Are Dodge / Chrysler Transmissions Reliable?

We often get asked, “Are Dodge and Chrysler transmissions bad?” or “How reliable are Dodge and Chrysler transmissions?” We decided to get feedback from several Chrysler/Dodge experts to answer these questions, and here is what we found. Let’s look at several Dodge and Chrysler transmissions from 1960 to the present.

1960 to 2002

The TorqueFlite Chrysler A904 and A727 ( Torque-Command) transmissions were introduced in early 1960.

They were extremely reliable and bulletproof. They were installed in Dodge, Jeep, Chrysler cars, vans, trucks, and even race cars. These transmissions were used for over 40 years with slight modifications. They were reliable and had very few problems.

The TorqueFlite is considered one of the best Dodge/Chrysler transmissions. Several other manufacturers, such as Studebaker, American Motors, International Harvester, etc, used it.

Applications

• 1960 to 1976 170, 198, 225 slant-six
• 1964 to 1969 273 LA V8
• 1967 to 1978 318 LA V8
• 1975 to 1978 360 LA V8 with a two-barrel carburetor
• 1972 to 1977 AMC Hornet
• 1972 to 1978 AMC Gremlin, AMC Matador with six-cylinder engines
• 1976 to 1980 AMC Pacer
• 1978 to 1983 AMC Concord
• 1979 to 1983 AMC Spirit
• 1980 to 1983 Jeep CJ, AMC Eagle with GM Iron Duke engine
• 1983 to 1984 Jeep DJ-5M with AMC 2.5 L
• 1984 to 1986, 1994 to 2000 Jeep Cherokee (XJ) with GM 2.8 L LR2 V6, AMC 2.5 L I4
• 1986 Jeep Comanche (MJ) with GM 2.8 L V6, AMC 2.5 L I4
• 1994 to 1995 Jeep Wrangler (YJ) with a four-cylinder engine
• 1997 to 2002 Jeep Wrangler (TJ) with a four-cylinder engine
• 1984 to 1989 Chrysler M platform vehicles with AHB 318 4bbl police option (Dodge Diplomat, Plymouth Gran Fury)
• 1994 to 2003 Dodge Ram Van B150 with Magnum 3.9L V6 engine
• 1994 to 2003 Dodge Dakota with Magnum 3.9L V6 engine
• 1987 to 1995 Jeep Wrangler YJ with a 6-cylinder engine.
• 1997 to 2002 Jeep Wrangler TJ with a 6-cylinder engine.

1980 to 2003

As Chrysler moved into the eighties, they introduced the A518 or 46RH/46RE transmissions. These transmissions had several changes compared to the A-series transmissions. For example, they added a 4th overdrive gear.

Chrysler started utilizing electronics in the valve body, so these were not hydraulic-only transmissions. Overall, they are reliable and well built, like the A727.

Applications

• Dodge Ram pickup and vans 150/250/350 V8 and diesel engines (DGT)
• Dodge Ramcharger SUV 1988 to 1993 5.2L & 5.9L V8
• Jeep Grand Cherokee 1993 5.2L, 1998 5.9L
• 1996 Dodge Dakota V8 (Also 98-03 Dakota 5.9L R/T)
• 1998 to 2003 Dodge Durango 5.9L V8 (4WD or 2WD)
• 1998 to 2003 Dodge Dakota R/T
• 1994 to 1995 Dodge Ram 2500/3500 V8
• 1995 Dodge Dakota 5.2l magnum v-8
• 1995 Dodge Ram Van 2500 5.2L Magnum V8

1990 to 2010

In the 90s, Dodge / Chrysler introduced the A604 transmission. This is the Dodge / Chrysler transmission that had the most problems. They had many applications installed in cars, SUVs, and minivans from 1989 to 2010.

These light-duty transmissions were known to have issues or fail on vehicles with over 100,000 but, in some cases, even less. These transmissions were typically mounted in transverse and longitudinal setups. A few versions of this transmission, known as 41TE, the most common model. 41AE was used in all-wheel-drive minivans and SUVs, and 40TE was used mainly in four-cylinder cars.

