NHTSA (USA)Critical
At a glance
This page covers 18 recalls and 133 owner complaints for the 2019 Ram 3500.
The dominant complaint pattern for the 2019 Ram 3500 centers on the diesel fuel and propulsion systems, with engine problems close behind. Owners frequently report diesel exhaust and emissions-related warning lights illuminating while driving, often accompanied by stalling or a failure to restart, in several accounts the truck had to be towed after shutting down on the road. Engine complaints describe knocking or rattling sounds that escalate quickly, with multiple owners reporting catastrophic internal failures including connecting rod damage and seized engines requiring full replacement. A smaller cluster of transmission reports describes sudden loss of forward gear engagement, sometimes with no prior warning light until the moment of failure. The exhaust system triggering a stall and no-restart condition comes up repeatedly across the fuel system complaints, suggesting that emissions-related shutdowns are a notable pattern in this model year.
133
Total Complaints
10
Crash-Related
5
Fire-Related
4
With Injuries
By System
The 2019 RAM 3500 has 18 recalls, with the most serious involving multiple fire risks: fuel line leaks, transmission fluid contacting hot engine components, and engine oil loss that can puncture the engine block.
Several of these fire-related issues center on the 6.7L Cummins diesel engine. The high-pressure fuel pump can fail, causing a sudden stall or a fuel leak, and the engine's oil management can allow the connecting rod bearings to run dry, potentially cracking the block and spilling oil onto hot surfaces. The curtain airbag inflators on both sides of the cabin can rupture and send metal fragments into occupants. Wheel studs can break and allow a wheel to separate from the vehicle if lug nuts are overtightened based on incorrect torque specifications in the owner's manual.
On the brake side, front brake caliper seals can swell and cause the brakes to drag, overheating the pads, rotors, and fluid, which extends stopping distances. The electronic stability control warning light may also fail to illuminate when the system malfunctions, leaving the driver unaware of a stability problem.
Structural concerns include the tailgate unlatching while driving, from two separate causes, allowing unsecured cargo to fall into traffic. The optional bed step can fail under side-loading, and wiper arms can loosen and reduce visibility in wet conditions. A rearview camera image can linger after shifting out of reverse, and the gear position indicator on column-shift models may display only the selected gear rather than the full shift pattern.
At a glance
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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 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 tailgate latch can fail while driving, causing the tailgate to open unexpectedly. Unsecured cargo could fall onto the road.
What the fix does
A dealership will inspect the tailgate striker alignment and adjust it if needed.
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 ABS control module software may fail to turn on the electronic stability control malfunction warning light when ESC malfunctions occur.
What the fix does
Dealers will update the ABS control module software at no cost to restore the warning light function.
Summarized — see the official notice for exact wording, dates, and contacts.
At a glance
What can fail
The windshield wiper arms may loosen, causing the wipers to work improperly and reducing driver 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 high-pressure fuel pump in your 6.7L Cummins diesel engine may fail, causing engine performance changes, fuel leaks, check engine light illumination, or sudden loss of engine power.
What the fix does
Your dealership will replace the high-pressure fuel pump, update the powertrain control module software, and replace additional fuel system parts if needed.
Summarized — see the official notice for exact wording, dates, and contacts.
At a glance
What can fail
The High Pressure Fuel Pump may fail, causing the engine to stall suddenly without warning.
What the fix does
Dealers will replace the High Pressure Fuel Pump, update the engine control software, and inspect and replace other fuel system parts as needed.
Summarized — see the official notice for exact wording, dates, and contacts.
At a glance
What can fail
The engine calibration software may fail to alert you when the oil level drops too low.
What the fix does
Dealers will reprogram the engine calibration software at no cost.
Summarized — see the official notice for exact wording, dates, and contacts.
At a glance
What can fail
The owner's manual contains incorrect torque specifications for wheel lug nuts. Following these specs can cause over-tightening, which may break wheel studs and lead to wheel separation.
What the fix does
Dealers will correct the torque specifications in the owner's manual and service documents, and inspect and replace wheel studs as needed at no charge.
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
The engine's warm-up protection is insufficient, which can prevent proper oil film from forming on connecting rod bearings as the engine reaches operating temperature. This can cause engine damage and connecting rod failure, potentially puncturing the engine block.
What the fix does
Dealers will update the engine calibration software to improve warm-up protection. This service is free of charge.
Summarized — see the official notice for exact wording, dates, and contacts.
At a glance
What can fail
The accessory bed step may unexpectedly fail or break when loaded from the side during normal use.
What the fix does
Dealers will replace the bed step support brace at no cost to you.
Summarized — see the official notice for exact wording, dates, and contacts.
At a glance
What can fail
Pressure and heat can build up inside the transmission, causing transmission fluid to leak from the dipstick tube.
What the fix does
Dealers will replace the transmission valve body separator plate and reprogram the powertrain control module.
Summarized — see the official notice for exact wording, dates, and contacts.
At a glance
What can fail
The transmission gear indicator displays only the currently selected gear instead of showing all available positions with the selected one highlighted, which violates Canadian display requirements.
What the fix does
Owners will receive a letter instructing them to visit a dealer for an instrument cluster software update.
Summarized — see the official notice for exact wording, dates, and contacts.
At a glance
What can fail
Front brake calipers may have been assembled with incorrect fluid that causes the rubber seals inside to swell, affecting brake performance.
What the fix does
Dealers will replace the front brake calipers and brake hoses, then bleed the brake system to restore proper function.
Summarized — see the official notice for exact wording, dates, and contacts.
At a glance
What can fail
Front brake piston seals may become contaminated, causing them to swell. This creates brake drag that overheats the pads, rotors, and fluid, reducing brake performance.
What the fix does
Dealers will replace the front brake calipers and rubber brake lines, then bleed the brake system.
Summarized — see the official notice for exact wording, dates, and contacts.
At a glance
What can fail
Fuel lines may develop leaks, allowing fuel to drip into the engine compartment.
What the fix does
Dealers will inspect fuel lines and replace them if needed, at no cost to you.
Summarized — see the official notice for exact wording, dates, and contacts.
