Harsh downshifting

[Bad Seed]

Picked up my 2018 Ram 1500 in November with 21k miles. Around the end of December I starting noticing the bump when coming to a stop. In January, I started having hard downshifts from gear 4-1. I took my truck to the dealership Thursday (2/6) for the issues. They installed a new valve body in the transmission along with a new driveshaft and pinion seal due to it leaking. I picked my truck up Tuesday (2/11) and the downshift issue is now worse but isolated to 2-1. Took the truck back today and now they are ordering a new transmission. I hope this does the trick. This is my first Ram and I really like it.

 

[FriedDumpling]

Picked up my 2018 Ram 1500 in November with 21k miles. Around the end of December I starting noticing the bump when coming to a stop. In January, I started having hard downshifts from 4-1. I took my truck to the dealership Thursday (2/6) for the issues. They installed a new valve body in the transmission along with a new driveshaft and pinion seal due to it leaking. I picked my truck up Tuesday (2/11) and the downshift issue is now worse but isolated to 2-1. Took the truck back today and now they are ordering a new transmission.
View attachment 194949

There’s a ton on the forum, and this known to many RAM owners. They did the right thing regarding the valve body (had mine done too). Have them check and flash the PCM and TCM, and put the vehicle in a learning mode.

Odds are this will not resolve the issues over the long haul. Try decelerating easier, stepping on the brake like you have an egg under your foot to avoid abrupt downshift. You can also turn off the MDS which some claim also helps.

Other then that, mine has been reduced over time and learning the nuances around the truck and adjusting drive style.

Frustrating, but widely known.


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[Bad Seed]

There’s a ton on the forum, and this known to many RAM owners. They did the right thing regarding the valve body (had mine done too). Have them check and flash the PCM and TCM, and put the vehicle in a learning mode.

Odds are this will not resolve the issues over the long haul. Try decelerating easier, stepping on the brake like you have an egg under your foot to avoid abrupt downshift. You can also turn off the MDS which some claim also helps.

Other then that, mine has been reduced over time and learning the nuances around the truck and adjusting drive style.

Frustrating, but widely known.


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Here's the part that I don't understand. The 2017 that I test drove didn't have any of the issues that mine is having. The 2019 Warlock the dealer put me in as a loaner or our company 2019 slt doesn't shift like mine. All 3 of the ones I have driven shift normal both up and down. The dealer stated that they updated the software.

 

[FriedDumpling]

Here's the part that I don't understand. The 2017 that I test drove didn't have any of the issues that mine is having. The 2019 Warlock the dealer put me in as a loaner or our company 2019 slt doesn't shift like mine. All 3 of the ones I have driven shift normal both up and down. The dealer stated that they updated the software.

Well, there’s enough of them out there that’s it’s pretty widely known. That’s how your dealer knew to service the valve body. Standard Operating Procedure. It sucks. Was so struck when I noticed it, that I described it as someone dripping a bottle of water behind me, like WTF was that?

Some people also talk about the sloppy upshift when the vehicle is cold.

Ask them to put it into learning mode, you may be able to train it out of the vehicle - but I couldn’t.

I do know from my dealer that it’s not really harmful, but more of a nuisance. I expected more, but here I am.


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[Bad Seed]

Well, there’s enough of them out there that’s it’s pretty widely known. That’s how your dealer knew to service the valve body. Standard Operating Procedure. It sucks. Was so struck when I noticed it, that I described it as someone dripping a bottle of water behind me, like WTF was that?

Some people also talk about the sloppy upshift when the vehicle is cold.

Ask them to put it into learning mode, you may be able to train it out of the vehicle - but I couldn’t.

I do know from my dealer that it’s not really harmful, but more of a nuisance. I expected more, but here I am.


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My downshift are hard and loud. Like nasty shifts. Almost reminds me of an old school shift kit.

 

[FriedDumpling]

My downshift are hard and loud. Like nasty shifts. Almost reminds me of an old school shift kit.

If it’s as abrupt as you describe, I’d urge you to take it back to the dealer and perhaps your issue is not the same.


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[Bad Seed]

If it’s as abrupt as you describe, I’d urge you to take it back to the dealer and perhaps your issue is not the same.


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I had it there today and they are ordering a transmission.

 

[speedinsteve]

Picked up my 2018 Ram 1500 in November with 21k miles. Around the end of December I starting noticing the bump when coming to a stop. In January, I started having hard downshifts from gear 4-1. I took my truck to the dealership Thursday (2/6) for the issues. They installed a new valve body in the transmission along with a new driveshaft and pinion seal due to it leaking. I picked my truck up Tuesday (2/11) and the downshift issue is now worse but isolated to 2-1. Took the truck back today and now they are ordering a new transmission. I hope this does the trick. This is my first Ram and I really like it.
View attachment 194949

Been having the same issue with my 16' for more than a year. Had it back more than 5 times and they kept resetting/flashing and it goes right back to where it was. They replaced the valve body, and that did nothing. I filed a complaint with FCA and was told last week that a new software update is almost ready. Not sure if I believe that BS, but I'm at their mercy right now. Driving in this morning I downshifted it manually with the steering wheel buttons, and it shifts smoothly from 2-1 with no bump. I hope the supposed software update does the trick.

