The output shaft for transfer case has broken 2 times both with 20k miles on the truck there are numerous recalls but does not show this year and it needs fixed first time I had 18000 miles on the truck going 35 MPH the 2nd time I had 40000 miles going around 25mph
2014 RAM 2500 powertrain problems
severe 56 complaints filed with NHTSA · avg repair $2,500 · see powertrain across all vehicles →
Failure mileage
Complaints
56
Recalls
0
Avg fix
$2,500
5crashes
When does it fail?
Of the 56 powertrain complaints filed for the 2014 RAM 2500, here's the actual mileage breakdown — failures cluster heaviest at 0-25,000 mi.
0-25k
25-50k
50-75k
75-100k
100-125k
125-150k
150k+
Each bar shows the share of total complaints filed at that mileage range. Peak failure window highlighted. Some owners report problems earlier; some make it well past 150,000 miles symptom-free. Maintenance habits and driving conditions shift the curve as much as mileage alone.
What stands out
Owners have filed 56 powertrain complaints with NHTSA against this vehicle, but no formal recall covers the issue — the federal record reflects what manufacturers have admitted, not everything owners are reporting.
Among the 11 model years of RAM 2500 in our records for powertrain problems, this one ranks #3 by owner-complaint volume.
The failure pattern owners describe
Owners describe a range of critical powertrain failures on the 2014 RAM 2500. The 68RFE transmission separator plate failure stands out as the most serious: it occurs at mileages as low as 57,000 miles or even 2,000 miles, causing sudden total transmission failure without warning. Multiple owners report the same failure mode—valve body damage routing hydraulic pressure incorrectly, leading to accumulator piston failure and catastrophic loss. One owner paid $4,700 for a replacement; another disputes RAM's recall remedy.
Transmission shift lock malfunctions are common. Owners report the lever gets stuck in park despite the engine running and brake pedal depressed, requiring 30–60 seconds of wiggling to move. In other cases, parked vehicles roll away or shift into neutral on their own. Recall 17V821000 exists but parts remain unavailable at dealerships for extended periods.
Throttle control problems affect drivability and safety. Owners describe 2–3 second lag or complete dead pedal when accelerating from stops or during passing—a dangerous condition that dealers cannot replicate but that owners say occurs on 10–15% of acceleration inputs. One vehicle raced to full throttle uncontrolled in a carwash.
Four-wheel-drive engagement failures cause loud grinding and loss of control when the transfer case module commands engagement at 55–65 mph without driver input. One owner was stranded on a narrow highway pulling a trailer.
Under tow, the transmission bucks aggressively in higher gears and refuses to upshift after using tow-haul mode on grades. One rear differential spider gear shaft broke at just 18,000 miles, locking up the axle and causing an RV to jackknife and flip. Other reported failures include exhaust manifold bolts breaking repeatedly, transfer case output shaft breakage at low mileage, and fan shroud collapse into the radiator while towing.
Same RAM 2500 powertrain reports on nearby years: 2013 · 2015 · 2016 · 2017
Failure modes owners describe
68RFE Transmission Valve Body Failure
Separator plate in transmission valve body fails, allowing hydraulic pressure to route to wrong circuits. Causes accumulator piston failure and catastrophic transmission failure without warning.
When: 57K miles reported in multiple complaints; one case at 2,000 miles
Symptoms owners cite: Multiple diagnostic trouble codes appear suddenly while driving; Complete transmission failure with loss of all gears; Transmission failure at low to moderate speeds (30–35 mph)
Codes mentioned: P0750 (LR Solenoid Circuit Fault), Multiple transmission DTCs (unspecified codes)
Repairs/costs cited: Full transmission replacement cost $4,500–$4,700; owners report out-of-warranty repairs on new vehicles
Recalls/TSBs owners mention: Recall 20V043000 issued but limited scope; manufacturer claims repair is separator plate replacement, which owners dispute; recall reportedly does not cover 2014 model year
4WD Engagement Malfunction (Transfer Case Module)
Transfer case module commands 4WD to engage while driving at highway speed, causing loud grinding and loss of vehicle control. Failure occurs repeatedly after repair attempt.
