Ram 1500 Classic · Model year 2019 · No longer built
2019 Ram 1500 Classic specs, maintenance & manuals
Everything the manufacturer published about the 2019 Ram 1500 Classic in one place: the maintenance schedule, fluid capacities and 15 manufacturer publications.
- Combined MPG
- 17–23
- Recalls
- 0
- Schedule covers
- 150k miles
- Publications
- 15
What changed for the 2019 Ram 1500 Classic
The 2019 model year is when the 1500 Classic first appears in the manufacturer's data.
Compared automatically from the manufacturer's trim feature charts, specification sheets, towing guides and the EPA's fuel-economy data for 2018 and 2019. No trim equipment chart is on file for one of the two years, so equipment changes aren't listed. Equipment varies by trim and market; confirm details on a specific vehicle.
2019 Ram 1500 Classic fuel economy (EPA)
The EPA rates the 2019 Ram 1500 Classic at 17–23 MPG combined; the 3.0L 6-cylinder turbo (RWD) is the most efficient and the 5.7L 8-cylinder (RWD) the thirstiest. Every EPA test configuration is below, from the government's fuel-economy database.
City, highway and combined figures are in MPG (MPGe on electricity).
| Version | Engine | Transmission · drive | City | Hwy | Comb. | Fuel / yr | CO₂ g/mi |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1500 Classic 2WD | 5.7L 8-cylinder | 8-speed automatic · RWD | 15MPG | 22MPG | 17MPG | $4,200 | 512 |
| 1500 Classic 2WD | 3.6L 6-cylinderFFV | 8-speed automatic · RWD | 17MPG | 25MPG | 20MPG | $3,100 | 450 |
| 1500 Classic 2WD | 3.0L 6-cylinder turbo | 8-speed automatic · RWD | 20MPG | 27MPG | 23MPG | $4,100 | 448 |
| 1500 Classic 4WD | 5.7L 8-cylinder | 8-speed automatic · 4WD | 15MPG | 21MPG | 17MPG | $4,200 | 527 |
| 1500 Classic 4WD | 3.6L 6-cylinderFFV | 8-speed automatic · 4WD | 16MPG | 23MPG | 19MPG | $3,300 | 475 |
| 1500 Classic 4WD | 3.0L 6-cylinder turbo | 8-speed automatic · 4WD | 19MPG | 27MPG | 22MPG | $4,300 | 465 |
Source: U.S. EPA and Department of Energy, fueleconomy.gov. MPG is miles per gallon (MPGe for electric operation). Plug-in hybrids list gasoline-only MPG with the electric rating underneath. Annual fuel cost assumes 15,000 miles a year at the EPA's fuel-price assumptions, so yours will differ. Range is total driving range on a full tank or charge.
2019 Ram 1500 Classic wheels & tires
The spec sheet doesn't list tire sizes for this model year; here is what the owner's manual says.
- Cold tire pressure
- Not a single number: the owner's manual refers to the tire and loading placard, which lists the pressures for your exact tire size and load.
- Spare
- Equipment decides: a compact spare, a non-matching full-size spare or a tire service kit with no spare; a non-matching or compact spare has no pressure sensor.
- Lug nut torque
- 130 ft-lb (176 N·m), M14 x 1.50 thread, 22 mm socket
- Pressure monitor
- A tire pressure monitoring system warns when a tire is low.
Sizes and pressures vary by trim, wheel package and load: check the placard on your vehicle and the tire sidewall. Pressure and spare notes from the owner's manual.
2019 Ram 1500 Classic maintenance schedule
The factory schedule for normal driving. Oil changes follow the oil-change indicator on most models; severe use (towing, dusty roads, lots of idling) shortens some intervals.
A dot means the service is due at that mileage or after that many years, whichever comes first.
