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2021 Ram 3500 transmission problems

11 complaints (17% of all complaints for this car).

owner complaints
11
of this car's complaints
17%
crashes
0
recalls
1

Which part fails

Owners did not name a specific part.

At what mileage

Complaints by mileage at the time of the problem.

0k-25k
25k-50k
50k-75k
75k-100k
100k-125k
125k-150k
150k-175k
175k-200k
200k+

Ram 3500 transmission problems in other years

2009201520202026

Related recalls

Power train: automatic transmissionReported November 10, 2022 · 250,079 vehicles affected
What is wrong
FCA US, LLC (Chrysler) is recalling certain 2020-2023 Ram 2500 and 2020-2022 Ram 3500 vehicles. A build-up of pressure and heat inside the transmission may result in a transmission fluid leak from the dipstick tube.
Risk
Leaking transmission fluid may contact an ignition source within the engine compartment, increasing the risk of a fire.
Remedy
Dealers will replace the transmission dipstick and transmission vent assembly, free of charge. Owner notification letters were mailed December 29, 2022. Owners may contact FCA US, LLC customer service at 1‑800‑853‑1403. Chrysler's number for this recall is ZA3.

Recall number 22V835000 · Recall details

What 2021 Ram 3500 owners say

Most recent owner complaints, unedited.

Filed Aug 8, 2025 · Brakes, Engine · OR

Vehicle died in a busy intersection coming off the freeway. Light flashed that indicated it was an issue with the electronic throttle control. The safety of myself and others was put at risk due to the posted speed of the road and multiple lanes from 4 directions. I had to remain in my vehicle to make sure I was not hit by another vehicle and due to the vehicle issue, I was impeding traffic. Lithia Dodge of Grants Pass, OR stated they could not make an appt for the vehicle to get looked at for 2 weeks out, scheduled 8/22/25. Dealership seems to think this is not an issue with safety and this issue can occur while the vehicle is in motion which is a huge safety issue. No warning lights flashed before the first one indicating the vehicle would shut down/lose all power.

Filed Feb 24, 2025 · Transmission · 64,000 miles · KY

The contact owns a 2021 Ram 3500. The contact stated that after starting the vehicle, the accelerator pedal was depressed, but the vehicle failed to drive forward or to reverse. The RPM was raised high, and the check engine warning light was illuminated. The vehicle was taken to the dealer, where it was determined that the transmission needed to be replaced; however, the parts were on backorder. The failure recurred, and the vehicle was towed to the farm. The vehicle was not repaired. The manufacturer was made aware of the failure and a case was opened. The failure mileage was approximately 64,000.

Filed Oct 1, 2024 · Transmission · 60,000 miles · AZ

The contact owns a 2021 Ram 3500. The contact stated while the vehicle was parked, the contact noticed fluid on the ground underneath the vehicle. The contact inspected the vehicle and cleaned the oil pan. The contact determined that the fluid was not coming from the oil pan. The contact inspected the transmission dip stick and determined that the leaking fluid was coming from the transmission fluid reservoir. The vehicle was not diagnosed or repaired by an independent mechanic or the dealer. The manufacturer was made aware of the failure and a case was filed. The contact was informed of an unknown recall; however, the contact was informed that the VIN was not included in the recall. The contact was advised to contact the federal safety agency Hotline to report the failure. The failure mileage was approximately 60,000.

Filed Aug 9, 2024 · Transmission · UT

Well traveling up a hill the transmission locked up shut the truck down had to hold the brakes to keep for rolling Backwards got the truck in park was able to restart it put it back in gear The transmission started making A loud grinding noise slammed in to gear really hard when I put it back in to drive then it Was it like it went into neutral again? Then it slammed into gear again was able to get the truck off the road and it Kept making the loud grinding and locking up then going into Neutral again.

Filed Feb 27, 2024 · Transmission · TX

Transmission will not go in to Park when stopped, Truck will roll away if parked on grade. Dealer reports no recall on this Transmission. Has not been inspected by anyone at this time. No warning lights ,before or after problem started. Problem start about 6 month ago, at about 18,000 miles

Filed Oct 16, 2023 · Body, Electrical · WA

The contact owns a 2021 Ram 3500. The contact received notification of the federal safety agency Campaign Numbers: 22V835000 (Power Train), 22V904000 (Structure), and 23V060000 (Electrical System); however, the parts to do the recall repairs were unavailable. The contact stated that the manufacturer had exceeded a reasonable amount of time for the recall repair. The contact had not experienced a failure. Parts distribution disconnect.

Filed Sep 5, 2023 · Body, Electrical · MT

The contact owns a 2021 Ram 3500. The contact received notification of the federal safety agency Campaign Number: 22V835000 (Power Train), 22V904000 (Structure) and 23V060000 (Electrical System) however, the parts to do the recall repairs were 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. Parts distribution disconnect.

Filed May 17, 2023 · Engine, Transmission · CA

When coming to a complete stop and the brake fully pressed down, the truck will lunge forward and almost hit the car in front of me. Then the trucks idle will reduce and it will start to shake. Several people have reported this issue on this year vehicle. Many people have stated that it is due to a faulty solenoid Torque Converter Clutch (TCC). Please investigate as this could cause a serious accident if the truck lunges and hits a pedestrian in the crosswalk.

Filed May 2, 2023 · Electrical, Transmission · NC

The contact owns a 2021 Ram 3500. The contact received notification of the federal safety agency Campaign Number: 22V835000 (Power Train) and 23V060000 (Electrical System) however, the parts to do the recall repairs were unavailable. The contact stated that the manufacturer had exceeded a reasonable amount of time for the recall repairs. The manufacturer was not made aware of the issue. The contact had not experienced a failure. VIN tool confirms parts not available.

Filed Mar 21, 2022 · Transmission · FL · fire

The transmission’s light came on saying that it was heated. I parked as soon as possible and that’s when the flames were coming out of the hood. I did burned my hands trying to put out the fire with 3 fire extinguishers. I did not want my truck to burn. Now, the dealer is trying to say that they can’t get a conclusion of what started the fire. The truck smells like burned transmission fluid. I sent pictures of the truck to the dealer. There is a recall in February 2020 with the same problem that I had with my 2021 Ram. Prior to this incident, the truck did not have any warnings or lights on.

Questions about the 2021 Ram 3500 transmission

Does the 2021 Ram 3500 have transmission problems?

Owners have filed 11 complaints about the transmission of the 2021 Ram 3500, 17% of all its complaints.

At what mileage do 2021 Ram 3500 transmission problems start?

Not enough complaints include the mileage to tell.

Was there a recall on the 2021 Ram 3500 transmission?

Yes, 1 recall: 22V835000. Check your VIN to see if your car still needs the free repair.

What year does the Ram 3500 have bad transmission?

The Ram 3500 model years with the most transmission complaints are 2022 (115 complaints), 2014 (39 complaints) and 2015 (32 complaints).

Other 2021 Ram 3500 problems

Electrical 17Engine 13Wheels 7Brakes 6Body 5Driver assistance 5Fuel system 5Lights 3Tires 3Suspension 2Acceleration 1Seat belts 1Seats 1Steering 1Visibility 1

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