2020 Ram 2500 Transmission & Powertrain Problems
NHTSA lists 20 Transmission & Powertrain complaints for the 2020 Ram 2500, 12% of all complaints that year, with a median failure mileage of 7,250 miles. Two related recalls (22V835000 and 20V043000) cover transmission fluid leaks and valve body issues.
- Transmission & Powertrain complaints
- 20
- 12% of 162
- Crashes reported
- 1
- Fires reported
- 1
- Injuries reported
- 0
- Median mileage
- 7,250 mi
- Related recalls
- 2
Typical transmission symptoms owners report
- Truck fails to shift into higher gears while driving, with RPMs climbing past 3,000 and no upshift occurring.
- Transmission does not respond when moved from park to drive, requiring the vehicle to be shut off and restarted before it will engage.
- While towing or driving up an incline, owners report white smoke from under the hood followed by a fire.
- Accelerator intermittently stops responding at low speeds, causing the truck to lose power mid-turn or mid-crossing.
- Transmission slips or bucks and jerks when coming to a stop or trying to accelerate again after slowing.
- Owners report being told a new transmission was needed shortly after purchase, with delays getting the vehicle repaired.
When 2020 Ram 2500 transmission complaints were filed
First complaint Nov 17, 2020, latest Dec 8, 2025.
Transmission & Powertrain recalls for the 2020 Ram 2500
- 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.
- NHTSA 20V043000Jan 24, 2020Transmission & Powertrain87,431 vehicles
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.
Risk: The leaking transmission fluid may contact the turbocharger or another ignition source within the engine compartment, increasing the risk of a fire.
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. Owners may contact Chrysler customer service at 1-800-853-1403. Chrysler's number for this recall is W03.
Transmission & Powertrain complaints by 2500 model year
Raw complaint counts per model year; newer years have had less time to accumulate complaints.
Frequently asked questions
- How many transmission complaints does the 2020 Ram 2500 have?
- NHTSA lists 20 Transmission & Powertrain complaints for the 2020 Ram 2500, which is 12% of the 162 total complaints filed for that model year.
- Is there a transmission recall for the 2020 Ram 2500?
- Yes. Recall 22V835000 addresses a transmission fluid leak from the dipstick tube caused by pressure and heat buildup, and recall 20V043000 covers a valve body separator plate issue on the six-speed 68RFE transmission.
- At what mileage do transmission problems typically show up?
- The median mileage at failure reported to NHTSA for this problem area is 7,250 miles.
- Did any transmission complaints involve fires or crashes?
- Among the 20 Transmission & Powertrain complaints, NHTSA records 1 fire and 1 crash, with no reported injuries.