The 2019 Ram 2500 is split personality—the 6.7 Cummins is a workhorse with minor nuisances, while the 6.4 Hemi has proven catastrophically failure-prone with widespread engine destruction issues that overshadow an otherwise solid heavy-duty platform.
Symptoms: sudden loss of oil pressure, violent knocking/ticking from valve train, metal shavings in oil, check engine light with misfire codes, complete engine seizure in worst cases
Fix: Hemi MDS (cylinder deactivation) lifter failure cascades into cam lobe wear, debris circulation destroys bearings and cylinder walls. Requires complete engine rebuild or replacement—short block minimum, often long block. 25-35 hours labor for R&R plus machine work if rebuilding. This is not a wear item, it's a design defect affecting a significant percentage of 2019-2021 Hemis.
Estimated cost: $8,000-15,000
68RFE Transmission Oil Cooler Failure
Common · high severity
Typical onset: 60,000-100,000 mi
Symptoms: transmission fluid mixing with coolant (strawberry milkshake in overflow), overheating transmission, harsh shifting, coolant loss with no external leaks
Fix: Internal cooler in radiator fails, cross-contaminates fluids. Requires radiator replacement, complete trans flush (multiple cycles), often filter and fluid services. If caught late, transmission rebuild needed due to coolant damage. 6-8 hours labor if trans survives, 20+ if internal damage occurred.
Estimated cost: $1,200-2,500 (cooler only), $4,500-7,000 (if trans damaged)
Front Axle Disconnect Motor Failure
Occasional · medium severity
Typical onset: 50,000-90,000 mi
Symptoms: 4WD service light illuminated, grinding/clunking when engaging 4WD, 4WD will not engage, vehicle stuck in 4WD (rare but happens)
Fix: Actuator motor on front differential corrodes or internal gears strip. Exposed location means road salt and moisture kill these. Replace actuator assembly, 2-3 hours labor. Common enough that upgraded aftermarket units exist.
Fix: DEF injector, NOx sensors, or DEF tank heater fail. Sensors run $300-600 each (two of them), injector is $800-1,200 parts. Diagnosis crucial—don't throw parts at it. 2-4 hours labor depending on component. Recalls covered fuel system pumps but individual sensors/injectors are owner responsibility.
Estimated cost: $600-2,000
Backup Camera Failure
Occasional · low severity
Symptoms: intermittent black screen when shifting to reverse, gridlines visible but no image, complete camera failure, water intrusion visible in lens
Fix: Tailgate-mounted camera seal fails, moisture intrusion kills electronics. Recall 23V-383 covered some units but many fall outside parameters. Camera replacement 1 hour labor, reprogram another 0.5 hours. Aftermarket cameras work fine and cost less.
Estimated cost: $300-600
Transmission Mount Failure
Common · low severity
Typical onset: 60,000-100,000 mi
Symptoms: clunk when shifting from park to drive/reverse, vibration at idle in gear, driveline shudder under load, visible sag or torn rubber on crossmember mount
Fix: Rubber isolator in transmission crossmember mount deteriorates from heat and torque cycling (especially on diesel). Cheap part ($80-150) but requires transmission support for safe replacement. 1.5-2 hours labor. Replace both trans and transfer case mounts at same time.
Estimated cost: $250-450
Exhaust Manifold Bolt Failure (Hemi Only)
Occasional · medium severity
Typical onset: 80,000-130,000 mi
Symptoms: exhaust tick at cold start that may or may not disappear when warm, visible soot streaks on manifold, failed emissions test, smell of exhaust in cabin with HVAC on
Fix: Manifold bolts stretch and break due to thermal cycling. Requires manifold removal, broken bolt extraction (often requires drilling), replacement studs. Driver side 6-8 hours (steering shaft removal), passenger side 4-5 hours. Sometimes combined with lifter repairs if engine is already apart.
Estimated cost: $800-1,500 per side
Owner tips
If buying a 6.4 Hemi—get extended warranty or budget for engine replacement, period. This is not optional. Check oil religiously and avoid extended idle.
Cummins diesel: change fuel filters religiously at 15k intervals (even though book says longer), use quality DEF fluid only, and keep DEF tank above 1/4 to avoid heater/pickup issues in winter.
Transmission: add auxiliary cooler if towing regularly, service fluid at 60k regardless of 'lifetime fill' claims, watch for cooler contamination signs religiously.
