The 2020 Ram 3500 with the 6.7L Cummins is a workhorse that can rack up serious miles, but it's not immune to the CP4 fuel pump failure lottery and transmission cooling issues that can turn expensive fast. Most survive just fine with proper maintenance, but when things go wrong on a heavy-duty diesel, the bills reflect heavy-duty repair complexity.
Typical onset: anywhere from 20,000-150,000 mi, no consistent pattern
Symptoms: Sudden loss of power, rough running, immediate limp mode, Metal contamination throughout entire fuel system when pump grenades, Fuel in oil if pump fails internally, No warning — pump dies suddenly and takes the entire fuel system with it
Fix: Complete fuel system replacement including pump, injectors, fuel lines, tank cleaning, sometimes turbo if debris migrates. 20-30 labor hours depending on contamination severity. This is the nightmare scenario for CP4 owners.
Estimated cost: $8,000-15,000
68RFE Transmission Oil Cooler Line Leaks and Cooler Failure
Common · medium severity
Typical onset: 60,000-120,000 mi
Symptoms: Transmission fluid dripping from cooler lines at connections, Low trans fluid level leading to delayed shifts or slipping, Occasional cross-contamination between coolant and trans fluid if internal cooler fails, Pink or milky trans fluid if coolant intrusion occurs
Fix: External lines can be replaced in 2-3 hours. Internal cooler failure requires radiator removal or full cooler bypass setup, 4-6 hours plus fluid flush. Many techs install auxiliary coolers during repair to prevent recurrence.
Estimated cost: $600-2,200
Transmission Mount Failure (Engine-Side)
Common · low severity
Typical onset: 70,000-110,000 mi
Symptoms: Clunk when shifting from park to drive or reverse, Vibration at idle, especially with PTO engaged, Visible transmission sag or excessive movement when engine rocks, Rattling over bumps from driveline
Fix: Replace rubber transmission mount, sometimes crossmember bushings too. 1.5-2.5 hours depending on 4WD/2WD configuration and exhaust clearance. Straightforward job but requires transmission support.
Estimated cost: $300-600
Exhaust Gas Recirculation (EGR) Cooler Clogging
Common · medium severity
Typical onset: 80,000-140,000 mi, accelerated with heavy idling or short trips
Symptoms: Check engine light with EGR flow codes (P0401, P0403), Loss of power under load, especially when towing, Excessive soot buildup visible in intake system, Higher EGTs (exhaust gas temps) than normal
Fix: EGR cooler removal and cleaning or replacement, often combined with intake manifold cleaning. 4-6 hours labor. Delete kits exist but are illegal for road use and void emissions warranty.
Typical onset: 50,000-100,000 mi, worse with constant city driving or short trips
Symptoms: Frequent active regen cycles (engine runs hotter, fan roars), Reduced fuel economy by 2-4 mpg, Check engine light with DPF efficiency codes, Derated power or 5 mph limp mode if severely clogged
Fix: DPF cleaning (off-truck baking/forced regen) takes 3-4 hours, full replacement 5-7 hours with exhaust system disassembly. Highway driving helps prevent this; short trips kill DPFs on modern diesels.
Estimated cost: $800-3,500
Turbocharger Wastegate Actuator Sticking
Occasional · medium severity
Typical onset: 90,000-150,000 mi
Symptoms: Boost control codes (P0234, P0299), Overboost or underboost conditions under load, Audible whistling or fluttering from turbo area, Black smoke on acceleration if wastegate stuck closed
Fix: Actuator replacement without turbo removal if caught early, 3-4 hours. Full turbo replacement if shaft damage occurred, 6-8 hours. Carbon buildup is the usual culprit — highway miles help keep things moving.
Estimated cost: $600-2,800
Fuel Filter Housing and Heater Leaks
Common · low severity
Typical onset: any mileage, often cold-weather related
Symptoms: Diesel fuel dripping from filter housing area, Hard starting in cold weather if heater fails, Fuel smell in engine bay, Water-in-fuel light stays on if drain valve leaks
Fix: Filter housing seal replacement or full housing swap, 1-2 hours. Heater element replacement adds 0.5 hour. Common enough that many owners keep spare seals on hand.
Estimated cost: $200-500
Owner tips
Change fuel filters religiously every 15k miles and use quality diesel — the CP4 pump has zero tolerance for contamination
Highway miles are your friend with modern diesels; short trips kill emissions equipment and shorten DPF/EGR life
Install an auxiliary transmission cooler if you tow heavy regularly — the stock 68RFE cooler is marginal at max loads
Check transmission fluid level monthly when hot; low fluid from cooler line seepage is common and will fry the trans if ignored
Consider a CP4 pump bypass filtration kit or pump upgrade before failure — insurance is cheaper than a $12k fuel system replacement
Solid truck if you need serious towing capacity and can stomach the CP4 pump risk; budget $2-3k annually for diesel-specific maintenance and cross your fingers the fuel pump doesn't grenade.
