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2019 Ram 1500 transmission problems

207 complaints (14% of all complaints for this car). Typical mileage when it fails: 12,205. 2 crashes reported.

owner complaints
207
of this car's complaints
14%
typical mileage
12,205
crashes
2
recalls
3

Which part fails

  • Automatic transmission
    4
  • Driveline: differential unit
    1
  • Automatic transmission: gear position indication (PRNDL)
    1
  • Automatic transmission: control module: software
    1
  • Automatic transmission: control module (TCM/PCM/tecm)
    1

At what mileage

Complaints by mileage at the time of the problem.

0k-25k
25k-50k
50k-75k
75k-100k
100k-125k
125k-150k
150k-175k
175k-200k
200k+

Ram 1500 transmission problems in other years

2009201520202026

Specific symptoms reported on the 2019 Ram 1500 transmission

Phrases found in the owners' own descriptions, so one complaint can mention several symptoms.

Jerking 33Won't shift 15Harsh shifting 14Slipping 11Hesitation 10Transmission failure 10Whining noise 9

Related recalls

Power train: transfer case (4-wheel drive)Reported February 13, 2020 · 11 vehicles affected
What is wrong
Chrysler (FCA US LLC) is recalling certain 2019 Ram 1500 pickup trucks equipped with four-wheel drive. A gear within the transfer case may not have been installed correctly, possibly causing the vehicle to become stuck in neutral. If this occurs while driving, there could be a sudden loss of power. Additionally, a loss of 'PARK' function may occur.
Risk
A sudden loss of power or a loss of 'PARK' function may increase the risk of a crash.
Remedy
Chrysler will notify owners, and dealers will replace the transfer case, free of charge. The recall began March 10, 2020. Owners may contact Chrysler customer service at 1‑800‑853‑1403. Chrysler's number for this recall is W06.

Recall number 20V080000 · Recall details

Power train: driveline: driveshaftReported April 25, 2019 · 10,160 vehicles affected
What is wrong
Chrysler (FCA US LLC) is recalling certain 2018-2019 Ram 1500 pickup trucks. The rear driveshaft may have an incomplete weld fusion between the tube and tube yoke, which may lead to weld cracking or the driveshaft fracturing.
Risk
A fractured rear driveshaft could detach from the vehicle and become a road hazard, or it may result in a loss of drive power, both of which can increase the risk of a crash.
Remedy
FCA US will notify owners, and dealers will replace the rear driveshaft, free of charge. The recall began June 13, 2019. Owners may contact FCA US customer service at 1‑800‑853‑1403. The FCA US recall number is V48.

Recall number 19V324000 · Recall details

Power train: axle assemblyReported August 23, 2018 · 4,171 vehicles affected
What is wrong
Chrysler (FCA US LLC) is recalling certain 2018-2019 RAM 1500 trucks. The rear differential may have been insufficiently filled, possibly resulting in its failure.
Risk
If the rear axle assembly fails, it can cause a loss of drive or the rear wheels may lock up. Either scenario increases the risk of a crash.
Remedy
Chrysler will notify owners, and dealers will inspect the rear axle oil level. Rear axles with an insufficient amount of oil will be replaced, free of charge. The recall began September 26, 2018. Owners may contact Chrysler customer service at 1‑800‑853‑1403. Chrysler's number for this recall is U88.

Recall number 18V556000 · Recall details

What 2019 Ram 1500 owners say

Most recent owner complaints, unedited.

Filed Oct 12, 2026 · Electrical, Engine · AZ

The manufacturer defect involving stress cracks in the rear window structure (TSB 23-042-24) caused water to flood the rear cab wall along with the leaking rear cab air pressure vents. This water has short-circuited the CAN-bus network/RF Hub, causing active dashboard failures including 'Service Shifter' and 'ParkSense Temporarily Unavailable.' The vehicle is at immediate risk of locking in Park, stalling, or failing to shift while driving, creating an immediate crash hazard. Additionally, the exhaust manifolds are leaking, risking exhaust gas intrusion into the cabin. The dealership, Earnhardt Chrysler Dodge Jeep Ram at 1521 E Drivers Way, Gilbert, AZ 85297, has failed to resolve the water leaks over 4 separate visits this month." I was told a software update fixed the issue. Then at the last visit something electrical was replaced, the issue is still happening. The leaking rear cab air pressure vents have not been addressed in the previous 2 service appointments. This also allows water to leak onto the RF Hub

Filed Sep 28, 2026 · Acceleration, Electrical · CA

2019 ram 1500, upon decelaration when coming to a stop, or to very slow, vehicle will drop into neutral/ lose ability to accelerate. Gear selecter dial indicator light will flash, dashboard message "shift to p, then select desired gear" will be displayed. During this time vehicle is unable to accelerate until driver come to a complete stop, shifts into n, then back into drive. Vehicle has lost ability to accelerate in the middle of active intersections, with active oncoming traffic from both infront and behind. Vehicle has had TCM flashed, valve body replaced, transmission replaced, and software verified up to date with no repair solving issue. Vehicle issue ongoing.

