Shifter knob issues, 2019 RAM 1500, help- BRAND NEW

[Electrical]

Ya know... a handful of the Gen 1 ecoDiesels have caught fire over the years. Many of the guys that this has happened to have shared their stories on forums, and one peculiar element seems to repeat itself.

After being informed of the fire, FCA sends an investigator to look at the truck. He looks around, snaps some pictures, asks a few questions, and then leaves without turning over a leaf, so to speak. He doesn't look at parts. He doesn't request the truck for post-mortem examination. There is, as reported by several, no attempt whatsoever at combustion forensics.

A few days later these guys get a seemingly pro-forma emailed letter from a "Mr. Kon" (I shlt you not), representing FCA, stating the fire was not caused by workmanship defects and will not be warrantied. At that point, communication ceases and no further information is given; requests for such are denied on "proprietary" grounds. Further, when calling RamCares afterwards and revealing they have a fire damaged truck, people say the interaction turns curt and rude.

Basically FCA legals-up and battens-down... sending an investigator so they can say they did so, but seemingly not interested in what caused the fires, and then shutting down communication to prevent anything escaping that might be used in court.


As one guy put it, he expected FCA to play nicely in a gentleman's game... which is what I expected here. Maybe someone needs to turn the heat up.

 

[19RamLimited]

Hate to say I because I hate social media but it is your friend when wanting companies to be called out especially now with big roll out and if enough of you go to twitter or Facebook with the issue and tag RAM and FCA and post videos of the issues and bring views to those videos you will get results. Unfortunately forums while good for us to communicate and share they are not as watched because they are not as shared.

I don’t know if the forums has a twitter feed but maybe it should to help members with issues get attention to problems and get fixes.

Also you can’t get mad and take what a dealer says as representing hat fca ram knows or is working on. The closest thing I can compare this to is the clunk. Many people were saying their dealers had never heard of it while others were being told a fix was coming. To this day people go to dealers not knowing about the clunk. Dealers are terrible and do not know much of anything. It’s best to go to another dealer if you don’t get results or they say they haven’t heard of that problem.

I would say that if one person has had contact with a ram rep and they say they are working on it I would say that’s the truth unless proven to not be.

I also was thinking about the relabel part I don’t know if it ever got installed because I haven’t read through this because it took a turn for a bit. They could have done a relabel to test the revision prior to a part number revision .

 

[Paulny]

Ironic that other dealers are saying FCA hasn't heard of this when my regional FCA rep said they have been aware of the issue for a while, hence the "new" valve body replacement that includes software updates. Some dealers are just plain stupid, and you can't fix stupid.

My new valve body update: So, my new valve body was installed Tuesday morning and new fluid and software updates were completed that afternoon. Picked the truck up that evening and SO FAR, so good. Obviously, it's too early to tell if the new valve body actually fixed the P to D problem but I will say that now when I select D, it's much smoother than before even when it did work. In the last 36 hours or so, I have parked my truck on many different inclines/declines and selecting D has worked flawlessly. Again, before when it did work, there was still a little clunk and it wasn't a smooth transition. Now, it's so smooth, that there is no audible sound or jerk sensation when D is selected. Really, I only know it's in drive because it starts moving forward. I am confident this is the way FCA originally designed our gear system, and I will continue to give updates as each day goes by. I don't want to get my hopes up too high at this point because even before my vb replacement, there were times my P to D worked for a week or so before it would replicate the slamming into gear after 2k rpms again. Therefore, I think we need several weeks to confirm that this is actually the fix. But, I am liking what I am "feeling" and experiencing at this point. Bottom line, for those of you that are having dealers fight you on this issue, I recommend printing out this thread and contacting FCA. Heck, give them my name because I am sure they know me by first name basis by now

 

[Matt-Lanta]

I’ve wanted a ram for years now just bought a 2019 classic bighorn less than 2 weeks ago and I’m having the same issues when shifting from P to D I have to give it gas to engage the transmission to drive and it lunges violently forward and seeing that RAM doesn’t even have a fix for this concerns me I work all the time and don’t want to have to take time off to go to a delearship if they aren’t even going to know how to fix this issue ...this sucks

