Which parts fail
Components named in complaints (engine, cooling system, oil leaks, timing chain, exhaust).
Mileage when the problem started
Owner reports
Selected complaints filed with NHTSA by 2019 Ram 3500 owners, lightly cleaned up (personal details are redacted by NHTSA).
The contact owned a 2019 Dodge Ram 3500 towing an empty container. The contact stated that while the vehicle was being driven uphill at unknown speeds, it unexpectedly caught fire. No warning lights illuminated. There were no reported injuries, air bag deployment, or police report. The fire department was on the scene, extinguished the fire, and provided a fire report. The fire chief was unable to determine the cause of the fire due to the extensive damage. The vehicle was towed to a tow lot. The local dealer was not contacted. The vehicle was not diagnosed or repaired. The manufacturer was not contacted. The failure mileage was approximately 150,000. The vehicle was deemed a total loss by the insurance company.
The contact owns a 2019 Ram 3500. The contact stated that after accelerating from a red light and while driving approximately 30 MPH, there was an abnormal ticking sound coming from underneath the hood, and the vehicle started to decelerate. The contact coasted to the side of the road and inspected the engine while attempting to restart the vehicle; however, the vehicle failed to restart. The vehicle was towed to the dealer, who diagnosed that a rod had fractured in cylinder #1, causing the engine to fail. The contact was informed that the engine needed to be replaced. The vehicle was not repaired. The contact became aware of NHTSA Campaign Number: 20V511000 (Engine and Engine Cooling, Electrical System); however, the VIN was not included. The manufacturer was informed of the failure and informed the contact that the VIN was not included. The failure mileage was approximately 55,000.
The contact owns a 2019 Ram 3500. The contact stated while driving 20 MPH, the vehicle inadvertently stalled temporarily. There were no warning lights illuminated. The contact was able to continue to drive the vehicle. The vehicle was taken to the dealer twice, but the dealer informed the contact that the diagnostic results were inconclusive, and they could not determine the cause of the failure. The contact stated that the failure had recurred approximately 34 times while driving or accelerating from a complete stop. The contact also stated an unknown warning light had illuminated twice. The manufacturer was notified of the failure and advised the contact that they would follow up with the dealer. The vehicle was not diagnosed nor repaired. The approximate failure mileage was 490.
The contact owns a 2019 Ram 3500. The contact stated that while driving approximately 55 MPH, a warning light for the exhaust system illuminated, and the vehicle stalled. The vehicle was pulled over to the side of the road, and the vehicle failed to restart. The vehicle was towed to an independent mechanic, where it was diagnosed, but the vehicle was not repaired. An unknown dealer was contacted and confirmed that the VIN was not under recall. The manufacturer was notified of the failure and confirmed that an unknown recall repair was previously completed on the vehicle. Upon investigating the failure online, the contact related the failure to NHTSA Action Number: EA23001(Fuel System, Diesel). The failure mileage was approximately 214,000. The VIN was not available.
The contact owns a 2019 Ram 3500. The contact stated that he observed a check coolant level warning message on the display screen. Additionally, when coolant was added to the vehicle, the contact became aware that the check coolant warning light was illuminated after driving five miles. The vehicle was steered to the side of the road and the contact became aware that the coolant reservoir was empty. The vehicle was taken to a dealer where it was diagnosed that the EGR and head gasket needed to be replaced. The vehicle was repaired but the failure persisted. The vehicle was taken to a dealer again where it was diagnosed that EGR fluid was needed. The vehicle was repaired. The manufacturer was notified of the failure. The failure mileage was 87,000.
Vehicle # 76 MD Tag # 3DS2550 a 2019 Dodge Ram pick up truck was parked at our facility on 7/6/22 at approximately 4:15 p.m. At 5:50 p.m. the truck was observed fully engulfed in flames, we attempted to extinguish the fire but were unable to do so. The Howard County Maryland Police and Fire Deportment were contacted and responded. ( Police Incident # 2259220 Fire Incident # 2022-020323) The vehicle and equipment on the truck are a total loss additionally the heat generated from the fire damaged other company vehicles. Fortunately, the fire was contained and did not spread to adjacent vehicles or buildings. We were awaiting notification that recall could be completed inasmuch as parts for the recall were on backlog and not available.
