NHTSA (USA)Critical
At a glance
This page covers 37 recalls, 1424 owner complaints, NHTSA crash-test ratings and EPA fuel economy for the 2019 Ram 1500.
17–21 mpg combined
11.2–13.8 L/100km
Standard Pickup Trucks 4WD
Fuel economy data from fueleconomy.gov (EPA / U.S. Dept. of Energy). Annual cost based on 15,000 mi/yr at 55% city driving and current fuel prices. MPG is U.S. gallons; L/100km converted. Ranges reflect the 3 tested variants for this model year.
4/5 Overall
NHTSA 5-Star Safety Rating
Steering is the dominant complaint category for the 2019 Ram 1500, with owners frequently describing sudden loss of power steering, often accompanied by all warning lights illuminating and windshield wipers activating at highway speeds. Many point to the steering gear assembly as the failure point. The electrical system draws the second-highest complaint volume, with owners reporting unexpected power loss, erratic dash behavior, and various electronic gremlins. Powertrain complaints are also notable, with several owners describing eTorque mild-hybrid system failures that left vehicles disabled and requiring a tow. A recurring fuel system complaint describes fuel spitting back through the fill neck during refueling, a pattern owners consistently attribute to pressure buildup in the fuel line. A smaller cluster of reports describes grinding noises and wheel lockup during low-speed cornering in four-wheel-drive mode.
1,424
Total Complaints
72
Crash-Related
11
Fire-Related
40
With Injuries
By System
The 2019 RAM 1500 has 37 recalls, with the most severe involving multiple risks of fire, crash, and loss of vehicle control, including a brake pedal that can detach on trucks with adjustable pedals, leaving the driver unable to stop.
Several recalls involve fire risks: on 3.0L EcoDiesel models, a cracked EGR cooler can allow coolant vapor to combust inside the intake manifold, and a separate diesel fuel pump failure can introduce debris into the fuel system and cut engine power without warning. On trucks equipped with the 48-volt auxiliary battery system, an overheating wire connection inside the cabin can cause a fire even with the ignition off. Trucks fitted with the Mopar Rear Step Kit face a fuel tank contact risk in a rear collision that can cause a fuel leak and fire.
Steering and drivetrain issues are numerous: the steering shaft or steering column stub shaft can fracture and cause a complete loss of steering, and the electric power steering system has multiple recalls for short circuits or loose connections that cause sudden changes in steering effort. The rear driveshaft can fracture and detach from the vehicle, the rear differential may have been underfilled and can fail causing wheel lockup, and on four-wheel-drive models a misinstalled transfer case gear can suddenly cut drive power or eliminate the Park function.
Curtain airbag inflators can rupture and send metal fragments into the cabin, the driver-side airbag may not deploy in a crash, and the occupant restraint controller can fail and disable both airbags and seat
At a glance
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Driver Assistance
Ratings from NHTSA's New Car Assessment Program (NCAP). Based on 4 tested variants; worst-case ratings shown.
Complaints are owner-reported and reflect individual experiences, not confirmed defects. They are distinct from recalls. Data sourced from the national vehicle safety complaint database. See trending complaints →
What can fail
The right and left side curtain air bags may rupture due to a manufacturing defect.
What the fix does
Dealers will replace the affected side curtain air bags at no cost.
Summarized — see the official notice for exact wording, dates, and contacts.
At a glance
What can fail
The driver's side air bag connector may not be secured properly, preventing the air bag from deploying during a crash.
What the fix does
Dealers secured the air bag connectors. This repair has been completed on all recalled vehicles at no cost.
Summarized — see the official notice for exact wording, dates, and contacts.
At a glance
What can fail
The right and left side curtain air bags may rupture due to a manufacturing defect.
What the fix does
Dealers will replace the affected side curtain air bags at no cost.
Summarized — see the official notice for exact wording, dates, and contacts.
At a glance
What can fail
A software problem in the anti-lock brake system control module may turn off the electronic stability control system, reducing your vehicle's braking and handling control.
What the fix does
Dealers will update the anti-lock brake system control module software at no cost to restore electronic stability control function.
Summarized — see the official notice for exact wording, dates, and contacts.
At a glance
What can fail
A software problem in the ABS control module may prevent the electronic stability control system from functioning. Warning lights for ABS, ESC, adaptive cruise control, and forward collision warning will appear on your instrument panel.
What the fix does
Dealers will update the software in your ABS control module to restore proper electronic stability control operation.
Summarized — see the official notice for exact wording, dates, and contacts.
At a glance
What can fail
The crankshaft position sensor tone wheel may separate into layers, causing the engine to lose synchronization of fuel injector timing and camshaft operation, which can result in engine stall.
