2022 Ram 3500 Problems

What owners report

Owners of this model year most often describe transmission failures that leave the truck without forward drive, frequently while towing and often with no warning. A second cluster involves engine and emissions-related complaints, including the diesel grid heater nut and diesel particulate filter regeneration problems. Many complaints describe the truck being at the dealer for weeks or months awaiting parts.

1. 1
   Transmission and drivetrain

   Transmission loss of forward gears (snap ring failure)

   • 99 complaints (52%)
   • median 16,500 mi at 1.6 yrs old (10 state mileage)
   • 1 mention a crash, fire or injury
   • filed 2021–2026

   Owners describe a loud clunk or bang, then a sudden loss of forward drive, sometimes with only reverse remaining and the check engine light on. Several say the truck was towing a trailer or camper at the time, and some report that the vehicle required towing to a dealer. According to complaints, dealers diagnosed internal transmission failures, including a snap ring or clutch pack issue, and ordered replacement transmissions or clutch kits; several owners report long waits for parts. Often reported under about 20,000 miles, frequently while towing or under load.

   Recall 22V8350002 related service bulletins

   What to check: Ask whether the transmission has been serviced or replaced and obtain any repair records. A test drive should include a loaded or uphill pull; note any clunk when shifting into drive.

   2 excerpts from owner complaints in NHTSA records

   “Vehicle shut down in the middle of a busy road would not go forward reverse dead in the water.. had to truck shut truck plumb down. Then finally got the truck to move. Took it into the dealership told me to transmission was completely gone had just over 2,000 miles on it. If I would have been pulling a heavy load this could have been a very deadly situation.”

   NHTSA complaint #11534371, filed 2023-07

   “On 4 different occasions when accelerating from a stop when we proceed forward slowly vehicle will rev up to 4500 RPM without any forward movement. After coasting to side of road we put vehicle in park and after a few minutes we put it in drive and it will run fine. We have not had any code lights appear or warning signs appear.”

   NHTSA complaint #11505032, filed 2023-02
2. 2
   Steering

   Steering loss or intermittent steering effort

   • 8 complaints (4%)
   • median 42,000 mi at 4.0 yrs old (5 state mileage, few)
   • filed 2023–2026

   Owners describe the steering wheel jerking or seizing, or steering that suddenly required much more effort, sometimes with a warning light. Complaints say dealers traced the problem to wiring harness connectors with water intrusion, or a faulty steering sensor or steering rack. One complaint describes a bolt that came loose from the steering linkage, and another describes a heated steering wheel that became extremely hot. Mostly reported between about 20,000 and 60,000 miles, at various speeds including during turns.

   Recall 25V765000

   What to check: During a test drive, turn at low speed and check for any binding, jerk or noise from the steering. Ask whether the steering column control module recall was completed.

   2 excerpts from owner complaints in NHTSA records

   “The contact owns a 2022 Ram Promaster 3500. The contact stated that while driving approximately 30 MPH while making a left turn, the steering wheel suddenly jerked to the left and the right. The EPS warning light illuminated. In addition, the contact stated that while in reverse, the steering wheel jerked and became firm. The local dealer was not contacted. The vehicle was not diagnosed or repaired. …”

   NHTSA complaint #11761284, filed 2026-09, 45,169 miles

   “The contact owns a 2022 Ram 3500. The contact stated that while driving at an undisclosed speed and attempting to accelerate, the electric power steering was not functioning properly, requiring an increased effort to maneuver the vehicle. The contact was able to pull over to the shoulder of the roadway, where the vehicle returned to normal functionality, but the failure became a regular occurrence. No warning lights were illuminated. …”

   NHTSA complaint #11680975, filed 2025-08, 20,000 miles
3. 3
   Engine

   Grid heater nut/bolt failure damaging engine

   Mentioned in 4 of 60 sampled complaints

   Owners report rattling or loud knocking and ticking sounds from the engine, sometimes with the check engine light on, on the Cummins diesel. Complaints describe a melted grid heater bolt or nut that fell into a cylinder, and one complaint mentions an engine bay fire with the ignition off. According to complaints, repairs involved piston and cylinder head work, and some owners waited long periods for parts. Reported from about 33,000 to over 130,000 miles, sometimes while towing.

   Recall 23V060000Recall 21V798000

   What to check: Ask whether the heater grid relay recall was completed and whether the grid heater hardware has been inspected or updated. Listen for knocking or ticking on a cold start.

