2019 Ram 1500: harsh or hard shifting

Filed Sep 11, 2026 · Engine · TX

My 2019 ram 1500 had the hemi tick sound. Took it in to the dealership to check and verified it was a failed lifter and had metal shavings inside the motor. Dealership said I needed a whole new engine costing around 18,000 dollars. They also refused to warranty it even though there was a bulletin on this specific issue. It had 113k when I brought it in. My certified pre owned warranty lasted until 100k but still didn’t want to warranty it. I went ahead and rebuilt the engine myself costing around 10k. Now I’m hearing clunking noise when I’m in a low gear taking off again around 20mph possibly my transmission now. Has 130k miles now.

Filed May 7, 2026 · Brakes, Wheels · CO

Initially while taking a corner at low speed the truck made a clunk and grinding noise which resolved and then while going about 50 mph the grinding noise recurred which prompted stopping the vehicle on the side of the road and when almost to a stop, the wheels locked up causing a slight skid; the vehicle was in 4-wheel auto at the time and with change between 4wd and 2wd serveral times the front tires unlocked and i was able to drive it again. About 4 days later, while driving 70 mph, the vehicle started to make a grinding noise on the interstate, and I started to slow down, but unfortunately, I was on the left side of the highway on a narrow shoulder, and upon getting to a lower speed while in 2WD, my front axle locked up. I placed the vehicle in park, but due to safety concerns, I put the truck back in drive and tried to switch from 2WD to 4WD to unlock the axle, but unfortunately, the truck would not change gears. I then had to quickly get the vehicle to the other side during a time with fewer vehicles, while the left front tire was locked, and I had to drag it across the highway to ensure my safety. The left front tire remained locked, and after multiple attempts, the brake partially unlocked but continued to make a grinding and clunking noise. After some diagnostics, we determined the left front wheel hub was the issue, overheating and locking up. I reached out to mechanics for quotes on repair of said part, and upon reaching out to the dealer that I have used in the past for recalls and oil changes, I was informed there was a recall on said part/software that I was not aware of; the service rep used the last 8 of my VIN to look up my vehicle for the quote and provided the details about the recall. I use the RAM Guardian App which provides updates about recalls and upon checking it does not show a recall nor does it show a recall when i search my VIN and License Plate on the website. This seems to be a common issue based on customer reviews.

Filed Mar 26, 2026 · Transmission · WA

Transmission won't go into reverse at times, auto shifting back to park before check engine light comes on. Vehicle initially started with hard shifts at low speeds about 25 mph. Issue progressed to the point where vehicle has to be put into reverse. Otherwise vehicle would not shift at the same point about 25 mph and would be stuck in the low gear until vehicle is shut off and restarted then put into reverse before proceeding. The issue has continued to grow where shifting into reverse causes the vehicle to noticeably lurch back with a very heavy thunk before putting it into drive. Reverse takes time engaging. However the issue will persist and it will not go into reverse before Auto shifting to park and the check engine light comes on. Vehicle would drive for a little while before the transmission would stop shifting and go into limp mode where I wouldn't be able to drive over 30 miles per hour without very high RPMs. During some of those times the vehicle would take a long time before the transmission would engage and shift which would cause the vehicle to jerk abruptly forward. And at times back tires have lost traction. Recently the vehicles transmission has disengaged entirely while driving. At times it'll be 40 mph where it will disengage or in one case about 15 mph as I was making a turn and in the intersection it disengaged. First time the vehicle went to a dealership. They were unable to replicate the problem and that was approximately 30,000 mi on the odometer. The second time it went in with the issue it was diagnosed as being a service bulletin which was then updated and issue remained. The third time it was brought in there was a code that showed that the clutch gear ratio was incorrect. Mechanics have said the vehicle needs a new transmission and this has been a known issue with the 8-speed 8 HP75 by ZF transmissions. Transmission has also surged and lunged while braking at various points. While completely stopped, vehicle has lurched forward.

Filed Dec 5, 2025 · Transmission · FL

During normal driving when coming to a stop the vehicle will hard downshift to neutral for no apparent reason. It will also hard shift to 1st like it’s lagging hard from 2nd or deciding if it wants to shift to neutral. It will happen at random times, in the middle of a turn, middle of an intersection. And is a serious concern

Filed Feb 14, 2025 · Brakes, Driver assistance · 54,000 miles · MN

The contact owns a 2019 Ram 1500. The contact stated while driving 35 MPH, the vehicle hesitated. There was an abnormal clunking sound coming from the vehicle. The parking brake, traction control, and ABS warning lights were illuminated. Additionally, the stability control and AWD were temporarily unavailable. The vehicle was taken to the local dealer, where it was diagnosed that the rear sensor was damaged due to the plate dislodging. The rear plate covers the disk brakes had corroded and the bolt had become loosened. The vehicle was repaired, but the failure recurred. The manufacturer was not contacted. The failure mileage was approximately 54,000.

