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moderate Owners of the 2019 RAM 1500 have filed 65 NHTSA complaints about the body, typically surfacing around 36,803 miles at roughly $1,500 to repair (U.S. federal records, as of July 2026). Source: NHTSA Office of Defects Investigation. See body across all vehicles →
| Model year | body complaints |
|---|---|
| 2015 1500 | 35 |
| 2016 1500 | 29 |
| 2017 1500 | 25 |
| 2018 1500 | 10 |
| 2019 1500 (this page) | 65 |
| 2020 1500 | 36 |
| 2021 1500 | 21 |
Of the 11 model years of RAM 1500 we track for body problems, this one carries the most owner complaints on file — 65.
No new NHTSA body complaint has been filed on this vehicle in over 4 years — the issue may be aging out of the active population.
Contact with the fuel tank may cause a fuel leak, increasing the risk of a fire.
The manufacturer has issued service bulletins covering body on this vehicle — documented repair instructions, service campaigns, or warranty extensions sent to dealers. A TSB isn't a recall (it's not a free safety remedy), but it's the manufacturer acknowledging the issue and how to fix it.
Cluster Message “To Operate Tailgate Shift to Park” Vehicle is In Park
full bulletin at NHTSA ↗SWITCH – HEADLAMP
full bulletin at NHTSA ↗SWITCH – HEADLAMP
full bulletin at NHTSA ↗Backup Camera Poor Image Quality Inspection
full bulletin at NHTSA ↗Instrument Panel Delamination Customers may comment on the following: ● Wrinkles or bubbles in the instrument panel cover Fig. 1. This bulletin involves inspecting and possibly replacing the instrument panel cover.
full bulletin at NHTSA ↗Source: NHTSA manufacturer communications. Bring the bulletin number to your dealer or shop.
Water leaking through the rear sliding window frame is the dominant complaint across these narratives. Owners describe cracks on both sides of the power window that allow rain, snow, and car wash water into the cab, soaking floors, seats, and headliner. The water reaches electrical components behind the rear seats—the RF module, third brake light wiring, seat belt mechanisms—causing corrosion and short-circuits. Several owners worry about mold developing under carpet and behind seats; some report musty odors. After initial dealer resealing attempts, water sometimes flows down the outside of the tinted rear window instead, creating a visibility hazard when backing or changing lanes at highway speeds.
Dashboard leather delamination appears in a secondary but consistent thread. The leather bubbles and peels from the substrate, stitching comes undone, and visibility can be obstructed in hot, humid weather. Owners express concern about interference with airbag deployment.
Tailgate failures also appear repeatedly: hinges detach while parked, latches fail to hold, and gates open unintentionally while driving at speed. One owner was injured when a hinge gave way. Some tailgates require multiple slamming to close or show visible gaps when latched.
Sun visors detach while driving, blocking driver vision. Door latches freeze and become inoperable in cold temperatures. Dealers acknowledge many of these as "common problems" but decline warranty coverage, citing mileage thresholds or claiming wear-and-tear exclusions. Many owners report their VINs are excluded from recall campaigns despite matching the failure patterns exactly.
Same RAM 1500 body reports on nearby years: 2016 · 2017 · 2018 · 2020 · 2021
Cracks develop in the plastic or metal frame of the rear sliding window, typically on both sides near the top or around the power slide mechanism. Water enters the cab through these cracks when it rains, from car washes, or during snow/moisture exposure. This causes flooding of the floor, seats, headliner, and carpet. Mold growth occurs from prolonged moisture. Corrosion affects electrical components like the RF module, third brake light, and seat belt mechanisms located behind the rear seat. Some dealers reseal the window initially, but water continues to flow over the outside of the tinted glass after repair, creating visibility hazards.
When: Typically emerges within first few years; reports at mileages ranging from 12,000 to 122,000 miles
Symptoms owners cite: Visible cracks in rear window frame, both sides of sliding glass; Water pooling under rear seat and on floor; Soaked carpet, headliner, and rear seats; Musty, moldy odor inside cabin; Fogging and water dripping on inside of rear window glass; Water flowing over outside of rear tinted window after dealer reseal; Electrical corrosion in third brake light and RF module; Potential short-circuits affecting vehicle systems
Codes mentioned: TSB 23-016-21
Repairs/costs cited: Dealers have attempted resealing the window and replacing the entire rear window frame assembly. One owner paid $183.84 for initial repair; dealer repair created new visibility problem. Some owners report window replacement under warranty at 4 years old; others denied coverage after 12,000 miles with claim that windows are wear items like brakes.
Recalls/TSBs owners mention: RAM has issued TSB bulletins addressing the defect; extended warranty of 8 years/150,000 miles exists for backlite in some cases, but dealers claim it does not apply or is outdated. Many VINs are not attached to recalls despite meeting recall criteria. NHTSA Campaign 22V904000 exists but appears to exclude many affected vehicles. FCA has denied claims stating window seals are not covered under warranty.