 

[Paulny]

I’ve wanted a ram for years now just bought a 2019 classic bighorn less than 2 weeks ago and I’m having the same issues when shifting from P to D I have to give it gas to engage the transmission to drive and it lunges violently forward and seeing that RAM doesn’t even have a fix for this concerns me I work all the time and don’t want to have to take time off to go to a delearship if they aren’t even going to know how to fix this issue ...this sucks

I certainly understand your frustration and I don't even know if my new valve body is the fix, or an attempt by FCA to replace with a similar part in the hopes that it will fix my issue. Again, so far so good after two days but a small sample size to truly know if it worked. I was told that if this doesn't fix it, then they will replace the transmission like they did in my other '19. So, who knows if there is actually a fix or FCA is putting band aids on trucks like mine until hopefully a permanent fix is in place. It's a shame so many of us are having this issue as it takes the new truck buying fun out of the equation. Please continue to monitor this thread as I will frequently update how my truck is running since the vb replacement.

 

[dutchman187]

I certainly understand your frustration and I don't even know if my new valve body is the fix, or an attempt by FCA to replace with a similar part in the hopes that it will fix my issue. Again, so far so good after two days but a small sample size to truly know if it worked. I was told that if this doesn't fix it, then they will replace the transmission like they did in my other '19. So, who knows if there is actually a fix or FCA is putting band aids on trucks like mine until hopefully a permanent fix is in place. It's a shame so many of us are having this issue as it takes the new truck buying fun out of the equation. Please continue to monitor this thread as I will frequently update how my truck is running since the vb replacement.

I think the interesting thing in all of this is whether there is "1" fix, or multiple issues all surrounding the problem. For example, I had this happen three times in the first 500 miles, had a PCM/ECM update applied in response, and thus far have not had the issue again as I approach 2,500 miles. Now IF mine might starts doing it again, then we will know that it obviously didn't help me. But assuming it did actually fix mine, the question is why did that work for me, while others require new valves or entire transmissions? More clarity is certainly needed...assuming of course that FCA knows the problem exists..

 

[VinnyRam]

I think the interesting thing in all of this is whether there is "1" fix, or multiple issues all surrounding the problem. For example, I had this happen three times in the first 500 miles, had a PCM/ECM update applied in response, and thus far have not had the issue again as I approach 2,500 miles. Now IF mine might starts doing it again, then we will know that it obviously didn't help me. But assuming it did actually fix mine, the question is why did that work for me, while others require new valves or entire transmissions? More clarity is certainly needed...assuming of course that FCA knows the problem exists..

I have similar thought. They did 3 things to"fix" Paulny's truck. Installed new valve body, changed fluid and updated software. So which one is really the fix ?

 

[Electrical]

Hate to say I because I hate social media but it is your friend when wanting companies to be called out especially now with big roll out and if enough of you go to twitter or Facebook with the issue and tag RAM and FCA and post videos of the issues and bring views to those videos you will get results. Unfortunately forums while good for us to communicate and share they are not as watched because they are not as shared.

I don’t know if the forums has a twitter feed but maybe it should to help members with issues get attention to problems and get fixes.

Also you can’t get mad and take what a dealer says as representing hat fca ram knows or is working on. The closest thing I can compare this to is the clunk. Many people were saying their dealers had never heard of it while others were being told a fix was coming. To this day people go to dealers not knowing about the clunk. Dealers are terrible and do not know much of anything. It’s best to go to another dealer if you don’t get results or they say they haven’t heard of that problem.

I would say that if one person has had contact with a ram rep and they say they are working on it I would say that’s the truth unless proven to not be.

I also was thinking about the relabel part I don’t know if it ever got installed because I haven’t read through this because it took a turn for a bit. They could have done a relabel to test the revision prior to a part number revision .

Thanks for posting this, especially that in bold yellow text. This is the Voice of Reason speaking, and 100% correct.

Smart move to take a step back and filter what we know from what we assume.

