2019 RAM 1500 engine problems

ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING:EXHAUST SYSTEM

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 complaint #11757894 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.

ENGINE

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 complaint #11756629 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.

ENGINE

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 complaint #11755331 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.

ENGINE

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 complaint #11749978 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.

ENGINE

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 complaint #11749290 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.

ENGINE

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 complaint #11737150 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.

ENGINE

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 complaint #11732554 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.

ENGINE

Camshaft and lifter failure As well as exhaust manifold leak

NHTSA complaint #11730168 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.

ENGINE

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 complaint #11728128 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.

ENGINE

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 complaint #11724360 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.

ENGINE

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 complaint #11723522 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.

ENGINE

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 complaint #11723273 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.

ENGINE

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 complaint #11720658 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.

ENGINE

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 complaint #11718895 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.

ENGINE

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 complaint #11717340 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.

ENGINE

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 complaint #11716190 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.

ENGINE

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

NHTSA complaint #11716236 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.

ENGINE

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 complaint #11713991 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.

ENGINE

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 complaint #11704599 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.

ENGINE

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 complaint #11703408 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.

ENGINE

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 complaint #11702208 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.

ENGINE

Oil pan completly rusted through .I have lifetime warranty they say not covered because of rust.Its all over the ineternet that 2019 ram 1500 had a bad batch of oil pans.If the oil leaks out the engine will seize and cause me to crash.

NHTSA complaint #11694585 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.

ENGINE

After starting the 2019 Ram 1500 Bighorn in the morning, or after starting the truck and putting it in Drive, the vehicle sometimes shifts itself from Drive into Neutral as we come to a stop. When this happens, the gear indicator on the dashboard begins blinking and displays the message: “Shift to P then desired gear.” On one occasion, as my wife was merging onto the freeway in front of an 18-wheeler, the vehicle suddenly went into Neutral as she slowed down to merge. When she pressed the gas pedal, the truck did not move, putting her in immediate danger and forcing her to coast while traffic approached from behind. This issue has made the vehicle unsafe to drive because it can unexpectedly drop into Neutral at critical moments for example, while crossing lanes, merging, or pulling into intersections. There are no warning lights or alerts before this occurs. Sometimes, the truck will lunge forward or move forward unexpectedly when slowing down. Other times, it just rolls even though we are pressing the gas because it’s actually in Neutral. The problem has been repeatedly reported to the local dealership, which has replaced several parts -including the transmission and performed multiple repair attempts, but the issue continues. No other independent mechanic or third party has inspected the vehicle only the local dealership. Due to the ongoing safety hazard and repeated failure to repair, I am requesting that NHTSA investigate this issue. The unpredictable shifting poses a serious risk to drivers/passengers and others on the road.

NHTSA complaint #11693214 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.

ENGINE

Problem Description: Beginning in early 2025, the vehicle started experiencing intermittent electrical malfunctions that cause it to lose power unexpectedly while driving. The issue occurs without warning, creating a significant safety hazard for both the driver and other motorists. The vehicle has been taken to an authorized Ram service center on four separate occasions (February 2025, July 2025, September 2025, and October 2025), but the problem has not been resolved. Each time, the service center has been unable to identify or repair the root cause. The vehicle is still under an active Mopar Vehicle Protection Plan (Account#[XXX]), and all service has been performed at Commonwealth Dodge in Louisville, Kentucky. Despite these multiple repair attempts, the truck continues to lose power intermittently, making it unreliable and unsafe to operate. VIN: [XXX] Current Mileage: 54,000 INFORMATION REDACTED PURSUANT TO THE FREEDOM OF INFORMATION ACT (FOIA), 5 U.S.C. 552(B)(6)

NHTSA complaint #11692627 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.

