2019 Ram 3500 Problems

What owners report

Owners of the 2019 Ram 3500 most often describe the diesel fuel system losing power or stalling, and many of those complaints are tied to an open high-pressure fuel pump recall. A second recurring theme is drivetrain and engine trouble—rough or delayed shifting, turbo and rod-bearing failures—reported across a wide mileage range, while body and electrical complaints tend to be smaller fixes such as hood flutter, water intrusion and warning lights.

1. 1
   Fuel system

   Diesel high-pressure fuel pump stalling / loss of power

   • 79 complaints (58%)
   • median 63,500 mi at 3.1 yrs old (26 state mileage)
   • 7 mention a crash, fire or injury
   • filed 2020–2026

   Owners describe the truck suddenly losing motive power or stalling while driving, sometimes while towing or accelerating onto a highway, with a service exhaust system or check fuel filter message appearing on the dash. Several report the vehicle restarted after a pause, while others needed a tow. Complaints commonly mention metal debris found in the fuel filter or a dealer diagnosis that the pump, rail, injectors and filter assembly needed replacement, and many owners say the recall repair could not be done because parts were not available. Reported anywhere from around 20,000 to 105,000 miles, with many in the 40,000 to 100,000 mile range and often at highway speeds.

   Recall 21V880000Recall 19V4980001 related service bulletin

   What to check: Ask whether the 21V880000 high-pressure fuel pump recall was completed and get the paperwork; check the fuel filter housing and service records for metal debris. Confirm the truck restarts reliably and drives under load without a stumble.

   2 excerpts from owner complaints in NHTSA records

   “For thanksgiving I was driving home from a trip to california about 800 miles away from home, on a merging lane I stepped on the gas to clear lane for a emerging semi trailer I was traveling around 65 MPH as I did that I got a warning message on my dashboard to service exhaust system then lost all power from my vehicle from 65 to 35 on interstate 5 a drastically slowdown causing the cars behind me to crash. I pull to the shoulder and my truck just died would not start had it towed to closest dealer next morning. …”

   NHTSA complaint #11387018, filed 2021-01, 27,000 miles

   “We repaired the recall #W03-2019-2020 D Transmission Valve Body with our local dealer Sunland Park Dodge on 5/1/24 but continue to get this same recall. The dealer has not reported that the recall has been fixed. What can I do to report this issue.”

   NHTSA complaint #11605860, filed 2024-08
2. 2
   Engine

   Turbo, injector and rod-bearing engine failures

   • 22 complaints (16%)
   • median 108,000 mi at 4.4 yrs old (13 state mileage)
   • 3 mention a crash, fire or injury
   • filed 2020–2026

   Owners describe an abnormal ticking or knocking sound from the engine followed by loss of power, limp mode or a stall, and in some cases the engine would not restart. Complaints report dealer diagnoses of a failed variable turbo actuator, a fractured connecting rod or failed rod bearings requiring engine replacement, along with coolant loss traced to the EGR cooler or head gasket. Dealer responses varied, and some owners were told the repair was outside warranty. Roughly 60,000 to 190,000 miles, with several reports in the 60,000 to 135,000 mile range during normal driving and acceleration.

   Recall 20V511000Recall 21V4390004 related service bulletins

   What to check: Listen for ticking or knocking at idle and under light load, check coolant level and for oil residue on top of the engine, and ask about any engine or turbo repairs in the service history.

   2 excerpts from owner complaints in NHTSA records

   “The contact owns a 2019 Ram 3500. The contact stated while driving at undisclosed speeds, there was an abnormal ticking sound coming from the vehicle. There was no warning lights illuminated. Additionally, the vehicle went into LIMP Mode, and the turbo charger became inoperable. The vehicle was taken to the local dealer, but the vehicle was not diagnosed or repaired. The manufacturer was not contacted. The failure mileage was approximately 60,000.”

   NHTSA complaint #11633631, filed 2025-01, 60,000 miles

   “The contact owns a 2019 RAM 3500. The contact stated that while driving approximately 25 MPH and making a left turn, suddenly there was a loud knocking sound coming from the engine compartment. The vehicle was towed to the local dealer who diagnosed that the engine rod bearing had failed, and the engine needed to be replaced. The vehicle was not yet repaired. The manufacturer was notified of the failure, but no assistance was offered. The failure mileage was 189,000.”

   NHTSA complaint #11447151, filed 2022-01, 189,000 miles
3. 3
   Transmission and drivetrain

   Hard or delayed transmission shifts and limp mode

   • 8 complaints (6%)
   • median 4,150 mi at 1.7 yrs old (6 state mileage, few)
   • 1 mention a crash, fire or injury
   • filed 2019–2026

   Complaints describe the transmission hesitating, shifting late or briefly acting as if in neutral before engaging with a jolt, sometimes triggering limp mode or a check engine light. Several owners of Aisin-equipped trucks mention lurching at certain speeds or rough takeoff on hills. According to the complaints, dealers sometimes applied a transmission control software update or replaced solenoids and, in some cases, recommended a full transmission replacement, with repairs not always resolving the symptom. Many reports come in under 15,000 miles, with others between 60,000 and 88,000 miles, often during steady-speed driving or hill starts.

