2017 RAM 1500 Shifted Out of Park. This is my story.

[17Veteran76]

@STrooperHemi

I know this entire ordeal just plain sucks. What your family and you go through to having people doubt your claim.

I know you wrote this piece to protect others, but it can be used against you. If you have an attorney, I suggest getting him or her to review it and let you know to keep or delete.

"Good intentions is a road paved to hell.."

Now you have me nervous as I live in an apartment complex. We all have garages opposite one another and the parking is sloped to the center. I am terrified my truck will bang into someones car or garage or person now.

I think the biggest mistake made by Mopar on this one is putting the trans switch right by the volume knob and making both about the same size and appearance. I know once I turned the volume down to zero instead of putting the truck in park early on. I wonder how many times this happened and has led to problems like the one reported by the OP. I know I put the truck in park... jumped out and it started rolling forward. The volume is now zero but the truck is still in D...... door open should've caused it to go into park? I'm not sure. I'd have to test that one.

There were tons of law suits due to "sudden acceleration" when EFI became prevalent in vehicles too. It was due to EFI being so much more responsive than old carbs.

The reality is most people aren't as good or conscience a driver as they think they are, and they make mistakes. And sadly it seems to be human nature to always blame someone else.

The only real fault I can find with my '17 RAM is that its too high from the factory. I do not need 4WD clearance in my 2WD city truck. I also am disappointed with how thin the sheet metal is and how easily it dents. Other than that, it's a great truck. I bought a '17 Express because I wanted something along the lines of the Lightning and 454SS of yore. I wanted a fast sporty truck. I need to lower it soon. I have all the parts, just haven't had time.

When I first got the truck, I reached for a column shifter for the first 3 or so days. All my wife heard every time we got in the truck was, "Damn it!" Then, I kept reaching for every damn knob but the shifter knob. I still do here and there, but I always catch myself, so far.

It's definitely a bad design.

 

[Checkmate99]

According to FCA, rotary shifters aren't included in this problem/recall. As soon as you hired an attorney to represent you, your chance of resolving this matter with FCA dropped to zero. Next time try getting the district or regonial zone manager involved. Good luck!

 

[indept]

In reading the owners manual, post 53, it is interstesting the use of “may” versus shall or will. As a procedure writer in the past, May denotes permission (option), shall or will denotes required or expected action.

The word " May " was put in by a lawyer.

 

[four bye]

I remember this issue being on the news about a year ago and that Chrysler was recalling Rams and Jeeps. I took my Ram to the dealership that also has the 8 spd rotary dial to see if my Vin # was among the ones being recalled and said it was not. With the lack of trust I have for dealerships, I decided to always apply the parking brake for precautionary measure. Weeks after I started doing this, a friend of mine 2015 Ram who's truck also was not among the recall list came out of park and struck the parked car that was in front him. He too shares the 8 spd rotary dial.

 

[chrisbh17]

Ill ask again, does anyone reading the thread have a Mopar Tech Authority account?

In there should be an RRT/TSB/bulletin for a transmission update, part of which should be an enhancement that adds what seems to be called "AutoPark". Its interesting that someone mentioned it not applying to their VIN, I bet the bulletin explains exactly which VINs should get it/already have it. It doesnt mean they got the VIN range correct, nor does it mean the dealer actually pro-actively applied it (even though they are supposed to do it to all affected trucks in dealer stock even before they are sold, and they are supposed to check one more time before the customer takes possession).

I wonder if its only applied if/when the customer complains of the issue....which would be silly because its most likely too late at that point. I assume at some point the TCM/ECU/BCM started being produced with the fix already built in, which explains why some people have it "out of the box" and some dont. Just from guessing in this thread I would think it happened sometime during the MY17 build year, as my '17 (built in Sept 2016) does NOT AutoPark. For those that it does work correctly, it would be interesting to know your build dates.

 

[adrianp89]

It sucks it happened, but I just find it hard to believe the truck shifted from Park to Drive. I am not calling you a liar, because stranger things have happened, but psychological factors can come into play with something like this. False memories are real, especially with a habit you do every single day. ( http://science.time.com/2013/11/19/...nt-study-shows-false-memories-afflict-us-all/ )Also noted that this is electronic, and it this shift would have been logged. If it did happen - this should be found easily. While I am a fan of the shifter, I have done some weird stuff with it from not putting it in park while trying to get out, to switching it the wrong side. In all cases, my foot is always on the brake until the truck is off or I know it is completely stopped.

 

[STrooperHemi]

It sucks it happened, but I just find it hard to believe the truck shifted from Park to Drive. I am not calling you a liar, because stranger things have happened, but psychological factors can come into play with something like this. False memories are real, especially with a habit you do every single day. ( http://science.time.com/2013/11/19/...nt-study-shows-false-memories-afflict-us-all/ )Also noted that this is electronic, and it this shift would have been logged. If it did happen - this should be found easily. While I am a fan of the shifter, I have done some weird stuff with it from not putting it in park while trying to get out, to switching it the wrong side. In all cases, my foot is always on the brake until the truck is off or I know it is completely stopped.

