2020 Ram 1500: What to check before buying
Owners have filed 559 complaints with NHTSA about this car, most about the electrical, engine, and transmission. The 9 checks below target those problems, in the order you would do them at the car.
2020- Owner complaints
- 559
- Recalls
- 13
- Crashes reported
- 22
- 14 injuries
Your inspection sheet
Tick items off on your phone at the car, or print it. Ticks stay on this device.
0/9 checked
2020 Ram 1500: inspection sheet
Paperwork and questions
Before you go, or before you touch the car0/3
Walk-around and cabin
Engine off, key in hand0/2
Cold start, engine bay, and underside
Ask the seller not to warm the car up first0/2
Test drive
At least 20 minutes, with some highway0/2
These checks are specific to this model year. For tires, body panels, fluids, and the other basics every used car needs, use the general inspection guide.
Which 1500 is it?
EPA figures for each version of the 2020 Ram 1500. Use them to confirm you are looking at the version that was advertised, and as a yardstick on the test drive.
| Version | Drive | EPA rating |
|---|---|---|
| 3.6L 6-cylGas | 4WD, RWD | 19–20 mpg |
| 5.7L 8-cylGas | 4WD, RWD | 17 mpg |
| 3.0L 6-cylDiesel | 4WD, RWD | 24–26 mpg |
| 3.6L 6-cylHybrid | 4WD, RWD | 21–23 mpg |
| 5.7L 8-cylHybrid | 4WD, RWD | 19 mpg |
- The 2020 Ram 1500 was sold in five versions. Confirm which one this is from the window sticker, the engine cover, or the VIN report before you compare prices.
- On the hybrid, watch for the car moving off on electric power at low speed and for any hybrid system warning on the dash.
- Reset the trip computer at the start of the drive. A 1500 that averages well under the EPA 17 mpg combined on a mixed route may have an engine or tire problem.
Check the odometer against these mileages
Owners report these failures starting around the mileages below. A car inside one of these ranges deserves a closer look at that part, or records showing it was already fixed.
Sun visor breaking
32,000–49,500 miles
Exhaust manifold leaks
34,000–51,000 miles
Power steering failure
34,000–36,000 miles
eTorque generator (MGU) failure
39,000–88,800 miles
Why these checks: what owners reported
NHTSA complaints for the 2020 Ram 1500, grouped by the part owners named. Open a row to read what goes wrong.
Electrical109No crashes
The truck shuts itself off while driving or at low speed, often with a flood of error messages. Some reports describe the transmission dropping into park and the parking brake engaging in traffic, with power steering lost. A second pattern involves the eTorque motor generator unit. It squeals, clicks, or grinds for months before failing, and replacement parts are often on backorder. Three complaints involve fire, including one that started near a headlight in a parked truck. Backup camera and driver-aid failures also come up repeatedly.
Engine551 crash
Cracked exhaust manifolds and broken or rusted manifold bolts are the most common complaint on the 5.7 HEMI. Owners hear a loud tick at startup that fades as the engine warms, and some smell exhaust in the cab while idling. Reports cluster between 34,000 and 51,000 miles, and parts are sometimes backordered. Other complaints describe stalls at highway speed with no stored codes, throttle lag, and sudden power loss when towing. Isolated reports cover blown engines, head gasket failure, and one dashboard fire while driving.
Transmission551 crash
Transmission faults include slipping, dropping into neutral at speed, and hard shifts into third gear that stick until restart. One truck needed a new transmission at 61,349 miles. eTorque generator failures cut electrical power and leave the truck without power steering or brakes, and the part sits on national backorder or engineering hold. EcoDiesel owners report the throttle pedal not responding for several seconds and then lunging. Some trucks vibrate under load at 1800 to 2000 rpm. One crash report describes a parked, idling truck rolling forward and killing a person.
Steering502 crashes
Power assist cuts out without warning, often at highway speed, for a few seconds at a time, with a power steering unavailable message. Some trucks have the wheel lock or jerk to one side. Dealers diagnose failed steering racks, and battery or switch repairs often fail to hold. Rack failures show up around 34,000 to 36,000 miles, just past the basic warranty, and one owner was quoted over $2,000. Two crashes and four injuries are reported, including a crash where steering and brakes both failed.
Wipers and visibility36No crashes
Sun visors break at the plastic hinge or mounting clip and drop into the driver's line of sight while driving. Several owners nearly crashed, and one was hit in the face. Failures cluster between 32,000 and 49,500 miles, often just past warranty, and replacement visors break the same way. Other complaints cover a backup camera that goes black and keeps coming back after dealer fixes, a stripped wiper arm spindle, and washer fluid draining onto the ground instead of the windshield.