What the fix does
Dealers will reprogram the powertrain control module software to restore proper engine operation at no cost.
Summarized — see the official notice for exact wording, dates, and contacts.
At a glance
What can fail
The tailgate striker may be misaligned with the box latch, preventing the tailgate from latching properly and allowing it to open while driving.
What the fix does
Dealers will inspect the tailgate striker alignment and adjust it as needed at no cost.
Summarized — see the official notice for exact wording, dates, and contacts.
At a glance
What can fail
The high pressure fuel pump can fail and release debris into the fuel system, which may block fuel flow and cause the engine to stall.
What the fix does
Dealers will replace the fuel pump and inspect and replace other fuel system parts if needed, at no cost to you.
Summarized — see the official notice for exact wording, dates, and contacts.
At a glance
What can fail
The side air bag inflatable curtain inflator may have a detached end cap or a ruptured sidewall, potentially preventing proper air bag deployment.
What the fix does
Dealers will inspect and replace the side air bag inflatable curtain assemblies at no cost.
Summarized — see the official notice for exact wording, dates, and contacts.
At a glance
What can fail
During a crash, the front seat belt retractor may fail to properly slow the occupant's forward movement after locking, reducing protection.
What the fix does
Dealers will replace the front seat belt retractors at no cost.
Summarized — see the official notice for exact wording, dates, and contacts.
At a glance
What can fail
A software error in the 8.4" or 12" radio display can cause the rearview camera image to stay on screen after shifting out of reverse, blocking your view.
What the fix does
Dealers will update the radio display software for free. You can also download the update yourself via Over-The-Air update starting May 1, 2020.
Summarized — see the official notice for exact wording, dates, and contacts.
At a glance
What can fail
On certain trucks with adjustable pedals, the accelerator pedal can catch on the all-weather floor mat, preventing the pedal from returning when released. This may prevent the truck from slowing down.
What the fix does
The dealer will replace your all-weather floor mat. Remove the driver's floor mat now until the replacement is completed.
Summarized — see the official notice for exact wording, dates, and contacts.
At a glance
What can fail
The driver's floormat may interfere with the accelerator pedal in certain positions, preventing it from returning to idle.
What the fix does
Dealers will modify the driver's floormat to eliminate the interference with the accelerator pedal.
Summarized — see the official notice for exact wording, dates, and contacts.
At a glance
What can fail
The windshield wiper arm may loosen, causing the wipers to stop working properly and reducing visibility in wet weather.
What the fix does
Dealers will tighten the wiper nuts at no cost to you.
Summarized — see the official notice for exact wording, dates, and contacts.
At a glance
What can fail
The rearview camera image may remain displayed on the screen after shifting out of reverse gear, which could distract the driver. Canadian regulations require the image to turn off within 10 seconds of leaving reverse.
What the fix does
The radio software will be updated at a dealer. You will receive a notification letter with instructions to schedule the update.
Summarized — see the official notice for exact wording, dates, and contacts.
At a glance
What can fail
A gear in the transfer case may be installed incorrectly, causing the vehicle to shift into neutral unexpectedly while driving, resulting in sudden power loss. The PARK function may also fail.
What the fix does
Dealers will replace the transfer case at no cost to you.
Summarized — see the official notice for exact wording, dates, and contacts.
At a glance
What can fail
An incorrect tire pressure monitoring system sensor may have been installed during production, preventing the low tire pressure warning from displaying on the dashboard.
What the fix does
Dealers will replace the tire pressure monitoring system sensor at no cost to you.
Summarized — see the official notice for exact wording, dates, and contacts.
At a glance
What can fail
A short circuit in the electric power steering system can cause intermittent loss of power steering assist, resulting in sudden changes in steering effort, especially at low speeds.
What the fix does
Dealers will replace the electric power steering gear to restore normal steering function.
Summarized — see the official notice for exact wording, dates, and contacts.
At a glance
What can fail
The electric power steering gear may be contaminated and short circuit, causing the power steering assist to cut out intermittently.
What the fix does
Dealers will replace the electric power steering gear assembly at no cost.
Summarized — see the official notice for exact wording, dates, and contacts.
At a glance
What can fail
The EGR cooler can crack, allowing hot vaporized coolant to enter the EGR system. This mixture may ignite inside the intake manifold.
What the fix does
Dealers will replace the EGR cooler and inspect the intake manifold, replacing it if needed. Both services are free.
Summarized — see the official notice for exact wording, dates, and contacts.
At a glance
What can fail
In a rear impact crash, the rear step kit may cause the rear control arms to contact the fuel tank.
What the fix does
Dealers will replace the bed step at no cost to you.
Summarized — see the official notice for exact wording, dates, and contacts.
At a glance
What can fail
The instrument cluster may fail to properly light up driver warning messages, preventing you from seeing important alerts.
