2019 Ram 3500 Complaints

AIR BAGS — Filed 10/01/2026

On [XXX], I was involved in a serious collision while operating a 2019 Ram 3500 Laramie Crew Cab dually in California. I was traveling westbound when another vehicle traveling northbound failed to stop at a posted stop sign and entered my path. I applied my brakes but was unable to avoid colliding with the passenger side of the other vehicle. Following the collision, both vehicles left the roadway and entered an orchard. My truck sustained extensive damage and was subsequently declared a total loss. Despite the severity of the collision, none of the airbags deployed. I am concerned that the supplemental restraint system may not have operated as designed, potentially increasing my risk of injury. I sought medical evaluation at an emergency department the following day. I also maintained a paid subscription to the vehicle's connected emergency assistance services. I expected the vehicle to initiate an automatic emergency notification following a serious collision, but to my knowledge, no automatic emergency call was initiated. I did not manually activate the SOS button. I am concerned that the automatic collision notification system may not have functioned as intended, potentially delaying emergency assistance. Whether the impact met the manufacturer's airbag deployment thresholds, and whether the vehicle was equipped and configured to initiate automatic emergency assistance under these circumstances, remains UNKNOWN. The vehicle is currently at a collision repair facility and has been requested to be preserved for independent inspection. The vehicle has been evaluated for collision damage, but no independent technical examination has yet confirmed or ruled out a defect in the supplemental restraint system or emergency notification system. Whether any relevant diagnostic trouble codes, warning messages, or stored crash data exist is UNKNOWN. No pre-collision warning symptoms have been established. I request that NHTSA investigate whether the airbag no INFORMATION REDACTED PURSUANT TO THE FREEDOM OF INFORMATION ACT (FOIA), 5 U.S.C. 552(B)(6)

ELECTRICAL SYSTEM — Filed 09/25/2026

On my 2019 RAM 3500, I reported a problem with th eNHSTA back in 2023, and NO response yet. This is about the integrated brake controller, that provides NO electrical signal to stop the towed trailer at speeds what apear to be below 35MPH. This is a very dangerous failure on these trucks.

ENGINE — Filed 03/07/2026

1. Engine failed while driving. 2.This could have caused an accident if I were at highway speeds. 3. The cause of failure was a spent bearing on piston #3 due to lack of oil. 4. Per my mechanic an engine or rebuild kit is needed. This was a reported complaint in March of this year with a complaint number of #11724554. Their was no warning or low oil lamp which was a recall for some 2019 Rams, however my VIN was not included in that recall.

FUEL/PROPULSION SYSTEM — Filed 06/11/2026

HAD RECALL FOR HIGH PRESSURE FUEL PUMP COMPLETED IN 12/2022 AND THE NEW PART HAS PREMATURELY FAILED CAUSING DEBRIS TO GO INTO THE FUEL SYSTEM. THE NEW PART WAS TO PREVENT THIS ISSUE FROM HAPPENING AND IT SEEMS THAT FAILURE AFTER ONLY 3 YEARS MEANS THAT A DEFECTIVE PART WAS INSTALLED OR SOME FORM OF IMPROPER INSTALLATION OCCURRED.

POWER TRAIN — Filed 03/18/2026

While driving transmission just died would only go in reverse. lucky it happened at midnight so there was no traffic and was able to pull over safely. I drove truck home in reverse has I was only about 1000ft from house. Checked transmission fluid was burnt and all black. there was no warning signs check engine light came on just has it happened. I then ordered a aftermarket transmission and had it installed . When old transmission was sent back for core was told under drive and overdrive clutch packs are welded together. Was not brought to dealer because warranty was already up. didn't think to keep codes that populated when check engine light came on there was about six all seemed to do with shift solenoids. I am filling this out in case others have had same issue and maybe its a defect seems like low miles for this to have happened.

ENGINE — Filed 03/06/2003

The contact owned a 2019 Dodge Ram 3500 towing an empty container. The contact stated that while the vehicle was being driven uphill at unknown speeds, it unexpectedly caught fire. No warning lights illuminated. There were no reported injuries, air bag deployment, or police report. The fire department was on the scene, extinguished the fire, and provided a fire report. The fire chief was unable to determine the cause of the fire due to the extensive damage. The vehicle was towed to a tow lot. The local dealer was not contacted. The vehicle was not diagnosed or repaired. The manufacturer was not contacted. The failure mileage was approximately 150,000. The vehicle was deemed a total loss by the insurance company.

ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING — Filed 03/08/2026

The contact owns a 2019 Ram 3500. The contact stated that while driving at an undisclosed speed, the engine made an abnormal rattling sound. The vehicle was towed to an independent mechanic; however, the vehicle was not yet diagnosed or repaired. The contact related the failure to NHTSA Campaign Number: 20V475000 (Engine and Engine Cooling); however, the VIN was not included in the recall. The manufacturer was made aware of the failure. The failure mileage was approximately 108,000.

ENGINE — Filed 02/20/2026

Driving along normal and the engine started knocking, then the noise went away and about three miles later the engine started knocking extremely loud as I attempted to get off the road safely the engine locked up, I opened th hood and seen the engine connecting rods broke out of the engine and it now has holes in the block, and needs a total replacememt

FUEL SYSTEM, DIESEL,ENGINE — Filed 03/06/2026

The contact owns a 2019 Ram 3500. The contact stated that while driving approximately 55 MPH, a warning light for the exhaust system illuminated, and the vehicle stalled. The vehicle was pulled over to the side of the road, and the vehicle failed to restart. The vehicle was towed to an independent mechanic, where it was diagnosed, but the vehicle was not repaired. An unknown dealer was contacted and confirmed that the VIN was not under recall. The manufacturer was notified of the failure and confirmed that an unknown recall repair was previously completed on the vehicle. Upon investigating the failure online, the contact related the failure to NHTSA Action Number: EA23001(Fuel System, Diesel). The failure mileage was approximately 214,000. The VIN was not available.

POWER TRAIN — Filed 02/18/2026

While entering the interstate highway and accelerating to merge into traffic the transmission would not shift properly and check engine light came with code p0871. I could not fully control the speed to keep up with traffic due to the erratic shifting of the transmission and was nearly rear ended by another vehicle also merging into traffic. This could have caused a multi vehicle accident at highway speed of 65 MPH. The p0871 code is transmission fluid pressure sensor / switch c circuit range/performance. There have been previous recalls with this transmission for the same problem but my vin was not listed. Transmission would not shift properly until code is reset with scan tool.

AIR BAGS,SEAT BELTS,SERVICE BRAKES — Filed 12/31/2025

I lost trailer brakes, hydraulic controller not working. traction control light is on along with my airbag and my abs light comes on at times. NO REPAIRS WERE DONE YET. DEALER STATES ORC MODULE NEEDS REPLACEMENT. I believe this is an reoccurring issue.

ELECTRICAL SYSTEM,AIR BAGS,SERVICE BRAKES — Filed 02/22/2022

Recurring water intrusion through firewall/wiper cowl causes electrical corrosion and loss of vehicle communication (CAN bus). Dealer repeatedly documented: • 05/19/2022: “Cowl drains clogged; water entering passenger side” (Invoice #XXX). • 08/15/2025: “Water intrusion through firewall due to wiper cowl drains being clogged with organic debris; water found in passenger kick-panel connector” (Invoice #XXX). Resulting failures include: • BCM shorted (02/16/2022 – replaced). • HVAC module failure (10/15/2022 – replaced). • Intermittent CAN bus, loss of gauges while driving (09/04/2025 – Invoice #XXX; dealer suspects internal corrosion from prior water leaks). • 10/16/2025: Dealer states “old water damage to BCM causing corrosion on circuit board and disrupting bus circuits”; BCM replaced again (Invoice #XXX). • 10/20/2025 (current): Dealer states “ORC (airbag module) dead on bus; ABS module loss-comm with ORC; replace airbag module” (Workorder #XXX). The truck has lost instrumentation and safety systems in rain, with airbag and ABS communication currently inoperative. This is a safety defect; seeking investigation and manufacturer remedy/reimbursement. Injuries/Crashes: None, near-miss due to loss of gauges. Dealer: Hall Chrysler Dodge Jeep Ram, [XXX] . INFORMATION REDACTED PURSUANT TO THE FREEDOM OF INFORMATION ACT (FOIA), 5 U.S.C. 552(B)(6)

