Aisin Transmission Failure at 10,462 miles. Date of failure 09/09/2023. No warning lights, messages or other symptoms Vehicle was towed to Dealership on 09/12/2023 Failure confirmed by Champion Dodge, 907 S Clinton Street, Athens, AL 35611 / 8002395692
2022 RAM 3500 powertrain problems
moderate 111 complaints filed with NHTSA · avg repair $2,500 · see powertrain across all vehicles →
Failure mileage
Complaints
111
Recalls
0
Avg fix
$2,500
1crash
1injury
What stands out
Of the 12 model years of RAM 3500 we track for powertrain problems, this one carries the most owner complaints on file — 111.
Powertrain accounts for 60% of every owner complaint on file for this vehicle — the dominant problem area across 6 categories tracked.
The failure pattern owners describe
RAM 3500 owners with the Aisin transmission report a catastrophic failure pattern: the K1 clutch snap ring breaks or dislodges, instantly killing forward gears 1 through 4 while the engine still runs. Failure is abrupt—no warning lights beforehand, just a sudden loud clunk and complete loss of power. The failure strikes across a wide mileage range, from under 1,000 miles on brand-new trucks to over 20,000 miles, often while owners are towing trailers on highways or mountain roads. Owners describe being stranded in heavy traffic, on narrow shoulders, or on dangerous grades with no way to move forward, only reverse. RAM issued Service Bulletin 21-002-23 on January 11, 2023, acknowledging the snap ring defect, but no recall has been issued. Dealers can order repair kits only once per week, and replacement transmissions are on national backorder with waits stretching 30 to 90 days or more. Some owners report the same failure recurring within weeks of getting a new transmission installed. A few complaints also surface regarding DPF limp-mode events that create highway hazards, an inadvertent park-to-reverse shift that injured an owner, and an engine stall with electrical symptoms. Throughout, owners emphasize that RAM knew about the snap ring issue before vehicles shipped to customers but provided no warning.
Same RAM 3500 powertrain reports on nearby years: 2019 · 2020 · 2021
Failure modes owners describe
K1 Clutch Snap Ring Failure in Aisin Transmission
The K1 clutch snap ring becomes dislodged or fractures inside the Aisin AS68RC/AS69RC transmission, resulting in complete loss of forward gears (1–4) while reverse may remain functional. Failure is sudden and catastrophic with zero warning.
When: Typically between 800 and 20,667 miles; multiple reports under 3,000 miles. Many occur while towing.
Symptoms owners cite: Sudden loss of all forward gears with only reverse functioning; Loud clunking or banging noise from transmission; Vehicle unable to accelerate despite engine running; Check engine light comes on simultaneously with failure or immediately after; Dashboard message '4 wheel drive system temporarily unavailable' may appear seconds before complete failure; Vehicle feels 'stuck in neutral' with no response to accelerator; Transmission may slip from 1st to 2nd gear or exhibit slippage after partial recovery; Tachometer spikes with no forward motion
Codes mentioned: P0731, P0732, P0733, Gear ratio incorrect codes
Repairs/costs cited: Complete Aisin transmission replacement required. Parts on national backorder; owners report 30–90+ day wait times. RAM dealerships can only order one K1 repair kit every 7 days. Some owners cite $10,000+ out-of-pocket costs when outside warranty or mileage limits. Second failures reported within weeks of 'repair' on newly installed units.
Recalls/TSBs owners mention: Service Bulletin 21-002-23 (K1 Clutch Snap Ring Repair) issued 1/11/23 to dealers for 2022–2023 RAM 3500, 4500, 5500 with Aisin transmission. Campaign Number 22V835000 (Power Train) issued but parts availability severely delayed. Warranty coverage denied in some cases (e.g., 16,700+ miles). RAM has not issued a recall despite widespread field failures and community tracking spreadsheets documenting 127+ confirmed cases. No proactive owner notification.
Diesel Particulate Filter (DPF) System Malfunction & Limp Mode
The DPF system enters regeneration cycles too frequently, and when regeneration fails, the vehicle enters 'limp mode' with severely reduced power. Sensors may fail; replacement of DPF and sensor has not resolved recurring regenerations.
When: Occurring at 34,435 miles; frequent regeneration cycle (~1 per week) since vehicle acquisition.
Symptoms owners cite: Dashboard message 'Exhaust Filter Nearing Full—Safely Drive at Consistent Speed to Clear'; Vehicle enters limp mode during highway driving after short time at consistent speed; Dashboard message 'Exhaust Filter Full—Reduced Power—See Dealer'; Severe power loss (limp mode) on highway, creating traffic bottleneck and collision risk; Frequent regeneration cycles unresolved after DPF replacement; No warning until limp mode activation
Codes mentioned: Exhaust filter codes (specific codes not stated in narratives)
Repairs/costs cited: DPF replaced 10/1/25 (first occurrence of limp mode). Sensor replaced 10/29/25. Regenerations continue at approximately 1 per week despite repairs.
Recalls/TSBs owners mention: Owner reports this is a known issue in RAM truck owner community but not formally acknowledged by manufacturer. No recall or TSB cited in complaint.
