEDOM OF INFORMATION ACT (FOIA), 5 U.S.C. 552(B)(6)

Filed Jul 17, 2025 · Brakes · NJ

In December 2024, I received recall notice C4B for my 2018 RAM 2500 truck. The notice concerned the brake hydraulic unit, which is susceptible to failure. At almost exactly the same time, I started to receive dashboard indicators to check the ABS, but it worked fine, I just assumed that the alert was related to the recall. The recall stated that parts were not available and that I would be contacted when there was a resolution. The notice did not indicate that the vehicle was unsafe to drive. Around [XXX], the brakes began making a grinding sound from both sides of the front wheels. I checked the pads, which seemed fine, and there was no scoring on either front rotor. Coincidentally, I got a flat on the left front tire the day after the grinding noise started. It was in the driveway and I was unable to put on the spare until July 12, 2025, the vehicle sat in the driveway with a flat tire until then. After swapping in the spare on the 12th, I planned to get the tire repaired at my local garage. I began pulling out of my driveway at a few miles per hour. I applied the brakes to maintain a slow speed, and the grinding worsened. As I reached the end of my 30 foot driveway and pulled into the street, I heard a clunk, which I also felt through the brake pedal. The pedal immediately went to the floor, and the vehicle rolled across the street before finally stopping. I was able to back into the driveway and park the vehicle without incident. I contacted my local RAM dealer, and they said there was nothing they could do. They gave me the number for Fiat Chrysler Customer Care. I called Fiat Chrysler Customer Care at 800‑853‑1403 and received case number[XXX]. They explained that a resolution was not yet available and advised me to call a dealer and ask for a "temporary fix". When I told them the dealer had already said they couldn’t do anything, and that the dealer told me to call them, they suggested that I try a different dealer. INFORMATION REDACTED PURSUANT TO THE FREEDOM OF INFORMATION ACT (FOIA), 5 U.S.C. 552(B)(6)

Filed Jun 9, 2025 · Brakes, Transmission · 125,000 miles · NC

The contact owns a 2018 Ram 2500. The contact stated that the ABS warning light was illuminated. The contact stated that the brakes were making abnormal clunking sounds. The contact stated that the traction control, 4WD, and cruise control were inoperable. The contact received notification of the federal safety agency Campaign Number: 24V896000 (Service Brakes, Hydraulic); however, the part to do the recall repair was not yet available. The local dealer was contacted. 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 issue. The contact had not experienced a failure. The approximate failure mileage 125,000. VIN tool confirms parts not available.

Filed Jan 23, 2025 · Transmission · NY

Transmission issues began at less then 10K miles when the vehicle was new. Initially experienced a noise and slam into reverse gear. The dealer initially claimed the noises were normal or could not replicate the issue. Over time, the vehicle developed a hard shift between 1st and 2nd gear and between 4th and 5th gear. Despite multiple repair attempts by the dealer, the problem persisted. After spending 94 days at the dealership, the transmission was replaced with a refurbished unit of unknown age at approximately 26,000 miles. According to the dealership representative, a manufacturing defect in the transmission case was ultimately identified as the cause of the failure.

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 Jan 25, 2024 · Steering · MO

2 months ago my truck started making a “whirling noise” whenever I would turn the steering wheel. There was no change in the ability to steer at all. The service manager informed me it was a “Hydro-booster” issue and was in no way dangerous or would create a danger until an opportunity for service and parts were available. He informed me this was not a warrenty issue and I would have to either leave my truck for “weeks” while part was removed and sent in for inspection or accept noise until I wanted to foot bill for repair of over $1K. I elected to drive with noise until I could save up money and be without my work truck. Recently, driving my truck down the highway and hit a pot hole which created an “out of alighnment” in my steering. Upon arriving home the steering wheel was up to 180 degrees out of snych with steering. As I was backing into driveway and going over the driveway curb I heard a loud “clunking” noise in which my steering wheel then had absolutly no connection with the front tires. I was able to free-spin the column. I had it towed to dealership. Talking to Service Manager, he said it sounds like 2 retaining nuts loosened up to the point of falling off and steering linkage dislodged. Why is there no retaining/ locking pin on these bolting parts to prevent complete separation. I could have been still traveling down the highway when this happened. I feel this should be repaired as a Warranty and I not be charged for this repair.

Filed Aug 9, 2021 · Steering · FL

My Ram 2500 truck is in need of repair under the R46 recall. On 8/4/2021 the dealership inspected my truck and claimed they had ordered parts and the repair will not be completed until June 2022. The recall bulletin states that a failure of the track bar frame bracket can cause a sudden crash without warning. There is a frequent popping or "clunk" sound coming from under the truck when turning and when going over bumps. This is my daily driving vehicle. I do not think it is safe to drive this truck for another 25,000-30,000 miles while waiting for these parts. This truck has been in the same dealer service center at least three times since 2015 for recall repairs and each time they have failed to address the R46 recall.

Filed Oct 13, 2020 · Brakes, Steering · 1,600 miles · CA

Power steering continues to go out, vibration and "sticking" as I press the brake, and clunking in the suspension. Dealership cannot figure it out!!!!! Vibration occurs constantly, more so on start up. Clunking occurs when going around a turn at any MPH. I have videos to show both issues!