Body and structure301 crash
The frame around the rear cab window cracks and lets water in, staining the headliner and leaving mold under the carpet. Replacement windows sometimes crack again. In freezing weather, rear doors fail to open or latch, and one opened while driving. Tailgates jam shut or open by themselves while driving, including after the latch recall was performed. Sun visor failures also appear here. One crash report describes the brakes releasing in a drive-thru line, letting the truck roll into the car ahead.
Fuel system271 crash
The truck will not take fuel at the pump. The nozzle clicks off repeatedly, and gasoline sprays back out of the filler neck onto the truck and the person fueling. Dealers replace tanks, filler necks, and vapor canisters, and the problem often comes back. One dealer described the old tank design as a known issue. On the EcoDiesel, the high-pressure fuel pump fails and stalls the engine, sometimes even after the recall replacement. One crash report describes the throttle going wide open when the brake was pressed.
Brakes174 crashes
The brake pedal sinks to the floor with no stopping power, and four reports end in crashes, several on trucks with under 500 miles. ABS module failures set off every dash warning, cut power steering and the engine, and leave the truck waiting on backordered parts. False activation of rear braking assist or automatic emergency braking also stops the truck unexpectedly. Brakes that howl or moan after sitting overnight are a common nuisance complaint, and one owner cites a service bulletin for it.
In owners' own words
Excerpts from complaints 1500 owners filed with NHTSA, as written. Listen for the same symptoms on your test drive.
The dash lights flicker on and off cluctser goes out speed o doesn't work and if u come to a complete stop or go under 5 miles an hour the truck will put itself in part and shut completely done no matter where u r at highway city in rush hour traffic it almost had my wife hit and could of gotten killed
Filed with NHTSA, April 2023
Camera system unavailable error on a blue back over camera screen. Started at about 40000 miles. Intermittent at first but now is consistently inoperable.
Filed with NHTSA, May 2024
This engine has failed by the head gaskets, literally all 4, cracking/breaking. This caused coolant to leak into the engine, mix with the oil, depleating the coolant, thereby causing the truck to overheat and break down. With repairs this continues to happen. 3 times to be exact! This cannot be normal for this engine especially when this happened with less than 90K miles on the engine.
Filed with NHTSA, January 2026
Exhaust Manifolds have cracked twice on the right and once on the left side in the first 45K miles of the vehicles life. Both times replaced under warranty, there appears to be a design defect here that should be resolved. Leaking exhaust manifold in California will violate CARB emission standards.
Filed with NHTSA, July 2023
I had just started my vehicle and drove about 3 blocks and was running 40 miles per hour when the truck sounded like it was revving up and it went into neutral and slowed down. I was able to pull to the side of the road and put the truck into park. I put it back into drive and drove back home. It was scary because I had small children with me and it happened at an intersection.
Filed with NHTSA, January 2026
Has just over 80,000 miles and the Ram dealer is telling me it need a new transmission. Code P0733000 3rd gear ratio issue. Will be driving it will hard shift into 3rd gear and then get stuck in 3rd until I stop and turn the truck on and off. When I do that it works fine. Check engine light comes on for a couple starts then goes off.
Filed with NHTSA, August 2024
Just driving on the highway doing about 45 miles per hour and the message "power steering unavailable - service required" came on several times for about 2-5 seconds at least 3 times during the short drive. The power steering was definitely inoperative during the times the message was displayed.
Filed with NHTSA, September 2024
while driving from one town to another and back of approximately 160 miles roundtrip the electric steering became inoperable for approximately 3-8 seconds about every 5 miles.
Filed with NHTSA, October 2024
How the 2020 compares with other 1500 years
Complaints for this year next to the average for the other model years, area by area.
The 2020 ranks fourth for owner complaints among 9 1500 years, close to the average of the others. Newer years have had less time to collect complaints, so compare like with like.
- Electrical10995
- Engine5548
- Transmission5555
- Steering5060
- Wipers and visibility365
- Body and structure3012
Recalls to confirm (13)
Recall repairs are free at any Ram dealer, but the seller may never have had them done. Check each campaign number against the VIN.
25V298000AirbagsMay 2025
Chrysler (FCA US, LLC) is recalling certain 2019-2024 Ram 1500 vehicles. The driver's side air bag may not be connected properly, which can cause the air bag not to deploy as intended. As such, these vehicles fail to comply with the requirements of Federal Motor Vehicle Safety Standard number 208, "Occupant Crash Protection.".
Risk: A driver's side air bag that does not deploy as intended increases the risk of injury in a crash.
