2020 Ram 2500 Reliability Data: Problems & Recalls
Caution The 2020 Ram 2500 has a Complaint Index of 62 and ranks 6th worst out of 14 model years, earning a Caution verdict. NHTSA lists 162 complaints, 10 recalls, and fuel system issues as the top problem area at 43% of complaints.
Based on NHTSA complaints per model-year, not a reliability rating. Methodology
YearToAvoid Scorecard
- Complaint Index
- 62/100
- #6 of 14 2500 years
- Verdict
- Caution
- vs. other years of this model
- Complaints
- 162
- unique NHTSA reports
- Recalls
- 10
- distinct NHTSA campaigns
- Crashes
- 5
- reported in complaints
- Fires
- 4
- Injuries
- 4
- Top issue
- Fuel System
- NHTSA overall rating
- 4 / 5 ★
- EPA combined MPG
- —
- Injuries / deaths
- 4 / 0
Top 2020 Ram 2500 problems
Share of this year’s NHTSA complaints by component group. Groups with 15+ complaints have their own page.
- Fuel System70 (43%)
- Engine36 (22%)
- Other22 (14%)
- Electrical System20 (12%)
- Transmission & Powertrain20 (12%)
- Brakes14 (9%)
- Structure & Body12 (7%)
- Steering10 (6%)
- Suspension, Wheels & Tires10 (6%)
- Visibility & Wipers5 (3%)
A complaint can list more than one component, so shares add up to more than 100%. Shares are % of complaints.
What owners report
- Brake warning messages for anti-lock brakes, stability control, and forward collision warning appear together, sometimes disabling cruise control.
- The high-pressure fuel pump on diesel-equipped trucks failed and was tied to a recall, with one owner reporting a crash after a repair part was unavailable.
- Electrical fires started near the heater grid ground bolt in the engine compartment and behind the dashboard radio area, in one case filling the cab with smoke and flames.
- White smoke and a transmission-related fire occurred while towing a light trailer up an incline at low speed.
- The vehicle unexpectedly rolled backward after being shifted into park, with the gear indicator flashing before the truck moved on its own.
- Rambox side covering warped and separated from its tape mounting due to temperature swings, reported shortly after delivery.
2020 Ram 2500 recalls
10 NHTSA recall campaigns list this model year.
- NHTSA 25V010000Jan 16, 2025Airbags6,066 vehicles
Air bags:side/window:curtain:inflator
Chrysler (FCA US, LLC) is recalling certain 2016-2019 Ram 3500, Ram 1500, 2016-2020 Ram 2500, and 2016 Ram 3500 Cab Chassis vehicles. The right and left side curtain air bag inflators may rupture due to a manufacturing defect.
Risk: An inflator rupture may result in sharp metal fragments striking occupants, resulting in injury.
Remedy: Dealers will replace one or both side curtain air bags, as necessary, free of charge. Owner notification letters were mailed February 13, 2025. Owners may contact FCA customer service at 1-800-853-1403. FCA's numbers for this recall are 05C, 09C, and 10C.
- NHTSA 22V904000Dec 8, 2022Structure & Body1,224,078 vehicles
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.
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.
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. Owners may contact FCA US, LLC customer service at 1-800-853-1403. FCA US, LLC's number for this recall is ZB8.
- NHTSA 22V835000Nov 10, 2022Transmission & Powertrain250,079 vehicles
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.
Risk: Leaking transmission fluid may contact an ignition source within the engine compartment, increasing the risk of a fire.
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. Chrysler's number for this recall is ZA3.
2020 compared with other 2500 years
Frequently asked questions
- Is the 2020 Ram 2500 reliable?
- NHTSA data gives the 2020 Ram 2500 a Complaint Index of 62, ranking 6th worst among 14 model years, with a Caution verdict relative to other Ram 2500 years.
- What are the most common problems with the 2020 Ram 2500?
- Fuel system complaints make up 43% of reports, followed by engine issues at 22%, and electrical system and transmission/powertrain issues each at 12%, according to NHTSA.
- Does the 2020 Ram 2500 have a recall?
- Yes, NHTSA lists 10 recall campaigns for the 2020 Ram 2500, covering areas including airbags, transmission dipstick/vent, ABS software, wiper nuts, mirror glass, radio display software, and the high-pressure fuel pump on diesel engines.
- How does the 2020 Ram 2500 compare to other years?
- Its Complaint Index of 62 is lower than the 2017 (92), 2018 (100), and 2022 (85) model years, which carry Avoid verdicts, but higher than years like 2021 (23) and 2025 (31), which are Caution or Good.
- What mileage do 2020 Ram 2500 problems typically show up at?
- NHTSA data shows a median mileage at failure of 10,500 for the 2020 model year overall, though transmission and powertrain complaints median at 7,250 miles.