2019 Ram 1500: sudden unintended acceleration

Filed Oct 13, 2025 · Engine · FL

After starting the 2019 Ram 1500 Bighorn in the morning, or after starting the truck and putting it in Drive, the vehicle sometimes shifts itself from Drive into Neutral as we come to a stop. When this happens, the gear indicator on the dashboard begins blinking and displays the message: “Shift to P then desired gear.” On one occasion, as my wife was merging onto the freeway in front of an 18-wheeler, the vehicle suddenly went into Neutral as she slowed down to merge. When she pressed the gas pedal, the truck did not move, putting her in immediate danger and forcing her to coast while traffic approached from behind. This issue has made the vehicle unsafe to drive because it can unexpectedly drop into Neutral at critical moments for example, while crossing lanes, merging, or pulling into intersections. There are no warning lights or alerts before this occurs. Sometimes, the truck will lunge forward or move forward unexpectedly when slowing down. Other times, it just rolls even though we are pressing the gas because it’s actually in Neutral. The problem has been repeatedly reported to the local dealership, which has replaced several parts -including the transmission and performed multiple repair attempts, but the issue continues. No other independent mechanic or third party has inspected the vehicle only the local dealership. Due to the ongoing safety hazard and repeated failure to repair, I am requesting that the federal safety agency investigate this issue. The unpredictable shifting poses a serious risk to drivers/passengers and others on the road.

Filed Jun 4, 2025 · MO

On 6-4-25 I was idling around a parking lot and my Ram truck SUDDENLY ACCELERATED by itself and took off....I slammed on the brakes and swerved to the side of the vehicle in front of me in case the truck didnt stop. The brakes squealed to a stop. Just in front of me was 4 lanes of traffic I would have driven across if the truck hadn't stopped...with 2 GRANDKIDS with me! It was not driver error and my floor mat was not in the way and I had not been using cruise control that day . But I did just have the truck in the shop a few days earlier for a recall on a software update

Filed Jan 4, 2021 · Brakes, Engine · 15,000 miles · MN · crash

Location: state hwy 55, buffalo, mn, intersection with central avenue description of the issue: while stopping at the red light and applying the brake, the truck experienced a sudden acceleration burst. Even though the brake was fully applied, the engine was accelerating on its own and pushing the truck. At low speed (<5mph) and with the brake fully applied, the truck hit a stopped minivan in front of me and continue pushing it towards the intersection in bursts as I was depressing the brake pedal. After a few (three or so) brake push and release attempts, acceleration stopped and the truck (and the minivan) came to a full stop. The truck pushed the minivan for several feet. There is significant damage to a truck since the minivan had a bicycle rack installed. Except for the damaged bicycle rack, there is no observable damage on the minivan. After the truck came to a full stop, the traction control light was on and blinking for a short period of time, then it on. The front park assist light was also on. I was able to drive the truck to closes the safe parking location. I could not recreate braking related acceleration. Potential cause: a web search showed several reports of sudden acceleration bursts while applying the brake were reported on dodge / ram vehicles, including ram 1500. The description of the problems was almost identical to this case. Safety concern: if I did not depress the brake several times which in my opinion stopped acceleration, the truck may have pushed the minivan into a busy intersection and cause a potentially serious accident.

Filed Dec 16, 2020 · Acceleration, Brakes · 27,000 miles · SC

For the second time in 3 months, while I was driving down the highway all my dash lights just came on and my truck started to accelerate on its own even with both feet off both pedals. Traction light, ABS light, parking light, throttle sensor light, and check engine light all stay on. (have picture and video) passenger side headlight also stopped working. Took to ram dealership october I believe and they said PCM needed an update and they did that. Also replaced whole passenger headlight housing. Well yesterday december 15th same thing happened and I almost got into a wreck. Lights came on so I went to brake and pull over, nothing happened. Truck actually accelerated on its own from 40mph to 60mph. Took to dealership first thing this morning and they said they have no record of fixing any of these issues... Wanted me to leave my truck for an unknown amount of time and but they couldn't get me a loaner or anything to get me to work. Said there was nothing they can do until I have time to leave it, pretty [xxx] so now im driving an unsafe truck on the highway to and from work. Kids and wife also drive/ride in this truck. (it wont let me upload the video) information redacted pursuant to the freedom of information act (foia), 5 u.s.c. 552(b)(6).

