2020 Ram 1500 problems owners report most
2020 Ram 1500 problems are documented in public: owners have filed 639 complaints with NHTSA, the earliest in 2019 and the most recent in 2026. Sorting those by the component the filer named puts the electrical system clearly first, at 164 of the 639 complaints, about a quarter of everything filed.
A complaint is not a repair bill and not a defect finding. It is one owner telling the regulator something went wrong. What makes the count useful is the concentration: when one component takes 26 per cent of everything filed on a car, the pattern is doing more than chance.
| Component | Complaints | Share |
|---|---|---|
| ELECTRICAL SYSTEM | 164 | 26% |
| ENGINE | 155 | 24% |
| UNKNOWN OR OTHER | 112 | 18% |
| STEERING | 65 | 10% |
| POWER TRAIN | 63 | 10% |
| VISIBILITY/WIPER | 53 | 8% |
Against the 2019 car, this model year has drawn 57 per cent fewer complaints (639 against 1,487). Both years are led by the electrical system, so this is a fault that carried over rather than one introduced with the 2020 car.
Of those complaints, 24 describe a crash and 6 describe a fire. Filers reported 15 injuries. One complaint reports a death.
Recalls on the 2020 Ram 1500
A recall means the manufacturer or the regulator found a safety defect, and the repair is free at a franchised dealer however old the car is. There are 14 recalls on this model year. Your own car may be covered by some, all or none of them, so check the VIN rather than the model.
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."
The risk. Missing driver side mirror glass reduces visibility and increases the risk of a crash.
The 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.
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.
The risk. In the event of a crash, if the front seat belts fail to lock, there is an increased risk of injury.
The 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.
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."
The risk. The lingering rearview image can distract the driver, increasing the risk of a crash.
The 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.
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.
The risk. Disabled air bags and seat belt pretensioners increase the risk of injury in the event of a crash.
The 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.
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.
The risk. Reduced visibility increases the risk of a crash.
The 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.
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.
The 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.
The 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.
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.
The 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.
The 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.
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.
The risk. A pedal that does not return as expected may affect the vehicle's deceleration, thereby increasing the risk of a crash.
The 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.
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."
The risk. A rearview camera that does not display an image reduces the driver's rear view, increasing the risk of a crash.
The 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.
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.
The risk. An engine stall can increase the risk of a crash.
The 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.
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.
The 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.
The 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.
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."
The risk. Detached mirror glass can reduce driver visibility, increasing the risk of a crash.
The 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.
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."
The risk. A driver's side air bag that does not deploy as intended increases the risk of injury in a crash.
The 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.
Chrysler (FCA US, LLC) is recalling certain 2019-2026 Ram 1500 vehicles. The second-row center and left-side seat belt buckle anchors may have been improperly installed. As such, these vehicles fail to comply with the requirements of Federal Motor Vehicle Safety Standard number 210, "Seat Belt Assembly Anchorages."
The risk. An improperly installed seat belt buckle anchor may fail to properly restrain occupants, increasing the risk of injury during a crash.
The fix. Dealers will inspect and attach the seat belt buckle anchor to the body structure as necessary, free of charge. Owner notification letters are expected to be mailed August 18, 2026. Owners may contact Chrysler customer service at 1-800-853-1403. Chrysler's number for this recall is 67D. Vehicle Identification Numbers (VINs) involved in this recall will be searchable on NHTSA.gov on August 6, 2026.
In owners own words
These are complaints filed about the electrical system, quoted as written. They are one persons account rather than a diagnosis, and they are here because a symptom described by a driver is easier to recognise than a component name.
I purchased a brand new 2020 Ram 1500 with 5.7-liter hemi ETORQUE engine in 2020. The vehicle had been making a squealing noise since before 40k miles. Dealership was unable to identify issue on numerous occasions. On 4/8/2024, with vehicle mileage at 74k miles, the noise worsened to a point where the vehicle was not drivable. They identified the "Alternator" (MGU) to the etorque needed to be replaced. The part was on back order and did not arrive until 6/24/2025. At which the dealership replaced the part and expedited the return of the vehicle without proper assurance that the replaced part,
MGU Failed, 48v code P0DAF had early signs of premature failure. when on the highway, vehicle shut off completely, no power what so ever. Couldn't steer correctly and vehicle was going highway speeds (approximately 70mph) dealer has confirmed the issue being there MGU gone bad, but I have records of water intrusion multiple times on the rear seats, headliner & back glass (XL1) and water intrusion can cause BPCM to go bad along with the MGU to go bad. they first appeared on or around December 2025, most likely way before that but just never noticed it. check engine light came on and showed a c
On Thursday 16NOV2024 I noticed the rear sliding window on my 20' Ram had shattered on the drivers side section. The sticker on the back was damaged and appeared burnt. The weather that morning had been 35 degrees and partly cloudy. When I remote started the vehicle at 0700HRS, the rear defrost came on automatically. I drove about 10-15 minutes to work and parked. I returned to my vehicle approximately 10 minutes later and noticed a burning odor but thought it was due to a woodstove used nearby. Later in the day coworkers noticed the sticker was burned. I thought it may be intentional o
This incident happened to me yesterday afternoon around 3pm in Syracuse. The rear heated/slider window exploded when driving causing glass to shatter outward from the cabin. I pressed the breaks when I heard the explosion and was fortunate no one was in front because there was ice on the road. Shattered glass was propelled outward but no vehicles were behind me, i was doing 50 on a 55, weather conditions were not great: 20 degrees and snowing pretty bad. I called the a dealership in Syracuse and they said they don't provide warranty to glass and to call the insurance. The insurance referre
Installed trailer brake assist. When we shut the truck off, the brake lights came on and stayed on. Assured by B&B trailer of St Augustine, Fl that it was an issue with the truck and not the part. Other issues have come up- dash lights also come on when turned off, backup camera, remote start, rear defrost, cig lighter plug, rear speakers, and A/C stopped working. Took it to Daytona Dodge on 1/29/25 where they diagnosed the ABS module had failed. They did a system reset and everything was ok until we had to disconnect the battery again- had to install a switch on the battery so lights staying
So I am driving on the freeway 70mph and I get a message on my dash that says service shifter then every single light on the dash came on and started to make a beeping noise. I pulled over on the side of the freeway and then all the lights dissappear except check engine. I continued to drive to next exit and this time all lights came on again and truck appeared to be shutting off and turning back on while driving, steering wheel got hard to move all while all lights turning on, on dash. I have taken to shop 3 times first time they told me it was battery so I purchased battery and diagnostic fe
Every component, by complaint count
The full breakdown of what owners named when they filed. Components below the top ten are grouped out of this table.