Filed May 13, 2024 · Transmission · IN

My [XXX] son was driving his Ram 1500 on a country road and the he started hearing a clunking noise and his tires locked up. Luckily he is experienced in driving bigger vehicles and was able to control the vehicle to not wreck it. We had his vehicle towed to repair shop. Less than a day later the repair shop called to tell us that the vehicles transmission needed to be replaced as well as the rear differential. He said the rear diff issue is what caused the transmission to go out. Ive contacted multiple dealerships in hopes to have this replaced for free of charge since Ram had a recall with this same issue. But since the trucks Vin number isn't under the recall they denied the claim. I feel its unfair of a owner of a vehicle that literally has the same issues as a recall within the same year of the recall but can't get compensation for the repairs. Both repairs ended up totaling over $10,000. This truck only had 69,000 miles. the federal safety agency Campaign ID : 18V556000 INFORMATION REDACTED PURSUANT TO THE FREEDOM OF INFORMATION ACT (FOIA), 5 U.S.C. 552(B)(6)

Filed Apr 16, 2024 · Transmission · 56,000 miles · NC

The contact owns a 2019 Ram 1500. The contact stated while driving approximately 35 MPH, the transmission became stuck in third gear with the check engine warning light illuminated. Additionally, while driving the vehicle there was a loud clunking sound coming from the transmission while shifting gear. Additionally, the vehicle failed to operate when shifted into reverse. The vehicle was taken to the local dealer, but the cause of the failure was not yet determined. The vehicle was not yet repaired. No further information was available. The manufacturer was not yet contacted. The failure mileage was 56,000.

Filed Jan 24, 2024 · Brakes · MI

While driving approximately 35mph on snowy roads, the vehicle suddenly locked the brake on the left rear wheel causing the truck to slide uncontrollably spinning sideways into the oncoming lane (no on coming traffic at the time). The brake would not immediately release but I was able to get the truck to move to the shoulder in 4 wheel drive. After a couple minutes the truck made a clunking sound releasing the brake. the service stability light, ABS light, service 4WD light and service electric parking brake lights then lit up. Took the truck to my local Ram dealer to find out the rear brake dust shield rotted out within 5 years causing the dust shield to get tangled up in the braking system damaging the wheel speed sensor. My dealer said its a common problem and the wheel temporarily locking up is common when this happens due to the ABS system losing signal. Dealer replaced both rear brake dust shields and the wheel speed sensor at a cost of $680 (non warranty repair). Truck is a 2019 Ram with 42,000 miles

Filed Aug 13, 2022 · Suspension · VA

The sway bar bushings failed under 36000 miles. I had been hearing a clunk since 25000k, and it was only diagnosed at 35000 miles. The issue started in Feb 2022, fixed in July 2022 under warranty. Initially looked at by Lindsay CDJR in Manassas VA. Second look by Farrish CDJR in Fairfax. June 2022. Repaired by Lindsay CDJR in Manassas VA.

Filed Sep 15, 2021 · Steering · SC

When making right and left turns at slow speeds, I hear a buzzing noise and vibration in the steering wheel. I also feel a slight clunk when shifting between 2nd and 3rd gear. I'm afraid if I keep driving with this issue, this may cause a possible lost of steering/control.

Filed Mar 17, 2021 · Transmission · 29,000 miles · CA

Tl* the contact owns a 2019 ram 1500. The contact stated that while driving at 10-15 MPH, the vehicle jerked when coming to a stop and while accelerating from a stop. The drive knob shift light illuminated and the dashboard message stated shift to park then shift to drive appeared. The contact stated that the failure recurred four times. The vehicle was taken to coastline chrysler dodge jeep ram (32881 camino capistrano, san juan capistrano, ca 92675) however, the mechanic was unable to duplicate the failure. The vehicle was not repaired. The manufacturer was not notified of the failure. The failure mileage was 29,000. *ln the consumer stated the uconnect and steering wheel controls were not working consistently with an iphone. The right turn signal did not always turn off after making the turn. At startup, the shift into drive was delayed and would clunk and jerk. There was rear end vibrations. The consumer stated while proceeding from a stop the vehicle independtly applied the brakes. The consumer put the vehicle in park then back in drive. The vehicle then continued as normal. The consumer stated this occured on several occasions. The dealer was unable to duplicate the failure.

Filed Oct 11, 2019 · Transmission, Visibility · 11,000 miles · UT

#1 complaint- the panoramic sunroof sounds like it isn't fully shut when at higher speeds (80+) and whenever there are crosswinds. I took it to the dealer and they said they currently have three other customers with the same complaint and that there wasn't a fix currently. #2 complaint- a clip to the sliding rear window to the bed of the truck (picture provided) has broken twice by just opening up the window from the drivers seat. Took it to the dealer the first time and it was fixed. Not even a week later, the same part broke a second time. Will be taking it back into the dealer soon. #3 complaint- there's a clunking noise coming from the front left suspension area when certain sized bumps or holes are hit while driving at lower speeds. I took it into the dealer and they said that's a know problem, but that there wasn't a fix currently.