Filed Nov 23, 2020 · Acceleration · 19,000 miles · MO

Multiple instances, when using cruise control switches becomes inactive, will not power on and sometimes will not cancel setting forcing me to tap the brakes to disengage. On one occasion when using the set button it reverted back to a previous higher speed and started unintended acceleration, I was able to cancel by tapping the brakes.

Filed May 20, 2019 · Transmission · 1,490 miles · NC

Vehicle occasionally sticks in park when you put it in drive. It releases when the rpms raise enough to overpower what is hanging. This causes the vehicle to lunge forward once whatever is hanging it is overpowered by the input RPM's, the natural response when you put it in drive is to hit the gas. If you are not expecting this to happen, you can imagine the potential result. At least one person (many have had this happen) has claimed that it occurred in his garage while his wife was crossing in front of the vehicle nearly pinning her between the vehicle and the garage. Problem happens under random circumstances with no apparent pattern and cannot be made to happen on command, in many cases the dealership will not fix anything because they cannot get the problem to occur in their presence. I personally video'd it happening and showed to to the service manager. They had the vehicle for one week and were unable to reproduce the problem. I picked the vehicle up and the problem occurred 5 minutes later. I called the service manager while it was happening and he came to my location and witnessed the issue first hand. He will advise in the coming days as to the plan for resolution. The video can me found here: https://m.youtube.com/watch?v=mwl4xffhoky

Filed May 14, 2019 · Electrical · 11 miles · VA

Tl* the contact owns a 2019 ram 1500. The contact stated that the auto start/stop feature was not functioning properly as the vehicle had lunged forward several times causing the contact to apply extreme force to the brake pedal to slow down and stop the vehicle. The dealer (lustine chrysler dodge jeep ram, 14211 jefferson davis hwy, woodbridge, va 22191, (703) 496-5202)) had not test drove the vehicle yet to determine if they may be able to replicate the failure. The contact was uncertain if the feature may cause a catastrophic crash due to the intermittent failure. The manufacturer was notified of the failure to determine if they had a remedy. The VIN was not available. The approximate failure mileage was 11.

Filed Mar 11, 2019 · Transmission · 50 miles · NY

Park to drive shifting problem. Transmission and indicators go to from park to drive, however vehicle does not move. To rectify the problem you must place the vehicle in reverse, than into drive. If you hit gas when it is stuck vehicle does not move, then will lunge forward aat an unsafe speed. Vehicle has less than 80 miles has happened 5 times on several occasions

Filed Mar 8, 2019 · Transmission · 110 miles · IL

The truck was backed up in the driveway.when shifting from park to drive the vehicle remained in park and the engine revved up. Tried again and the same thing happened except as the RPM's were coming down the transmission jumped into gear and the truck lunged forward without warning.

Filed Jan 24, 2019 · Transmission · 500 miles · FL

Occasionally, when the vehicle is started and shifted from park to drive, the transmission will not engage and the vehicle will not move forward. Shifting back to park and then drive again does not resolve the issue. If the gas pedal is pressed when the vehicle is in drive, the vehicle will suddenly drop into gear and the car will dangerously surge forward. This has happened 5 times so far on a vehicle with only 500 miles. This seems to be a recurring issue with other 2019 ram 1500 owners as there are forum posts and complaints on this issue already. I also have a video of the issue occurring.

Filed Jan 21, 2019 · Transmission · 600 miles · VA

When the truck is put into "d" drive from park, it will not move. Some times it will do it in "r" reverse. If you push on the gas pedal enough it will lunge forward abruptly. In some cases very rough. Dealer and fca are acting like they no nothing about this.