Ram Promaster Forum banner
1 - 20 of 26 Posts

· Registered
Joined
·
10 Posts
Discussion Starter · #1 ·
Hello

My 2021 Promaster with 50,000 miles seems to have had a catastrophic transmission failure. Dealer says it won't be covered by warranty because they found water in the transmission (more on that below if you're interested.). I'm now trying to source my own transmission and mechanic to get me back up and running. I'm not an expert and am trying to learn on the fly how to make this all work. Any tips or insight would be greatly appreciated.

Longer version: Van was shifting a little rough, usually from first to second. Nothing major. No engine lights. At one point, I stopped at an intersection and the van slipped into neutral and would not go back into drive until I restarted. Decided it was time to take it to dealer. Van is still running at this point, still sometimes doesn't shift smooth.

Dealer takes a look, calls me later and says tech found water in the sealed transmission and this will void the warranty. Repair will cost over $3000. Vehicle has never been near any kind of serious water, other than rain. My wife and I converted it into a camper and have lived in it for two years. No serious water encountered ever.

I visit the dealer and explain my confusion. They say can't help you, but our earlier estimate was wrong. Cost wo repair will actually be $8000. I decide to take the vehicle and figure out my next step. However, they report that the vehicle now won't move. I'm unhappy, of course. The worst thing is that when my son and law and I were looking at the vehicle before they gave me this news, we found some sort of 3 foot hose, damaged, under the van and wrapped against the axle. I asked what it was and the manager said tech probably didn't connect it knowing he'd just have to connect it again during the repair. I left the cable on the engine and asked to have it replaced.

End result, I had to have the vehicle towed from the dealership. I basically paid $200 to them to turn it into a brick. When I opened the hood I found the damaged hose from before just sitting on the engine, despite them saying the van had been restored to the same condition it was when they received it (excluding it no longer moving, of course)

Anyway, sorry, this was just a bunch of venting. At this point I just feel like I'm going to have to eat the cost and hope I can get the van back on the road without too much more heartache. Thanks for any thoughts or advice.
 

· Registered
Joined
·
10 Posts
Discussion Starter · #4 ·
Deale is probably full of ****! Time to escalate it to corporate. See other threads here about this very problem
I'm with you. I actually used a thread from this forum to try and get someone to look deeper into the situation at the dealer and at Ram. No luck so far. I feel more like a $ and less like a human every time I interact with these guys.
 

· Super Moderator
2018 136" HR
Joined
·
1,322 Posts
Maybe try another dealer and I don't believe the water in the transmission BS but it might be possible. you can check your transmission fluid following this video:

and if there is water, it should look like strawberry shake:
 

· Registered
Joined
·
10 Posts
Discussion Starter · #6 ·
Maybe try another dealer and I don't believe the water in the transmission BS but it might be possible. you can check your transmission fluid following this video:

and if there is water, it should look like strawberry shake:
Thanks for the info. I'm going to check the fluid color. The dealer told me that even if I took it to another dealer the online notes associated with the van would indicate water in the transmission and no one else would be able to alter that diagnosis. Not sure about the truth of that...
 

· Registered
Joined
·
778 Posts
Thanks for the info. I'm going to check the fluid color. The dealer told me that even if I took it to another dealer the online notes associated with the van would indicate water in the transmission and no one else would be able to alter that diagnosis. Not sure about the truth of that...
This is all crap, your weren't born yester were ya? ""no one would be able to alter the diagnosis once its in the computer system...""

If some guy behind a desk said that to me Id make him eat those words.

So what happens when a mechanic makes a bad diagnosis? uh, doh, its in the computer system can't do anything...

jerk me once, twice, cmon, go get your van diagnosed properly.
 

· Registered
2022 159" Window
Joined
·
508 Posts
Don't let anyone else (non dealer) work on it and give them an out. First step is @RamCares. Like I said in the other thread either the van has evidence if being under water and should be totaled by the insurance company, or Ram needs to warranty their defective vehicle in accordance with the law.

Don't let them get over on you. If the vehicle was under water there will be evidence. I would guess the waterfall from the cowl that took 8 years to acknowledge managed to get a pint of water in the trans over the years. Even more likely is that the 62TE is doing 62TE things and they are just trying to get out of paying for it.

I went through this with Ram on our pickup. Two things #1 the tailgate fell open on the travel trailer hitch. This isolated thing that they had never heard of before was part of a national recall. I let it go and then they managed to damage the tailgate even more preforming the recall by denting the tailgate from the inside making an "outie." #2 The exhaust manifolds leaked. This problem that happened twice in 40,000 miles was so rare and unheard of that my local small town dealer had the manifolds, gaskets, and hardware on the shelf in the parts department.