When: 200 miles after first repair; second failure during same trip
Symptoms owners cite: 4WD service light appears; Loud grinding noise during unwanted 4WD engagement attempts; Attempted engagement at highway speed (55–65 mph); Repeated failure after dealer repair of same symptom
Repairs/costs cited: $721.05 out-of-pocket cost on 12-year-old truck; dealer claims second failure is different module but symptoms identical
Recalls/TSBs owners mention: RAM corporate denied warranty coverage; determined not a safety issue per RAM
Unintended Acceleration / Throttle Control Malfunction
Engine revs to full throttle without driver input, or delayed throttle response lasting 1–3+ seconds when pedal is depressed. Two distinct modes reported: dead pedal lag on acceleration and uncontrolled rev-up.
When: Multiple occurrences; one case at 9,000 miles; occurs intermittently (estimated 10–15% of inputs)
Symptoms owners cite: Engine races to full throttle at carwash without driver input; 2–3 second delay or no response when accelerator pedal pressed; Vehicle lurches forward unpredictably; Loss of 10–20 mph at highway speeds despite full pedal depression; Dead throttle on merges and passing attempts; Vehicle accelerates to 1,500 RPM after release of brake
Codes mentioned: Electronic Throttle Control fault code (appears intermittently, clears without stored code)
Repairs/costs cited: Accelerator sensor replaced multiple times (5+ occurrences in one case) without resolving issue; dealers unable to replicate problem
Recalls/TSBs owners mention: Chrysler investigated carwash incident and blamed aftermarket floor mats; declined responsibility; no fix provided for throttle lag
Transmission Shift Lock / Park Engagement Failure
Transmission lever becomes stuck in park or shifts out of park position without driver input. Brake transmission shift interlock (BTSI) malfunction prevents shifting or allows unintended movement.
When: Occurs at various mileages (4,700–92,000 miles); one case at 47,968 miles
Symptoms owners cite: Transmission lever stuck in park with engine on, brake depressed, emergency brake released; Vehicle rolls away from park position without warning; Lever moves freely without key in ignition or brake pedal pressed; Vehicle shifts into neutral on its own while parked or driving; Takes 30–60 seconds and repeated attempts to move lever
Repairs/costs cited: Gear lever electrical module replacement needed; bracket holding transmission frame fractured in one case
Recalls/TSBs owners mention: Recall 17V821000 (POWER TRAIN) issued but parts unavailable; manufacturer status unknown for remedy timeline; warranty denial in some cases
Rear Differential Failure (Spider Gear Shaft Breakage)
Spider gear shaft breaks loose and jams against driveshaft gear, locking entire rear axle during towing. Results in sudden powertrain lockup and loss of braking.
When: 4,700 miles while towing RV at highway speed
Symptoms owners cite: Loud pop or bang from rear end; Immediate rear differential lockup (approximately 1 second after noise); Engine shuts down during failure event; Complete loss of brakes for towed vehicle; Vehicle jackknifes and RV flips
Repairs/costs cited: Mechanic found spider gear shaft broken and jammed; damage to truck and RV documented
Recalls/TSBs owners mention: Owner reports this is a known, long-standing issue; investigations underway but no recall issued at time of complaint
Transmission Hard Shifting / Bucking Under Tow
Transmission shifts harshly, bucks aggressively in higher gears, and fails to upshift after tow-haul mode is used on grades. Slips in and out of gear unpredictably.
When: While towing approximately 11,000 lbs (horse trailer)
Symptoms owners cite: Aggressive bucking in 4th and 5th gear while towing; Transmission will not upshift after tow-haul braking feature on descent; Slipping in and out of gear sensation; Requires manual disable of tow-haul mode and transmission restart to resume shifting
Repairs/costs cited: Torque converter replaced, pump replaced (twice in one case); bearing failure in transmission post-repair
Recalls/TSBs owners mention: Chrysler aware of problem; multiple customer complaints documented; no fix available per owner report; workaround is to tow in third gear only
Torque Converter Failure
Torque converter fails prematurely, causing transmission dysfunction and requiring replacement. Secondary damage to transmission pump occurs after repair.