Additional Inspections
- Completely fill the Diesel Exhaust Fluid tank
Additional Maintenance
- Drain water from fuel filter assembly
| Service | 10k1 yr | 20k2 yr | 30k3 yr | 40k4 yr | 50k5 yr | 60k6 yr | 70k7 yr | 80k8 yr | 90k9 yr | 100k10 yr | 110k11 yr | 120k12 yr | 130k13 yr | 140k14 yr | 150k15 yr |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Additional Inspections | |||||||||||||||
| Completely fill the Diesel Exhaust Fluid tank | |||||||||||||||
| Inspect the CV/Universal joints | |||||||||||||||
| Inspect front suspension, tie rod ends, and replace if necessary | |||||||||||||||
| Inspect the front and rear axle fluidIf gear oil leakage is suspected, check the fluid level. If using your vehicle for police, taxi, fleet, off-road or frequent trailer towing change the axle fluid. | |||||||||||||||
| Inspect the brake linings, parking brake function | |||||||||||||||
| Additional Maintenance | |||||||||||||||
| Replace cabin air filter | |||||||||||||||
| Drain water from fuel filter assembly | |||||||||||||||
| Replace engine air filter | |||||||||||||||
| Flush and replace the engine coolant at 10 years or 150,000 miles (240,000 km) whichever comes first | |||||||||||||||
| Replace accessory drive belt(s) | |||||||||||||||
| Inspect the transfer case fluid, change for any of the following: police, taxi, fleet, or frequent trailer towing | |||||||||||||||
| Change transfer case fluid | |||||||||||||||
Also listed, with no set interval: Replace fuel filter and drain water from the fuel filter assembly.
At every oil change
- Change oil and filter
- Completely fill the Diesel Exhaust Fluid tank
- Drain water from fuel filter assembly
- Rotate the tires. Rotate at the first sign of irregular wear, even if it occurs before the oil indicator system turns on
- Inspect battery and clean and tighten terminals as required
- Inspect brake pads, shoes, rotors, drums, hoses and park brake
- Inspect engine cooling system protection and hoses
- Inspect exhaust system
- Inspect engine air cleaner if using in dusty or off-road conditions
At every second oil change interval as indicated by oil change indicator system
- Change fuel filter
2019 Ram 1500 Classic fluids & capacities
Oil, coolant, transmission and axle fluids with their capacities and specifications, wheel torque and fuel requirements, from the owner's manual.
Fluid capacities
| System | Applies to | Capacity |
|---|---|---|
| All engines | ||
| Fuel tank (approximate) | Regular Cab shortbed/Crew Quad Cab models | 26 gal98 L |
| Regular Cab longbed/Crew Quad Cab models (optional) | 32 gal121 L | |
| 3.6L engine | ||
| Engine oil with filter | 6 qt5.6 L | |
| Cooling system | 13.7 qt13 L | |
| 5.7L engine | ||
| Engine oil with filter | 7 qt6.6 L | |
| Cooling system | 18.3 qt17.3 L | |
Engine fluids
| Component | Fluid / grade | Mopar product |
|---|---|---|
| Engine coolant | OAT (Organic Additive Technology) coolant, 10 year/150,000 mile formulaMS.90032 | Mopar Antifreeze/Coolant 10 Year/150,000 Mile Formula |
| Engine oil3.6L engine | SAE 5W-20, API certifiedMS-6395 | Mopar (also Pennzoil, Shell Helix) |
| Engine oil (alternate)3.6L engine | SAE 5W-30, only if 5W-20 meeting MS-6395 is unavailable | Mopar SAE 5W-30 engine oil |
| Engine oil5.7L engine | SAE 5W-20, API certifiedMS-6395 | Mopar (also Pennzoil, Shell Helix) |
| Engine oil filter | — | Mopar engine oil filters |
| Spark plugs | — | Mopar spark plugs |
Chassis fluids & lubricants
| Component | Fluid / grade | Mopar product |
|---|---|---|
| Automatic transmissionEight-speed automatic | ZF 8&9 speed ATF or equivalent | Mopar ZF 8&9 Speed ATF |
| Automatic transmissionSix-speed automatic | ATF+4 | Mopar ATF+4 |
| Transfer case | Transfer case lubricant for Borg Warner 44-44 and 44-45 | Mopar Transfer Case Lubricant |
| Front axle | SAE 75W-85 GL-5 synthetic axle lubricant | Mopar GL-5 Synthetic Axle Lubricant SAE 75W-85 |
| Rear axle | SAE 75W-90 synthetic gear lubricantMS-A0160 | Mopar Synthetic Gear Lubricant SAE 75W-90 |
| Limited-slip additiveLimited-slip rear axles | 5 oz (148 mL) added to the rear axleMS-10111 | Mopar Limited Slip Additive |
| Brake master cylinder | DOT 3 | Mopar DOT 3 |
Fuel
| Engine | Minimum | Ethanol / biodiesel |
|---|---|---|
| 3.6L engine | 87 octane Regular unleaded | 0–15% (up to E15) |
| 3.6L Flex Fuel (E85) engine, if equipped | 87 octane Regular unleaded | Up to 85% (E85); E85 capable |
| 5.7L engine | 87 octane Regular unleaded (89 for optimum performance and economy) | 0–15% (up to E15) |
Wheel lug nut torque
| Wheels | Torque |
|---|---|
| Lug nuts/boltsThread M14 x 1.5022 mm socket | 130 ft‑lb (176 N·m) |
- Fuel tank capacities are approximate.
