Know Your Truck

2019–2026 Ram 1500 common problems and fixes

2019 trucks have the most complaints, led by electric power steering failures; HEMI V8s break exhaust manifold bolts (and forums report lifter failures), eTorque trucks can stall, and the 2025 Hurricane trucks have many early electrical complaints.

What owners should know

Covers 2019–2026 · 5.7L HEMI V8 (with or without eTorque), 3.6L V6, 3.0L EcoDiesel (2020–2023), 3.0L Hurricane I6 (2025+), 6.2L supercharged V8 (TRX) · Updated 2026-10-06

The fifth-generation Ram 1500 launched for 2019 with a new frame and interior, the 5.7L HEMI V8 (often with the mild-hybrid eTorque system), a 3.6L V6 and, from 2020, a 3.0L EcoDiesel. For 2025 Ram replaced the HEMI with the 3.0L Hurricane twin-turbo six (the HEMI returned for 2026). The older-style truck sold alongside it as the Ram 1500 Classic has its own pages.

We counted 3,738 owner complaints filed with NHTSA for 2019–2026 Ram 1500s (retrieved October 5, 2026; each complaint counted once): 2,665 from 5.7L HEMI trucks, 360 from 2025–2026 Hurricane trucks, 348 from 3.6L V6s, 256 from EcoDiesels and 52 from the TRX, identified by VIN; the rest (57) couldn't be matched to an engine. We left out 7 whose VIN belongs to another vehicle (Ram ProMaster vans). NHTSA files Ram 1500 Classic complaints under the same name, so we used each complaint's VIN to leave the Classic out. 2019 trucks have the most complaints (1,191). Complaint counts show what owners report most often, not how many trucks have a problem.

At a glance

  • Electric power steering failures, mostly on 2019 trucks.
  • HEMI V8: broken exhaust manifold bolts; forums also report lifter and camshaft failures, though few NHTSA complaints mention them.
  • eTorque trucks can stall; certain 2021 5.7L eTorque trucks were recalled.
  • Touchscreens can bubble and peel, according to owners.
  • 2025 Hurricane trucks have many early complaints about stalling, screens and electronics.

Steering

About 380 complaints mention power steering or describe losing steering assist or heavy steering, 207 of them from 2019 trucks. Owners see a "Service power steering" message, then heavy steering. Ram recalled certain 2019 trucks for a contaminated steering gear (19V812000) and others for a loose battery ground that can cut steering assist (19V020000). Other trucks need the cause diagnosed before parts are replaced.

5.7L HEMI V8

  • Exhaust manifolds: 84 complaints mention the exhaust manifold or its bolts, 66 of them from 2019–2020 trucks. Owners describe broken bolts or cracked manifolds and a tick that's loudest on a cold start.
  • Lifters and camshaft: on forums, owners report failed roller lifters that wipe out a camshaft lobe, causing a steady tick and misfires, sometimes well before 100,000 miles. Only 18 NHTSA complaints from HEMI trucks mention a lifter or camshaft, and we found no Ram recall or bulletin for it. Forum members blame long idling, cylinder deactivation, oil grade or long oil change intervals, but those are owner theories, not manufacturer findings.

eTorque

About 240 complaints mention eTorque, the motor generator unit or the 48-volt system. Trucks can stall at low speed or fail to restart after auto stop. Ram recalled certain 2021 5.7L eTorque trucks for engine software that could cause stalls (23V265000). Forums also describe motor generator unit and 48-volt battery failures.

Electronics

Owners describe bubbling and peeling touchscreens and screens that freeze; only a handful of NHTSA complaints mention a delaminating or bubbling screen. Recalls covered the rear camera image on certain 2021–2023 trucks with trailer reverse steering (21V438000, 21V918000, 23V059000) and stability control being disabled by the ABS module on certain 2019 and 2021–2024 trucks (24V653000).