When: 27,000 miles in one case; hard shift diagnosed at lower mileage
Symptoms owners cite: Transmission shifts hard; Engine surge at idle in gear with voltage drop; Engine dies/stalls at low RPM in gear without codes
Repairs/costs cited: Torque converter replaced; transmission pump also replaced twice; transmission stuck in first gear post-repair; bearing failure after repair
Recalls/TSBs owners mention: Not specified; dealer repair attempted repeatedly without permanent resolution
Engine Stall / Idle Shutdown (Transmission in Gear)
Engine dies unexpectedly while vehicle is in gear at low RPM or idle speed. No diagnostic codes stored. Restarting in park resolves issue temporarily.
When: 74,000 miles in one documented case; recurs despite transmission mount and transmission replacement
Symptoms owners cite: Engine shuts off without warning while in gear (Drive or Reverse); Engine surge from idle (700–800 rpm) down to 500 rpm with 5V voltage drop; Vehicle dies in gear; restarts fine in park; Occurs multiple times per driving session; No check engine light or stored codes despite failure
Repairs/costs cited: Fuel pump/lifter replaced; batteries replaced; fuel filters serviced; EGR valve cleaned/serviced; crank case breather serviced; transmission mount and transmission replaced
Recalls/TSBs owners mention: Not specified; dealer repair unsuccessful despite multiple component replacements
4WD Drive System Rattle / Lock-Up
Transfer case or 4WD drive system produces violent rattling and causes sudden power loss requiring engine restart. Occurs predictably before scheduled service intervals.
When: 4,000 miles before 60K service; 3,000 miles before next service; 76,000 miles
Symptoms owners cite: Violent rattling from drive system when 4WD is engaged; Truck forced to complete stop; Engine must be shut off and restarted to resume operation; Occurs on interstate at highway speeds; Predictable timing (every ~1,000 miles before service due)
Repairs/costs cited: Pattern suggests service interval-related defect; no repair costs cited
Recalls/TSBs owners mention: Service reminder issued for 4WD fluid service; no recall or TSB mentioned
Transmission Fluid Leak (Bracket Fracture)
Transmission fluid line leaks due to fractured bracket supporting transmission frame mounting.
When: 70,500 miles
Symptoms owners cite: Transmission fluid leakage without warning
Repairs/costs cited: Bracket fractured at frame-to-transmission mount; frame replacement needed
Recalls/TSBs owners mention: Not specified
Exhaust Manifold Bolt Breakage
Bolts on exhaust manifold break repeatedly due to thermal stress or torque-related failure. Bolts break while driving.
When: 1.5 years: 2 bolts; May 2018: 2 bolts; July 2018: 7 bolts
Symptoms owners cite: Bolts break and fall out while driving; Manifold bolts need repeated replacement
Repairs/costs cited: Dealer reports replacing bolts weekly on Dodge trucks; attributed to torque and heat cycling
Recalls/TSBs owners mention: None; dealer acknowledges as routine maintenance issue ('a Dodge thing')
Transfer Case Output Shaft Breakage
Transfer case output shaft breaks at low mileage during light driving. Second failure occurs on same vehicle at higher mileage.
When: First failure at 18,000 miles (35 mph); second failure at 40,000 miles (25 mph)
Symptoms owners cite: Loss of power transmission to wheels; Shaft breaks during normal driving at low speeds
Repairs/costs cited: Shaft replacement required; breakage occurred twice on same vehicle
Recalls/TSBs owners mention: Multiple recalls exist for 2014 RAM 2500 but do not specifically address this defect
Gear Shifter Column Bracket Failure
Aluminum bracket holding gear shifter assembly on steering column breaks in half, causing shifter to fall loose from column.
When: Occurs when placing truck in reverse
Symptoms owners cite: Shifter loose on column; Gear shifter falls out of column; Cannot move shifter to park to shut off engine; Aluminum bracket fractured
Repairs/costs cited: Bracket failure prevents vehicle shutdown
Recalls/TSBs owners mention: Not specified
Fan Shroud Collapse and Radiator Damage
Plastic fan shroud softens under load and towing stress, gets pulled into cooling fan, and shreds radiator. Occurs twice on same vehicle within two years.
