Problems · NHTSA complaints

2019 Ram 1500 problems

Owners filed 1,496 complaints about the 2019 Ram 1500 with NHTSA between Jun 2018 and Oct 2026. The most-cited component is electrical system (382).

Complaints
1,496
Filed with NHTSA
Crashes
76
Reported by owners
Fires
11
Reported by owners
Injuries
63
People reported injured
Deaths
1
Reported to NHTSA
01 —By component

Complaints by component

One complaint can cite several components
  1. Electrical system382
  2. Steering340
  3. Engine234
  4. Power train207
  5. Service brakes114
  6. Air bags93
  7. Fuel/propulsion system81
  8. Structure81
  9. Visibility/wiper67
  10. Vehicle speed control53
  11. Suspension33
  12. Seat belts33
  13. Forward collision avoidance29
  14. Exterior lighting23

Complaints are unverified owner reports to NHTSA and are not normalized for sales volume. One complaint can cite several components.

Data from NHTSA Complaints API · synced Nov 3, 2026NHTSA vehicle page
02 —Trend

When complaints were filed

Does it get worse with age? Complaints per calendar year filed
View as table
Model yearComplaints filed per calendar year
201830
2019180
2020128
2021132
2022156
2023240
2024229
2025251
2026150

Mileage at failure isn’t a structured field in NHTSA complaint data, so we don’t chart it. Some owners mention it in their reports below.

03 —Owner reports

Top problems in owners’ words

Verbatim from NHTSA complaints, newest first

Electrical system

382 reports7 crashes4 fires3 related recalls
“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”
Owner complaint to NHTSAFiled Oct 12, 2026Power train, Electrical system, EngineODI 11770589

Steering

340 reports12 crashes3 related recalls
“Power steering unavailable service required light came on when I came out from getting my kid from daycare and steering wheel would not move, I believe it’s the eps system I’ve been doing research and see a lot of rams have been having this issue, I haven’t took it to dealer ship yet for inspection wanted to check recalls before I had it towed but I don’t see any for my truck specifically”
Owner complaint to NHTSAFiled Oct 9, 2026SteeringODI 11770087

Engine

234 reports5 crashes4 fires
“The contact owns a 2019 Ram 1500. The contact stated that while driving 65 MPH, the vehicle had a slight loss of automotive power, and the vehicle decelerated to 20 MPH. The vehicle was restarted, and the failure ceased. The contact continued driving and the vehicle was taken to a dealer to be diagnosed. The contact was informed that the failure could not be duplicated. The vehicle was retrieved from the dealer and while driving the failure reoccurred. The vehicle was taken back to the dealer where the contact was advised that additional diagnostic tests were required to determine the cause of the failure. The vehicle was not repaired. The manufacturer was not notified of the failure. The failure mileage was 65,000.”
Owner complaint to NHTSAFiled Oct 27, 2026EngineODI 11773994

Power train

207 reports2 crashes1 fire3 related recalls
“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.”
Owner complaint to NHTSAFiled Sep 28, 2026Power train, Electrical system, Vehicle speed controlODI 11767502

Service brakes

114 reports13 crashes2 fires
“The abs module has failed and the BRAKE, abs, and traction lights are constantly illuminated on the dash. The abs error code is C2200 and it describes that there is an internal abs module failure.”
Owner complaint to NHTSAFiled Sep 19, 2026Service brakesODI 11765586

Air bags

93 reports42 crashes5 related recalls
“The leather covering on the upper dashboard of my 2019 Ram 1500 Limited is coming unglued from the dashboard and bubbling/lifting up. The problem is getting worse over time. The dashboard and affected material are still installed on the truck and are available for inspection if requested. My safety concern is that the delamination is occurring on the passenger side of the dashboard in the area where the passenger air bag deploys. I am concerned that the loose and raised dashboard material could interfere with the intended deployment of the passenger air bag, change the way the dashboard opens during deployment, or create loose material during a crash. The passenger air bag has not deployed, so I cannot confirm that it will malfunction. My concern is based on where the dashboard material is separating and how much it is lifting from the surface. I have seen many other owners of Ram 1500 trucks reporting the same dashboard leather separation and bubbling problem, which makes me concerned this may be a common defect and not just an isolated issue with my truck. The vehicle has not been involved in a crash and there have been no warning lights or air bag warning…”
Owner complaint to NHTSAFiled Oct 5, 2026Air bagsODI 11768890
Data from NHTSA Complaints API (owner reports, unverified) · synced Nov 3, 2026

Complaints are unverified owner reports to NHTSA and are not normalized for sales volume. One complaint can cite several components.