Leather covering on the upper dashboard panel lifts, bubbles, and separates from the substrate, with stitching coming undone. The condition worsens in hot and humid weather as the material expands. Can obstruct driver vision and potentially interfere with airbag deployment or dashboard controls. Appears cosmetically poor and creates safety concerns.
When: Reported from early ownership through 95,000+ miles; becomes worse in hot, humid conditions
Symptoms owners cite: Leather lifting and peeling from dashboard surface; Bubbling and rising of leather material from heat; Stitching coming undone; Potential obstruction of driver forward and peripheral vision; Risk of loose material interfering with steering wheel or controls; Crack formation in delaminated areas; Progressive worsening over time
Repairs/costs cited: Dealer estimates for new dashboard provided. One owner was told replacement could be covered if deemed a safety issue affecting airbag deployment, but cosmetic separation is not covered. Specific repair costs not cited in narratives.
Recalls/TSBs owners mention: Manufacturer states dashboard leather delamination is not covered under warranty. No recalls issued for this defect despite multiple complaints.
Tailgate opens unintentionally while driving or parked, sometimes repeatedly. Latch mechanisms fail to hold the gate closed. In some cases, the tailgate has fallen completely off its hinges while parked. Electronic latch handles may not unlock or function properly. Some tailgates do not latch fully and require multiple closures or slamming to secure.
When: Failures reported at mileages from 6,500 to 122,000 miles; some occur early in ownership
Symptoms owners cite: Tailgate opens unintentionally while driving at various speeds; Tailgate opens while parked; Electronic tailgate handle fails to unlock or open; Tailgate ajar light fails to illuminate when tailgate is open; Tailgate does not latch properly; gap visible; movement felt; Tailgate requires repeated slamming to close; Complete tailgate hinge detachment with items falling from bed; Tailgate falls to ground causing injury and damage
Codes mentioned: NHTSA Campaign 22V904000 (Structure)
Repairs/costs cited: Dealers have replaced latch mechanisms and cable assemblies. Repair costs cited as over $400 for remote switching device replacement. One owner sustained ankle and wrist injuries when hinge detached; another injured arm during stationary failure.
Recalls/TSBs owners mention: NHTSA Campaign 22V904000 addresses tailgate opening issues, but many VINs are excluded from the recall despite meeting the failure pattern. FCA has refused to expand recall to cover all affected vehicles. Owners with excluded VINs are told repair is out of warranty.
Sun visor detaches from mounting brackets while driving, obstructing driver vision. Visors fail to reattach and continue to detach repeatedly. Both driver and passenger sun visors affected on the same vehicle.
When: Failures reported at 62,000 and 71,000 miles
Symptoms owners cite: Sun visor detaches while driving; Obstructed driver vision while operating vehicle; Sun visor bracket failure; Visor fails to reattach to brackets; Repeated detachment after reattachment attempts; Passenger-side sun visor also affected
Repairs/costs cited: Dealer diagnosis confirmed bracket failure. Replacement of both driver and passenger sun visor brackets required. Repairs not completed in reported cases.
Recalls/TSBs owners mention: Manufacturer not made aware of the failure in one case; no recall issued.
Front door hinges detach prematurely, causing doors to become inoperable. Driver's front door hinge detachment caused occupant to fall from vehicle sustaining injury. Passenger-side door hinge showing similar early detachment.
When: Failure at approximately 122,000 miles
Symptoms owners cite: Front driver's side door hinge detaching; Driver's door becomes inoperable; Passenger door hinge beginning to detach; Occupant falls from vehicle due to hinge failure; Ankle and wrist injuries to occupant
Repairs/costs cited: Vehicle taken to dealer but not diagnosed or repaired.
Recalls/TSBs owners mention: Manufacturer made aware of failure but no action documented.
Rear door latch fails to close properly in freezing temperatures, bouncing back open when closed. Water and moisture appear to freeze inside the door latch cable mechanism in a U-shaped bend, preventing proper closure. Issue recurs even after latch replacement.
When: Occurs when temperatures are below freezing
Symptoms owners cite: Door bounces back open when closed in freezing conditions; Door latch cable moisture/freezing; Door fails to latch closed when temperatures are cold; Recurrence of issue even after new latch installation
Repairs/costs cited: Dealership replaced door latch; issue recurred after replacement when exposed to freezing temperatures. Owner resorted to ratchet strap to secure door.
Tailgate side cable loosens and bolts fracture during normal cleaning or operation, striking occupants. Bolts require replacement.
When: Failure at approximately 30,000 miles
Symptoms owners cite: Tailgate cable loosens; Bolts fracture; Loosened cable strikes occupant on leg
Repairs/costs cited: Dealer diagnosed bolt replacement needed and repaired vehicle.
