Yes. Several Ram 2500 model years, including the 2022, 2023, and 2024 trucks, have been recalled for transmission-related defects. Some Dodge Ram 2500 trucks from earlier years have had similar issues. Here’s what the federal recall records actually say, and what it means if your own truck’s transmission keeps acting up.
Say your 2500 has been back to the dealer three times this year because it hesitates or won’t shift smoothly, and each time the service department says they couldn’t find anything wrong. That pattern, a defect that keeps coming back after repeated repair visits, is exactly the kind of problem Texas law was built to address.
Does the 2024 Ram 2500 have transmission problems?
Yes. Recall 26V288000 covers certain 2023-2026 Ram 2500 pickups. A software error in the powertrain control module can let the truck’s speed go above what its tires are rated for. That can lead to a loss of vehicle control, which raises the risk of a crash. Dealers fix it with a free software update to the powertrain control module.
Does the 2022 Ram 2500 have transmission problems?
Yes. Recall 22V835000 covers certain 2020-2023 Ram 2500 trucks. A build-up of pressure and heat inside the transmission can cause a fluid leak from the dipstick tube. If that leaking fluid reaches an ignition source in the engine compartment, it raises the risk of a fire. Dealers replace the transmission dipstick and vent assembly at no charge.
The 2023 model year has its own transmission recall as well. Recall 24V413000 covers certain 2023 Ram 1500, 2500, and 3500 trucks. An insufficient weld in the transmission control unit can let transmission fluid leak onto electrical components. That can cause a loss of drive power or a loss of the truck’s park function, which raises the risk of a crash. Dealers replace the valve body and control unit for free.
What other Ram 2500 and Dodge Ram problems should I know about?
Transmission defects aren’t the only recalls on the Ram 2500. Across the 2022, 2023, and 2024 model years, NHTSA’s records also list recalls for air bags, steering column control modules, rearview camera software, and electrical relays near Cummins diesel engines.
If your truck has a problem that isn’t transmission-related, it’s still worth checking. For a broader rundown of what Ram 2500 owners have dealt with, see our Ram 2500 common problems page, or browse recalls and issues for other Ram models on our Ram manufacturer page.
Does a transmission recall make my truck a lemon?
Not by itself. A recall and a lemon law claim are two different things. A recall means the manufacturer has agreed to fix a specific defect for free. A lemon law claim is about a defect that the dealer hasn’t been able to fix, even after you’ve given them a fair chance.
Under the Texas Lemon Law, a vehicle qualifies when it has a substantial defect covered by the manufacturer’s written warranty, the defect was reported during the warranty term, and it still substantially impairs the truck’s use or value, or creates a serious safety hazard, according to the Texas Department of Motor Vehicles.
How many repair attempts do I need under Texas law?
The TxDMV recognizes a few ways to show you’ve given the dealer a fair shot. One is the four-times test: taking the truck in for the same defect four times within the first 24 months or 24,000 miles, whichever comes first, without a repair, according to the TxDMV.
There’s also a 30-day test, for a defect that keeps your truck out of service for a total of 30 days or more in that same window, and a serious safety-hazard test for defects that could cause a crash or fire. A transmission that loses drive power or won’t shift out of park could potentially fit that description, depending on the facts.
You generally need to file your complaint within six months after whichever comes first: your warranty expiring, 24 months after purchase, or 24,000 miles on the odometer, per the TxDMV. Filing requires a $35 fee paid to the Texas DMV.
What can I do next?
Start by keeping records. Every time your Ram 2500 goes in for a transmission problem, get a copy of the repair order and make sure it describes the issue in detail. Those records are what prove the pattern a lemon law case depends on.
If your truck’s transmission has been back to the dealer more than once and the problem is still there, find out where you stand. Our Do I Qualify? page walks through the basics in a few minutes.
The Lemon Lawyers