 

[SynAckuL]

Unfortunately, I can be added to the list of people having the problem. My two week old 2019 Ram 1500 (first Ram too) has had the shifter knob issue 6 times in 300 miles. For those doubting this is a safety issue, the first time it happened my wife was nearly pinned between the truck and our garage. I stupidly thought that though the shifter was in D, the transmission was still in neutral because there was no forward progression. A little gas and the engine just revved. She walks across the front and just a little more gas and it drops into gear and lurches forward. Scared the crap out of both of us. Like others, my dealership has also stated that they've never heard of the issue. I also have the "clunking" noise and the e-brake going off in reverse randomly with nothing behind the truck. Makes backing up fun. Is there anything I can show the dealership (TSB#, etc) that will help get the ball rolling for the P/D issue?

 

[dutchman187]

Unfortunately, I can be added to the list of people having the problem. My two week old 2019 Ram 1500 (first Ram too) has had the shifter knob issue 6 times in 300 miles. For those doubting this is a safety issue, the first time it happened my wife was nearly pinned between the truck and our garage. I stupidly thought that though the shifter was in D, the transmission was still in neutral because there was no forward progression. A little gas and the engine just revved. She walks across the front and just a little more gas and it drops into gear and lurches forward. Scared the crap out of both of us. Like others, my dealership has also stated that they've never heard of the issue. I also have the "clunking" noise and the e-brake going off in reverse randomly with nothing behind the truck. Makes backing up fun. Is there anything I can show the dealership (TSB#, etc) that will help get the ball rolling for the P/D issue?

Everyone, make sure you are sending @RamCares a PM with your situation on this as well. They said earlier that they wanted the info for documentation...and it documents on our end that numerous people have the issue and have let FCA know about it in multiple ways.

 

[Paulny]

Day 3 since new valve body installed...works great and no issues so far.

 

[RamCares]

Paulny can you message me your number possibly! I would like to talk to you about this! My dealership is having trouble resolving this issue. Maybe u can send me the Chrysler star case numbers or whatever they are called so I can have my dealership look up your cases to see what was done. Apparently Chrysler is denying they have had any complaints of this and my dealership wants to know of other cases out there so they can fix this. Maybe u can call your dealership and get those Chrysler case numbers for me or possibly even the vin#. Maybe they can look it up by that. Just want my truck fixed :/

Hi Jtbarrett88,
We're very sorry that you are experiencing this. Please send us a private message so we can have this documented and escalated a case in your behalf.
Lydia
Ram Social Care Specialist

 

[RC19]

There is a new TSB for the Transmission Control Module. I now have found more info on it. TSB 21-002-19. Date new TSB released Jan 9th 2019. This is a new TSB and applies to vehicles built on or before November 20th. Which is a good majority of this thread I think. So if your truck has not been to the dealer within the last 2 weeks . Your out of date. The software enhancements included within this update address a decent amount of issues from what I read . Will it fix the P to D issue?. I dunno, only time will tell. I'll report back later after some time with my truck with this update installed to see if issue is still present and let you know.

Almost forgot - Side note ..there is a power steering recall announcement coming any time now due to a "grounding issue" . No details yet.

 

[Paulny]

There is a new TSB for the Transmission Control Module. I now have found more info on it. TSB 21-002-19. Date new TSB released Jan 9th 2019. This is a new TSB and applies to vehicles built on or before November 20th. Which is a good majority of this thread I think. So if your truck has not been to the dealer within the last 2 weeks . Your out of date. The software enhancements included within this update address a decent amount of issues from what I read . Will it fix the P to D issue?. I dunno, only time will tell. I'll report back later after some time with my truck with this update installed to see if issue is still present and let you know.

Almost forgot - Side note ..there is a power steering recall announcement coming any time now due to a "grounding issue" . No details yet.

Can you provide a link to the new TSB? I have searched the web and have had no luck. I need to call my dealer and see if this new update was indeed part of the software update they made when they installed my new valve body last Tuesday.