When: While towing near maximum weight capacity at 60–70 mph highway speeds; occurred twice in two years
Symptoms owners cite: Fan shroud softens and is sucked into radiator by fan blade; Radiator penetrated by shroud debris; Immediate fluid leakage from radiator; Loss of engine power; vehicle stops
Repairs/costs cited: Radiator damage and debris cleanup required; issue recurred on same vehicle
Recalls/TSBs owners mention: Not specified; owner notes issue is continuous problem documented in forums
Transmission Accumulator Retention Plate Failure
Accumulator retention plate screws loosen and fall into oil pan, causing plate deformation and piston dislodgement. Results in immediate power loss.
When: While driving in traffic at 50 mph
Symptoms owners cite: Sudden loss of power while driving; Required evasive action to avoid collision
Repairs/costs cited: Loose retention plate screws caused immediate transmission failure
Recalls/TSBs owners mention: Not specified
Front-End Vibration / Driveshaft Imbalance
Front end vibrates at highway speed (68–78 mph). Driveshaft replacement did not resolve issue.
When: 17,000 miles
Symptoms owners cite: Front end vibration at highway speeds (68–78 mph)
Repairs/costs cited: Driveshaft replaced; tires balanced and rotated; vibration persisted
Recalls/TSBs owners mention: Dealer unable to duplicate problem during test drive
Transmission Solenoid Circuit Fault
Transmission solenoid circuit fails, causing transmission to seize in gear and check engine light to illuminate.
When: 57,325 miles at 70 mph
Symptoms owners cite: Vehicle shifts to fourth gear and ceases; Check engine light illuminates; Transmission cannot shift out of 4th gear
Codes mentioned: P0750 (LR Solenoid Circuit Fault)
Repairs/costs cited: Not repaired per complaint
Recalls/TSBs owners mention: Manufacturer made aware; no remedy provided
Synthesized from 56 NHTSA owner complaints — unverified consumer allegations, summarized for patterns. The verbatim filings appear below.
What owners are reporting 2 most recent
The rear differential locked up while towing our rv, which caused us to jackknife and subsequently flipping our rv. The rv is a total loss and the truck has significant damage. There was a loud pop or bang and then maybe a second or so before the rear end seized. The truck shut down during this which left us with no brakes for the rv and the truck almost flipped with rv. The mechanic at the…
Had powertrain trouble with your 2014 RAM 2500?
File a complaint with NHTSA → It's free, official, and how every report above got here — owner filings are the federal safety record this page is built on.
Common questions
How serious is the powertrain problem on the 2014 RAM 2500?
It's a meaningful issue. 56 complaints have been filed and the failure mode causes operational problems for owners. Repairs average $2,500.
At what mileage does the powertrain typically fail?
Across the 41 complaints that reported odometer mileage, most powertrain failures cluster between 20,000 and 68,000 miles, with the median around 54,000. A quarter of owners report trouble before 20,000; a quarter make it past 68,000. Maintenance history matters more than the odometer alone — this is the reported failure window, not a guarantee.
What does it cost to fix?
Independent shops typically charge around $2,500 for powertrain repairs on this vehicle. Dealer pricing tends to run 20-40% higher. The exact figure depends on the specific failure mode, parts availability, and your local labor rates. If you're outside factory warranty, an extended service contract often covers this category.
Are there any recalls related to powertrain?
No active recalls currently cover powertrain issues on this vehicle. The complaints filed represent owner-reported failures that haven't risen to the level of a manufacturer-issued recall — but they're still worth knowing about before you buy or budget for repairs.
Related
Complaint and recall data sourced from the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA)
public records database. Verify the raw federal record at
nhtsa.gov/vehicle/2014/RAM/2500.
Severity ratings are derived from reported crashes, fires, injuries, and fatalities. Repair cost estimates are
independent-shop national averages and may differ in your area. Some links on this page are affiliate links.