P0735: Gear 5 Incorrect Ratio
A generic powertrain (engine and transmission) trouble code, same meaning on every brand.
Drive gently to a shop and stay off the motorway if possible.
Symptoms
- Slipping in top gear
- Engine speed climbing at steady throttle
- Transmission hunting between gears
Likely causes, most common first
- Fluid low or worn out
- Fifth gear clutch pack worn
- Solenoid fault
- Low line pressure
Read P0735 yourself before paying for diagnosis
A basic Bluetooth OBD-II scanner ($20-40) plugs into the port under the dashboard and shows this code with live sensor data on your phone - useful both for confirming the fix and for talking to a shop from an informed position.
What is going on and how it gets diagnosed
P0735 is a ratio fault in fifth gear, the top ratio on many five and six speed automatics and another gear used almost exclusively at speed.
A useful check before assuming clutch wear: torque converter lock-up problems can mimic top gear slip closely, because a converter that will not lock allows engine speed to rise exactly the way a slipping clutch does. Watching lock-up status on a scan tool during the complaint separates a converter or solenoid problem from real gear slip.
Repair options and cost
Typical US independent-shop ranges, parts and labor. Dealers run higher; regional labor rates vary.
Owner reports mentioning P0735
“Within the past year there have been a few times when driving in 6th gear (primarily, but also happens in 5th) if I press the gas and it downshifts into 5th, it will trip a gear icon warning light, either not shift, shift into 4th, 3rd, or neutral and sometimes VERY abruptly. When that happens, I've managed to get to the side of the road, turn the truck off and back on, then everything is good for a while. It happens randomly in different conditions and can occur and hour later, a couple of days or as long as a few months. I scanned the system and it showed a P0735 : 00-6C error. When this happens the dash usually does not show the correct gear the truck is in.”2016 Ford F-150 · Jan 2026
“While towing our RV trailer, we received a wrench light and the vehicle when into limp mode. When we tried to slow down and take the next exit on the interstate, the transmission tried to shift from 6th gear to 1st gear, causing the rear tires to screech and slow the vehicle dramatically. This could have caused a rear collision due to the abrupt slowing of the vehicle. The problem could only be reproduced when towing a trailer for an hour or more, so the problem was not reproduced by a mechanic or service center. No one else has inspected the vehicle. The only warning light was the wrench light on the dash. There was a code stored when checked: P0735.”2017 Ford Expedition · Dec 2025
“Transmission Internal Failure engine revved up and vehicle did not move in the middle of an intersection while making a left turn on coming vehicle had to dangerously steer around our vehicle to avoid a collision. check engine light came on P0729 and P0735 5th and 6th gear ratios issue @92,000 miles ABS and traction control lights came on diagnosed as C0020-01 ABS Pump motor control - General electric failure Traction Control and ABS systems inoperable. Vehicle unsafe in wet conditions and risk of loss of control Replacement part is in back order and dealer not Sartain about availability date”2018 Ram 2500 · Jul 2023
Show 3 more owner reports
“Transmission failed while making a left hand turn. Close call with on coming traffic. Dealer evaluation code P0735. Dealer has stated; transmission cannot be repaired but must be replaced with a new transmission. Cost: $6422.45. Dealer implied faulty transmission and liability issues. Ford refused to acknowledge it would cover the replacement cost. This vehicle has been properly maintained and has only 51,649 miles on the odometer. I have noticed many class action legal complaints on Ford transmissions in the Fusion model.”2009 Ford Fusion · Jan 2022
“Vehicle transmission slips while towing causing intermittent speed changes. Received a p0735 dtc code-gear 5 incorrect ratio.”2013 Ford F-150 · Feb 2019 · 127,750 mi
“Going out of town driving on the highway in traffic at 65mph. O/d light started flashing on and off. Transmission started acting erratically and I felt that I lost 5th and 2nd gears. Shop ran diagnostic test and codes p0732, p0735 and p0775. Codes confirmed problems with 2nd and 5th gears and solenoid b malfunction. *tr”2002 Ford Explorer · Feb 2011 · 113,000 mi
Cars that report P0735 most often
Based on mentions of this code in NHTSA owner complaints.
Frequently asked questions
Can I drive with P0735?
Drive gently to a shop and stay off the motorway if possible.
How much does it cost to fix P0735?
Typical US repair costs range from $200 for the simplest fix (fluid and filter service) to $5,000 in the worst case. The right number depends on which cause your car has - see the causes list.
Related codes
The codes closest to P0735. They often appear together, and telling them apart is usually what narrows the diagnosis.
Definition per SAE J2012 standard nomenclature. Symptoms, causes and costs are editorial guidance - always confirm with a diagnosis of your specific vehicle.