 

[Jtbarrett88]

Unfortunately, I can be added to the list of people having the problem. My two week old 2019 Ram 1500 (first Ram too) has had the shifter knob issue 6 times in 300 miles. For those doubting this is a safety issue, the first time it happened my wife was nearly pinned between the truck and our garage. I stupidly thought that though the shifter was in D, the transmission was still in neutral because there was no forward progression. A little gas and the engine just revved. She walks across the front and just a little more gas and it drops into gear and lurches forward. Scared the crap out of both of us. Like others, my dealership has also stated that they've never heard of the issue. I also have the "clunking" noise and the e-brake going off in reverse randomly with nothing behind the truck. Makes backing up fun. Is there anything I can show the dealership (TSB#, etc) that will help get the ball rolling for the P/D issue?

I know it’s not a permanent fix but that e-brake thing is the auto braking assist acting up. It does it a lot in the winter on most model make vehicles. Usually there’s ice over the sensors or they are dirty. Thinking there’s a vehicle in your path while your backing up. You can turn it off in your uconnect settings tho! Either until winter is gone or sensors get cleaned off. I’ve got mine off as it was annoying to randomly have the brakes hit while backing up

 

[Nick919]

Has anyone reported this to the NHTSA? They usually will not do much (mandate a recall) unless it is a safety issue. However, with enough persons complaining, maybe they will act on it! ??

https://www-odi.nhtsa.dot.gov/VehicleComplaint/

Yes, I have reported this to NHTSA. According to the link below, it appears only 2 others have reported this particular issue to NHTSA. Look at the complaints under "POWER TRAIN."

https://www.nhtsa.gov/vehicle/2019/RAM/1500/PU%252FCC/4WD

 

[Nick919]

There is a new TSB for the Transmission Control Module. I now have found more info on it. TSB 21-002-19. Date new TSB released Jan 9th 2019. This is a new TSB and applies to vehicles built on or before November 20th. Which is a good majority of this thread I think. So if your truck has not been to the dealer within the last 2 weeks . Your out of date. The software enhancements included within this update address a decent amount of issues from what I read . Will it fix the P to D issue?. I dunno, only time will tell. I'll report back later after some time with my truck with this update installed to see if issue is still present and let you know.

Almost forgot - Side note ..there is a power steering recall announcement coming any time now due to a "grounding issue" . No details yet.

When I took mine in for service for this issue, the tech said he updated the TCM. Since this was on January 15, I'm assuming I received this update. Since receiving the update, I have experienced the issue (i.e., no-go when shifting from P to D) once. Crossing fingers it doesn't happen again.

 

[Johnvan]

I started another thread for this issue and was pointed to this thread. I've cut and paste my message below. Add me to the list of those affected.

I’ve had this occur at least 3-4 times. After backing into a parking spot on 4wd Auto, when I get back into the vehicle and put it in Drive, nothing happens. It seems that it’s not in gear. I have to rev the engine pretty high at which point it will slam into gear and aggressively lurch forward. I tried cycling into 2wd and back and forth to park. I tried waiting a bit while idling. The only way to get moving is to hold the brake and gradually apply gas until it eventually kicks in, and when I say kicks in, it really kicks in violently. That’s why my foot is on the brake

 

[WanderingRam]

I started another thread for this issue and was pointed to this thread. I've cut and paste my message below. Add me to the list of those affected.

I’ve had this occur at least 3-4 times. After backing into a parking spot on 4wd Auto, when I get back into the vehicle and put it in Drive, nothing happens. It seems that it’s not in gear. I have to rev the engine pretty high at which point it will slam into gear and aggressively lurch forward. I tried cycling into 2wd and back and forth to park. I tried waiting a bit while idling. The only way to get moving is to hold the brake and gradually apply gas until it eventually kicks in, and when I say kicks in, it really kicks in violently. That’s why my foot is on the brake

Are you using automatic parking brake? If you don't have your seatbelt on and put it in drive or reverse the parking brake doesn't automatically disengage.

 

[Johnvan]

Are you using automatic parking brake? If you don't have your seatbelt on and put it in drive or reverse the parking brake doesn't automatically disengage.

I’ll pay attention to that. I’m pretty sure I had it on.