The Ram 2500 was equipped with the 6-speed 68RFE or 65RFE transmission. But they aren’t without their problems though, so let’s look at some of the most common Ram 2500 transmission problems, look at cost estimates and figure out what you can do about them.
What Transmission Do I Have?
Ram 2500 Transmission Models
Ram 2500 Transmission: 65RFE
Ram 2500 Transmission: 68RFE
Ram 2500 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 2500 Transmission Prices:
| Transmission | Street Smart Transmission |
|---|---|
| 65RFE | 2478 |
| 68RFE | 3543 |
What are the DTC codes related to Ram 2500 transmission problems?
| Trouble Code | Description |
|---|---|
| P0700 | Transmission Control System (MIL Request) |
| 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 |
| P0721 | Output Speed Sensor Circuit Range/Performance |
| 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 |
| P0742 | Torque Converter Clutch Circuit Stuck On |
| 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' |
| P0760 | Shift Solenoid 'C' |
| P0765 | Shift Solenoid 'D' |
| P0783 | 3-4 Shift |
| P0841 | Transmission Fluid Pressure Sensor/Switch A Circuit Range/Performance |
| P0846 | Transmission Fluid Pressure Sensor/Switch B Circuit Range/Performance |
| P0868 | Transmission Fluid Pressure Low |
| P0871 | Transmission Fluid Pressure Sensor/Switch C Circuit Range/Performance |
| P0880 | TCM Power Input Signal |
| P0881 | TCM Power Input Signal Range/Performance |
| P0882 | TCM Power Input Signal Low |
| P0884 | TCM Power Input Signal Intermittent |
| P0888 | TCM Power Relay Sense Circuit |
| P0891 | TCM Power Relay Sense Circuit High |
| P0897 | Transmission Fluid Deteriorated |
| P0933 | Hydraulic Pressure Sensor Range/Performance |
Ram 2500 Transmission Recalls & Known Problems
None Found
Ram 2500 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.
TSB 18-037-07 REV A – Low line pressure – 68RFE transmission
2007 Ram 2500 – 2007 Ram 3500
Problem – Drivers may experience an illuminated check engine light, with a P0868 DTC.
Solution – This may be due to a malfunctioning TCM, which may be cured with a software update.
TSB 21-010-12 – Clunk noise when shifting from drive to neutral – 68RFE 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 outside temperature is hot.
Solution – These 68RFE 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.
Common Ram 2500 Transmission Problems
Sudden shift to neutral after takeoff
68RFE transmission
Problem – Drivers may notice that the vehicle suddenly shifts into neutral after trying to pull away in Drive. There may also be a P0721 and P0933 DTC.
Solution – The 68RFE low sprag inside of the gearbox has most likely failed.
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 2500 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 2500 transmission need to be replaced?
The overall lifespan of a Ram 2500 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 2500 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 2500 transmission issues diagnosed?
It is fairly easy to guesstimate what the root cause of your Ram 2500 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 2500 transmission replaced?
In order to replace your Ram 2500 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 2500 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 2500 transmission here, then find a local shop using our Find a Shop guide to install it for you.
How to Solve Ram 2500 Transmission Problems
Solution A: Buy a Used Ram 2500 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 2500 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 2500 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 2500 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!
There is a squealing noise when it shifts sometimes and a hesitation during shifting gears.
Check for Mouse damage to harness!
Down shifting from 3rd to second gear in certain situations the transmission stutters and shakes
Shifts hard out of 5th to 6th then takes 6th gear out been rebuilt 4 times code 6 gear incorrect ratio
201 Ram 2500 6.4 hemi. 63000 miles. While pulling trailer transmission went into Limp mode. Transmission overheated as 4th gear trying to make hills. Just had rebuild and had to send it back with trany slipping as soon as you start it. Hope they get it all fixed.
