Which parts fail
Components named in complaints (automatic and manual transmissions, CVT, axles, driveshaft, 4WD/AWD).
Mileage when the problem started
Owner reports
Selected complaints filed with NHTSA by 2019 Ram 1500 owners, lightly cleaned up (personal details are redacted by NHTSA).
The contact owns a 2019 RAM 1500. The contact stated that when his spouse started the vehicle during cold weather conditions, the engine was turned on, revved high, and the gear shift from park (P) to drive (D) inadvertently without the brake pedal being depressed. The contact stated that the vehicle jolted off and crashed into the door of a business. The contact's spouse sustained a head injury but did not receive medical attention. A police report was filed, but the info was not readily available at this time. The vehicle was taken to the spouse's residence and parked. The vehicle was not diagnosed or repaired. The manufacturer was notified of the failure. The failure mileage was approximately 100,000.
The contact owns a 2019 Ram 1500. The contact stated while decelerating to come to a stop or to make a turn, the transmission shifted out of gear unexpectedly. The contact stated that the failure also occurred while at a complete stop. A message advising to shift to park(P) and to shift back into gear was displayed on the infotainment system screen display. Additionally, the gear shift indicator light was flickering. The vehicle was taken to the dealer, where it was diagnosed that an unknown transmission sensor had failed. The dealer replaced the transmission; however, the failure recurred. The vehicle was taken back to the dealer, where unknown repairs were performed; however, the failure persisted. …
The contact owns a 2019 Ram 1500. The contact stated that while driving at 35 MPH, the vehicle jerked violently and downshifted unintendedly. Several unknown warning lights were illuminated, and the gear shift indicator and speedometer were malfunctioning. The contact was able to pull over to the side of the road. The contact stated that the failure had recurred while driving at various speeds, and the vehicle stalled on several occasions. The contact was able to pull over to the side of the road. The vehicle was able to be restarted after 5-15 minutes. The vehicle was taken to the dealer, where it was diagnosed with loose wires. The vehicle was repaired; however, the failure recurred. The contact stated that while his son was driving 65 MPH, the failure recurred, and the vehicle shut off. The contact's son was able to pull over to the side of the road. …
The contact owns a 2019 Ram 1500. The contact stated that while driving at an undisclosed speed, the rear differential axle seized. The contact stated that the vehicle had seized in the middle of the road. The contact was able to safely get the vehicle to the shoulder of the road. The vehicle was towed to the dealer where it was diagnosed with a failed rear suspension and a failed rear differential axle and that the rear suspension and rear differential axle needed to be replaced. The vehicle was repaired; however, the failure reoccurred. The contact stated that while driving at an undisclosed speed, the rear suspension axle seized again. The contact was able to move the vehicle to the shoulder of the road. The vehicle was towed to the dealer. …
The contact owns a 2019 Ram 1500. The contact stated while driving 70 MPH, the transmission downshifted unexpectedly. The contact stated that while driving at various speeds, the transmission failed to shift to the intended gear while depressing the accelerator pedal or the brake pedal. Additionally, the contact stated that while accelerating from a complete stop, the vehicle hesitated to respond. The check engine warning light and an unknown warning light were illuminated. The vehicle was taken to an auto parts store, where it was diagnosed and determined that the power train and ABS had failed. The contact became aware that the VIN was included in NHTSA Campaign Number: 24V653000 (Service Brakes, Hydraulic, Electronic Stability Control (ESC), which the contact related to the failure; however, the part to do the recall repair was not yet available. The local dealer was contacted. …
The contact owns a 2019 Ram 1500. The contact stated that while driving on the highway at 60 MPH the messages "Service Air Bag System", "Service Electric Stability Control", "Service Trailer Brake System", "Service Park Brake", "Service Anti-Lock Brake System" and "Service Power Steering" were displayed and several unknown warning lights were illuminated. The contact stated that soon after, the transmission failed to shift into gears as intended, and the vehicle lost power steering functionality. The contact also stated that while driving and making turns the transmission will slip into neutral(N) upon depressing the accelerator pedal. The contact stopped the vehicle, shifted to park(P), shifted back to drive(D) and drove to the residence. The vehicle was towed to a local dealer, where it was diagnosed that the Electric Harness and RF Hub had failed and needed to be replaced. …
The contact owns a 2019 Ram 1500. The contact stated while driving at an undisclosed speed and hauling a 500 lb. trailer, the vehicle hesitated and failed to accelerate as intended while depressing the accelerator pedal. In addition, a bearing made an abnormal grinding sound. No warning lights were illuminated. The contact pulled over to the side of the road, opened the hood, and noticed dust on top of the eTorque Motor Generator Unit (MGU). The contact was able to restart the engine. The vehicle was taken to the dealer, where it was diagnosed and determined that the Motor Generator Unit (MGU) had failed. The dealer informed the contact that continuous driving of the vehicle had caused the tensioner to overextend due to the loss of power by the MGU and bearing. The contact was informed that parts to repair the vehicle were on backorder. The vehicle remained with the dealer unrepaired. …
