2020 Ram 3500 Engine Problems

Which parts fail

• Exhaust system › Emission control › Gas recirculation valve (EGR valve)
  1

Components named in complaints (engine, cooling system, oil leaks, timing chain, exhaust).

Mileage when the problem started

• Under 25k
  533%
• 25k–50k
  427%
• 50k–75k
  00%
• 75k–100k
  17%
• 100k–150k
  320%
• 150k+
  213%

Owner reports

Selected complaints filed with NHTSA by 2020 Ram 3500 owners, lightly cleaned up (personal details are redacted by NHTSA).

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). …

The contact owns a 2020 Ram 3500. The contact stated while driving 5 MPH, the oil pressure warning light illuminated. The contact then drove back to his residence. Upon opening the hood to check the oil pressure, the contact noticed that the oil consistency was like jelly. The vehicle was towed to the dealer where it was diagnosed that lack of engine oil, caused engine to cease and the engine needed to be replaced. The vehicle was not repaired. The manufacturer was notified of the failure and a case was opened. The manufacturer then followed up with the dealer who provided an estimate for the repair. The manufacturer informed the contact that the engine replacement would not be covered under the warranty however, a vehicle buy back would be considered. The failure mileage was approximately 140,867.

The contact owns a 2020 Ram 3500. The contact stated that while driving at 65 MPH, the vehicle suddenly experienced reduced speed and hesitation, and there was a rattling noise coming from the engine as the RPMs increased above 1,500. The vehicle was driven slowly to a local dealer, where the contact was informed that the high-pressure fuel pump (HPFP) had likely failed. The exact cause of the failure had not yet been determined, and the vehicle was not repaired. The contact stated that the vehicle was previously serviced under NHTSA Campaign Number: 21V880000 (Fuel System, Diesel) and was experiencing the same failure listed in the recall. The failure mileage was 300,000.

The contact owns a 2020 Ram 3500. The contact stated that after his son started the vehicle, there was a metal-on-metal sound coming from the engine. The contact stated that his son was not aware of any warning lights being illuminated. The contact had not taken the vehicle to a local dealer or independent mechanic. The vehicle was towed to an independent mechanic but was not diagnosed or repaired. The manufacturer had not been informed of the failure. The contact researched online and related the failure to NHTSA Campaign Number: 20V511000 (Engine and Engine Cooling, Electrical System). The failure mileage was approximately 135,000.

The contact owns a 2020 Ram 3500. The contact stated while the vehicle was parked, he noticed that coolant was leaking underneath the vehicle. The EGR warning light was illuminated. The contact stated that upon adding coolant to the EGR valve, the contact noticed that coolant was still leaking. The vehicle was taken to the dealer, where it was diagnosed that the EGR valve 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 115,000.

We were pulling camper to Nashville TN. We pulled off I24 toward I65 North. I noticed the engine was raving and it felt like I was missing gears on the transmission. I was roughly 4 miles from my destination when I noticed smoke coming from under the hood on passenger side and flames coming from under hood on passenger side of the hood. I stopped the truck/ camper. Three of us had extinguishers trying to put fire out. The entire engingine compartment burned and fire intruded into driver compartment.

The contact owns a 2020 Ram 3500. The contact stated while driving approximately 50 MPH, the engine overheated. There was no warning light illuminated. The vehicle was towed to the dealer, where it was diagnosed and determined that the cooling fan module had failed, and the engine needed to be replaced. The vehicle was repaired. The manufacturer was made aware of the failure and referred the contact to the NHTSA Hotline to report the failure. The approximate failure mileage was 97,000.

On 12/4/23, at 6:37 am PST, we initiated remote start via the key fob. At 6:40 am pst, a flash and fire erupted from under the hood of the truck. We immediately worked to control the fire using extinguishers and garden hoses until the fire department arrived a few minutes later. They worked to put the fire out that engulfed the engine compartment and then worked to get the hood open to finish putting the fire out. The fire didn't fully go out until the battery cables were cut.

The contact owns a 2020 Ram 3500. The contact stated while driving 55 MPH, the Diesel Exhaust Fluid (DEF) warning light illuminated. The contact was able to continue driving to his residence. The vehicle was taken to the dealer on three separate occasions to be repaired; however, the repair failed to correct the failure. The manufacturer was notified of the failure. The approximate failure mileage was 27,000.

Related recalls

Engine complaints in other 3500 years