The 2019 Ram 3500 with the 6.7L Cummins is a workhorse truck, but this generation suffers from catastrophic engine failures tied to oil pump and connecting rod issues, plus transmission cooler problems that can grenade the 68RFE/Aisin if ignored.
Cummins Oil Pump Failure Leading to Catastrophic Engine Damage
Occasional · high severity
Typical onset: 40,000-80,000 mi
Symptoms: Sudden loss of oil pressure, Rattling or knocking from lower engine, Metal shavings in oil, Check engine light with low oil pressure codes, Engine seizure in worst cases
Fix: Oil pump drive gear shears or pump housing cracks, starving bearings. Requires complete disassembly to inspect rod/main bearing damage. If caught early, oil pump replacement is 8-10 hours. If bearings are scored, you're looking at short block or full rebuild with new pistons, rods, crank work—80-120 hours labor depending on damage extent. Many engines are toast by the time symptoms appear.
Estimated cost: $1,200-2,500 for pump alone, $15,000-25,000 for short block/rebuild
Connecting Rod and Main Bearing Failures
Occasional · high severity
Typical onset: 60,000-120,000 mi
Symptoms: Deep knocking noise on cold start that may disappear when warm, Metallic ticking under load, Sudden catastrophic knock and loss of power, Oil pressure fluctuations, Metal debris in oil filter
Fix: Rod bearings wear prematurely, often from oiling issues or defective bearings in this production run. Once knocking starts, damage progresses fast. Engine-out required, inspect all bearings, replace rods/pistons if journals are scored, crank may need machining. Full rebuild typically 90-110 hours, short block swap 60-80 hours if cores are available. This is the big one that kills these trucks.
Estimated cost: $18,000-30,000
Transmission Oil Cooler Failure and Contamination
Common · high severity
Typical onset: 50,000-90,000 mi
Symptoms: Pink or milky transmission fluid, Transmission slipping or delayed shifts, Coolant loss with no visible leaks, Overheating transmission, White smoke from exhaust if coolant enters trans severely
Fix: Internal transmission cooler in radiator fails, mixing coolant and ATF. Contamination destroys clutch packs and valve body. Requires radiator replacement (3-4 hours), full transmission flush, and often transmission rebuild or replacement if contamination went unnoticed. 68RFE transmission out and rebuild is 18-24 hours; Aisin is more robust but still vulnerable to cooler failure.
Estimated cost: $800-1,200 for radiator/flush if caught immediately, $4,500-7,500 for transmission rebuild
Transmission Mount Failure
Common · medium severity
Typical onset: 60,000-100,000 mi
Symptoms: Clunking when shifting into drive or reverse, Vibration through cab under acceleration, Driveline shudder, Visible sag or tearing of rubber mount
Fix: Rear transmission mount tears from the weight of the transmission and driveline torque. Replacement requires supporting transmission, removing crossmember—2.5-3.5 hours. Aftermarket poly mounts hold up better than OEM rubber.
Estimated cost: $350-600
DEF System and Fuel Filter Housing Issues
Common · medium severity
Symptoms: DEF heater fault codes, 5 mph limp mode on cold starts, Fuel in coolant or coolant in fuel, Hard starting, White smoke on startup
Fix: DEF heater elements fail, triggering limp mode until system warms. Fuel filter housing can crack internally, mixing fuel and coolant. DEF heater replacement is 2-3 hours. Fuel filter housing replacement requires draining, careful disassembly to avoid air in system—3-4 hours. Both are Cummins quirks you'll see repeatedly.
Estimated cost: $600-900 for DEF heater, $800-1,200 for fuel filter housing
ABS Module Corrosion and Brake Caliper Seizing
Occasional · medium severity
Typical onset: 70,000-110,000 mi
Symptoms: ABS/traction control lights, Brake pedal pulsation, Pulling to one side during braking, Premature pad wear on one side, Overheating front brakes
Fix: ABS module prone to internal corrosion in rust-belt trucks, causing false activation. Module replacement and programming 2-3 hours. Front calipers seize from road salt—single caliper replacement 1.5 hours per side, but often both fronts need doing at once. Aftermarked loaded calipers recommended.