Recalls/TSBs owners mention: Manufacturer notified; referred contact to dealer as VIN not included in recall.
Stress cracks develop at the seam where the roof and door surround meet, appearing over the driver's door jamb. Represents potential welding or material defect.
When: Crack found at 11,000 miles; exact onset unknown
Symptoms owners cite: Crack over driver's door jamb at roof-to-door seam; Visible crack development in well-maintained vehicle with no accident history
Repairs/costs cited: Initial claim denied by FCA; case reprocessing.
Recalls/TSBs owners mention: FCA initially denied claim citing no manufacturer defect found.
Water leaks into the vehicle through the third brake light housing and/or rear vents, damaging interior components and creating mold conditions. Often occurs in conjunction with rear window leaks.
When: Occurs during rain or car wash; one report at 4 years old
Symptoms owners cite: Water leaking from third brake light area; Water leaking from rear vents; Headliner water damage and destruction; Mold growth from moisture; Potential breathing issues from mold exposure
Repairs/costs cited: One owner had rear window, window seal, and rear seat replaced under warranty. Other owners denied coverage stating it's not a warranty item.
Recalls/TSBs owners mention: Extended warranty claim denied; stated not covered.
Hood flexes inward at speeds above 60 mph or with wind present, creating a concave depression 12 to 18 inches wide on the hood surface. Raises concerns about hood structural integrity and paint damage.
When: Observed at speeds above 60 mph
Symptoms owners cite: Hood concaves inward when driving above 60 mph; Hood concaves inward with wind present; Visible depression 12-18 inches across hood
Rambox (exterior storage compartment) door randomly pops open fully while driving, allowing stored items to fall onto roadway, creating hazard to following vehicles. Cause identified as remote switching device in B pillar.
When: Issue recurs multiple times
Symptoms owners cite: Rambox door pops open fully while driving; Items stored in Rambox fall out onto roadway; Remote switching device in B pillar failure
Repairs/costs cited: Dealer quoted over $400 to repair. Similar incidents reported in 2020 Dodge trucks with Rambox.
Recalls/TSBs owners mention: Dealer stated this is not a safety recall.
Active noise cancellation system produces loud cyclic harmonic noise and vibration at various speeds, similar to bass from a subwoofer. System cannot be repaired. Noise varies from soft to very loud and cycles in and out continuously, creating distraction and irritation.
When: Present from initial test drive and every drive thereafter
Symptoms owners cite: Cyclic harmonic noise/vibration at various speeds; Loud subwoofer-bass-like sound with felt vibration; Noise varies from soft to very loud; Cycles in and out but never stops; Noise present on all surfaces and at all speeds
Repairs/costs cited: Two dealers have acknowledged the noise but cannot repair it.
Oil pan develops rust and cracks prematurely at relatively low mileage and young vehicle age. Undercarriage shows excessive rust. Repair cost cited as $3,000.
When: Observed at 65,000 miles on 4-year-old vehicle
Symptoms owners cite: Oil pan rust and cracking; Extensive undercarriage rust
Repairs/costs cited: Repair estimate: $3,000
Check engine warning light illuminates while vehicle is parked. Dealer diagnosis indicates active air dam system requires replacement.
When: Failure at approximately 51,000 miles
Symptoms owners cite: Check engine warning light illumination while parked
Repairs/costs cited: Diagnosis: active air dam system needs replacement. Vehicle not repaired.
Recalls/TSBs owners mention: Manufacturer notified of failure.
Synthesized from 65 NHTSA owner complaints — unverified consumer allegations, summarized for patterns. The verbatim filings appear below.
Rear window structure frame cracks prematurely causing structural damage due to water leaking through into the cab of the truck. This defective backlite by RAM 1500 has been leaking causing the rear window visibility to be affected by fogging up too easily and water dripping through the windows frame on to the inside of the window, also the vehicle is equipped with a battery pack behind the rear…
My sunroof exploded and sprayed shards of glass all over the inside of of the truck and passengers.
It's a documented issue but not catastrophic. 65 complaints have been filed. Repairs average $1,500 and most owners catch it before it causes a breakdown.
Across the 28 complaints that reported odometer mileage, most body failures cluster between 14,500 and 59,000 miles, with the median around 36,803. A quarter of owners report trouble before 14,500; a quarter make it past 59,000. Maintenance history matters more than the odometer alone — this is the reported failure window, not a guarantee.
Independent shops typically charge around $1,500 for body repairs on this vehicle. Dealer pricing tends to run 20-40% higher. The exact figure depends on the specific failure mode, parts availability, and your local labor rates. If you're outside factory warranty, an extended service contract often covers this category.
Yes — 1 active recall(s) cover body issues on this vehicle. Recall fixes are always free regardless of mileage or warranty status. Use the VIN decoder at the top of the page to check if your specific vehicle is affected.