Electrical, fuel system, powertrain, structure, and service brakes problems among the top complaints received by the NHTSA from vehicle owners
Drivers in the market for a heavy-duty truck often take the 2019 Ram 2500 for a spin. This truck is known for being luxurious and the automaker claims it will help “outdo anything you’ve done.” Yet, the only thing owners want to outdo is buying this truck. It has a defective electrical system, fuel system, powertrain, structure and service brakes that make daily driving cumbersome.
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A properly working electrical system is the first step to having a truck that owners can love. Considering how defective this system is, it’s no wonder that owners are giving up on the Ram lineup.
Here is one Edmunds review. “Nav/computer is awful and not fully functional. Everything electronic is unreliable. Less than 3 years old and I’m sitting here waiting for a tow truck.”
It turns out that there is also a recall related to the electrical system. NHTSA Campaign Number 20V191000 states that the rearview image can remain on the backup camera even after it is gone. This could affect more than 300,000 vehicles and is a hazard. Quite frankly, it’s not easy to see what’s behind these big trucks, which is more the reason why the system needs to work correctly. To “outdo” this Ram truck, other pickups simply need to have a working backup camera and owners will likely jump ship.
| Complaint Category | Number of Complaints |
|---|---|
| Fuel/propulsion System | |
| Engine | |
| Power Train | |
| Unknown Or Other | |
| Electrical System | |
| Fuel System, Diesel | |
| Structure:body | |
| Service Brakes | |
| Steering | |
| Vehicle Speed Control |
The fuel system works in conjunction with the engine to make the pickup move. When the system fails, travel becomes difficult.
The entire Ram system is failing; just take it from this employee that left an Edmunds review. “I build the new 2019 diesel engines and they are junk. We have issues with them in [our] plant on a daily basis not to mention the blocks come from Mexico.”
Again, there is a recall expressing deeper concerns. NHTSA Campaign Number 19V498000 says that some diesel Ram trucks have leaking fuel lines, allowing fuel to get into the engine compartment. If this occurs around an ignition source, a truck fire could break out. While the Ram could be a great truck to take camping, no one wants to see it become the campfire.
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Another vital system is the powertrain. When this system doesn’t work, shifting becomes harsh and unreliable.
That’s shown in this Edmunds review. “4wd doesn’t engage well. Often doesn’t start. Then there are the days it doesn’t want to turn off. Won’t always get out of park even when completely level. Cruise control only works about 30 percent of the time. Truck thinks the axle lock is always on. Several recalls which means several wasted days at the dealership waiting and weeks of truck not being safe to drive while waiting for recall parts to arrive.”
It should come as no surprise that there is a recall for the powertrain too. NHTSA Campaign Number 20V043000 says that nearly 100,000 vehicles might be equipped with a leaking transmission. If the fluid comes in contact with an ignition source or the turbocharger, a truck fire could begin. Because this Ram truck wants to “outdo” itself, it wasn’t content just to have one fire hazard, but two for safe measure.
Moving onto the structure, it’s clear that just as much care was put into constructing the shell of the truck as was put into the mechanics.
Here’s one more Edmunds review to consider. “I ordered my Ram and waited 4 months for it to arrive. After driving it for 3,000 miles I notice the bed did not aline with the cab. I took it back to the dealer and they tried everything to correct the issue. The bed could not be fixed. Ram was contacted and reported back that I need to live with the problem. If you are looking for a HD truck. Buy a GMC. If you own a 2019 ram 2500 look at the bed to cab alignment.. Yours is probably off as well.”
Is there a recall for the structure? Absolutely! NHTSA Campaign Number 20V207000 says that the bed step in nearly 40,000 vehicles might fail during side loading conditions. If it fails while in use, the operator could become injured. There’s another notable recall, NHTSA Campaign Number 20V580000, which talks about some trucks that have a front seat belt retractor, which doesn’t restrict forward movement during an impact. This puts occupants in danger if a collision occurs. From starting truck fires to putting occupants in harm’s way, the Ram really does “outdo” itself from every angle.
Just when one thought there was no way for the Ram to get any worse, a look at the service brakes proves otherwise.
One NHTSA complaint reads, “Power steering continues to go out, vibration and sticking as I press the brake and clunking in the suspension. Dealership cannot figure it out! Vibration occurs constantly, more so on start up. Clunking occurs when going around a turn at any mph.”
It would be wishful thinking to hope that this system didn’t have a recall, but it does. NHTSA Campaign Number 19V635000 states that some trucks have brake calipers that were manufactured with the wrong assembly fluid. This defect causes the caliper’s rubber seals to swell, which leads the brakes to drag. When the front brakes drag, they could overheat and reduce stopping performance, thereby leading to an accident. Anyone looking to buy a Ram 2500 should consider how this model surely “outdoes” every defect found in other vehicles. It takes the cake.
Think you have a lemon? Sit back and let the experts work out your lemon case at no cost to you. The law makes Dodge pay legal fees. You may be able to get your lemon out of your life. Every year, auto manufacturers buy back, replace or pay cash settlements to thousands of ‘lemon’ owners like you.
Brian Jones spent more than 30 years working as an ASE Certified Master Tech and Parts Specialist at multiple dealerships. Brian has become an authority in the industry, traveling across the country to consult for car dealerships and contributing his expertise as a writer for several major automotive publications. In his spare time, Brian enjoys working on pickup trucks, muscle cars, Jeeps and anything related to motorsports.
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