Harsh 2-1 downshift, "Jerk" or "bump" upon coming to a stop

[waves]

I have this 2016 Dodge Ram 1500 Outdoorsman I bought a few months ago. I first brought this in to the dealer on March 23 2018 with the complaint being a harsh downshift.
As per the work order:............................................ ............
51438 Flashes. Found two bulletins 18-051-17 and 21-017-16 Rev A. Both for shift issues as per complaint. Hooked up WI Tech and found both modules need updates, Got OK, Flashed PCM. Cleared codes. Old version 68258446AC. New Version 68258446AE..Rechecked and found all OK. Printed out Topolagy, list of DTC and scan report.......................
I Picked up truck and it really “Bumped” upon stopping very harshly for a couple weeks but did get a little better...then got worse again.
Brought the truck into the dealer again (May 3 2018) and the Tech did a transmission “Quicklearn”.
The truck now "Bumps" everytime upon coming to a slow stop. OK, now I'm frustrated, you would think Ram could fix this easy...its not like they just invented transmission programming yesterday.
It is not a gas tank thing, or driveshaft thing.
Anybody with this issue get it fixed once and for all?? Any ideas?
If so please let me know how?
THanks

 

[1500canoe]

I've noticed the exact same issue on a brand new 2018. I decided to "live with it" for a bit and see if it persists. It is intermittent and I can't come up with a precise situation where it is repeatable. :/

 

[Jrod]

Welcome to 8 gear tranny’s.

My 16 sport does this on occasion. It was more prevalent when I first bought it. Every now and then she’ll remind me it’s still there. I’ve yet to see anyone find a permanent fix. In the meantime, I found coming to a stop a little slower helped reduce the chances.

I’ll admit, I was very leadfooted the first year. I’ve since mellowed out and found the drop from 2nd to 1st mellowed out too. It’s as if the truck is adjusting to my driving habits. I’m no expert, I’m just trying to explain my experience the best I can.

 

[ColdCase]

The only permanent fix seems to be a replacement transmission (thats if you get a good replacement). There are tons of threads here and around the web and it seems those that have transmissions replaced are the only ones satisfied (some traded the vehicle for another one to resolve the problem). Valve bodies won't fix it, nor will software updates. There is something amiss internally, either a leak or partially plugged gantry. The transmission adapts by increasing pressure, which makes for rough shifts during some gear changes.

Some of us suggest a lot of test driving before buying used, don't let them warm it up. Do a cold start, etc.

Having said that, these transmission can shift rougher than others and there are some drivers more sensitive to it than others.

You will have to learn to live with it, as many do, or fight for a replacement transmission.

 

[stimpy433]

You have to give the PCM time to "learn" and it will all but go away. Doing the "quick learn" is basically resetting the learning curve so you will have to give it time. It's not a instant fix.

 

[yortnodnarb]

My truck has 16k miles on it and it has mostly disappeared. Mine wasn't as much of a hard downshift but it was very "pushy" when slowing to a stop through 2nd and 1st. The downshift was pretty firm but the feeling of not being able to stop without really standing on the brakes was weird, I'm sure the 3.92's amplified this.

But like I said, with time it's all but went away. Occasionally it will still do it a little, but nothing like when I first got it. Like previously posted, I haven't been able to replicate it on command, so it's just a "thing" that happens from time to time. I guess that's the downfall to having basically 2 creeper gears in the 8 speed.

 

[RamCares]

I've noticed the exact same issue on a brand new 2018. I decided to "live with it" for a bit and see if it persists. It is intermittent and I can't come up with a precise situation where it is repeatable. :/

Hi 1500canoe,

Should this happens more frequently, please send us a direct message. We can get this over to a Case Specialist who'll work with you and the dealership toward a solution.

Jasmine
Ram Social Care Specialist

 

[Boosted Motorsports]

The drive shaft is a 2 piece unit. If you stick your head under the truck you'll see a rubber boot in the middle and apparently the chevy guys have the same issue. That joint is dry as a bone and amplifies the the aggressive shifting pattern that is "normal" for the 8 speeds.

If you pay attention you'll notice the "thud" happens most after a hard braking or coming to a stop when the drivetrain is loaded in the opposite direction. When you take off again to accelerate is when you typically feel it.

People have reported a much smoother operation after lubricating that joint.

 

[chrisbh17]

FYI not all trucks have a 2 piece. I think its mostly crew cabs. I dont think any quad cabs have two piece driveshafts, not sure about regular cab. I think bed size comes into play as well.

 

[Ramm5.7]

What boosted said!
I experienced same same, felt like sticking brakes or u joint comparing to my other trucks I've owned, usually on takeoff from stop. Turns out after a couple trips to dealer the 2 piece driveshaft sliding was the culprit. Dealer replaced my shaft(eww)and I lubed the hell out of it. It happens very rarely now and I keep a eye on lube and make sure it moves smoothly.

 

[indept]

What boosted said!
I experienced same same, felt like sticking brakes or u joint comparing to my other trucks I've owned, usually on takeoff from stop. Turns out after a couple trips to dealer the 2 piece driveshaft sliding was the culprit. Dealer replaced my shaft(eww)and I lubed the hell out of it. It happens very rarely now and I keep a eye on lube and make sure it moves smoothly.

