Which Ram 1500 years have the most electrical complaints?

The 2019 model year leads with 246 complaints, followed by 2021, 2018, 2022, and 2020. Newer trucks show fewer complaints mainly because they have had less time to collect them. Stalling and eTorque faults appear across 2019 through 2024.

Is it safe to drive a Ram 1500 that stalls?

Not without a repair. Owners report engine shutdowns in intersections and at highway speed, with power steering and brakes affected in some cases. Crash reports exist in most model years. A truck that has stalled even once should be diagnosed before regular use.

Does a recall cover the Ram 1500 stalling problem?

The recall lines do not mention stalling. Federal records list five electrical recalls: powertrain control module software or replacement, an auxiliary battery terminal, and two instrument cluster issues. Check the VIN with NHTSA for what applies to a specific truck.

Why do dealers not find the cause of the shutdowns?

Owners say the shutdowns often leave no warning light and no stored code, so dealers cannot reproduce them. Some dealers have found code P032F on 2023 trucks. Owners suggest keeping photos or video of dash messages and records of each visit.

How much do Ram 1500 electrical repairs cost?

The data has no cost for specific electrical repairs. Independent repair-cost data estimates $691 a year in repairs for the model overall. Owners do report long waits for eTorque motor generator units and modules, which can add time without a truck.

Last updated: 2026-10-10

Ram 1500 Electrical Problems

Ram 1500 electrical faults most often show up as the truck shutting off while driving or at low speed, often with no stored code.

Owner complaints: 871
Share of all complaints: 22%
Crash / fire / injury reports: 13 / 10 / 14
Related recalls: 5

1500 electrical complaints by model year

The 2019 model year has the most complaints in this area at 246, and it also has the highest rate per vehicle sold. The 2021 (153), 2018 (132), 2022 (116), and 2020 (109) years follow. Each of these has had years to collect reports. The 2023, 2024, 2025, and 2026 trucks show fewer complaints, but they have had far less time on the road, so low counts there do not make them safer. The 2025 and 2026 trucks already show cluster and module problems, and a recall covers a blank cluster display on both years.

2018
132 · 2.9/10k sold
2019
246 · 4.7/10k sold
2020
109 · 2.3/10k sold
2021
153 · 3.2/10k sold
2022
116 · 2.8/10k sold
2023
35 · 0.9/10k sold
2024
16 · 0.5/10k sold
2025
58 · 1.8/10k sold
2026
6

Owner complaints filed with NHTSA under electrical system. Newer model years have had less time to collect complaints.

What goes wrong

Electrical trouble is a big share of what owners report on this truck: 871 of 4051 complaints, or 22%. The most repeated story is a sudden shutdown. The engine cuts out while pulling away from a stop or in a slow turn, the transmission drops into Park, and the electric parking brake sets. A battery or low-voltage warning often follows. Dealers frequently find no stored codes and cannot reproduce it. Owners also describe failed alternators or eTorque motor generator units, batteries that go dead, and screens or instrument clusters that go blank or freeze.

The risk is real. Complaints in this area include crash, fire, and injury reports in most model years. Some owners were stranded in intersections or lost power at highway speed with children aboard. A few fires started in parked trucks, including one near a headlight. Another was blamed on a starter at a dealership. These are owner filings, not confirmed causes. Many other reports are milder, such as ghost touches on the screen or a flickering backup camera, but a stall with no warning is the pattern to take seriously.

Symptoms owners report

Stalling and sudden shutdown

The truck shuts off at low speed or on the highway, often with no warning light. The transmission shifts to Park and the parking brake sets. Dealers often find no codes. Reports start in 2019 and continue through 2024 trucks.

eTorque alternator failure

On eTorque trucks, the motor generator unit or alternator fails and leaves the truck stranded. Owners report squealing, clicking, or grinding for months beforehand. Replacement parts are often backordered for weeks, and a failed 48-volt battery is also reported.