2009 Ram 2500 6.7 diesel. When accelerating as the truck runs most of the day, I get surges while it shifts. It acts like it can’t decide which gear to go into. Sometimes it surges hard and could put me into the steering wheel and then finally catches gears. My mechanic, and a very good mechanic, ran diagnostics on it with no codes showing. This started happening after I had a new water pump and thermostat put in. It gets worse in higher outside temperatures, although I drive the truck every day for long distances for work. (100s of miles) My mechanic also upgraded the tranny with a larger tranny pan and use low velocity fluid in it. It also has 73,000 actual miles. I’ve had to replace a ton of parts due to corrosion from the 1st owner not running it and lived on a lake.
Very frustrated.
2016 6.4 Hemi, 6 speed outo an 4wD . Won’t go past 30 miles per hour won’t shift had the transmission rebuild 5 times in the past 6 months why does it keep burning up
Check for Mouse damage to wiring harness
2016 6.4 Hemi , 6speed auto. While pulling my 5th wheel camper the transmission stuck in 4th gear. Would not shift up nor could I make it downshift. I pulled off the interstate and stopped. The transmission shifted to 1st gear . I took off and as soon as I got moving the transmission shifted to 4th with a very hard bang and wouldn’t shift up or down . At the next exit I stopped and the same thing happened when I took off. No problem light’s came on the dash. I drove it to Morgan Utah and spent the night in a motel . When I went to drive it the next morning to the AAMCO transmission shop in Ogden Utah the transmission shifted normal without any problems. They couldn’t find any codes at all. And a test drive they preformed went normal. I authorize them to remove the transmission for an internal inspection to find the problem. I should find out tomorrow what was found wrong .
b in it between 25 and 45 miles an have a 68rfe which shifts good thru 4th gear but when tries to shift to5th and 6th it won’t stay in gear and wants to shift back and forth under small load like going up any sort of incline there are no codes or stored codes we replaced valve body and shift selnoid put no change. It did this all at once but did notice the truck had a vibration in it between 25 & 45 mph can torque converter cause an issue like this?
2500 Dodge Ram 2018. Transmission died. 29000 miles . Dodge is fixing it for free . But r they putting the same crappie Tranmission in it again .
2014 ram 2500 with 6.4 liter, when you put it in reverse there is about a 5 or6 second delay be for it goes, fine in drive gears.
Is stuck in 4th gear
I have seen a recent change in operating temperature. My Ram used to operate at 163-168df unloaded all day long in temperatures to 100+.
The digital gauge now walks up to equal the coolant temp when operated unloaded at 60df. When in town it will get their quick. When I last serviced the transmission I installed a deep aluminum pan anticipating adding an aux. cooler before towing season. I made an appointment to have the cooler installed and the shop owner plugged the truck into his reader. No codes present but the trans temp on his screen was 35df lower than the dash gauge. When I’ve checked the transmission pan temp with my hi quality laser temp gun there has been a 35-40 df lower reading than the dash. I check the gun against the coolant temp at the thermostat housing and it recorded within two degrees of the dash interments.
I called the Dealer where I had a valve body replaced a while back under Waranty and was informed to bring it in for a diagnosis. The transmission was recalled for the solenoids early on. The shifting issue requiring the valve body was less than two years ago at 67,000 miles. I have 111,000 miles on the vehicle now. There are no noticeable issues with the transmission other than the temperature issue. I service the transmission every 30,000 miles or so. I two a 13,000# GVW trailer 3000+-miles per year
Your thoughts please?
Thank you
2016 ram 2500 with 6.7 Cummins Transmission not down shifting with engine brake on !
2016 ran 2500 with a Cummins 6.7 not down shifting with engine brake on ! It works at first for one gear and goes to 1000 rpm and then don’t down shift to next gear . It then coast like its in neutral
Same issue in 2014 Ram 2500 6.7 and dealer is telling me it’s normal. Can’t seem to figure out what’s going on
Shifting from 1 to 2nd is hard then doesn’t shift to 5-6 this only happens from time to time and will make a loud noise like the turbo is running up .thanks for any help with this
Did you figure out what was wrong? My truck is doing same thing
Mine has done this twice. Once last fall, & today. Has anyone figured out what this is?