Should I buy a 2019 RAM 3500 with documented tires problems?

Depends on the price and the specific vehicle. Documented tires issues should be priced into the purchase — if the seller is asking full retail, negotiate down by the expected repair cost. A pre-purchase inspection from an independent shop tells you whether THIS specific vehicle has already shown the symptoms or not.

2019 RAM 3500 tires problems

moderate 11 complaints filed with NHTSA · avg repair $150 · see tires across all vehicles →

Complaints

Recalls

Avg fix

$150

What stands out

Of the 8 model years of RAM 3500 we track for tires problems, this one carries the most owner complaints on file — 11.

The failure pattern owners describe

Eleven Ram 3500 buyers describe belt separation failures in Nexen Roadian and Roadian HTX LT235/80R17 tires, all factory-equipped on 2019 models. The dominant failure occurs in front tires between 12,500 and 34,788 miles, with most incidents clustered around 14,000–29,000 miles. Owners report steering wheel vibration at 40–50 mph that worsens with speed; violent shaking that progresses to dangerous steering feedback at highway speeds; and visible sidewall bulges or knots with wire protruding. Tread belts separate from the inside, creating bulges or splitting crosswise. Two owners also cite passenger-side dual rear tire belt separation around 14,000–17,500 miles.

Repairs required full tire replacement. One owner paid $282 out of pocket with a partial Nexen reimbursement (~$113) never received. Another replaced all six tires for $1,600 plus $200 for front-end alignment. A third faced nearly $2,000 to replace all seven tires. Nexen offered minimal reimbursement in one case and denied any issue in another, directing the owner to file a complaint form. Multiple RAM dealership service representatives acknowledged seeing this failure pattern frequently with Nexen tires on their dualies.

Same RAM 3500 tires reports on nearby years: 2018

Failure modes owners describe

Internal belt separation on front tires

Steel belt separating from the inside of the tire carcass, causing bulges, tread separation, or complete tread failure. Owners report this as the dominant failure mode across all narratives.

When: Between 12,500 and 34,788 miles; most failures occur in the 14,000–29,000 mile range

Symptoms owners cite: Vibration in steering wheel at 40–65 mph; Vehicle shaking or bouncing, worsening with speed; Steering wheel violent shaking or darting; Sidewall bulges or knots; Wire protruding from sidewall; Tread split or separation visible

Repairs/costs cited: Tire replacement required. Owners report costs of $282–$1,600 per replacement; some claim full set replacement ($2,000+ for all tires). One owner paid $282.42 out of pocket, received partial reimbursement offer (~$113) from Nexen but no payment received. Another replaced all 6 tires at $1,600 plus $200 alignment.

Recalls/TSBs owners mention: Nexen offered partial reimbursement (~$113) in one case but no funds received to date. Manufacturer stated in another case no issue exists and directed owner to file online complaint form. RAM dealers acknowledged seeing the problem frequently and blamed owner for warranty claims in one instance.

Dual rear tire (passenger side) belt separation

Inner belts separating on the inside dual rear tire on the passenger side, detected during rotation or inspection. Less frequent than front-tire failures but documented in two narratives.

When: Around 14,000–17,500 miles

Symptoms owners cite: Belt separation visible upon inspection; Tire near blowout condition; Knots or wire protrusion from sidewall

Repairs/costs cited: Full tire set replacement (6 original tires replaced with new set). Owner cited $1,600 cost for replacement tires.

Synthesized from 11 NHTSA owner complaints — unverified consumer allegations, summarized for patterns. The verbatim filings appear below.

What owners are reporting 1 most recent

tires · filed 11/29/2023

NEXEN RADIAN HTX tires supplied on new 2019 RAM 3500 DRW. 19,920 miles, Front tires while towing 5th wheel RV began to shake a various speeds. With or without RV attached. RAM dealer indicates belts in both front tires have begun to separated. RAM Service rep stated they have seen this alot with NEXEN Tires.

Had tires trouble with your 2019 RAM 3500? 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 tires problem on the 2019 RAM 3500?

It's a documented issue but not catastrophic. 11 complaints have been filed. Repairs average $150 and most owners catch it before it causes a breakdown.

At what mileage does the tires typically fail?

Based on the 11 complaints filed, tires issues most often appear around 34,788 miles. Some report problems earlier; some make it well past 150,000 with no symptoms. Maintenance habits matter — vehicles that received timely fluid services and were not regularly overworked tend to last longer.

What does it cost to fix?

Independent shops typically charge around $150 for tires 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 tires?

No active recalls currently cover tires 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.

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/3500. 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.