2019 Ram 1500 · symptom sheet
Engine rattles or ticks
- 26owner reports
- 75,500median miles
- 0involved a crash
Newest report Sep 11, 2026 · checked Oct 2, 2026
245 of the 1,481 complaints on this car are about the engine. 26 of those describe engine rattle.
Tick what matches of 26 reports
Engine rattle on other 1500 years
Report counts are for each model year on its own, so a newer car has had less time to collect them. Model years with too few reports of it for a sheet: 2016, 2018, 2020, 2021, 2022, 2023, 2024, 2025, 2026.
What this problem usually is
Owners in this group hear something before anything breaks. Most describe a ticking or tapping at idle, a rattle that's worse on a cold start and fades as the engine warms, or a noise that comes and goes over weeks. Some report the check engine light following a while later. It's the early-warning end of the engine complaints, and the reports that end in a named part are useful to anyone hearing the same sound.
What got replaced
Owners who name the part that was replaced mention the lifters (6 reports).
Recalls and investigations
2 recalls on the engine cover the 2019 model year. A recall on the same system isn't always the same failure, so read the defect text.
The crankshaft position sensor tone wheel may delaminate, causing the engine to lose its ability to synchronize the fuel injector pulses and cam shaft timing, possibly resulting in an engine stall.
The Exhaust Gas Recirculation (EGR) cooler may crack and allow pre-heated vaporized coolant to enter the EGR system. This mixture may combust inside the intake manifold.
All 30 recalls on the 2019 Ram 1500, with the owner complaints on each recalled system
When it happens
The middle half of failures fell between 43,000 and 103,000 miles, from the 9 reports that gave a mileage.
Is this a known problem?
The manufacturer has sent NHTSA 5 service bulletins or notices for the 2019 Ram 1500 that deal with this problem. Newest first.
Federal rules make a manufacturer send NHTSA a copy of any notice about a defect that goes to more than one dealer or owner. Most of these are service bulletins, the repair instructions manufacturers send to dealers. NHTSA generally leaves safety recall bulletins out of this file, and recalls are listed separately.
Engine Rattle Noise
ADJUSTER Valve Lash Customer's complaint may include a ticking noise coming from the engine. Technician's observations can refer to spongy or stuck hydraulic lash adjusters.
Cold Engine Ticking Noise The customer may describe a ticking noise from the exhaust manifold location(s) when cold.
MIL lamp-on. Engine noise, rattle. Misfire or rough running.
1 more on the 2019 Ram 1500 page.
What owners wrote
“Engine ticking noticeably loud ticking noise loss of power and poor engine performance”
Filed Mar 19, 2025
“Engine developed a ticking sound at idle. Turned out to be broken bolts on the exhaust manifolds which could have caused carbon monoxide to leak into cab of truck.”
Filed Sep 30, 2024
“Vehicle developed the infamous "hemi tick" chronicled in multiple news articles, bulletins & complaints. Defective exhaust manifold design causes it to trap heat, melting the bolts and cracking the manifolds. This leads to loud ticking when engine is started from cold and can eventually lead to engine failure. Had to have both manifolds replaced, along with gaskets.”
Filed Jul 9, 2024
“Passenger exhaust manifold is leaking fumes into the cab. The leak started in January of 2024 as a slight ticking and has become worse. The truck has 47k miles.”
Filed Apr 23, 2024 · 47,000 miles
Should you keep driving it?
This page can't tell you that. 0 of 26 reports involved a crash. Owners who file are the ones who had a bad experience, and nobody checks their reports. If the problem affects steering, braking, power or a fire risk, treat it as a safety fault and have it inspected before a long or high-speed drive.
File your own report with NHTSA. Complaint counts are how a problem gets an investigation. How reports land on this sheet.
Guide Paid for this repair before a recall covered it? How recall reimbursement works
Other problems on this car
- Power steering cuts out or goes heavy 218 reports
- Engine stalls or loses power while driving 153 reports
- Infotainment, screen or backup camera fails 143 reports
- Brakes grind, pulse or wear early 133 reports
- Airbag warning light or recall 92 reports
- Check engine light or misfire 77 reports
- Battery dies or the car will not start 74 reports
- Water leaks into the cabin 63 reports
- Steering sticks, feels notchy or jerks 45 reports
- Seat belt or seat problems 44 reports
- Windshield cracks or distorts 43 reports
- Multiple warning lights come on at once 39 reports
- Suspension noise, struts or alignment 33 reports
- Transmission shudders, slips or shifts hard 28 reports
- "Shift to Park" or "Service Shifter" warning comes on 27 reports