Ram 2500 transmission

[Code54]

The other night I pulled my 2012 Ram 6.7 Cummins turbo diesel 2500 crew cab (26000 miles) out of the garage and the check engine light came on. A quick check showed low transmission line pressure.
Dropped it at the Ram dealer and received the call today that there was several codes all related to the transmission and the transmission pressure. They said they had to pull the tranny next week and start taking it apart to see what is all wrong. Mentioned it could be the front pump but could be a lot of other things. Said depending on that they find they may just have to replace a pump or if it starts adding up they may replace the entire transmission.
I am very glad to say i got an extended warranty when we bought this truck so it is costing me a $100 no matter what so the cost is not a concern. I am concerned that the tranny is coming out and was wondering what that entails? Do they need to pull the engine or just the tranny (and maybe transfer case)? I am thinking I am a LOT better off if they end up replacing the entire transmission as I only have about a year left on my warranty and I put very few miles on the truck.
I am disappointed the tranny went out as I never abuse the truck and really do like it a lot. I tow under the limits, start and stop slow and steady, and take good care of it (its on it's 9th oil change, and the diff's have had the fluid changed, etc....) I am guessing it is just a freak thing but do have concerns that "repaired" this may give me problems in the future.
Cant say I know much about transmissions and how to fix them so I was wondering what everyone thinks and is there something I need to address with the dealer ahead of time or check afterwards?
Thanks

 

[bikerdib]

I got lucky when shopping for my 2013 Ram 3500. I found one on the lot set up the way I wanted and with an Aisin transmission. I don't know if they even offer the Aisin in a 2500 though.

Good luck with yours and be happy you have the warranty.

 

[Code54]

THANKS - looking back I sort of wish I got the 3500 to get the Aisin as it was not offered on the 2500 (shame they didn't offer it, would have been a great option).

Funny thing is we NEVER buy extended warranties on anything but I also have always had Toyota vehicles and never thought the extended warranty was a good value. I really like our RAM and our Jeep Wrangler but I got extended warranties on both just because it seems a lot of the Big 3 vehicles have problems. I also JUST got a new F150 for work and it is already going in for warranty work - BIG run in the paint and storage compartment broke the first time it was opened..... Oh well, what can ya do.....

 

[MickeyDBC]

I have a 2014 Ram 2500 and this is the last Dodge for me. Up to 17 recalls now and this thing is just a mess. Spoke with a guy who rebuilds transmissions and he commented that the R68RFE transmission has thin clutches that like to come apart when they get a little worn. I think I am going back to Chevy. In your case, I would change the fluid before your warranty runs out and see if any chunks come out with it.

 

[Monster5601]

The 68RFE is a good transmission and not much different than the Aisin (excluding cost) which can handle more power. If you head over to the Cummins forum, you will find the Aisin has its own issues. Allpar.com has an extensive comparison between the two trannies for the courious. The 68RFE gets more attention becasue it is the only tranny available in the Cummins 2500 which has a much higher sales volume compared to the 3500.

Got to love those factory extended warranties. I had a tranny go out on my 2003 Tahoe, out of factory warranty, $2k repair bill with zero out of pocket. I have the 8 year 120K mile factory warranty on my RAM 3500 Cummins, and the lifetime on my 2013 1500 RAM gasser.

 

[Monster5601]

I have a 2014 Ram 2500 and this is the last Dodge for me. Up to 17 recalls now and this thing is just a mess.

My 2015 had a few, all were software reflashes except two, the SCR was replaced (a supplier issue) and I had one of the 4% trucks that had the suspicious water pump that was replaced (yet another supplier issue). My total recall count, to date, is 5, but 17 recalls? Are you exaggerating?

 

[RyeThomas]

I’ve had a Ram Diesel since 04, I had a 2012 and now a 13. The transmission comes out very easy, no engine components need to be touched. I wouldn’t worry a bit since you still have a good deal of warranty. The 68 does have known weak overdrive clutches for 5-6, but as long as your not tuned and your not hammering on it on the highway you will be fine. I do at times lock out 6th gear (keeps it in 5th) when towing heavy at certain speeds to avoid heavy 5/6 continuous shifts back and forth. Otherwise I drop her in gear and go. The vast majority of complaints on the 68 are from people running tunes, stock power they are a pretty solid unit.

