Reliable Auto DB

2019 Ram 3500 reliability

Is it reliable?

NHTSA's file on the 2019 Ram 3500 holds 135 complaints after 8 years, a rate of 17 per year. 3500 years here cluster close together — the other years’ median is 18 complaints per year. NHTSA has 14 recalls on file, including Inflator, Hinge, and Brake control module.

2012 Ram 3500
Photo by MercurySable99, resized from the original. Wikimedia Commons CC BY-SA 4.0
Complaints

135

Per year

17

Recalls

14

Years on the road

8

What owners report

The complaints owners file most often name Diesel fuel system (27 of 135), then Engine (22) and Fuel and propulsion system (22). Those filings include 10 that report a crash, 5 that report a fire, and 4 that report an injury.

Next to 2018 and 2020

The 2018 3500 has 802 complaints, 18 per year, and the 2020 has 116 complaints, 24 per year. The 2019 has about the same number of complaints per year as the 2018. The 2019 has fewer complaints per year than the 2020.

The complaint rate is complaints filed in this year’s first 3 years on the road, divided by however many of those years have passed. Recalls are a separate count. The numbers are for the US-market 2019 Ram 3500. How we count. Data as of .

Recalls (14)

Recall air bags, side and window, curtain, inflator 2025-12-01 · NHTSA campaign 25V824000
Summary Chrysler (FCA US, LLC) is recalling certain 2019 Ram 1500 Classic, Ram 2500, and Ram 3500 vehicles. The right and left side curtain air bag inflators may rupture due to a manufacturing defect.
Remedy Dealers will replace one or both side curtain air bags, as necessary, free of charge. Owner notification letters were mailed December 18, 2025. Owners may contact FCA customer service at 1-800-853-1403. FCA's numbers for this recall are C2C, C7C, and C8C. Vehicle Identification Numbers (VINs) involved in this recall will be searchable on NHTSA.gov beginning December 4, 2025.
Recall air bags, side and window, curtain, inflator 2025-01-16 · NHTSA campaign 25V010000
Summary Chrysler (FCA US, LLC) is recalling certain 2016-2019 Ram 3500, Ram 1500, 2016-2020 Ram 2500, and 2016 Ram 3500 Cab Chassis vehicles. The right and left side curtain air bag inflators may rupture due to a manufacturing defect.
Remedy Dealers will replace one or both side curtain air bags, as necessary, free of charge. Owner notification letters were mailed February 13, 2025. Owners may contact FCA customer service at 1-800-853-1403. FCA's numbers for this recall are 05C, 09C, and 10C.
Recall structure, body, tailgate, hinge 2022-12-08 · NHTSA campaign 22V904000
Summary Chrysler (FCA US, LLC) is recalling certain 2019-2022 Ram 1500, 2500, and 3500 pickup trucks. The tailgate may not latch properly due to misaligned tailgate strikers, which could result in the tailgate opening while driving.
Remedy Dealers will inspect the tailgate striker alignment to the box latch and adjust, if necessary, free of charge. Owner notification letters were mailed December 22, 2022. Owners may contact FCA US, LLC customer service at 1-800-853-1403. FCA US, LLC's number for this recall is ZB8.
Recall Brake control module 2022-03-10 · NHTSA campaign 22V140000
Summary Chrysler (FCA US, LLC) is recalling certain 2019-2022 Ram 2500 and 2021-2022 Dodge Durango vehicles, and 2019-2022 3500 cab chassis with GVWR less than 10,000 lbs. The ABS control module software may prevent the electronic stability control (ESC) malfunction indicator light from illuminating during certain conditions. As such, these vehicles fail to comply with the requirements of Federal Motor Vehicle Safety Standard number 126, "Electronic Stability Control Systems."
Remedy Dealers will update the ABS control module software, free of charge. Owner notification letters were mailed March 29, 2022. Owners may contact FCA US, LLC customer service at 1-800-853-1403. FCA US, LLC's number for this recall is Z20.
Recall visibility, windshield wiper, linkages 2022-01-27 · NHTSA campaign 22V035000
Summary Chrysler (FCA US, LLC) is recalling certain 2019-2020 Ram 2500 and Ram 3500 vehicles, Ram 3500 Cab Chassis, 4500 Cab Chassis, 5500 Cab Chassis and 3500 Cab Chassis with a gross vehicle weight rating (GVWR) of less than 10,000 lbs. The windshield wiper arms may loosen, possibly causing the wipers to function improperly and reduce the driver's visibility in certain weather conditions.
Remedy Dealers will tighten the wiper nuts, free of charge. Owner notification letters were mailed February 15, 2022. This recall is an expansion of recall number 20V-208. Owners may contact FCA US, LLC customer service at 1-800-853-1403. FCA US, LLC's number for this recall is Z08.
Recall diesel fuel system, delivery, fuel pump 2021-11-12 · NHTSA campaign 21V880000
Summary Chrysler (FCA US, LLC) is recalling certain 2019-2020 Ram 2500, 3500 pickup trucks, and Ram 3500, 4500, and 5500 cab chassis vehicles equipped with Cummins 6.7L Turbo Diesel engines. The High Pressure Fuel Pump (HPFP) may fail, resulting in a sudden engine stall without warning.
