The 2020 Ram 1500 DT platform is a modern full-size truck with solid bones but some serious engine-specific gremlins, particularly catastrophic failures in the 3.0L EcoDiesel and 5.7L Hemi that can appear shockingly early. The eTorque mild-hybrid system adds complexity without necessarily adding durability.
Symptoms: Sudden violent knocking from lower engine block, Oil pressure warning light, Metal shavings in oil during changes, Truck may die completely without warning
Fix: Complete engine replacement or full rebuild required — crankshaft, main bearings, connecting rod bearings, often pistons. This is a known Gen 3 EcoDiesel weakness tied to oil-film breakdown under high loads. 35-50 labor hours for rebuild, less for reman swap.
Estimated cost: $12,000-18,000
5.7L Hemi lifter and camshaft failure (MDS system)
Common · high severity
Typical onset: 50,000-120,000 mi
Symptoms: Loud ticking or tapping from valve cover area, especially cold starts, Check engine light with misfire codes (P0300-P0308), Loss of power, rough idle, Metal debris in oil, visible on filter media
Fix: Collapsed lifters destroy camshaft lobes; requires cam replacement, all 16 lifters, often pushrods, sometimes rocker arms. Both heads come off. MDS (cylinder deactivation) system is the root cause — lifters stick. 18-24 labor hours.
Estimated cost: $4,500-7,000
Transmission oil cooler line leaks (active thermal management system)
Common · medium severity
Typical onset: 60,000-100,000 mi
Symptoms: Transmission fluid puddle under truck near front crossmember, Burnt transmission fluid smell, Slipping or delayed shifts if fluid level drops significantly, Pink or red fluid visible on undercarriage
Fix: The 8HP70/8HP75 ZF trans uses an active cooling system with multiple hard and rubber lines that crack at fittings or corrode through. Replace all cooler lines as a set, flush system. 3-5 labor hours.
Estimated cost: $800-1,400
eTorque battery-generator unit failure
Occasional · medium severity
Typical onset: 70,000-110,000 mi
Symptoms: Check engine light with P0A9F (hybrid battery cooling fan performance), Auto start-stop feature stops working, Belt-driven generator unit makes grinding or whining noise, Battery warning messages on instrument cluster
Fix: The 48V belt-starter-generator (BSG) unit fails from heat or internal electronics faults. Replacement unit required — FCA released updated versions. Remove serpentine system, swap unit. 4-6 labor hours.
Estimated cost: $2,200-3,500
Fuel pump failure (3.6L and 5.7L models)
Common · high severity
Symptoms: Truck cranks but won't start, especially when tank below half, Intermittent stalling at highway speed, Loss of power under acceleration, Whining noise from fuel tank area
Fix: In-tank fuel pump module fails prematurely — this triggered a recall (NHTSA 20V750) but many trucks still experience it outside recall scope. Drop tank, replace pump assembly. 2.5-3.5 labor hours.
Estimated cost: $800-1,200
Backup camera and surround-view system failures
Occasional · low severity
Symptoms: Backup camera screen goes black or shows 'camera unavailable', Grid lines missing or frozen image, Surround-view shows one or more blank quadrants, Water intrusion visible behind camera lens in tailgate handle
Fix: Tailgate handle camera seal leaks, corroding connector. Sometimes just connector cleaning works; often needs camera replacement. Recall 21V385 covers some units. 1-2 labor hours.
Estimated cost: $300-650
Transmission mount failure (especially 4WD models)
Common · low severity
Typical onset: 50,000-90,000 mi
Symptoms: Clunk or bang when shifting from Park to Drive or Reverse, Vibration at idle in gear, Visible sagging of transmission tailhousing, Driveline shudder during acceleration
Fix: Rubber transmission mount separates or collapses, allowing excessive drivetrain movement. Requires transmission support and crossmember removal to swap mount. 1.5-2.5 labor hours.
Estimated cost: $350-600
Owner tips
EcoDiesel owners: Use only CK-4 spec oil, change every 5,000 miles regardless of what the monitor says — oil quality is critical to bearing survival
Hemi owners: Delete MDS with aftermarket tuning or use high-quality synthetic oil and change every 4,000-5,000 miles to reduce lifter sticking risk
eTorque models: Verify the 48V battery cooling fan is operational — overheating kills the BSG unit prematurely
Check transmission fluid level and condition every oil change — the ZF trans is sensitive to low fluid and burns fluid when cooler lines leak
Inspect fuel tank for recall eligibility (NHTSA 20V750) even if you haven't received notice — pump failures strand trucks regularly
Buy the 3.6L non-eTorque if you must have a 2020 — avoid the EcoDiesel entirely and understand the Hemi is a lifter replacement waiting to happen; otherwise, look at 2021+ after some of these issues were addressed.