4x4 actuators: spray with fluid film or similar corrosion inhibitor annually if in rust belt, consider upgraded sealed aftermarket unit preemptively if off-roading.
Document every service with photos—Ram has been difficult with goodwill claims on Hemi failures, paper trail helps if you get a sympathetic service manager.
Cummins diesel with careful DEF maintenance? Solid buy. 6.4 Hemi? Avoid unless you enjoy engine replacement roulette—it's not if, but when.
AI-assisted summary drawn from NHTSA recall data, our labor-times database, and platform knowledge. Not a substitute for a pre-purchase inspection on a specific vehicle.
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Chrysler (FCA US, LLC) is recalling certain 2019 Ram 1500 Classic, Ram 2500, and Ram 3500 vehicles. The right and left side curtain air bag inflators may rupture due to a manufacturing defect.
Consequence: An inflator rupture may result in sharp metal fragments striking occupants, resulting in injury.
Remedy: Dealers will replace one or both side curtain air bags, as necessary, free of charge. Owner notification letters were mailed December 18, 2025. Owners may contact FCA customer service at 1-800-853-1403. FCA's numbers for this recall are C2C, C7C, and C8C. Vehicle Identification Numbers (VINs) involved in this recall will be searchable on NHTSA.gov beginning December 4, 2025.
AIR BAGS:SIDE/WINDOW:CURTAIN:INFLATOR · 25V010000
2025-01-16
Chrysler (FCA US, LLC) is recalling certain 2016-2019 Ram 3500, Ram 1500, 2016-2020 Ram 2500, and 2016 Ram 3500 Cab Chassis vehicles. The right and left side curtain air bag inflators may rupture due to a manufacturing defect.
Consequence: An inflator rupture may result in sharp metal fragments striking occupants, resulting in injury.
Remedy: Dealers will replace one or both side curtain air bags, as necessary, free of charge. Owner notification letters were mailed February 13, 2025. Owners may contact FCA customer service at 1-800-853-1403. FCA's numbers for this recall are 05C, 09C, and 10C.
STRUCTURE:BODY:TAILGATE:HINGE AND ATTACHMENTS · 22V904000
2022-12-08
Chrysler (FCA US, LLC) is recalling certain 2019-2022 Ram 1500, 2500, and 3500 pickup trucks. The tailgate may not latch properly due to misaligned tailgate strikers, which could result in the tailgate opening while driving.
Consequence: An unintended tailgate opening while driving may result in a loss of unsecured cargo, possibly creating a road hazard and increasing the risk of a crash.
Remedy: Dealers will inspect the tailgate striker alignment to the box latch and adjust, if necessary, free of charge. Owner notification letters were mailed December 22, 2022. Owners may contact FCA US, LLC customer service at 1-800-853-1403. FCA US, LLC's number for this recall is ZB8.
SERVICE BRAKES, HYDRAULIC:ANTILOCK/TRACTION CONTROL/ELECTRONIC LIMITED SLIP:CONTROL UNIT/MODULE · 22V140000
2022-03-10
Chrysler (FCA US, LLC) is recalling certain 2019-2022 Ram 2500 and 2021-2022 Dodge Durango vehicles, and 2019-2022 3500 cab chassis with GVWR less than 10,000 lbs. The ABS control module software may prevent the electronic stability control (ESC) malfunction indicator light from illuminating during certain conditions. As such, these vehicles fail to comply with the requirements of Federal Motor Vehicle Safety Standard number 126, "Electronic Stability Control Systems."
Consequence: An ESC malfunction indicator light that fails to illuminate during an electronic stability control problem can increase the risk of a crash.
Remedy: Dealers will update the ABS control module software, free of charge. Owner notification letters were mailed March 29, 2022. Owners may contact FCA US, LLC customer service at 1-800-853-1403. FCA US, LLC's number for this recall is Z20.
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.
Consequence: Reduced visibility increases the risk of a crash.
Remedy: Dealers will tighten the wiper nuts, free of charge. Owner notification letters were mailed February 15, 2022. This recall is an expansion of recall number 20V-208. Owners may contact FCA US, LLC customer service at 1-800-853-1403. FCA US, LLC's number for this recall is Z08.
