The Ram 1500 was equipped with the the 545RFE transmission, the 6-speed 65RFE or the 8-speed 8HP70. But they aren’t without their problems though, so let’s look at some of the most common Ram 1500 transmission problems, look at cost estimates and figure out what you can do about them.
What Transmission Do I Have?
Ram 1500 Transmission Models
Ram 1500 Transmission: 545RFE
Ram 1500 Transmission: 65RFE
Ram 1500 Transmission: 8HP70
Ram 1500 Transmission Replacement Cost Estimate
Pricing varies by model. To be 100% sure on pricing, have your VIN# handy and use our Get An Estimate feature to look up your transmission by VIN#.
Replacement Ram 1500 Transmission Prices:
| Transmission | Street Smart Transmission |
|---|---|
| 545RFE | 2348 |
| 65RFE | 2478 |
What are the DTC codes related to Ram 1500 transmission problems?
| Trouble Code | Description |
|---|---|
| P0700 | Transmission Control System (MIL Request) |
| P0705 | Transmission Range Sensor Circuit Malfunction (PRNDL Input) |
| P0706 | Transmission Range Sensor Circuit Range/Performance |
| P0710 | Transmission Fluid Temperature Sensor Circuit |
| P0711 | Transmission Fluid Temperature Sensor Circuit Range/Performance |
| P0712 | Transmission Fluid Temperature Sensor Circuit Low Input |
| P0713 | Transmission Fluid Temperature Sensor Circuit High Input |
| P0714 | Transmission Fluid Temperature Sensor Circuit Intermittent P0715 |
| P0717 | Input/Turbine Speed Sensor Circuit No Signal |
| P0720 | Output Speed Sensor Circuit |
| P0729 | Gear 6 Incorrect Ratio |
| P0730 | Incorrect Gear Ratio |
| P0731 | Gear 1 Incorrect Ratio |
| P0732 | Gear 2 Incorrect Ratio |
| P0733 | Gear 3 Incorrect Ratio |
| P0734 | Gear 4 Incorrect Ratio |
| P0735 | Gear 5 Incorrect Ratio |
| P0740 | Torque Converter Clutch Circuit Malfunction |
| P0743 | Torque Converter Clutch Circuit Electrical |
| P0748 | Pressure Control Solenoid 'A' Electrical |
| P0750 | Shift Solenoid 'A' |
| P0751 | Shift Solenoid 'A' Performance or Stuck Off |
| P0755 | Shift Solenoid 'B' |
| P0765 | Shift Solenoid 'D' |
| P0783 | 3-4 Shift |
| P0880 | TCM Power Input Signal |
| P0881 | TCM Power Input Signal Range/Performance |
| P0882 | TCM Power Input Signal Low |
| P0884 | TCM Power Input Signal Intermittent |
Ram 1500 Transmission Recalls & Known Problems
Recall 14V-161 / P13 – Failed Park engagement
2014 Ram 1500 5.7L Hemi and 8-speed automatic transmission
Summary – According to the recall, some 125 copies of the 2014 Ram 1500 equipped to with the 8HP transmission may have had improperly machined Park rod guide plate mounting surfaces inside of the transmission case, which could cause the fasteners to loosen, preventing the Park prawl from fully engaging.
Consequence – If the above condition occurs, the transmission may slip out of the park position and unexpectedly roll away, causing serious injury or property damage.
Remedy – The transmission will have to be replaced. Concerned owners can contact Chrysler customer service at 1-800-853-1403. You can also contact the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration at 1-888-327-4236
Ram 1500 Technical Service Bulletins (TSB)
TSB 21-010-12 – Clunk noise when shifting from drive to neutral – 65RFE transmission
2011 – 2012 Ram 1500 – 2011 – 2012 Ram 2500 – 2011 – 2012 Ram 3500 Cab Chassis – 2011 – 2012 Dodge Durango – 2011 – 2012 Jeep Grand Cherokee
Problem – Drivers may notice a pronounced clunking noise when shifting from drive to neutral. This may be particularly evident when the vehicle is hot or at normal operating temperatures.
Solution – These 65RFE transmission problems may be caused by the underdrive clutch releasing too quickly. To correct the issue a revised spacer plate will need to be installed inside of the valve body.
TSB 21-004-17 – Low/reverse solenoid failure – 65RFE transmission
2016 – 2017 Ram 1500 – 2016 – 2017 RAM 2500 – 2016 – 2017 Ram 3500 – 2016 – 2017 Ram 3500 Cab Chassis
Problem – Drivers may experience extreme difficulty and/or the inability to engage Drive or Reverse.
Solution – These 65RFE transmission problems could be due to the premature failure of the low/reverse solenoid assembly.