UNKNOWN OR OTHER,FORWARD COLLISION AVOIDANCE — Filed 11/15/2023

Firstly, I have contacted Ram about the issue and they said I can't do anything about it. It's a safety feature and it absolutely is the total OPPOSITE of a safety feature! When on icy roads, with traction control off, and in four-wheel drive, if the truck starts sliding, it cuts the power to the wheels when I need power to pull out of the slide. I've been driving in icy / snowy conditions since I was 14 years old and I'm now [XXX] . Since it cut power to the wheels, the truck continued to slide off into the ditch causing major front end damage. If there had been a person walking their dog there, they would have been killed. This happened at about 15 mph and was totally preventable if I had had control of the vehicle instead of a computer! I don't even understand what the traction control button being turned off actually does because apparently it doesn't do anything. Also, I about got thrown through the windshield when the automatic brakes came on thinking I was going to rear-end some one who was not going to be there by the time I got there! Again, not a safety feature! There definitely needs to be a way to turn these systems off completely. If I remove the fuse for the traction control system it unfortunately affects other systems as well. So that is not an acceptable fix. In my opinion, people are putting far too much trust in computer systems. I do not believe there should be a computer in control of a vehicle at any time. You will never get me in a" "self-driving car!" It's complete lunacy! INFORMATION REDACTED PURSUANT TO THE FREEDOM OF INFORMATION ACT (FOIA), 5 U.S.C. 552(B)(6)

POWER TRAIN — Filed 07/15/2024

I placed my truck in park and got out to close the door to my hangar. I turned around and my truck was rolling forward. It rolled into a small two seat plane and pushed it into another plane causing significant damage. When I saw what was happening I ran to the truck but got to it a little too late. I went to put the truck into park, but it was already in park. This confused me a lot because this is not suppose to happen. This morning after I started my truck I tested the gear shifter and to my surprise I am able to shift the truck out of park and all the way into drive for about 1 second or more after removing my foot from the brake. You should not be able to shift a vehicle out of park when your foot is not on the brake. After this incident I have gone online and have ready about large recalls for similar issues with RAM trucks and vans. I even seen some issues posted about my same year truck. Ram had a recall that ended with year model 2018 vehicles for this, but I dont think the issue was resolved completely, or there is a different issue causing this that needs to be investigated. I took a couple videos to prove that my truck shifts out of park without the brake being depressed.

STEERING — Filed 05/01/2024

The contact's employer owns a 2019 RAM 3500. The contact stated that while an employee was driving at approximately 35 MPH, the steering wheel became inoperable, the vehicle went off-road and crashed into a tree, swiping the passenger's side mirror, the front passenger's hubcap, and the bed of the vehicle. The vehicle was taken to the workplace. There was no police report filed. The contact stated that the employee had a bruise on the right arm and a small cut on the right cheek. The dealer was contacted. The vehicle was not repaired. The manufacturer was not made aware of the failure. The failure mileage was approximately 146,927.

ELECTRICAL SYSTEM,FUEL/PROPULSION SYSTEM — Filed 03/08/2024

All of my fuse are lose, also the dealership installed a new high pressure fuel pump under recall and now it’s whining and now my pcm is over charging my batteries!!!

SUSPENSION,POWER TRAIN — Filed 02/02/2020

Front differential locked up without notice on highway at highway speed and almost lost control of my vehicle. Due to the front different locking up, the front driveshaft broke but did not come completely off right away and almost came through the floor of my vehicle. The floor where the drivers feet rest right underneath the brake pedal and gas pedal bent up a few inches and is almost touching the pedal. Pieces of the driveshaft flew out all over the highway and could have injured or killed someone else if it wasn’t early AM when roads were empty. Dash cam footage shows the moment it happened, it felt and looks like I hit a land mine. Front differential needs complete replacement, there is a hole in my frame and much more was damaged due to this. Towed into dealer and manufacturer denied warranty claim. Arbitration determined it was a warrantable item and a lemon but the manufacturer still refuses to do anything about it except repurchase the vehicle at a discounted price. Very scary.

ELECTRICAL SYSTEM,ENGINE,FUEL/PROPULSION SYSTEM — Filed 07/06/2022

Vehicle # 76 MD Tag # 3DS2550 a 2019 Dodge Ram pick up truck was parked at our facility on 7/6/22 at approximately 4:15 p.m. At 5:50 p.m. the truck was observed fully engulfed in flames, we attempted to extinguish the fire but were unable to do so. The Howard County Maryland Police and Fire Deportment were contacted and responded. ( Police Incident # 2259220 Fire Incident # 2022-020323) The vehicle and equipment on the truck are a total loss additionally the heat generated from the fire damaged other company vehicles. Fortunately, the fire was contained and did not spread to adjacent vehicles or buildings. We were awaiting notification that recall could be completed inasmuch as parts for the recall were on backlog and not available.

