2014 to avoid?

[Rupert35]

I am still in the market for a used Ram 1500, switching over from F150. I found a 2014 crew cab (what I really need) with 75k miles. Internet says 2014 is the worst year with multiple transmission issues. Please advise if 2014 reliability generally is lower than newer ones. Are the transmission issues likely addressed by 75k miles? Thank you.

EDIT: 2014 4WD 6 cylinder 8 speed transmission

 

[GTyankee]

The ZF 8 speed transmission was first put in the Ram 1500 in July 2012
The ZF 8 speed transmission is still the transmission that is factory installed in Ram 1500s to this very day

By the way, in the last couple years, Ford & Chevy now use the ZF Transmission
By the way, Rolls Royce uses it too

 

[kurek]

That's the first I've heard of 2014 being a bad year... there's nothing special one way or the other about 2014. No real changes from the previous year.

That transmission needs its fluid changed, despite the B.S. in the manual about it being lifetime fluid. But that's about keeping it reliable not about its inherent reliability.

 

[Bigskyroadglide]

My 2014 with 50k, (owned for 10k) has not experienced any issues under my ownership. History report for 1st 40k, shows no issues.

By the way, I'm supercharged and lowered, so other than replacing the driveshaft (RCSB) been a great truck.

 

[Rupert35]

Thank you for the replies. I have build sheets for 2013 and 2014, both 4wd 6 cyl. 2013 transmission is 8HP45, 2014 845RE. The latter is license production of German ZF 8HP45 by Chrysler, first produced in 2013. Chrysler 845RE is slightly different from German ZF 8HP45. I guess it is why a separate designation was given.

The 8 cylinder version (8HP70) is also license produced by Chrysler, also starting in 2013. Both have the same designation.

I wonder if 2014 transmission related issues (alleged) have something to do with the first production run. Scotty Gilmer youtube, another internet rumor source, picks 2014 as the year to avoid without telling why.

 

[ramffml]

The ZF 8 speed transmission was first put in the Ram 1500 in July 2012
The ZF 8 speed transmission is still the transmission that is factory installed in Ram 1500s to this very day

By the way, in the last couple years, Ford & Chevy now use the ZF Transmission
By the way, Rolls Royce uses it too

Ford and Chevy use their own 10 speed (developed by Ford, in GM's case they tune the software/shift points). Only Ram uses the ZF in USA.

 

[GTyankee]

​

Your correct
Fords ZF Transmission.
The ZF6 is a heavy-duty, fully-synchronized, constant-mesh 6-speed manual transmission.

 

[Tach_tech]

In my experience working on them 2014s we’re one of the best years.

 

[kurek]

Scotty Gilmer youtube,

That guy is just a trash merchant, all he does is stir people up for views. Zero of what comes out of his mouth should be considered valid he's the same dude who uses explicitly "not for brake hoses" flanging tools on brake hoses, who puts dirty parts back on engines, whose intro shows him skidding to a stop in a car that left the factory with ABS..

I can't control what you do or don't watch but I'll advise you not to pay that guy any mind, not just about Ram trucks but about anything if he told me it was daytime I'd check the sky just to be sure.

 

[Smokey613]

We had our 2014 1500 Laramie for 5+ years and 87K miles and never had the first issue with it.

 

[2012RAM1500RT]

That guy is just a trash merchant, all he does is stir people up for views. Zero of what comes out of his mouth should be considered valid he's the same dude who uses explicitly "not for brake hoses" flanging tools on brake hoses, who puts dirty parts back on engines, whose intro shows him skidding to a stop in a car that left the factory with ABS..

I can't control what you do or don't watch but I'll advise you not to pay that guy any mind, not just about Ram trucks but about anything if he told me it was daytime I'd check the sky just to be sure.

Scotty who! I agree, he's a joke!

 

[Loudram]

Agreed, Scotty is a hack. Pay him no mind.

And as far as '14 Rams go. The one I had did have a lifter issue among other things. But it's not because '14 is a bad year. I bought the truck used and the first owner according to Carfax was a contractor. It simply wasn't taken care of. I saw the warning signs before I bought it but I ignored them because the price was right. Live and learn.

 

[MontanaHandyman]

Word on the street is that the ZF8 made in Germany is substantially better than the Chrysler clone. According to the window sticker, my tranny came from Germany...no issues so far, with about 65k miles on the clock.

 

[6.7CumminsDrvr]

I don’t have the Pentastar but my ‘14 Hemi has been pretty darn good over the 133k miles I’ve put on it.
Not to mention 2014 was the last year of “unlocked” BCM’s if that matters to you.

 

[Marshall]

A old picture from when it was new, 14 sport, 5.7L 8 speed, 3.9 gears ,mainly loaded up, other than no power peddles, or auto seat & mirrors, never used them on last truck. 73,000KM , I am retired now. Zero issues, other than the crappy tires, I save them for summer, Love the truck . Only thing I would like is the tailgate on the new trucks.

 

[HemiPower36]

I bought my 2014 Ram1500 5.7 8-speed brand new. I have about 97,000 miles on it right now. I have had ZERO problems during my ownership, until, just recently. I have an engine no crank/ start and I am getting a U0100 code. Things are bound to come up and I am not surprised that I now have a problem. Could have happened to any make/ model as far as I am concerned. As far as the 8-speed, I have had zero issues and, other than my truck's current no crank/ start event, performs great. I am actually going to start a thread on here in a moment hoping some engine electrical savvy forum member can give me some guidance on fixing this in my driveway.

Let me know what you end up going with. I am curios.

 

[GTyankee]

Sounds like the trouble shooting will not be easy without the right equipment & a some luck

U0100 Lost Communication With ECM/PCM "A" Code