Filed Aug 13, 2026 · Brakes, Engine · CA

This has now happened 3 separate times. Once 1 month ago, my husband and I were on the connecting road from [XXX] toward [XXX] by the water plants stopped in traffic and the truck completely powered off at a red light. It took 30 seconds for the truck to power back on, and be restarted. It showed a check engine light the rest of the drive. The next time it turned on from being off there was no check engine light. Last week we were driving on a the main road toward our house going 30 miles per hour and coming up to a right turn then the truck stopped abruptly and died. It completely powered off and took 2 minutes to power back on. We were blocking a one lane road. It then showed a check engine light that went away after a few days. Today after getting ready to enter [XXX] going 55 miles per hour the truck showed a check engine light and the truck started to power down mid highway entrance and I had to try and pull off before it powered down completely. It took 5 minutes this time for the truck regain power enough to be restart fully. The check engine light is still on. It endangered both me and everyone behind me because I abruptly slowed down and risked not having anywhere to pull over on a highway. Every time it has failed I have been in the middle of a road, lane, highway/freeway. With no way to signal my truck has died and no way to move it. Police have not investigated this issue, no dealerships or shops have looked at this issue currently. The engine, powertrain, brakes, and electrical appear to be not functioning properly in these incidents but it is unknown of the root cause. There has been no other indication that this truck has had these issues or previous recalls for these incidents. This truck was bought from a dealership earlier this year without issue. INFORMATION REDACTED PURSUANT TO THE FREEDOM OF INFORMATION ACT (FOIA), 5 U.S.C. 552(B)(6)

Filed Aug 10, 2026 · Electrical, Transmission · 137,700 miles · TX

The contact owns a 2019 Ram 1500. The contact stated that while driving at an undisclosed speed, the check engine warning light illuminated shortly afterwards. Several unknown warning lights were illuminated. The contact stated that the transmission failed to shift out of first gear. The message “Slow Down - Service Shifter” was displayed. The contact associated the failure with TSB: (23-029-22 Rev. A); and referenced an extended warranty coverage. The vehicle was taken to a local dealer, where it was diagnosed and produced DTC: U0645 - Lost Communication with Active Air Dam Module. The vehicle was not repaired. The manufacturer was contacted and opened a case. The failure mileage was approximately 137,700.

Filed Jul 20, 2026 · Electrical, Steering · IN

I was on the highway when the vehicle alerted me that shift was unavailable then the auto start/stop was unavailable then the airbags were unavailable then my FUEL and my MPH were not reading. My windshield wipers started all on their own and could not be turned off! And my EMERGENCY LIGHTS WERE INOP. I LOST POWER STEERING and was locked in gear! All while in morning rush hour traffic on the highway! The vehicle gave me a notification to get to my destination before turning it off or changing gears because it would not go back into gear. I got off the highway as safely as I could without EMERGENCY LIGHTS OR TURN SIGNALS and proceeded to a stop light. While slowing down I had no steering control. I pulled over and had to force the wheel to turn then I attempted to accelerate to move and had no power. So I was stuck. I had emergency services come and tow my vehicle to Chevrolet of Homewood at that point who is currently looking at it.

Filed Jul 3, 2026 · Driver assistance, Electrical · NY

The truck went into park from drive on its own . The emergency brake was also activated after going into park. The shifter knob kept switching from drive into park every time I slowed down at a light or stop sign.

Filed Jun 29, 2026 · Electrical, Transmission · OR

System/Component Malfunction: High-voltage hybrid powertrain system failure. Code P0DAF-00 (Hybrid EV Battery Cell Balancing Circuit) is present and locked in the Hybrid Control Processor (HCP). Vehicle is available for inspection. Safety Risk: Operating a vehicle with an unresolved high-voltage hybrid cell balancing defect poses an immediate safety risk. Cell imbalances can cause sudden loss of motive power at highway speeds, propulsion shutdown, or an increased risk of a thermal event in the high-voltage pack. The manufacturer (Stellantis/RAM Care) refuses to provide a written safety determination, yet the dealer instructed me to continue driving a compromised high-voltage system on public roads until the failure worsens. Dealer Confirmation & Inspection: Confirmed and reproduced by authorized dealer (Ron Tonkin RAM) across multiple visits: Feb 25, 2026 (RO 502329): Code P0DAF-00 present. Dealer performed a BPCM software flash, which failed to resolve the underlying fault. June 2026 (RO 504097): Held for 10 days. Technician documented: "Scanned codes and found code P0DAF-00- Hybrid EV Battery Cell Balancing Circuit present but code is stored (not active) and also not stored in PCM, only the HCP." Tech test-drove 97 miles but corporate engineering (STAR) rules prevent parts authorization until the code migrates from HCP to PCM as an active fault. Dealer explicitly instructed me to drive it until it triggers a hard failure. Warning Lamps & Symptoms: First appeared Feb 25, 2026, via a yellow Check Engine Light. The light intermittently cycles on/off as the computer stores the code, but the underlying high-voltage defect is completely un-repaired.

Filed Jun 12, 2026 · Transmission · TX

While coming to a stop or slowing down, truck shifts into neutral on its own without driver input. Truck then makes you press brake and shift back to drive.

Filed Apr 23, 2026 · Transmission · NJ

See attached document for complaint.

Filed Apr 18, 2026 · Transmission · NJ

Rear differential started making loud noise and grinding sounds

Questions about the 2019 Ram 1500 transmission

Does the 2019 Ram 1500 have transmission problems?

Owners have filed 207 complaints about the transmission of the 2019 Ram 1500, 14% of all its complaints.

At what mileage do 2019 Ram 1500 transmission problems start?

The typical (median) mileage in owner complaints is 12,205 miles.

Was there a recall on the 2019 Ram 1500 transmission?

Yes, 3 recalls: 20V080000, 19V324000, 18V556000. Check your VIN to see if your car still needs the free repair.

What year does the Ram 1500 have bad transmission?

The Ram 1500 model years with the most transmission complaints are 2015 (227 complaints), 2019 (207 complaints) and 2016 (204 complaints).

Other 2019 Ram 1500 problems

Electrical 383Steering 340Engine 252Brakes 134Fuel system 105Airbags 93Body 82Visibility 79Driver assistance 73Acceleration 54Seat belts 33Suspension 33Lights 23Seats 12Wheels 12Tires 6Locks 5

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