YearToAvoid

2020 Ram 1500 Brakes Problems

NHTSA lists 42 brake complaints for the 2020 Ram 1500, 7% of its 628 total complaints for the year, tied to 8 crashes and 3 injuries. There is no related recall on file for this brake issue.

Brakes complaints
42
7% of 628
Crashes reported
8
Fires reported
0
Injuries reported
3
Median mileage
2,800 mi
Related recalls
0

Typical brake symptoms owners report

  • Owners report complete brake failure while approaching stopped traffic or vehicles ahead, with the pedal producing no stopping power and resulting in collisions.
  • Some describe the brake pedal sinking to the floor or requiring repeated pumping before any braking response returned.
  • Several complaints describe the automatic emergency braking or forward collision system engaging on its own with no vehicle or obstacle present, causing sudden unexpected stops.
  • One owner reported rear braking assist activating unexpectedly while backing up an inclined driveway, which also shut off the engine.
  • A separate complaint described excessive brake pedal travel on the first application with weak stopping power, needing a second or third press to feel normal.
  • One owner reported the brakes engaging on their own intermittently while the vehicle was in drive or reverse, with the issue recurring after a dealer software update.

When 2020 Ram 1500 brake complaints were filed

First complaint Nov 30, 2019, latest Jul 2, 2026.

2020 Ram 1500 brakes complaints: complaints filed per month4Nov 2019Jul 2020Feb 2021Mar 2022Jan 2024Jan 2025Jun 2025Jan 2026
42 complaints filed with NHTSA from Nov 2019 to Jul 2026; peak Feb 2021 (4).

Brakes recalls for the 2020 Ram 1500

No safety recalls on record for this model year.

Brakes complaints by 1500 model year

Raw complaint counts per model year; newer years have had less time to accumulate complaints.

  1. 201393 (7%)
  2. 2014193 (11%)
  3. 2015156 (11%)
  4. 2016283 (18%)
  5. 2017100 (11%)
  6. 201850 (8%)
  7. 2019135 (9%)
  8. 202042 (7%)
  9. 202176 (11%)
  10. 202273 (12%)
  11. 202338 (19%)
  12. 202414 (19%)
  13. 202542 (12%)

Frequently asked questions

How many brake complaints does NHTSA have for the 2020 Ram 1500?
NHTSA lists 42 brake complaints for the 2020 Ram 1500, which is 7% of the 628 total complaints filed for that model year.
Is there a recall for the 2020 Ram 1500 brakes?
No. The data shows no related recalls listed for the brake complaints filed on the 2020 Ram 1500.
Have the brake problems caused crashes or injuries?
Yes. NHTSA data tied to these brake complaints shows 8 crashes and 3 injuries, with no fires reported.
At what mileage do these brake problems typically show up?
The median mileage at failure reported to NHTSA for this brake issue on the 2020 Ram 1500 is 2,800 miles.
How does the 2020 Ram 1500 compare to other years for brake complaints?
The 2020 model's 7% share of complaints tied to brakes is lower than years like 2016 (18%) and 2023 or 2024 (19% each), based on NHTSA data across model years.

Sources: NHTSA Office of Defects Investigation complaint and recall databases; U.S. EPA fuel economy data; NHTSA 5-Star Safety Ratings. Complaints are unverified owner reports.

Data updated Sep 24, 2026. Read the methodology and data sources. The Complaint Index is based on NHTSA owner complaints and recalls; it is not a reliability rating.