OBD diagnostics · purchase protection

2019 Ram 3500
Common Problems & Inspection Guide

Verify baseline vehicle system stability data. Learn what to check on the physical vehicle computer before signing a bill of sale.

Connect Adapter & Check for Code Wipes

Platform Heritage

The Ram pickup (marketed as the Dodge Ram until 2010 when Ram Trucks was spun-off from Dodge) is a full-size pickup truck manufactured by Stellantis North America (formerly Chrysler Group LLC and FCA US LLC) and marketed from 2010 onwards under the Ram Trucks brand. The current fifth-generation Ram debuted at the 2018 North American International Auto Show in Detroit, Michigan, in January of that year. Previously, Ram was part of the Dodge line of light trucks. The Ram name was introduced in October 1980 for model year 1981, when the Dodge D series pickup trucks and B series vans were rebranded, though the company had used a ram's-head hood ornament on some trucks as early as 1933. Ram trucks have been named Motor Trend magazine's Truck of the Year eight times; the second-generation Ram won the award in 1994, the third-generation Ram heavy-duty won the award in 2003, the fourth-generation Ram Heavy Duty won in 2010 and the fourth-generation Ram 1500 won in 2013 and 2014, and the current fifth-generation Ram pickup became the first truck in history to win the award four times, winning in 2019, 2020, 2021 and most recently, 2025.

Source: Wikipedia intro extract · as of Jun 19, 2026

Key facts for this model year

134NHTSA owner complaints
14Safety recalls on file
24Top issue reports · Fuel System
$0Typical OEM recall remedy cost to you

~2.6k average monthly buyer searches in the US (google ads data · as of Jun 19, 2026). Run a MotoMetrics scan for your VIN to see live repair exposure.

Verify the data — open primary sources · as of Jun 19, 2026

System Defect Summaries & Field Data

Active safety recalls on file: 14 (source: NHTSA Recalls API · as of Jun 19, 2026)

Top NHTSA complaint categories

Recent recall summaries

Campaign 21V439000 · ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING:ENGINE:OIL/LUBRICATION · API record

Chrysler (FCA US, LLC) is recalling certain 2019-2020 Ram 3500, 4500, and 5500 cab chassis vehicles equipped with a Cummins 6.7L High Output engine. The engine calibration software may not warn about low oil volume.

Campaign 22V035000 · VISIBILITY:WINDSHIELD WIPER/WASHER:LINKAGES · API record

Chrysler (FCA US, LLC) is recalling certain 2019-2020 Ram 2500 and Ram 3500 vehicles, Ram 3500 Cab Chassis, 4500 Cab Chassis, 5500 Cab Chassis and 3500 Cab Chassis with a gross vehicle weight rating (GVWR) of less than 10,000 lbs. The windshield wiper arms may loosen, possibly causing the wipers to function improperly and reduce the driver's visibility in certain weather conditions.

Campaign 20V191000 · BACK OVER PREVENTION: SENSING SYSTEM: CAMERA · API record

Chrysler (FCA US LLC) is recalling certain 2020 Jeep Gladiator and Jeep Cherokee, 2019-2020 Ram 1500 Pickup, Ram 2500 Pickup, Ram 3500 Pickup, Chrysler Pacifica, Dodge Durango, Jeep Grand Cherokee, Jeep Wrangler, and Jeep Renegade and 2019 Dodge Challenger vehicles equipped with 8.4" or 12" radio displays. A software error can cause the rearview camera image to remain displayed after the vehicle has been shifted out of reverse. As such, these vehicles fail to comply with the requirements of Federal Motor Vehicle Safety Standard (FMVSS) number 111, "Rearview Mirrors."

Campaign 20V043000 · POWER TRAIN:AUTOMATIC TRANSMISSION · API record

Chrysler (FCA US LLC) is recalling certain 2019-2020 Ram 2500 and 3500 Pickup vehicles equipped with six-speed automatic (68RFE) transmissions. A build up of pressure and heat inside the transmission may result in a transmission fluid leak from the dipstick tube.

Campaign 19V498000 · FUEL SYSTEM, DIESEL · API record

Chrysler (FCA US LLC) is recalling certain 2019 Ram 2500 and 3500 trucks, and 3500, 4500, and 5500 Cab Chassis vehicles equipped with diesel engines. The fuel lines may leak fuel into the engine compartment.

YouTube voice themes below are research hints only — verify against NHTSA data before citing.

Search demand cross-check: ~2,558 avg monthly intent searches (source: google ads data · as of Jun 19, 2026)

On-Site Ram 3500 Pre-Purchase Checklist

  1. Verify OBD-II readiness monitors are complete (not recently cleared) using a full protocol scan.
  2. Compare dashboard mileage to ECU-stored odometer modules where accessible.
  3. Pull permanent and pending DTCs — not only stored codes visible on the dash.
  4. Inspect systems related to FUEL SYSTEM, DIESEL (NHTSA complaint cluster — verify during test drive and PPI).
  5. Inspect systems related to POWER TRAIN (NHTSA complaint cluster — verify during test drive and PPI).
  6. Inspect systems related to FUEL/PROPULSION SYSTEM (NHTSA complaint cluster — verify during test drive and PPI).
  7. Inspect systems related to ENGINE (NHTSA complaint cluster — verify during test drive and PPI).
  8. Inspect systems related to TIRES (NHTSA complaint cluster — verify during test drive and PPI).
  9. Confirm recall remedy completed for ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING:ENGINE:OIL/LUBRICATION (campaign 21V439000).
  10. Confirm recall remedy completed for VISIBILITY:WINDSHIELD WIPER/WASHER:LINKAGES (campaign 22V035000).
  11. Confirm recall remedy completed for BACK OVER PREVENTION: SENSING SYSTEM: CAMERA (campaign 20V191000).
  12. Run a MotoMetrics on-site scan for Ram 3500 before signing the bill of sale.

Alternative Inferences & Cross-Shopping Matrix

Adjacent model years for this nameplate and equivalent footprints shoppers compare across brands.

Generational cohorts

No other model years indexed for this nameplate yet.

Class competitors

2019 Acura Mdx 2019 Acura Rdx 2019 Audi A5 2019 Audi A7 2019 Audi A8 L 2019 Audi Q3 2019 Audi Q5 2019 Audi Rs 3

Vehicle health varies wildly by individual history. Aggregate recall and complaint data cannot tell you whether the specific car on the lot had its monitors cleared or its odometer rolled back. Verify the physical or digital scan before you sign a bill of sale.

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