Ram puts two transmissions behind the Cummins diesel in their heavy-duty trucks: the in-house 68RFE (six-speed automatic, used on most 2500 and lighter-spec 3500 applications) and the Aisin AS69RC (also six-speed, used on heavier 3500/4500/5500 applications and the Cummins HD package). They're related in concept but different in execution. The 68RFE has the longer service history and the bigger complaint footprint. It's a transmission that was originally designed for moderate-duty applications and ended up behind the 6.7 Cummins making 800+ pound-feet of torque. The math doesn't quite work, and the transmission shows it. Owners who tow heavily on these — fifth wheels, dump trailers, anything sustained over 10,000 pounds — frequently report torque converter shudder, slipping under load, and eventual valve body or clutch pack failure. Multiple class actions have been filed. Settlements have offered some warranty extensions, but the fundamental durability gap between the engine output and the transmission rating hasn't been closed. Owners who tow at high weights and want long transmission life often deep-six the factory 68RFE valve body for an aftermarket HD valve body, fit transmission cooling upgrades, and switch to a heavy-duty fluid like AMSOIL Signature Series. Done early, these mods can extend service life substantially. The Aisin AS69RC is a different animal. It's a Japanese-built heavy-duty automatic rated for the highest torque the trucks produce. The Aisin's complaint pattern is more about shift quality than durability — early production years had harsh shifts, gear hunting, and a reluctance to find the right ratio for grade-holding. Software updates from Ram have largely cured these. The Aisin is the transmission to want if you can afford the trim levels that get it. Fluid service intervals on both of these are critical. The 68RFE in particular punishes neglected fluid harshly. Heavy-duty trucks should see transmission service every 30,000-50,000 miles regardless of what the manual claims about lifetime fluid.
Ram 68RFE / Aisin AS69RC problems
8,313 owner complaints filed with NHTSA across 53 vehicle applications. 57 active recall campaigns.
Known issues
- 68RFE torque converter shudder under load
- 68RFE valve body wear, particularly on the line pressure solenoid circuit
- 68RFE internal clutch pack failure on heavily-towed examples
- Aisin AS69RC harsh shifting and hunting on early production
- Multiple class actions filed regarding 68RFE durability under the Cummins torque output
Problem categories Aggregated across all 53 affected vehicles
Affected vehicles Top 25 by complaint volume
Recent owner reports 8 most recent across the family
The contact owns a 2017 RAM 2500. The contact stated that while attempting to start the vehicle, the ABS warning light illuminated, and the cruise control mode became inoperable. The vehicle was taken to the dealer, where it was diagnosed that the ABS module needed to be replaced. The contact was…
A recall was issue 1 year ago for the issue below. This issue has yet to be resolved. The dealer informed me they could fix it at my cost but left little or no hope for the reimbursement. One year is sufficient to come up with a fix. I have constant alarms going off on my truck which is very…
The contact owns a 2018 Ram 2500. The contact stated while driving 30-70 MPH from Annapolis to Pennsylvania, the electronic stability control (ESC) warning light started to flash on and off. While driving over a bump in the roadway and while making a turn, the warning light activated persistently.…
The contact owns a 2018 Ram 2500. The contact received notification of NHTSA Campaign Number: 24V896000 (Service Brakes, Hydraulic); however, the part to do the recall repair was not yet available. The contact stated while driving 25 MPH, the ABS warning light illuminated. The local dealer was…
The ABS module is defective on my truck which controls the antilock brakes, Anti slip function, and the cruise control. Dealer ship has diagnosed problem and ordered parts but the parts have been on back order for quite sometime with no ETA from RAM when parts will be available. My dealer ship says…
At around 74,000 miles in December of 2023, a warning to "Service Electronic Braking System" and "Service Antilock Brake System" started to show up on the screen of my 2018 Ram 2500 6.7. The truck was taken to a Ram dealership and the fix to the problem was determined to be replacement of the ABS…
Common questions
What vehicles use the Ram 68RFE / Aisin AS69RC?
The Ram 68RFE / Aisin AS69RC was used across 53 model-year combinations from 2007-present. Affected applications are ranked on this page by complaint volume.
What are the most common problems with the 68RFE / Aisin?
The dominant complaint patterns are: 68rfe torque converter shudder under load; 68rfe valve body wear, particularly on the line pressure solenoid circuit; 68rfe internal clutch pack failure on heavily-towed examples. Across all affected vehicles in our database, 8,313 owner complaints have been filed with NHTSA, plus 57 active recall campaigns.
How much does it cost to repair the 68RFE / Aisin?
Costs vary widely by failure mode. A fluid service or solenoid replacement can be a few hundred dollars. A valve body or mechatronic unit replacement runs $1,200-$2,500. Full transmission replacement on a unit of this scope is typically $3,500-$6,500 at an independent shop, more at the dealer. The specific cost on your vehicle depends on which failure occurred and how far it progressed before service.
Should I avoid vehicles with the 68RFE / Aisin?
The complaint data points to specific failure patterns. Some affected vehicles have had successful long-term service after a software update, fluid change, or valve body replacement. Others have needed multiple full transmission replacements. The right call depends on the specific vehicle's history. Read the editorial above and check the rank list for the model-year combination you're considering.
Does an extended warranty help on a 68RFE / Aisin-equipped vehicle?
On transmissions with documented widespread failure patterns, the math frequently favors coverage. A $4,000-$6,000 transmission repair against a $2,000-$3,000 warranty is straightforward. The key is reading the contract carefully — many service contracts exclude transmissions specifically on vehicles with known patterns, or require the failure to occur during specific mileage windows. Use the calculator on the specific vehicle's page for the actual math.
If you're towing heavy with a 68RFE, fluid service intervals matter more than almost anything else you can do. If you're spending real money on a Ram HD, the Aisin is worth the trim level upcharge. Either transmission rewards owners who treat them as maintenance items, not appliances.