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Transmission Shifting


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Hello All!

At the end of April we just purchased my first Dodge ever, a 2015 DJ SXT at 15000 (now at 19k) miles with the 3.6L and 6 speed and so far I have been very impressed with this vehicle.

Unfortunately I have not been too impressed by how the transmission shifts.

It seems to take forever for 4th gear to fully engage, and when it does the car shudders a little.

Also when shifting from 4th to 5th and 5th to 6th the RPM's on the tach increase by approximately 500. It is enough to hear the engine speed up, almost like keeping slight pressure on the throttle when pushing in the clutch (if it was a manual).

My in-laws own a 2015 Chrysler T&C with the 3.6L and 6 speed, and the other day I was able to drive it and noticed that vehicle did something similar as my DJ when shifting into 4th and the slight increase in RPM's when shifting from 4th to 5th (did not notice it in 5th to 6th).

I have never driven another vehicle that shifted like this one, and wondered if it is a "feature" of this transmission or do I have problems brewing?

Looking forward to hearing from the community!

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Reflashing the transmission brings it back to factory specs. It will then "learn" your driving habits and shift accordingly. The previous owner probably drove it differently than you. I purchased mine new, and have never had an issue. Usually, I can not feel it shift.

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  • Official Dodge Support

Hello All!

At the end of April we just purchased my first Dodge ever, a 2015 DJ SXT at 15000 (now at 19k) miles with the 3.6L and 6 speed and so far I have been very impressed with this vehicle.

Unfortunately I have not been too impressed by how the transmission shifts.

It seems to take forever for 4th gear to fully engage, and when it does the car shudders a little.

Also when shifting from 4th to 5th and 5th to 6th the RPM's on the tach increase by approximately 500. It is enough to hear the engine speed up, almost like keeping slight pressure on the throttle when pushing in the clutch (if it was a manual).

My in-laws own a 2015 Chrysler T&C with the 3.6L and 6 speed, and the other day I was able to drive it and noticed that vehicle did something similar as my DJ when shifting into 4th and the slight increase in RPM's when shifting from 4th to 5th (did not notice it in 5th to 6th).

I have never driven another vehicle that shifted like this one, and wondered if it is a "feature" of this transmission or do I have problems brewing?

Looking forward to hearing from the community!

Hi nnngn_zero,

While your Journey was at the dealership, were you able to do a ride along or replicate the shifting concern for the service advisor or tech? Those can be really helpful in determining what they may need to do to fix the problem.

Kori

Dodge Social Care Specialist

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Kori,

There is no need to worry about the service advisor/tech not being able to observe the condition.

It does it every single time.

I have not been officially told by the dealer "this is normal for these transmissions and there is nothing wrong with it"

I will drive it a while to see if it can re-learn how to shift properly, but I plan on taking it back.

Edited by nnngn_zero
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  • 4 months later...

I find mine slams into gear when you go from park to drive.  If you didnt have the brakes fully engaged it would probably jerk forward when doing so.  Thats both when the trans is warm and cold.  Other than that it shifts normally.

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On 7/12/2016 at 0:54 PM, nnngn_zero said:

Kori,

There is no need to worry about the service advisor/tech not being able to observe the condition.

It does it every single time.

I have not been officially told by the dealer "this is normal for these transmissions and there is nothing wrong with it"

I will drive it a while to see if it can re-learn how to shift properly, but I plan on taking it back.

i would ride with the service tech in your journey and point out what it is doing then go back to the lot and pick out one of the other NEW journey and both of you go for a drive and see if it is shifting different. i have never really felt what you describe, i have had the bang or jolt going into forward or reverse a few times or a few times were the trans was trying to decide which gear it wanted  but no big deal or very often. 70 k on my 2011 and now have a 2014 with 52k on it. love my journey.....

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  • 2 years later...

Sounds like what I've been going through: 

 

Still happens...I've decided to live with it for now as anywhere I take it want to blame the wheels for the shimmy and highway vehicle body vibration even though I've had three different types of tires and brands...As well as new rims.  The first place I took it to balanced the wheels and tires to perfect 0's (static balancing).  Still vibrated...New tires + new rims road force balanced, still vibration.  It all starts when the car shifts into 4th or 5th gear and ramps up the faster I go with no leveling off.  I'm thinking something with transmission, motor mounts or wheel hubs.  Unfortunately, they won't look at it anymore as they said that they've done all they could and don't want to keep throwing parts at it.  Anywhere else I take it wants to charge me to re-balance and seem to get stuck on it being a wheel/balance issue.  As for the harsh shifts in 2nd and 3rd gears, been told this is normal.

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sorry yu are having problems BUT i never had any hard shifts in 2nd or 3rd and havent really heard any one complain of that, yes from neutral to first  yes sometimes a small thunk or bump but that has been documented as a normal problem for some journey owners has happened to mine a few times has been a long time since it has happened... good luck on what you find out,,,,,,,,, this might be why the former owner got rid of it.....

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