NHTSA Probes into 2022 RAM Transmission Snap Ring Failure

[Diesel85]

RAM in the news again...

Well all know this is a small occurrence to have happen... otherwise this forum would be flooded with complaints.

Saw this in a news report:

https://www.reuters.com/business/au...ls-over-k1-snap-ring-transmission-2024-03-29/

Then investigated on the NHTSA website:

2022 RAM Transmission Snap Ring Failure

NHTSA Action Number: PE24009

Components POWER TRAIN

Opened From: March 27, 2024–Present

Summary

The Office of Defect Investigations (ODI) has received 82 complaints alleging loss of motive power due to an internal transmission failure of the K1 snap ring in model year 2022 Ram 3500, 4500, and 5500 vehicles. Of these complaints, 16 describe a complete loss of motive power at speeds greater than 25 miles per hour, without the ability for the vehicle to resume normal operation. The subject vehicles can be up-fit as an ambulance and other emergency response vehicle or may be heavily loaded when used for towing.

During the failure event, the snap ring becomes dislodged and forward gears 1-4 are no longer functional, potentially leaving the vehicle disabled in or near the roadway and/or negatively affect the emergency mission.

ODI contacted the manufacturer, FCA US, LLC d/b/a Stellantis North America (FCA), and learned that technical service bulletin (TSB) TSB-21-002-23 is related to the alleged defect condition. Additionally, FCA has conducted dynamometer and field testing and has explained to ODI that during the event a warning message will display to the operator, and gear 5 and reverse will remain available.

ODI is opening this Preliminary Evaluation (PE) to evaluate the severity of the potential problem and to fully assess the potential safety-related problems. To review the ODI reports cited in the Opening Resume ODI Report Identification Number document, go to NHTSA.gov.

 

[Ozymandias]

Insanity grows in many ways.
Next time it will be punctured tires from nails.
If every, even the most minor, technical defect that affects drive ability turns into an investigated recall - we won't be able to buy a new vehicle anymore. Because they will be so crazy expensive that we can't afford them without robbing bank first.

 

[matthewb]

Far from insanity. This investigation is two years overdue. I have been following this issue since its inception. I have personally spoken with over 300 individual owners who have experienced a K1 failure. I’ve documented every failure I’ve encountered and developed a spreadsheet with each trucks data. It took Ram a year to finally recognize this issue as serious enough to warrant proactive action and admit it affected a significant number of trucks. If one guy, in his spare time, can document 350+ k1 failures, there’s far more going on. It only took 82 reports for NHTSA to finally step up. Rams internal documents say “approximately 5,440 trucks are affected” but I think that number will be determined to be insufficient. I’ve had several trucks report in recently with k1 failures. None of them have received the CSN 71A notice, and their vin’s are not flagged internally by the Dealer Service network as impacted.
You can view my spreadsheet here: spreadsheet

 

[bcbender]

It seems the same argument here is loss of motive power, so not so indifferent than the argument for the CP4 pumps in that one can loose motive power suddenly and loose some of the ability to control the vehicle... (at least a T/M failure you still have power steering and power brakes available though). Im sure that those affected feel it is more an issue than those who are not, I know I was happy the CP4 was done even though I was not personally impacted by a failure.

 

[Diesel85]

Insanity grows in many ways.
Next time it will be punctured tires from nails.
If every, even the most minor, technical defect that affects drive ability turns into an investigated recall - we won't be able to buy a new vehicle anymore. Because they will be so crazy expensive that we can't afford them without robbing bank first.

Yes, insanity does.

I wonder how many recalls would be on my 2000 Dodge Dakota right now?

Sadly they'd probably classify the whole truck as a recall.

 

[Jim W]

I have to agree with OZI. The liberal left and for the most part the people in charge of several government agencies would have us all wrapped up like the BOY in the BUBBLE if they could.

I bet that my first new car a 1969, VW Bettle could not be sold in today's marketplace.

 

[Diesel85]

I have to agree with OZI. The liberal left and for the most part the people in charge of several government agencies would have us all wrapped up like the BOY in the BUBBLE if they could.

I bet that my first new car a 1969, VW Bettle could not be sold in today's marketplace.

Yep, that is what I was getting at. lol

@Ozymandias is 100% correct.

Like I said in my original post, for those that have the AISIN, especially in the 2022 model year, I would NOT be concerned. I just posted this info to keep people aware of what's in the news.

