RoadVitals

2019 RAM 1500 Engine Problems

Owner-reported complaints naming the engine system, filed with NHTSA

Data refreshed

Engine reportsComplaints are reports submitted to NHTSA by owners and drivers. NHTSA does not verify most reports before publishing them, and a complaint does not establish that a defect exists. Volume is influenced by how many of a vehicle were sold, how long it has been on the road, and how much attention an issue has received.
245
Latest Sep 21, 2026
Share of all reportsThis category as a share of every owner report on file for this model year. One report can name more than one component, so the categories overlap.
17%
of 1,477 total
Crash or fire reportedReports in this category whose submitter recorded that a crash or a fire occurred. The reporter's own answer on the NHTSA form, not a verified finding.
10
Injuries or deaths reportedTotals the submitters entered on their own reports in this category. Not verified by NHTSA and not a casualty statistic.
2

What this page shows

Reports naming the engine itself — including stalling, misfires, oil consumption, cooling and internal engine components. Every record below is an owner-reported complaint about the 2019 RAM 1500 submitted to NHTSA — not a confirmed defect, not a recall and not a manufacturer bulletin. 245 reports on file name it.

Complaints are reports submitted by owners and drivers to NHTSA. They are not verified and do not establish that a defect exists.

Owner reports naming engine

The 25 most recent of 245, in the owner's own words

Engine
Filed Sep 21, 2026

MY LOCAL DODGE DEALER INFROMED ME THAT MY OIL PAN NEEDS REPLACED WHEN I TOOK TRUCK IN FOR NORMAL ROUTINE MAINTENANCE. A $1700.00 REPAIR AND MY 2019 DODGE RAM BIGHORN TRUCK WAS OUT OF WARRANTY. THIS IS A SAFTEY HAZZARD THAT DODGE SHOULD BE RESPONISBLE FOR ON A 6 YEAR OLD TRUCK WITH ONLY 90,000 MILES ON IT. A RUSTED OIL PAN CAN CAUSE SUDDEN OIL LOSS AND ENGINE FAILURE, WHICH MAKES IT A SAFETY CONCERN.

NHTSA ID
11765870
Incident
Aug 6, 2026
Engine
Filed Sep 20, 2026
Crash reported

The vehicle loses power unexpectedly without triggering a MIF indicator or logging a OBDII diagnostic code. The problem is the crankshaft position sensor temporarily fails causing the vehicle to stall, in my case, in stop and go traffic, which caused an accident. Once the 'Heat Soak' effect passes, the vehicle start and drives normally again. The fix, to preventing it from happening again and solving the heat soak problem, is to replace the crankshaft position sensor with an OEM part which is less susceptible to the ambient heat (heat soak) due the proximity to the exhaust manifold. And, to have the software in the PCM 'Flashed' or upgraded to allow for a greater signal tolerance from the crankshaft position sensor. The problem and fix where confirmed by Auto-Nation Chrysler Dodge Jeep RAM, [XXX], where I purchased the OEM part and had their service department 'Flash' the PCM for the software upgrade. The service department and the parts clerk agreed that TSB 18-020-26 applied, dated XXX. Upon further research I discovered a recall report: 18v-049 Part 573 Safety recall report. It is proof FCA US LLC (Manufacturer of my 2019 Dodge RAM 1500 Classic) knew about the problem with the Pentastar 3.6L engine. The same 3.6L engine in the recall. Or, they should have know about the potential problem. Although my vehicle was not part of the 18v-049 recall, it has the same 3.6L engine and exhibited the same engineering shortcomings as the recalled engine? As a concerned citizen I felt compelled to bring the public safety problem to your attention, even though I feel I am not the only one who has complained about the problem. And, because I feel strongly about this, I am planning to file suite in small claim court against the manufacture: FCA US LLC. I would like to update your office with a copy of the filing as soon as I am issued a court date. Thank you for your time and consideration. INFORMATION REDACTED PURSUANT TO THE FREEDOM OF INFORMATION ACT (FOIA), 5 U.S.C. 552(B)(6)

