Dodge RAM 3500 Power Train Problems
Owners have filed 349 complaints with NHTSA about power train problems on the Dodge RAM 3500 across 18 model years. The 2004 model year has the most (64). The words owners use most often: “automatic transmission” (8% of reports).
- 349power train complaints
- —median miles at failure
- 63mention a crash
- 22mention an injury
- 4related recalls
- $1,550typical repair cost reported by owners
- 54%of reports with a speed happened at 50+ mph
What owners describe
Phrases that appear unusually often in these complaints compared with complaints about other cars.
- Automatic transmission: mentioned in 29 of 349 complaints (8%)
How much does it cost to fix?
Owners who wrote down what they paid or were quoted put the typical power train repair on the Dodge RAM 3500 at $1,550, and half of them between $900 and $3,700.
Based on 13 NHTSA complaints about this problem alone that state a repair bill or quote (2000–2021), converted to 2026 dollars with the U.S. consumer price index. These are owners' own figures, not a quote: they include dealer quotes, and owners who file complaints often faced larger repairs, so they can run higher than typical shop prices. Prices vary by shop, region and warranty coverage. How we calculate this.
At what mileage do power train problems happen?
Based on 224 complaints that reported the odometer reading.
How serious are the reports?
Of 349 complaints, 63 mention a crash, 12 a fire, 22 an injury.
Dodge RAM 3500 power train complaints by model year
| Model year | Power Train complaints | Share of that year | Median miles |
|---|---|---|---|
| 2012 RAM 3500 | 28 | 8% | 73,000 |
| 2011 RAM 3500 | 9 | 4% | 122,000 |
| 2010 RAM 3500 | 8 | 5% | 20,000 |
| 2009 RAM 3500 | 4 | 4% | 110,503 |
| 2008 RAM 3500 | 10 | 6% | 53,289 |
| 2007 RAM 3500 | 14 | 7% | 100,000 |
| 2006 RAM 3500 | 22 | 9% | 80,500 |
| 2005 RAM 3500 | 32 | 16% | 13,500 |
| 2004 RAM 3500 | 64 | 30% | 15,660 |
| 2003 RAM 3500 | 26 | 9% | 51,000 |
| 2002 RAM 3500 | 5 | 11% | 71,120 |
| 2001 RAM 3500 | 14 | 11% | 79,785 |
| 2000 RAM 3500 | 8 | 14% | 48,000 |
| 1999 RAM 3500 | 22 | 21% | 74,035 |
| 1998 RAM 3500 | 19 | 18% | 117,620 |
| 1997 RAM 3500 | 26 | 21% | 42,500 |
| 1996 RAM 3500 | 19 | 15% | 115,000 |
| 1995 RAM 3500 | 19 | 18% | 99,000 |
When owners reported it
Related recalls (4)
Power train:automatic transmission:lever and linkage:column shift
Model years: 2010, 2011, 2012
Problem: 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.
Fix: 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.
Power train:automatic transmission
Model years: 2012
Problem: Chrysler Group LLC (Chrysler) is recalling certain model year 2012 RAM 3500 trucks manufactured May 4, 2012, through August 7, 2012; and model year 2012 RAM 4500 and 5500 trucks manufactured May 3, 2012, through August 7, 2012. Due to a loose snap ring inside the transmission, there may be a loss of power transfer through the transmission to the wheels.
Risk: An unexpected loss of power transfer may increase the risk of a crash.
Fix: Chrysler will notify owners, and dealers will replace the transmission assembly free of charge. The recall began on October 17, 2013. Owners may contact Chrysler at 1-800-247-9753. Chrysler's recall campaign number is N50.
Power train:automatic transmission
Model years: 2007
Problem: On certain passenger and sport utility vehicles and pickup trucks equipped with automatic transmissions, the software programmed into the powertrain control module can cause a momentary lock up of the drive wheels if the vehicle is traveling over 40 mph and the operator shifts from drive to neutral and back to drive.
Risk: If the drive wheels locked up, loss of vehicle control could occur increasing the risk of a crash.
Fix: Dealers will reprogram the powertrain control module free of charge. The recall began on october 2, 2006. Owners may contact daimlerchrysler at 1-800-853-1403.
Power train:automatic transmission:lever and linkage:column shift
Model years: 2003, 2004, 2005
Problem: On certain pickup trucks equipped with diesel engines and automatic transmissions, in an attempt to exit the vehicle quickly without shutting off the engine and removing the key, the driver may inadvertently leave the automatic transmission shift control in indicated reverse.
Risk: This error is an unintended action that may result in a lack of transmission park pawl engagement and possibly delayed rearward movement of the vehicle.
Fix: Dealers will perform a software modification to equip these vehicles with an out-of-park alarm. Owners may contact daimlerchrysler at 1-800-853-1403.
What owners report
Short excerpts of recent complaints, with personal details removed. Full reports are on NHTSA.gov.
Driving my 2012 dodge ram 3500, just as I was crossing one of the busiest intersections in my town my truck lost all power and dropped from 35mph to 5 mph. Barley made it acrossed and pulled over. As soon as I pulled over the engine light comes on, checked code, and U010C lost coms with turbo…
The contact owns a 2004 Dodge Ram 3500. The contact received notifications of NHTSA Campaign Numbers: 13V528000 (Steering), 16V352000 (Air Bags), 15V313000 (Air Bags), and 05V462000 (Power Train); however, the parts to do the recall repairs were not yet available while the vehicle was in for…
The contact owns a 2005 Dodge Ram 3500. The contact received notification of NHTSA Campaign Number: 05V462000 (POWER TRAIN). The vehicle was taken to a tire specialist to install larger tires on the vehicle. The contact was informed that the tires were too big and could not be installed on the…
The wireless ignition module loses connection internally and the truck will lose power while driving. It usually happens when hitting a small bump and the key in the ignition moves. Truck loses electrical power which shuts the engine off which means loss of power steering and brakes.
The contact owns a 2012 Ram 3500. The contact stated that while driving uphill at 55 MPH, the contact became aware that the vehicle was not exceeding 55 MPH. The contact stated that the check engine warning light was illuminated. The contact continued driving to the destination. The vehicle was…
Frequently asked questions
Do all Dodge RAM 3500s have power train problems?
No. NHTSA has 349 owner complaints about power train for the Dodge RAM 3500. Complaint data shows that the problem is reported, not how many of all cars sold are affected.
Was there a recall on the Dodge RAM 3500 power train?
Yes: 4 safety recalls list power train. Check your VIN on NHTSA.gov to see whether the fix was done on your car.
How much does it cost to fix power train problems on the Dodge RAM 3500?
Owners report a typical cost of $1,550 (half paid between $900 and $3,700), from 13 complaints that state a repair bill or quote, in 2026 dollars.
What do owners say about power train problems on the Dodge RAM 3500?
The most frequent phrase is “automatic transmission”, in 29 of 349 complaints.
Other Dodge RAM 3500 problems
- Steering problems (1,017)
- Suspension problems (331)
- Air Bags problems (314)
- Electrical System problems (276)
- Structure problems (173)
- Service Brakes, Hydraulic problems (147)
- Exterior Lighting problems (144)
- Engine and Engine Cooling problems (124)
See all Dodge RAM 3500 problems.