 

[Turbo Terry]

So as long as I get a recall before it happens so the dealer can fix it right.Under warranty or max care

 

[Timd32]

We all can check the VIN of out rigs, I thought it was really well.done, you can even schedule the work right from the link they send.

I did not see them hiding from this, but who knows someone had to be the first.

Mine is listed to be replaced. I'm really busy and not driving the truck, first world problems for sure. Would suck to have a rig that someone needed to pay the bills and get stuck.

But in my case they send notification that I missed, they have even called me up, but I don't answer my phone and VM is full all the time, but I give them credit for trying to take care of it.

 

[Turbo Terry]

Reminds me of the bad lift pumps and killer dowel pins back before recalls

 

[Turbo Terry]

They should have done recalls on those things but they didn’t care or bother

 

[Turbo Terry]

I’m not on the recall.

 

[Timd32]

So this one shifted to must have MIL or inoperable vehicle repair only.

I waited to do this, never had any issues towing either, was not in a hurry to have the trans all taken apart and just missed the window overall, I wanted to get it fixed this winter when drive time would be limited for me.

I finally checked today and it was no longer on the list if things to do for mine so I repullled the TSB.

After I made the online appointment for some other things (which is 5 full weeks out from today, first opening) I called and asked about this, it's still on my work order for them to check so will see what they say when they run the VIN with the shop computer.

My guess is they were not finding too many issues?

TSB: 21-051-24
REPAIR SUMMARY: **This bulletin involves replacing the K1 clutch and possibly the K1 input shaft drum sub-assembly. These repairs are to be performed only if the vehicle is inoperable due to K1 clutch failure. **

This bulletin supersedes Technical Service Bulletin (TSB) 21-002-23 REV. B, date of issue August 19, 2023, which should be removed from your files. All revisions are highlighted with **asterisks** and include an updated Cause, a new RSU number, an updated RSU statement, new and updated LOPs and times, an updated Repair Summary, updated Spare Parts table, updated Diagnosis section including a new note, and an updated Repair Procedure. Additionally a spare parts table was removed and not highlighted with asterisks.

**This Technical Service Bulletin (TSB) has also been released as a Rapid Service Update (RSU) 24-137, date of issue September 27, 2024. All applicable RSU VINs have been loaded. To verify this RSU service action is applicable to the vehicle, use VIP or perform a VIN search in DealerCONNECT/ Service Library. All repairs are reimbursable within the provisions of warranty.** REPAIR SUMMARY: **This bulletin involves replacing the K1 clutch and possibly the K1 input shaft drum sub-assembly. These repairs are to be performed only if the vehicle is inoperable due to K1 clutch failure. **

 

[AH64ID]

What happened is they were able to identify which trucks, with seemingly good accuracy, got the defective snap rings.

It was definitely a big deal that was ignored for too long by Ram. Some people had failed transmissions replaced with transmissions that didn’t make it home on the first drive.

Very low discussion of it on this forum, but this forum isn’t heavy with 19+ trucks or members like other forums I’m on. It also was specific to a portion of 22-23 trucks, all HO’s, but not all HO’s.

 

[Grumpy8811]

What happened is they were able to identify which trucks, with seemingly good accuracy, got the defective snap rings.

It was definitely a big deal that was ignored for too long by Ram. Some people had failed transmissions replaces with transmissions that didn’t make it home on the first drive.

Very low discussion of it on this forum, but this forum isn’t heavy with 19+ trucks or members like other forums I’m on. It also was specific to a portion of 22-23 trucks, all HO’s, but not all HO’s.

yeah, it is interesting how manufacturers can pinpoint certain things slipping thru the cracks down to a fairly narrow time and date range. Reality is it is only a big deal for the end user who just bought their brand new truck when the problem only exists on a small cross sections of vehicle
whereas someone else who may not be affected tries to make a Federal Case out of it.

 

[Timd32]

What happened is they were able to identify which trucks, with seemingly good accuracy, got the defective snap rings.

It was definitely a big deal that was ignored for too long by Ram. Some people had failed transmissions replaced with transmissions that didn’t make it home on the first drive.

Very low discussion of it on this forum, but this forum isn’t heavy with 19+ trucks or members like other forums I’m on. It also was specific to a portion of 22-23 trucks, all HO’s, but not all HO’s.

Thanks for the info as always.

Yeah I think mine was shipped Aug '22, I never really looked at my exact build date.