NHTSA ID
11765672
Incident
Sep 4, 2026
Engine
Filed Sep 11, 2026

My 2019 ram 1500 had the hemi tick sound. Took it in to the dealership to check and verified it was a failed lifter and had metal shavings inside the motor. Dealership said I needed a whole new engine costing around 18,000 dollars. They also refused to warranty it even though there was a bulletin on this specific issue. It had 113k when I brought it in. My certified pre owned warranty lasted until 100k but still didn’t want to warranty it. I went ahead and rebuilt the engine myself costing around 10k. Now I’m hearing clunking noise when I’m in a low gear taking off again around 20mph possibly my transmission now. Has 130k miles now.

NHTSA ID
11763724
Incident
Nov 22, 2024
ElectricalEngine
Filed Sep 3, 2026

The 48-Volt Belt-Driven Hybrid Starter Generator / Motor Generator Unit (MGU / eTorque Alternator) suffered a catastrophic failure on my vehicle at approximately [Insert Mileage, e.g., 140,000] miles. The failure occurred while traveling out of state away from home, causing a sudden loss of vehicle charging, dashboard electrical errors ("Battery Saver Mode"), and creating an imminent threat of an engine stall in live traffic. Due to widespread manufacturer part backorders exceeding tens of thousands of units, my vehicle was forced to sit at a dealership until I could pay thousands of dollars out-of-pocket for a component that Ram has actively removed from newer production vehicles due to its high failure rate. This is a severe, systemic durability and safety issue affecting thousands of trucks. I am requesting that NHTSA force FCA/Stellantis to issue a safety recall and establish a retroactive reimbursement program for all owners who paid out-of-pocket for MGU replacements. I possess the official out-of-state dealership invoice and proof of payment.

NHTSA ID
11761964
Incident
Aug 14, 2026
Engine
Filed Aug 19, 2026

The contact owns a 2019 Ram 1500. The contact stated that while driving at an undisclosed speed, there was an abnormally strong exhaust odor inside the vehicle. The vehicle was taken to the dealer, where it was diagnosed and determined that the exhaust manifold needed to be replaced. The vehicle was not repaired. The contact was concerned that the failure posed a safety risk due to the potential inhalation of carbon monoxide. Additionally, the contact stated that a previous model year vehicle that the contact owned was previously repaired due to the same failure. The manufacturer was notified of the failure, but no assistance was provided. The failure mileage was approximately 63,000. The VIN was unavailable.

NHTSA ID
11757894
Incident
May 19, 2026
Mileage
63,000 mi
BrakesEnginePowertrain (other)
Filed Aug 13, 2026

This has now happened 3 separate times. Once 1 month ago, my husband and I were on the connecting road from [XXX] toward [XXX] by the water plants stopped in traffic and the truck completely powered off at a red light. It took 30 seconds for the truck to power back on, and be restarted. It showed a check engine light the rest of the drive. The next time it turned on from being off there was no check engine light. Last week we were driving on a the main road toward our house going 30 miles per hour and coming up to a right turn then the truck stopped abruptly and died. It completely powered off and took 2 minutes to power back on. We were blocking a one lane road. It then showed a check engine light that went away after a few days. Today after getting ready to enter [XXX] going 55 miles per hour the truck showed a check engine light and the truck started to power down mid highway entrance and I had to try and pull off before it powered down completely. It took 5 minutes this time for the truck regain power enough to be restart fully. The check engine light is still on. It endangered both me and everyone behind me because I abruptly slowed down and risked not having anywhere to pull over on a highway. Every time it has failed I have been in the middle of a road, lane, highway/freeway. With no way to signal my truck has died and no way to move it. Police have not investigated this issue, no dealerships or shops have looked at this issue currently. The engine, powertrain, brakes, and electrical appear to be not functioning properly in these incidents but it is unknown of the root cause. There has been no other indication that this truck has had these issues or previous recalls for these incidents. This truck was bought from a dealership earlier this year without issue. INFORMATION REDACTED PURSUANT TO THE FREEDOM OF INFORMATION ACT (FOIA), 5 U.S.C. 552(B)(6)