Common Ram 1500 Transmission Problems
Delayed and/or harsh 3-4 or 4-5 shifts – 545RFE Transmission
Problem – Owners may experience an unusually delayed or harsh 3-4 or 4-5 gear change, where the transmission doesn’t seem to want to go into that particular gear.
Solution – This issue is related to valve body problems where the material used to make one of the checkballs has broken down to the point that fluid is able to get past and engage the underdrive clutch during those shifts. An upgraded #2 checkball will be needed to solve the issue.
Lack of Response
Leaking Fluid
Low Fluid
Burning Smell
Grinding or Shaking
Whining, Clunking or Humming
Refuses to Go Into Gear
Torque Converter Issues
Valve Body Issues
Transmission Noisy in Neutral
Gears Slipping
No 3rd or 4th Gear
No 1st or 2nd Gear
No Reverse
Dragging Clutch
Trouble Codes / Check Engine Light
Can I drive with a transmission problem?
If your Ram 1500 can still make it up and down the road, you might say “It’s fine, I’ll just drive it until I can get it fixed”. But that is not always a good idea, depending on the symptoms. You see, there are a lot of (very expensive) moving parts inside of a transmission, and if something isn’t right, continuing to drive with a transmission problem could damage something else.
How often does a Ram 1500 transmission need to be replaced?
The overall lifespan of a Ram 1500 transmission largely depends on how well it was maintained. Factory design flaws also factor into this equation, along with how/how hard you drive. But on average, we’ve seen the Ram 1500 transmission last for between 130,000-180,000 miles. A high quality replacement transmission however, can last considerably longer if all of the factory design flaws have been addressed and the vehicle has been maintained.
How are Ram 1500 transmission issues diagnosed?
It is fairly easy to guesstimate what the root cause of your Ram 1500 transmission problems might be, but you won’t truly know unless you have the right tools and experience. A good mechanic or transmission repair center will be able to connect your truck to a computer and find out which diagnostic trouble codes (DTC’s) have been stored. Once they know what to look for, they can perform a visual inspection to verify the problem.
How is a Ram 1500 transmission replaced?
In order to replace your Ram 1500 transmission, the truck has to be lifted from the ground in order to gain access to all of the parts that will need to be unbolted. Then the transmission can be lowered to the ground (typically with a transmission jack), so the new transmission can be installed.
Recommendations for Ram 1500 transmission issues?
To save time and get back on the road faster, have your 17-digit VIN# handy and you can get an online quote for a reman Ram 1500 transmission here, then find a local shop using our Find a Shop guide to install it for you.
How to Solve Ram 1500 Transmission Problems
Solution A: Buy a Used Ram 1500 Transmission
The quickest way to fix your transmission problems is to simply buy a used transmission or used transmission. These can be found at most junk yards, and they often come with a 30-90 day warranty. However, there’s no way to determine the actual condition of the internal components, so you could be spending a bunch of money to have the exact same problems. Plus, that warranty only covers the transmission if it’s defective, not the labor costs that you’ll have to pay.
Solution B: Buy a Rebuilt Ram 1500 Transmission
Another option would be a rebuilt transmission or rebuilt transmission. A local repair shop will remove your transmission, then install a bunch of new parts during the rebuild. The problem here is, the skills and experience of each transmission rebuilder will vary widely from shop to shop, so you could have problems from something that wasn’t adjusted properly. And the 1-2 year warranty might only cover you at certain transmission repair shops, in a specific geographical area.
Solution C: Buy a Remanufactured Ram 1500 Transmission
Many owners depend on their vehicle to commute and get things done. Their gasoline engines are designed to go 100’s of thousands of miles, so it makes sense to invest in a remanufactured transmission.
What Transmission Do I Have?
What Problem Does Your Ram 1500 Have?
Let us know the year, mileage and problem you’re having as well as any trouble (OBD) codes you’ve found. If you’ve been given a quote or paid for a repair, we’d like to hear about that too!
2003 Ram 1500 , 4×4 5.7 Hemi ,Starts out fine 1st gear 2nd gear then 3rd gear over revs but it doesn’t feel like 3rd gear it actually feels like it down shifts to 1st gear because it revs high but doesn’t feel like its slipping as it still feels engaged and still able to accelerate. After a brief stop and I try and drive through the gears it seems to only utilize 2nd gear my codes are 0700, 0731, 0733
2015 Ram 1500 Lone Star 2WD 5.7
A slight vibration at around 40mph. Also, just started a very noticeable delay shift when stopping at a light. 167,000
I have a 2019 ram 1500 classic with a 65RFE transmission, since the day I got it I had a problem with the 1st to 2nd shift it’s harsh and it feels like somebody rear ended you every single time it shifts from 1st to 2nd , I took it to the dealer 4 times and they said it’s just a tune and they do it and everything seems to be working well but after 3-4 thousand miles it starts doing the same thing again , it only happens when you accelerate calmly but when you hit the gas a little more it well shift normal , does anyone knows what’s going on?
