Most common 2020 Ram 3500 problems
Share of the 116 complaints; one complaint can involve more than one system. "~" is the median mileage when the problem started.
Ram 3500 complaints by model year
Best 3500 years: 2023, 2021, 2013. Years to avoid: 2018, 2017, 2022, 2025, 2014. Compare all years →
2020 Ram 3500 recalls (11)
Structure › Body › Tailgate › Hinge and attachments
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.
Remedy: 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.
Power train › Automatic transmission
FCA US, LLC (Chrysler) is recalling certain 2020-2023 Ram 2500 and 2020-2022 Ram 3500 vehicles. A build-up of pressure and heat inside the transmission may result in a transmission fluid leak from the dipstick tube.
Remedy: Dealers will replace the transmission dipstick and transmission vent assembly, free of charge. Owner notification letters were mailed December 29, 2022. Owners may contact FCA US, LLC customer service at 1-800-853-1403.
Electronic stability control (ESC)
Chrysler (FCA US, LLC) is recalling certain 2019-2022 Ram 2500 and 2021-2022 Dodge Durango vehicles, and 2019-2022 3500 cab chassis with GVWR less than 10,000 lbs. The ABS control module software may prevent the electronic stability control (ESC) malfunction indicator light from illuminating during certain conditions.
Remedy: Dealers will update the ABS control module software, free of charge. Owner notification letters were mailed March 29, 2022. Owners may contact FCA US, LLC customer service at 1-800-853-1403.
Visibility › Windshield wiper/washer › Linkages
Chrysler (FCA US, LLC) is recalling certain 2019-2020 Ram 2500 and Ram 3500 vehicles, Ram 3500 Cab Chassis, 4500 Cab Chassis, 5500 Cab Chassis and 3500 Cab Chassis with a gross vehicle weight rating (GVWR) of less than 10,000 lbs.
Remedy: Dealers will tighten the wiper nuts, free of charge. Owner notification letters were mailed February 15, 2022. This recall is an expansion of recall number 20V-208.
Fuel system, diesel › Delivery › Fuel pump
Chrysler (FCA US, LLC) is recalling certain 2019-2020 Ram 2500, 3500 pickup trucks, and Ram 3500, 4500, and 5500 cab chassis vehicles equipped with Cummins 6.7L Turbo Diesel engines. The High Pressure Fuel Pump (HPFP) may fail, resulting in a sudden engine stall without warning.
Remedy: Dealers will replace the HPFP, update the Powertrain Control Module (PCM) software, and inspect and replace additional fuel system components as necessary, free of charge.
Engine and engine cooling › Engine › Oil/lubrication
Chrysler (FCA US, LLC) is recalling certain 2019-2020 Ram 3500, 4500, and 5500 cab chassis vehicles equipped with a Cummins 6.7L High Output engine. The engine calibration software may not warn about low oil volume.
Remedy: Dealers will update the engine calibration software, free of charge. Owner notification letters were mailed June 25, 2021. Owners may contact FCA US LLC customer service at 1-800-853-1403.
Show 5 more recalls
Wheels › Lugs/nuts/bolts/studs
Chrysler (FCA US, LLC) is recalling certain 2012-2021 RAM 3500, 3500 Cab Chassis, 4500 Cab Chassis, and 5500 Cab Chassis vehicles. Incorrect information in the Service and Owner's Manuals may cause the flanged lug nuts to be over-tightened, which could result in a broken wheel stud and possible wheel separation.
Remedy: Dealers will update the torque specification in the owner's manual and other published service documents. Dealers will also inspect the vehicle's wheel studs, replacing them if necessary, free of charge.
Back over prevention › Sensing system › Camera
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.
Remedy: 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,…
Engine and engine cooling › Engine › Oil/lubrication
Chrysler (FCA US LLC) is recalling certain 2019-2020 Ram 3500, 4500 and 5500 cab chassis built with a Cummins 6.7L High Output engine. Inadequate warmup protection can cause a lack of oil film on the engine connecting rod bearings while the engine is reaching operating temperature.
Remedy: Chrysler will notify owners, and dealers will flash the engine calibration software to enhance the engine warm up protection, free of charge. The recall began September 10, 2020.
Structure
Chrysler (FCA US LLC) is recalling certain 2019-2020 Ram 2500 and Ram 3500 Pick-up trucks equipped with an accessory bed step. In certain side loading conditions, the bed step may unexpectedly fail while in use.
Remedy: Chrysler will notify owners, and dealers will replace the bed step support brace, free of charge. The recall began on July 9, 2020 (RAM 2500) and began on October 6, 2020 (Ram 3500).
Power train › Automatic transmission
Chrysler (FCA US LLC) is recalling certain 2019-2020 Ram 2500 and 3500 Pickup vehicles equipped with six-speed automatic (68RFE) transmissions. A build up of pressure and heat inside the transmission may result in a transmission fluid leak from the dipstick tube.
Remedy: Chrysler will notify owners, and dealers will replace the transmission valve body separator plate and reprogram the powertrain control module. The recall began March 2, 2020.
NHTSA defect investigations
Federal safety investigators have looked into 2 possible defects involving the 2020 Ram 3500:
High pressure fuel pump failure
The Office of Defects Investigation (ODI) opened PE21-021 on October 14, 2021 to investigate allegations of stall/loss of motive power as a result of high pressure fuel pump failures in certain model year (MY) 2019-2020 RAM 2500, 3500, 4500, and 5500 heavy duty trucks equipped with 6.7L Cummins turbodiesel engines.On November 12, 2021, FCA filed vehicle recall 21V-880 and equipment recall 21E-094 on the subject…
High pressure fuel pump failure
The Office of Defects Investigation (ODI) opened PE21-021 on October 14, 2021, to investigate incidents alleging a stall/loss of motive power as a result of high-pressure fuel pump failures in certain model year (MY) 2019-2020 Ram 2500, 3500, 4500, and 5500 heavy duty trucks equipped with 6.7L Cummins turbodiesel engines.
