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Total NHTSA Complaints
621
Owner filings recorded
#1 Reported Problem
Electrical System
159 reports (25.6%)
Crash Incident Reports
24
Filings citing a crash
Fire & Injury Reports
17
6 fire • 11 injury filings
Defect Investigation Analysis

Executive Problem Findings

AutoUtility currently tracks 621 official NHTSA owner defect complaints for the 2020 Ram 1500. Electrical System issues are the most frequently reported category, appearing in 159 complaints (25.6% of submitted records). Among these NHTSA complaint records, 24 filings cite a crash, 6 cite a fire, 11 report one or more injuries, 1 reports one or more fatalities.

Methodology Notice: Consumer complaints are unverified voluntary submissions to the NHTSA Office of Defects Investigation (ODI). Filings are not normalized for sales volume or vehicle mileage and do not constitute an audited component failure rate.
Incident & Severity Profile
  • • Total Owner Reports: 621 complaints submitted under federal penalty.
  • • Primary Subsystem: Electrical System accounts for 25.6% of submissions (159 reports).
  • • Secondary Systems: Engine & Cooling (134), Fuel & Propulsion System (74).
  • • Crash Incidents: 24 filings cite an impact or collision.
  • • Thermal Incidents: 6 filings cite smoke or fire.
  • • Reported Casualties: 11 injury filings • 1 fatality filings.
Category Distribution

Reported Defect Categories for 2020 Ram 1500

Factual proportion of owner complaints categorized by automotive subsystem in NHTSA records

Electrical System
159
25.6%
Engine & Cooling
134
21.6%
Fuel & Propulsion System
74
11.9%
Powertrain & Transmission
62
10%
Visibility, Wipers & Glass
62
10%
#1 25.6% SHARE

Electrical System

159 owner complaints submitted to NHTSA ODI for this subsystem.

🔥 5 Fire
#2 21.6% SHARE

Engine & Cooling

134 owner complaints submitted to NHTSA ODI for this subsystem.

⚠️ 1 Crash 🔥 2 Fire
#3 11.9% SHARE

Fuel & Propulsion System

74 owner complaints submitted to NHTSA ODI for this subsystem.

⚠️ 1 Crash 🔥 2 Fire
⚠️ 1 Associated Recall Campaign
#4 10% SHARE

Powertrain & Transmission

62 owner complaints submitted to NHTSA ODI for this subsystem.

⚠️ 3 Crash
Deterministic Text Analysis

Recurring Symptoms Identified in Owner Reports

Specific mechanical, electrical, and driver-assist defect symptoms identified via deterministic narrative analysis

Powertrain & Transmission 5.2%

Loss of Motive Power While Driving

32 complaint narratives describe this symptom.

NHTSA Narrative Match
Federal Oversight

Official NHTSA Defect Investigations (1)

Formal engineering analyses and preliminary evaluations opened by the NHTSA Office of Defects Investigation

ODI Action #EA23001 OPEN Engineering Analysis (EA)
Opened: 2023-03-17 • Active
Subject / Subsystem
High pressure fuel pump failure
Affected Component
FUEL SYSTEM, DIESEL:DELIVERY:FUEL PUMP
Recall Linkage
The Office of Defects Investigation (ODI) opened PE21-021 on October 14, 2021, to investigate incidents alleging a stall/loss of motive power as a result of high-pressure fuel pump failures in certain model year (MY) 2019-2020 Ram 2500, 3500, 4500, and 5500 heavy duty trucks equipped with 6.7L Cummins turbodiesel engines. During the investigation, ODI sought to determine if the related defect allegation was limited in scope to the recalled population. After review of information request response materials from both FCA and BMW, NHTSA determined that sufficient information to identify a comprehensive recall population could not be produced by FCA and BMW.During the investigation FCA filed recalls 22V406, 22E048, 22V767, and 22E087 which include vehicles not identified in the initial subject population by ODI. ODI also received recall 21V586, involving loss of motive power due to failed CP4 fuel pumps on certain BMW manufactured vehicles. An information request letter response received from BMW indicated that failed pumps on their vehicles were caused by an interaction between pump internal components and US market diesel fuel, leading to increased slip and eventual particle-generating wear surface. Additional work will be done to identify whether a similar root cause is associated with the FCA recalled population and if similar wear dynamics occur on pumps supplied to vehicle manufacturers other than those included in the recalled population.ODI has upgraded this investigation to an EA in order to 1) determine engineering specifications of internal pump components that are correlated with pump failure leading to loss of motive power or other safety related hazards, 2) identify vehicle populations equipped with alleged defective pump variants, 3) assess if vehicles equipped with alleged defective pump variants result in an unreasonable risk to motor vehicle safety and 4) gather and review any other relevant information related to high pressure fuel pump failure associated with the subject populations of recalls 21V586, 21V880, 21E094, 22V406, 22E048, 22V767, and 22E087.Review of the above information will allow NHTSA to confirm root cause and recall remedy viability, and identify and evaluate vehicle populations equipped with pump components that may pose an unreasonable risk to motor vehicle safety.The ODI reports cited above can be reviewed at: http://www-odi.nhtsa.dot.gov/owners/SearchNHTSAID using the following complaint identification numbers: 11257550, 11351441, 11361603, 11361616, 11365300, 11365426, 11365858, 11366401, 11372337, 11373793, 11374797, 11376793, 11377871, 11378173, 11384377, 11386063, 11387018, 11399710, 11402550, 11415339, 11418868, 11418870, 11427075, 11434276, 11436807, 11437226, 11437249, 11437273, 11437292, 11437294, 11437394, 11437399, 11437403, 11437405, 11437423, 11437528, 11437565, 11437579, 11437580, 11437590, 11437679, 11437744, 11437781, 11437842, 11437993, 11438006, 11438008, 11438121, 11438138, 11438155, 11438392, 11438629, 11439359, 11439879, 11440397, 11443030, 11446542, 11448163, 11453556, 11458918, 11460558, 11469337
Consumer Filings

