2019 Ram 1500 issues are so numerous that it is difficult to keep track of them all. Recalls total nearly two dozen, and consumers’ problems often left their Ram pickups unusable after less than a year from their purchase date.
Key Points
- The NHTSA database lists 22 recalls for the 2019 Ram 1500, involving breaking axels, faulty drivetrains, and much more.
- Over the last decade, Chrysler vehicles were slammed by recalls, with the Ram series totaling over 100, but no meaningful change was made to improve the quality of their finished product.
- Many owners had their new Ram 1500s a matter of days before major alarming issues began to surface, often rendering the pickup unusable before the end of its first year on the road.
- Electronics systems are faulty, and nearly every part of the truck is affected, making driving the 2019 Ram 1500 a frustrating experience.
- Reviews for the 2019 Ram 1500 are considerably negative, speaking volumes to the far-flung nature of the problems with the truck.
2019 Ram Pickups Have Nearly Two Dozen Recalls to Their Name, Signaling a Frightening Lack of Accountability by Chrysler
The 2019 Ram 1500 comes from the Chrysler factory equipped with the ability to tow up to 7,500 pounds. It debuted with three engine options boasting a heft of horsepower, and an astonishing number of recalls.
According to the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA), the 2019 Ram 1500 has racked up 22 recalls in its young life.
Part of a tough decade for Chrysler, this total is double the recalls found for the 2018 model. Further, it is the seventh consecutive year in which the Ram 1500 totaled recall numbers in the double digits.
Some of the more frightening of the 22 recalls for the 2019 Ram 1500 include:
- Side-curtain airbags that can rupture and injure passengers
- Improperly installed transfer case that can prevent the driver from being able to park
- Faulty airbag system that may not deploy in the event of a crash
- Driveshafts that fracture and separate
- Rear-axle failure
- Cruise control that won’t disengage
In short, the pickup is having a lot of issues, despite being a newer model. And the ubiquitous nature of these problems makes driving the 2019 Ram 1500 a bit like playing a game of Jenga—you never know when it’s all going to fall apart.
Customers Who Bought Their 1500s New in 2019 Had Failing Trucks Before the End of the Year
Littered among the many consumer reviews of the 2019 Ram 1500 are reports that buyers had their new trucks become inoperable before even a year of use.
“My 2019 Bighorn has lost all power AGAIN! …This is the third time this exact problem has happened and getting to work so I can pay for this $55,000 paperweight is getting old fast,” shares one Vehicle History owner review. “I can’t stress enough how much I wish I would have bought another Chevy.”
Another Vehicle History reviewer comments, “Less than 3000 miles. Every exterior sensor has malfunctioned. The stereo has stopped making a sound. This truck is a complete disaster! I wish I had my Ford back that I traded for it!”
Even though by most accounts the 2019 Ram is quite capable and steeped in luxury, many drivers immediately saw engine and transmission issues, finding themselves returning to the mechanic time after time.
This is made all the worse knowing that, because of the luxury and comfort, the vehicle’s problems came with a price tag of over $30,000, though higher-end models were no more immune to the problems these trucks see right out of the gate.
Some drivers had their pickups for less than a week. Transmissions failed. Engines failed. Features like the touchscreen infotainment system were inoperable. For many, the 2019 Ram was totally unusable.
Discussions on Popular Ram Forums Show the 2019 Pickup’s Electrical System Has Been Problematic for Some
The previously mentioned touchscreen infotainment system found in the 2019 Ram 1500 is only one facet of the many-sided issues with the electronics.
Automotive site Ram Forums shows one 2019 Ram 1500 owner had issues with nearly every electrical component found in the cab of the truck. Power mirrors wouldn’t budge, lights went out, and other electrical gremlins harassed the driver.
Despite the apparent luxury of the 2019 Ram 1500—its comfort, smooth ride, and excellent interior—the driving experience is downgraded significantly by the presence of all these electrical issues, in turn making the usability of the 2019 Ram 1500 so frustrating that many drivers give up on it.
Among complaints about the 2019 Ram 1500, electrical issues take the lion’s share everywhere you look. So many problems crop up that it is no wonder that many find themselves so frustrated with the 2019 Ram 1500 that they sell the vehicle long before they would have otherwise.
In the End, the Problems with the 2019 Ram Pickup Truck Make Safety a Major Concern when Considering a Used Option
Any vehicle, no matter whether it can tow a house or couldn’t handle a ladybug, needs to be able to get its operator to their destination safely. The 2019 Ram 1500 just doesn’t do that as often as it should.
People lose the ability to steer the truck, rear axles break, navigation systems are inoperable, and the fit and finish of the 2019 Ram 1500 seems to be so loose that no two parts work well in unison with the other.
Recalls hit nearly every inch of the 2019 Ram 1500. Though the 2020 model had fewer recalls, it still totaled nearly 10.
The Ram 1500 for 2019 may be the lemon of lemons, but unless a sea change is made in manufacturing processes, we are unlikely to see the end of some of Chrysler’s safety issues.
Photos: Stellantis
