2019 Ram 1500 problems: every known failure
All 8 documented failure points for this exact year — what goes wrong, when,
what it costs, and how to spot it on a test drive. Free, from Milo's research on this model.
8known failure points
1459NHTSA owner complaints
30safety recalls
$4,500worst-case single repair
A genuinely great truck wrapped in a first-model-year electrical mess — buy a 2021+ if you can, but a well-optioned 2019 at the right price is still a good truck if you go in eyes open.
Every documented failure, earliest first
Ordered by the mileage the problem typically appears. VERY HIGH
confidence means it's tied to a documented NHTSA recall, and 1 of these are rated Critical.
0k–15k mi● Watch$0–$400MODERATE
Uconnect 4C / 12" screen freezes, reboots, and HVAC control dropouts
How to catch it: Get every software TSB applied at the dealer immediately at delivery — most 2019 screen gremlins were fixed by mid-cycle firmware updates that many owners never installed.
Source: multi-source pattern (AI synthesis)
15k–40k mi● Plan$800–$1,800VERY HIGH
Air suspension compressor and height-sensor faults (air-ride equipped trucks)
How to catch it: Cycle through ride-height settings monthly even if you never use them off-road — a stuck compressor from disuse is the #1 complaint.
Source: documented (NHTSA recall)
25k–60k mi● Plan$600–$2,200VERY HIGH
eTorque 48V motor-generator unit (MGU) or belt-alternator-starter faults on mild-hybrid V6/V8 trucks
How to catch it: If cross-shopping, know eTorque adds real complexity for marginal MPG gains — a pre-purchase scan for stored eTorque codes is cheap insurance.
Source: documented (NHTSA recall)
40k–80k mi● Watch$400–$1,200VERY HIGH
Exhaust manifold ticking/cracking on 5.7L Hemi
How to catch it: A cold-start tick that fades isn't dangerous but document it — some dealers will still cover manifold bolts/gaskets under goodwill inside 60k miles.
Source: documented (NHTSA recall)
50k–100k mi● Plan$1,500–$3,000VERY HIGH
4WD transfer case gear wear (subject of the 2019 transfer-case recall, but wear continues after the fix)
How to catch it: Confirm the transfer-case recall (gear installation) was actually performed — VIN-check it before buying, it's often skipped by original owners.
Source: documented (NHTSA recall)
60k–100k mi● Critical$1,500–$4,500VERY HIGH
3.0L EcoDiesel EGR cooler cracking and high-pressure fuel pump failure (both subject to recalls)
How to catch it: If buying an EcoDiesel 1500, confirm both the EGR and HP fuel pump recalls were completed — unfixed trucks can dump metal shavings through the fuel system.
Source: documented (NHTSA recall)
70k–120k mi● Plan$600–$1,400MODERATE
Front-end wear: ball joints, control arm bushings, sway bar links
How to catch it: Budget for a full front-end inspection at 60k — these trucks are heavy and eat bushings faster than the last-gen 1500.
Source: multi-source pattern (AI synthesis)
90k–130k mi● Plan$700–$1,200HIGH
3.6L Pentastar water pump (internally driven off timing chain on some builds) and 100k-mile spark plug service
How to catch it: Bundle the water pump with the timing chain cover reseal and plug job — labor overlap saves ~$300 vs doing them separately.
Source: owner-reported (40 NHTSA complaints)
Buying one of these?
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Milo's full report gives you the other half — for your exact car:
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- The pre-purchase inspection checklist
- VIN-specific open recalls
- What it's really worth right now
- Your next 15,000 miles, forecast
- Hidden features & money-savers
Get the full 2019 Ram 1500 report →
First report free · then $10
Findings blend documented NHTSA recalls and complaints with patterns
synthesized from owner communities. Confidence is labeled on every item; an inference is
never presented as documented fact. Always inspect the specific vehicle and verify open
recalls by VIN before buying.