The contact owns a 2022 Ram 5500. The contact stated while driving 50–55 MPH, the vehicle lost motive power due to the transmission failure. There were no warning lights illuminated. The vehicle was towed to the local dealer but was not diagnosed or repaired. The vehicle was towed to another local dealer, Speck Chrysler Jeep Dodge Ram (125 E Allen Rd., Sunnyside, WA 98944), where it was diagnosed that the snap ring was fractured. The vehicle was not repaired. The manufacturer was contacted and referred the contact to the local dealer for assistance. The failure mileage was approximately 8,000.
Ram 5500 transmission failure problems
10 of the 159 owner complaints about the Ram 5500 describe complete transmission failure.
- owner complaints
- 10
Is there a fix? There are 3 recalls for this area of the car. See below
By model year
- 202210
Often reported together
Trouble codes mentioned
P0734 1
What owners say
The transmission failed at approximately 3000 miles. Reverse was the only gear to function properly. The truck has been at the dealership for over 2 months and they have not fixed it yet.
I drive a RAM 5500, 20' Jerrdan Flatbed Tow truck. We had just purchased this truck about a week and a half prior to the transmission failure. We had 2500 miles on it, and were towing two vehicles behind. We pulled off of the highway, and then felt an extremely hard clunk underneath the truck to which the rear tires locked up, and stopped us in the middle of the road. Once we were stopped, the truck began to clunk louder so hard it would shake the entire truck. Then a CEL appeared, for PO731 and P0734, the truck in drive would only rev and not move. Reverse did work however. But we could not reverse anywhere as we were in the middle of the highway. We had to get a tow truck which took 4 hours because nobody wanted to tow us due to the situation. We almost got hit so many times, it was so dangerous and scary for me and my passenger, as we thought we were going to crash when the rear wheels locked up. This issue needs to be taken much more seriously and looked into becoming a recall. Somebody on the highway could get KILLED!
Description: The Aisin transmission in my new Ram 2022 5500 unexpectedly failed in the middle of the highway, despite the vehicle having only 5,000 miles on it. This sudden breakdown posed a significant safety risk to me and other drivers on the road. Unfortunately, the truck is currently at Johnson's Auto Center in Denver, but they are unable to provide an estimated time for inspecting the transmission. It appears probable that a new transmission will need to be ordered to resolve the issue. Regrettably, I do not have any further details or insights regarding the incident and its cause at this time.
Driving on the freeway with no warning got an engine light, ABS light, 4 Wheel drive light and transmission failed. It will not go into drive only reverse
Many owners have reported sudden loss of power and control resulting from explosive transmission failure causing a major public safety issue. RAM has not provided details on which vehicles are affected. The TSB states if the customer experiences such symptoms to contact dealer if still alive. This lack of information has resulted in many customers simply parking their vehicles and waiting until FCA issues more details on which transmission serial numbers are impacted. Owners have also joined various forums and crowd sourcing information (SEE ATTACHED EXECEL SHEET) to identify factors such as build dates, transmission serial numbers and conditions in which the failure happened. I am requesting the federal safety agency to conduct an investigation and require FCA to provide more details regarding impacted vehicles rather than taking a if-it-fails-call-us approach. Furthermore, FCA is not reimbursing owners for towing expenses related to the load. In some cases the truck towing is covered but not in other cases if the towing cost is deemed too high. This has resulted in some owners paying over $5000 for towing expenses and waiting for repayment. In some cases the TSB repair has resulted in additional failures causing the vehicles to be out of services for multiple months and additional safety to the operators and other motor vehicles that share the road with these RAM vehicles.
The transmission failed after less than 500 miles. I stopped at a red light at the end of an exit ramp, and when the light turned green, the truck would not move, either in forward or reverse. I was in the middle lane of a 3 lane exit ramp, and cars were passing me on each side. There were no symptoms or warnings prior to the total failure. The truck had to be towed to a dealer, where they confirmed that the transmission had failed.
My truck has 850 miles on it and the transmission failed. It has been at the ram dealer for a month with no fix in sight. Ram customer service has been no help.
