2020 Ram 1500 Complaints

ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING — Filed 08/01/2025

The contact owns a 2020 Ram 1500. The contact stated that while driving at an undisclosed speed, the check engine warning light illuminated. The vehicle was taken to an independent mechanic, who replaced an unknown part, but the failure persisted. The vehicle was then taken to the dealer, and it was determined that the intake manifold needed to be replaced; however, the part was on backorder. The vehicle was not repaired. The manufacturer was not made aware of the failure. The failure mileage was approximately 104,000.

ELECTRICAL SYSTEM,EXTERIOR LIGHTING — Filed 04/01/2026

The tail lights keep going out on both sides. The tail light harness does not fit the female adapter properly. You have to hold it pushed in to get the light to come on but when you let go it turns back off. I have already replaced the sockets with Mopar OEM parts and am still having the problem. After researching I found that this is a common issue with this vehicle. It is a safety concern because without tail lights keep other drivers may not be able to see my vehicle at night or when I am braking.

STEERING — Filed 06/26/2026

I was attempting to turn around in my driveway when the steering locked up and I could not control the steering. If I had been driving on the road instead of in my driveway I could have crashed into something or someone, potentially causing severe injury or death to myself or others. This was a horrifying experience in my driveway, let alone on the road! I had my truck towed to the repair shop, where they determined that the power steering rack failed. It cracked completely in half. Attached please find the photos that the repair shop provided, along with my repair invoice. There should be a recall for this before people get killed!

STEERING — Filed 06/26/2026

I was attempting to turn around in my driveway to go someplace when the steering locked up and I could not control the steering. It stopped working. If I had been driving on the road, instead of driving in my driveway, I could have crashed into something or someone, potentially causing severe injury or death to myself or others. This was a horrifying experience in the driveway, let alone on the road! I had my truck towed to the repair shop where they determined that the Electronic Power Steering Rack failed. It cracked completely in half! I will attach the photos the shop provided. There should be a recall on this before someone gets killed. I have several friends and neighbors who own the same make and model truck and I informed them of our situation and recommended that they have their trucks checked out before tragedy strikes them or their families.

FUEL/PROPULSION SYSTEM — Filed 05/15/2026

When filling the truck full, fuel will occasionally spill out onto myself and the ground. The fuel also leaks into the cap canister, purge valve and dumps fuel into the manifold as well as leaking on the ground. When driving the entire cab reeks of fuel. This is a known issue by Dodge and they have a TSB out on it. My vehicle could become a fireball at any time. Dealer replaced my evap canister but didn’t even give me the TSB which wound up costing me more money once my mechanic found the problem. This is a 3,000.00 + repair for something that can cause a severe fire.

ENGINE — Filed 07/11/2026

I am having DEF related issues with my 2020 Ram 1500 ecodiesel that will ultimately cause the vehicle to no longer operate. Ram has an extended warranty for my exact problem but I am being told that my vehicle doesn’t meet the requirements. My vehicle is under the required year and mileage but I’m being told that it doesn’t apply.

STEERING,ELECTRICAL SYSTEM,ENGINE — Filed 07/02/2026

While driving down the highway the vehicle radiator fan kicked on high (could hear it from the cab) then my electronic power steering went out seconds after receiving the “Service Electronic Power Steering” dash light. Since then it is intermittent, EPS returns and then goes out again, each time accompanied by the high fan noise.

ELECTRICAL SYSTEM,UNKNOWN OR OTHER,SERVICE BRAKES — Filed 06/30/2026

The electronic gear selector on my 2020 Ram 1500 intermittently displays a "Shift to Park" warning while the vehicle is in motion, specifically during downshifting or braking. Each occurrence is accompanied by a physical jerk or lurch, consistent with the vehicle momentarily engaging an unintended gear. The warning clears without driver input. These events occur during active deceleration and represent a loss of predictable vehicle behavior, creating a serious risk of rear-end collision or loss of control. The problem has not been resolved. A dealership inspected the vehicle and recommended a Transmission Control Module (TCM) software update referencing TSB 21-019-24, to be performed at the owner's expense. No root-cause diagnosis was provided. The underlying hardware cause, most likely the gear selector position sensor or transmission range sensor, was not confirmed or ruled out. The dealer is insisting the owner pay for the software update without establishing whether the bulletin covers the reported symptom or whether the vehicle VIN falls within its scope. No warning lamps preceded the first occurrence. The symptom appeared without prior indication and has recurred across multiple drive cycles.

STEERING — Filed 06/26/2026

On June 26, 2026 my 2020 Ram 1500 Big Horn truck lost its steering, with no prior warning. This could have resulted in a catastrophic, tragic accident had I been out on the road but it happened as I was attempting to pull out of my driveway. I could have been killed. Other people potentially could have been injured or killed if this happened while driving on the road. I had the truck towed to a local repair shop, who looked at the truck and indicated that due to the type of problem it had to be serviced by a Ram certified repair shop. We then had to truck towed to Quirk, a certified repair service center. Upon their inspection they discovered that the POWER STEERING RACK broke in half! They said that this is unusual for a vehicle with such low mileage of 29,779 miles and that this is very dangerous. The cost to repair my truck is $4,500 and there is a long wait time for the part because of a back order. Why, I wonder is there a back order? Is this a very serious safety issue that other Ram truck owners are dealing with as well?

STRUCTURE — Filed 01/08/2025

Both Driver and Passenger Visor arms have dis-engaged and no longer work to provide shielding from blinding sun. They just hang from thier broken arms and it happened shortly after having purchased this vehicle from a used car dealer, (Kearny Mesa) and they were unable to address since it was not a recall. Obviously they would repair it for $$$$ Did some research and apparently this is a common issue with this vehicle.