2019 Ram 1500 Problems

What owners report

Owners of this model year most often describe steering problems, especially a steering wheel that sticks or suddenly becomes hard to turn, plus electrical complaints such as a blank or flickering instrument cluster and water leaking through the rear sliding window. Most sampled complaints were filed at relatively low mileage, with many steering and electrical reports appearing between roughly 10,000 and 60,000 miles, and a smaller group at much higher mileage.

1. 1
   Steering

   Power steering assist loss or stiff, sticking steering

   • 313 complaints (21%)
   • median 24,129 mi at 2.2 yrs old (153 state mileage)
   • 12 mention a crash, fire or injury
   • owner-quoted repair $3,450 (median of 16 quotes)
   • filed 2018–2026

   Complaints describe the power steering cutting out while driving or at startup, with a 'Power Steering Unavailable - Service Required' message and heavy steering effort. Others report the wheel sticking or not returning to center in turns, or the wheel becoming firm momentarily at highway speed. Several owners say the dealer found nothing, tightened ground terminals, replaced a battery or replaced the rack and pinion, and that the problem returned. Reported from a few thousand miles up into the 100,000s, but most sampled reports were between roughly 7,000 and 60,000 miles.

   Recall 19V812000Recall 19V020000Recall 19V201000

   What to check: Ask whether the electric power steering recall work was completed, and test-drive at highway speed to feel for sticking or a wheel that will not self-center. Ask for any records of battery ground or rack and pinion repairs.

   2 excerpts from owner complaints in NHTSA records

   “While driving multiple dashboard warnings appeared and the power steering abruptly failed. Brought into dealer for diagnosis and repair. I was informed by the dealer the problems were corrected, these issues were apparently cased by bad ground connections, as per dealer. Four days later I again had the same problems.”

   NHTSA complaint #11364006, filed 2020-10, 13,500 miles

   “While driving my steering locked up and I had a notification on my dash cluster that said power steering was temporarily unavailable and required service. It took me about an hour to get the truck to where I could move it. If I would have been driving fast, this could have really hurt or killed someone.”

   NHTSA complaint #11377942, filed 2020-12, 55,000 miles
2. 2
   Transmission and drivetrain

   Transmission slipping into neutral or harsh shifting

   • 163 complaints (11%)
   • median 11,900 mi at 1.7 yrs old (72 state mileage)
   • 6 mention a crash, fire or injury
   • owner-quoted repair $1,000 (median of 7 quotes)
   • filed 2018–2026

   Owners report the truck dropping into neutral on its own while driving, sometimes with a 'Service Shifter' or 'shift to park' message, then driving normally after restart. Others describe loud clunking, being stuck in a gear, no reverse engagement, or a hard jolt when shifting. Dealers have replaced the shifter assembly, updated transmission software, or been unable to determine a cause. Reported from under 10,000 miles to around 76,000 miles, spread fairly evenly across the sample.

   Recall 20V0800002 related service bulletins

   What to check: Drive at steady speed and through turns to see whether the gear indicator or shifter behaves oddly, and ask whether any transmission software updates have been applied.

   2 excerpts from owner complaints in NHTSA records

   “Traveling around 35-40 MPH I was approaching a stopped light. I eased off the gas and when the gas pedal no longer engaged the transmission the computer/software disengaged the transmission without my doing. No error was displayed and the knob still showed as in the drive position. As I pressed the gas pedal the rpms rose but because the transmission was in neutral it only revved the engine. I had to pull over, manually place the knob into park, then wait a few seconds then back into drive. The truck resumed normally after that. …”

   NHTSA complaint #11378471, filed 2020-12, 7,900 miles

   “I pulled in to get gas shut vehicle off and pumped gas got back in vehicle started it up put vehicle in drive and it got really loud and started shifting bad”

   NHTSA complaint #11308655, filed 2020-02, 8,400 miles
3. 3
   Other or unknown

   Rear sliding window cracks and water leaks

   • 120 complaints (8%)
   • median 31,200 mi at 2.3 yrs old (37 state mileage)
   • 1 mention a crash, fire or injury
   • owner-quoted repair $1,511 (median of 8 quotes)
   • filed 2018–2026

   Complaints describe cracks forming around the rear power sliding window, sometimes with no impact, and water entering the cab during rain or car washes and staining the headliner and seats. Owners also report the rear glass shattering or frame cracks appearing over the third brake light. Dealers have cited a cracked window molding or offered no repair. Mostly reported between roughly 2,500 and 60,000 miles, often after the truck was parked.

   What to check: Inspect the frame around the rear sliding glass and the third brake light for hairline cracks, and check the headliner and rear seat area for water stains.

   2 excerpts from owner complaints in NHTSA records

   “Rear power sliding window develops cracks at the top on both sides of the center glass. Window leaks into cab when moisture is present outside the vehicle such as snow, rain or car wash. I am trying to get Ram/FCA to fix issue but they are not calling me back. Many 2019 Ram trucks are having this issue.”