Just curious, do you have the 6'4" bed? I have a 5'7" bed & 1 piece shaft.

 

[Ramm5.7]

Yes, 6'4 and 2 piece shaft

 

[Boosted Motorsports]

CC with 5'7" Box and 2 piece shaft here

 

[Railman17]

Hi 1500canoe,

Should this happens more frequently, please send us a direct message. We can get this over to a Case Specialist who'll work with you and the dealership toward a solution.

Jasmine
Ram Social Care Specialist

My 2017 does this every day. The dealer service manager said there is no fix I just have to live with.... on a .$52,000 truck????

 

[Gary's Hemi]

Its completely normal for the 8 speed. Our 2016 Ram & 2015 Grand Cherokee does it. Not a big deal at all for me or the wife. I wouldnt be upset that you bought a $52,000 truck & the 2-1 shift is rough. I would be concerned that you bought a $52,000 truck that will need a $2000+ cam/lifter change to stay on the road past 130,000 miles. Thats whats upsetting

 

[iLLeStEyECoN]

Every 8 speed I have ever driven, be it my 6.4L Charger, my father’s 2016 Big Horn, or my 2019 Laramie (or the hundreds I drove as a tech), have all done this. The Laramie didn’t do it for the first 300 or so miles, but my dad warned me it was coming. Sure enough, it started. I’ve built a habit of stopping ever so slowly to prove how good of a driver I am. My dad suggested stopping harder. I’ve started doing that and it doesn’t do it. But, sure as [emoji90] if I come to a stop very slowly, it will do it 100/100 times.

The worst thing my 8 speed Chargers did (I had two) was feeing like the bottom of the car was dropping to the floor if you were coming to a stop and then accelerated again. Boy, that feeling will make you crap yourself. I haven’t had to have it happen in the truck, but I know it’s only a matter of time.

I disagree that it’s something “amiss internally” if thousands of trucks are exhibiting this behavior. Dodge would have gotten it fixed over the last 6-7 years. This is intentional.


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[16WhiteQC]

Every 8 speed I have ever driven, be it my 6.4L Charger, my father’s 2016 Big Horn, or my 2019 Laramie (or the hundreds I drove as a tech), have all done this. The Laramie didn’t do it for the first 300 or so miles, but my dad warned me it was coming. Sure enough, it started. I’ve built a habit of stopping ever so slowly to prove how good of a driver I am. My dad suggested stopping harder. I’ve started doing that and it doesn’t do it. But, sure as [emoji90] if I come to a stop very slowly, it will do it 100/100 times.

The worst thing my 8 speed Chargers did (I had two) was feeing like the bottom of the car was dropping to the floor if you were coming to a stop and then accelerated again. Boy, that feeling will make you crap yourself. I haven’t had to have it happen in the truck, but I know it’s only a matter of time.

I disagree that it’s something “amiss internally” if thousands of trucks are exhibiting this behavior. Dodge would have gotten it fixed over the last 6-7 years. This is intentional.


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I notice mine acts up more if I do very slow/crawl stops or slow rolling stops.

If I do a hard/quick stop no issue.

I personally think it is tied to brake pressure and a programming/learning issue.

Mine also slams into gear at times when its cold (winter) and I don't remote start it. Better have your foot on the brake hard when it does or she will lurch lol.

 

[iLLeStEyECoN]

I notice mine acts up more if I do very slow/crawl stops or slow rolling stops.

If I do a hard/quick stop no issue.

I personally think it is tied to brake pressure and a programming/learning issue.

Mine also slams into gear at times when its cold (winter) and I don't remote start it. Better have your foot on the brake hard when it does or she will lurch lol.

The lurch is the scariest part lol. Especially here in South Florida where everyone is always on each other’s ass.


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[Rambolt]

My truck does this both the 1-2 shift issue and lurch and it's very upsetting that FCA pretty much can see it's an issue with the 8 speed across all their 8 speed cars and trucks and hasn't fixed the issue.

The worst I had and only happened a couple of times is I come to a red light but turns green before a full stop so hit the gas and it feels like the trans missed a gear and slams into gear and I feel it in my back and anyone else scares the **** out of them.
Surprised there hasn't been a recall or class action against over this.

Besides trans issue I love my truck but wtf FCA

 

[iLLeStEyECoN]

My truck does this both the 1-2 shift issue and lurch and it's very upsetting that FCA pretty much can see it's an issue with the 8 speed across all their 8 speed cars and trucks and hasn't fixed the issue.

The worst I had and only happened a couple of times is I come to a red light but turns green before a full stop so hit the gas and it feels like the trans missed a gear and slams into gear and I feel it in my back and anyone else scares the **** out of them.
Surprised there hasn't been a recall or class action against over this.

Besides trans issue I love my truck but wtf FCA

This was terrifying in my Charger. At 500hp, as I mentioned in my earlier post, it literally feels like the bottom of the car was being ripped out. The fact that more people aren’t alarmed by this means it is expected. But yes, if you aren’t used to it, it can be a deal breaker. When I went from the old school transmissions in the original SRT to the 8 speed, I thought it was broken.


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