Common problems
Ram 1500 Common Problems
We grouped the top NHTSA owner-complaint categories across 9 Ram 1500 model years, then counted how often each issue recurs. The result shows patterns worth inspecting without pretending every vehicle will have them.
Data updated June 2026
- Owner complaints
- 4,051
- Top recurring issue
- Electrical System
- Crash reports
- 179
- Fire reports
- 32
9 model years
9 affected years
Owner-reported severity signal
133 injuries · 2 deaths
Pattern overview
Most reported Ram 1500 problem categories
Electrical System
871complaints representedAppears among the leading issues for 9 model years; highest in 2019.
Steering
531complaints representedAppears among the leading issues for 9 model years; highest in 2019.
Unknown Or Other
443complaints representedAppears among the leading issues for 9 model years; highest in 2019.
Power Train
497complaints representedAppears among the leading issues for 8 model years; highest in 2019.
Engine
394complaints representedAppears among the leading issues for 8 model years; highest in 2019.
Fuel Propulsion System
77complaints representedAppears among the leading issues for 2 model years; highest in 2018.
Air Bags
70complaints representedAppears among the leading issues for 2 model years; highest in 2019.
Service Brakes
35complaints representedAppears among the leading issues for 2 model years; highest in 2025.
Structure
11complaints representedAppears among the leading issues for 2 model years; highest in 2023.
Visibility Wiper
36complaints representedAppears among the leading issues for 1 model year; highest in 2020.
What owners reported
Issue summaries by Ram 1500 model year
STEERING
Owners of the 2019 Ram 1500 frequently report issues with the electric power steering system, particularly intermittent loss of power steering assist while driving. Typical symptoms include sudden steering failure, accompanied by dashboard warning lights indicating power steering service requirements. Many complaints involve this issue occurring without prior warning, and some mention corrosion or electrical shorts as contributing factors. Several reports highlight safety concerns, with at least ten incidents involving crashes, often at varying speeds, indicating potential loss of vehicle control. These problems appear across a range of mileages, with some vehicles experiencing issues as early as 60,000 miles, and are sometimes linked to unresolved recall-related defects.
Severity signals: 10 crash, 0 fire, 0 injury reports
ELECTRICAL SYSTEM
Owners report frequent issues with the electrical system of the 2019 Ram 1500, particularly involving the eTorque alternator and instrument cluster. The eTorque alternator is often on backorder, leading to extended vehicle downtime, and its failure can result in a complete loss of power while driving, which some owners note has led to crashes. Instrument cluster failures manifest as intermittent blackouts, causing drivers to lose access to vital information like speed and fuel levels. Complaints also highlight water infiltration affecting electrical components, sometimes resulting in corrosion and fire hazards. These issues typically arise around 28,000 to 62,000 miles, with some owners experiencing them earlier or later.
Severity signals: 6 crash, 2 fire, 3 injury reports
POWER TRAIN
Owners report that the 2019 Ram 1500 experiences frequent powertrain issues, primarily involving unexpected shifting between gears. Complaints frequently mention the vehicle shifting into neutral or park without driver input, often accompanied by warning messages instructing to "Shift to P then Desired Gear." These issues tend to arise at various mileages, with some occurring as early as 3,000 miles and others reported beyond 100,000 miles. Multiple owners describe these malfunctions occurring during driving, leading to sudden loss of propulsion, which poses safety risks, especially in traffic. Additionally, some reports highlight prolonged part shortages and unresolved repairs, contributing to extended vehicle downtime.
Severity signals: 1 crash, 1 fire, 1 injury reports
ELECTRICAL SYSTEM
Owners report frequent issues with the electrical system of the 2021 Ram 1500, particularly involving the alternator and eTorque MGU hybrid motor, with parts often on backorder. Complaints frequently mention symptoms such as the vehicle stalling, loss of power, dashboard warning lights flashing, and battery drainage. These issues often appear at mileages ranging from 30,000 to 81,000 miles. Safety implications include one reported crash, two fires, and four injuries linked to these electrical problems. Prospective buyers should be aware of potential reliability concerns and parts availability challenges associated with this model year.
Severity signals: 1 crash, 2 fire, 4 injury reports
UNKNOWN OR OTHER
Owners of the 2019 Ram 1500 frequently report issues with rear window leaks, dashboard bubbling, and malfunctioning power folding mirrors. Symptoms include water damage from leaking windows, adhesive failure causing dashboard bubbling, and mirrors becoming loose due to stripped gears. Complaints often involve these problems occurring in colder weather or after a few years of ownership. Safety implications are significant, with some reports involving crashes and fires, and issues such as unintended shifts to neutral or sudden acceleration. Prospective buyers should be aware of these recurring issues and the potential for safety risks associated with the vehicle.