Chrysler (FCA US, LLC) is recalling certain 2019-2020 Ram 2500, 3500 pickup trucks, and Ram 3500, 4500, and 5500 cab chassis vehicles equipped with Cummins 6.7L Turbo Diesel engines. The High Pressure Fuel Pump (HPFP) may fail, resulting in a sudden engine stall without warning.
Consequence: An engine stall increases the risk of a crash.
Remedy: Dealers will replace the HPFP, update the Powertrain Control Module (PCM) software, and inspect and replace additional fuel system components as necessary, free of charge. Interim owner notification letters to inform owners of the safety recall were mailed on January 4, 2022. Owner notification letters were mailed on May 17, 2022. Phase 2 owner notification letters are expected to be mailed on March 2, 2023. Owners may contact FCA US, LLC customer service at 1-800-853-1403. FCA US, LLC's number for this recall is Y78.
SEAT BELTS · 20V580000
2020-09-24
Chrysler (FCA US LLC) is recalling certain 2019 Jeep Wrangler and Ram 2500, 2019-2020 Ram 1500 and 2020 Jeep Gladiator vehicles. In the event of a crash, a front seat belt retractor may not properly slow the occupant's forward movement after locking.
Consequence: In the event of a crash, if the front seat belts fail to lock, there is an increased risk of injury.
Remedy: Chrysler will notify owners, and dealers will replace the front seat belt retractors, free of charge. The recall began November 12, 2020. Owners may contact Chrysler customer service at 1-800-853-1403. Chrysler's number for this recall is W67.
BACK OVER PREVENTION: SENSING SYSTEM: CAMERA · 20V191000
2020-09-10
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."
Consequence: The lingering rearview image can distract the driver, increasing the risk of a crash.
Remedy: Chrysler has notified owners, and dealers will update the radio display software, free of charge. Optionally, owners can choose to remotely update their software via an Over-The-Air (OTA) update available as of May 1, 2020. The recall began April 27, 2020. Owners may contact Chrysler customer service at 1-800-853-1403. Chrysler's number for this recall is W30-W37.
STRUCTURE · 20V207000
2020-04-09
Chrysler (FCA US LLC) is recalling certain 2019-2020 Ram 2500 and Ram 3500 Pick-up trucks equipped with an accessory bed step. In certain side loading conditions, the bed step may unexpectedly fail while in use.
Consequence: A bed step that unexpectedly fails while in use increases the risk of injury to the user.
Remedy: Chrysler will notify owners, and dealers will replace the bed step support brace, free of charge. The recall began on July 9, 2020 (RAM 2500) and began on October 6, 2020 (Ram 3500). Owners may contact Chrysler customer service at 1-800-853-1403. Chrysler's numbers for this recall are W24 and W44.
POWER TRAIN:AUTOMATIC TRANSMISSION · 20V043000
2020-01-24
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.
Consequence: The leaking transmission fluid may contact the turbocharger or another ignition source within the engine compartment, increasing the risk of a fire.
Remedy: Chrysler will notify owners, and dealers will replace the transmission valve body separator plate and reprogram the powertrain control module. The recall began March 2, 2020. Owners may contact Chrysler customer service at 1-800-853-1403. Chrysler's number for this recall is W03.
SERVICE BRAKES, HYDRAULIC:FOUNDATION COMPONENTS:DISC:CALIPER · 19V635000
2019-08-29
Chrysler (FCA US LLC) is recalling certain 2019 Ram 2500, 3500 and 3500 Cab Chassis trucks. The brake calipers may have been manufactured with an incorrect assembly fluid, which can cause the caliper's rubber seals to swell.
Consequence: The swollen seals can cause the brakes to drag, potentially overheating the brakes and increasing the risk of a crash.
Remedy: FCA US will notify owners, and dealers will replace the front brake calipers and brake hoses and bleed the brakes, free of charge. The recall began October 24, 2019. Owners may contact FCA US customer service at 1-800-853-1403. FCA US' number for this recall is V98.
FUEL SYSTEM, DIESEL · 19V498000
2019-06-27
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.
Consequence: A fuel leak in the presence of an ignition source increases the risk of a fire.
Remedy: Chrysler will notify owners, and dealers will inspect the fuel lines, replacing them if necessary, free of charge. The recall began July 18, 2019. Owners may contact Chrysler customer service at 1-800-853-1403. Chrysler's number for this recall is V76.
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