Remedy Dealers will replace the HPFP, update the Powertrain Control Module (PCM) software, and inspect and replace additional fuel system components as necessary, free of charge. Interim owner notification letters to inform owners of the safety recall were mailed on January 4, 2022. Owner notification letters were mailed on May 17, 2022. Phase 2 owner notification letters are expected to be mailed on March 2, 2023. Owners may contact FCA US, LLC customer service at 1-800-853-1403. FCA US, LLC's number for this recall is Y78.
Recall engine and cooling, engine, oil and lubrication 2021-06-10 · NHTSA campaign 21V439000
Summary 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. FCA US LLC's number for this recall is Y21.
Recall wheels, lug nuts 2021-05-27 · NHTSA campaign 21V398000
Summary Chrysler (FCA US, LLC) is recalling certain 2012-2021 RAM 3500, 3500 Cab Chassis, 4500 Cab Chassis, and 5500 Cab Chassis vehicles. Incorrect information in the Service and Owner's Manuals may cause the flanged lug nuts to be over-tightened, which could result in a broken wheel stud and possible wheel separation.
Remedy Dealers will update the torque specification in the owner's manual and other published service documents. Dealers will also inspect the vehicle's wheel studs, replacing them if necessary, free of charge. Owner notification letters were mailed on November 30, 2021. Campaign Y36 owner notification letters were mailed on November 30, 2021. Campaign Y26 owner notification letters were mailed on December 1, 2021. Owners may contact FCA US customer service at 1-800-853-1403. FCA US's numbers for this recall are Y26 and Y36.
Recall back-over prevention, sensing system, camera 2020-09-10 · NHTSA campaign 20V191000
Summary Chrysler (FCA US LLC) is recalling certain 2020 Jeep Gladiator and Jeep Cherokee, 2019-2020 Ram 1500 Pickup, Ram 2500 Pickup, Ram 3500 Pickup, Chrysler Pacifica, Dodge Durango, Jeep Grand Cherokee, Jeep Wrangler, and Jeep Renegade and 2019 Dodge Challenger vehicles equipped with 8.4" or 12" radio displays. A software error can cause the rearview camera image to remain displayed after the vehicle has been shifted out of reverse. As such, these vehicles fail to comply with the requirements of Federal Motor Vehicle Safety Standard (FMVSS) number 111, "Rearview Mirrors."
Remedy Chrysler has notified owners, and dealers will update the radio display software, free of charge. Optionally, owners can choose to remotely update their software via an Over-The-Air (OTA) update available as of May 1, 2020. The recall began April 27, 2020. Owners may contact Chrysler customer service at 1-800-853-1403. Chrysler's number for this recall is W30-W37.
Recall engine and cooling, engine, oil and lubrication 2020-08-27 · NHTSA campaign 20V511000
Summary 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. This can result in engine damage and connecting rod failure, which could potentially puncture the engine block.
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. Owners may contact Chrysler customer service at 1-800-853-1403. Chrysler's number for this recall is W57.
Recall Structure 2020-04-09 · NHTSA campaign 20V207000
Summary Chrysler (FCA US LLC) is recalling certain 2019-2020 Ram 2500 and Ram 3500 Pick-up trucks equipped with an accessory bed step. In certain side loading conditions, the bed step may unexpectedly fail while in use.
Remedy Chrysler will notify owners, and dealers will replace the bed step support brace, free of charge. The recall began on July 9, 2020 (RAM 2500) and began on October 6, 2020 (Ram 3500). Owners may contact Chrysler customer service at 1-800-853-1403. Chrysler's numbers for this recall are W24 and W44.
Recall powertrain, automatic transmission 2020-01-24 · NHTSA campaign 20V043000
Summary Chrysler (FCA US LLC) is recalling certain 2019-2020 Ram 2500 and 3500 Pickup vehicles equipped with six-speed automatic (68RFE) transmissions. A build up of pressure and heat inside the transmission may result in a transmission fluid leak from the dipstick tube.
Remedy Chrysler will notify owners, and dealers will replace the transmission valve body separator plate and reprogram the powertrain control module. The recall began March 2, 2020. Owners may contact Chrysler customer service at 1-800-853-1403. Chrysler's number for this recall is W03.
Recall hydraulic brakes, foundation components, disc, caliper 2019-08-29 · NHTSA campaign 19V635000
Summary Chrysler (FCA US LLC) is recalling certain 2019 Ram 2500, 3500 and 3500 Cab Chassis trucks. The brake calipers may have been manufactured with an incorrect assembly fluid, which can cause the caliper's rubber seals to swell.
Remedy FCA US will notify owners, and dealers will replace the front brake calipers and brake hoses and bleed the brakes, free of charge. The recall began October 24, 2019. Owners may contact FCA US customer service at 1-800-853-1403. FCA US' number for this recall is V98.
Recall diesel fuel system 2019-06-27 · NHTSA campaign 19V498000
Summary Chrysler (FCA US LLC) is recalling certain 2019 Ram 2500 and 3500 trucks, and 3500, 4500, and 5500 Cab Chassis vehicles equipped with diesel engines. The fuel lines may leak fuel into the engine compartment.
Remedy Chrysler will notify owners, and dealers will inspect the fuel lines, replacing them if necessary, free of charge. The recall began July 18, 2019. Owners may contact Chrysler customer service at 1-800-853-1403. Chrysler's number for this recall is V76.

