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

[Bms0029]

I need a little input on whether or not there is a real repair for this problem... About 5 out of 10 times i put this truck in Drive, it does NOTHING. Nothing clicks and it acts as if its still in Park. Only when i slowly depress the pedal does it pop into gear and lunge forward. This is not good nor safe. Ive 500 miles on the truck already and am about ready to return it if there is no real fix for this issue. Open to opinions and input! Thanks, Doug

I just picked up a 2019 bighorn and it does the same thing. It did it right as I was trying to leave the dealership. It has happened a few more times and the only thing that has worked for me it putting it into reverse and then back into drive. THIS IS A PROBLEM .

 

[Bms0029]

Hi paulD,
We are very sorry that you are experiencing this. We understand how concerning this must be. Please send us a private message so we can have this documented and looked into further for you.
Lydia
Ram Social Care Specialist

Lydia I just picked one up as well and it does the same thing!

 

[Ghinesley]

New Ram owner. Traded my 15 F150 eco boost yesterday on a 2019 Laramie sport crew long bed with hemi (non-etorque) and 8 speed trans with knob for shifting. Currently at 70 miles on odo, today is second day of driving. I backed into my spot at my office this morning and put it in park. I was idling to finish a phone call and then needed to leave. Rotated into D and nothing engaged. I placed it back into P and then back to D a couple of times, all the displays and lights indicated it was in drive, but pressing pedal it wouldn’t go. I rotated into R and backed up a little then over to D and it engaged and I was on my way - worked like a charm.

Thought it was odd, but figured I did something wrong. Fast forward a couple hours and I ran to do an errand. I stopped put in park (engine running), got out of car to move something in back seat, got back in, switched to D and nothing again. I then revved it and it popped and jerked and engaged. Once again, on my way.

I called the dealership and service advisor I know well (own a 2015 wrangler also and service it there). Told her what happened and she said she hadn’t seen anything about this. She checked my vin and my truck is a 11-9-18 build and all software is current. She said keep driving it and respond when I take it in on 1-3-19 for my bed liner install.

This is what I can confirm at time of symptoms:
Seat belt connected
Auto e brake setting off in command screen
Ebrake not on
All doors closed
Only happened after putting in P while engine running and then back to D.

So I have read software updates and/or trans replacement. It feels to me that the ebrake is hanging up, and when you accelerate it pops the ebrake off. I had a Range Rover and a Tesla that did exactly the same thing when you shift into D and drive forgetting to disengage e-parking brake.

Has anyone have any additional thoughts on this. I absolutely love the truck, I know it can be dealt with, but I don’t want the dealer to just throw parts at it. As I type this, my truck has 70 miles on it and it’s happend twice the first day of using it.

 

[Bram2019]

New Ram owner. Traded my 15 F150 eco boost yesterday on a 2019 Laramie sport crew long bed with hemi (non-etorque) and 8 speed trans with knob for shifting. Currently at 70 miles on odo, today is second day of driving. I backed into my spot at my office this morning and put it in park. I was idling to finish a phone call and then needed to leave. Rotated into D and nothing engaged. I placed it back into P and then back to D a couple of times, all the displays and lights indicated it was in drive, but pressing pedal it wouldn’t go. I rotated into R and backed up a little then over to D and it engaged and I was on my way - worked like a charm.

Thought it was odd, but figured I did something wrong. Fast forward a couple hours and I ran to do an errand. I stopped put in park (engine running), got out of car to move something in back seat, got back in, switched to D and nothing again. I then revved it and it popped and jerked and engaged. Once again, on my way.

I called the dealership and service advisor I know well (own a 2015 wrangler also and service it there). Told her what happened and she said she hadn’t seen anything about this. She checked my vin and my truck is a 11-9-18 build and all software is current. She said keep driving it and respond when I take it in on 1-3-19 for my bed liner install.

This is what I can confirm at time of symptoms:
Seat belt connected
Auto e brake setting off in command screen
Ebrake not on
All doors closed
Only happened after putting in P while engine running and then back to D.

