2026 6.7 Cold start slow shifting

[kurajo]

I have no idea how to even explain this but I’m curious if there’s an explanation. Or if anyone else has noticed the same. Here goes…. When starting my 2026 RAM 6.7 (2000 mi) either first thing in the morning or after it’s been sitting for an extended period of time, I shift into gear and begin to drive, the engine is excessively loud, it seems to not want to shift right away when accelerating and I can feel resistance. Letting off the throttle is almost like putting on the brakes (25-30mph and no exhaust brake). I experience higher than normal RPM’s when it doesn’t want to shift. After driving for about a minute or so it calms down and drives fine. I almost wondered if it’s thinking it’s in Tow/Haul mode and I’m in first gear for a few moments. Hopefully that makes sense to someone out there… I have had the towing harness recall completed. I will say though that the very next day after the recall I was getting trailer alerts on my display when I wasn’t even towing a trailer. This happened several times but not for the past several weeks.

 

[06 Dodge]

I have no idea how to even explain this but I’m curious if there’s an explanation. Or if anyone else has noticed the same. Here goes…. When starting my 2026 RAM 6.7 (2000 mi) either first thing in the morning or after it’s been sitting for an extended period of time, I shift into gear and begin to drive, the engine is excessively loud, it seems to not want to shift right away when accelerating and I can feel resistance. Letting off the throttle is almost like putting on the brakes (25-30mph and no exhaust brake). I experience higher than normal RPM’s when it doesn’t want to shift. After driving for about a minute or so it calms down and drives fine. I almost wondered if it’s thinking it’s in Tow/Haul mode and I’m in first gear for a few moments. Hopefully that makes sense to someone out there… I have had the towing harness recall completed. I will say though that the very next day after the recall I was getting trailer alerts on my display when I wasn’t even towing a trailer. This happened several times but not for the past several weeks.

Interesting have not read about your problem, at first I thought it may be low on ATF but I also never just hit start and drop it into gear, I have always waited 1-2 minutes even in the summer before I drive mine , also have never heard of a Tow Harness recall, I have read of other recalls on the 25 and 26 trucks but never that one so are you sure of the name???

 

[kurajo]

Yeah I maybe have a 15 second delay or so before I go into gear… normally backing out then forward. Definitely not 1-2 min though.

1. Trailer Tow Module Failure

• NHTSA Recall Number: 26V059000 (FCA Recall 03D)
• The Issue: An improperly designed trailer tow module can cause the trailer's turn signals and brake lights to fail. Trailer brakes may also fail to function, drastically increasing the risk of a crash.
• • Affected Vehicles: Certain 2025–2026 Ram 3500 pickups and 3500/4500/5500 Cab Chassis models.
  • The Fix: Dealers will replace the trailer tow module free of charge

 

[06 Dodge]

Yeah I maybe have a 15 second delay or so before I go into gear… normally backing out then forward. Definitely not 1-2 min though.

1. Trailer Tow Module Failure

• NHTSA Recall Number: 26V059000 (FCA Recall 03D)
• The Issue: An improperly designed trailer tow module can cause the trailer's turn signals and brake lights to fail. Trailer brakes may also fail to function, drastically increasing the risk of a crash.
• • Affected Vehicles: Certain 2025–2026 Ram 3500 pickups and 3500/4500/5500 Cab Chassis models.
  • The Fix: Dealers will replace the trailer tow module free of charge

I was sure tow harness was not the proper name that's why I asked, a wait of just 15 seconds and then drop in gear is not really enough time for the oil to be well circulated in that big engine let alone trans if TQ was to drain back some fluid, even in the summer you should wait a minimum of 30-45 seconds and in winter 3 or more minutes to warm up depending on overnight temps before dropping it into gear, jmho...

 

[kurajo]

I’ll give that a try… thanks for the tips

 

[crash68]

When starting my 2026 RAM 6.7 (2000 mi) either first thing in the morning or after it’s been sitting for an extended period of time, I shift into gear and begin to drive, the engine is excessively loud, it seems to not want to shift right away when accelerating and I can feel resistance. Letting off the throttle is almost like putting on the brakes (25-30mph and no exhaust brake). I experience higher than normal RPM’s when it doesn’t want to shift.

When the engine is cool/cold, it could be the engine management delaying the transmission shifts to raise RPMs in addition to using the turbo vanes to increase back pressure in order to warm the combination temperatures up faster. Even gassers do this as the emissions systems need heat to effectively function and part of the stricter regulations is how fast the systems become effective.