ENGINE

The contact owns a 2019 Ram 1500. The contact stated that while driving 45 MPH down the road, the brakes unintendedly activated, and the vehicle stalled. The vehicle was towed to a mechanic who was unable to retrieve a fault code. Several unknown warning lights were illuminated. The vehicle was towed to the local dealer, where it was diagnosed, but the dealer was unable to determine the cause of the failure. Upon additional research, it was determined that the recall was completed under NHTSA Campaign Number: 24V653000 (SERVICE BRAKES, HYDRAULIC, ELECTRONIC STABILITY CONTROL (ESC), but the update was not performed, completed, or done correctly. The vehicle was repaired. While driving at an undisclosed speed, the power steering became inoperable. The vehicle was towed to the residence. Upon investigation, the contact located a Class Action Lawsuit. The local dealer was contacted, and it was diagnosed that the power steering module needed to be replaced. The vehicle was not repaired. The manufacturer was contacted, but no assistance was provided. The failure mileage was approximately 136,000.

NHTSA complaint #11690515 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.

ENGINE

Exhaust Manifolds are cracked as others have noted. This a known issue by the manufacturer and they have issued a TSB but those of us out of warranty have to pay to replace their known defective part. This should be a full recall.

NHTSA complaint #11687344 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.

ENGINE

Issue started with a "service shifter" warning at just shy of 3,000 miles, in January of 2019, and upon speaking to the dealership, they advised to shut off the truck and restart which cleared the "service shifter" warning. They said it was a glitch and that should remedy the issue. This issue became more frequent later (after manufacturers warranty ran out) It started leaving me stranded, sometimes for hours around 45,000 miles. Later, I suffered a multisystem failure and warnings that the truck was not in park, the shifter would not turn, truck would not start, and multiple other warnings. We were able to replace the battery which we thought had fixed the issue, but two weeks later it has done it again, and this time the battery disconnection for a period of days has not fixed the issue. I still owe two years on this truck and it has been a lemon. I have taken it to two dealerships, neither can fix my issue. I have done countless hours of research to address the issue. I am paying payments and do not have anything to drive. I need help with this issue. I have maintained the vehicle and have only put close to 60,000 miles on the truck. There is no logical reason I should be dealing with this many major issues that even the dealership can not seem to remedy. With such low miles and at only 7 years old, these issues should not be considered "routine maintenance" at the point in the truck's life. I believe this issue needs to be investigated, as I know many RAM owners who are facing the same issues that I am having, with no answers as of yet. I have been watching for recalls or statements from RAM, but nothing yet. Thank you for your time and careful considerations. I look forward to seeing a solution to my issues. Until then, I'll be stranded in Virginia, paying for transportation that can't be fixed.

NHTSA complaint #11685480 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.

ENGINE

I’ve had this car for four years and my motor has blown three times and they have changed the head on the motor three different times I was driving the car on the highway. The car was at the dealership for five months and the day I get the car back not even eight hours later I’m driving down [XXX] other car shuts off and says to put in park and leave me stranded on the side of the road with my [XXX] child and my girlfriend . I had to wait until they came and picked me up and told me and this is extremely unsafe and a hazard after the third head replacement at the dealer and the car still under warranty. I don’t feel safe in this car with My Child. I picked up my truck around 2pm August 25th , and the motor blew Wednesday night at 1045pm for a 3rd time INFORMATION REDACTED PURSUANT TO THE FREEDOM OF INFORMATION ACT (FOIA), 5 U.S.C. 552(B)(6)

NHTSA complaint #11683777 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.

ENGINE

The eTorq generator stopped working and the engine shutdown on the highway. I had to get a tow to the shop as the vehicle is not usable and the engine will not start. Furthermore, this part is unavailable with no-ETA as it is on nationwide backorder. I have been waiting for over a month I was told over 13000 of these are on backorder for customers around the country. I have also read many posts of others waiting months for the part. There is obviously a systemic problem with the part and an issue with replacements. It does appear the original part was superseded by a different version. Please help!

NHTSA complaint #11682862 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.