5th Gen Transmission DEAD

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HEMIMANN

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There was one good Ram dealer in my county, and a mega dealership bought them out this year.

There is one in the next county I've deal with on parts that are local owned, and seem to have a great rep. I just hope I never need to find out if the rep is justified.

Same happened to me. A reasonably-good local dealer got bought up by a multi-brand mega dealer, service and personnel turnover went downhill soon after.
 

Rlaf75

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one issue.
when they open & expose some thing to locate the issue, & they can't get he part right away.

They will not put the cover back on or replace screws or bolts, even though the broken part is not necessary to drive until the part comes in.

They rather park the vehicle some where in a lot full of broken vehicles.
They could say that we could pay them to reassemble your vehicle & we will call you when the part come in.
Instead they rather have your vehicle parked on their lot, so that when the part comes in, they can install the part, without having to wait on the vehicle owner to bring the vehicle in
You're correct. The dealers only get paid one time for a warranty repair and its usually much less than if the customer pays. Warranty repair time pays less than customer repair time. 9 times out of 10 they won't take it apart then put it back together so you can drive it then take it back apart again when they get the parts, unless its something stupid simple. Plus most dealer mechanics are flat rate and they wont get paid twice either. People aren't going to pay them to put it back together because it's a warranty claim and they shouldn't have to pay for it. Unfortunately for the OP, he's now caught between a rock and a hard place. Again I'm not defending any party involved. I'm simply speaking from my experience as a mechanic for 30+ years which 20 of those were in the private sector.
 

BossHogg

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This is my first, and last Mopar vehicle ever! I've never been treated like this at ANY GM dealership.
I bought my first RAM in 2013, a significant departure from my comfy zone of GM vehicles not to mention I was a GM employee. Being an employee doesn't give you any status in the service department and after a few unpleasant warranty issues, I threw up my hands and said, why not, and bought a RAM. I was hoping for change.

Over my vehicle buying years, I did ping-pong between Ford and GM, each capable of chasing me away, and they were good at it.

The first thing I noticed with my new 2013 RAM was I didn't have any issues with the truck, yes, I did have a few service department visits for software reflashing but that was it. My 2015 3500 has also been trouble-free outside of a few recalls. My 2022, now 9 months old has been issue free.

I've read posts where people are in the same position as you, with long wait times for repairs and no loners available. This isn't just a RAM issue, it is worst at GM (my son has his GM in for service, no parts, no loner) and Ford's per-vehicle warranty costs far exceed industry standard numbers.

The grass will not be greener on the other side.
 

Scott0700

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It isn’t the same company it used to be. Stelantis’ motto is “Just say no” when it comes to warranty claims.
I’d look into a rebuilt/ upgraded transmission for Monster or another aftermarket performance transmission builder. They fix the shortcomings designed in from Stelantis.
 
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OKC thru N. Texas
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Hemi 6.4
My 2019 PW was not shifting "sometimes" randomly at high speeds. I took it in at 5k and they reprogrammed it, it continued to do what ever it liked until 30k, then **** shifting and and engine p codes. Surprise, they found metal in the filter. It took a month and a half, but I did get a classic as a loaner. Not gonna lie, I don't think they swapped the torque converter or the fluid in it because, now rarely it still won't shift. I'm at 95k now ...
 

darrell seela

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first my drive shaft broke in two pieces while drive on the highway they replaced the drive shaft and about half a year later the 8 sp tranny blew up the output shaft bearing. they replaced it. then I had that wining in the rear end about a year after the tranny blew up and thought that my drive shaft was a bad design. they replaced the bearings in my rear end and told me to change the gear grease every 20k miles. I thought this is crazy so I put a drive shaft from doorman with the telescoping part at the front instead of the middle. I haven't had any problems since. I have a 2015 ram 1500 express regular cab 6 foot bed. no carrier bearing on the drive shaft.
 

Wmjohn

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A loaner vericle depends partly on the dealer, but mostly the factory rep.

3 years ago I had a tranny failure on my 2016 1500 which took 3 weeks to diagnose and a week to replacd under warranty at a lucky 59k.

