Buyer Research

2019 Ram 1500 (5.7L Hemi eTorque) — Should You Buy One?

Typical asking price: $26,000–$38,000. There are 2 high-severity known issues you need to know before handing over a check.

Kestrel Take

The best-riding half-ton truck of its generation, thanks to a coil-spring rear end nobody else offered. The eTorque mild hybrid smooths the stop-start system. The Hemi's lifters remain the thing that decides whether this was a great purchase.

What we checked

Reconciled against public records, 2026-09-11

NHTSA holds 1,467 owner complaints for the 2019 Ram 1500 (5.7L Hemi eTorque), across 30 recall campaigns.

A big number here usually means a lot of these were sold, not that it is a bad vehicle — popular models collect more complaints for the same rate of trouble. So the total on its own says little. What is worth reading is the shape of it. The largest single group is electrics and electronics at 26%. That is notable without being overwhelming — worth checking, not worth panicking about.

30 recall campaigns cover this model year. Recalls are repaired free, for any owner, with no time limit on most safety campaigns — but only if someone books it in. Ask the seller to show it was done, or have any dealer check the VIN; it takes them a couple of minutes and costs nothing.

Counts come from the NHTSA complaint and recall database — free, public, and worth checking yourself.

Known Issues for the 2019 Ram 1500 (5.7L Hemi eTorque)

Ranked by wallet impact. These are documented, recurring problems — not freak accidents.

Hemi lifter and camshaft failure (MDS)High — wallet impact

Cylinder deactivation lifters collapse and wipe the cam. A tick at idle is the warning. FCA extended coverage on some builds, but many owners paid.

Repair cost (estimate): $3,500-$6,500

Source: NHTSA complaints filed under the engine (243).

eTorque belt-driven motor generator failuresMedium

The 48-volt motor generator and its battery pack can fail, triggering warnings and disabling the auto stop-start. Parts are expensive and specific to the system.

Repair cost (estimate): $1,500-$3,500

Source: NHTSA complaints filed under electrics and electronics (378).

Air suspension failures (equipped trucks)Medium

Compressors and air springs fail, dropping a corner. Conversion kits exist but lose the load leveling.

Repair cost (estimate): $1,200-$3,000

Source: not yet checked against public records.

Uconnect 12-inch screen faultsLow

The large screen has reported failures and delamination on some trucks.

Repair cost (estimate): $800-$2,000

Source: NHTSA complaints filed under electrics and electronics (378).

Electric power steering connection can short and cut assist (recall)High — wallet impact

An electrical connection in the power steering system can loosen and short-circuit, cutting power steering assist and making the truck suddenly much harder to turn, especially at low speed. FCA recalled about 160,000 2019 Ram 1500 trucks (the redesigned DT-generation body style) for this. Check the VIN for recall completion before buying.

Repair cost: $0 with the recall — verify it was performed

Source: NHTSA complaints filed under steering (336).

Walk-Away Red Flags

✗Tick at idle on a Hemi
✗Truck sitting unevenly — air suspension
✗eTorque or charging system warnings
✗Heavy tow use with no service records

Good Signs

✓Lifters and cam already replaced with paperwork
✓Coil spring rear suspension rather than air
✓Documented oil changes at 5,000 miles

Found a specific Ram 1500 (5.7L Hemi eTorque)?

This page covers what goes wrong on the 2019 Ram 1500 (5.7L Hemi eTorque) in general. The Kestrel report covers this specific car— the asking price vs. market, the photos, the seller's description, and a BUY / NEGOTIATE / WALK AWAY verdict with a negotiation script.

Get My Verdict — $7.99

No account required. Delivered to your inbox, usually within minutes.

Not ready to pay for one? The free read is instant and needs no card — it checks the asking price against the market and names the top issues for this year. It stops short of the verdict, because that needs the photos.

Known issues on this page are based on documented owner reports, NHTSA complaints, class-action records, and manufacturer technical service bulletins. Individual vehicles vary. A pre-purchase inspection by a trusted mechanic is always worth doing.