So I have read software updates and/or trans replacement. It feels to me that the ebrake is hanging up, and when you accelerate it pops the ebrake off. I had a Range Rover and a Tesla that did exactly the same thing when you shift into D and drive forgetting to disengage e-parking brake.

Has anyone have any additional thoughts on this. I absolutely love the truck, I know it can be dealt with, but I don’t want the dealer to just throw parts at it. As I type this, my truck has 70 miles on it and it’s happend twice the first day of using it.

Is the truck being parked on an incline. Just curious.

 

[Ghinesley]

Is the truck being parked on an incline. Just curious.

Flat ground both times

 

[Bram2019]

Fluid check is first thing to check. Could be low on oil. You would be amazed at how many techs will overlook this step. Otherwise sounds like park lock sprag issue, caused by possible valve body or the sprag itself. Valve body by actuation of a solenoid feeds oil to park pawl and releases it. Could be flaky solenoid in valve body. Tough to tell when you can't see whats going on. May require transmission replacement. Tech has to go through online trans diagnostic sheet which leads him on a path as to what FCA wants to do.

 

[Ghinesley]

Fluid check is first thing to check. Could be low on oil. You would be amazed at how many techs will overlook this step. Otherwise sounds like park lock sprag issue, caused by possible valve body or the sprag itself. Valve body by actuation of a solenoid feeds oil to park pawl and releases it. Could be flaky solenoid in valve body. Tough to tell when you can't see whats going on. May require transmission replacement. Tech has to go through online trans diagnostic sheet which leads him on a path as to what FCA wants to do.

I assume trans replacement is because dealers don’t “rebuild” trans or replace internal components, I’ll have them look at it. When you say oil, you mean the engine oil? I can go check that.

 

[Bram2019]

I assume trans replacement is because dealers don’t “rebuild” trans or replace internal components, I’ll have them look at it. When you say oil, you mean the engine oil? I can go check that.

No, the fluid transmission level needs to be checked. Thers is no dipstick. There is a plug on the side of the transmission you remove to check the fluid level. Really should have dealer do that. These transmissions are considered sealed. But there is a fill plug. There is a procedure based on trans temp that needs to be followed. I would schedule a service visit to have them look at it. Right now FCA will only allow valve body replacement, repairs to the park pawl, external seals as such. That is their procedure because they want to see the failures first hand for quality control. Dealers who have qualified techs rebuild transmissions all the time within warranty parameter set by FCA. Retail you can repair anything you want. The only one currently restricted by FCA warranty are the 9 speed in Jeeps and most 8 speeds in rwd.

 

[Ghinesley]

No, the fluid transmission level needs to be checked. Thers is no dipstick. There is a plug on the side of the transmission you remove to check the fluid level. Really should have dealer do that. These transmissions are considered sealed. But there is a fill plug. There is a procedure based on trans temp that needs to be followed. I would schedule a service visit to have them look at it. Right now FCA will only allow valve body replacement, repairs to the park pawl, external seals as such. That is their procedure because they want to see the failures first hand for quality control. Dealers who have qualified techs rebuild transmissions all the time within warranty parameter set by FCA. Retail you can repair anything you want. The only one currently restricted by FCA warranty are the 9 speed in Jeeps and most 8 speeds in rwd.

Makes sense. I am not discouraged by it, it’s a machine and things need to get worked out. I’ll have them look at it next week when it’s in for the bed liner install. I have a great relationship with the dealer and I have alerted them about the concern yesterday.

 

[RamCares]

Lydia I just picked one up as well and it does the same thing!

Hi Bms0029,
We suggest having your dealer look into this if you have not done so already. We would like to have this documented for further handling. Please send us a private message at your earliest convenience.
Lydia
Ram Social Care Specialist

New Ram owner. Traded my 15 F150 eco boost yesterday on a 2019 Laramie sport crew long bed with hemi (non-etorque) and 8 speed trans with knob for shifting. Currently at 70 miles on odo, today is second day of driving. I backed into my spot at my office this morning and put it in park. I was idling to finish a phone call and then needed to leave. Rotated into D and nothing engaged. I placed it back into P and then back to D a couple of times, all the displays and lights indicated it was in drive, but pressing pedal it wouldn’t go. I rotated into R and backed up a little then over to D and it engaged and I was on my way - worked like a charm.