Push button control not working
Replaced with a used transmission from the junkyard and it shifts up through the gears fine but as you slow down and it shifts down it clunks as it goes into the lower gears or say your making a right hand turn if you can make it quickly and get right back on the accelerator it’s like it gets stuck between gears like it still moves but it’s stuck in a high gear but also slipping at the same time… honestly it’s why I replaced it my old one did the same thing! Well not the clunking but getting stuck in a higher gear when slowing down and trying to go right away…. It’s very intermittent some days I have no issues at all runs like a champ and the next minute it’s being a pain in the ass fluid is full smells good not burnt I replaced both input output sensors I replaced the shift solenoid filters 🤷♂️ I’m running out of ideals getting ready to just part with the truck even tho I absolutely love it 🙄 (no codes being shown)
Overheating at Highway speeds. 240k miles. No lights, temp gets up to 275 and then when you slow down temp drops.
Seems to stutter on acceleration.
I have code P0700 and code P0750. The transmission is in limp mode and only works in 2nd and 3rd gear if I shift manually from 2nd to 3rd. I replaced the ECM, the pressure sensor, fluid, filters, solenoid pack, and valve body. After that, the truck ran great for two weeks only to go back in limp mode. I had misfiring in cylinder 3, but that was a wiring harness problem that has been repaired. Twice I was told it was the ECM, I replaced the ECM, and twice it was not the ECM; I was told there was no pressure in the transmission, the pressure should be the same as in the engine, something like 119. if there is no pressure, how can I drive if I want to? it still shifts from 2nd to3rd gear manually, without pressure, I wouldn’t be able to shift, which is, of course, my opinion
Addition to earlierl. NO CODES,
Trouble going into second gear unless fully warmed up, also seems like line pressure is low as all shifts seem slow to complete
On my 01 jeep grand cherokee a my check engine light came on told me my bank censors were bad replaced. A week later check engine light came on again with the same BS any whom I said duck it I just replaced them and BAM tranny blows.
I have had two vehicles tell me my bank censors are bad right before the tranny blew 2011 Chevy 2500 and a POS 03 Subaru outback.
When you turn the knob from park to reverse or drive or N IT WILL SWITCH FLASH KICK OUT SAY RETURN TO PARK SELECT DESIRED GEAR HAPPENS OVER AND OVER
2004 5.7l ram 1500 4wd will not go into any gear other than park or neutral.
code P0750 shift solenoid. They keep going out! 3rd one. 116000 miles. 65RFE tranny. 2013 ram 1500 5.7 quad cab. WTF. ?? What is making the shift solenoid go out? Valve body?
Replacing a 2014 Ram 8 speed with a 2017 Ram 8 spd. Same axle ratio. Will I run in to programming or compatible issues?
Shifting up and down erratically. Jumped two gears going up and down hills. Runs engine up to 3k to 4k before settling down into the correct gear. No codes. No memory codes. Had the Dodge dealer run diagnostics on the transmission and nothing came back irregular. Took the tech for a ride and made a believer out of him but still doesn’t know where to go with it. I am thinking that is time to replace with a rebuilt one. Three transmission shops and the dealer and no one has an answer for me.
13 ram 4×4, 5.7, @ 600 H.P. ,50,000 mi. 65rfe Trans. The Clutches , o.d. pac , side pnl. Pressure sensor, fluid/filter Replaced with H.D. parts. Ran great then after couple thousand mi. It wont shift to 4/5 goes into neutral @ 50/55 mph. Shop took apart replaced a seal leaking re set clutchs put it back in — same problem. Now stymied.
Your thoughts on t.c.m.. Motor & trans. Were dyno tuned by H.P..
HELP PLEASE
do your homework when you want to run that kind of power, then expect exactly what youre getting, problems. eventually you’ll get it, that kind of juice don’t come without some work. Good luck.
please help, I’ve already replaced the sylenoid and the valvebody
The gears are wrong. Park/reverse/reverse/park and drive(sametime) not p/r/n/d/2/1
2013, 4×4, 5.7. 65rfe. Code 0734 goes into neutral at 55. No 3 a 4 gear
I have a 2005 dodge ram 1500 5.7hemi 4×4. The transmission at first lost overdrive. The crazy thing was you could restet the computer by disconnecting the battery for a minute and the problem would go away for a little while.Took it to a shop, pulled codes suggested solenoid issues. They replaced the solenoid pack and fluid/filter. Didn’t fix it. Now it only has 1st and 2nd and simply resetting the computer no longer works. There was never any mechanical sounds or burnt smells or anything. Just simply decided not to shift into the next gear anymore. Sounds computer related maybe? Anything I can check/test to tell me more? Only code is a p0700.