Complaints by component (135 total)

Diesel fuel system
27
Engine
22
Fuel and propulsion system
22
Electrical system
20
Powertrain
18
Tires
11
Service brakes
8
Structure
8
Suspension
6
Wheels
6
Engine and engine cooling
5
Steering
5
Speed control
4
Air bags
3
Forward collision avoidance
2
Electronic stability control (ESC)
1
Equipment
1
Exterior lighting
1
Fuel system, gasoline
1
Parking brake
1
Seat belts
1
Visibility and wipers
1
Show 14 more Show less
Crash-flagged

10

Fire-flagged

5

Injury reports

4

Death reports

0

Complaints filed per year

420191720203020214220221420231220247202592026
Excerpts from recent NHTSA complaint filings
  • "1. Engine failed while driving. 2.This could have caused an accident if I were at highway speeds. 3. The cause of failure was a spent bearing on piston #3 due to lack of oil. 4. Per my mechanic an engine or rebuild kit…"
    Engine · filed 2026-09-23
  • "HAD RECALL FOR HIGH PRESSURE FUEL PUMP COMPLETED IN 12/2022 AND THE NEW PART HAS PREMATURELY FAILED CAUSING DEBRIS TO GO INTO THE FUEL SYSTEM. THE NEW PART WAS TO PREVENT THIS ISSUE FROM HAPPENING AND IT SEEMS THAT…"
    Fuel and propulsion system · filed 2026-06-15
  • "While driving transmission just died would only go in reverse. lucky it happened at midnight so there was no traffic and was able to pull over safely. I drove truck home in reverse has I was only about 1000ft from…"
    Powertrain · filed 2026-05-14
  • "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…"
    Engine · filed 2026-03-23
  • "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…"
    Engine and engine cooling · filed 2026-03-16

Specs and fitment

Fifth-generation HD, 2019–present
Body styles Pickup
Oil Diesel oil per Cummins CES / API CK-4 (see manual by climate) , 12 qt capacity
Tire size 275/70R18, 285/60R20 (SRW); 235/80R17 (DRW)

Known issues for this generation

2019–2020 Ram 3500 (and sibling 2500/4500/5500) trucks with the 6.7L Cummins are covered by NHTSA campaign 21V-880 (FCA Y78): the Bosch CP4.2 high-pressure fuel pump may fail prematurely, send metal debris through the fuel system, and cause fuel starvation or loss of motive power. The remedy inspects/replaces the HPFP (dealers move affected trucks to a more durable CP3-style pump arrangement) and cleans contaminated fuel systems as needed. Later fifth-gen years leave that CP4 window; still verify 21V-880 completion on any 2019–2020 VIN and watch open emissions and software campaigns that continue on current HD trucks.

Compare

Previous year 2018 Ram 3500 Next year 2020 Ram 3500 See every Ram 3500 model year →

Frequently asked questions

Is the 2019 Ram 3500 reliable?

NHTSA's file on the 2019 Ram 3500 holds 135 complaints after 8 years, a rate of 17 per year. 3500 years here cluster close together — the other years’ median is 18 complaints per year. NHTSA has 14 recalls on file, including Inflator, Hinge, and Brake control module.

What are common problems with a 2019 Ram 3500?

The complaints owners file most often name Diesel fuel system (27 of 135), then Engine (22) and Fuel and propulsion system (22). Those filings include 10 that report a crash, 5 that report a fire, and 4 that report an injury.

Is the 2019 Ram 3500 more reliable than the years next to it?

The 2018 3500 has 802 complaints, 18 per year, and the 2020 has 116 complaints, 24 per year. The 2019 has about the same number of complaints per year as the 2018. The 2019 has fewer complaints per year than the 2020.

Has the 2019 Ram 3500 been recalled?

The 2019 Ram 3500 has 14 recalls on file with NHTSA. See the recalls table on this page for dates, components, and remedies.

How many complaints have owners filed about the 2019 Ram 3500?

Owners have filed 135 complaints about the 2019 Ram 3500 with NHTSA.

What oil does a Ram 3500 Cummins take?

Diesel oil per Cummins CES / API CK-4 (see manual by climate)

What does NHTSA recall 21V-880 cover on the Ram 3500?

2019–2020 Ram 3500 (and sibling 2500/4500/5500) trucks with the 6.7L Cummins are covered by NHTSA campaign 21V-880 (FCA Y78): the Bosch CP4.2 high-pressure fuel pump may fail prematurely, send metal debris through the fuel system, and cause fuel starvation or loss of motive…

What generation is the 2013 Ram 3500?

Fourth-generation HD (2012-2018).