What 2020 Ram 3500 owners say
Fuel & propulsion system all 57 →
The contact owns a 2020 Ram 3500. The contact stated while hauling his fifth-wheel travel trailer driving up a hill the vehicle lost all power. The contact stated he had to maneuver over several lanes of traffic to move off the road safely. The police department was contacted and had the vehicle towed. The tow truck driver had to unhitch the trailer from the contact's vehicle to tow the truck to a dealer. The vehicle was towed to the dealer and diagnosed with a fuel sensor failure. The fuel sensor was replaced. The vehicle failed to start and was diagnosed with a fuel injection pump failure which had imploded sending metal fragments throughout the whole fuel system and into the fuel tank. The entire fuel system including the fuel tank and all fuel parts needed to be replaced. …
The contact owned a 2020 Ram 3500. The contact stated that the vehicle would surge whenever he depressed the accelerator pedal while driving. There were no warning lights illuminated. The contact then received notification of NHTSA Campaign Number: 21V880000 (Fuel System, Diesel). The contact notified several unknown dealers of the failure. The dealers informed the contact that though the failure was associated to the recall, they could not assist as the manufacturer had not authorized them to repair the vehicle. The contact then inquired assistance with obtaining the parts for repair and the dealer informed the contact that the manufacturer did not authorize them to sell the parts for repair. The manufacturer was notified of the failure and informed the contact that they would not assist as the vehicle was safe to drive. The vehicle was not diagnosed or repaired. …
Engine & cooling all 30 →
The contact owns a 2020 RAM 3500. The contact stated that while driving at 15 MPH, the oil warning light was illuminated, and the vehicle made abnormal sounds. Additionally, there was smoke coming from under the hood of the vehicle. The contact pulled over and refilled the oil reservoir; however, the failure recurred with oil leaking from the vehicle. The vehicle was towed to the dealer and diagnosed with engine damage and connecting rod failure, which punctured the engine block. The engine needed to be replaced. The vehicle was not repaired and remained at the dealer. The manufacturer was not made aware of the failure. Upon investigation, the contact related the failure to NHTSA Campaign Number: 20V511000 (Engine and Engine Cooling, Electrical System) however, the VIN was not included in the recall. The failure mileage was approximately 213,000. …
The contact owns a 2020 RAM 3500. The contact stated while her husband was making a right turn, the vehicle began to stall. The contact stated do not turn off the vehicle until arriving at destination warning message was illuminated. The driver was able to continue driving under 15 MPH until arriving at a local dealer. The local dealer was unable to duplicate or diagnose the cause of the failure. The contact was informed that a specialist was needed to diagnose the vehicle. The contact stated that the dealer called back 2 days later and stated that some unknown cables needed to be replaced. The vehicle was repaired but continued to experience the same failure. The contact stated that the failure had been experienced a third time. The VIN was associated with NHTSA Campaign Number: 21V880000 (Fuel System, Diesel) and 21V398000 (Wheels). …
Wheels & tires
The contact owns a 2020 Ram 3500 equipped with Atturo Tires, Tire Line: Trail Blade A/T, Tire Size: 235/80/R17, DOT Number: KA0HD80R4223. The contact stated while driving approximately 50 MPH, the front passenger's side tire experienced a blowout. The contact pulled over to the side of the road. Upon inspecting the tire, the contact noticed that the tread had separated, causing the tire to blowout. The contact replaced the tire with the spare tire. Additionally, the contact stated while driving at an undisclosed speed, the front end of the vehicle was shuddering. The vehicle was taken to the tire shop, where it was determined that the front driver's side tire tread had separated. The front driver's side tire was replaced under warranty. The tires were replacement tires. The tire manufacturer was not notified of the failure. The tire failure mileage was approximately 4,000. …
The contact owns a 2020 Ram 3500. The contact stated that while driving at an undisclosed speed, the front wheels became inoperable. The contact stated that the vehicle was pulling to one side. The vehicle was taken to the dealer to be diagnosed and the contact was informed that the front wheel studs had failed and needed to be replaced. The vehicle was not repaired. The manufacturer was not made aware of the failure. The approximate failure mileage was 36,000.
Frequently asked questions
Is the 2020 Ram 3500 a good car?
Based on 116 owner complaints filed with NHTSA, the 2020 3500 rates average: about as many complaints as a typical year of the 3500 at the same age. Complaint counts don't account for sales volume or individual maintenance, so have any used car inspected before buying.
What is the most common problem with the 2020 Ram 3500?
The fuel & propulsion system — 57 complaints, 49% of all complaints for this model year, most often about delivery › fuel pump. Next are the engine & cooling (30) and wheels & tires (12).
How many recalls does the 2020 Ram 3500 have?
There are 11 recalls for the 2020 Ram 3500, the most recent from December 8, 2022 (hinge and attachments). Recall repairs are free at any authorized dealer — check whether yours has been done with the VIN recall check.
What are the best and worst years of the Ram 3500?
The best years by complaints, compared at the same age, are 2023, 2021 and 2013. Years to avoid or approach with caution: 2018, 2017, 2022, 2025 and 2014. See the full Ram 3500 years comparison.
At what mileage do 2020 Ram 3500 problems happen?
The median mileage reported in complaints is about 27,000 miles; 73% of problems with a recorded mileage started before 50,000 miles.
Source: U.S. National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA) — owner complaints through October 20, 2026, recalls and defect investigations; fuel economy from the EPA. Complaints are unverified reports and are not proof of a defect. How we rate model years.