NHTSA ID
11756629
Incident
Aug 12, 2026
ElectricalEngine
Filed Aug 6, 2026

When driving, I get a prompt on my dash to switch to park and then desired gear. I get no response from my accelerator until I do so. This particularly happens when I’m slowing down and accelerating after a stop signs or traffic lights. Happens while in the middle of intersections. This happened about 7 times in the past month. Dealership said they couldn’t find a problem when I took it in. They did a transmission re-learn which I paid for and the issue happened twice since that appointment.

NHTSA ID
11755331
Incident
Aug 4, 2026
ElectricalEngine
Filed Jul 13, 2026

019 Ram 1500 5.7L eTorque MGU (Motor Generator Unit) failed on 08/29/2025 at 62,105 miles. Vehicle died on road and would not restart, creating a safety hazard. Dealer confirmed battery was severely discharged due to MGU failure — alternator was not putting out voltage necessary to charge battery, resulting in failed MGU. Vehicle was inoperable for 109 consecutive days (08/29/2025 through 12/16/2025) due to Stellantis parts backorder with no ETA provided. MGU is covered under Federal Emission Warranty (8 years/80,000 miles) per FCA US LLC 2019 Ram 1500 Warranty Booklet Section 5.1B. Stellantis denied all warranty obligations and failed to respond to a formal $40,125.00 certified mail demand for consequential damages. This defect is subject of active class action litigation: Fisher v. FCA US LLC, Case #2:23-cv-10426, E.D. Michigan

NHTSA ID
11749978
Incident
Aug 29, 2025
Engine
Filed Jul 9, 2026

The contact owns a 2019 Ram 1500. The contact stated that while reversing and driving at an undisclosed speed, the vehicle was shaking. The check engine warning light was illuminated. Additionally, the vehicle experienced rough idling and failed to exceed 30 MPH while driving. The vehicle was taken to an independent mechanic, who determined that the engine needed to be replaced. The vehicle was not repaired. The manufacturer was not made aware of the failure. The failure mileage was 73,165.

NHTSA ID
11749290
Incident
Apr 1, 2026
Mileage
73,165 mi
Engine
Filed May 11, 2026

My 2019 Ram 1500 equipped with the eTorque system experienced a sudden failure involving the eTorque/hybrid system at approximately 88,000 miles. The failure caused the vehicle to become disabled and left my [XXX] daughter and me stranded on a busy roadway, creating a serious safety hazard. The vehicle required towing and diagnosis by an authorized Ram dealership. I was informed that the failure involved the eTorque system/components and was required to pay approximately $3,298 for repairs. After researching the issue, I discovered numerous similar complaints involving Ram 1500 eTorque system failures, including reports of sudden shutdowns, loss of power, and expensive repairs. There are also pending lawsuits and NHTSA investigations involving these systems. I believe this represents a widespread safety-related defect involving the Ram eTorque system and request that NHTSA investigate these failures further. Please see attached document for further information. That letter was submitted to Ram for reimbursement purposes. Thank you! INFORMATION REDACTED PURSUANT TO THE FREEDOM OF INFORMATION ACT (FOIA), 5 U.S.C. 552(B)(6)

NHTSA ID
11737150
Incident
May 6, 2026
EngineFuel system
Filed Apr 20, 2026

On March, while I was leaving to take my children to school, I discovered a loud, heavy metallic knocking sound coming from the engine of my 2019 Ram 1500 Classic. As I depressed the gas pedal, the knocking frequency increased immediately with the engine RPMs. Prior to this total failure, I had noticed the truck feeling hesitant and "stuttering" when I was trying to accelerate from red lights in the days leading up to the incident. ​Because I was concerned the engine would stall or fail completely while my children were in the vehicle, I immediately stopped driving it. A subsequent inspection at Don White’s CDJR confirmed DTC P051B-00 (Crankcase Pressure Sensor Performance). This fault is a recognized indicator of excessive crankcase pressure, which NHTSA has identified as a precursor to sudden engine stalling and fire risks in 3.0L EcoDiesel engines (Ref: Recall 19V-757).