Estimated cost: $800-1,200 for ABS module, $400-700 per caliper pair
EGR Cooler Clogging and Turbo Actuator Failure
Occasional · medium severity
Typical onset: 80,000-140,000 mi
Symptoms: Loss of power under load, Black smoke from exhaust, P0401 or P2002 codes, High EGT readings, Turbo whistle or sluggish boost
Fix: EGR cooler clogs with soot, restricting flow. Delete isn't legal, so cleaning or replacement is 6-8 hours. Turbo VGT actuator sticks or fails, causing underboost or overboost. Actuator replacement 4-5 hours; full turbo rebuild 8-10 hours if seized internals. Running quality fuel and performing EGR cleaning every 60k helps.
Estimated cost: $1,200-1,800 for EGR cooler, $800-1,200 for actuator, $2,500-3,500 for turbo rebuild
Owner tips
Change oil every 5,000 miles with quality diesel-rated oil—oil pump and bearing failures are often tied to extended intervals or cheap oil
Check transmission fluid color every oil change; catch cooler failure before it contaminates the trans
Replace fuel filters every 15,000 miles and use quality diesel fuel with lubricity additives
Inspect transmission mount annually if towing heavy—cheap insurance against driveline damage
Monitor oil pressure gauge religiously; any drop below normal is a red flag requiring immediate shutdown
Buy only if you can verify oil change history and confirm no rod knock; budget $5k for inevitable cooler/mount issues and pray the engine wasn't in the bad batch—when these are good, they're unstoppable, but the engine failures are financially ruinous.
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.
ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING:ENGINE:OIL/LUBRICATION · 21V439000
2021-06-10
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.
Consequence: Low oil can damage the engine, causing an oil leak or a punctured engine block, increasing the risk of a fire.
Remedy: Dealers will update the engine calibration software, free of charge. Owner notification letters were mailed June 25, 2021. Owners may contact FCA US LLC customer service at 1-800-853-1403. FCA US LLC's number for this recall is Y21.
WHEELS:LUGS/NUTS/BOLTS/STUDS · 21V398000
2021-05-27
Chrysler (FCA US, LLC) is recalling certain 2012-2021 RAM 3500, 3500 Cab Chassis, 4500 Cab Chassis, and 5500 Cab Chassis vehicles. Incorrect information in the Service and Owner's Manuals may cause the flanged lug nuts to be over-tightened, which could result in a broken wheel stud and possible wheel separation.
Consequence: Wheel separation can cause a vehicle crash.
Remedy: Dealers will update the torque specification in the owner's manual and other published service documents. Dealers will also inspect the vehicle's wheel studs, replacing them if necessary, free of charge. Owner notification letters were mailed on November 30, 2021. Campaign Y36 owner notification letters were mailed on November 30, 2021. Campaign Y26 owner notification letters were mailed on December 1, 2021. Owners may contact FCA US customer service at 1-800-853-1403. FCA US's numbers for this recall are Y26 and Y36.
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.
ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING:ENGINE:OIL/LUBRICATION · 20V511000
2020-08-27
Chrysler (FCA US LLC) is recalling certain 2019-2020 Ram 3500, 4500 and 5500 cab chassis built with a Cummins
6.7L High Output engine. Inadequate warmup protection can cause a lack of oil film on the engine connecting rod bearings while the engine is reaching operating temperature. This can result in engine damage and connecting rod failure, which could potentially puncture the engine block.
Consequence: A damaged engine block may leak oil, which can contact hot engine or exhaust components, increasing the risk of a fire.
Remedy: Chrysler will notify owners, and dealers will flash the engine calibration software to enhance the engine warm up protection, free of charge. The recall began September 10, 2020. Owners may contact Chrysler customer service at 1-800-853-1403. Chrysler's number for this recall is W57.
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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