Applications

• 1989 to 1993 Chrysler New Yorker
• 1989 to 1995 Chrysler LeBaron
• 1989 to 2007 Dodge Caravan (China 2008 to 2010)
• 1989 to 1993 Dodge Daytona IROC
• 1992 to 1993 Chrysler Daytona IROC (EU)
• 1989 to 1993 Dodge Dynasty
• 1989 to 1994 Dodge Shadow
• 1989 to 1994 Chrysler Saratoga (EU)
• 1989 to 1994 Plymouth Sundance
• 1989 to 1994 Dodge Spirit
• 1989 to 1994 Plymouth Acclaim
• 1989 to 2000 Plymouth Voyager
• 1990 to 1993 Chrysler Imperial
• 1990 to 1993 Chrysler New Yorker Fifth Avenue
• 1990 to 2010 Chrysler Town and Country
• 1992 to 1994 Plymouth Duster
• 1995 to 2000 Chrysler Cirrus
• 1995 to 2006 Chrysler Sebring
• 1995 to 2006 Chrysler Stratus (EU)
• 1995 to 2000 Dodge Avenger
• 1995 to 2006 Dodge Stratus
• 1995 to 2006 Chrysler Sebring (EU)
• 1996 to 2000 Plymouth Breeze
• 2000 to 2003 Chrysler Voyager (US)
• 1989 to 2007 Chrysler Voyager (intl.)
• 2001 to 2010 Chrysler PT Cruiser
• 2002 to 2003 Dodge Neon
• 2004 to 2008 Chrysler Pacifica
• 1995 to 1999 Mitsubishi Eclipse Non-turbo
• 2008 to 2010 Volga Siber
• 1991 to 2004 Chrysler Town and Country
• 1991 to 2004 Chrysler Voyager (intl.)
• 1991 to 2004 Dodge Caravan
• 1991 to 2000 Plymouth Voyager
• 2004 to 2008 Chrysler Pacifica
• 2003 to 2010 Chrysler PT Cruiser
• 2003 to 2006 Chrysler Sebring
• 2003 to 2007 Dodge Caravan
• 2003 to 2005 Dodge Neon
• 2003 to 2006 Dodge Stratus

2010-Present

The current Chrysler 8 and 9-speed automatics are built by the company ZF.

ZF is a company headquartered in Friedrichshafen, Germany, and supplies transmissions not only to Dodge and Chrysler but also to several other manufacturers, including BMW, Audi, Jaguar, Jeep, Lamborghini, Maserati, Land Rover, and Toyota, to name a few.

They are extremely reliable and well-built. They can handle high horsepower and torque loads and are more efficient than any other transmission Dodge/Chrysler manufactured in the past. Overall, the ZF 8HP transmission is known to go over 150,000 miles without major problems.

Applications  (ZF 8HP)

• Chrysler 300 V6 (2012+), V8 (2015+)
  • 3.6 (845RE)
  • 5.7 (8HP70)
• Dodge Challenger (2015+)
  • 3.6 (845RE)
  • 5.7, 6.4 (8HP70)
  • 6.2 (8HP90)
• Dodge Charger
  • 3.6, 2012+: 845RE
  • V8 (2015+; 5.7, 6.4 8HP70; 6.2 8HP90)
• Dodge Durango (2014+)
  • 3.6 (845RE 2014 to 2017, 850RE 2018+)
  • 5.7 (8HP70)

Conclusion

Contrary to what a few people believe, Dodge and Chrysler’s transmissions are reliable, except the A604 transmission. A Dodge / Chrysler transmission regularly serviced with fresh transmission fluid and filter can easily go over 150,000 miles. These transmissions can fail prematurely if the wrong transmission fluid type is used.

Using the OEM Chrysler Transmission fluid is important, and not using a substitute such as Dexron. Dexron doesn’t have the proper characteristics, so the clutches don’t apply and release in a way that the Transmission Control Module (TCM) expects. This leads to erratic shifting, which can reduce transmission life, and the vehicle owner may complain that the vehicle has developed hard shifts.

In rare cases, the Transmission Control Module (TCM) may place the transmission in “limp-in” or “emergency home” mode when it detects delayed shifting, hard shifts, and shifting at high RPMs in an attempt to limit further damage to the transmission.

If you want to buy a Dodge or Chrysler vehicle, ensure the transmission has been regularly serviced as the OEM recommends. Also, buying a used Dodge or Chrysler car, SUV, van, or pickup truck is worth considering purchasing a powertrain warranty through a third party.