I hate letting them touch the van but when you need warranty and have to drag a lawyer into it or lemon law the van to get them to do anything it really helps when you take it to the dealer every 6 months and ask for "All recommended manufacturer inspections and maintenance" on the repair order so that they don't have an out because like you have seen, they are going to push it as far as they can.
 

· Registered
Joined
·
10 Posts
Discussion Starter · #9 ·
Don't let anyone else (non dealer) work on it and give them an out. First step is @RamCares. Like I said in the other thread either the van has evidence if being under water and should be totaled by the insurance company, or Ram needs to warranty their defective vehicle in accordance with the law.

Don't let them get over on you. If the vehicle was under water there will be evidence. I would guess the waterfall from the cowl that took 8 years to acknowledge managed to get a pint of water in the trans over the years. Even more likely is that the 62TE is doing 62TE things and they are just trying to get out of paying for it.

I went through this with Ram on our pickup. Two things #1 the tailgate fell open on the travel trailer hitch. This isolated thing that they had never heard of before was part of a national recall. I let it go and then they managed to damage the tailgate even more preforming the recall by denting the tailgate from the inside making an "outie." #2 The exhaust manifolds leaked. This problem that happened twice in 40,000 miles was so rare and unheard of that my local small town dealer had the manifolds, gaskets, and hardware on the shelf in the parts department.

I hate letting them touch the van but when you need warranty and have to drag a lawyer into it or lemon law the van to get them to do anything it really helps when you take it to the dealer every 6 months and ask for "All recommended manufacturer inspections and maintenance" on the repair order so that they don't have an out because like you have seen, they are going to push it as far as they can.
Thanks for the advice. I'm going to hold off on any repairs until I've tried to push a little harder for a response. I've started with Ram Cares. They don't seem to at the moment, but I'm going to pursue other angles.
 

· Registered
Joined
·
911 Posts
Hello

My 2021 Promaster with 50,000 miles seems to have had a catastrophic transmission failure. Dealer says it won't be covered by warranty because they found water in the transmission (more on that below if you're interested.). I'm now trying to source my own transmission and mechanic to get me back up and running. I'm not an expert and am trying to learn on the fly how to make this all work. Any tips or insight would be greatly appreciated.

Longer version: Van was shifting a little rough, usually from first to second. Nothing major. No engine lights. At one point, I stopped at an intersection and the van slipped into neutral and would not go back into drive until I restarted. Decided it was time to take it to dealer. Van is still running at this point, still sometimes doesn't shift smooth.

Dealer takes a look, calls me later and says tech found water in the sealed transmission and this will void the warranty. Repair will cost over $3000. Vehicle has never been near any kind of serious water, other than rain. My wife and I converted it into a camper and have lived in it for two years. No serious water encountered ever.

I visit the dealer and explain my confusion. They say can't help you, but our earlier estimate was wrong. Cost wo repair will actually be $8000. I decide to take the vehicle and figure out my next step. However, they report that the vehicle now won't move. I'm unhappy, of course. The worst thing is that when my son and law and I were looking at the vehicle before they gave me this news, we found some sort of 3 foot hose, damaged, under the van and wrapped against the axle. I asked what it was and the manager said tech probably didn't connect it knowing he'd just have to connect it again during the repair. I left the cable on the engine and asked to have it replaced.

End result, I had to have the vehicle towed from the dealership. I basically paid $200 to them to turn it into a brick. When I opened the hood I found the damaged hose from before just sitting on the engine, despite them saying the van had been restored to the same condition it was when they received it (excluding it no longer moving, of course)

Anyway, sorry, this was just a bunch of venting. At this point I just feel like I'm going to have to eat the cost and hope I can get the van back on the road without too much more heartache. Thanks for any thoughts or advice.
Source your own transmission, have a reputable tranny shop inspect yours when it's out on the bench , if dealership lied and no water inside , you've got good grounds to file a claim for reimbursement.
 

· Registered
Joined
·
213 Posts
Don't let anyone else (non dealer) work on it and give them an out. First step is @RamCares. Like I said in the other thread either the van has evidence if being under water and should be totaled by the insurance company, or Ram needs to warranty their defective vehicle in accordance with the law.

Don't let them get over on you. If the vehicle was under water there will be evidence. I would guess the waterfall from the cowl that took 8 years to acknowledge managed to get a pint of water in the trans over the years. Even more likely is that the 62TE is doing 62TE things and they are just trying to get out of paying for it.

I went through this with Ram on our pickup. Two things #1 the tailgate fell open on the travel trailer hitch. This isolated thing that they had never heard of before was part of a national recall. I let it go and then they managed to damage the tailgate even more preforming the recall by denting the tailgate from the inside making an "outie." #2 The exhaust manifolds leaked. This problem that happened twice in 40,000 miles was so rare and unheard of that my local small town dealer had the manifolds, gaskets, and hardware on the shelf in the parts department.

