Significant reliability concerns on file. Read the trouble spots before buying.
0
Critical
16
Severe
0
Moderate
Should you avoid this 2019 1500?
High-risk ownership
Repair exposure runs above average — only with money set aside and eyes open.
Brakes: 64 complaints, classified severe, failures cluster 3,000–80,000 mi
Reliability score 3.4/10 — below the segment average
16 recall campaigns on file
Our read of the federal NHTSA complaint and recall record for this exact year and model —
not a substitute for a pre-purchase inspection. How we score.
Buying a used 2019 RAM 1500? Check these first
Here's what this model is known to do — so you can inspect for it, price it in, or
make the seller fix it before you sign.
What to inspect on this specific car
steering — 331 owner reports
· tends to show around 37,448 mi · ~$700 to fix
electrical — 269 owner reports
· tends to show around 31,322 mi · ~$850 to fix
powertrain — 183 owner reports
· tends to show around 32,538 mi · ~$2,500 to fix
engine — 115 owner reports
· tends to show around 63,405 mi · ~$3,100 to fix
⚠ The one to take seriously: airbags is flagged
critical on this model
, showing up around 33,933 mi.
Inspect it closely on a test drive.
Recalls to confirm are done
Run the VIN from the listing — 16 active recalls on this model. Recall repairs are always free.
Verdict for buyers: 3.4/10 model. The priciest documented failure is
engine (~$3,100) — get the
seller's service records for it or inspect closely. Otherwise an average-risk used buy at a fair price.
We tell you what this model is known for and what to inspect — a vehicle-history report
tells you what this exact car has been through. Smart buyers get both.
A noise, a warning light, a repair quote, "should I buy this?" — get an answer grounded in
this vehicle's actual NHTSA record, not generic advice.
Dash light, leak, worn part — snap it and we'll read it against this car's record.
Photo attached — type a question or just hit Ask.
Answers use this vehicle's NHTSA complaint & recall record — owner-reported and unverified, not a diagnosis. Verify anything safety-critical with a mechanic.
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When owners report each system failing, in actual miles — so you can see what's likely behind you,
what's due around now, and what to budget for next. Enter your mileage to mark where you are.
"Typical" = median owner-reported failure mileage from the NHTSA complaint record for this exact
year and model. Not a maintenance schedule — a heads-up on where this model's failures cluster.
What owners are saying
recent NHTSA-filed complaints · verbatim
2019 1500· powertrain
On December 30, 2023, my 2019 Ram 1500 Laramie edition suddenly and unexpectedly popped out of gear into neutral while driving approx. 35 mph. The vehicle engine was on, however, no power was being applied to the drive train as the vehicle was in Neutral. The engine revved fine,…
Instrument cluster comes on and off whenever it wants, leaves me in the dark without it while driving. Dealer states there’s nothing they can do except replace screen. This started after I had my truck serviced at a dealership and the dealer stated it was like this when they got…
Water (rain,car wash, etc) is leaking through the rear power sliding window and into the vehicle and damaging the interior (headliner, seats). This is a known issue by Ram/fca and they have not recalled them yet. This can be a safety issue when driving. I'm also concerned that…
As with an overwhelming amount of other Ram trucks, my rear sliding window frame has cracked. This causes water to leak in through the crack when it rains. The water leaking in can damage the headliner and could cause an electrical short in the rear of the truck. An updated…
Had a problem with your 2019 RAM 1500?
File a complaint with NHTSA → It's free and official — owner filings are what build the federal safety record behind this page.
Estimate your repair exposure
Drag to your current mileage. Numbers are derived from this vehicle's complaint history.
Chrysler (FCA US LLC) is recalling certain 2019 Ram 1500 vehicles equipped with a 48v auxiliary battery system located behind the rear seat (sales code: XBZ)
If the auxiliary battery system overheats, there is an increased risk of a fire within the cabin even if the ignition is off.