Fix: Dealers secured the connectors for the air bag, free of charge. All vehicles have been remedied. Owner notification letters were mailed May 27, 2025. Owners may contact Chrysler customer service at 800-853-1403. Chrysler's number for this recall is 08C.
24V754000Wipers and visibilityOct 2024
Chrysler (FCA US, LLC) is recalling certain 2020-2023 Ram 1500 Classic vehicles equipped with heated trailer tow rearview mirrors. The mirror glass may detach from the driver's side heated trailer tow rearview mirror. As such these vehicles fail to comply with the requirements of Federal Motor Vehicle Safety Standard number 111, "Rear Visibility.".
Risk: Detached mirror glass can reduce driver visibility, increasing the risk of a crash.
Fix: Dealers will replace the mirror glass, free of charge. Owner notification letters were mailed December 5, 2024. Owners may contact FCA Customer Service at 1-800-853-1403. FCA's number for this recall is 86B.
22V904000Body and structureDec 2022
Chrysler (FCA US, LLC) is recalling certain 2019-2022 Ram 1500, 2500, and 3500 pickup trucks. The tailgate may not latch properly due to misaligned tailgate strikers, which could result in the tailgate opening while driving.
Risk: An unintended tailgate opening while driving may result in a loss of unsecured cargo, possibly creating a road hazard and increasing the risk of a crash.
Fix: Dealers will inspect the tailgate striker alignment to the box latch and adjust, if necessary, free of charge. Owner notification letters were mailed December 22, 2022. Owners may contact FCA US, LLC customer service at 1-800-853-1403. FCA US, LLC's number for this recall is ZB8.
22V767000Fuel systemOct 2022
Chrysler (FCA US, LLC) is recalling certain 2020-2022 Jeep Wrangler, Ram 1500, and 2021-2022 Jeep Gladiator vehicles equipped with 3.0L diesel engines. The high pressure fuel pump (HPFP) may fail, causing an engine stall.
Risk: An engine stall can increase the risk of a crash.
Fix: Dealers will replace the HPFP and inspect and replace additional fuel system components, as necessary, free of charge. Owner notification letters were mailed October 17, 2023. Owners may contact Chrysler customer service at 1-800-853-1403. Chrysler's number for this recall is Z96.
22V638000Backup cameraAug 2022
Chrysler (FCA US, LLC) is recalling certain 2020-2021 Jeep Wrangler, RAM 1500 and 2021 Jeep Gladiator vehicles. A radio software error may prevent the rearview image from displaying. As such, these vehicles fail to comply with the requirements of Federal Motor Vehicle Safety Standard number 111, "Rear Visibility.".
Risk: A rearview camera that does not display an image reduces the driver's rear view, increasing the risk of a crash.
Fix: Dealers will update the radio software, free of charge. Owner notification letters were mailed October 6, 2022. Owners may contact FCA US, LLC customer service at 1-800-853-1403. FCA, LLC's number for this recall is Z86.
21V632000AirbagsAug 2021
Chrysler (FCA US, LLC) is recalling certain 2015-2020 Ram 1500 Classic, 2015-2016 Ram 3500, and Ram 2500 vehicles, and 2016 Ram 3500 Cab Chassis with a gross vehicle weight rating less than 10,000 lbs. The side air bag inflatable curtain (SABIC) inflator end cap may detach from the inflator, or the inflator sidewall may rupture.
Risk: A separated inflator end cap or inflator rupture can allow compressed gas to escape, resulting in the end cap or other components being propelled into the vehicle, increasing the risk of injury or crash.
Fix: Dealers will inspect and replace as necessary, the SABIC assemblies, free of charge. Interim owner notification letters were mailed on October 4, 2021. Owner notification letters were mailed on May 26, 2022. Owners may contact FCA US, LLC customer service at 1-800-853-1403. FCA US, LLC's number for this recall is Y55.
20V622000Wipers and visibilityOct 2020
Chrysler (FCA US LLC) is recalling certain 2020 Ram 2500 and 1500 vehicles. The driver side mirror glass can detach from the backing plate and no longer provide a reflective surface. As such, these vehicles fail to comply with the requirements of Federal Motor Vehicle Safety Standard (FMVSS) number 111, "Rear Visibility.".
Risk: Missing driver side mirror glass reduces visibility and increases the risk of a crash.
Fix: Chrysler will notify owners, and dealers will replace the driver side mirror glass, free of charge. The recall began November 5, 2020. Owners may contact FCA US customer service at 1-800-853-1403. Chrysler's number for this recall is W70.
