YearToAvoid

2020 Ram 3500 Fuel System Problems

Fuel System complaints account for 57 of 116 total complaints on the 2020 Ram 3500 (49%), the highest share of any model year. NHTSA also lists recall 21V880000 covering the high-pressure fuel pump on 2019-2020 Ram diesel trucks. Median mileage at failure is 22,000.

Fuel System complaints
57
49% of 116
Crashes reported
1
Fires reported
1
Injuries reported
0
Median mileage
22,000 mi
Related recalls
1

Typical fuel system symptoms owners report

  • Vehicle loses power or stalls suddenly at highway speed, sometimes while towing, with no warning light illuminated beforehand.
  • High-pressure fuel pump (CP4/CP4.2) reportedly fails and sends metal debris through the fuel system, leaving the truck inoperable.
  • Some owners report the truck shuts down and will not restart, requiring a tow to the dealer for diagnosis of fuel system failure.
  • A power loss or stall can recur seconds after the vehicle is restarted, described as intermittent motive power loss.
  • One complaint describes the truck catching fire and smoking from under the hood after a dealer visit.
  • Owners of new trucks with low mileage report failures occurring within the first few thousand miles of ownership.

When 2020 Ram 3500 fuel system complaints were filed

First complaint Aug 26, 2020, latest Sep 10, 2026.

2020 Ram 3500 fuel system complaints: complaints filed per month11Aug 2020Dec 2020Jun 2021Jan 2022Jun 2022Jan 2023Jun 2023Feb 2025
57 complaints filed with NHTSA from Aug 2020 to Sep 2026; peak Oct 2021 (11).

Fuel System recalls for the 2020 Ram 3500

  1. NHTSA 21V880000Nov 12, 2021Fuel System222,410 vehicles

    Fuel system, diesel:delivery:fuel pump

    Chrysler (FCA US, LLC) is recalling certain 2019-2020 Ram 2500, 3500 pickup trucks, and Ram 3500, 4500, and 5500 cab chassis vehicles equipped with Cummins 6.7L Turbo Diesel engines. The High Pressure Fuel Pump (HPFP) may fail, resulting in a sudden engine stall without warning.

    Risk: An engine stall increases the risk of a crash.

    Remedy: Dealers will replace the HPFP, update the Powertrain Control Module (PCM) software, and inspect and replace additional fuel system components as necessary, free of charge. Interim owner notification letters to inform owners of the safety recall were mailed on January 4, 2022. Owner notification letters were mailed on May 17, 2022. Phase 2 owner notification letters are expected to be mailed on March 2, 2023. Owners may contact FCA US, LLC customer service at 1-800-853-1403. FCA US, LLC's number for this recall is Y78.

Fuel System complaints by 3500 model year

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

  1. 201320 (18%)
  2. 201422 (11%)
  3. 20156 (4%)
  4. 20167 (5%)
  5. 20179 (3%)
  6. 20187 (1%)
  7. 201950 (37%)
  8. 202057 (49%)
  9. 20215 (8%)
  10. 202214 (7%)
  11. 20231 (6%)
  12. 20243 (7%)
  13. 20251 (2%)

Frequently asked questions

Is the 2020 Ram 3500 fuel system reliable?
NHTSA data shows Fuel System complaints make up 49% of all complaints for the 2020 Ram 3500, the highest share among model years, with 57 fuel system complaints out of 116 total.
Does the 2020 Ram 3500 have a fuel pump recall?
Yes. Recall 21V880000, reported November 12, 2021, covers the high-pressure fuel pump on 2019-2020 Ram 2500/3500 diesel trucks; dealers replace the pump, update PCM software, and inspect fuel system components.
At what mileage do fuel system problems usually appear on the 2020 Ram 3500?
NHTSA complaint data shows a median mileage at failure of 22,000 miles for fuel system issues on this model year.
Are fuel system failures dangerous on the 2020 Ram 3500?
NHTSA records one crash and one fire linked to fuel system complaints on the 2020 Ram 3500, with no injuries reported.

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.