2019 Ram 1500 Reliability Data: Problems & Recalls
Avoid The 2019 Ram 1500 ranks worst of 13 model years tracked, with a Complaint Index of 100 and 1,477 complaints across 29 recalls. Owners report Electrical System issues most (26% of complaints), followed by Steering (23%) and Engine (20%), making it an Avoid year relative to other Ram 1500 model years.
Based on NHTSA complaints per model-year, not a reliability rating. Methodology
YearToAvoid Scorecard
- Complaint Index
- 100/100
- #1 of 14 1500 years
- Verdict
- Avoid
- vs. other years of this model
- Complaints
- 1,477
- unique NHTSA reports
- Recalls
- 29
- distinct NHTSA campaigns
- Crashes
- 76
- reported in complaints
- Fires
- 11
- Injuries
- 63
- Top issue
- Electrical System
- NHTSA overall rating
- 5 / 5 ★
- EPA combined MPG
- 19
- 17 city / 23 hwy
- Injuries / deaths
- 63 / 1
Top 2019 Ram 1500 problems
Share of this year’s NHTSA complaints by component group. Groups with 15+ complaints have their own page.
- Electrical System390 (26%)
- Steering337 (23%)
- Engine290 (20%)
- Other234 (16%)
- Transmission & Powertrain205 (14%)
- Brakes135 (9%)
- Fuel System103 (7%)
- Structure & Body95 (6%)
- Airbags91 (6%)
- Visibility & Wipers78 (5%)
A complaint can list more than one component, so shares add up to more than 100%. Shares are % of complaints.
What owners report
- Owners describe the engine emitting smoke and vibrating abnormally at low speed, in one case with fuel leaking from the tailpipe and a fire starting.
- Some drivers report the steering wheel failing to turn the front wheels after a low-speed collision, with the front wheel pointed the wrong direction.
- Multiple owners state the airbags failed to deploy in crashes, including a deer strike and a highway collision, despite significant vehicle damage.
- Several complaints describe the brakes not engaging when the pedal was pressed, causing the truck to continue accelerating into another vehicle, a parked vehicle, or a house.
- One owner reports the accelerator became stuck and the brakes could not stop the truck before it struck a parking garage wall.
2019 Ram 1500 recalls
29 NHTSA recall campaigns list this model year.
- NHTSA 26V495000Jul 30, 2026Seat Belts1,271,294 vehicles
Seat belts:rear/other:anchorage
Chrysler (FCA US, LLC) is recalling certain 2019-2026 Ram 1500 vehicles. The second-row center and left-side seat belt buckle anchors may have been improperly installed. As such, these vehicles fail to comply with the requirements of Federal Motor Vehicle Safety Standard number 210, "Seat Belt Assembly Anchorages."
Risk: An improperly installed seat belt buckle anchor may fail to properly restrain occupants, increasing the risk of injury during a crash.
Remedy: Dealers will inspect and attach the seat belt buckle anchor to the body structure as necessary, free of charge. Owner notification letters are expected to be mailed August 18, 2026. Owners may contact Chrysler customer service at 1-800-853-1403. Chrysler's number for this recall is 67D. Vehicle Identification Numbers (VINs) involved in this recall will be searchable on NHTSA.gov on August 6, 2026.
- NHTSA 25V824000Dec 1, 2025Airbags1,589 vehicles
Air bags:side/window:curtain:inflator
Chrysler (FCA US, LLC) is recalling certain 2019 Ram 1500 Classic, Ram 2500, and Ram 3500 vehicles. The right and left side curtain air bag inflators may rupture due to a manufacturing defect.
Risk: An inflator rupture may result in sharp metal fragments striking occupants, resulting in injury.
Remedy: Dealers will replace one or both side curtain air bags, as necessary, free of charge. Owner notification letters were mailed December 18, 2025. Owners may contact FCA customer service at 1-800-853-1403. FCA's numbers for this recall are C2C, C7C, and C8C. Vehicle Identification Numbers (VINs) involved in this recall will be searchable on NHTSA.gov beginning December 4, 2025.
- NHTSA 25V298000May 8, 2025Airbags71 vehicles
Air bags
Chrysler (FCA US, LLC) is recalling certain 2019-2024 Ram 1500 vehicles. The driver's side air bag may not be connected properly, which can cause the air bag not to deploy as intended. As such, these vehicles fail to comply with the requirements of Federal Motor Vehicle Safety Standard number 208, "Occupant Crash Protection."
Risk: A driver's side air bag that does not deploy as intended increases the risk of injury in a crash.
Remedy: Dealers secured the connectors for the air bag, free of charge. All vehicles have been remedied. Owner notification letters were mailed May 27, 2025. Owners may contact Chrysler customer service at 800-853-1403. Chrysler's number for this recall is 08C.
2019 Ram 1500 fuel economy and fuel cost
- City
- 17 MPG
- Highway
- 23 MPG
- Combined
- 19 MPG
- Annual fuel cost (EPA)
- $3,900
- 15,000 mi/yr
- Fuel
- Midgrade
- Current regular gas
- $4.32/gal
- national avg.
EPA figures; median across configurations of this model year. Estimate your own cost with the fuel cost calculator.
2019 compared with other 1500 years
Frequently asked questions
- Is the 2019 Ram 1500 reliable?
- Based on NHTSA owner complaints and recalls, the 2019 Ram 1500 has the highest Complaint Index (100) of the 13 model years tracked and is rated Avoid relative to other Ram 1500 years. It logged 1,477 complaints and 29 recalls.
- What is the biggest problem area for the 2019 Ram 1500?
- Electrical System complaints make up 26% of all reported issues, followed by Steering at 23% and Engine at 20%, according to NHTSA data.
- How many recalls does the 2019 Ram 1500 have?
- NHTSA lists 29 recalls for the 2019 Ram 1500, covering components including airbags, brakes, engine, fuel system, structure/body, and seat belts.
- How does the 2019 Ram 1500 compare to other years?
- Among the 13 model years with data, 2019 has the highest Complaint Index (100) and ranks worst, while 2024 has the lowest Complaint Index (0) and is rated Best.
- Are there airbag recalls on the 2019 Ram 1500?
- Yes, NHTSA lists multiple airbag-related recalls for the 2019 Ram 1500, including side curtain airbag inflator ruptures and improperly connected driver's side airbags.