Ram 2500 jerking problems

Filed Aug 31, 2026 · Electrical, Transmission · SC

I am reporting a transmission safety problem with my 2016 Ram 2500 Cummins that began shortly after FCA campaign U29 was performed. Before the recall work, the transmission and original solenoid were functioning normally. I had no transmission symptoms, warning lights, or transmission codes. The dealership performed U29 and replaced the transmission solenoid May 4-6, 2026. I picked the truck up May 6 at 149,091 miles. About 79 miles later, the check-engine light came on and transmission problems began. While driving, including on the interstate, the truck would suddenly jerk, the RPMs would rise quickly, and the truck would lose speed. On several occasions, traffic behind me had to react quickly to avoid hitting me. The dealership told me the solenoid installed during the U29 repair was defective and replaced it with another solenoid. The same problems continued. The truck later developed code P0871, became undriveable, and was towed back June 1. The original transmission ultimately failed. The dealership then installed a Mopar remanufactured transmission. I picked it up June 13. Within roughly 600 miles, it developed substantially identical symptoms and failure patterns, including P0870 and P0871, limp mode, and another major transmission failure. It was towed back June 24. The dealership later found the overdrive clutch had disintegrated and metal was present in the transmission fluid. The failed remanufactured transmission is now being handled under its Mopar warranty, and the dealership is looking to install a third transmission without identifying a clear reason for the repeated failures. I am concerned the same problem could happen again and believe the U29 repair, replacement parts, or another related transmission problem should be investigated.

Filed Jul 28, 2026 · Steering · 31,000 miles · MS

The contact owns a 2022 Ram 2500. The contact stated that while driving approximately 70 MPH, the steering wheel jerked to the right and the traction control warning light illuminated. The contact stated that while the vehicle was parked, the electronic stability control, Forward Collision Avoidance, check engine, and power steering warning lights were illuminated. The vehicle was taken to a dealer, where it was diagnosed and determined that there was water intrusion in the rack and pinion, causing corrosion of the electronic power steering system and several other unknown components that needed to be replaced. The vehicle was not repaired. The manufacturer was not notified of the failure. The failure mileage was approximately 31,000.

Filed Jul 8, 2026 · Brakes · AL

The brake pedal is soft and travels all the way to the floor before it engages. It has done it from the day I purchased the truck. The dealership stated it is normal for that truck. I had previously owned a 2014 RAM 2500 w/6.4L Gas engine, 2017 RAM 2500 w/6.7L Diesel engine, 2021 RAM 3500 w/6.7L Diesel engine, all had firm normal operating brakes as you would expect for a truck. The brake pedal will physically bottom out to the floor causing the vehicle to creep and/or move forward when in gear if you even slightly lift off the brakes, requiring immediate action to pump the brake pedal to obtain a firm pedal, however the feel is only momentary and you can feel the pedal bleed off until the pedal bottoms out again. This issue is extremely problematic when towing a trailer equipped with electric trailer brakes due to the fact that the trailer brakes are engaging far sooner then the trucks braking system due to the long brake pedal travel before engaging causing the trailer to aggressively yank on the truck. This causes a jerky, uncomfortable stop and puts excessive strain on the hitch, making it difficult to maintain control and further leading to rapid wear on the trailer brake pads. I have pretty much stop driving the truck due to the braking system, hence the low mileage (current miles is 1,203 miles since purchased on 27 January 2026).

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 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 Oct 28, 2025 · Brakes, Transmission · 85,000 miles · GA

The contact owns a 2017 Ram 2500. 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 contact stated that the manufacturer had exceeded a reasonable amount of time for the recall repair. The contact stated that while driving at an undisclosed speed, the vehicle lurched forward, and the transmission inadvertently shifted into neutral(N). No warning light was illuminated. The dealer was made aware of the failure but confirmed that parts were not yet available. The vehicle was not repaired. The manufacturer was made aware of the failure, and a case was filed. The failure mileage was approximately 85,000.

Filed Jul 28, 2025 · Transmission · CO

There appears to be leaking from the dipstick tube. Transmission lurches when accelerating and decelerating. Eddies Repair in Pagosa Springs Colorado looked at the vehicle and suggested there may be a recall on this issue. When looking up the vin my vehicle is not included in recall ZA3. I purchased this truck in March 2025 and it has been an issue from then.

Filed May 5, 2025 · Electrical, Engine · WI

Vehicle randomly shuts off during normal operation. Same as if the Start / Stop button were activated. Vehicle coasts until it self applies the emergency brake at about 3mph causing a sudden, jerky complete stop. Switches itself to Park. Dash indicates “sterp on brake to restart”. Vehicle restarts normally but may randomly shut down again. Safety risk is loss of steering, loss of power brake control, and total loss of power in traffic. Taking it to dealer today. Vehicle has not been inspected by anyone yet. No messages or warning lights display. This is a recent problem but recurring with increasing frequency.

Filed Dec 13, 2024 · Engine · 177,038 miles · PA

The contact owns a 2014 Ram 2500. The contact stated while driving 45 MPH, the vehicle started to jerk, slipped into neutral, with the RPM being raised abnormally. The check engine warning light was illuminated. The contact pulled over to the side of the road and continued driving the vehicle very slowly. The vehicle was taken to a local AutoZone to be diagnosed. The contact was informed that 5th and 6th gears were in incorrect gear ratio. The local dealer was not contacted. The vehicle was not repaired. The manufacturer was not notified of the failure. The approximate failure mileage was 177,038.

Filed May 28, 2024 · Engine, Transmission · TX

The transmission down shifts by itself while driving down the road . You have to stop an change the gears to park then start again.I has happened 3 or 4 times .most of the time when you stop at a light or stop sign and take off when it drops to a lower gear it makes a sudden jerk. Some times tyhe transmission slams in to gear rather hard, I am going to be out of warranty if some one does not fix this problem.It has 12,276.7 miles on it as of right now. Any help would be greatly appreciated. I don,t drive it much but it is going to blow the engine up or the tramission.