Ram 1500 Door Lock & Latch Problems

Owners have filed 56 complaints about locks & latches problems with the Ram 1500 — 0% of all 1500 complaints. The worst model years are 2016 (11), 2013 (8) and 2014 (6). Problems typically start around 53,000 miles. One related recall has been issued.

56complaints
2016worst year
53ktypical miles
1related recalls
1crashes
0fires

Door Lock & Latch complaints by model year

’09’13’14’15’16’17’18’19’20’21’22’23’24’25’2686611545311222
Door Lock & Latch complaints per model year, Ram 1500.
YearComplaintsShare of year's complaintsTypical mileage
202622%7,000 miles
202521%224,000 miles
202321%42,000 miles
202210%63,000 miles
202110%8,000 miles
202030%55,000 miles
201950%37,000 miles
201841%72,000 miles
201751%21,000 miles
2016111%54,000 miles
201560%54,000 miles
201460%50,000 miles
201381%47,000 miles

Which parts fail

  • Tailgate › Latch
    18
  • Hatchback/liftgate › Lock
    5
  • Doors › Latch
    2
  • Hood › Latch
    1

Components named in complaints (door latches, locks, hood and tailgate latches).

Mileage when the problem started

  • Under 25k
    2042%
  • 25k–50k
    1021%
  • 50k–75k
    1021%
  • 75k–100k
    48%
  • 100k–150k
    24%
  • 150k+
    24%

What owners report

The contact owns a 2020 Ram 1500. The contact stated that while driving at various speeds, the tailgate would intermittently open without warning. The contact called the manufacturer and was informed that there were no recalls on vehicle. The vehicle had yet to be repaired. The failure mileage was approximately 7,000.

2020 1500 · Tailgate › Latch · 7,000 miles · Feb 2021

The contact owns a 2020 Ram 1500. The contact stated the tailgate failed to open with the key fob. The vehicle had not been taken to the dealer. The vehicle had not been diagnosed nor repaired. The manufacturer was not made aware of the failure. The failure mileage was 55,000.

2020 1500 · Tailgate › Latch · 55,000 miles · Jul 2024

The contact owns a 2019 Ram 1500. The contact stated that the tailgate unintentionally opened while driving at various speeds. The tailgate ajar light failed to illuminate while the tailgate was open. The contact learned of NHTSA Campaign Number: 22V904000 (Structure). The vehicle was taken to the dealer, but the mechanic was unable to determine the cause of the failure. The vehicle had not been repaired. The manufacturer was made aware of the failure, and it was confirmed that the VIN was not included in the recall. The approximate failure mileage was 12,000.

2019 1500 · Hatchback/liftgate › Lock · 12,000 miles · Jan 2020

The contact owns a 2019 Ram 1500. The contact stated that the tailgate inadvertently opened without warning. The contact also stated that on a separate occasion, the tailgate failed to open as designed. The vehicle was taken to the dealer where it was diagnosed that the tailgate switch in the handle failed and needed to be replaced. The vehicle was not repaired. The manufacturer was notified of the failure and the contact was advised to call the NHTSA Hotline for assistance. The failure mileage was approximately 85,000.

2019 1500 · Tailgate › Latch · 85,000 miles · Feb 2023

The contact owns a 2018 Ram 1500. The contact stated that while reversing, the back-over prevention camera malfunctioned and the screen was blank, creating a rear visibility hazard for the driver. Additionally, while driving at an undisclosed speed, the vehicle stalled and was towed to the local mechanic. The alternator and battery were replaced on several occasions; however, the failure persisted. The contact stated that on another occasion, while driving at an undisclosed speed, the tailgate erroneously opened. The cause of the failures was not yet determined. The manufacturer was notified of the failures and informed the contact that the VIN was not included in NHTSA Campaign Numbers: 18V398000 (BACK OVER PREVENTION) or 19V347000 (LATCHES/LOCKS/LINKAGES). The contact stated that the vehicle had experienced the failures listed in the recalls. The failure mileage was unknown.

2018 1500 · Nov 2025

The contact owns a 2018 Ram 1500. The contact stated that after stopping the vehicle, it was discovered that the rear powered tailgate door had erroneously unlatched and came open. The vehicle was taken to the local dealer who diagnosed that the tailgate actuator was faulty and needed to be replaced. The contact indicated that the vehicle was previously serviced in July 2021 under the NHTSA Campaign Number: 19V347000 (Latches/Locks/Linkages) to prevent the failure however, the failure still occurred. The failure mileage was unknown.

2018 1500 · Dec 2021

The contact owns a 2017 Ram 1500. The contact stated while driving approximately 10 MPH down the driveway, the tailgate door released independently, causing damage to the trailer that was being hauled. The contact stated that the door latch released independently several times while driving. There was no warning prior to the failure. The vehicle was taken to a dealer but was not diagnosed or repaired. The manufacturer was notified of the failure and notified the contact that the repair would be an out-of-pocket expense. The failure mileage was approximately 42,000.

2017 1500 · Hatchback/liftgate › Lock · 42,000 miles · Feb 2023

The contact owns a 2017 Ram 1500. The contact stated that while the vehicle was parked and unoccupied at the residence, the vehicle locked and started independently. The contact stated that a dealer was not contacted. The vehicle was not taken to a dealer or independent mechanic to be diagnosed or repaired. The manufacturer was notified of the failure. The approximate failure mileage was 21,000.

2017 1500 · 21,000 miles · Mar 2025

Related recalls (1)

Latches/locks/linkages › Tailgate › Latch

NHTSA recall 19V-347 · May 9, 2019 · 1,103,209 vehicles

Chrysler (FCA US LLC) is recalling certain 2015-2017 Ram 1500, 2500 and 3500 pickup trucks equipped with an 8 foot bed and a power locking tailgate. Chrysler is also recalling all 2013-2014 and 2018 Ram 1500, 2500 and 3500 pickup trucks built before April 1, 2018 with a 6 or 8 foot bed and a power locking tailgate.

Remedy: Chrysler will notify owners, and dealers will repair the tailgate latch, free of charge. The recall began May 23, 2019. Chrysler is expected to notify owners of the expanded population on October 18, 2019.

Frequently asked questions

Which Ram 1500 years have door lock & latch problems?

By NHTSA complaints, the 2016 (11), 2013 (8), 2014 (6), 2015 (6) and 2017 (5) model years. Door Lock & Latch complaints make up 1% of all complaints for the 2016.

Is there a recall for Ram 1500 door lock & latch problems?

Yes — 1 recall, including 19V-347 (latch, May 9, 2019). Recall repairs are free at authorized dealers; check a specific car with the VIN recall check.

At what mileage do Ram 1500 door lock & latch problems start?

Across all years, half of the complaints with a recorded mileage happened before about 53,000 miles; 63% happened before 50,000 miles.

What part fails most often?

Owners most often name the tailgate › latch (18 mentions), followed by the hatchback/liftgate › lock (5).

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.