NHTSA ID
11732554
Incident
Mar 27, 2026
Engine
Filed Apr 9, 2026

Camshaft and lifter failure As well as exhaust manifold leak

NHTSA ID
11730168
Incident
Feb 7, 2026
Driver assistanceElectricalEngine
Filed Mar 30, 2026

RF Module lost connection to CAN Bus and caused the vehicle to shutoff while driving. Symptoms include messages about key fob not within range and TPMS not able to communicate with sensors. RF Module was replaced however the issue returned. Other symptoms include parasitic draw caused by RF Module that in turn causes the system to report low voltage while driving. Vehicle has left me stranded on more than one occasion due to RF Module failures. These situations where preceded by no starts and shifter errors. Most of these issues can temporarily be resolved by disconnecting the main battery for extended periods. Dealer or service center has not reproduced the issue. Dealership inspected the RF module during installion of a new RF module after a water leak. The issue first appeared after the dealership repaired the "backlite" window, which was leaking on to the RF module. I suspect this might be related to system updates installed during the window installation service call. All of this started in early 2024.

NHTSA ID
11728128
Incident
Jun 21, 2024
Engine
Filed Mar 14, 2026

UKNOWN ENGINE SIEZED WHILE DRIVING LOW OIL LIGHT CAME ON BRIEFLY BEFORE STALL. NO EVIDENCE OF AN OUL LEAK BEFOREHAND. TRUCK WILL NOT START.

NHTSA ID
11724360
Incident
Nov 5, 2025
Engine
Filed Mar 11, 2026

CUSTOMER STATES HIS VEHICLE IS TICKING MORE WHEN THE VEHICLE IS WARMED UP. CUSTOMER IS AWARE OF 250.00 ON DIAG. CUSTOMER IS AWARE OF 3-5 DAYS OUT ON DIAG. Cause: HEARD THE TICKING NOISE IS COMING FROM THE RIGHT SIDE OF ENGINE. NEED TO REMOVE RIGHT CYLINDER HEAD TO INSPECT LIFTERS. FOUND CYLINDER 6 HAS A SLIGHT MISFIRE WHICH IS CORRESPONDING TO THE TICKING NOISE. LINE #B Cause: PULLED VVT FROM MOTOR AND FOUND A LOT OF METAL SHAVINGS ON IT. AS SHOWN IN VIDEO AND PICTURE. FOUND TSB S1709000010 - REV B. Customer complaints may include abnormal engine noise, rough idle, lack of power, misfire. AS PER TSB, NEED TO REPLACE MOTOR DUE TO METAL SHAVINGS INSIDE OILING SYSTEM. THE DEBRIS MAY CLOG OIL PORTS INSIDE MOTOR AND CREATE ISSUES IN THE FUTURE. Correction: NEED TO REPLACE LONG BLOCK All notes from dodge dealership service

NHTSA ID
11723522
Incident
Feb 1, 2025
Engine
Filed Mar 10, 2026

Vehicle has sweet smell of coolant/antifreeze in the cab regularly. Appears to be a heater core leak. This is a safety issue due to potential engine failure and inhaling toxic chemical odors in the cab.

NHTSA ID
11723273
Incident
Mar 1, 2025
EnginePowertrain (other)
Filed Feb 26, 2026

The contact owns a 2019 Ram 1500. The contact stated while driving at an undisclosed speed and hauling a 500 lb. trailer, the vehicle hesitated and failed to accelerate as intended while depressing the accelerator pedal. In addition, a bearing made an abnormal grinding sound. No warning lights were illuminated. The contact pulled over to the side of the road, opened the hood, and noticed dust on top of the eTorque Motor Generator Unit (MGU). The contact was able to restart the engine. The vehicle was taken to the dealer, where it was diagnosed and determined that the Motor Generator Unit (MGU) had failed. The dealer informed the contact that continuous driving of the vehicle had caused the tensioner to overextend due to the loss of power by the MGU and bearing. The contact was informed that parts to repair the vehicle were on backorder. The vehicle remained with the dealer unrepaired. The manufacturer was made aware of the failure and filed a claim. The failure mileage was approximately 82,000.

