Problems · by component
2019 Ram 1500 Classic electrical system problems
382 owner complaints to NHTSA about the 2019 Ram 1500 Classic cite electrical system, 26% of all 1,498 complaints for this model year.
Complaints
382
26% of all complaints
Crashes
7
Reported by owners
Fires
4
Reported by owners
Injuries
5
Reported by owners
What owners say about the electrical system
Verbatim from NHTSA complaints, newest first
“The manufacturer defect involving stress cracks in the rear window structure (TSB 23-042-24) caused water to flood the rear cab wall along with the leaking rear cab air pressure vents. This water has short-circuited the CAN-bus network/RF Hub, causing active dashboard failures including 'Service Shifter' and 'ParkSense Temporarily Unavailable.' The vehicle is at immediate risk of locking in Park, stalling, or failing to shift while driving, creating an immediate crash hazard. Additionally, the exhaust manifolds are leaking, risking exhaust gas intrusion into the cabin. The dealership, Earnhardt Chrysler Dodge Jeep Ram at 1521 E Drivers Way, Gilbert, AZ 85297, has failed to resolve the water leaks over 4 separate visits this month." I was told a software update fixed the issue. Then at the last visit something electrical was replaced, the issue is still happening. The leaking rear cab air pressure vents have not been addressed in the previous 2 service appointments. This also allows water to leak onto the RF Hub”
“Multi-function switch will not auto cancel after making turn have to put on left turn signal on to turn off right blinker. While driving the right turn signal will just turn on”
“2019 RAM 1500, UPON DECELARATION WHEN COMING TO A STOP, OR TO VERY SLOW, VEHICLE WILL DROP INTO NEUTRAL/ LOSE ABILITY TO ACCELERATE. GEAR SELECTER DIAL INDICATOR LIGHT WILL FLASH, DASHBOARD MESSAGE "SHIFT TO P, THEN SELECT DESIRED GEAR" WILL BE DISPLAYED. DURING THIS TIME VEHICLE IS UNABLE TO ACCELERATE UNTIL DRIVER COME TO A COMPLETE STOP, SHIFTS INTO N, THEN BACK INTO DRIVE. VEHICLE HAS LOST ABILITY TO ACCELERATE IN THE MIDDLE OF ACTIVE INTERSECTIONS, WITH ACTIVE ONCOMING TRAFFIC FROM BOTH INFRONT AND BEHIND. VEHICLE HAS HAD TCM FLASHED, VALVE BODY REPLACED, TRANSMISSION REPLACED, AND SOFTWARE VERIFIED UP TO DATE WITH NO REPAIR SOLVING ISSUE. VEHICLE ISSUE ONGOING.”
“The backup camera malfunctions, and glitches real bad half the time, and it sometimes happens while im using it at night. I feel like that could potentially be dangerous, and from a little research I have found that there are some recalls for this problem, but my truck isnt listed when I check the NHTSA. database.”
“The cylinder that deploys the side curtain on the back passenger side spontaneously blew up in my truck. The vehicle was not currently being operated or on at the time is was parked in the driveway and was completely off. There was no forced entry and no collision it just spontaneously exploded causing roof damage, electrical damage, ceiling damage and cab light damage. The vehicle is currently parked at the dealership and has been verified by dealership that it was a mechanical malfunction with the airbag cylinder. There was no warnings that I was aware of before it exploded since it was just sitting in the driveway but from the information that was given to me by the dealerships this was an issue that fell under the Takata Airbag recalls in 2021. The only warning lights is when you start it up the airbag check system light is on the dashboard. This issue has caused me to never want to put my family in that truck again because thank god none of us were in it when it happened but this could have happened to anyone and thankfully we were not driving down the road or even in the vehicle at all. This is a major safety issue.”
“The 48-Volt Belt-Driven Hybrid Starter Generator / Motor Generator Unit (MGU / eTorque Alternator) suffered a catastrophic failure on my vehicle at approximately [Insert Mileage, e.g., 140,000] miles. The failure occurred while traveling out of state away from home, causing a sudden loss of vehicle charging, dashboard electrical errors ("Battery Saver Mode"), and creating an imminent threat of an engine stall in live traffic. Due to widespread manufacturer part backorders exceeding tens of thousands of units, my vehicle was forced to sit at a dealership until I could pay thousands of dollars out-of-pocket for a component that Ram has actively removed from newer production vehicles due to its high failure rate. This is a severe, systemic durability and safety issue affecting thousands of trucks. I am requesting that NHTSA force FCA/Stellantis to issue a safety recall and establish a retroactive reimbursement program for all owners who paid out-of-pocket for MGU replacements. I possess the official out-of-state dealership invoice and proof of payment.”
Showing 6 of 382 reports. Read every report on NHTSA.gov.
Data from NHTSA Complaints API (owner reports, unverified) · synced Nov 9, 2026NHTSA vehicle page
Complaints are unverified owner reports to NHTSA and are not normalized for sales volume. One complaint can cite several components.