2018 2500 6.4 seems different after recalls done

[tjfdesmo]

When I had the cruise recall done it screwed up the operation of my auxilliary switches. The dealer effed around, so I contacted FCA via ramcares on this forum. A representative contacted me promptly, a case was opened, the dealer worked with STAR, and it got resolved. Their flashes absolutely can have issues. I never did find out if it was a problem with how it was written, or if it was corrupted somehow.

 

[Pttrader]

My 15' 2500 needed the flash for the shift interlock, but I never got it done before I sold it. When I had the remote start installed in my 17' 2500 Tradesman 6.4 I mentioned the shift interlock flash and the dealer said it did not apply to my 17'.
My eco light still comes on and I have the lesser 5.0 RA2 radio. I am not sure the tradesmen comes with the 8.4...
Anyway, I put 35's on my truck and even with the 4.10s I notice it shifts to 5th empty more often, definetly when towing. I want to upgrade the diffs to 4.56s in the future...

 

[paul c]

these transmissions are programmed horribly. im getting rid of my 16 2500 with the 6.4 due to it having a seizure when i slow down to about 10 mph and then accelerate again in a normal fashion.

 

[KarL45]

While re gearing can and is expensive, if you like the overall truck, you won't be sorry going to the 4.56 gears. In essence, it's like taking 6th gear away and putting it on the bottom. Drive in 5th and you will get some idea. Due to the gearing though, the gear range will be a bit narrower. Going from 3.73 to 4.56, the rpm's at 80 in 6th gear is 1750 vs. 2250 rpm's with the 4.56. The engine will not have nearly as many downshifts and the MDS will activate much longer. Truth, didn't notice any significant mileage difference and maybe better overall in the more mountainous areas. As for towing, night and day and now you will be able to handle the maximum towing weight that is advertised. As for overall engine rpm in a full driving range, figure the engine revved probably 20% less for the same distance due to the lower rpm shift ranges and the increased power and response in the lower rpms. Loved them.

 

[allenmp]

I feel like such a POS, I have yet to do any recalls on my truck. the fear of the dealer screwing up my truck that works perfectly fine keeps me from going in. as long as none of the recalls are critical, I will continue to hold out.

This is what i wish i had done
The truck seems different
Not horrible or anything still runs good
But if i knew then what i know now
I would have trashed the recall notice lol

 

[allenmp]

While re gearing can and is expensive, if you like the overall truck, you won't be sorry going to the 4.56 gears. In essence, it's like taking 6th gear away and putting it on the bottom. Drive in 5th and you will get some idea. Due to the gearing though, the gear range will be a bit narrower. Going from 3.73 to 4.56, the rpm's at 80 in 6th gear is 1750 vs. 2250 rpm's with the 4.56. The engine will not have nearly as many downshifts and the MDS will activate much longer. Truth, didn't notice any significant mileage difference and maybe better overall in the more mountainous areas. As for towing, night and day and now you will be able to handle the maximum towing weight that is advertised. As for overall engine rpm in a full driving range, figure the engine revved probably 20% less for the same distance due to the lower rpm shift ranges and the increased power and response in the lower rpms. Loved them.

KarL45
Thank you very much for this post
I been driving my truck in 5th gear for a while now and i enjoy it a lot more
Actually was paying attention this morning on the way home in 5th gear
70mph running about 2200rpm
In 6th at 70 about 1700 but the truck seems sluggish
If i get on it to try to pass it doesn't seem to respond like it used to
It was windy but the truck seemed very happy there
It is expensive i have seen that but i love this truck and don't mind doing stuff to make it even more fun to drive
My plan is to regear in the future
I don't hit 80 often
Most of my driving is highway but 70-75 usually
On occasion I'll get into it lol
Don't pull very often but will be nice to pull easier with a better gear set

 

[SMuesse]

Had mine done now it seems to constantly down shift
Took it back twice and they say it's normal
Went from 6th to 5th 18 times in a 15 mile trip home very few hills here
Never did that before the update
Now i just drive it with 6th gear locked out
Funny if I'm not in cruise hardly ever down shifts
In cruise control does it so much it drives me nuts
Can't be good on transmission
They keep telling me it's learning
It's been this way for over 1,000 miles now
I'm looking at re gearing to 4.30 or 4.56
I have 3.73 now
2017 2500 4x4 6.4 hemi

I am in your same boat. Ive had my truck back 4 times and they have kept it a week two of those times. Each time Im told its normal. I miss how my truck used to run. It never downshifted unless it was a huge hill. I turned in a video of my truck down shifting 33 times in a 15 mile stretch as part of a arbitration case to try to force them to fix it. They said it didn't reveal any problems and the truck is normal. I hope the next recall will fix it back like it was . I am relieved to see others are having the issue and taking it back to the dealer. They act like its brand new issue each time i mention it. The receptionist girl did tell me on my second visit they have had alot of people come back since the recall but the advisor and service manager say im the only person to ever mention anything like this.