The contact owns a 2019 Ram 1500. The contact stated that after stopping at a red traffic light, the vehicle hesitated and failed to accelerate as intended while the accelerator pedal was depressed. The contact stated that another driver was behind and assisted the contact, and the contact noticed that the parking brake was unintendedly activated. No warning light was illuminated. Upon further inspection, the contact noticed the transmission had unexpectedly shifted from drive(D) to park(P). The vehicle was taken to a local dealer, where it was diagnosed; however, the failure was not identified. The vehicle was also taken to two other local dealers; however, the vehicle was not diagnosed or repaired because the VIN was not under recall. Prior to the failure, the contact stated that occasionally, while driving at various speeds, the vehicle would independently shift into lower gears. …
The contact owns a 2019 Ram 1500. The contact stated while driving 30 MPH, he pulled on his seat belt for adjustment and the seat belt would not retract. The vehicle was taken to the dealer and the mechanic stated the vehicle was not included in NHTSA Campaign Number: 20V580000 (Seat Belts). The vehicle was not repaired. On another occasion, the contact stated while driving 40 MPH, the vehicle would not accelerate as needed with a roaring sound coming from the vehicle. The contact stated that while decelerating he heard a clicking sound as if the transmission had shifted gears. The contact stated the vehicle accelerated and then operated normally. The vehicle was taken to the dealer and the contact was informed that the vehicle was not under warranty. The vehicle was not diagnosed or repaired. The manufacturer was contacted and notified of the failure. …
The contact owns a 2019 Ram 1500. The contact stated while driving at various speeds, the vehicle independently shifted into neutral(N) with a message to park the vehicle was displayed. The contact stated that the failure had been recurring while driving. The contact stated while driving 10-15 MPH and making a turn, the failure recurred, nearly causing oncoming vehicles to crash into the vehicle. The vehicle was taken to the dealer, where it was diagnosed that the transmission had failed; however, the dealer informed the contact that there was no fix for the failure. The manufacturer was notified of the failure and informed the contact that it was a known failure. A case was opened, and the manufacturer provided rental assistance. The manufacturer later informed the contact to drive or trade the vehicle because there was no current fix for the failure. The vehicle was not repaired. …
Related recalls
Power train › Transfer case (4-wheel drive)
Chrysler (FCA US LLC) is recalling certain 2019 Ram 1500 pickup trucks equipped with four-wheel drive. A gear within the transfer case may not have been installed correctly, possibly causing the vehicle to become stuck in neutral. If this occurs while driving, there could be a sudden loss of power.
Remedy: Chrysler will notify owners, and dealers will replace the transfer case, free of charge. The recall began March 10, 2020. Owners may contact Chrysler customer service at 1-800-853-1403.
Power train › Driveline › Driveshaft
Chrysler (FCA US LLC) is recalling certain 2018-2019 Ram 1500 pickup trucks. The rear driveshaft may have an incomplete weld fusion between the tube and tube yoke, which may lead to weld cracking or the driveshaft fracturing.
Remedy: FCA US will notify owners, and dealers will replace the rear driveshaft, free of charge. The recall began June 13, 2019. Owners may contact FCA US customer service at 1-800-853-1403. The FCA US recall number is V48.
Power train › Axle assembly
Chrysler (FCA US LLC) is recalling certain 2018-2019 RAM 1500 trucks. The rear differential may have been insufficiently filled, possibly resulting in its failure.
Remedy: Chrysler will notify owners, and dealers will inspect the rear axle oil level. Rear axles with an insufficient amount of oil will be replaced, free of charge. The recall began September 26, 2018.
Transmission complaints in other 1500 years
Frequently asked questions
How common are transmission problems on the 2019 Ram 1500?
NHTSA has 207 complaints about the transmission & drivetrain of the 2019 Ram 1500, 14% of the model year's 1,492 complaints. The component named most often is automatic transmission (4 mentions).
Is there a recall for 2019 Ram 1500 transmission problems?
Yes — NHTSA recall 20V-080 (transfer case (4-wheel drive), Feb 13, 2020); NHTSA recall 19V-324 (driveshaft, Apr 25, 2019); NHTSA recall 18V-556 (axle assembly, Aug 23, 2018). Recall repairs are free at authorized dealers.
At what mileage do 2019 Ram 1500 transmission problems start?
Half of the complaints with a recorded mileage happened before about 12,000 miles, and 67% before 25,000 miles.
Is it dangerous?
Owners linked 2 crashes, 1 fire and 1 injury to transmission & drivetrain problems on this model year. If you notice symptoms, have the car checked before driving further.
Source: U.S. National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA) — owner complaints through October 20, 2026, recalls and defect investigations; fuel economy from the EPA. Complaints are unverified reports and are not proof of a defect. How we rate model years.