Not very long ago, RAM upped the benchmarks for interior quality as well as ride quality standards for the whole full-size pickup truck class. Although many of its competitors have finally caught up, the 2019 RAM 1500 Crew Cab is still one of the best at what it does. But before you take the plunge and buy it, we should inform you that it has not had the best reliability reputation due to its 515 complaints and 22 recalls so far. However, we should also understand this is one of the best-selling trucks in the country and hence has sold much more units than any other car. With prices for the 2019 models starting at an MSRP of $34,495, it sounds quite irresistible too. In this class, it competes against the Ford F-150, the GMC Sierra 1500, and the Chevrolet Silverado 1500. Find out more about the 2019 RAM 1500 problems below.
2019 RAM 1500 Crew Cab User Complaints and Problems
Mechanical problems:
- There have been multiple owners have reported that while driving, the shift knob begins flashing and indicates that the gear has to be shifted to Park. This is the most common under RAM 1500 transmission problems.
- Many owners have reported issues with the fuel pump. It fails to function despite vehicles not being old enough to have issues with it.
- Multiple owners have reported issues with the power steering failing. Since this happens intermittently, the owners cannot predict when exactly power assist will be missing here it is very hard to drive a truck of this size without power steering. Other issues of the steering include the column rattling, and even tie rods separating.
- One of the common engine issues is that the timing cover starts leaking even when the car is new.
- The starter motor in several cars has gone out and owners have been unable to start the car. It is not uncommon to have Dodge RAM 1500 starting problems according to owners. Multiple owners have also faced issues regarding the engine stalling while driving as well. In fact, this problem with engine stalling is one of the most common issues associated with the car. Fuel injectors are also known to cause several issues in this car with multiple misfires.
- Some cars have had issues with the bolts holding the exhaust pipes breaking and a ticking sound coming from the engine.
- One of the common problems reported is that while filling fuel, the vehicle would splash fuel out of the filler neck and the fuel nozzle would continuously shut off despite the tank not being full. These are written about extensively under 2019 RAM 1500 gas fill problems.
- There are also reports of multiple brake failures in this car. Seized calipers, brake pedals becoming completely disconnected from the system, parking brakes malfunctioning, and so on are very common. Sometimes the vacuum pump fails to provide pressure and the drivers are required to pump the brakes.
- The rear suspension is known to be a problem media with many people suffering from wobbles due to it being loose. The problem persists even after checking the wheel alignment.
Electrical system problems:
- Several owners have stated that the infotainment display in the center had gone completely blank while driving. It deprives owners of critical information that is needed to operate the vehicle.
- Multiple owners have also reported issues with the RAM 1500 backup camera not working or the image lingering on the screen for way too long. Other infotainment issues include that the navigation system of the car is completely wrong in terms of direction and distance.
- There are a few complaints about the key fobs not functioning properly.
- The headlights of the car are also prone to flickering. Other owners have reported issues with the brake lights or the indicator lights not working. Many people have also raised issues about the standard halogen lighting not being sufficient.
- In one instance, an electrical issue resulted in the car going up in flames and declaring totaled.
- A lot of owners have faced issues with the battery draining despite it being new. This causes a wide range of electrical problems as well.
Exterior problems:
- Many owners have had the rear window frame cracking. This is due to two reasons, one is chassis flex and the other is an issue with the HVAC system and the rear defroster.
- Windshield wipers are also known to be a problem area with several wipers being out of sync, not working, or producing loud noises.
Safety problems:
- There have been a lot of complaints about the airbags not functioning properly. This includes not just problems with the deployment but also water seepage affecting the operation of the airbags. Owners have been receiving airbag warning lights in many cases.
- The seatbelts of this car are also known problem areas with multiple issues relating to the retractor. Sometimes it holds the occupant too tight and is not able to release. In other cases, it does not buckle properly.