AI-assisted summary drawn from NHTSA recall data, our labor-times database, and platform knowledge. Not a substitute for a pre-purchase inspection on a specific vehicle.
Be the first to unlock repairs for the 2020 Ram 1500
Procedures haven't been generated for this vehicle yet. Become the founding sponsor and we'll generate expert-grade, step-by-step repair walkthroughs for every common job on it — free for every mechanic and DIYer who looks it up after, forever.
Chrysler (FCA US, LLC) is recalling certain 2019-2024 Ram 1500 vehicles. The driver's side air bag may not be connected properly, which can cause the air bag not to deploy as intended. As such, these vehicles fail to comply with the requirements of Federal Motor Vehicle Safety Standard number 208, "Occupant Crash Protection."
Consequence: A driver's side air bag that does not deploy as intended increases the risk of injury in a crash.
Remedy: Dealers secured the connectors for the air bag, free of charge. All vehicles have been remedied. Owner notification letters were mailed May 27, 2025. Owners may contact Chrysler customer service at 800-853-1403. Chrysler's number for this recall is 08C.
VISIBILITY:REARVIEW MIRRORS/DEVICES · 24V754000
2024-10-10
Chrysler (FCA US, LLC) is recalling certain 2020-2023 Ram 1500 Classic vehicles equipped with heated trailer tow rearview mirrors. The mirror glass may detach from the driver's side heated trailer tow rearview mirror. As such these vehicles fail to comply with the requirements of Federal Motor Vehicle Safety Standard number 111, "Rear Visibility."
Consequence: Detached mirror glass can reduce driver visibility, increasing the risk of a crash.
Remedy: Dealers will replace the mirror glass, free of charge. Owner notification letters were mailed December 5, 2024. Owners may contact FCA Customer Service at 1-800-853-1403. FCA's number for this recall is 86B.
STRUCTURE:BODY:TAILGATE:HINGE AND ATTACHMENTS · 22V904000
2022-12-08
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.
Consequence: 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.
Chrysler (FCA US, LLC) is recalling certain 2020-2022 Jeep Wrangler, Ram 1500, and 2021-2022 Jeep Gladiator vehicles equipped with 3.0L diesel engines. The high pressure fuel pump (HPFP) may fail, causing an engine stall.
Consequence: An engine stall can increase the risk of a crash.
Remedy: Dealers will replace the HPFP and inspect and replace additional fuel system components, as necessary, free of charge. Owner notification letters were mailed October 17, 2023. Owners may contact Chrysler customer service at 1-800-853-1403. Chrysler's number for this recall is Z96.
BACK OVER PREVENTION:DISPLAY FUNCTION · 22V638000
2022-08-25
Chrysler (FCA US, LLC) is recalling certain 2020-2021 Jeep Wrangler, RAM 1500 and 2021 Jeep Gladiator vehicles. A radio software error may prevent the rearview image from displaying. As such, these vehicles fail to comply with the requirements of Federal Motor Vehicle Safety Standard number 111, "Rear Visibility."
Consequence: A rearview camera that does not display an image reduces the driver's rear view, increasing the risk of a crash.
Remedy: Dealers will update the radio software, free of charge. Owner notification letters were mailed October 6, 2022. Owners may contact FCA US, LLC customer service at 1-800-853-1403. FCA, LLC's number for this recall is Z86.
AIR BAGS:SIDE/WINDOW:CURTAIN:INFLATOR · 21V632000
2021-08-12
Chrysler (FCA US, LLC) is recalling certain 2015-2020 Ram 1500 Classic, 2015-2016 Ram 3500, and Ram 2500 vehicles, and 2016 Ram 3500 Cab Chassis with a gross vehicle weight rating less than 10,000 lbs. The side air bag inflatable curtain (SABIC) inflator end cap may detach from the inflator, or the inflator sidewall may rupture.
Consequence: A separated inflator end cap or inflator rupture can allow compressed gas to escape, resulting in the end cap or other components being propelled into the vehicle, increasing the risk of injury or crash.
Remedy: Dealers will inspect and replace as necessary, the SABIC assemblies, free of charge. Interim owner notification letters were mailed on October 4, 2021. Owner notification letters were mailed on May 26, 2022. Owners may contact FCA US, LLC customer service at 1-800-853-1403. FCA US, LLC's number for this recall is Y55.
Chrysler (FCA US LLC) is recalling certain 2020 Ram 2500 and 1500 vehicles. The driver side mirror glass can detach from the backing plate and no longer provide a reflective surface. As such, these vehicles fail to comply with the requirements of Federal Motor Vehicle Safety Standard (FMVSS) number 111, "Rear Visibility."