Severity signals: 4 crash, 3 fire, 7 injury reports
ELECTRICAL SYSTEM
Owners of the 2018 Ram 1500 frequently report issues with the vehicle's electrical system, particularly involving the Uconnect infotainment system and backup camera. Common symptoms include malfunctioning touchscreens that result in erratic behavior such as changing radio stations, altering climate controls, and causing distractions while driving. Many complaints highlight screen delamination and ghost touching, leading to safety concerns like loss of control over defrost functions, which can be hazardous in poor visibility conditions. Backup camera failures are also a recurrent issue, with owners describing intermittent or complete loss of image, posing a risk when reversing. These problems often manifest around 30,000 to 40,000 miles, and some reports involve crashes and fires, indicating potential safety implications for prospective buyers.
Severity signals: 3 crash, 2 fire, 6 injury reports
ELECTRICAL SYSTEM
Owners of the 2022 Ram 1500 frequently report issues with the electrical system, notably involving sudden vehicle shutdowns, emergency brake engagement, and battery voltage problems. Symptoms often include the vehicle stalling unexpectedly, auto-shifting to park, and difficulties restarting, sometimes requiring a tow. These issues are reported across various mileages, with some starting as early as 20,000 miles. Complaints also highlight problems with the infotainment system, where screens go black or freeze, disabling essential controls like HVAC and rear-view cameras. These electrical failures can lead to safety hazards, including loss of vehicle control and potential crashes.
Severity signals: 1 crash, 0 fire, 1 injury reports
ELECTRICAL SYSTEM
Owners report frequent issues with the electrical system in the 2020 Ram 1500, particularly involving the alternator and eTorque system. Complaints commonly describe alternator failures leading to sudden loss of power while driving, with some incidents occurring on busy highways, and parts being on backorder for extended periods. Symptoms often include dashboard warning lights, grinding noises, and complete vehicle shutdowns, typically appearing around 40,000 to 74,000 miles. Additionally, multiple owners mention persistent problems with turn signals not functioning correctly, which complicates safe lane changes and turns. These issues present significant safety concerns, including potential for loss of vehicle control and the risk of fire, as reported in a few cases.
Severity signals: 0 crash, 3 fire, 0 injury reports
Pre-purchase inspection
What to check on a used Ram 1500
When problems are reported to begin
- Electrical system failures — 0–1,000 miles on the 2026 model-year record
- Structural defects — 0–100 miles on the 2026 model-year record
- Electrical system failures — 600–3,000 miles on the 2025 model-year record
- Transmission shifting issues — 2,000–10,000 miles on the 2025 model-year record
- Engine misfires — 200–4,000 miles on the 2025 model-year record
- Electrical system failures — 11,000–51,000 miles on the 2024 model-year record
- Power train issues — 800–33,000 miles on the 2024 model-year record
- Airbag system warnings — 13,000 miles on the 2024 model-year record
Buyer red flags
- Inspect body panels for cracks or splits, especially between doors and uniside panel
- Test all door locks and handles, especially in cold conditions
- Check for active recalls on the instrument cluster and ensure updates are completed
- Verify backup camera functionality and check for intermittent failures
- Test infotainment system for unexpected volume spikes
- Inspect for any warning messages on the digital dash cluster
- Test infotainment system for blank screens and rebooting
- Check for transmission shifting issues, especially failure to shift to higher gears
How to interpret the counts
Complaint totals are not failure rates
A popular or older model can accumulate more complaints simply because more vehicles exist and have spent longer on the road. The categories above aggregate the counts embedded in each model year's leading issues. Use recurrence across years and severity signals to decide what to inspect; use the VIN and a mechanical inspection to judge one car.
Source trail
Where this Ram 1500 data comes from
VinExposed combines model-level research with the vehicle-specific history you get from a VIN. Reliability scores and complaint patterns come from Auto Reliability Index's Ram 1500 research, which analyzes NHTSA records and independent repair data.
Recall counts describe a model year, not the repair status of one car. Confirm the exact VIN with the official NHTSA recall lookup and a vehicle-history report before buying.
Buyer questions
Ram 1500 research FAQ
What is the most common Ram 1500 problem?
Electrical System is the broadest recurring complaint category in the available model-year records, appearing among the top issues for 9 years with 871 complaints represented.
Which Ram 1500 year has the most reported problems?
The 2019 has the largest electrical system count among the years where that category appears. Compare the full year record because a different year may lead on another problem category.
Do NHTSA complaints prove a Ram 1500 has a defect?
No. Owner complaints are unverified reports and can be duplicated or influenced by sales volume and vehicle age. They are useful patterns to investigate alongside recalls, service records, inspection results and the exact VIN.
Check the actual car
Model research narrows the list. The VIN confirms the car.
Check title brands, accidents, odometer history, auction records and recall status for the specific Ram 1500 you are considering.