Case file · RAM-1500-2019-2024 · Field document
Ram 1500 2019–present · Pre-purchase checklist
Bring this to the inspection. Every check below is specific to this generation's documented failure modes — not generic used-car advice.
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Cold-start any 5.7L HEMI and listen. A tick that fades as it warms is often exhaust-manifold bolts (annoying, fixable). A tick that stays or gets louder, especially with a misfire code or shudder, points to lifters/cam — walk away or price it in.
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Run the VIN through NHTSA's recall lookup. The 2019 alone had 29 recalls; on 2020–2022 EcoDiesels, specifically confirm recall 22V-406 (high-pressure fuel pump); on 2025–2026 trucks, confirm the trailer-tow module (26V-059) and instrument-cluster (25V-826 / 26V-225) recalls show completed.
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On eTorque trucks (all V6, many V8), watch for 'Stop/Start Unavailable' or 'Service eTorque' messages and confirm the truck restarts smoothly from auto stop-start. A failing 48V battery or belt starter-generator announces itself here.
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On air-suspension trucks, cycle through all ride heights and listen for a compressor that runs long or a corner that sags. Come back after the truck sits overnight if you can — leaks show as a lean.
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Inspect the 12-inch Uconnect screen edges for bubbling/delamination and watch for ghost touches or spontaneous reboots during the test drive.
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Highway-drive at 60–75 mph and listen for rear axle whine or hum that changes on and off throttle — differential bearing and ring-gear complaints are documented on early trucks.
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Note steering feel: wander or vagueness on-center was a common early complaint; some cases were alignment/track-bar, some needed a steering rack.
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Pull oil-change records. The HEMI lifter issue is worsened by long idle time and stretched intervals — a fleet truck that idled its life is higher risk.
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On a 2025+ Hurricane truck, watch for hesitation or misfire behavior on the test drive and ask for proof the ISCM/PCM software updates (TSBs 08-031-25 / 08-055-25) were applied to an early-build truck. Make sure the digital instrument cluster never blanks or reboots during the drive.
2019 (first-year electrical/steering complaints; 29 recalls; highest CarComplaints volume of the generation) · 2020–2022 EcoDiesel with the CP4 recall not yet performed · 2025 (first year of the Hurricane engine and new electronics: six recalls in ~18 months, blank instrument clusters, a trailer-tow module that can kill trailer brakes, and misfire TSBs — only with every recall closed)