I hate letting them touch the van but when you need warranty and have to drag a lawyer into it or lemon law the van to get them to do anything it really helps when you take it to the dealer every 6 months and ask for "All recommended manufacturer inspections and maintenance" on the repair order so that they don't have an out because like you have seen, they are going to push it as far as they can.
Hey there,

We appreciate being tagged in this as it is the best way to get our attention.

We've love to hear more about what happened and how we can assist. Please send us a direct message!

Callie
Ram Cares
 
  • Like
Reactions: Jcsterno

· Registered
Joined
·
10 Posts
Discussion Starter · #12 ·
Source your own transmission, have a reputable tranny shop inspect yours when it's out on the bench , if dealership lied and no water inside , you've got good grounds to file a claim for reimbursement.
Thanks. If I can't get any traction with Ram this seems like my best course of action.
Hey there,

We appreciate being tagged in this as it is the best way to get our attention.

We've love to hear more about what happened and how we can assist. Please send us a direct message!

Callie
Ram Cares
Hi Callie. Thanks! I appreciate this. I've been in contact with Ram Cares, but have not made much headway. The front line people I've talked to have been great. However, I was told that someone would work on my case. I called in every couple of days and was told someone would call back. Eventually someone looked closer and said my case has been "kicked down" a couple of times.
Hey there,

We appreciate being tagged in this as it is the best way to get our attention.

We've love to hear more about what happened and how we can assist. Please send us a direct message!

Callie
Ram Cares
Hi Callie. Thanks! I appreciate this. I have been in touch with Ram Cares. However, I have not had luck reaching anyone that can discuss my situation in detail. The front line folks have been great. I kept calling trying to get an update on my case. I was told a technician would call back. However, over the course of a week no one contacted me. Eventually
Hey there,

We appreciate being tagged in this as it is the best way to get our attention.

We've love to hear more about what happened and how we can assist. Please send us a direct message!

Callie
Ram Cares
Hey there,

We appreciate being tagged in this as it is the best way to get our attention.

We've love to hear more about what happened and how we can assist. Please send us a direct message!

Callie
Ram Cares
Hi Callie. Thank you! I've started a conversation. I appreciate the chance to talk about this.
 

· Registered
2017 Promaster 2500 conversion
Joined
·
52 Posts
Are you the 1st owner of the van? My engine hatched at 601500 miles and was asking the local dealership for a good faith repair because my failure was due to the head issue they are notorious for.
They wouldn't even consider good faith since I was the 2nd owner.
The dealership said it was caused by and air pocket in the coolant I check the oil and coolant every morning before we would take off down the road. Was the coolant low after the engine hatched well duh.
It had a #2 cylinder misfire error code in its memory.
I got no help from the dealership they were trying to sell me a used engine with 120k miles "because no new ones were available"
I had to find and engine and I ordered one engine with a 100k mile warranty and had it shipped to them.
I wish you luck finding help from Corporate or the dealership!
 

· Registered
Joined
·
10 Posts
Discussion Starter · #15 ·
Are you the 1st owner of the van? My engine hatched at 601500 miles and was asking the local dealership for a good faith repair because my failure was due to the head issue they are notorious for.
They wouldn't even consider good faith since I was the 2nd owner.
The dealership said it was caused by and air pocket in the coolant I check the oil and coolant every morning before we would take off down the road. Was the coolant low after the engine hatched well duh.
It had a #2 cylinder misfire error code in its memory.
I got no help from the dealership they were trying to sell me a used engine with 120k miles "because no new ones were available"
I had to find and engine and I ordered one engine with a 100k mile warranty and had it shipped to them.
I wish you luck finding help from Corporate or the dealership!
I am the first owner. Thanks for your info and encouragement. Right now, someone at @RamCares is looking deeper into the situation. They've made clear that nothing may change, but at least someone is listening and investigating.
 

· Premium Member
2021 3500 Extended
Joined
·
1,049 Posts
Are you the 1st owner of the van? My engine hatched at 601500 miles and was asking the local dealership for a good faith repair because my failure was due to the head issue they are notorious for.
They wouldn't even consider good faith since I was the 2nd owner.
The dealership said it was caused by and air pocket in the coolant I check the oil and coolant every morning before we would take off down the road. Was the coolant low after the engine hatched well duh.
It had a #2 cylinder misfire error code in its memory.
I got no help from the dealership they were trying to sell me a used engine with 120k miles "because no new ones were available"
I had to find and engine and I ordered one engine with a 100k mile warranty and had it shipped to them.
I wish you luck finding help from Corporate or the dealership!
601,500 miles???
 
1 - 20 of 26 Posts
Top