| Component | Complaints | Share of all complaints |
|---|---|---|
| ELECTRICAL SYSTEM | 164 | 26% |
| ENGINE | 155 | 24% |
| UNKNOWN OR OTHER | 112 | 18% |
| STEERING | 65 | 10% |
| POWER TRAIN | 63 | 10% |
| VISIBILITY/WIPER | 53 | 8% |
| FUEL/PROPULSION SYSTEM | 46 | 7% |
| STRUCTURE | 44 | 7% |
| SERVICE BRAKES | 42 | 7% |
| FUEL SYSTEM | 30 | 5% |
What parts cost for the 2020 Ram 1500
Prices read from one AutoZone store for this exact year, make and model, covering 8 kinds of part and 143 products. AutoZone year, make and model catalog prices. Engine, trim, transmission and VIN fitment are not confirmed. They are what the shelf said on the day, not a quote.
Owners report the electrical system more than anything else on this car, which sends them shopping for one of these:
- Battery $179.99 to $398.99
Parts only. Labour, tax and anything else the job turns up are on top.
| Part | Listed | Range | Typical |
|---|---|---|---|
| Battery | 9 | $179.99 to $398.99 | $259.99 |
| Brake rotors | 21 | $86.49 to $799.99 | $131.99 |
| Brake pads | 24 | $41.99 to $195.99 | $85.99 |
| Engine air filter | 9 | $20.99 to $103.99 | $36.99 |
| Cabin air filter partial | 6 | $19.99 to $47.99 | $23.99 |
| Wiper blades | 24 | $10.59 to $42.99 | $17.49 |
| Oil filter | 22 | $5.99 to $62.99 | $16.99 |
| Spark plugs | 28 | $4.39 to $27.99 | $12.99 |
The cheapest way to keep it serviced
Taking the lowest listed price in each routine maintenance category, the filters, plugs and wipers for this car come to $61.95 in parts. That is parts alone, before labour, tax and the oil itself, and it assumes the cheapest option fits your engine.
Battery. 9 products listed, from the Duralast Platinum Group Size 94R / H7 Enhanced Battery (EFB) Battery H7-EFB at $179.99 up to the Odyssey Performance Group Size 49 Absorbed Glass Mat (AGM) Battery ODP-AGM49H8L5 at $398.99. A refundable core deposit of $22.00 is charged on top and returned with the old part. AutoZone's own labels account for 6 of them, starting at $179.99.
Brake rotors. 21 products listed, from the PowerStop Disc Brake Rotor AR86005 at $86.49 up to the Baer Systems Disc Brake Rotor Set 2142011 at $799.99. AutoZone's own labels account for 6 of them, starting at $124.99.
Brake pads. 24 products listed, from the PowerStop Z16 Evolution Ceramic Performance Brake Pads 16-2169 at $41.99 up to the EBC Yellowstuff High Friction Organic Performance Brake Pads DP43095R at $195.99. AutoZone's own labels account for 6 of them, starting at $54.99.
Fitment is by year, make and model only. Engine, trim and transmission were not selected, so confirm the part number against your own car before buying. Prices change and vary by store.
How other model years compare
The same nameplate across the years we hold. Complaint counts fall naturally for newer cars because fewer of them have been on the road for long, so read the column as a rough signal rather than a ranking. In this set the 2016 Ram 1500 has drawn the most complaints and the 2020 Ram 1500 the fewest.
What to check on the electrical system
Electrical reports cover a wide spread: screens that reboot, cameras that go black, charging that stops, and warning lights that arrive in groups. The common thread is that the fault comes and goes, which makes it hard to show a mechanic on demand.
Buying a used 2020 1500
Sit in the car with the engine running and work through every switch, screen and camera before you talk about price. An intermittent fault that appears once during a ten minute check is likely to appear often once you own it.
If you already own one
Have the battery and charging system tested before replacing any module. A weak battery produces electrical faults that look like a dozen separate failures, and the test is free at most parts retailers.
- Test every screen, camera and switch before agreeing a price.
- Have the battery and alternator tested before replacing a module.
- Ask for stored fault codes, including the ones already cleared.
- Check whether the fault is covered by a software update.
Where the 2020 Ram 1500 problem data comes from
Every figure on this page is counted from complaints and recalls published by the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration, read October 12, 2026. Complaints are filed by owners and are not verified by the agency before publication. We count each complaint once per component it names, so a complaint naming two components appears in both rows.
- NHTSA recalls and complaintsRead October 12, 2026
- NHTSA record for the 2020 Ram 1500Read October 12, 2026
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