The contact owns a 2019 RAM 3500. The contact stated that while driving at 45 MPH, he heard an abnormal squealing sound emanating from the engine compartment, after which the vehicle inadvertently lost motive power. The contact was able to pull to the shoulder of the roadway, where the vehicle was able to restart. No warning lights were illuminated. The vehicle was not taken to the dealer or an independent mechanic. The vehicle was not repaired. After investigating the failure, the contact related the failure to NHTSA Campaign Number: 20V511000 (Engine and Engine Cooling, Electrical System), but the VIN was not included. The manufacturer was not notified of the failure. The failure mileage was 135,000.
The contact owns a 2019 Ram 3500. The contact stated while driving 75 MPH with the cruise control activated, the vehicle stated to decelerate without warning. The contact pulled over on the side of the road and examined under the hood and noticed oil on top of the engine. The vehicle was towed to the dealer who stated that the vehicle was experiencing a similar failure to NHTSA Campaign Number: 20V511000 (Engine and Engine Cooling, Electrical System) however, the VIN was not included in the recall. The vehicle was not repaired. The manufacturer was contacted, and a case was filed. The failure mileage was 120,000.
The contact owns a 2019 Ram 3500. The contact stated that while depressing the accelerator pedal, the vehicle was leaking fuel, causing the vehicle to fail to accelerate and exceed 5 MPH. The check engine warning light was illuminated. The vehicle was taken to a certified mechanic who diagnosed that the variable turbo actuator had failed and needed to be replaced. The vehicle had been repaired. The manufacturer was made aware of the failure. The approximate failure mileage was 75,000.
The contact owns a 2019 Ram 3500. The contact stated that while driving at an undisclosed speed, the engine made an abnormal rattling sound. The vehicle was towed to an independent mechanic; however, the vehicle was not yet diagnosed or repaired. The contact related the failure to NHTSA Campaign Number: 20V475000 (Engine and Engine Cooling); however, the VIN was not included in the recall. The manufacturer was made aware of the failure. The failure mileage was approximately 108,000.
Related recalls
Engine and engine cooling › Engine › Oil/lubrication
Chrysler (FCA US, LLC) is recalling certain 2019-2020 Ram 3500, 4500, and 5500 cab chassis vehicles equipped with a Cummins 6.7L High Output engine. The engine calibration software may not warn about low oil volume.
Remedy: Dealers will update the engine calibration software, free of charge. Owner notification letters were mailed June 25, 2021. Owners may contact FCA US LLC customer service at 1-800-853-1403.
Engine and engine cooling › Engine › Oil/lubrication
Chrysler (FCA US LLC) is recalling certain 2019-2020 Ram 3500, 4500 and 5500 cab chassis built with a Cummins 6.7L High Output engine. Inadequate warmup protection can cause a lack of oil film on the engine connecting rod bearings while the engine is reaching operating temperature.
Remedy: Chrysler will notify owners, and dealers will flash the engine calibration software to enhance the engine warm up protection, free of charge. The recall began September 10, 2020.
Engine complaints in other 3500 years
Frequently asked questions
How common are engine problems on the 2019 Ram 3500?
NHTSA has 26 complaints about the engine & cooling of the 2019 Ram 3500, 19% of the model year's 137 complaints. The component named most often is engine › diesel (1 mentions).
Is there a recall for 2019 Ram 3500 engine problems?
Yes — NHTSA recall 21V-439 (oil/lubrication, Jun 10, 2021); NHTSA recall 20V-511 (oil/lubrication, Aug 27, 2020). Recall repairs are free at authorized dealers.
At what mileage do 2019 Ram 3500 engine problems start?
Half of the complaints with a recorded mileage happened before about 87,000 miles, and 19% before 25,000 miles.
Is it dangerous?
Owners linked 1 crash, 3 fires and 0 injuries to engine & cooling 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.