2019 – 2022 Ram 1500 MGU Issues

2019–2022 Dodge Ram 1500 MGU Issues

National Auto Defect Attorneys Ready to Represent You

The auto product liability attorneys at McCune Law Group (MLG) are investigating potential issues related to 2019 – 2022 Ram 1500 vehicles. Owners of these trucks that are equipped with the eTorque engine system have reported a serious and dangerous issue involving the Motor Generator Unit (MGU), also called an alternator. Reported issues with the MGU system have resulted in complete power failure while travelling at high speeds, endangering the lives of all on the road. The issue has also been reported to cause an inability to charge the battery due to the inoperative MGU. Depending on the state of battery charge, the vehicle has 15 – 40 minutes of driving time before a vehicle stall and will be unable to restart.

In many cases, the MGU failure is followed by an extended wait for replacement parts due to a widespread shortage affecting thousands of Ram owners nationwide. This has left many drivers without the use of their vehicles for months, even when repairs are covered under warranty.

If you purchased or leased your 2019–2022 Ram 1500 in California, Texas, Illinois, Michigan, Pennsylvania, New York, or New Jersey and experienced an MGU failure, you may have a case, particularly if:

• Your truck stalled while driving or failed to start due to an MGU issue.
• You took the truck to an authorized dealer and were told no replacement part was available.
• You waited weeks or months without a functioning truck.

In these situations, you could be eligible to pursue legal action for:

• Warranty Violations – If the defect was covered but the manufacturer failed to repair it within a reasonable time.
• Loss of Use – Compensation for the time you were without your truck.
• Consumer Protection Claims – For failure to meet obligations under state or federal law.

If your 2019–2022 Ram 1500 suffered from this issue and you have been left without a working vehicle, we want to hear from you. Contact us today by calling (909) 345-8110 or by completing our secure online form. 

How the MGU Failure Impacts Owners

When the MGU fails, it is more than a simple inconvenience, it can leave the truck undrivable and create dangerous situations for the driver and passengers. Many failures occur without warning and in some cases, the first signs appear only seconds before total shutdown. Common issues reported by owners include:

• Dashboard Alerts – “Battery Saver Mode,” “Auto Start/Stop Service Required,” low voltage warnings, or malfunction indicator lights may appear just before failure.
• Loss of Electrical Systems – As the battery drains, critical safety features like headlights, turn signals, blind spot monitoring, and stability control may stop working.
• Loss of Power Steering and Brakes – The truck may become hard to steer or slow down, especially dangerous at highway speeds.
• Abrupt Stalling – The vehicle can completely shut off in traffic, leaving drivers with little to no time to reach a safe location.
• Failure to Start – In some cases, the truck will not restart at all, leaving owners stranded.

If you purchased or leased your Ram 1500 new or certified pre-owned in California, Texas, Illinois, Michigan, Pennsylvania, New York, or New Jersey, and experienced these problems, you may qualify for legal action, especially if repair parts were unavailable for an extended period. 

Why Owners Face Long Delays in Repairs

Even when the MGU failure is covered under warranty, many owners face months-long delays because replacement MGUs are on national backorder. Reports indicate thousands of parts are in the queue, with “priority” cases still waiting weeks or months. Dealers often provide vague or shifting timelines, leaving owners without reliable transportation.

Common experiences include:

• Multiple promised delivery dates keep getting pushed back.
• Difficulty obtaining a loaner vehicle or rental reimbursement during the wait.
• Continuing truck payments despite not being able to drive the vehicle.

For some, the delay has meant months without their truck, disrupting work, family responsibilities, and daily life. If your MGU failed and your dealership could not obtain the replacement part in a reasonable time, you may be entitled to compensation for loss of use and related damages.

Signs Your 2019 -2022 Ram 1500 MGU May Be Failing

While some MGUs fail without warning, others may give subtle signs before the problem becomes critical. Knowing the early indicators can help you avoid being stranded.

Possible warning signs include:

• Whining, grinding, or metallic noises coming from the engine bay.
• Repeated “Battery Saver Mode” or “Auto Start/Stop Service Required” messages.
• Dimming headlights or flickering dashboard lights.
• Loss of auxiliary functions such as cruise control or lane departure warning.
• Voltage readings dropping below normal levels while driving.

If you notice any of these symptoms and purchased your truck in CA, TX, IL, MI, PA, NY, or NJ, contact our team of attorneys immediately.

How to Start Your Potential 2019 – 2022 Dodge Ram 1500 MGU Issue Case

If your 2019–2022 Ram 1500 has experienced MGU issues, taking timely, informed steps can make a significant difference in protecting your rights and strengthening your potential claim. At MLG, we assist truck owners who have been left without a safe, operable vehicle due to this issue and long part delays. Here is how to begin:

Step 1: Collect Key Information About the Issue – Before contacting our office, gather as many details as possible about your MGU failure. Note the date and mileage when the problem occurred, any dashboard warnings you saw, and whether the truck stalled while driving or failed to start. Keep copies of dealership inspection reports, written confirmation of part unavailability, and all repair orders. If possible, document the problem with photos or videos of warning lights or voltage readings. These details can help strengthen your case and support a potential claim for compensation.

Step 2: Reach Out for a Preliminary Case Review – Call our office or complete our secure online form to request an initial case evaluation. Provide a short summary of what happened, including how the failure occurred, whether you were left without transportation, and any steps you took to repair the truck. Let us know if the dealer told you the MGU part was on national backorder and how long you have been waiting. Sharing this information helps our team quickly identify key legal issues and determine your best course of action.

Step 3: Schedule a Free Legal Evaluation – We offer no-cost evaluations to determine the strength of your claim and outline your legal options. During this meeting, you can discuss the timeline of your MGU failure, explain how the delay in obtaining parts has affected your daily life and finances, and ask questions about your legal rights under warranty and consumer protection laws. Our attorneys will explain how we handle defective vehicle claims and what you can expect throughout the process.

Step 4: Prepare for Your Appointment – Before your evaluation, organize any supporting documents such as repair estimates, dealership communications, rental or loaner car receipts, warranty information, and correspondence with the manufacturer. Be prepared to describe the impact the MGU failure has had on your work, transportation needs, and personal life. We will walk you through the legal process, discuss potential damages, and outline the steps we will take to hold the manufacturer accountable.