Reliability, what owners report, and what it costs to keep.
AVOIR's read: the reliability record is poor enough to outweigh everything else here.
Owners have filed 1,468 complaints with NHTSA about the 2019 Ram 1500, and it carries 30 recalls. These are owner allegations rather than confirmed defects, but the pattern of what people complain about is the most useful signal a used buyer has.
| Area | Complaints | Share |
|---|---|---|
| Steering | 253 | 17% |
| Electrical system | 130 | 9% |
| Unknown or other | 121 | 8% |
| Power train | 101 | 7% |
| Engine | 92 | 6% |
| Structure | 45 | 3% |
| Fuel/propulsion system | 43 | 3% |
| Service brakes | 41 | 3% |
| Visibility/wiper | 37 | 3% |
| Air bags | 36 | 2% |
Verbatim from NHTSA complaint records, trimmed for length.
ESC, ABS, BRAKE lights illuminated. ABS, ESC, Trailer Brake Controller, Cruise control disabled. Mechanic reports ABS Module failure. Nor repair parts available, parts backorder with no expected date.
NHTSA complaint: Service brakes
I was driving with my family when I lost power steering and every warning light on my dash lit up. The truck then started lunging. The dealership came and picked up the truck. They told me the power steering control modu
NHTSA complaint: Steering
The cylinder that deploys the side curtain on the back passenger side spontaneously blew up in my truck. The vehicle was not currently being operated or on at the time is was parked in the driveway and was completely off
NHTSA complaint: Electrical system
The 48-Volt Belt-Driven Hybrid Starter Generator / Motor Generator Unit (MGU / eTorque Alternator) suffered a catastrophic failure on my vehicle at approximately [Insert Mileage, e.g., 140,000] miles. The failure occur
NHTSA complaint: Electrical system
My truck's electric power steering (EPS) gets stuck in a left-hand turn and does not return to center. I have to physically turn the steering wheel to get it to return to center which causes the vehicle to over-steer, ca
NHTSA complaint: Steering
My 2019 Ram 1500 Rebel has recurring electrical/communication failures that occur every day. The truck repeatedly displays “ParkSense Temporarily Unavailable,” “Service Shifter,” “Service Tire Pressure System,” and “Tire
NHTSA complaint: Electrical system
The exact failed component has not yet been identified. The malfunction appeared to involve the vehicle’s electrical, communication/network, ignition or starting system. The vehicle and its components remain available fo
NHTSA complaint: Electrical system
Loss of power steering on 3 occasions. Currently undrivable due to not knowing when it will fail again. Dealership has confirmed the code is for power steering failure.
NHTSA complaint: Electrical system
NHTSA lists 30 recall campaigns for the 2019 Ram 1500. Recalls are free to have fixed at a franchised dealer regardless of who owns the car now, but only if they were never done, so check the VIN of the specific car rather than trusting the model.
Chrysler (FCA US LLC) is recalling certain 2019 RAM 1500 vehicles equipped with a 12" touchscreen display and a base-level heating, ventilation and air conditioning ("HVAC") system. Vehicles with this combination do not have a functioning windshield defrosting and defogging system. As a result, th
Risk: The lack of a functioning windshield defrosting and defogging system may decrease the driver's visibility, increasing the risk of crash.
Fix: Chrysler will notify owners, and dealers will repurchase the affected vehicles. The recall began March 7, 2019. Owners may contact FCA US customer service at 1-800-853-1403. Chrysler's number for t
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). Due to an incorrect assembly repair process, the auxiliary battery wire terminal connection may overheat.
Risk: 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
Chrysler (FCA US LLC) is recalling certain 2019 Ram 1500 vehicles equipped with adjustable pedals. The affected vehicles have a brake pedal that may move too far and separate from pedal assembly.
Risk: If the brake pedal separates from the pedal assembly, the driver may be unable to brake the vehicle, increasing the risk of crash.
Fix: Chrysler will notify owners, and dealers will repair the adjustable pedal assembly, free of charge. The recall began on February 25, 2019. Owners may contact Chrysler customer service at 1-800-853-1
Chrysler (FCA US LLC) is recalling certain Mopar Rear Step Kits, part number 82215289AB, designed for model year 2019 Ram 1500 trucks. In the event of a rear impact crash, the rear step kit may cause the rear control arms to contact the fuel tank.
Risk: 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 n
| Reliability raw | 30 | below average |
|---|---|---|
| Longevity est. | 54 | average |
| Maintenance | 71 | good |
| Depreciation | 71 | good |
| Performance | 79 | good |
| Efficiency | 34 | below average |
| Safety | 56 | average |
Percentile ranks against other pickup trucks in the catalog.
What stands behind each score for this car:
Owners have filed 1,468 complaints with NHTSA for this model-year, and steering is the most reported area with 253 of them (17%). There are 30 recalls on record. Check any specific car against its VIN before buying.
AVOIR scores its reliability 30/100 (below average) from NHTSA recall campaigns and complaint density. That figure is a raw complaint count, not yet adjusted for sales volume, so a high-volume model scores worse than it deserves.
AVOIR scores its longevity 54/100, but that figure is an estimate built from the powertrain and the brand's record, not a measurement. A 2019 car has no 200,000-mile population to observe yet, so treat it as a prior rather than evidence.
AVOIR's read: skip, because the reliability record is poor enough to outweigh everything else here. Its overall ownership score is 48/100. Condition, mileage and service history still matter more than any score, so get a pre-purchase inspection on the specific car.
Sources: NHTSA recalls and complaints, EPA fuel economy, IIHS awards, and live market listings. A score describes a model-year, not the individual car in front of you. Get a pre-purchase inspection.