 

[allenmp]

I am in your same boat. Ive had my truck back 4 times and they have kept it a week two of those times. Each time Im told its normal. I miss how my truck used to run. It never downshifted unless it was a huge hill. I turned in a video of my truck down shifting 33 times in a 15 mile stretch as part of a arbitration case to try to force them to fix it. They said it didn't reveal any problems and the truck is normal. I hope the next recall will fix it back like it was . I am relieved to see others are having the issue and taking it back to the dealer. They act like its brand new issue each time i mention it. The receptionist girl did tell me on my second visit they have had alot of people come back since the recall but the advisor and service manager say im the only person to ever mention anything like this.

I feel your struggle
It stresses me out that it shifts so much i can't imagine it being good on the transmission
I asked the service manager last time i was there when it became normal for it to shift so much on flat land
Driving it in 5th gear seems to help a lot but don't really care for having to do that
I am looking at regearing my truck in the near future
From the reviews on this forum i think it's the best way to get the truck back to where it should be
I don't think dealers care if it blows the transmission
But even under warranty i don't care to let them work on it lol

 

[SMuesse]

I know they have had several complaints, they just can not admit they messed up. I even filed my complaint with that Resolution Center that had a board get together and review my case, nothing came of it because they side with Chrysler. Whats funny is Chrysler told me to report them to this place to raise a flag that there is problem. Hopefully the next recall or flash update will fix this while its fixing something else they screwed up. This down shifting is nuts and for them to tell me its normal is crazy. Especially when it never did it before.

 

[Bubba5154]

I don't think this has been done to mine. I took it in last year to have a few minor things looked at (third brake light seal, document jacked radio) but I don't think they did any flashes while it was there, at least I didn't see anything on the paperwork. My ECO light has never come on although I can hear and feel it engage often. Everything is still stock and I have the big screen radio. I don't notice any non-warranted frequent shifting. The ECO light used to come on every time when it happened on my 15 Big Horn 1500.

 

[SMuesse]

Its a safety recall so i think they do it no matter what when they have your truck. I got a letter in the mail saying to take it in. Its U61 safety recall that screwed up my truck and apparently many others. Before that I loved everything about my truck but the mileage.

 

[slacadjuster]

I had three recalls taken care of a few weeks ago on my 2018 tradesman 2500 with a 6.4. They did a reflash or computer update for the shift interlock, air bag module, and cruise control issue(possibly not shutting off). Its been roughly 1000 miles since then and the trans seems to shift differently and mds doesnt come on as much as it did before. Any reason for this? Someone said computer needs to relearn? Just doesnt seem the same.

Yup, that's why I don't do the recalls. My 2015 Ram, was doing just damn fine, took it in for the shift interlock recall....hasn't been the same since they "fixed" it....
Now to unlock the doors with the key fob, the unlock button has to be pressed 2x (used to be only once) (more battery use), and the frickin doors all lock automatically after about 10 mph....VERY annoying.

I have a recall on the cruise control on my truck as well....fu*k that, the cruise has been working flawless since new, (mine is a 2015). I've heard of people having issues with the cruise AFTER the recall has been done.

 

[william walker]

I am having trouble with my 2018 having a vibration and going into ECO all the time. My truck only has 900 miles on it. Any suggestions?

 

[RoadRamblerNJ]

If keeping stockish size tires, I would go 4.56’s.

+1

 

[RoadRamblerNJ]

I feel like such a POS, I have yet to do any recalls on my truck. the fear of the dealer screwing up my truck that works perfectly fine keeps me from going in. as long as none of the recalls are critical, I will continue to hold out.

My brother, from another mother!

 

[Jeff Courtney]

Now I'm depressed. I took my truck in today for the U-61 recall and 2 others. I asked if the PRCM recall would put the trans into re-learn mode because I had concerns about shift points in tow/haul mode. Was told no that it was for the engine only. WTF? I asked if its normal for truck to hold 1st gear forever (towing 3000#) then shift 2,3,4, almost immediately. Their gonna look at it

 

[RamCares]

Now I'm depressed. I took my truck in today for the U-61 recall and 2 others. I asked if the PRCM recall would put the trans into re-learn mode because I had concerns about shift points in tow/haul mode. Was told no that it was for the engine only. WTF? I asked if its normal for truck to hold 1st gear forever (towing 3000#) then shift 2,3,4, almost immediately. Their gonna look at it

Hi Jeff,

Keep our team updated on your next visit. Our team is available via direct message and would be happy to help in any way we can.

Jasmine
Ram Social Care Specialist

 

[Nyramguy]

Hi Jeff,

Keep our team updated on your next visit. Our team is available via direct message and would be happy to help in any way we can.

Jasmine
Ram Social Care Specialist

Any info why this latest recall changed shift points and mds activating less and less?

 

[Jeff Courtney]

My trucks shift point issues/concerns were present from day 1. Again this is while in Tow/haul mode. From dead stop, on average (flat) road towing my 6×10 enclosed trailer loaded with tools/materials (3000#) normal acceration it shifts into 2nd @4000-4500 rpms. 3,4,5 gears will shift around 2-2500 rpms. Resulting in the truck bogging down. And I've got 4.10's.

 

[GsRAM]

This is exactly why I won't have the "shade tree/el cheapo" let's weld the center drag link adjustment nuts instead of making a proper repair recall done...total bs...an absolute joke.

I'd love to know what bean counter at FCA approved that? They should be embarrassed and fired.