Fix: FCA US has notified owners, and dealers will properly secure the auxiliary battery fasteners, free of charge. The recall began March 15, 2019. Owners may contact Chrysler's customer service at 1-800-853-1403. The Chrysler number for this recall is V17.
Chrysler (FCA US LLC) is recalling certain Mopar Rear Step Kits, part number 82215289AB, designed for model year 2019 Ram 1500 trucks
Contact with the fuel tank may cause a fuel leak, increasing the risk of a fire.
Fix: Chrysler will notify owners, and dealers will replace the bed step, free of charge. The recall began September 26, 2019. Owners may contact Chrysler customer service at 1-800-853-1403. Chrysler's number for this recall is V93.
Chrysler (FCA US LLC) is recalling certain 2019 Ram 1500 vehicles
Failure of the instrument cluster to properly illuminate may prevent the driver from receiving warnings about the vehicle's systems and increase the risk of crash.
Fix: Chrysler will notify owners, and dealers will replace the instrument cluster, free of charge. The recall began August 8, 2019. Owners may contact Chrysler customer service at 1-800-853-1403. Chrysler's number for this recall is V83.
It's got known weak points. With a reliability score of 3.4 out of 10 based on 1,448 owner complaints filed with NHTSA, the 2019 RAM 1500 has a higher-than-average rate of reported issues. The areas to watch are listed above. Whether it's worth owning depends on price, condition, and how much repair exposure you can absorb.
Should you avoid the 2019 RAM 1500?
The 2019 RAM 1500 is a higher-risk ownership prospect. Repair exposure runs above average — only with money set aside and eyes open. The record behind that call: Brakes: 64 complaints, classified severe, failures cluster 3,000–80,000 mi; Reliability score 3.4/10 — below the segment average; 16 recall campaigns on file. This is our read of the federal complaint and recall data — not a substitute for a pre-purchase inspection.
What should I check before buying a used 2019 RAM 1500?
Inspect the steering first — it's the most-reported issue on this model, with 331 owner complaints filed. Typical failure occurs around 37,448 miles. Average repair cost runs about $700 at an independent shop. Also confirm any open recalls have been completed by running the VIN, and ask for service records covering the problem areas listed above.
Is the 2019 RAM 1500 a good used car to buy?
It scores 3.4 out of 10 on our NHTSA-based read of 1,448 owner complaints. The main thing to watch is steering. Typical failure occurs around 37,448 miles. Priced fairly and clean on inspection, it's a reasonable used buy. Our data covers what this model is known for — pair it with a vehicle-history report on the VIN to see what that specific car has been through.
What's the most common problem on the 2019 RAM 1500?
Based on NHTSA records, the most-reported issue is steering, with 331 complaints filed. Typical failure occurs around 37,448 miles. Average repair cost runs about $700 at an independent shop.
What's the most expensive thing that goes wrong?
The airbags is one of the costlier repair items. Average repair cost runs about $1,100 at an independent shop. Typical failure occurs around 33,933 miles. Catching early warning signs can sometimes extend life by 20–30,000 miles.
How do I check if my RAM 1500 has open recalls?
Paste your VIN into the decoder at the top of this page. We pull live from NHTSA, so you'll see exactly which campaigns apply to your vehicle and whether the dealer has logged the fix. Recall repairs are always free regardless of mileage or warranty status.
Is an extended warranty worth it on a 2019 RAM 1500?
Math is straightforward: a quality service contract runs $1,800–3,500 over 3 years. With 1,448 complaints on file and the costliest repair averaging $1,100, one major failure more than pays for it. The catch is reading the contract — many providers exclude wear items and require pre-authorization, so cheaper plans are not always better value.
Recall and complaint data sourced from the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA)
public records database, last synced 1 day ago. Verify the raw federal record at
nhtsa.gov/vehicle/2019/RAM/1500.
Editorial commentary written by ProblemsByVin contributors and reviewed by ASE-certified mechanics.
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