2025–2026 Hurricane trucks

2025 trucks collected 356 complaints in their first two years, 288 of them from Hurricane six-cylinder trucks: stalling during auto stop-start, warning lights, instrument cluster and screen problems. Recalls cover the instrument cluster on certain 2025–2026 trucks (25V826000, 26V225000), headlight software on certain 2025 trucks (24V942000) and the rear camera on certain 2025–2026 trucks (26V560000).

Before you buy

  • Check open recalls at nhtsa.gov/recalls with the VIN.
  • Listen to a cold start for exhaust manifold ticking, and a warm idle for lifter tick.
  • Turn the steering lock to lock and look for power steering warnings.
  • Bring our used truck inspection checklist.

Researched from owner forums and NHTSA complaints and written by Know Your Truck. These are patterns in what owners report, not a guarantee about any particular truck.

Sources (17)

Common failures & how to fix them

Parts and video buttons search for your 2019-2026 Ram 1500. Always confirm a part fits using your VIN. Brakes, steering, fuel and airbag work affects your safety, so if you're not sure, have a qualified mechanic do it.

  • Electric power steering failure (mostly 2019)

    Dealer job

    Signs: 'Service power steering' warning and sudden heavy steering, or steering that won't return to center.

    Fix: Check the VIN for recalls 19V812000 (certain 2019 trucks built with a contaminated steering gear) and 19V020000 (certain 2019 trucks with a loose battery ground that can cut steering assist). Otherwise have it diagnosed before replacing parts: steering codes, battery and ground connections, then the gear itself. If the steering gear is confirmed faulty, it's replaced. Recalls cover only specific trucks, so check this VIN at nhtsa.gov/recalls to see if it's included and whether the repair was done.

    May be covered free by recall 19V812000. Check the VIN at nhtsa.gov/recalls.

  • HEMI lifter and camshaft failure

    Best left to a shop

    Signs: A steady tick that doesn't go away, misfires and a check engine light, often on one cylinder.

    Fix: Have it diagnosed before replacing engine parts: a tick can also be a broken exhaust manifold bolt or an injector, and misfires can come from plugs and coils. A shop can check misfire data, compression and, if needed, look at the lifters and cam. If a failed lifter is confirmed, it has usually worn the camshaft lobe, so both are replaced together, often with all the lifters. We found no Ram recall or bulletin for this; forum theories about long idling, cylinder deactivation and oil are unproven, but using the specified oil grade and changing it on time can't hurt.

    Shop: 5.7 Hemi lifter and camshaft kit▶ How-to videos

  • Exhaust manifold bolts break or manifold cracks

    Moderate DIY

    Signs: A loud tick from the side of the engine, worst on a cold start, that fades as the engine warms.

    Fix: Confirm it first: look for broken bolt heads, a gap or soot at the manifold flange. Replace the broken bolts and, if cracked, the manifold and gasket. Broken bolts often have to be drilled out.

    Shop: 5.7 Hemi exhaust manifold boltsShop: 5.7 Hemi exhaust manifold▶ How-to videos

  • eTorque stalls or 'Service eTorque' warnings

    Dealer job

    Signs: The engine shuts off at low speed or won't restart after auto stop, with eTorque or 48-volt warnings.

    Fix: Certain 2021 5.7L eTorque trucks are covered by stalling recall 23V265000 (engine software). Otherwise have the codes read and the 12-volt and 48-volt systems tested before replacing parts; the motor generator unit, 48-volt battery or wiring can each cause it, and may be covered if the truck is still within factory warranty. Ask a dealer to check the VIN.

    May be covered free by recall 23V265000. Check the VIN at nhtsa.gov/recalls.

  • Touchscreen bubbling or peeling

    Dealer job

    Signs: Bubbles that spread from the edge of the Uconnect touchscreen, or a screen that stops responding in one area.

    Fix: Have a dealer inspect it. We found no recall or bulletin for it; owners report screens replaced under warranty, and some got help through Ram customer care after warranty. A screen that freezes or goes black is a different problem; ask the dealer to check for software updates and recalls.

Each year in this generation

Owner complaints filed with NHTSA, compared with the typical truck of the same kind and model year. Open a year for its recalls and complaints.

Going to look at one?Bring our free inspection checklist, with these known problems added →