2020 Ram 3500 Problems, Recalls & Reliability
Verdict
CautionComplaint Index
50/100
#7 most-complained of 13 3500 years
Based on NHTSA complaints per model-year, not a reliability rating. Methodology
The 2020 Ram 3500 has a Complaint Index of 50, ranking 7th worst out of 13 model years, with a Caution verdict. NHTSA lists 116 complaints, 11 recalls, and 7 fires, with Fuel System issues driving 49% of complaints.
- Complaints
- 116
- Recalls
- 11
- Crashes / fires
- 6 / 7
- Injuries / deaths
- 4 / 0
- NHTSA overall rating
- Not rated
- EPA combined MPG
- —
Top 2020 Ram 3500 problems
NHTSA owner complaints by component group. Groups with 15+ complaints have their own page.
- Fuel System57 (49%)
- Engine33 (28%)
- Suspension, Wheels & Tires12 (10%)
- Transmission & Powertrain12 (10%)
- Electrical System9 (8%)
- Brakes8 (7%)
- Steering7 (6%)
- Other6 (5%)
- Collision Avoidance & Cameras4 (3%)
- Structure & Body4 (3%)
What owners report
- Owners report engine fires erupting from the engine compartment, sometimes while driving at highway speed or shortly after remote-starting the truck.
- Some describe sudden fuel system failure where the truck jerked and lost power at highway speed, forcing other drivers to swerve.
- Several complaints describe engine oil warning lights, abnormal engine noise, and smoke from under the hood, in one case near 213,000 miles.
- One owner reported an electronic tailgate dropping open on its own mid-drive and causing damage to towed cargo.
- A parked truck reportedly shifted into drive on its own after a child touched the gear shifter, causing the vehicle to roll and crash.
- Some owners report airbags failing to deploy in frontal or offset collisions.
2020 Ram 3500 recalls
11 NHTSA recall campaigns list this model year.
- 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.
- NHTSA 22V140000Mar 10, 2022Brakes370,437 vehicles
Electronic stability control (esc)
Chrysler (FCA US, LLC) is recalling certain 2019-2022 Ram 2500 and 2021-2022 Dodge Durango vehicles, and 2019-2022 3500 cab chassis with GVWR less than 10,000 lbs. The ABS control module software may prevent the electronic stability control (ESC) malfunction indicator light from illuminating during certain conditions. As such, these vehicles fail to comply with the requirements of Federal Motor Vehicle Safety Standard number 126, "Electronic Stability Control Systems."
Risk: An ESC malfunction indicator light that fails to illuminate during an electronic stability control problem can increase the risk of a crash.
Remedy: Dealers will update the ABS control module software, free of charge. Owner notification letters were mailed March 29, 2022. Owners may contact FCA US, LLC customer service at 1-800-853-1403. FCA US, LLC's number for this recall is Z20.
2020 compared with other 3500 years
Frequently asked questions
- Is the 2020 Ram 3500 reliable?
- NHTSA data gives the 2020 Ram 3500 a Complaint Index of 50, worse than several other years like 2021 (8) and 2023 (0), earning a Caution verdict relative to other 3,500 model years.
- What is the top problem area for the 2020 Ram 3500?
- Fuel System complaints account for 49% of all reported issues, with a median failure mileage of 22,000 miles, followed by Engine problems at 28% of complaints.
- Does the 2020 Ram 3500 have a fuel pump recall?
- Yes. NHTSA recall 21V880000 covers 2019-2020 Ram 3500 trucks with the Cummins 6.7L Turbo Diesel engine for a High Pressure Fuel Pump that can fail and increase fire risk.
- How does the 2020 Ram 3500 compare to other years?
- With a Complaint Index of 50 and rank of 7th worst among 13 model years, the 2020 is worse than 2021, 2023, and 2025, but better than 2017, 2018, and 2022, which are all rated Avoid.
- How many recalls does the 2020 Ram 3500 have?
- NHTSA lists 11 recalls for the 2020 Ram 3500, covering components including the fuel system, engine, brakes, suspension, and tailgate latch.