20V580000Seat beltsSep 2020
Chrysler (FCA US LLC) is recalling certain 2019 Jeep Wrangler and Ram 2500, 2019-2020 Ram 1500 and 2020 Jeep Gladiator vehicles. In the event of a crash, a front seat belt retractor may not properly slow the occupant's forward movement after locking.
Risk: In the event of a crash, if the front seat belts fail to lock, there is an increased risk of injury.
Fix: Chrysler will notify owners, and dealers will replace the front seat belt retractors, free of charge. The recall began November 12, 2020. Owners may contact Chrysler customer service at 1-800-853-1403. Chrysler's number for this recall is W67.
20V191000Backup cameraSep 2020
Chrysler (FCA US LLC) is recalling certain 2020 Jeep Gladiator and Jeep Cherokee, 2019-2020 Ram 1500 Pickup, Ram 2500 Pickup, Ram 3500 Pickup, Chrysler Pacifica, Dodge Durango, Jeep Grand Cherokee, Jeep Wrangler, and Jeep Renegade and 2019 Dodge Challenger vehicles equipped with 8.4" or 12" radio displays. A software error can cause the rearview camera image to remain displayed after the vehicle has been shifted out of reverse. As such, these vehicles fail to comply with the requirements of Federal Motor Vehicle Safety Standard (FMVSS) number 111, "Rearview Mirrors.".
Risk: The lingering rearview image can distract the driver, increasing the risk of a crash.
Fix: Chrysler has notified owners, and dealers will update the radio display software, free of charge. Optionally, owners can choose to remotely update their software via an Over-The-Air (OTA) update available as of May 1, 2020. The recall began April 27, 2020. Owners may contact Chrysler customer service at 1-800-853-1403. Chrysler's number for this recall is W30-W37.
20V513000Acceleration and cruise controlAug 2020
Chrysler (FCA US LLC) is recalling certain 2019-2020 Ram 1500 vehicles equipped with adjustable pedals. In certain accelerator pedal positions, the floormats may prevent the pedal from returning to the normal resting (idle) position.
Risk: A pedal that does not return as expected may affect the vehicle's deceleration, thereby increasing the risk of a crash.
Fix: Chrysler will notify owners, and dealers will modify the driver's floormat to remove the potential for pedal interference, free of charge. The recall began September 10, 2020. Owners may contact FCA US LLC customer service at 1-800-853-1403. Chrysler's number for this recall is W63.
20V374000AirbagsJun 2020
Chrysler (FCA US LLC) is recalling certain 2020 Ram Promaster vans and 1500 pickups. The affected vehicles may have an improperly crimped diffuser in the side curtain airbag which may result in the diffuser detaching from the inflator in the event of an air bag deployment.
Risk: In the event of a crash, if the diffuser detaches from the inflator during air bag deployment, the air bag may not inflate properly, increasing the risk of injury.
Fix: FCA US will notify owners, and dealers will replace the side curtain air bag assemblies, free of charge. The recall began July 16, 2020. Owners may contact FCA US customer service at 1-800-853-1403. FCA US's number for this recall is W52.
20V208000Wipers and visibilityApr 2020
Chrysler (FCA US LLC) is recalling certain 2019-2020 Ram 1500, 1500 Classic and Jeep Compass vehicles. The windshield wiper arm or arms may loosen, possibly causing the wipers to not operate properly and reduce the driver's visibility in certain weather conditions.
Risk: Reduced visibility increases the risk of a crash.
Fix: Chrysler will notify owners, and dealers will tighten the wiper nuts, free of charge. The recall began April 27, 2020. Owners may contact Chrysler customer service at 1-800-853-1403. Chrysler's number for this recall is W25.
19V407000AirbagsMay 2019
Chrysler (FCA US LLC) is recalling certain 2019-2020 Ram 1500 vehicles. The flash memory of the Occupant Restraint Controller (ORC) may become corrupted, disabling the vehicle's air bags and seat belt pretensioners.
Risk: Disabled air bags and seat belt pretensioners increase the risk of injury in the event of a crash.
Fix: Chrysler will notify owners, and dealers will reprogram the ORC or replace it as necessary, free of charge. The recall began June 20, 2019. Owners may contact Chrysler customer service at 1-800-853-1403. Chrysler's numbers for this recall are V61 and V71.
Also looking at these instead of a 1500?
Cars shoppers compare with the Ram 1500, with their own 2020 checklists.
2020 owner complaints, side by side
- Toyota Tundra42
- GMC Sierra 1500368
- Ford F-150517
- 2020 Ram 1500559
- Chevrolet Silverado693