Like I said “I was reversing out of my garage, put the truck into park and it proceeded to go forward. Thanks“ as well in my original post. Thanks

 

[JimE]

This s somewhat reminiscent of issues that plagued owners of 1958 Edsel's with a push button gear select located in the center of the steering wheel. in a nutshell that problem was directly related to the transmission being mechanical inside requiring a motor to actually do what the old mechanical column mounted shift lever did virtually without flaw. I suspect this jumping out of PARK is essentially the same issue, but perhaps totally unsolvable with a vehicle having the issue.

I suspect the problem lies completely in what is known as tolerance buildup. In this case tolerance buildup with the components with in computer governing shift points and rotary switch. Most likely components used in the computer have an accuracy tolerance of +/- ten percent and the rotary switch maybe worse, and this without giving consideration to the transmission itself.

If this is the situation no dealer will have the ability to diagnose the real problem and the only solutions may be in replacing the computer, selector switch, and transmission. We know that most likely is not going to happen! The only solution maybe in making FCA eat the vehicle under the Lemon Laws and even that may be difficult without record of multiple trips to the dealer without a fix.

I suspect that all vehicles with 8 speed transmissions will potentially be susceptible to the issue, not to mention the fact that the 8 speed will never yield the fuel economy of a 6 speed for most drivers. I know that my 2017 Ram 1500 is not nearly as fuel efficient as my 2012 Ram 2500 with the same engine was overall.

For what it may be worth, component tolerance buildup is the exact reason driverless vehicles will never be reliable.

 

[aladin_sane]

I did a simple test in my driveway just now. With the truck in drive, I opened the driver's door will creeping either forward or back in drive and reverse with and without my seatbelt engaged. At no time did the truck switch to park. 2017 Big Horn crew cab 5.7 with 8 speed rotary shifter.

 

[chrisbh17]

I did a simple test in my driveway just now. With the truck in drive, I opened the driver's door will creeping either forward or back in drive and reverse with and without my seatbelt engaged. At no time did the truck switch to park. 2017 Big Horn crew cab 5.7 with 8 speed rotary shifter.

Mine does the same thing....at no point could I get it to put itself in park. The best I could get was an EVIC warning saying the vehicle was not in park.

 

[nofun]

It doesn't matter what auto brand you have ,I have owned many different brands and have had much difficulty with all of them at one time or another. I can say when my sons fiance had multiple water leaking issues in multiple areas of her new Jeep Patriot from the roof,windshield,rear hatch roof antenna,door seal and then rust started .Vehicle was in to original selling dealer then to another about 25 times in all for the water leaking. I helped her for lemon law case . The arbitrator was definitely one sided for the company. when my evidence was being presented the arbitrator told me i could not represent her and made me leave the room. I am a professional mechanic but not the owner of the car.One of the dealers repair method was to stuff rages to absorb the water that i found when i pulled down the headliner.

The bottom line ,she lost . I took the car fixed the rust , and we traded it in for a Rave 4.

Its so hard to prove your case , many years ago a new Chevy i purchased,kept pulling to right and bad tire wear. The dealer couldn't repair ,i sent it to frame specialist and it was determined it was bent during shipping. They gave me a next year newer at no charge.

I have a 2015 ram 2500 with 1200 miles ,lift gate and western snow plow ,shift on the column ,so far no issues except tpms light on as i refuse to run 80psi for rear or 65psi on front . never carry anything very heavy . got rid of the oem tires and run 55 psi all around.

Its cheaper for the manufacturer to deny and fight you,its part of our system.

I hope things work out ,Good Luck

 

[OzCop]

Agree, I'm just getting used to my new Ram (also a 2017) I wanted to see what the various behaviours are so I've shut off the engine with the shifter in drive and opened the door with it in gear.

In mine it will shift into park (and give you a message on the dash screen) if you shut it off while in drive. If you open the door while in drive it will show a message in the same screen but not put it in park.

 

[zrfraser]

I was doing yard work twice with my '15 QC SLT. A lot of getting in and out of the truck, no seatbelt, etc. Twice I have thought I flipped it to park, when it fact I flipped it to reverse. I would get in to drive to a different location and it just revved because it "AutoParked". The dial said reverse, but the EVIC had a message about shifting to park to reset.

 

[chrisbh17]

I was doing yard work twice with my '15 QC SLT. A lot of getting in and out of the truck, no seatbelt, etc. Twice I have thought I flipped it to park, when it fact I flipped it to reverse. I would get in to drive to a different location and it just revved because it "AutoParked". The dial said reverse, but the EVIC had a message about shifting to park to reset.