- Do not use water alone or propylene glycol-based coolant; do not mix OAT coolant with HOAT or 'globally compatible' coolants.
- Check the oil filler cap for the correct SAE grade.
- After 25 miles (40 km) recheck lug torque; tighten in a star pattern twice.
- When switching between E85 and gasoline on flex-fuel trucks, add 5 gal (19 L) or more.
Source: Owner's manual (PDF). Always confirm with the manual for your exact vehicle.
2019 Ram 1500 Classic recalls & safety
What the U.S. government's National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA) has on file for the 2019 Ram 1500 Classic: no recalls, 1,498 owner complaints and crash-test ratings. Fetched November 8, 2026.
NHTSA 5-Star Safety Ratings
| Version | Overall | Frontal | Side | Rollover |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Ram 1500 Classic Regular PU/RC 4WD | 21.9% risk | |||
| Ram 1500 Classic Regular PU/RC 2WD | 19.8% risk | |||
| Ram 1500 Classic Quad PU/EC 2WD | 19.8% risk | |||
| Ram 1500 Classic Quad PU/EC 4WD | 21.9% risk |
Stars compare vehicles of similar weight; rollover shows the tested chance of a rollover in a single-vehicle crash.
Recalls
Owner complaints by component
- Complaints
- 1,498
- Crashes
- 76
- Fires
- 11
- Injuries
- 63
- Electrical system382
- Steering340
- Unknown or other237
- Engine235
- Power train207
- Service brakes133
- Air bags93
- Fuel/propulsion system81
Complaints are reports owners filed with NHTSA; they are not verified and a complaint can name more than one component. A high count reflects how many were sold as much as how often something fails.
Source: NHTSA public data (recalls, complaints and the New Car Assessment Program), covering Ram 1500 Classic. Check nhtsa.gov/recalls for the latest.
2019 Ram 1500 Classic owner's manuals & publications
The manufacturer's owner's manual, quick guides, radio manuals, supplements and warranty booklets for the 2019 model year.
Owner's manuals
Uconnect & radio
Supplements
On Mopar.com
Manuals and guides are hosted by the manufacturer on vehicleinfo.mopar.com and open as PDFs. Mopar.com's owner site also has VIN-specific manuals and recall lookups.
Read for lake-effect country
What counts on a 2019 Ram 1500 Classic from Michigan to Tennessee
We read the 2019 1500 Classic owner data, service schedule and spec sheets with Indiana driving in mind: frozen starts, salted highways, cratered streets and hills. These are the figures worth acting on.
What the manual says about oil
Oil capacity is 6 qt (3.6L) and 7 qt (5.7L), and the manual lists SAE 5W-20. Where more than one engine appears in the lineup, the engine code on the window sticker settles which grade applies. The wrong one in an Indiana winter gives up a little protection on every cold start, and over years of driveway starts that adds up.
Cranking power for a lake-effect morning
A 1500 Classic left at a lake cottage or in a pole barn for weeks slowly drains its battery, and a cold snap then finds it with nothing to spare. A plug-in maintainer for stored vehicles is cheap insurance in the Great Lakes states.
Antifreeze for both ends of the year
The system holds 13.7 qt (3.6L) and 18.3 qt (5.7L) of OAT coolant (10-year/150,000-mile formula). Stellantis manuals call for a 50/50 mix, good to about -34°F (-37°C), which is colder than a typical Great Lakes winter night; the real risk is dilution from top-ups with plain water. The same mix raises the boiling point for a loaded summer climb through the Tennessee mountains. A cheap tester checks the strength each fall.