   Recall 20V0430003 related service bulletins

   What to check: Test drive at steady speeds and on a hill, watching for slipping, delayed engagement or a neutral-like pause; ask whether any transmission control module software update has been applied.

   2 excerpts from owner complaints in NHTSA records

   “I have a 2019 Ram 3500 truck with the high output 400hp engine and the 'heavy duty' aisin transmission. I am having problems with the transmission. While driving in mountainous terrain at slow speed (5 to 10 MPH) the transmission seems to shift into neutral, engine will rev up to 2000 to 2500 RPM for a few seconds and then slam into gear, creating a safety hazard. This happens on a continual basis. …”

   NHTSA complaint #11331910, filed 2020-07, 3,500 miles

   “I have a 2019 Ram 3500 with the 6.7l cummins engine and aisin transmission. The truck currently has 9255 miles on it. Soon after purchase, I noticed several issues with the transmission. Issue #1 was a hesitation or lerching at certain MPH (35-40). I took it into a local dealer for diagnosis and they determined that there was a TSB(technical service bulletin) that the transmission control module needed updated. That service was performed but did not rectify the hesitation and lerching. …”

   NHTSA complaint #11354080, filed 2020-09, 4,000 miles
4. 4
   Electrical system

   ABS and electronic warning lights with trailer brake issues

   • 11 complaints (8%)
   • median 52,500 mi at 2.8 yrs old (4 state mileage, few)
   • 2 mention a crash, fire or injury
   • filed 2021–2026

   Complaints describe the ABS light coming on, along with messages about the electronic stability control system, and in some cases cruise control dropping out. Several owners towing trailers report the trailer brakes not responding when the pedal is pressed, traced to the electronic trailer brake controller. Dealers reportedly replaced sensors or the brake controller, and some repairs did not last. Reported from around 10,000 up to 85,000 miles, frequently while towing or at highway speeds.

   Recall 22V140000Recall 19V6350001 related service bulletin

   What to check: Ask whether the ABS/ESC module software recall was performed, and if you tow, hook up a trailer and test the trailer brakes and controller before buying.

   2 excerpts from owner complaints in NHTSA records

   “My ABS on my brakes keep going out on my truck and I have 2 2019 Ram trucks and it did it on both of them and I have some friends that have 2019 and 2020 rams that's doing the same thing should it be a recall on this before someone get kill?”

   NHTSA complaint #11396251, filed 2021-02, 85,000 miles

   “My ABS on my brakes keep going out on my truck and I have 2 2019 Ram trucks and it did it on both of them and I have some friends that have 2019 and 2020 rams that's doing the same thing should it be a recall on this before someone get kill?”

   NHTSA complaint #11396248, filed 2021-02
5. 5
   Body and structure

   Hood flutter and cab water leaks

   • 5 complaints (4%)
   • median 3,600 mi at 1.3 yrs old (4 state mileage, few)
   • filed 2019–2024

   Owners report the hood visibly lifting and shaking at highway speeds, with some saying it can be pushed up by hand while latched. Other complaints describe water entering through the roof or the cowl area, dripping onto the dash or door trim and leaving rust inside the door and kick panel. According to the complaints, dealers adjusted the hood stops or inspected drainage, and some owners reported the symptom returning. Mostly reported under 5,000 miles, though water-related complaints appear later, and hood flutter is noticed at highway speeds.

   Recall 22V035000Recall 22V9040002 related service bulletins

   What to check: Walk around the hood and check that it sits flush and latches firmly, then drive at highway speed and watch for lift. Inspect the passenger-side kick panel and door bottoms for rust or dampness and confirm the cowl drains are clear.

   2 excerpts from owner complaints in NHTSA records

   “Excessive hood flutter/movement/ as if hood became unsecured during highway operation. Pulled over on several occasions to ensure hood didn't become unmatched. Only a matter of time before a serious accident where hood opens at highway speed.”

   NHTSA complaint #11388555, filed 2021-01, 15,000 miles

   “Hood is shaking at highway speeds between 65-80mph. It appears the left and right sides of the hood are lifting in the wind. Afraid that hood could blow open in severe winds. Hood can be lifted with fingers when at rest while still latched.”

   NHTSA complaint #11281098, filed 2019-11, 1,000 miles

Buying note. Have a diesel truck checked by someone familiar with the high-pressure fuel pump recall and the engine's service history, and confirm which open recalls have actually been completed. A careful test drive at highway speed and a trailer-brake check will surface several of the issues owners describe.

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.