Transmission Slippage and Shifting Issues (Non-Snap-Ring Related)
Vehicle experiences slippage between gears or inability to properly engage gears, sometimes after a partial recovery from transmission distress. Separate from the acute K1 snap ring failure but indicative of internal transmission wear or malfunction.
When: At 28,000 miles (one case); another case at 1,945 miles noted transmission stuck in 5th gear.
Symptoms owners cite: Slippage from 1st to 2nd gear after partial power recovery; Occasional slippage in 3rd gear; Transmission stuck in 5th or higher gear with no forward motion in lower gears; Check engine light present or absent depending on case
Codes mentioned: No specific codes cited; one narrative mentions low voltage codes
Repairs/costs cited: One case diagnosed as transmission stuck in 5th gear at 1,945 miles; no repair completed. Another with slippage at 28,000 miles awaiting dealer evaluation.
Recalls/TSBs owners mention: No manufacturer response documented for non-snap-ring transmission issues in these narratives.
Engine Stall / Loss of Electrical Power
Engine stops suddenly while driving on highway with zero warning. Starter cranks weakly or fails entirely. Low voltage codes present on restart attempt. Vehicle must be jump-started; computers prevent neutral engagement and safe removal from traffic lane.
When: At approximately 70 mph after 180 miles of highway driving; occurred on secondary road after interstate exit.
Symptoms owners cite: Sudden engine shutdown with no warning lights before failure; No abnormal sounds or gauges prior to stop; Starter will not crank or pulls low voltage and kills all electronics; Computer prevents shifting to neutral during restart attempts; All gauges appear normal until sudden deceleration; Vehicle came to complete stop in traffic lane
Codes mentioned: Only low voltage-related codes (specific codes not detailed)
Repairs/costs cited: Vehicle towed to dealer 8/19/24 after service hours. Still would not turn over upon tow truck removal. Service advisor reported three low-voltage codes stored. No fluids leaking. Tech investigation pending.
Recalls/TSBs owners mention: No manufacturer response documented.
Transmission Inadvertent Park-to-Reverse Shift (Safety Critical)
Vehicle shifts spontaneously from park to reverse while running, without driver input. Driver is scooped by door and dragged until truck impacts another vehicle.
When: Incident date not specified; vehicle running at time.
Symptoms owners cite: Transmission slips out of park into reverse spontaneously; No warning lights, buzzers, or indicators; Shift stalk remains in park position despite reverse engagement; Vehicle rolls backward while running
Repairs/costs cited: No dealer service yet; significant property damage to own vehicle and struck vehicle. Police attended scene.
Synthesized from 111 NHTSA owner complaints — unverified consumer allegations, summarized for patterns. The verbatim filings appear below.
What owners are reporting 7 most recent
My vehicle came with 4X4 gear box shift on the floor. I could not get it to move into neutral or 4 low gear. I hardly drove in so it was no big deal so one day I pulled up the boot around the shift and there was a screw blocking the forward movement. It was the same screw that mount the plastic around the shift, after removing it I was able to get all the gears. The danger in that screw could…
The contact owns a 2022 Ram 3500. The contact received notifications of NHTSA Campaign Numbers: 22V835000 (Power Train) and 23V060000 (Electrical System) however, the parts to do the recall repairs were not yet available. The contact stated that the manufacturer had exceeded a reasonable amount of time for the recall repairs. The dealer was made aware of the issue and confirmed that parts were…
The transmission spontaneously slipped out of park and went into reverse. My safety was close to critically impacted. When it began to roll on its own, I was scooped by the driver door and dragged several yards until the truck impacted another vehicle and came to a stop. I very likely could have been killed. If anyone had been behind the truck they likely could have been killed. The incident…
I was traveling in my new 3 month old 3500 Ram with, at the time of failure, 3000 miles on the odometer. Starting from a standstill on level ground. I lost all forward momentum. I lost forward gears 1-4 due to what is now known as the K1 clutch snap ring failure. I was traveling cross country and had to leave my truck at a dealership over 1000 miles from home. ruined vacation and had to catch…
Driving vehicle and lost power went into limp mode had no gears forward Truck would not go over 1500 rpm Check engine light came on Kept saying 4 wheel drive not available but was in 2 wheel drive Hear clunk when shifting but no gears respond! Occurred when driving definitely a safety issue
-What component or system failed or malfunctioned, and is it available for inspection upon request? A: Transmission -How was your safety or the safety of others put at risk? A: I was never contacted by RAM regarding the possibility of a catastrophic power loss c/o transmission failure for my RAM truck. While driving E/B on Interstate 15 in the # 2 lane at highway speeds and going up a grade,…
Had powertrain trouble with your 2022 RAM 3500?
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 2022 RAM 3500?
It's a documented issue but not catastrophic. 111 complaints have been filed. Repairs average $2,500 and most owners catch it before it causes a breakdown.
At what mileage does the powertrain typically fail?
Across the 11 complaints that reported odometer mileage, most powertrain failures cluster between 9,000 and 26,000 miles, with the median around 16,000. A quarter of owners report trouble before 9,000; a quarter make it past 26,000. 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/2022/RAM/3500.
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.