2019 · Ram1500 Limited Crew Cab Short Bed
What the data shows
This 2019 Ram 1500 Limited is a well-equipped truck with a strong powertrain. Budget about $4,200 for potential lifter or manifold repairs over the next 30k miles. The asking price is in line with market for this mileage and configuration.
Red flags
- Air Suspension in Cold Climate
Boston winters may stress compressor and lines, potential for…
- Lifter Tick Risk
known HEMI cam/lifter failure can be costly if not addressed early
Green flags
- New Tires
Bridgestone Dueler H/L Alenza Plus installed, saving roughly $1,000
- Fully Loaded Limited
top trim with every option, including 22-inch wheels
What’s costing this car points
Every car starts at 10. Each problem below takes points off. Serious and expensive problems take more, and so do problems that usually show up at about the miles this car has now.
- Lifter and Camshaft Failure (HEMI Tick)Usually shows up around 70k mi · $2,000 to $4,000 to fix−2.2
- Exhaust Manifold Bolts and LeakUsually shows up around 50k mi · $800 to $1,500 to fix−0.9
- Cold-Start Ticking Noise−0.2
- 5 smaller items−0.2
When this car gets expensive
The chance of a major repair as the miles add up. This one is at 58k, before the climb starts around 132k.
9.3 if the top three turn out fine. Ask the seller for repair records.
Deal Score weighs the asking price against comparable listings, the title, and the repairs documented in this guide.
- Fair deal
Detailed findings, 8 items
Click any card for the full breakdown, repair cost, and what to check. Items already handled by the owner show as checked.
Reflects the open findings; items the owner handled are excluded.
Costly repairs, but not urgent to verify before you buy. Price them out and use them to negotiate.
Lifter and Camshaft Failure (HEMI Tick)
The 5.7L HEMI's Multi-Displacement System (MDS) can cause roller lifter bearing failure, which damages the camshaft. This often starts as a ticking noise on cold start that doesn't go away, and can lead to misfires, power loss, and metal in the oil. It is widely documented on this engine across model years, though less frequent on 5th-gen trucks. If caught early, replacing lifters and cam can prevent further engine damage.
Exhaust Manifold Bolts and Leak
The exhaust manifold bolts on the 5.7L HEMI are prone to breaking, causing a ticking noise that is most audible during cold starts and disappears as the engine warms up. This is a very common issue across many model years. If not fixed, the leak can warp the manifold, leading to a more expensive repair.
Minor wear typical for the car’s age. Not worth negotiating over, but good to track as an owner.
Air Suspension Compressor and Leaks
The Limited trim's air suspension system can suffer from compressor failure, air spring leaks, or frozen moisture in lines, especially in cold climates. Boston winters increase this risk. Failures often manifest as the rear sagging overnight or the compressor running continuously. Repairs can be costly, and some owners convert to coil springs to avoid recurring issues.
Water Pump Leak
The water pump on the 5.7L HEMI can develop a coolant leak from the weep hole or gasket, typically around 60,000–80,000 miles. It's not universal but appears frequently enough to be a known wear item. A failing water pump may cause overheating if ignored.
Third Brake Light and Rear Window Leak
The gasket around the third brake light can deteriorate, allowing water to leak into the cabin. This is a known issue on Ram 1500s, including the 5th generation. Water intrusion can damage the rear seat, carpet, and electronics. Some trucks also develop leaks from the rear window seal itself.
Transmission Harsh Shift (TSB)
Some 2019 Ram 1500s with the 8-speed automatic exhibit a harsh 1-2 upshift or occasional hesitation. This is often resolved with a software update per TSB 21-002-19. Not all trucks are affected, and the transmission itself is generally robust.
Uconnect Screen Delamination
The 12-inch Uconnect touchscreen can suffer from delamination, where the screen bubbles or separates from the digitizer. This causes ghost touches, unresponsive areas, or a cloudy appearance. It is a known issue across several FCA vehicles with this generation of Uconnect.
