Recall 19V020 affects 159,740 2019 Ram 1500 trucks for an improperly secured battery ground fastener. Repair is free at any franchised Ram dealer.
Ram is recalling 159,740 2019 1500 vehicles because the battery ground fastener on the driver-side front fender was not secured correctly on affected trucks. A loss of power steering assist can change steering effort, causing oversteer or understeer and increasing crash risk; Ram dealers will complete the repair free of charge.
Does this recall apply to your specific vehicle?
The official, free per-VIN recall check is run by NHTSA. Enter your VIN and we'll forward you directly — and add you to a free watchlist so you hear about new recalls for your vehicle.
Check my VIN at NHTSARecallNotify doesn't check your VIN — NHTSA's official tool does. We use your email only to alert you to new recalls.
Watch this vehicle for recalls
Add it to your free watchlist and we will alert you as new federal recalls are posted for your year, make and model. New-recall alerts are rolling out now.
You are on the watchlist.
We will email you as new federal recalls are posted for your vehicle.
What's wrong?
The 2019 Ram 1500 uses an electric power steering system, which relies on stable 12-volt electrical power to help turn the front wheels. The battery ground fastener on the driver-side front fender completes part of that electrical path. When the ground is tight, the steering module gets the voltage it needs to run the assist motor.
On affected trucks, that ground fastener was tightened to the wrong specification during production. A loose ground creates an unstable electrical connection. That fault sets voltage diagnostic codes in the electric power steering module, and the module shuts down assist when those codes are active. The truck still steers, but the wheel becomes much harder to turn.
There is no warning sign before failure. The first thing an owner notices is the steering suddenly feeling heavier when power assist drops out.
Who's affected?
| 2019 Ram 1500 | power steering system |
|---|---|
| Units affected | 159,740 |
| Field incidents | NHTSA has logged no field incidents to date. |
A matching year and model does not guarantee inclusion. Check your VIN to confirm whether this recall applies to your specific pickup truck.
What's the safety risk?
A loss of power steering changes the effort needed to steer and can cause vehicle oversteer or understeer, increasing the risk of a crash. There is no warning sign before failure. Schedule the repair soon and use caution until it is complete. Repair is free at any franchised Ram dealer.
What should I do?
- Check your VIN to confirm your 2019 Ram 1500 is included in this recall.
- Contact your nearest franchised Ram dealer to schedule the free battery-ground-fastener repair tied to the power-steering assist system.
- Bring the recall notice if Ram has mailed one. If not, reference recall number 19V020 when you call.
- Drive cautiously until the repair is complete. Stop driving and call the dealer if steering effort changes.
What happens at the repair
At the dealer, a Ram technician checks the battery ground fastener on the driver-side front fender and secures it properly. The recall repair is free, and parts and labor are covered. If you've already paid out of pocket for a related battery ground or power steering assist repair before the recall notice, the reimbursement policy lets you request repayment. Send the original receipt or other proof of payment to the company for expense confirmation, following the owner letter instructions.
| Reimbursement | Reimbursement available |
|---|
Timeline
| January 24, 2019 | NHTSA published the recall |
|---|---|
| February 11, 2019 | Owner notification mailed |
| March 15, 2019 | Dealer notification began |
| March 15, 2019 | Dealer notification ended |
| March 15, 2019 | VIN-searchable in NHTSA's database — Check your VIN to see whether this recall applies to your specific vehicle. |
| March 15, 2019 | Interim owner notification (was planned for this date) |
Frequently asked questions
What is recall 19V020?
Recall 19V020 covers 159,740 2019 Ram 1500 trucks with a battery ground fastener on the driver-side front fender that was not secured correctly. The defect can lead to loss of power steering assist. Ram dealers will secure the ground fastener for free.
What should I do if my 2019 Ram 1500 is on this recall?
Check your VIN to confirm your specific truck is included in recall 19V020. If it is, contact a franchised Ram dealer to schedule the battery ground fastener repair. Reference recall number 19V020 or manufacturer recall number V04 when you call. The repair is free.
Does the recall repair cost anything?
No. Federal recall law requires the manufacturer to repair the defect at no cost, and Ram dealers will properly secure the battery ground fastener free of charge. Parts and labor are covered for this recall repair.
What is the safety risk for recall 19V020?
The safety risk is a change in steering effort from loss of power steering assist. That change can cause oversteer or understeer and increase crash risk. If your VIN is included, schedule the free dealer repair so the ground fastener is secured correctly.
What if I bought my 2019 Ram 1500 used?
The free recall repair still applies. Recall coverage follows the vehicle, not the original owner. Check your VIN to confirm whether your specific Ram 1500 is included, then contact a franchised Ram dealer and reference recall number 19V020 when you schedule service.
More information
| NHTSA campaign page | nhtsa.gov/vehicle-recalls/19V020000 |
|---|---|
| Ram customer service | 1-800-853-1403 |
| NHTSA recall # | 19V020 |
| NHTSA recall # (full) | 19V020000 |
Source documents
-
Download Recall Document (PDF) (PDF) - Download Recall Investigation Document (PDF) (PDF)
- Download Owner Notification Letter (PDF)
- Download Recall Report (PDF)
- Download Quarterly Report (PDF)
- Download Recall Acknowledgement (PDF)
This article is generated from NHTSA's primary recall filings and reviewed against the source on May 25, 2026. RecallNotify does not paraphrase NHTSA's consequence language; that text is reproduced as written above. Editorial standards →