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.
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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.
POWER TRAIN:AUTOMATIC TRANSMISSION · 22V835000
2022-11-10
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.
Consequence: 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.
SERVICE BRAKES, HYDRAULIC:ANTILOCK/TRACTION CONTROL/ELECTRONIC LIMITED SLIP:CONTROL UNIT/MODULE · 22V140000
2022-03-10
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."
Consequence: 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.
Chrysler (FCA US, LLC) is recalling certain 2019-2020 Ram 2500 and Ram 3500 vehicles, Ram 3500 Cab Chassis, 4500 Cab Chassis, 5500 Cab Chassis and 3500 Cab Chassis with a gross vehicle weight rating (GVWR) of less than 10,000 lbs. The windshield wiper arms may loosen, possibly causing the wipers to function improperly and reduce the driver's visibility in certain weather conditions.
Consequence: Reduced visibility increases the risk of a crash.
Remedy: Dealers will tighten the wiper nuts, free of charge. Owner notification letters were mailed February 15, 2022. This recall is an expansion of recall number 20V-208. Owners may contact FCA US, LLC customer service at 1-800-853-1403. FCA US, LLC's number for this recall is Z08.
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.
Consequence: 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.
ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING:ENGINE:OIL/LUBRICATION · 21V439000
2021-06-10
Chrysler (FCA US, LLC) is recalling certain 2019-2020 Ram 3500, 4500, and 5500 cab chassis vehicles equipped with a Cummins 6.7L High Output engine. The engine calibration software may not warn about low oil volume.
Consequence: Low oil can damage the engine, causing an oil leak or a punctured engine block, increasing the risk of a fire.
Remedy: Dealers will update the engine calibration software, free of charge. Owner notification letters were mailed June 25, 2021. Owners may contact FCA US LLC customer service at 1-800-853-1403. FCA US LLC's number for this recall is Y21.
WHEELS:LUGS/NUTS/BOLTS/STUDS · 21V398000
2021-05-27
Chrysler (FCA US, LLC) is recalling certain 2012-2021 RAM 3500, 3500 Cab Chassis, 4500 Cab Chassis, and 5500 Cab Chassis vehicles. Incorrect information in the Service and Owner's Manuals may cause the flanged lug nuts to be over-tightened, which could result in a broken wheel stud and possible wheel separation.
Consequence: Wheel separation can cause a vehicle crash.
Remedy: Dealers will update the torque specification in the owner's manual and other published service documents. Dealers will also inspect the vehicle's wheel studs, replacing them if necessary, free of charge. Owner notification letters were mailed on November 30, 2021. Campaign Y36 owner notification letters were mailed on November 30, 2021. Campaign Y26 owner notification letters were mailed on December 1, 2021. Owners may contact FCA US customer service at 1-800-853-1403. FCA US's numbers for this recall are Y26 and Y36.
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.
ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING:ENGINE:OIL/LUBRICATION · 20V511000
2020-08-27
Chrysler (FCA US LLC) is recalling certain 2019-2020 Ram 3500, 4500 and 5500 cab chassis built with a Cummins
6.7L High Output engine. Inadequate warmup protection can cause a lack of oil film on the engine connecting rod bearings while the engine is reaching operating temperature. This can result in engine damage and connecting rod failure, which could potentially puncture the engine block.
Consequence: A damaged engine block may leak oil, which can contact hot engine or exhaust components, increasing the risk of a fire.
Remedy: Chrysler will notify owners, and dealers will flash the engine calibration software to enhance the engine warm up protection, free of charge. The recall began September 10, 2020. Owners may contact Chrysler customer service at 1-800-853-1403. Chrysler's number for this recall is W57.
STRUCTURE · 20V207000
2020-04-09
Chrysler (FCA US LLC) is recalling certain 2019-2020 Ram 2500 and Ram 3500 Pick-up trucks equipped with an accessory bed step. In certain side loading conditions, the bed step may unexpectedly fail while in use.
Consequence: A bed step that unexpectedly fails while in use increases the risk of injury to the user.
Remedy: Chrysler will notify owners, and dealers will replace the bed step support brace, free of charge. The recall began on July 9, 2020 (RAM 2500) and began on October 6, 2020 (Ram 3500). Owners may contact Chrysler customer service at 1-800-853-1403. Chrysler's numbers for this recall are W24 and W44.
POWER TRAIN:AUTOMATIC TRANSMISSION · 20V043000
2020-01-24
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.
Consequence: 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.
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