2019 Ram 1500: Loud clacking noise
Common wear/failure (not a recall)
Symptoms
Owners of the 2019 1500 report: loud clacking noise. CarComplaints.com lists 4 owner complaints, average mileage 31,750 miles.
NHTSA has 249 owner complaints for the 2019 1500 in this area. Examples:
- NHTSA complaint ODI #11770808 (filed 10/13/2026): “Engine seized resulting in loss of propulsion while driving on the freeway vehicle: 2019 ram 1500 ecodiesel mileage at failure: ~50,000 miles purchase: bought brand‑new in april 2020 maintenance: 8 documented oil changes, all performed on schedule while dri…”
- NHTSA complaint ODI #11770589 (filed 10/12/2026): “The manufacturer defect involving stress cracks in the rear window structure (tsb 23-042-24) caused water to flood the rear cab wall along with the leaking rear cab air pressure vents. this water has short-circuited the can-bus network/rf hub, causing active d…”
Likely causes
Sources do not establish a single root cause; diagnosis is needed. Owner-reported fixes are listed below.
Fix, in plain English
Most common owner-reported solutions on CarComplaints.com: i started using shell premium and it went away 95% of the ti (1 reports) replace camshafts (1 reports). Check for open recalls and extended warranty coverage with a dealer before paying out of pocket.
DIY difficulty: Pro
Internal engine work (lifters, oil consumption, fuel dilution diagnosis) requires engine teardown or dealer software/tests. (Our assessment.)
Cost
CarComplaints.com owners report a typical repair cost of about $10,000 (owner-reported average, not a quote).
Typical parts (search links, no affiliate codes)
AutoZone · O'Reilly · Advance · RockAuto