 

[hawsk99gt]

I had the same problem on my ‘16 for about a year, then last month it did a hard shift as I was accelerating from my work parking space and finally the engine light kicked on. Thank God! Because the dealer finally took me serious. It took a week before the dealer finally told me that I was getting a whole new transmission. 2 weeks later new transmission was installed and it’s been running normal for the last month. They said that was the fix and it is a known problem. Luckily I paid extra for the 100k warranty which was covered.

 

[speedinsteve]

I had the same problem on my ‘16 for about a year, then last month it did a hard shift as I was accelerating from my work parking space and finally the engine light kicked on. Thank God! Because the dealer finally took me serious. It took a week before the dealer finally told me that I was getting a whole new transmission. 2 weeks later new transmission was installed and it’s been running normal for the last month. They said that was the fix and it is a known problem. Luckily I paid extra for the 100k warranty which was covered.

Hmm.
Well FCA contacted me Friday and they gave me a new TSB # for the software upgrade. (21-010-20).
I’m scheduling an appointment next week and we’ll see what happens.
I drove it all last week in Tow/haul mode and it doesn’t bump downshifting.
What is the name of the dealership where you took it?

 

[Bad Seed]

My transmission is at the dealer and now I am waiting for my appointment this week to drop it off.

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[speedinsteve]

My transmission is at the dealer and now I am waiting for my appointment this week to drop it off.

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What is the name of your dealership? If you don't want to say, that's OK.

 

[kissfan4]

Hmm.
Well FCA contacted me Friday and they gave me a new TSB # for the software upgrade. (21-010-20).
I’m scheduling an appointment next week and we’ll see what happens.
I drove it all last week in Tow/haul mode and it doesn’t bump downshifting.
What is the name of the dealership where you took it?

Just picked up my truck from the dealer, they updated the software "21-010-20" didnt get a whole lot of stop and go driving on the way home, but the little bit I did was much smoother. We shall see if this lasts!!!

 

[speedinsteve]

Just picked up my truck from the dealer, they updated the software "21-010-20" didnt get a whole lot of stop and go driving on the way home, but the little bit I did was much smoother. We shall see if this lasts!!!

Just picked mine up from having the 21-010-20 TSB and it seems to be slightly better, but we'll see if it lasts. Every time I took it in before and they re-flashed it, the truck shifted better for a day or two then it was right back doing the same thing. I wonder if they really did a new program update, or made up some ******** number, re-flashed the truck and said they did something new. My factory warranty is up in about a 1,000 miles and I keep thinking they're giving me the runaround till the warranty runs out.

 

[kissfan4]

Just picked mine up from having the 21-010-20 TSB and it seems to be slightly better, but we'll see if it lasts. Every time I took it in before and they re-flashed it, the truck shifted better for a day or two then it was right back doing the same thing. I wonder if they really did a new program update, or made up some ******** number, re-flashed the truck and said they did something new. My factory warranty is up in about a 1,000 miles and I keep thinking they're giving me the runaround till the warranty runs out.

Mine is up in 3,000 miles.

 

[RamCares]

Hmm.
Well FCA contacted me Friday and they gave me a new TSB # for the software upgrade. (21-010-20).
I’m scheduling an appointment next week and we’ll see what happens.
I drove it all last week in Tow/haul mode and it doesn’t bump downshifting.
What is the name of the dealership where you took it?

My transmission is at the dealer and now I am waiting for my appointment this week to drop it off.

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Just picked up my truck from the dealer, they updated the software "21-010-20" didnt get a whole lot of stop and go driving on the way home, but the little bit I did was much smoother. We shall see if this lasts!!!

Hi all,

Please be sure to keep us posted as you continue to monitor this. If you find yourself having to work with your dealer again, our team here is a private message away and we are more than happy to get you connected with case specialists who can work alongside your dealers to explore all potential solutions.

Mark
RamCares

 

[Bad Seed]

Dropped het off last night and got a 19 Challenger as a rental. Advisor said I should have it back in a couple of days. I am hopeful that this fixes the issues I am having. I've got 10k left on my factory warranty and 34k on the powertrain.

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[Bad Seed]

What is the name of your dealership? If you don't want to say, that's OK.

Landers Mclarty DCJR

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[RamCares]

Dropped het off last night and got a 19 Challenger as a rental. Advisor said I should have it back in a couple of days. I am hopeful that this fixes the issues I am having. I've got 10k left on my factory warranty and 34k on the powertrain.

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Hi Bad Seed, thank you for following up to provide this update. I'm glad to hear that you are working with your dealer on this. Please feel free to keep us updated regarding your situation. If we can be of any additional support while your vehicle is in service, we are just a PM away.
Rob
RamCares

 

[Bad Seed]

So far no update. Dealership still has my truck. May have it back today.

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