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2019-2021 · 3 model years

Ram 1500 Classic Problems by year

Owners have filed 2,840 complaints about the Ram 1500 Classic across 3 model years, and it has 0 recalls. The 2019 has the most complaints once its age is allowed for (1,503). The most reported problem area is the electrical system, followed by the engine & cooling.

Most complaints for its age20191,503 complaints · 0 recallsSee the 2019
Complaints
2,840
Recalls
0
Crashes
128
Fires
22
Injuries
101
Deaths
2

1500 Classic complaints by model year

Highlighted: the year with the most complaints for its age. Older vehicles have had more time to collect complaints - the Safety Index grade allows for that.

YearComplaintsRecallsCrashesFiresTop problemGrade
20216910274Engine & coolingC
20206460257Electrical systemC
20191,50307611Electrical systemD

Most common 1500 Classic problems

Latest 1500 Classic complaints

2019 Ram 1500 ClassicSteering

Loss of power steering with no warning 45 mph and lost steering with child in car. Was able to steer to parking lot for safety reasons. Also after research there is a recall on EPS rack and opinion. Also noted called recall safety number which is recorded at 3:15 pm east.

Filed Incident SteeringNHTSA 11777340
2019 Ram 1500 ClassicSteering

The truck began making a roaring or grinding noise when making a right turn. The noise got progressively louder. I took truck to the dealer and they advised the noise was coming from the electric power steering rack. They advised that the issue is a potential safety concern since the steering could eventually "lock up" if the repair is not made. Obviously this could translate into a very serious incident. Thankfully, it was discovered before incident occurred. However, upon review it looks like many others...

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have experienced similar steering issues that did translate into incidents on this or similar make and model trucks which validates the concern is serious and prevalent. Truck is currently under repair at dealer.

Filed Incident SteeringNHTSA 11777320
2021 Ram 1500 ClassicTransmission & drivetrain

While driving at approximately 15 mph, the vehicle experienced transmission slipping, shuddering, and loss of forward motive power. The vehicle was brought to Certified Transmissions in Prescott, AZ (RO #1053874) at 96,031 miles. Diagnostic fluid inspection and transmission assembly teardown at Certified Transmissions (RO #1053874) confirmed severely degraded black fluid with sludge, metallic flakes, a large metal sliver in the filter, and damaged D and E clutch hub splines. A full custom rebuild was required...

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($10,279.62). The vehicle was maintained per manufacturer guidelines, but Ram's owner manual lists no normal-duty transmission fluid service interval, leading to unprevented fluid degradation and premature internal component failure under standard commute driving. A formal grievance was logged with Ram Customer Care under Case #98584060. There was no crash, fire, injury, or property damage.

Filed Incident Power trainNHTSA 11777048
2020 Ram 1500 ClassicOther & unknownCrash

Truck was in park and door was open all of a sudden I heard a click and it torqued backward hitting trees shrubs and knocking me down it went into the ditch and still continued to rev itself

Filed Incident Unknown or otherNHTSA 11777019
2021 Ram 1500 ClassicTransmission & drivetrainElectrical systemEngine & cooling

Complainant [[redacted]], a licensed contractor, master plumber, and master craftsman in [[redacted]], reports an unresolved, hazardous defect pattern on a 2021 RAM 1500 TRX (odometer: ~27,842). The vehicle features a 702-hp supercharged 6.2L V8 requiring specialized auxiliary cooling to prevent acute thermal derating, engine shutdown, and loss of motive power at highway speeds. BeginningXXX, recurring check-engine lights, "Intercooler Coolant Low" warnings, and confirmed DTCs P026E (Charge Air Cooler Coolant Pump...

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Performance) and P0EA7 (Auxiliary Coolant Pump Control Circuit Performance) emerged, governed by Stellantis TSB 07-003-22. The vehicle was brought repeatedly to authorized dealer [[redacted]] CDJR ([[redacted]]) under Service Director [[redacted]] for safety remediation. Instead of curing the root electrical and cooling failures, the dealer engaged in a 5-month cycle of clearing codes, withholding Wi-Tech diagnostic logs, and holding the truck across multiple visits for over 45 cumulative days. During these extended holds, the vehicle suffered multiple deep-discharge battery cycles and parasitic drains, further degrading safety-critical electrical modules. The dealer then refused to release the vehicle without payment of an unsubstantiated $1,796.98 balance, unlawfully grounding a compromised vehicle while withholding proof of diagnostic repairs. Despite exhaustive pre-suit efforts, dealer management stonewalled all resolution. Formal complaints were logged with the WA Attorney General (File [redacted]), WA Dept. of Licensing (File [redacted]), and FTC (Report [redacted]). Active civil litigation is pending in Clark County Superior Court (Case [redacted]) with a 12-person jury pursuit. Chronic auxiliary cooling pump failure creates severe sudden shutdown risks in traffic. Federal defect investigation is urgently requested. INFORMATION REDACTED PURSUANT TO THE FREEDOM OF INFORMATION ACT (FOIA), 5 U.S.C. 552(B)(6)

Filed Incident Power train · Electrical system · EngineNHTSA 11776429
2019 Ram 1500 ClassicElectrical systemAcceleration & cruise control

The RAM 1500 classic was bought at the end of September 2026. There were only 15,635 miles on the truck. On the steering wheel face there are two separate button panels, one on each side of the wheel. The left side controls the info screen on the gauge panel. The right side controls the manual gear +,-, as well as the cruise control on/off, set, reset, and cancel buttons. I tow/haul frequently. The driver needs to have manual control over the vehicles gear switching capability. Since day one, the entire right side...

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controls has not worked. No lights, no codes, no indication that the panel is even connected to the truck in any way. Luckily, I believe this will be covered under the Carvana limited warranty. I am scheduling an appointment by Monday to get it evaluated. I am a new member to the RAM online forum. In the forum there are many many other RAM owners experiencing the same or very similar issues. Some have had some quite dangerous encounters due to the panel malfunction. What I find strange is there have been other recalls on RAMs all the way up to 2019. I am concerned about why the newer models, with the exact same issues, has not been issued a recall.

Filed Incident Electrical system · Vehicle speed controlNHTSA 11776323

Questions about the Ram 1500 Classic

Which Ram 1500 Classic years have the most problems?

By the number of complaints owners filed with NHTSA: 2019 (1,503), 2021 (691), 2020 (646). Allowing for how long each has been on the road, the 2019 stands out most. Complaint counts also rise with sales, so compare years of the same model rather than different models.

What are the most common Ram 1500 Classic problems?

Across every model year, owners report problems with the electrical system (752), engine & cooling (700), steering (457) most often.

How many recalls does the Ram 1500 Classic have?

NHTSA lists no recalls for any Ram 1500 Classic model year on file.

Source: U.S. National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA) complaints and recalls, checked daily. Complaints are owners' own reports and are not verified. How we use the data

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