Cold-Start Ticking Noise
While some HEMI tick is normal injector noise, a persistent metallic tick could indicate lifter or manifold issues. At 58,000 miles, it's worth confirming the engine is quiet on a cold start. Many owners report no issues, but a loud tick is a red flag.
What's working well
New Tires Installed
The seller states that new Bridgestone Dueler H/L Alenza Plus tires were recently fitted. This is a premium all-season tire with good wear characteristics, and new tires on a truck this size represent a significant cost savings.
You won't need to budget for tires soon, saving roughly $1,000. It also suggests the owner maintained the vehicle.
Every finding still open carries a question worth asking. Copy them as one message, already ordered by severity. Anything you have marked above drops off on its own.
Price & negotiation
BetaBased on comparable listings and the repairs you can document. A starting point for what this car should cost.
Price breakdown
What it costs, and when
Verify now
Critical and major items to confirm first.
Possible year-one expense
Caution items with repair-cost context.
Watch later
Lower-confidence or no-cost items to monitor.
Each range is what that one item costs if it turns out to be present. Not every item will apply to this car, so they do not add up to a bill. Verify with a mechanic.
Asking is $35,000 against a typical $34,500 for this car and mileage. The work is the difference, not the sticker.
Negotiate your offer
Asking is roughly in line with the market estimate. The documented repairs below are common points buyers raise.
- Documented critical/major repairs of $2,800–$5,500 you can point to.
- Strongest items to raise first: Lifter and Camshaft Failure (HEMI Tick), Exhaust Manifold Bolts and Leak.
Pricing is in beta. The market estimate comes from research models and can be off by thousands on the same car, so check recent local listings before you rely on it. This is information to help you research, not a professional inspection, an appraisal, or financial advice.
Recalls & safety
NHTSA crash-test ratings and recall data for this make, model, and year. Check recall status with your VIN before buying.
In-person inspection
8 things to check before you buy
2 major and 6 caution findings, turned into a walkthrough for the driveway. Try it on this sample.
Before you leave: Ask the seller not to start or move the car before you arrive. A sales-ready car has usually been warmed up, and a warm engine hides the startup smoke, rattles and rough idle that the first section is built around.
01Cold Start CheckFirst3
Start the engine cold while you watch the exhaust and listen. Note how quickly it catches, the tint of any smoke, rattles in the first few seconds, and how smoothly it settles into idle. This is the one test you cannot repeat on the spot.
02Exterior Walk-around1
Look at the ground under the car before anything else, and separate fresh wet marks from old stains. Then walk the body in daylight: panel gaps and paint texture for past repairs, glass, lights, tire age, and the wheel arches and rockers for rust or filler. Push each corner down; it should rebound once and settle.
03Interior & Electronics2
Turn the key to accessory and then on, before starting. Confirm every warning light comes on and then clears, and test the windows, locks, climate fan, infotainment, and seats while the engine is off. Smell for damp, lift the mats to feel for wet carpet, and compare pedal rubber wear against the odometer.
04Engine & Systems1
Before the first start: pull the oil dipstick and look for a milky film, check the coolant for oil or rust, squeeze the radiator hoses for hard or mushy spots, and note the battery date. Once warm: confirm the cooling fans cycle, listen for belt noise, look for fresh seepage that was not there cold, and check that the A/C blows cold.
05Test Drive1
Drive a route with stops, a hill, and some open road. Feel for shift quality, clutch or torque-converter behaviour, brakes that pull or pulse, steering play, and any noise that changes with speed or steering angle.
Plus 2 wear and baseline checks, added because this car’s findings are short.
Everything on this list is what you can see standing next to the car. A shop on a lift sees the rest, and a written pre-purchase inspection listing parts and labor is what a seller has to answer to. Budget roughly $100 to $150 at an ASE-certified shop.
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