Sure Chrysler didn't want to repair or replace the tranny until we finally got an error code, but I had a loaner for 4 weeks.

The one to push is the factory rep, and your dealer can help push if you ask. You can ask for the reps supervisor if you aren't getting anywhere.

It's all about money and at $30 per day, its about $200 a week. Just money... Either yours or theirs. Chrysler can write the check, but they'd prefer not to.

Ps. The factory rep was so apologetic that it took so long, he offered me a free 60k extended warranty on engine and drive train that I didn't even ask for! So you never know.
 

Dusty

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This is my first, and last Mopar vehicle ever! I've never been treated like this at ANY GM dealership. I buy vehicles all the time. Hell they have given me loaners for an oil change lol... How can they expect to have someone without their main transportation for 4 months?!? That's INSANE!
If they are aware of your commitment to never buy another Ram/FCA product, you've most certainly removed some incentive to make you happy.

Rental availability is not a corporate thing, but a dealer thing. My dealer no longer supplies loaners, nor does my daughter's Hyundai dealer, or my neighbors Ford and Chevy dealers. Part of the problem is the requirement to completely disinfect the vehicle once it's returned and that could be a liability issue.

There's a fixed process for warranty claims. The dealer should know the process for transmission replacements if they've done it before. The process requires that the technician scan and properly document a number of subsystems and demonstrate that they followed the prescribed diagnostic routine. If not, they will kick the warranty claim back to the dealer.

And of course there's the supply issue which is a common problem spread across many industries. I have a good friend waiting six weeks for a new PCM for their very new Ford Bronco. Heck, I'm still waiting for a dishwasher I ordered 3 months ago!

Regards,
Dusty
2019 Ram 1500 Billet Silver Quad Cab 2WD, 5.7 Hemi, 8HP75, 3.21 axle, 33-gallon fuel tank, factory dual exhaust, 18” wheels. Build date: 3 June 2018. Now at 78778 miles
 

Octane

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A loaner vericle depends partly on the dealer, but mostly the factory rep.

3 years ago I had a tranny failure on my 2016 1500 which took 3 weeks to diagnose and a week to replacd under warranty at a lucky 59k.

Sure Chrysler didn't want to repair or replace the tranny until we finally got an error code, but I had a loaner for 4 weeks.

The one to push is the factory rep, and your dealer can help push if you ask. You can ask for the reps supervisor if you aren't getting anywhere.

It's all about money and at $30 per day, its about $200 a week. Just money... Either yours or theirs. Chrysler can write the check, but they'd prefer not to.

Ps. The factory rep was so apologetic that it took so long, he offered me a free 60k extended warranty on engine and drive train that I didn't even ask for! So you never know.
You are lucky, my dealer told me that the factory would listen to me more than them. They dealer wouldnt speak up for me at all. And the factory reps lied their way thru my entire ordeal, and didnt do diddly squat. I've bought many vehicles new and used from various maker. Never again with Stellantis...
If they don't shyster you, then the rep just isn't trained as well as they like.
 

Rods

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2019
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I've been without my 2019 Laramie Sport for 7 weeks. The transmission died at just over 50k miles. The dealership said corporate had them jumping through hoops to get approval for warranty swap under powertrain warranty. I literally use my truck as a car, don't even tow! My biggest issue is they won't give me a loaner or rental until the part is received. They are estimating end of November! 4 months with a vehicle is ridiculous! Has any one ever experienced anything like this? My case manager isn't helping and I'm basically stuck. I've owned over 30 new vehicles and have never been treated so bad. I just bought an AV company and about to buy 12 vehicles. Please tell me this is a fluke and Chrysler Corp doesn't usually treat customers this poorly. This truck was almost 66k for heavens sake!
I've been without my 2019 Laramie Sport for 7 weeks. The transmission died at just over 50k miles. The dealership said corporate had them jumping through hoops to get approval for warranty swap under powertrain warranty. I literally use my truck as a car, don't even tow! My biggest issue is they won't give me a loaner or rental until the part is received. They are estimating end of November! 4 months with a vehicle is ridiculous! Has any one ever experienced anything like this? My case manager isn't helping and I'm basically stuck. I've owned over 30 new vehicles and have never been treated so bad. I just bought an AV company and about to buy 12 vehicles. Please tell me this is a fluke and Chrysler Corp doesn't usually treat customers this poorly. This truck was almost 66k for heavens sake!
I have a 2019 Bighorn. Biggest and mean Biggest piece of crap I have ever owned. Will never buy another dodge.
 