Gravel hollow roads and the air filter
The schedule asks for more frequent air-filter attention in dusty conditions, beyond the normal replacement every 30,000 miles. Gravel roads up Appalachian hollows and coal-haul routes in West Virginia and eastern Kentucky qualify, so inspect the filter at each oil change if they are part of your week.
Octane from the owner data
The owner data specifies 87 octane, with 89 recommended. A higher grade than the manual asks for adds cost without benefit, while a lower one than required makes the engine pull back ignition timing, which shows most under load on a long Appalachian climb.
Data behind these notes: owner's manual capacities, the Mopar service schedule and factory spec sheets. Regional advice is general, written for drivers from Indiana to Kentucky.
2019 Ram 1500 Classic questions
How much oil does the 2019 Ram 1500 Classic take?
With a filter change: 3.6L engine, 6 qt / 5.6 L and 5.7L engine, 7 qt / 6.6 L. Capacities are from the owner's manual; check the dipstick or oil-life display after filling.
What kind of oil does the 2019 Ram 1500 Classic use?
3.6L engine: SAE 5W-20, API certified (MS-6395); 3.6L engine: SAE 5W-30, only if 5W-20 meeting MS-6395 is unavailable (MS-6395); and 5.7L engine: SAE 5W-20, API certified (MS-6395).
When is the first scheduled maintenance on the 2019 Ram 1500 Classic?
At 10,000 miles or 1 year: completely fill the diesel exhaust fluid tank; drain water from fuel filter assembly. Oil changes in between follow the oil-change indicator.
Where can I find the 2019 Ram 1500 Classic owner's manual?
The manufacturer publishes it free on Mopar.com as a PDF (linked in the manuals section above), along with quick guides, radio manuals and the warranty booklet.
What MPG does the 2019 Ram 1500 Classic get?
The EPA rates the 2019 Ram 1500 Classic at 17–23 MPG combined, depending on the version. 5.7L 8-cylinder, 8-speed automatic, RWD: 15 city / 22 highway / 17 combined; 3.6L 6-cylinder, 8-speed automatic, RWD: 17 city / 25 highway / 20 combined; 3.0L 6-cylinder turbo, 8-speed automatic, RWD: 20 city / 27 highway / 23 combined; 5.7L 8-cylinder, 8-speed automatic, 4WD: 15 city / 21 highway / 17 combined; 3.6L 6-cylinder, 8-speed automatic, 4WD: 16 city / 23 highway / 19 combined. Ratings are the EPA's laboratory figures from fueleconomy.gov; real-world mileage varies with driving, load and weather.
Does the 2019 Ram 1500 Classic have recalls?
NHTSA lists no safety recall campaigns for the 2019 Ram 1500 Classic. NHTSA's data was last fetched November 8, 2026. Recalls are listed by model year, so a given vehicle may or may not be covered: enter its VIN at nhtsa.gov/recalls or ask a dealer to see which are open.
What are the most common safety complaints about the 2019 Ram 1500 Classic?
Owners have filed 1,498 complaints about the 2019 Ram 1500 Classic with NHTSA. The components named most often are electrical system (382), steering (340), and unknown or other (237). 76 complaints involved a crash and 11 complaints a fire. Complaints are reports from owners that NHTSA does not verify, so treat them as a signal to look into, not a finding.
What is the 2019 Ram 1500 Classic's NHTSA crash-test rating?
NHTSA's overall 5-Star Safety Rating for the 2019 Ram 1500 Classic is 4 out of 5 stars (Ram 1500 Classic Regular PU/RC 4WD: 4, Ram 1500 Classic Regular PU/RC 2WD: 4, Ram 1500 Classic Quad PU/EC 2WD: 4, and Ram 1500 Classic Quad PU/EC 4WD: 4). The rating combines frontal, side and rollover tests.
Specifications come from the manufacturer's spec comparison and its media-site specification sheets; maintenance schedules, fluids and publications come from Mopar's owner site and owner's manuals. Equipment and ratings vary by configuration; check the owner's manual or a dealer for a specific vehicle. This model is no longer sold new.