Transmission falling out of Drive on downshift, blinking, displaying "shift to P" and back

[Kicknsnare]

Hey all,

I'm having an issue in which my 2019 Ram 1500 Crew Cab 4x2 Laramie 5.7L V8 with 8 speed auto with 3.92 rear axle ratio and am hoping you can help. Upon braking and downshifting and perhaps more when vehicle is "cold", transmission occasionally falls out of drive without user input. The D indicator around the shift knob and in the instrument panel will blink. Tried to capture the blinking in the images below. In this case, the vehicle is parked more or less at a traffic light, but it has happened enough that I have scrambled and captured videos at 7 MPH as well. The instrument panel will also display the message "Shift to P then Desired Gear". In this time, the engine remains running and the transmission enters a neutral stage. This can be pretty dangerous when it occurs upon braking for a railroad crossing or yield and merge situation in which I cannot accelerate into traffic or away from a train. The transmission can be re-engaged by shifting to P then back to D. I do have 57,000 miles on the vehicle and this would definitely qualify as a powertrain issue, within warranty. I have taken the vehicle into the dealership with a description of the issue and a video. The shift knob was replaced to attempt to resolve with no change in issue frequency. I'll be taking it back this week for the last time. Is there a transmission programming change required for the rear axle ratio change that perhaps didn't happen? I bought the vehicle used and don't do much towing myself. I may prefer to swap the rear end for original 3.21 if required to resolve. Is anyone experiencing a similar issue? Any ideas to resolve? Please help

 

[Fatherof3]

Welcome to the forum . I’ve never heard of this before but I would guess it would be electronic . There is no shift linkage it’s all done electronically . It is just a guess though .

 

[jimchi]

I may prefer to swap the rear end for original 3.21 if required to resolve.

I assume this means you bought the truck with 3.21 gears and swapped in 3.92 yourself? If so, what programming - if any - did you perform to update the truck's computer? How long after the swap did this issue start occurring?

 

[Kicknsnare]

I assume this means you bought the truck with 3.21 gears and swapped in 3.92 yourself? If so, what programming - if any - did you perform to update the truck's computer? How long after the swap did this issue start occurring?

I should have used the verbiage "I may prefer to have the dealership swap the rear end for 3.21 if required" LOL. The ordering dealer or first buyer selected this option from the factory. I am curious if there is programming intended for the different rear axle option that perhaps didn't occur at the factory. I just bought the truck pre-owned in February of this year and have noticed the issue consistently since purchase.

 

[jimchi]

I should have used the verbiage "I may prefer to have the dealership swap the rear end for 3.21 if required" LOL. The ordering dealer or first buyer selected this option from the factory. I am curious if there is programming intended for the different rear axle option that perhaps didn't occur at the factory. I just bought the truck pre-owned in February of this year and have noticed the issue consistently since purchase.

If the truck was built with the 3.92 gears, the computer should be programmed correctly for them. It sounds like some sort of communication error between between the various computers, but that's just a guess. The dealer should be able to figure it out.

 

[Kicknsnare]

Dealer was unable to figure it out. Manager could not duplicate the issue. They found low voltage error codes that honestly could have been stored from the dying OEM battery, recently replaced by diehard. Most of the occurrences of the transmission problem occurred with the original OEM battery, warrantied for 24 mo- dead at 30. But some did happen with the newer diehard battery. So dealer replaced a new $170 diehard battery from advance (which must have a manufacturer defect) with an OEM battery for $319 (labor and supplies lol). I think I'm on a 1x/2 days rhythm recently with the issue.
Here's a video (DANGEROUS as it happens at 7 MPH):

 

[iLikeTurtles]

Neutral drops will clear out the bugs.

Just kidding. No valuable input to give though, sorry.

 

[jimchi]

I'd say bring it back to the dealer and show them this video. Perhaps @RamCares can help?

 

[RamCares]

Hey all,

I'm having an issue in which my 2019 Ram 1500 Crew Cab 4x2 Laramie 5.7L V8 with 8 speed auto with 3.92 rear axle ratio and am hoping you can help. Upon braking and downshifting and perhaps more when vehicle is "cold", transmission occasionally falls out of drive without user input. The D indicator around the shift knob and in the instrument panel will blink. Tried to capture the blinking in the images below. In this case, the vehicle is parked more or less at a traffic light, but it has happened enough that I have scrambled and captured videos at 7 MPH as well. The instrument panel will also display the message "Shift to P then Desired Gear". In this time, the engine remains running and the transmission enters a neutral stage. This can be pretty dangerous when it occurs upon braking for a railroad crossing or yield and merge situation in which I cannot accelerate into traffic or away from a train. The transmission can be re-engaged by shifting to P then back to D. I do have 57,000 miles on the vehicle and this would definitely qualify as a powertrain issue, within warranty. I have taken the vehicle into the dealership with a description of the issue and a video. The shift knob was replaced to attempt to resolve with no change in issue frequency. I'll be taking it back this week for the last time. Is there a transmission programming change required for the rear axle ratio change that perhaps didn't happen? I bought the vehicle used and don't do much towing myself. I may prefer to swap the rear end for original 3.21 if required to resolve. Is anyone experiencing a similar issue? Any ideas to resolve? Please help

View attachment 77802View attachment 77804
View attachment 77803View attachment 77805

Hello @Kicknsnare, we certainly understand how this would be concerning. We would be more than willing to assist in resolving this alongside your dealer. Please send us a private message with your VIN and mileage for further support, thank you.