List of Chrysler transmissions

• 1954 to 1961 PowerFlite: 2-speed automatic
• 1956 to 2007 TorqueFlite
  • 1956 to 1961 A488: 3-speed automatic
  • 1962 to 1994 A727 (36RH/37RH): 3-speed automatic
  • 1960 to 2002 A904 (30RH): 3-speed automatic
  • A998/A999 (31RH/32RH): 3-speed automatic
  • 1988 to 2004 A500 (40RH/42RH/40RE/42RE/44RE): 4-speed automatic
  • 1992 to 2003 A518 (46RH/46RE): 4-speed automatic
  • 1994 to 2003 A618 (47RH/47RE): 4-speed heavy-duty automatic
  • 2003 to 2007 A818 (48RE): 4-speed heavy-duty automatic
• 1978 to 1983 A404: 3-speed front-wheel-drive transaxle
  • 1981 to 2001 A413 (31TH)
  • 1981 to 1987 A470
  • 1987 to 2000 A670
• 1989 to present Ultradrive
  • 1989 to 2010 A604 (40TE/41TE): 4-speed transverse front-wheel-drive automatic
  • 1991 to 2004 A604 (41AE): 4-speed transverse all-wheel-drive automatic
  • 1993 to 2004 A606 (42LE): 4-speed longitudinal front-wheel-drive automatic
  • 2003 to 2012 42RLE: 4-speed longitudinal rear-wheel drive automatic
  • 2007 to present 40TES/41TES: 4-speed transverse front-wheel-drive automatic
  • 2007 to present 62TE: 6-speed transverse front-wheel-drive automatic
  • 2007 to present 62TEA: 6-speed transverse all-wheel-drive automatic
• 1999 to present RFE: longitudinal rear-wheel drive
  • 1999 to 2003 45RFE: 4-speed (5 gear) Automatic
  • 2001 to 2011 545RFE: 5-speed (6 gear) Automatic
  • 2012 to 2017 65RFE: 6-speed automatic
  • 2012 to present 66RFE: 6-speed heavy-duty automatic
  • 2007 to present 68RFE: 6-speed heavy-duty automatic
  • 2005 to 2019 Chrysler W5A580, 5-speed automatic. This was a Chrysler adaptation of the  Mercedes-Benz 5G-Tronic 722.6, which was first labeled as the NAG1. Found in the 300, Magnum, Charger, Challenger, Wrangler, and some Dodge Ram pickups, the A580 was last used in the 2019 Dodge Charger Pursuit models.

• ZF 8HP (also branded as TorqueFlite 8 by Chrysler): 8-speed longitudinal
  • 8HP45 (replaced by 845RE)
    • 2011 to 2013 Chrysler 300 V6
    • 2011 to 2013 Dodge Charger (LD) V6 Retail
    • 2013 Ram 1500 (3.6L V6)
  • 845RE (Chrysler-built version of 8HP45)
    • 2013 to present Chrysler 300 V6
    • 2013 to present Dodge Charger (LD) V6 Retail through 2019, including Pursuit beginning in 2020
    • 2014 to present Dodge Durango V6
    • 2015 to present Dodge Challenger V6
    • 2014 to present Ram 1500 (3.6L V6)
    • 2014 to 2016 Jeep Grand Cherokee (WK2) (3.6L V6)
  • 850RE (Chrysler-built version of 8HP50)
    • 2017 to present Jeep Grand Cherokee (WK2) (3.6L V6)
    • 2018 to present Jeep Wrangler (JL)
  • 8HP70
    • 2013 to present Ram 1500 (5.7L V8, 3.0L V6 diesel)
    • 2014 to present Dodge Durango V8 Retail
    • 2015 to present Dodge Charger (5.7L & 6.4L V8) Retail, Pursuit models beginning in 2020
    • 2015 to present Dodge Challenger (5.7L & 6.4L V8)
    • 2014 to present Jeep Grand Cherokee (WK2) (5.7L & 6.4L V8, 3.0L V6 diesel)
    • 2015 to present Chrysler 300 V8
  • 8HP90
    • 2015 to present Dodge Challenger (6.2L V8 s/c)
    • 2015 to present Dodge Charger (LX) (6.2L V8 s/c)
  • 8HP95
    • 2018 to present Jeep Grand Cherokee (WK2) (6.2L V8 s/c)
• ZF 9HP: 9-speed transverse
  • 9HP48
    • 2015 to 2017 Chrysler 200 (3.6L V6)
    • 2017 to present Jeep Compass
  • 948TE (Chrysler-built version of 9HP48)
    • 2014 to present Jeep Cherokee (KL)
    • 2014 to present Jeep Renegade
    • 2015 to 2017 Chrysler 200 (2.4L)
    • 2015 to present Ram ProMaster City
    • 2017 to present Chrysler Pacifica

Check these troubleshooting and repair guides for more help on your Dodge / Chrysler.

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