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, just no power to the drive train. The gear selector flashed “D” and a message appeared on the center console…
2019 RAM 1500 powertrain problems
moderate 180 complaints filed with NHTSA · avg repair $2,500 · see powertrain across all vehicles →
Failure mileage
Complaints
180
Recalls
0
Avg fix
$2,500
2crashes
1fire
1injury
What stands out
Owners have filed 180 powertrain complaints with NHTSA against this vehicle, but no formal recall covers the issue — the federal record reflects what manufacturers have admitted, not everything owners are reporting.
Among the 11 model years of RAM 1500 in our records for powertrain problems, this one ranks #3 by owner-complaint volume.
What owners are reporting 2 most recent
Vehicle behaved erratically before repair and still does. It seemed a bit better after the repair but issues are still there. It lurches forward when coming to a stop and accelerates in a delayed manner, starting slow and then jumping forward. The 4 wheel drive issues system errors like overheated and function diminished. At times it just doesn't work. Systems turn themselves on. (axle lock)…
Had powertrain trouble with your 2019 RAM 1500?
File a complaint with NHTSA → It's free, official, and how every report above got here — owner filings are the federal safety record this page is built on.
Common questions
How serious is the powertrain problem on the 2019 RAM 1500?
It's a documented issue but not catastrophic. 180 complaints have been filed. Repairs average $2,500 and most owners catch it before it causes a breakdown.
At what mileage does the powertrain typically fail?
Across the 52 complaints that reported odometer mileage, most powertrain failures cluster between 8,504 and 48,000 miles, with the median around 19,414. A quarter of owners report trouble before 8,504; a quarter make it past 48,000. Maintenance history matters more than the odometer alone — this is the reported failure window, not a guarantee.
What does it cost to fix?
Independent shops typically charge around $2,500 for powertrain 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.
Are there any recalls related to powertrain?
No active recalls currently cover powertrain issues on this vehicle. The complaints filed represent owner-reported failures that haven't risen to the level of a manufacturer-issued recall — but they're still worth knowing about before you buy or budget for repairs.
Related
Complaint and recall data sourced from the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA)
public records database. Verify the raw federal record at
nhtsa.gov/vehicle/2019/RAM/1500.
Severity ratings are derived from reported crashes, fires, injuries, and fatalities. Repair cost estimates are
independent-shop national averages and may differ in your area. Some links on this page are affiliate links.