Thought it was odd, but figured I did something wrong. Fast forward a couple hours and I ran to do an errand. I stopped put in park (engine running), got out of car to move something in back seat, got back in, switched to D and nothing again. I then revved it and it popped and jerked and engaged. Once again, on my way.

I called the dealership and service advisor I know well (own a 2015 wrangler also and service it there). Told her what happened and she said she hadn’t seen anything about this. She checked my vin and my truck is a 11-9-18 build and all software is current. She said keep driving it and respond when I take it in on 1-3-19 for my bed liner install.

This is what I can confirm at time of symptoms:
Seat belt connected
Auto e brake setting off in command screen
Ebrake not on
All doors closed
Only happened after putting in P while engine running and then back to D.

So I have read software updates and/or trans replacement. It feels to me that the ebrake is hanging up, and when you accelerate it pops the ebrake off. I had a Range Rover and a Tesla that did exactly the same thing when you shift into D and drive forgetting to disengage e-parking brake.

Has anyone have any additional thoughts on this. I absolutely love the truck, I know it can be dealt with, but I don’t want the dealer to just throw parts at it. As I type this, my truck has 70 miles on it and it’s happend twice the first day of using it.

Hi Ghinesley,
Congrats on your new truck! We understand how concerning this must be, but we're glad that you are planning to have your dealer look into this. Please send us a private message as well so we can have this documented and looked into a bit further for you.
Lydia
Ram Social Care Specialist

 

[Ghinesley]

Hi Bms0029,
We suggest having your dealer look into this if you have not done so already. We would like to have this documented for further handling. Please send us a private message at your earliest convenience.
Lydia
Ram Social Care Specialist



Hi Ghinesley,
Congrats on your new truck! We understand how concerning this must be, but we're glad that you are planning to have your dealer look into this. Please send us a private message as well so we can have this documented and looked into a bit further for you.
Lydia
Ram Social Care Specialist

Hi Lydia - It did it again this morning. I stopped by the dealership to buy some accessories for the truck, spoke to my service advisor/sales person/sales manager, and made them aware of it. Service Advisor brought it into the bay to scan, no codes. She wrote it down and scheduled it for next Wednesday drop off (day before bed liner install). I went back to the bay to pull the truck out, and it did it sitting there, so I flagged them and she came out and witnessed what was going on. Lucky me that at least she saw what I was describing. Fingers crossed we can get this figured out because I LOVE THE TRUCK. I'll send you a private message as well.

I'll report next week hopefully with a resolution! I know others want to get this figured out as well.

 

[Steviebottz]

I need a little input on whether or not there is a real repair for this problem... About 5 out of 10 times i put this truck in Drive, it does NOTHING. Nothing clicks and it acts as if its still in Park. Only when i slowly depress the pedal does it pop into gear and lunge forward. This is not good nor safe. Ive 500 miles on the truck already and am about ready to return it if there is no real fix for this issue. Open to opinions and input! Thanks, Doug

Same exact issue on my 2019, any findings by chance?

 

[2019Ram64]

I need a little input on whether or not there is a real repair for this problem... About 5 out of 10 times i put this truck in Drive, it does NOTHING. Nothing clicks and it acts as if its still in Park. Only when i slowly depress the pedal does it pop into gear and lunge forward. This is not good nor safe. Ive 500 miles on the truck already and am about ready to return it if there is no real fix for this issue. Open to opinions and input! Thanks, Doug

The issue isn’t the knob. It’s actually a bad solenoid in the trans. I don’t know when but there will be a recall on it or a tab.


Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk

 

[2019Ram64]

Let me elaborate a little. As someone else stated the shift knob is just a controller. The only actual cable in these transmission is for the towing release to neutral. There is a rash of bad solenoids in the valve body’s of these new 8hp75 transmissions. It’s a new vehicle so the highway safety system hasn’t caught wind of it yet and forced a recall. Until then you’ll be lucky with a tsb.

