Ram 3500 Transmission Problems by Year
By CarWhere Research · Updated
Some, but not unusually many. 317 of the 2,249 owner complaints filed with NHTSA for the 2008–2025 Ram 3500 (14.1%) name the transmission, near the 12.6% median share across the 139 models we track. We have no published sales figures for this model, so there is no per-1,000 rate. The worst years are 2022, 2014 and 2015.
Transmission complaints
317
Filed with NHTSA, 2008–2025 models
Per 1,000 sold
No sales data
Not computed without a published sales figure
Share of all complaints
14.1%
of 2,249 complaints for this model
Transmission recalls
8
NHTSA campaigns, all years
Ram 3500 transmission complaints by model year
Owner complaints filed with NHTSA whose component list includes Power Train (transmission, transfer case and driveline). Worst years are highlighted.
| Model year | Transmission complaints | Share of all complaints | Crash / fire / injury | Transmission recalls | Transmission TSBs* |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2008 | 0 | 0% | 0 | — | 15 |
| 2009 | 1 | 33.3% | 0 | — | 16 |
| 2013 | 11 | 9.6% | 0 | 17V821000 | 64 |
| 2014WORST | 39 | 19.3% | 1 | 17V821000 | 74 |
| 2015WORST | 32 | 23.5% | 3 | 17V821000 | 69 |
| 2016 | 19 | 14.3% | 1 | 17V82100016V495000 | 92 |
| 2017 | 27 | 9% | 1 | 18V10000017V821000 | 38 |
| 2018 | 23 | 3% | 1 | 18V100000 | 38 |
| 2019 | 18 | 13.4% | 3 | 20V043000 | 105 |
| 2020 | 11 | 9.8% | 1 | 22V83500020V043000 | 110 |
| 2021 | 11 | 17.7% | 1 | 22V835000 | 61 |
| 2022WORST | 112 | 60.9% | 1 | 22V835000 | 54 |
| 2023 | 1 | 6.7% | 0 | 24V413000 | 39 |
| 2024 | 6 | 16.2% | 0 | — | 34 |
| 2025 | 6 | 17.1% | 0 | 25V297000 | 22 |
- Older model years have had more time on the road to collect complaints, so compare neighboring years, not 2010 against 2024.
- Crash / fire / injury = complaints where the owner reported a crash, a fire or an injury.
- No row for 2010–2012: NHTSA's complaints data returned no records for those years under this model's names.
- *Technical service bulletins in the year's leading TSB categories that name the transmission.
Common Ram 3500 transmission problems owners describe
We searched the narratives of all 317 transmission complaints for symptom keywords. One complaint can mention several, so the shares don't add up to 100%.
Ram 3500 years to avoid for the transmission
2022 Ram 3500
112 transmission complaints (60.9% of the year's 184). Most often described: jerking, lurching or harsh shifts. Covered by transmission recall 22V835000.
2014 Ram 3500
39 transmission complaints (19.3% of the year's 202). Most often described: hesitation or delayed engagement. Covered by transmission recall 17V821000.
2015 Ram 3500
32 transmission complaints (23.5% of the year's 136). Most often described: hesitation or delayed engagement. Covered by transmission recall 17V821000.
Worst years are those with at least 10 transmission complaints and at least 1.5 times the model's median year. For every year's overall verdict, including other systems, see the Ram 3500 years to avoid.
Ram 3500 transmission recalls
NHTSA recall campaigns filed under Power Train for any Ram 3500 model year. Recall repairs are free at a dealer. Check a specific car by VIN on NHTSA's site.
- 25V297000 · 2025-05-08 · 2025 models
A software error may cause the gear selection display to be inaccurate. As such, these vehicles fail to comply with the requirements of Federal Motor Vehicle Safety Standard number 101, "Control and Displays."
- 24V413000 · 2024-06-06 · 2023 models
An insufficient weld in the transmission control unit can allow transmission fluid to leak on to electrical components, resulting in a loss of drive power or loss of park function.
- 22V835000 · 2022-11-10 · 2020–2022 models
A build-up of pressure and heat inside the transmission may result in a transmission fluid leak from the dipstick tube.
- 20V043000 · 2020-01-24 · 2019–2020 models
A build up of pressure and heat inside the transmission may result in a transmission fluid leak from the dipstick tube.
- 18V100000 · 2018-02-08 · 2017–2018 models
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…
- 17V821000 · 2017-12-20 · 2010–2017 models
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…
- 16V495000 · 2016-07-01 · 2016 models
The transfer case may have been manufactured with a misshapen main output shaft, creating voids that may cause a shaft fracture.
- 13V344000 · 2013-08-06 · 2012 models
Due to a loose snap ring inside the transmission, there may be a loss of power transfer through the transmission to the wheels.
Related research
Frequently asked questions
Does the 2022 Ram 3500 have transmission problems?
Yes, it is one of the worst years. Owners filed 112 transmission complaints with NHTSA for the 2022 Ram 3500, 60.9% of all 184 complaints for that year. The most common description is "jerking, lurching or harsh shifts" (23 complaints). One transmission-related recall covers it: 22V835000. 1 of those complaints report a crash, fire or injury.
Does the 2014 Ram 3500 have transmission problems?
Yes, it is one of the worst years. Owners filed 39 transmission complaints with NHTSA for the 2014 Ram 3500, 19.3% of all 202 complaints for that year. The most common description is "hesitation or delayed engagement" (7 complaints). One transmission-related recall covers it: 17V821000. 1 of those complaints report a crash, fire or injury.
Does the 2015 Ram 3500 have transmission problems?
Yes, it is one of the worst years. Owners filed 32 transmission complaints with NHTSA for the 2015 Ram 3500, 23.5% of all 136 complaints for that year. The most common description is "hesitation or delayed engagement" (7 complaints). One transmission-related recall covers it: 17V821000. 3 of those complaints report a crash, fire or injury.
Which Ram 3500 years have the most transmission complaints?
2022 (112), 2014 (39) and 2015 (32), by owner complaints filed with NHTSA that name the transmission. Raw counts favor older and higher-selling years, so treat them as a signal, not a rate.
What are the most common Ram 3500 transmission problems?
In the 317 transmission complaints, owners most often describe jerking, lurching or harsh shifts (10.1%), hesitation or delayed engagement (10.1%) and loss of power or limp mode (10.1%). One complaint can mention several symptoms.
Is this a transmission failure rate?
No. These are complaints owners chose to file with NHTSA. Many failures are never reported, and one complaint is not a confirmed defect. Without sales figures, a high count can simply mean a high-selling model.
How we count
Counts are unique owner complaints (by NHTSA ODI number) filed with NHTSA for each Ram 3500 model year, from NHTSA's public complaints data fetched July 2026 to November 2026. A complaint counts as a transmission complaint when NHTSA's component list for it includes Power Train (transmission, transfer case and driveline).
Per 1,000 sold divides complaints by published U.S. calendar-year sales for that year. A year needs at least 5,000 sales to get a rate, and a model needs at least 3 such years for its overall rate. The comparison median covers every model with at least 50 transmission complaints that clears those floors.
These are complaint rates, not failure rates. Owners report some problems more than others, and a complaint is not a confirmed defect.
Sources
- NHTSA complaints by vehicle (owner complaints API) — National Highway Traffic Safety Administration
- NHTSA recalls by vehicle — National Highway Traffic Safety Administration
- Report a vehicle safety problem — National Highway Traffic Safety Administration