Consequence: Missing driver side mirror glass reduces visibility and increases the risk of a crash.
Remedy: Chrysler will notify owners, and dealers will replace the driver side mirror glass, free of charge. The recall began November 5, 2020. Owners may contact FCA US customer service at 1-800-853-1403. Chrysler's number for this recall is W70.
SEAT BELTS · 20V580000
2020-09-24
Chrysler (FCA US LLC) is recalling certain 2019 Jeep Wrangler and Ram 2500, 2019-2020 Ram 1500 and 2020 Jeep Gladiator vehicles. In the event of a crash, a front seat belt retractor may not properly slow the occupant's forward movement after locking.
Consequence: In the event of a crash, if the front seat belts fail to lock, there is an increased risk of injury.
Remedy: Chrysler will notify owners, and dealers will replace the front seat belt retractors, free of charge. The recall began November 12, 2020. Owners may contact Chrysler customer service at 1-800-853-1403. Chrysler's number for this recall is W67.
BACK OVER PREVENTION: SENSING SYSTEM: CAMERA · 20V191000
2020-09-10
Chrysler (FCA US LLC) is recalling certain 2020 Jeep Gladiator and Jeep Cherokee, 2019-2020 Ram 1500 Pickup, Ram 2500 Pickup, Ram 3500 Pickup, Chrysler Pacifica, Dodge Durango, Jeep Grand Cherokee, Jeep Wrangler, and Jeep Renegade and 2019 Dodge Challenger vehicles equipped with 8.4" or 12" radio displays. A software error can cause the rearview camera image to remain displayed after the vehicle has been shifted out of reverse. As such, these vehicles fail to comply with the requirements of Federal Motor Vehicle Safety Standard (FMVSS) number 111, "Rearview Mirrors."
Consequence: The lingering rearview image can distract the driver, increasing the risk of a crash.
Remedy: Chrysler has notified owners, and dealers will update the radio display software, free of charge. Optionally, owners can choose to remotely update their software via an Over-The-Air (OTA) update available as of May 1, 2020. The recall began April 27, 2020. Owners may contact Chrysler customer service at 1-800-853-1403. Chrysler's number for this recall is W30-W37.
Chrysler (FCA US LLC) is recalling certain 2019-2020 Ram 1500 vehicles equipped with adjustable pedals. In certain accelerator pedal positions, the floormats may prevent the pedal from returning to the normal resting (idle) position.
Consequence: A pedal that does not return as expected may affect the vehicle's deceleration, thereby increasing the risk of a crash.
Remedy: Chrysler will notify owners, and dealers will modify the driver's floormat to remove the potential for pedal interference, free of
charge. The recall began September 10, 2020. Owners may contact FCA US LLC customer service at 1-800-853-1403. Chrysler's number for this recall is W63.
AIR BAGS · 20V374000
2020-06-25
Chrysler (FCA US LLC) is recalling certain 2020 Ram Promaster vans and 1500 pickups. The affected vehicles may have an improperly crimped diffuser in the side curtain airbag which may result in the diffuser detaching from the inflator in the event of an air bag deployment.
Consequence: In the event of a crash, if the diffuser detaches from the inflator during air bag deployment, the air bag may not inflate properly, increasing the risk of injury.
Remedy: FCA US will notify owners, and dealers will replace the side curtain air bag assemblies, free of charge. The recall began July 16, 2020. Owners may contact FCA US customer service at 1-800-853-1403. FCA US's number for this recall is W52.
Chrysler (FCA US LLC) is recalling certain 2019-2020 Ram 1500, 1500 Classic and Jeep Compass vehicles. The windshield wiper arm or arms may loosen, possibly causing the wipers to not operate properly and reduce the driver's visibility in certain weather conditions.
Consequence: Reduced visibility increases the risk of a crash.
Remedy: Chrysler will notify owners, and dealers will tighten the wiper nuts, free of charge. The recall began April 27, 2020. Owners may contact Chrysler customer service at 1-800-853-1403. Chrysler's number for this recall is W25.
AIR BAGS · 19V407000
2019-05-31
Chrysler (FCA US LLC) is recalling certain 2019-2020 Ram 1500 vehicles. The flash memory of the Occupant Restraint Controller (ORC) may become corrupted, disabling the vehicle's air bags and seat belt pretensioners.
Consequence: Disabled air bags and seat belt pretensioners increase the risk of injury in the event of a crash.
Remedy: Chrysler will notify owners, and dealers will reprogram the ORC or replace it as necessary, free of charge. The recall began June 20, 2019. Owners may contact Chrysler customer service at 1-800-853-1403. Chrysler's numbers for this recall are V61 and V71.
Building an app?
Free API access to all this data — 50 requests/day, no card required.