2019 RAM 1500 Crew Cab Recalls
|
S. No. |
Date |
NHTSA Campaign Number |
Issues Noticed |
Additional Remarks |
Remedy |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
|
1 |
August 12, 2021 |
21V632000 |
Side curtain airbag inflator can rupture |
The inflator rupturing can allow compressed gas to escape and the airbag may not display correctly |
The SABIC assembly will be inspected and replaced |
|
2 |
September 24, 2020 |
20V580000 |
Seatbelt retractor cannot slow movement |
The retractor may not properly slow the person’s movement while locking |
Seatbelt retractors will be replaced |
|
3 |
August 27, 2020 |
20V513000 |
All weather floor mats can interfere with pedals |
The pedal may not be able to return as soon as expected due to the interference by floor mats |
Floormat will be modified or replaced |
|
4 |
April 9, 2020 |
20V208000 |
Windshield wipers not operating properly |
The wipers not operating properly can reduce visibility and increase the risk of a crash |
Wiper nuts will be tightened |
|
5 |
April 2, 2020 |
20V191000 |
Rear-view camera image can remain on display |
A lingering rear-view camera image might distract the driver |
Software will be updated |
|
6 |
February 13, 2020 |
20V080000 |
Improperly installed transfer case |
The transfer case defect may result in park gear not being available |
Transfer case will be replaced |
|
7 |
December 12, 2019 |
19V887000 |
Incorrect TPMS installed |
The tire pressure monitoring system can be defective and not issue a warning when the tire pressure is low |
The TPMS will be inspected and replaced if necessary |
|
8 |
November 14, 2019 |
19V812000 |
Electric power steering gear can short-circuit |
Short-circuit can result in intermittent loss of power steering assist |
The EPS gear assembly will be replaced |
|
9 |
October 24, 2019 |
19V757000 |
EGR cooler may crack and result in a fire |
The exhaust gas recirculation cooler may allow the preheated vaporized coolant to enter the system and cause a fire inside the intake manifold |
The EGR cooler will be replaced |
|
10 |
August 27, 2019 |
19E059000 |
Bed step can cause fuel leak after crash |
The rear step kit can cause the rear control arms to contact the fuel tank in the event of a rear crash |
Bed step will be replaced |
|
11 |
July 26, 2019 |
19V556000 |
Driver warnings may not illuminate |
The problem with the instrument cluster will result in the driver warnings not illuminating |
Instrument cluster will be replaced free of charge |
|
12 |
June 13, 2019 |
19V448000 |
Spare tire may not match the information |
The tire placard label may indicate wrong information for the spare tire |
Spare tire to be replaced |
|
13 |
May 31, 2019 |
19V407000 |
ORC may malfunction and disable certain functions |
The occupant restraint controller may disable this vehicle airbags and seatbelt pre-tensioners |
Dealers will reprogram the ORC or replace it |
|
14 |
April 25, 2019 |
19V324000 |
Driveshaft may fracture and separate |
The driveshaft fracturing could detach from the vehicle and become a safety hazard |
Driveshaft will be replaced free of charge |
|
15 |
March 14, 2019 |
19V201000 |
Steering wheel can detach from the column |
Steering wheel detaching can result in loss of vehicle control |
Dealers will inspect and replace the steering column free of charge |
|
16 |
February 28, 2019 |
19V142000 |
Auxiliary battery terminals may overheat |
There is an increase the risk of fire when the auxiliary battery system overheats |
Dealers will inspect and secured the auxiliary battery fasteners free of charge |
|
17 |
February 5, 2019 |
19V067000 |
Brake pedal may separate from the assembly |
Driver may not be able to brake the vehicle, increasing the risk of a crash |
The pedal assembly will be repaired free of charge |
|
18 |
January 24, 2019 |
19V015000 |
Defrost system incompatibility |
The windshield defrosting and defogging system may not work properly |
The affected vehicles will be repurchased by the brand |
|
19 |
January 24, 2019 |
19V020000 |
Looandse ground causing power steering assist loss |
Power steering effort could suddenly be lost due to the battery ground fastener |
Dealers will properly secure the ground fastener |
|
20 |
Number 20, 2018 |
18V822000 |
Seat track sensors may be out of position |
The sensor cannot identify the seat position and hence fail to adjust the airbag deployment accordingly |
The seat track position sensor bracket will be inspected and replaced if necessary |
|
21 |
August 23, 2018 |
18V556000 |
Rear axle may fail due to low oil |
The drive to rear wheels may be lost or it may lock up, increasing the risk of a crash |
The oil level will be inspected and axles will be replaced if necessary |
|
22 |
May 17, 2018 |
18V332000 |
Cruise control cannot be canceled |
The vehicle maintains the same speed and can cause the risk of a crash |
Dealers will perform a software flash free of charge |
Should you buy the 2019 RAM 1500 Crew Cab?
The RAM 1500 is a great truck due to its nice set of engines, quick transmissions, cavernous cabin, and luxurious interiors. Although its reliability has not been great, the manufacturer has followed up the problems with a large number of recalls that have addressed many issues. Yet, many of the failures are quite catastrophic and hence we would not recommend this truck to you. The reality is, if you look at Dodge RAM 1500 reliability by year, it has not improved by much despite being around for a long while. We feel the Ford F-150 makes for a better pick in the segment.