FUEL SYSTEM, DIESEL — Filed 12/01/2021

The contact owns a 2019 RAM 3500. The contact received notification of NHTSA Campaign Number: 21V880000 (Fuel System, Diesel) however, the part to do the recall repair was not yet available. The local dealer was contacted. The contact stated that the manufacturer had exceeded a reasonable amount of time for the recall repair. The manufacturer was made aware of the issue. The contact stated on February/2022 while her son was driving 40 mph and towing a trailer, the vehicle began to decelerate the speed independently but failed to accelerate while depressing the accelerator pedal. The contact stated the check engine warning light was illuminated and the driver could smell fuel fumes inside the cab and the truck wouldn’t go pass 55 mph. . The contact stated another vehicle rear-ended the vehicle. The driver sustain back and neck injuries and the front passenger had back and right shoulder pains. Both sought medical attention at a near hospital. The contact stated the driver of the other vehicle also sustained a fractured clavicle and sought medical attention. A police report was filed. The vehicle was not drivable. The police had the vehicle towed to the impound lot. The vehicle was towed to a local dealer: Viva Dodge Chrysler Jeep Ram (8434 Gateway Blvd E, El Paso, TX 79907: (915) 834-6300) and was informed the fuel injection was leaking fuel. The vehicle was repaired. The trailer was a total loss. The manufacturer had been informed of the failure. The failure mileage was approximately 105,000. Parts distribution disconnect.

UNKNOWN OR OTHER — Filed 07/22/2021

Driver statement: “I was trying to make a turn from pine brook Rd into peace valley RD and the person coming from peace valley rd was invading my lane, so I tried to avoid him and hit a tree. I was unconscious for an unknown amount of time. When I woke up I saw smoke and I tried to remove my seat belt. It wasn’t coming off at first but then I figured out how to remove it. As I left the vehicle, I was feeling light headed and dizzy. And wanted to lay on the road. Someone came for my rescue and I saw fire underneath the van. So I told him that we should move away from the van. The van caught on fire and I was taken to the hospital."

ENGINE,FUEL/PROPULSION SYSTEM — Filed 11/25/2020

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. HAD TO SLEEP WITH MY NEW BORN IN THE COLD TRUCK. ONCE AT DEALER I WAS TOLD THE CP4 OR HIGH FLOW PRESSURE PUMP HAD FAIL AND THE COMPLETE FUEL SYSTEM NEEDED REPLACED. THE ESTIMATE WAS FOR $20,000 BUT MY INSURANCE COVER $13,000 OF THE BILL THE REST I HAD TO BORROW FROM FRIENDS AND FAMILY. SERVICE ADVISOR SAID THIS IS A VERY COMMON PROBLEM ON ALL NEW RAMS. IF IT'S SO COMMON WHY NOT FIX THE ISSUE MY WHOLE FAMILY WAS OUT IN DANGER THAT NIGHT AND ALSO WAS EXPENSIVE. THE ISSUE IS FIX FOR NOW BUT IS A MATTER OF TIME BEFORE IT HAPPENS AGAIN

ENGINE — Filed 10/26/2020

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2019 RAM 3500. THE CONTACT STATED WHILE HIS WIFE WAS DRIVING AT 55 MPH, WHEN SHE HEARD AN ABNORMAL NOISE BEFORE THE VEHICLE STALLED AND SMOKE STARTED TO ENTER THE CAB THROUGH THE VENTS AND EXITING THE HOOD. THE CONTACT STATED NO WARNING LIGHT WAS ILLUMINATED. THE DRIVER WAS ABLE TO PARK ON THE SIDE ROAD AND OPENED THE HOOD TO SEE FIRE EXITING THE ENGINE. THE DRIVER WAS ABLE EXTINGUISH THE FIRE WITH FIRE EXTINGUISHER. THE CONTACT STATED NO FIRE OR POLICE REPORT WAS FILED. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT DRIVABLE. THE VEHICLE WAS TOWED TO LOCAL DEALER SAM LEMAN CHRYSLER DODGE JEEP RAM FIAT MORTON (200 E COURTLAND ST, MORTON, IL 61550, (309) 263-2345) WHERE THE VEHICLE WAS BEING SERVICED AT THE MOMENT. THE VEHICLE HAD NOT BEEN DIAGNOSED OR REPAIRED AS OF YET. THE VIN WAS ASSOCIATED TO NHTSA CAMPAIGN NUMBER: 20V511000 (ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING, ELECTRICAL SYSTEM). THE CONTACT ATTEMPTED TO CONTACT THE MANUFACTURER BUT NOT BEEN ABLE TO SPEAK TO ANYONE AS OF YET. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS APPROXIMATELY 130,000.