The contact owns a 2022 Ram 5500. The contact stated while driving approximately 65 MPH, the vehicle lost motive power and the contact was unable to shift gear. The check engine warning light was illuminated. The vehicle failed to restart. The vehicle was towed to a local dealer, where it was diagnosed that the transmission needed to be replaced. The vehicle was repaired; however, the failure reoccurred. The contact stated that while driving at an undisclosed speed on the highway, the vehicle lost motive power and stalled. The vehicle failed to restart. The vehicle was then towed to Greensboro Chrysler Dodge Jeep Ram (3710 W Wendover Ave, Greensboro, NC 27407) where it was diagnosed that the transmission failed and needed to be rebuilt. The contact was made aware that the parts were on back order. The vehicle remained at the dealer awaiting parts for the repair. The manufacturer was made aware of the failure. The approximate failure mileage was 1,500.
My transmission went out completely without warning while driving on the expressway was able to glide it to right shoulder thank goodness my truck only has 161 miles that’s one hundred and sixty one miles and was recently bought as I’m doing research I’m starting to find out I’m not the only one these trucks are dangerous specially, when you’re on the expressway these transmissions go out without warning I could’ve got hit by other vehicles in the middle of the expressway. I got lucky. Thank God there wasn’t a lot of traffic due to a snowstorm coming.
Related recalls
Power train: automatic transmission
- What is wrong
- Chrysler (FCA US LLC) is recalling certain 2017-2018 RAM 1500, 2500, 3500, 3500 Cab Chassis, 4500 Cab Chassis, and 5500 Cab Chassis vehicles, all equipped with a column shifter. Pushing the brake pedal for prolonged periods when the vehicle is running and in PARK may cause the Brake Transmission Shift Interlock (BTSI) pin to stick in the open position. With the pin in the open position, the transmission can be shifted out of PARK into any gear without pushing the brake pedal or having the key in the ignition.
- Risk
- Being able to shift the transmission without pushing the brake pedal and/or without a key in the ignition can increase the risk of an unintended vehicle rollaway that may result in personal injury or a crash.
- Remedy
- Chrysler will notify owners and dealers will update the Body Control Module software. Dealers will also test the BTSI operation, replacing the solenoid as necessary. The recall began February 26, 2018. Owners may contact Chrysler customer service at 1‑800‑853‑1403. Chrysler's number for this recall is U11.
Recall number 18V100000 · Recall details
Power train: automatic transmission: lever and linkage: column shift
- What is wrong
- Chrysler (FCA US LLC) is recalling certain 2016-2017 Ram 3500 Cab Chassis with a Gross Vehicle Weight Rating (GVWR) of less than 10,000 lbs, 2011-2017 Ram 3500, 4500 and 5500 Cab Chassis vehicles, 2009-2017 Ram 1500 and 2010-2017 Ram 2500 and 3500 pickup trucks, all equipped with a column shifter. Pushing the brake pedal for prolonged periods when the vehicle is running and in PARK may cause the Brake Transmission Shift Interlock (BTSI) pin to stick in the open position. With the pin in the open position, the transmission can be shifted out of PARK into any gear without pushing the brake pedal or having the key in the ignition.
- Risk
- Being able to shift the transmission without pushing the brake pedal and/or without a key in the ignition can increase the risk of an unintended vehicle rollaway that may result in personal injury or a crash.
- Remedy
- Chrysler will notify owners, and dealers will update the vehicle software, inspect the BTSI, and, as necessary, replace it, free of charge. The recall began February 26, 2018. Owners may contact Chrysler customer service at 1‑800‑853‑1403. Chrysler's number for this recall is T79.
Recall number 17V821000 · Recall details
Power train: transfer case (4-wheel drive)
- What is wrong
- Chrysler (FCA US LLC) is recalling certain model year 2016 Ram 3500 trucks manufactured July 24, 2015, through January 7, 2016, and 2016 Ram 4500/5500 trucks manufactured July 24, 2015, through October 8, 2015. The transfer case may have been manufactured with a misshapen main output shaft, creating voids that may cause a shaft fracture.
- Risk
- If the main output shaft fractures, the vehicle may lose motive power, increasing the risk of a crash. Additionally, the driver may be unable to place the vehicle in PARK, increasing the risk of a vehicle rollaway.
- Remedy
- Chrysler will notify owners, and dealers will replace the transfer case, free of charge. The recall began on August 11, 2016. Owners may contact Chrysler customer service at 1‑800‑853‑1403. Chrysler's number for this recall is S48.
Recall number 16V495000 · Recall details
Questions about the Ram 5500 transmission failure
Which Ram 5500 years have complete transmission failure problems?
The model years with the most reports are 2022 (10 complaints).
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