NHTSA ID
11720658
Incident
Feb 1, 2026
Mileage
82,000 mi
Engine
Filed Feb 18, 2026

The exhaust manifolds crack both of them which is a flaw that has not been recalled The leak started within a few months of owning the truck new it was under bumper to bumper warranty but the leak was not loud so I did not worry about it and it always passed emissions after the manufactures warranty was up i bought an extended warranty and it ran up still passing emissions, the truck got to about 110,000 miles I have never had to fix anything but battery, tires, and oil still passing emissions. The leak started getting louder especially with a cold motor and startup fuel milage has decreased and most importantly exhaust would come into the cabin during ideal so, if I'm in heavy traffic or stopped at a light it gets hard to breath I had to replace the exhaust manifolds because I take my grandson sometimes and I don't want him getting carbon monoxide poisoning.

NHTSA ID
11718895
Incident
Feb 1, 2026
ElectricalEngine
Filed Feb 11, 2026

I am writing to report a critical safety defect in my vehicle, a 2019 Ram 1500 Big Horn , involving a catastrophic failure of the heater core (heater coil). This failure creates an unreasonable risk to motor vehicle safety as defined under 49 U.S.C. § 301. Safety Risk 1: Acute Toxicity and Driver Impairment The failed component is releasing vaporized ethylene glycol directly into the passenger cabin through the HVAC vents. Per CDC and ATSDR documentation, these fumes are known to cause respiratory distress and neurological impairment, including dizziness and confusion. While operating the vehicle, these fumes caused [describe your symptoms, e.g., dizziness or coughing], creating an immediate risk of a crash. Safety Risk 2: Severe Visual Obstruction The vapor creates a persistent, oily film on the interior of the windshield that cannot be cleared by the defrost system. This "flash-fogging" has severely restricted my field of vision during operation, which mirrors safety risks identified in NHTSA Recall 24V-011. Safety Risk 3: Electrical and Fire Hazard Liquid coolant is currently leaking into the dashboard area, which houses critical wiring harnesses and electronic control modules. This exposure to conductive fluid poses a high risk of electrical short-circuits and potential vehicle fire, as documented in previous NHTSA investigations (e.g., Recall 26V012). Supporting Information: * VIN: [XXX] * Current Mileage: 93000 * Incident Date: January 17 2026 I request that the NHTSA open a Preliminary Evaluation into this model’s heater core assembly to determine if a safety-related recall is warranted. Sincerely, [XXX] INFORMATION REDACTED PURSUANT TO THE FREEDOM OF INFORMATION ACT (FOIA), 5 U.S.C. 552(B)(6)

NHTSA ID
11717340
Incident
Jan 17, 2026
Engine
Filed Feb 6, 2026

The truck has a mild hybird 48 volt system that will cause the engine to stall in traffic.

NHTSA ID
11716236
Incident
Jan 23, 2026
Engine
Filed Feb 6, 2026

For about many months now I have had what sounds like a Exhaust Manifold leak. I have been trying to learn more about it. I have a 19' Ram 1500 Laramie and I have found that this is an incredibly common issue amongst Ram owners with a 5.7L V8 Engine. You tube has thousands of videos about how to repair, there are hundreds of message boards online, and even my mechanic said to me "Oh yeah I've fixed hundreds of this issue on Rams". When I remote start my truck I have to roll the windows down when I get in to let the exhaust smell out of my truck. I would assume that the air intake for the cabin climate control is pulling in the fumes from the engine bay. It concerns me to leave my truck run too long while not moving for fear of passing out. When I took it to an exhaust shop he said he could temporarily remedy this with some liquid gasket maker but he was right, it only lasted about 2 weeks. THIS NEEDS TO BE A SAFETY RECALL. I checked with my dealer service dept and he quoted me "at least $1,600" I can buy an entirely new aftermarket system for less than that. I am about 20k miles out of my warranty. This needs addressed.