Dead or draining batteries

Trucks will not start after sitting, or the battery dies overnight. Some owners report new batteries that die again. On 2021 and 2022 trucks, a leaking rear window soaked a module behind the rear seat, which left one locked in anti-theft mode.

Blank screens and clusters

The 2018 Uconnect screen bubbles and registers ghost touches. Later trucks show screens that freeze or go black after updates. The 2025 trucks have instrument clusters that go blank or reboot while driving, sometimes hiding the speedometer.

Camera and driver-aid faults

The backup camera flickers, freezes, or loses its image while reversing. Driver-assist warnings cycle on and off, and an ABS module fault can switch off stability control on 2019 trucks. One 2023 owner reported the tailgate opening by itself.

When the problems start

Timing varies by problem. The 2018 touchscreen failures are reported between 21,289 and 56,000 miles, often just past warranty. Stalling shows up much earlier on newer trucks, with many owners reporting it within the first few thousand miles and one at 90 miles. A failed 48-volt battery was reported near 51,000 miles on a 2024. Some 2025 clusters failed under 1,000 miles.

Repairs and recalls

Owners report repeated dealer visits that end without a fix, because the shutdowns leave no codes. When a part does fail, such as an eTorque motor generator unit or a control module, replacements are often backordered. Some owners say replaced batteries died again. Federal recall records list five recalls in this area. Two cover software or replacement of the powertrain control module (2018 and 2019 trucks). One covers a 2019 auxiliary battery terminal that may overheat (code XBZ). One replaces the 2019 instrument cluster. One updates or replaces the 2025 and 2026 cluster. Some 2025 owners say the blank screen returned after that repair. Independent repair-cost data puts the model's overall annual repair cost at $691.

Model years	Campaign	Problem
2025, 2026	25V826000	Chrysler (FCA US, LLC) is recalling certain 2025-2026 Ram 1500 Pickup, Ram 2500 Pickup, Ram 3500 Pickup, Ram 3500 Cab Chassis, 4500 Ram Cab Chassis, and Ram 5500 Cab Chassis vehicles. A software error may cause the…
2019	19V142000	Chrysler (FCA US LLC) is recalling certain 2019 Ram 1500 vehicles equipped with a 48v auxiliary battery system located behind the rear seat (sales code: XBZ). Due to an incorrect assembly repair process, the auxiliary…
2018, 2019	18V332000	Chrysler (FCA US LLC) is recalling certain 2014-2018 Dodge Journey, Charger and Durango, RAM 2500, 3500, 3500 Cab Chassis (more than 10,000lb), 4500 Cab Chassis and 5500 Cab Chassis, Jeep Cherokee and Grand Cherokee and…
2019	19V556000	Chrysler (FCA US LLC) is recalling certain 2019 Ram 1500 vehicles. The instrument cluster may not properly illuminate driver warnings. As such, these vehicles fails to conform with the requirements of Federal Motor…
2018	18V524000	Chrysler (FCA US LLC) is recalling certain 2018 Jeep Renegade, Compass and Grand Cherokee, RAM 1500 and Promaster, Fiat 500x, Dodge Journey, Challenger, Charger and Durango and Chrysler 300x vehicles, 2017-2018 Jeep…

Checking a used 1500 for electrical problems

Enter the VIN on the NHTSA recall lookup and confirm every open recall, especially the instrument cluster and powertrain control module items, was completed.
Ask for service records showing repeated visits for stalling, battery warnings, or no-start complaints, and walk away if the same fault keeps returning.
Test the Uconnect screen for ghost touches, freezing, and blank spells. Shift into reverse and watch the backup camera for flicker.
On eTorque trucks, listen at idle for squeal, click, or grind from the belt area, and ask whether the motor generator unit was replaced.
Check the rear window seal and the area behind the rear seat for water stains or corrosion.
Drive in stop-and-go traffic, pulling away from a full stop several times, and watch for battery warnings or an abrupt engine cut.

5 electrical recalls cover the Ram 1500. A VIN check shows whether the car you're looking at had its recall work done, plus accident and title history.

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