What the fix does
Dealers will replace your instrument cluster at no cost.
Summarized — see the official notice for exact wording, dates, and contacts.
At a glance
What can fail
The spare tire may be the wrong size and require different air pressure than specified on the door placard, failing to meet federal tire safety standards.
What the fix does
Dealers will replace the incorrect spare tire with the correct size tire at no cost.
Summarized — see the official notice for exact wording, dates, and contacts.
At a glance
What can fail
A malfunction in the Occupant Restraint Controller can disable the airbag system, preventing airbags from deploying during a crash. The airbag warning light will remain illuminated on the dashboard.
What the fix does
Dealers will inspect the Occupant Restraint Controller. If fault codes are detected, the controller will be replaced. If no faults are found, the controller software will be updated.
Summarized — see the official notice for exact wording, dates, and contacts.
At a glance
What can fail
The Occupant Restraint Controller's memory may become corrupted, which can disable the air bags and seat belt pretensioners.
What the fix does
Dealers will reprogram or replace the Occupant Restraint Controller at no cost.
Summarized — see the official notice for exact wording, dates, and contacts.
At a glance
What can fail
The rear driveshaft's weld joining the tube and tube yoke may not be fully fused, which can cause the weld to crack or the driveshaft to break.
What the fix does
Dealers replace the rear driveshaft at no cost to you.
Summarized — see the official notice for exact wording, dates, and contacts.
At a glance
What can fail
The steering shaft may not have been properly manufactured, which could cause it to separate and result in loss of steering control.
What the fix does
A dealer will inspect your steering column assembly and replace it if necessary.
Summarized — see the official notice for exact wording, dates, and contacts.
At a glance
What can fail
The steering column stub shaft may be improperly machined and could break, potentially causing the steering wheel to detach from the steering column.
What the fix does
Dealers will inspect the steering column and replace it if necessary at no charge.
Summarized — see the official notice for exact wording, dates, and contacts.
At a glance
What can fail
The wire terminal connection on the 48-volt auxiliary battery behind the rear seat may overheat due to incorrect assembly repair.
What the fix does
Dealers will properly secure the auxiliary battery fasteners at no cost.
Summarized — see the official notice for exact wording, dates, and contacts.
At a glance
What can fail
On some vehicles with adjustable pedals, the brake pedal can come loose and detach when adjusted, which would eliminate braking ability.
What the fix does
Dealers will repair the adjustable pedal assembly. Do not adjust pedals until repair is completed.
Summarized — see the official notice for exact wording, dates, and contacts.
At a glance
What can fail
The brake pedal may move excessively and separate from its assembly in vehicles with adjustable pedals.
What the fix does
Dealers will repair the adjustable pedal assembly at no cost to you.
Summarized — see the official notice for exact wording, dates, and contacts.
At a glance
What can fail
The windshield defrosting and defogging system does not work on certain 2019 RAM 1500 trucks with a 12-inch touchscreen and base-level HVAC.
What the fix does
Dealers will repurchase affected vehicles. Contact FCA US at 1-800-853-1403 or see your dealer.
Summarized — see the official notice for exact wording, dates, and contacts.
At a glance
What can fail
A loose electrical connection in the power steering system may cause power steering assist to cut out intermittently while driving, making the truck harder to steer and potentially causing unstable steering behavior.
What the fix does
Owners will receive a mail notification instructing them to take their truck to a dealer to inspect and repair the electrical connection.
Summarized — see the official notice for exact wording, dates, and contacts.
At a glance
What can fail
The battery ground fastener on the driver-side front fender may not be properly secured, which could cause loss of power steering assist.
What the fix does
Dealers will properly secure the battery ground fastener at no cost to you.
Summarized — see the official notice for exact wording, dates, and contacts.
At a glance
What can fail
The passenger seat position sensor bracket may loosen and shift, so the sensor cannot detect when the seat is pushed all the way forward.
What the fix does
Dealers will inspect the passenger seat position sensor bracket and replace it if needed at no cost.
Summarized — see the official notice for exact wording, dates, and contacts.
At a glance
What can fail
The rear differential may not have enough oil, which could cause it to fail.
What the fix does
Dealers will check the rear axle oil level and replace any axles with insufficient oil at no cost.
Summarized — see the official notice for exact wording, dates, and contacts.
At a glance
What can fail
A wiring short circuit can prevent cruise control from disengaging. When engaged, you may not be able to turn it off by braking or using manual controls, causing the vehicle to maintain speed or accelerate unexpectedly.
What the fix does
Dealers will update the engine or powertrain control module software at no cost to fix the cruise control disengagement issue.
Summarized — see the official notice for exact wording, dates, and contacts.