And due to the issue the likely hood of a code is next to not going to happen. So sad part is no code and well dealers have no idea what to do.

Inside info is the problem is known the extent isn’t. So a recall even tho it’s a safety hazard is probably a ways off. Most likely s TSB will arrive first unless the unfortunate occurs and someone gets hurt or killed. The issue again is valve body solenoids. But it’s not like you can currently just replace one as no one knows which one is causing the issue. But I assure you if the indicator on the knob is changing the trans is getting the command. Because the trans is the item actually making the light change from p to D etc.

Dealers will most likely start changing valve bodies soon for these issues. Hopefully they can fill them up properly. Damn that fluid is expensive.


Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk

 

[Bram2019]

Let me elaborate a little. As someone else stated the shift knob is just a controller. The only actual cable in these transmission is for the towing release to neutral. There is a rash of bad solenoids in the valve body’s of these new 8hp75 transmissions. It’s a new vehicle so the highway safety system hasn’t caught wind of it yet and forced a recall. Until then you’ll be lucky with a tsb.

And due to the issue the likely hood of a code is next to not going to happen. So sad part is no code and well dealers have no idea what to do.

Inside info is the problem is known the extent isn’t. So a recall even tho it’s a safety hazard is probably a ways off. Most likely s TSB will arrive first unless the unfortunate occurs and someone gets hurt or killed. The issue again is valve body solenoids. But it’s not like you can currently just replace one as no one knows which one is causing the issue. But I assure you if the indicator on the knob is changing the trans is getting the command. Because the trans is the item actually making the light change from p to D etc.

Dealers will most likely start changing valve bodies soon for these issues. Hopefully they can fill them up properly. **** that fluid is expensive.


Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk

I am sure it is more likely the manufacturer wants to make sure what is the root cause of the problem. If they have a fix and no parts yet, they won't issue a tsb.

 

[Bs32929]

The issue isn’t the knob. It’s actually a bad solenoid in the trans. I don’t know when but there will be a recall on it or a tab.


Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk

I had the same issue. They replaced the transmission and have had no problems in two months.

 

[Electrical]

Let me elaborate a little. As someone else stated the shift knob is just a controller. The only actual cable in these transmission is for the towing release to neutral. There is a rash of bad solenoids in the valve body’s of these new 8hp75 transmissions. It’s a new vehicle so the highway safety system hasn’t caught wind of it yet and forced a recall. Until then you’ll be lucky with a tsb.

And due to the issue the likely hood of a code is next to not going to happen. So sad part is no code and well dealers have no idea what to do.

Inside info is the problem is known the extent isn’t. So a recall even tho it’s a safety hazard is probably a ways off. Most likely s TSB will arrive first unless the unfortunate occurs and someone gets hurt or killed. The issue again is valve body solenoids. But it’s not like you can currently just replace one as no one knows which one is causing the issue. But I assure you if the indicator on the knob is changing the trans is getting the command. Because the trans is the item actually making the light change from p to D etc.

Dealers will most likely start changing valve bodies soon for these issues. Hopefully they can fill them up properly. **** that fluid is expensive.

Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk

Double thumbs up and a cup of coffee!

 

[Ghinesley]

Currently, it has happened about 7 times since Monday (so in five days of driving and I am about 220 miles on the ODO. When it happens, I just shift into R and then back to D, and it works fine. I agree, it doesn't feel/appear to be electrical, but mechanical, hence why a code wont appear. I have a case open with Ram, and they have already reached out and said we would follow up after my dealer visit on Wednesday 1/2/19. Looks like the only verified repair, is a new valve body (or in this case a transmission). Its not a big deal to me as long as shifting it into R and then back to D works.

 

[Ghinesley]

I had the same issue. They replaced the transmission and have had no problems in two months.

Do you know if they replaced the entire transmission, or just the valve body?

 

[Bs32929]

The whole transmission assembly was replaced. It was in the shop for 28 days.