Verified government source

NHTSA complaint #11552498

This page summarizes an official U.S. National Highway Traffic Safety Administration owner complaint. Use the verification links below to confirm the record directly with NHTSA.

Vehicle

2019 RAM 1500

Manufacturer

Chrysler (FCA US, LLC)

Components

STEERING,ELECTRICAL SYSTEM,ENGINE

Dates

Incident: 10/28/2023
Filed: 10/29/2023

Owner complaint summary

Electrical system failed. A new battery was installed 1 month ago and on 10/28/23, I went to start the truck and it hesitated but started up then I lost power and it would not start again. I had it jumped and the service auto start/stop light, check engine and battery light came on. I pulled out from work and the engine hesitated. After proceeding over an overpass, I went to make a left hand turn onto the highway and a message came up indicating the power steering system had failed, the emergency brake came on and I again experienced a loss of power. I was able to get it to the side of the road on the on ramp where it shut down completely and had to be towed. Due to the loss of power steering, I was almost hit by an oncoming vehicle headed in the opposite direction. The engine also hesitated after starting, the RPM's were spiking to 4K every few seconds and it was producing a clicking sound before my initial departure. The vehicle was towed to Moyer Ram in Lebanon, PA pending an evaluation. In the past, this vehicle was in the shop 4 times for almost getting me in an accident as the vehicle would lose speed and the RPM's would spike and slow the vehicle down to less than 30 miles per hour. This happened several times and despite a dispute pursuant to the lemon laws and multiple videos showing what was happening, they ruled against replacing the vehicle. At one point on a local interstate, while traveling over 65mph's, it was like it slipped into neutral, I lost speed rapidly and was almost rear ended by a tractor trailer. I still have that problem 1-2 times/month but they will do nothing about it and the mechanic couldn't replicate the problem while the dealer had it. Bottom line is I do not feel safe in this vehicle and it's an accident waiting to happen.

This is an owner complaint filed with NHTSA (ODI #11552498). It is not automatically an official recall, investigation outcome, or manufacturer admission unless the complaint text itself describes one.

Official record ID (ODI): 11552498. This page is the human-readable source link used across afterwarranty. The raw JSON link proxies NHTSA's public API for machine verification; prefer this page when reading the complaint.