Cummins Forum has a wealth of knowledge and seems to be the busiest Diesel Ram site around. It’s worth a look. Just know you will read a bunch of doomsday posts from people who swear if you aren’t deleted and tuned your trucks going to blow up in you drive, lol.

I’m at the same screen name over there, feel free to send me a message there with any questions. Rye.

 

[MickeyDBC]

My 2015 had a few, all were software reflashes except two, the SCR was replaced (a supplier issue) and I had one of the 4% trucks that had the suspicious water pump that was replaced (yet another supplier issue). My total recall count, to date, is 5, but 17 recalls? Are you exaggerating?

I wish I was. Got the count when it was in two months ago for the waterpump recall and two software recalls. Just got another one in the mail about jumping out of park when parked and they announced an upcoming one for the cruise control not disengaging. The big ones that mine have had are the DPF was recalled and replaced, something in the DEF system was recalled and replaced (then it went bad and had to be replaced again), frame weld breakage, recalled switch in the anti-lock brakes, chafed wiring in the stearing column, and a "soft" recall for water leaking from the third brake light filling the floorboards with water. I think the rest of them were all software, usually flashed several at a time.

Our 11 year old Tahoe has been recalled once to inspect the airbags, the previous GMC truck was never recalled (though it was getting in rough shape after 150K miles of pretty heavy use and two big hail storms). The Ford truck before that was never recalled that I can remember, but it did spend a lot of time in the shop for warranty paint work because the paint would come off when you washed it.

When I first got the truck the dealer would give a loaner whenever it was in the shop, now they just say file for reimbursement with Chrysler for a rental. Scheduling a service appointment for what the recall calls a "critical safety issue" takes months and often requires several trips to the dealer (we don't see your appointment or the parts are not in yet). Chrysler will reimburse for the actual time that the dealer is working on the car, but not the usual two to five days that it is waiting in line to get the work done. We have bought 5 new vehicles from this family of dealerships (Covert in Austin) over the last 12 years but this is it. No more - I quit.

 

[sd455dan]

The other night I pulled my 2012 Ram 6.7 Cummins turbo diesel 2500 crew cab (26000 miles) out of the garage and the check engine light came on. A quick check showed low transmission line pressure.
Dropped it at the Ram dealer and received the call today that there was several codes all related to the transmission and the transmission pressure. They said they had to pull the tranny next week and start taking it apart to see what is all wrong. Mentioned it could be the front pump but could be a lot of other things. Said depending on that they find they may just have to replace a pump or if it starts adding up they may replace the entire transmission.
I am very glad to say i got an extended warranty when we bought this truck so it is costing me a $100 no matter what so the cost is not a concern. I am concerned that the tranny is coming out and was wondering what that entails? Do they need to pull the engine or just the tranny (and maybe transfer case)? I am thinking I am a LOT better off if they end up replacing the entire transmission as I only have about a year left on my warranty and I put very few miles on the truck.
I am disappointed the tranny went out as I never abuse the truck and really do like it a lot. I tow under the limits, start and stop slow and steady, and take good care of it (its on it's 9th oil change, and the diff's have had the fluid changed, etc....) I am guessing it is just a freak thing but do have concerns that "repaired" this may give me problems in the future.
Cant say I know much about transmissions and how to fix them so I was wondering what everyone thinks and is there something I need to address with the dealer ahead of time or check afterwards?
Thanks

My nephew bought a 2012 2500 new and it started having codes and weird engagement issues.
In the end FCA bought the truck back ( before time limit ran out) because they could not cure codes and the main problem of trying to back up with a trailer on the truck it would barely move and then after revving the Cummins engine it would violently engage. He then bought a 2012 with the G56 manual trans which was trouble free.
As far as replacement- the driveline, transfer case and then the Auto trans need to be removed for major trans service or replacement. My guess is, by now there must be some kind of TSB on the problem... Hopefully

ps, my 2003 3500 with Cummins/ NV5600 has been a decent truck so far- no plans on getting something different

 

[Code54]

Thank you all for the information!
I am glad to hear the motor does not need touched, that makes me feel a lot better!
You all are right, the warranty was worth it weight in gold -glad I had it. Wish I could have got the lifetime one on the Diesel!!
Thank you all again and I will check out the forums mentioned.