OP
OP
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gabemtz83

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I have a 2019 Bighorn. Biggest and mean Biggest piece of crap I have ever owned. Will never buy another dodge.
Me either... everyone that says "it's just the climate we are in" is complete crap.
 

Ffd8203

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2017 Laramie 6.4 I am on my second rebuild at 49,100 miles. First rebuild was at 37,000 in July 2021. August 20th it went into neutral while driving. We are waiting for a torque converter. Customer support has been in touch but I don't believe they are changing the outcome. I have made 4 payments while the tranny was rebuilt and the truck was on the lot.
 

jejb

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Got curious about the rental car/loaner thing, so pulled down the warranty manuals for my truck. Turns out a rental is not covered. The only place I could find anything about rentals is under the "INCIDENTAL AND CONSEQUENTIAL DAMAGES NOT COVERED" section. So it seems we are at the dealers mercy for a loaner if you need one.

I also searched the Mopar extended warranty. It does cover rental fees, even for the 3/36 timeframe. But there are caveats. Max of 5 days or $225. Only covered if the vehicle is inoperable. Might cover the first day regardless of inoperability, language is a little fuzzy there. So not a lot of help for an extended part shortage.
 

Doug Ram

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When my truck and camper trailer was at the dealer for a week for warranty work (while they were experimenting with the reverse steering control system), they gave me a loaner vehicle. It was only a Jeep Renegade, but they asked me first if the Renegade was OK. If I really needed a truck they would have rented me one.
 

Rayzaa

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Its still under the standard powertrain warranty, which is why I'm extremely pissed off! One of my employees had a damn hyundai that he bought second hand and the engine blew. Hyundai had him in a loaner in a day and he didn't even buy the car at a Hyundai dealership! Wth... I told my case manager I was in the market for a dozen vehicles, she was like we will try and expedite your part. I'm like I need a loaner or rental "we can't until we secure the part"
How can it be so hard to get a transmission? I can maybe see it if they were now not biilding ICE vehicles any longer.
 

CanRebel

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How can it be so hard to get a transmission? I can maybe see it if they were now not biilding ICE vehicles any longer.

This isn't all factors, but some.

If you take away the covid factor.
You have JIT planning.
Expected Sales
Expected % of defects/warranty/etc...
Ram has been doing very well last couple of years for Trucks.
Now you add in Covid. Shut downs, etc...

Many of the car companies projected sales would be down, which they were for a while.
Turns out they were wrong, people had extra money because everything was closed, and govt. gave people more money.

Company my wife works for, at start of covid, they were sending everyone home, shut down whole shift. 6 months later
they added extra shift, overtime, couldn't find enough people who wanted to work. They make parts for high end GM suv/trucks.

There are of course many other factors.
 

Doug Ram

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How can it be so hard to get a transmission? I can maybe see it if they were now not building ICE vehicles any longer.
Q: How hard is it to get a transmission (or part for anything?)?
A: Very hard, to put it mildly. Where have you been for the last 2 years? There are critical shortages in almost every industry today: automotive, information technology, marine, recreational vehicles, appliances, home electronics, and more. All industries have parts problems. And why is that? It is still Covid. Despite the fact that the US has reopened. We are still dealing with the fact that Covid broke the supply and logistical chain that industry built over the last 40 years (since China opened). The system was built to get the right part at the right time for the cheapest price. Unfortunately it is brittle and easy to break under stress. So now we know that being dependent on "just in time delivery" from only one cheap and distant supplier (China) is a recipe for disaster. But since many of China's factories and cities are still closed and we still don't have alternative parts suppliers set up.... well it becomes impossible to build a transmission in the USA if just one part comes from a closed factory/city in China.
 
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