AIR BAGS — Filed 06/03/2020

TL* THE CONTACT OWNED A 2019 RAM 3500. THE CONTACT STATED WHILE HER HUSBAND WAS DRIVING 55 MPH, WHEN ANOTHER VEHICLE INSERTED INTO THEIR LANE AND TO PREVENT AN IMPACT, THE DRIVER TURNED THE STEERING WHEEL TO THE DITCH AND CRASH INTO A "DIRT DRAIN DITCH". THE CONTACT STATED THE AIR BAGS DID NOT DEPLOY. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE FRONT SEAT PASSENGER SUSTAINED INJURIES ON HER RIGHT SHOULDER, NECK AND BACK PAINS WHILE THE DRIVER ALSO SUSTAINED INJURIES TO HIS RIGHT SHOULDER, NECK AND BACK PAINS. THE REAR PASSENGER HER DAUGHTER HIT HER HEAD ON THE WINDOW AND HAD BACK PAINS. THE CONTACT STATED HER HUSBAND AND HERSELF DID SEEK MEDICAL ATTENTION AND WOULD NEED SURGERY FOR THEIR RIGHT SHOULDERS. THE CONTACT STATED THE REAR SEAT PASSENGER DID NOT NEED ANY MEDICAL. A POLICE REPORT WAS FILED. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT DRIVABLE. THE INSURANCE ADJUSTER DEEMED THE VEHICLE A TOTAL LOSS. THE VEHICLE WAS TOWED TO IMPOUND LOT. THE CONTACT CALLED BUD CLARY CHEVROLET OF MOSES LAKE SERVICE CENTER (12056 N FRONTAGE RD SITE B, MOSES LAKE, WA 98837, (509) 765-4517) AND WERE MADE AWARE OF THE FAILURE. THE MANUFACTURER HAD BEEN INFORMED OF THE FAILURE. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS APPROXIMATELY 3,000. *DT*JB

SERVICE BRAKES — Filed 11/29/2019

RED HYDRAULIC FLUID IN BRAKE SYSTEM CAUSE BRAKE FAILURE, WHICH CAUSE ME TO CAUSE MINOR DAMAGE TO A BRAKE LINE. DEALER HAS HAD VEHICLE FOR OVER 2 MONTHS, CLAIM VEHICLE DOESN'T QUALIFY FOR RECALL THAT STATES SIMILAR ISSUES AS V98 WHICH IS FOR 2019 DODGE RAM 3500S , ALSO SAYS PARTS ARE ON RESTRICTIONS DO TO RECALL AND CAN NOT REPAIR MY VEHICLE DO TO THIS.

POWER TRAIN — Filed 08/16/2019

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2019 RAM 3500. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE GEAR SHIFT BECAME STUCK IN PARK SEVERAL TIMES. ON ONE OCCASION, WHILE THE VEHICLE WAS ENGAGED IN PARK AND UNOCCUPIED, IT ROLLED AWAY AND CRASHED INTO THE CONTACT'S TRAILER. THE AIR BAGS DID NOT DEPLOY. A POLICE REPORT WAS NOT FILED. THERE WERE NO INJURIES. THE VEHICLE WAS CURRENTLY AT RODEO CHRYSLER DODGE JEEP RAM (35747 N ELLSWORTH RD, QUEEN CREEK, AZ 85142, (480) 550-3800) WHERE THE CONTACT WAS INFORMED THAT A PART IN THE GEAR SHIFTER FAILED. THE VEHICLE WAS REPAIRED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS MADE AWARE OF THE FAILURE. THE VIN WAS NOT AVAILABLE. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS APPROXIMATELY 500.