Kathryn
Ram Cares

 

[fredrk123]

Dealer was unable to figure it out. Manager could not duplicate the issue. They found low voltage error codes that honestly could have been stored from the dying OEM battery, recently replaced by diehard. Most of the occurrences of the transmission problem occurred with the original OEM battery, warrantied for 24 mo- dead at 30. But some did happen with the newer diehard battery. So dealer replaced a new $170 diehard battery from advance (which must have a manufacturer defect) with an OEM battery for $319 (labor and supplies lol). I think I'm on a 1x/2 days rhythm recently with the issue.
Here's a video (DANGEROUS as it happens at 7 MPH):

I've never seen that issue however two days ago i put my vehicle in drive and it stayed in D2 for a mile ...luckily there was alot of traffic where i coudn't go fast and tear out my transmission...but i still don't know why it did that. I noticed it and pullled over and put in park and put back in drive but i'm gonna take to dealer anyway.....of course they wojn't be able to replicate it and won't find anything......all is the programming in the truck...

 

[Kicknsnare]

I went to another dealership because the first lost my trust in the handling of the battery. They diagnosed the issue as a faulty driver door latch. I expressed a good deal of skepticism over the phone but did accept the repair as powertrain warranty would not cover that (~$500). Hopefully this resolves the issue. Dropping this here to let anyone else know of a potential resolution. Picking it up today. Fingers crossed

 

[securityguy]

I went to another dealership because the first lost my trust in the handling of the battery. They diagnosed the issue as a faulty driver door latch. I expressed a good deal of skepticism over the phone but did accept the repair as powertrain warranty would not cover that (~$500). Hopefully this resolves the issue. Dropping this here to let anyone else know of a potential resolution. Picking it up today. Fingers crossed

So, are you saying a door latch caused your transmission failures??? I call BS!

 

[redneck]

isnt the truck programed go in to park if you try to drive it with the door open? mabey this feature is malfunctioning or thinking the door is open

 

[securityguy]

isnt the truck programed go in to park if you try to drive it with the door open? mabey this feature is malfunctioning or thinking the door is open

I guess we'll find out when he gets his truck back. Seems strange that all of the tranny issues would tie back to a door latch, but stranger things have happened!

 

[redneck]

yep

 

[Orange-devil]

Hi Kicknsnare,

I am just new here. All the way from the Netherlands searching for the issue I am having with my 2019 Ram ending up at this forum. I am facing exactly the same issue you are having. Recently ended up on the middle of crossing coming to a standstill....
Luckily had time to get it moving again but this issue really can cause accidents Any update on the issue?

thanks

 

[Kicknsnare]

I just experienced the issue again under 60,000 miles after replacing both the selector and the door latch. Shame on me for not requiring proof that the existing latch was defective. I don’t know any other means of recourse than to sue FCA to bring resolution. I’ll be reaching out to lawyers to learn how to proceed

 

[Orange-devil]

You didn’t get any further help through ‘RamCares’? Hope you will keep us updated.
The issue should really be addressed by FCA.

 

[Kewlone2gq]

I just experienced the issue again under 60,000 miles after replacing both the selector and the door latch. Shame on me for not requiring proof that the existing latch was defective. I don’t know any other means of recourse than to sue FCA to bring resolution. I’ll be reaching out to lawyers to learn how to proceed

So this rare issue just happened to me and searching the 5th gen forum was the first thing I wanted to do after getting home. I only have a tad under 14,000 miles on my 2019, so I am a little freaked out. My situation occurred after letting it sit for 4 hours and then running a quick errand. About 2 blocks from home, I stopped at a light. It felt like it had a last second downshift and then threw the shift to park alert, with the flashing D on the knob. I switched to neutral and back to drive to make it go away. There was a big temperature drop during those 4 hours of sitting, so I am doubtful the dealer will be able to replicate unless truck is cold. I will call dealer, but keep us posted kicknsnare, thanks.

 

[Orange-devil]

@RamCares: don’t you think the time has come to address this topic seriously at FCA before serious accidents will follow due to the issue?
Trust you will come up with a proper reply.

thank you in advance