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Chrysler 545RFE Transmission Life Expectancy
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Author:  MIdzzl [ Tue Mar 06, 2012 8:40 pm ]
Post subject:  Chrysler 545RFE Transmission Life Expectancy
Question for the CRD owners out there. I have an 05 Liberty CRD with 126000 miles. It still runs great, but I am worried about how long I can expect the transmission to last. Any feedback out there on the mileage some are getting on the 545RFE? Any feedback is much appreciated. I am debating if I should sell this while everything is still in good working order. I don't want to have to fork over a ton of money for a new trans anytime soon.

I would miss this vehicle, but can't afford to be without it or the large bill that would come if I am nearing the end of the tranny's life.

I have owned this CRD since it was new in 2005.
Author:  ATXKJ [ Tue Mar 06, 2012 9:16 pm ]
Post subject:  Re: Chrysler 545RFE Transmission Life Expectancy
I think that's totally dependent on use/abuse and maintenance.

well maintained - fluid/filter changes probably 250K+

used for heavy towing - run until it dies - 100K would be lucky...
Author:  ACRucrazy [ Tue Mar 06, 2012 9:23 pm ]
Post subject:  Re: Chrysler 545RFE Transmission Life Expectancy
I think the 545 is a good trans. It was used up through 2011.

I have owned
-01 Dak -4.7 296k miles (45RFE, same trans, 4 speed)
-02 Ram 4.7 forgot miles
-03 Ram 5.7 forgot miles
-04 Ram 5.7 136k miles (buddy now has it, with 150k? miles)
-11 Ram 5.7 sold with 3k miles LOL

I have a few buddies with the same trans in their Dakota 4.7, Jeep 4.7 and Ram Hemi, no issues.
All use the same trans. I am not worried about the 545RFE from a reliability standpoint just from personal experience/use.

With the introduction of the introduction of the 65RFE and 66RFE six speed transmissions in the 2012 vehicles the gears are turning in my head on getting the possibility of those in the CRD.

The 65RFE just uses 2nd prime as an acceleration gear. It is the same transmission apparently as the 545RFE with different programming, so wondering what kind of TCM and other items would be needed to do this. Is it poss? Is it worth it?

The 66RFE is the 545RFE case with the Ram Diesel 68RFE guts. This I like, even though reverse is a little nuts LOL.
Author:  warp2diesel [ Tue Mar 06, 2012 10:36 pm ]
Post subject:  Re: Chrysler 545RFE Transmission Life Expectancy
A Magnifine inline filter (~$20) will remove the small steel particles that love to collect around the solenoid coils in the Valve body that the other filters miss. I have noticed smoother shifting performance after I installed a Magnifine on the line coming out of my trans cooler. When I installed the Magnifine, it was to extend the life of my 545-RFE.
Author:  Tinman [ Sun Mar 11, 2012 4:43 pm ]
Post subject:  Re: Chrysler 545RFE Transmission Life Expectancy
My transmission builder for my Dodge Rams (both have fully built trannys) said the 545rfe is a really good trans. They rarely work on them. Biggest problem issue with the CRD is the torque convertor. But we have a good alternative in Suncoast.
Author:  irollgen4s [ Sun Mar 11, 2012 8:57 pm ]
Post subject:  Re: Chrysler 545RFE Transmission Life Expectancy
im at 165k on my tranny and it's holding up so far(knocked on wood). not much towing, not much abuse, never overheated, rare maintenance until i got it. mostly highway, get's a lot of town now.
Author:  grywlfbg [ Thu Mar 15, 2012 1:15 am ]
Post subject:  Re: Chrysler 545RFE Transmission Life Expectancy
With the Euro TC and pump and regular fluid changes it should last 250k easily. I'd also suggest a deeper pan for more fluid (runs cooler) and the GDE TCM tune.
Author:  mdalien [ Thu Mar 15, 2012 10:51 pm ]
Post subject:  Re: Chrysler 545RFE Transmission Life Expectancy
My CRD had 221000 and was running fine when I sold it.
Durango has 114300 and no issues (same trans)
Author:  beetlemn73 [ Sun Dec 16, 2018 7:51 pm ]
Post subject:  Re: Chrysler 545RFE Transmission Life Expectancy
Well I currently have 398850 miles and it's the original transmission and torque converter. Change oil every 50K or so. Changed the solenoid pack but I dont think I needed to. Problem was found to be a pin hole leak in the line and I was losing fluid.
Author:  WWDiesel [ Sun Dec 16, 2018 9:19 pm ]
Post subject:  Re: Chrysler 545RFE Transmission Life Expectancy
beetlemn73 wrote:
Well I currently have 398850 miles and it's the original transmission and torque converter. Change oil every 50K or so. Changed the solenoid pack but I dont think I needed to. Problem was found to be a pin hole leak in the line and I was losing fluid.

As a previous poster stated (old post), installing a Magnefine filter is a good preemptive measure to ensure longevity along with installing an auxiliary transmission fluid cooler.
Number one enemy of automatic transmissions is heat followed by dirty fluid and contaminates in the fluid. :grim:
If you can eliminate or manage all these culprits, the transmission will outlast most engines when serviced properly....
Author:  thermorex [ Tue Dec 18, 2018 10:54 pm ]
Post subject:  Re: Chrysler 545RFE Transmission Life Expectancy
WWDiesel wrote:
beetlemn73 wrote:
Well I currently have 398850 miles and it's the original transmission and torque converter. Change oil every 50K or so. Changed the solenoid pack but I dont think I needed to. Problem was found to be a pin hole leak in the line and I was losing fluid.

As a previous poster stated (old post), installing a Magnefine filter is a good preemptive measure to ensure longevity along with installing an auxiliary transmission fluid cooler.
Number one enemy of automatic transmissions is heat followed by dirty fluid and contaminates in the fluid. :grim:
If you can eliminate or manage all these culprits, the transmission will outlast most engines when serviced properly....


I one agree. But you should tell this to all manufacturers that now put thermal management units in transmissions to make them run at 180-200F and say it's normal... After towing a roughly 3500lbs camper with ram EcoDiesel, while backing up and idling the trans got to 210F. It was indeed towards 100F outside but not lots of load on the engine, just that stupid TMU and no fan started any cooling (starts at 215F coolant). Quite stupid if you ask me (I installed additional on demand fans after this btw).
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