Anyone know if there is a weight/occupancy sensor in the drivers seat?

I wonder if they use that to determine if you left the vehicle...like you need to have the truck in drive, no form of brakes engaged and actually not in the drivers seat.

 

[O.R.T.]

 

[1stHEMI]

Just an FYI...
My truck is a 2017 1500 Sport Crew Cab, and I learned (accidentally) that when the truck is in gear and I open the door, it goes into "safety Park" and I can't move until I turn the knob to Park, then back to whatever gear I wanted. This has happened when in Drive, and also when in Reverse - I was backing up with my trailer and opened the door enough to lean out and it went into Safety Park, but only if the door was opened wide enough to actually get out. If I just unlatch the door it won't do this.

So if the truck is in Drive or Reverse and I open the door far enough to climb out, it goes into Park immediately with the warning message and I have to turn the dial to Park, then back into gear. I once tried to go into Reverse while it was still rolling forward (during a 3-point turn) and it stayed in Neutral (wouldn't shift to Reverse). I had to stop, turn it to Park, then back to reverse.

Personally, I'd rather have a console shifter that I can move, not fond of the dial, but I've gotten used to it. I have forgotten to put it into Park a couple of times when I got home (still getting used to the rotary shifter) and rather than giving me problems the truck had protected me. So I really can't complain about anything at this time. Sorry about your woes...

 

[1stHEMI]

Anyone know if there is a weight/occupancy sensor in the drivers seat?

I wonder if they use that to determine if you left the vehicle...like you need to have the truck in drive, no form of brakes engaged and actually not in the drivers seat.

I had the truck in Drive once and thought I shifted it to Park. I opened the door and climbed out and went to the back of the truck. When I got back in it was flashing that it was in Park (safety mode) and the dial had to be turned to Park before I could put it in Drive. Another time I opened the door in Reverse to back up with my trailer, and it went into Park (safety mode)

 

[chrisbh17]

I had the truck in Drive once and thought I shifted it to Park. I opened the door and climbed out and went to the back of the truck. When I got back in it was flashing that it was in Park (safety mode) and the dial had to be turned to Park before I could put it in Drive. Another time I opened the door in Reverse to back up with my trailer, and it went into Park (safety mode)

On the inside of the driver door jamb there should be a sticker with the build month and year...do you know what yours is?

I still think there is a s/w update that was supposed to address this, maybe yours was built late enough in the run that it already came with it (or you dealer applied it later on).

EDIT: interesting...a known issue on the Challenger that Dodge issued an update for back in July. But, it makes me wonder if its not just the Challenger and they just dont know it yet: https://www.cnet.com/roadshow/news/dodge-recalls-7802-challengers-for-rollaway-risk/

EDIT 2: this really makes me laugh "According to an FCA statement, drivers may shift into “park” while the engine is running, “erroneously believing their vehicles are in ‘park’ because their shifters and instrumentation may indicate so.” "

So...its the drivers fault for believing everything the damn car is telling them? Rather, we should just assume the vehicle is lying at all times? Maybe D is really P and P is really R? WTF.

 

[1stHEMI]

On the inside of the driver door jamb there should be a sticker with the build month and year...do you know what yours is?

I still think there is a s/w update that was supposed to address this, maybe yours was built late enough in the run that it already came with it (or you dealer applied it later on).

EDIT: interesting...a known issue on the Challenger that Dodge issued an update for back in July. But, it makes me wonder if its not just the Challenger and they just dont know it yet: https://www.cnet.com/roadshow/news/dodge-recalls-7802-challengers-for-rollaway-risk/

EDIT 2: this really makes me laugh "According to an FCA statement, drivers may shift into “park” while the engine is running, “erroneously believing their vehicles are in ‘park’ because their shifters and instrumentation may indicate so.” "

So...its the drivers fault for believing everything the damn car is telling them? Rather, we should just assume the vehicle is lying at all times? Maybe D is really P and P is really R? WTF.

Lawyer speak for "Let's not blame FCA just yet". I guess if they make it confusing enough some people will believe it's their own fault.

My truck is a very late 2017 build... 08/2017, so it's the last month before the new model year. That could have something to do with it. FCA just needs to do away with the rotary shifter, it seems it's been problematic for a while now.

 

[chrisbh17]

Lawyer speak for "Let's not blame FCA just yet". I guess if they make it confusing enough some people will believe it's their own fault.

My truck is a very late 2017 build... 08/2017, so it's the last month before the new model year. That could have something to do with it. FCA just needs to do away with the rotary shifter, it seems it's been problematic for a while now.

Honestly, I really dont think it matters what form the shifter is in anymore. Its all bits/bytes and not mechanical, so it doesnt really matter how you implement it if the s/w is buggy.