NHTSA ID
11716190
Incident
Mar 1, 2025
Engine
Filed Jan 28, 2026

The 3.6L Pentastar V6 oil filter housing assembly (found on 2011-2023+ Jeep, Dodge, Ram, Chrysler) is a common failure point where the plastic housing cracks, causing oil leaks, coolant contamination, and overheating. Replacing it with an upgraded aluminum unit is highly recommended for durability. The assembly is located under the intake manifold and requires removing the upper intake plenum and several components for access. Key Details for Replacement Common Failure: The OEM plastic housing becomes brittle from heat cycles, leading to oil/coolant leaks in the engine's valley. Upgrade Option: Upgrading to an all-aluminum housing prevents future cracks. Required Parts: New assembly (e.g., Dorman 926-959, 926-876 or Mopar 68596317AB/68596318AB), new O-rings (should be included), and new intake manifold gaskets. Process: Requires removing the upper intake manifold, removing the old housing (held by 5 E8 Torx screws), and cleaning the engine valley before installing the new unit.

NHTSA ID
11713991
Incident
Jan 1, 2022
ElectricalEngineOther / unspecified
Filed Dec 11, 2025

Have had several issues with this truck and there seems to be a lot of similar issues: 1. Hemi tick - Had to have the exhaust manifolds replaced because they were cracked for no apparent reason... happened right after warranty was up 2. Alternator (etorque) started whining and had to get it replaced after 100k miles gently driven. Could have left me stranded. 3. Visor falling out (Very Dangerous) No t only in my truck, but when I had 2 rentals from dealership, same truck different years (2021 & 2023) they had the same issue. All of these seem to be a widespread issue!

NHTSA ID
11704599
Incident
Dec 5, 2025
EnginePowertrain (other)
Filed Dec 6, 2025

My 2019 RAM 1500 diesel (built 12/12/2019 is included in Recall 23V-411 for tone wheel delamination. My tone wheel has failed (confirmed by technician). Stellantis provides free tone wheel replacement under Recall 73A for 2014 and 2016 models but excludes 2015/2017/2018/2019 models despite having the identical defect from the same supplier. I received only Recall 66A (software) which did not prevent failure. Stellantis now wants me to pay $3,037 to replace the defective part they replace free in other model years. This discriminatory recall remedy is inadequate and unjust.

NHTSA ID
11703408
Incident
Nov 1, 2025
Engine
Filed Dec 1, 2025

The contact owns a 2019 Ram 1500. The contact stated that the check engine warning light had illuminated. Additionally, the contact stated that while driving, the throttle sensor warning light illuminated. The contact stated that the failure had recurred while driving. The vehicle was taken to the dealer where it was purchased, and the light was reset; however, the failure recurred. The contact stated that while driving 45-50 MPH, the failure recurred, and the vehicle stalled. The contact was able to pull over to the side of the road, but the vehicle failed to restart. The vehicle was towed to the dealer where it was purchased, and the throttle sensor was replaced; however, the vehicle failed to start. The contact was referred to a Dodge dealer. The vehicle was towed to Daytona Dodge Chrysler Jeep Ram (1450 N Tomoka Farms Rd Suite A, Daytona Beach, FL 32124); but no assistance was provided. The vehicle was then towed to Sebastian's Auto Repair Inc, where the valve cover gasket was taken apart, but no failure was found. The warranty company was contacted and advised the contact that the entire engine needed to be taken apart for the repair to be covered. The vehicle was not diagnosed or repaired. The manufacturer was notified of the failure and advised the contact to tow the vehicle back to the Dodge dealer for diagnostic testing. The failure mileage was approximately 52,800.

NHTSA ID
11702208
Incident
Dec 1, 2025
Mileage
52,800 mi

Higher-selling and older vehicles accumulate more reports. Counts are not failure rates and are not directly comparable between vehicles that sold in very different numbers.

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