   NHTSA complaint #11310037, filed 2020-02, 37,000 miles

   “2 cracks in the window frame above the rear sliding window have appeared. The truck was parked in my driveway. There was no incident that would have caused these and they appear to have formed on their own. I fear that there may have been leaks or will be leaks as other owners have experienced.”

   NHTSA complaint #11398147, filed 2021-02, 38,000 miles
4. 4
   Electrical system

   Instrument cluster and screen going blank or flickering

   • 156 complaints (10%)
   • median 29,248 mi at 2.2 yrs old (60 state mileage)
   • 4 mention a crash, fire or injury
   • owner-quoted repair $1,300 (median of 7 quotes)
   • filed 2018–2026

   Owners describe the instrument cluster, radio or infotainment screen going dark, blank at startup, or blinking on and off while driving. In several cases the dealer said the digital cluster needed replacement; some owners were quoted a cost or were told the vehicle was out of warranty. Others report unrelated electrical oddities such as warning lights appearing together or low voltage messages. Mostly reported between roughly 30,000 and 110,000 miles in the sample, with a few much earlier.

   Recall 19V5560001 related service bulletin

   What to check: Check that the cluster and center screen light up fully on a cold start and stay on during a drive, and ask whether the cluster has already been replaced or reprogrammed.

   2 excerpts from owner complaints in NHTSA records

   “2019 dodge Ram. Consumer writes in regards to illuminated service lights. The consumer stated the engine light, battery light and adaptable cruise control warning lights illuminated on multiple occasions. While driving, the vehicle lost power steering, leaked a liquid, smoke emitted from under the hood and the dashboard went dark. Also the tailgate opens intermittently, radio shuts off independently, volts are reading low, and battery is in saver mode.”

   NHTSA complaint #11431071, filed 2021-08, 29,497 miles

   “The contact owns a 2019 Ram 1500. The contact stated that while driving at an undisclosed speed, the instrument cluster failed to function as intended. The contact stated that the instrument cluster displayed a black screen. The vehicle was taken to the dealer, where it was diagnosed with instrument cluster failure. The contact was informed that the instrument cluster needed to be replaced. The vehicle was not repaired. The contact was advised not to drive the vehicle until the repair was completed. …”

   NHTSA complaint #11648980, filed 2025-03, 108,000 miles
5. 5
   Engine

   Stalling, no-start and charging (eTorque) complaints

   • 231 complaints (15%)
   • median 29,497 mi at 2.8 yrs old (69 state mileage)
   • 7 mention a crash, fire or injury
   • owner-quoted repair $1,700 (median of 10 quotes)
   • filed 2018–2026

   Owners describe the engine stalling or losing power while driving, sometimes with check engine and voltage warning lights, and on some trucks no-start conditions requiring a jump. A few reports point to the eTorque system not charging the battery as expected, while dealers attributed some stalls to a battery replacement. Mostly reported between roughly 45,000 and 140,000 miles in the sample, with several around 50,000 to 70,000 miles.

   Recall 20V0800001 related service bulletin

   What to check: Ask for battery and charging system service records, check the age of the 12V battery, and note any intermittent warning lights during a test drive.

   2 excerpts from owner complaints in NHTSA records

   “While driving slowing down to make a left turn turn completely turned off. While still in drive was able to get to the side off the road everything was still on a.c. Shut off but power was still on.”

   NHTSA complaint #11322899, filed 2020-04, 19,000 miles

   “The contact owns a 2019 Ram 1500. The contact stated he was unable to start the vehicle. The contact stated that he was able to jumpstart the vehicle. The contact stated while depressing the accelerator pedal, the vehicle stalled. The vehicle was not drivable. The contact towed the vehicle to the local dealer and made them aware of the failure. The vehicle was not diagnosed or repaired. The manufacturer had not been informed of the failure. The failure mileage was approximately 48,000.”

   NHTSA complaint #11524783, filed 2023-06, 48,000 miles

Buying note. Steering assist problems and blank instrument clusters dominate owner reports on this model year, so confirm recall work was completed and test-drive at highway speed. Also inspect the rear window frame for cracks and the headliner for leaks before purchase.

Summary written with AI from a sample of 60 NHTSA complaints for this model year (picked at random, with complaints that state a mileage and recent ones taken first), then checked automatically against the source records. Where a problem shows a complaint count, every complaint for this model year was matched with fixed keyword rules (written with AI and tested against the sample), and the mileage, age and repair figures are calculated from those complaints; owners' figures are as stated, not verified. Other counts refer to the sample. The excerpts come from NHTSA's public complaint records and are unverified; capitalisation is normalised, NHTSA staff notes are removed, and shortened text ends with “…”. Something wrong? Request a correction.