   2 excerpts from owner complaints in NHTSA records

   “The contact owns a 2022 Ram 3500. The contact stated while driving 40-45 MPH and hauling a 14-ft loaded trailer, the engine made an abnormally loud knocking sound. The check engine warning light was illuminated. The contact was able to pull over to the side of the road. The vehicle failed to restart and was towed to the residence, where a mobile independent mechanic diagnosed that the grid heater nut had melted and entered cylinder #6. …”

   NHTSA complaint #11657841, filed 2025-04, 112,700 miles

   “The contact owns a 2022 Ram 3500. The contact stated that while driving at an undisclosed speed, the engine made abnormal knocking and ticking sounds. The knocking and ticking sounds became louder while accelerating. There was no warning light illuminated. The vehicle was taken to an independent mechanic, who determined that the piston had ingested the grid heater nut. The mechanic replaced the piston, cylinder head assembly, gaskets, rod, gasket intake, Hamilton flat tappet conversion kit, and XDP grid heater. …”

   NHTSA complaint #11731385, filed 2026-04, 88,745 miles
4. 4
   Fuel system

   Diesel particulate filter and regeneration problems

   Mentioned in 4 of 60 sampled complaints

   Owners describe frequent check engine lights and the truck entering limp mode, including while towing on the interstate, with codes indicating high regeneration frequency. Complaints state the diesel particulate filter has been replaced one or more times without a lasting fix, and some report the dealer could not offer further repair support. In one case the owner was told the system was not repairable. Reported at varying mileage, mostly in the tens of thousands of miles, often during towing or highway use.

   2 related service bulletins

   What to check: Ask for service records on emissions system repairs and any DPF replacement. Have a scan for stored codes and regeneration history done before purchase.

   2 excerpts from owner complaints in NHTSA records

   “I own this truck and have had issues with the exhaust regeneration process for about 6 months. I have taken it to the dealer 3 times and they have done diagnostics and replaced the diesel particulate filter, but the issue continues to happen. They have now told me that the system is not reparable and they don't have support from RAM manufacturer to troubleshoot and repair this issue. …”

   NHTSA complaint #11722490, filed 2026-03

   “My 2022 RAM 3500 has repeated failures of the diesel particulate filter (DPF) system. The truck enters limp mode unexpectedly, including while towing on the interstate, creating a serious safety hazard due to sudden loss of power. Since purchasing the vehicle, I have experienced ongoing issues with the emissions system, specifically related to the DPF. The check engine light comes on frequently, and diagnostic scans consistently show code P2459 (Diesel Particulate Filter Regeneration Frequency Too High). …”

   NHTSA complaint #11667995, filed 2025-06
5. 5
   Brakes

   ABS and stability control warnings

   • 8 complaints (4%)
   • median 37,000 mi at 1.0 yrs old (1 states mileage, few)
   • 1 mention a crash, fire or injury
   • filed 2023–2026

   Owners report ABS and traction control warnings that appear intermittently while driving, and in some cases a brake pedal that went to the floor. Complaints describe the dealer identifying the hydraulic control unit, and one describes a rear brake line that had come disconnected. One complaint notes the stability control, cruise control and braking functions disabling while driving. Reported from about 15,000 to 44,000 miles.

   Recall 24V415000Recall 22V140000

   What to check: Ask whether the ABS and stability control recalls were completed. Watch for warning lights during a test drive and check brake pedal feel.

   2 excerpts from owner complaints in NHTSA records

   “Started getting an alarm for abs and traction control alarm with 15000 miles, it would come and go every few thousand miles. Truck now has 44000 miles and the alarm has appeared twice in the past 4000 miles. This almost caused an accident as it disables the abs at any given time. The dealer says it is the Hydraulic Control Unit.”

   NHTSA complaint #11627002, filed 2024-11

   “Trailer brake controler will report not connected when it is connected correctly. Systemm was tested and everything on the trailer is working properly. system was working corretly and suddenly stopped when on the interstate. Have had multiple shops look at the issue and no one can locate the issue. The radio/infotanment system will also disconnect radomly. Both act like a wire is lose. disconnect then reconnect and disconnect and reconnect, over and over. …”

   NHTSA complaint #11649162, filed 2025-03

Buying note. Check the repair history carefully, especially for transmission work and emissions system repairs, and confirm that open recalls were performed. A test drive that includes towing or a loaded pull can help reveal the symptoms owners describe most.

Summary written with AI from a sample of 60 NHTSA complaints for this model year (picked at random, with complaints that state a mileage and recent ones taken first), then checked automatically against the source records. Where a problem shows a complaint count, every complaint for this model year was matched with fixed keyword rules (written with AI and tested against the sample), and the mileage, age and repair figures are calculated from those complaints; owners' figures are as stated, not verified. Other counts refer to the sample. The excerpts come from NHTSA's public complaint records and are unverified; capitalisation is normalised, NHTSA staff notes are removed, and shortened text ends with “…”. Something wrong? Request a correction.