U.S. regulators have opened an investigation into a reported transmission issue in certain heavy-duty Ram trucks that could be causing the vehicle to lose power. Authorities say they received 82 complaints from consumers.
The issue relates to a snap ring within the 6-speed automatic transmission fitted in certain 2022 Ram 3500 pickups, 3500 cab chassis, and 4500/5500 cab chassis models, according to the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA). However, according to a technical service bulletin published by Ram, 2023 models may also be affected.
Read: Chrysler, Jeep, Ram Recall 38,000 Vehicles Over Airbag That Might Not Deploy In A Crash
If the snap ring fails, it can become dislodged, ultimately losing the first four gears. According to Ram’s TSB, the fifth and reverse gears remain unaffected. Regardless, drivers have complained that they were unable to use their trucks after experiencing this issue.
Unfortunately, the fault can present itself quite early on in the truck’s lifetime, with one owner in Alabaster, Alabama, complaining that their transmissions failed when their three-month-old Ram 3500 pickup had just 3,000 miles (4,828 km) on the odometer.
Another owner complained that they use their Ram 3500 to tow a 38-foot fifth-wheel trailer and that a transmission failure on the road could have been “catastrophic.” NHTSA points out that some of these chassis cab vehicles are upfitted to become vehicles like ambulances, making this issue all the more alarming.
Fixing a broken transmission is a big job. Ram’s technical service bulletin details a 38-part repair process that involves removing and opening the transmission.
NHTSA has opened a preliminary evaluation to determine the severity of the issue, and to assess its safety implications. Although no recall campaign has yet been launched, if one is required, it could affect an estimated 188,320 vehicles.