Recent NHTSA Owner Reports for 2020 Ram 1500

Representative defect filings submitted by owners to the NHTSA Office of Defects Investigation

Engine & Cooling ODI #11757290
Filed: 08/16/2026
Defect Report

"Twice in the past two years, the eTorque system had failed will driving on the highest. When the unit fails, you lose all power asks if you're battery is low, you can pose the ability to even steer. The first time, I was on the i87 going north, and barely made it off the road. I was nearly hit by..."

Steering System ODI #11756546
Filed: 08/12/2026
Defect Report

"The power steering goes out at random times after the steering warning light comes on. This usually happens after the secondary cooling system kicks in. I have had it looked at by one mechanic who thinks it's the rack and pinion portion of the steering, he was unable to find a replacement part. It..."

Driver Assistance & Safety Tech ODI #11755961
Filed: 08/10/2026
Defect Report

"The contact owns a 2020 Ram Promaster 1500. The contact received notification of NHTSA Campaign Number: 25V552000 (Back Over Prevention); however, the part to do the recall repair was not yet available. Three dealers, including Cross Jeep Chrysler (1501 Gardiner Ln, Louisville, KY 40218), were..."

Electrical System ODI #11755142
Filed: 08/05/2026
Defect Report

"Loud whining sound coming from engine. The dealership confirmed a MGU Alternator failure."

Powertrain & Transmission ODI #11755103
Filed: 08/05/2026
Defect Report

"MGU Failed, 48v code P0DAF had early signs of premature failure. when on the highway, vehicle shut off completely, no power what so ever. Couldn't steer correctly and vehicle was going highway speeds (approximately 70mph) dealer has confirmed the issue being there MGU gone bad, but I have records..."

Multi-Year Trend

Complaint History for Ram 1500

Reported defect complaint volume across sibling model years (2015–2026)

Model Year NHTSA Complaints Crash Reports Safety Recalls Detailed Report
2015 Ram 1500 1439 79 18 View 2015 Problems →
2016 Ram 1500 1527 90 17 View 2016 Problems →
2017 Ram 1500 866 80 13 View 2017 Problems →
2018 Ram 1500 654 25 15 View 2018 Problems →
2019 Ram 1500 1464 74 30 View 2019 Problems →
2020 Ram 1500 Current Page 621 24 14 Current
2021 Ram 1500 667 26 15 View 2021 Problems →
2022 Ram 1500 597 23 16 View 2022 Problems →
2023 Ram 1500 194 10 11 View 2023 Problems →
2024 Ram 1500 70 5 6 View 2024 Problems →
2025 Ram 1500 323 8 7 View 2025 Problems →
2026 Ram 1500 0 0 6 View 2026 Problems →
Exhaustive System Audit

Detailed NHTSA Component Breakdown for 2020 Ram 1500

Complete distribution of consumer defect reports across all 112 granular NHTSA system and subsystem classifications

Vehicle Component / System Total Complaints Crash Reports Fire Reports Injury Entries Fatality Entries
Other / Uncategorized NHTSA category: UNKNOWN OR OTHER 68 1 0 2 0
Engine NHTSA category: ENGINE 56 1 0 0 0
Electrical System NHTSA category: ELECTRICAL SYSTEM 52 0 1 0 0
Steering NHTSA category: STEERING 39 1 0 1 0
Visibility & Wipers NHTSA category: VISIBILITY/WIPER 35 0 0 1 0
Fuel & Propulsion System NHTSA category: FUEL/PROPULSION SYSTEM 33 1 0 0 0
Structure & Body NHTSA category: STRUCTURE 31 0 0 0 0
ELECTRICAL SYSTEM,ENGINE 25 0 0 0 0
Powertrain NHTSA category: POWER TRAIN 25 2 0 0 1
FUEL SYSTEM, GASOLINE,ENGINE 19 0 0 0 0
Engine & Cooling NHTSA category: ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING 10 0 0 0 0
POWER TRAIN,ELECTRICAL SYSTEM,ENGINE 9 0 0 0 0
POWER TRAIN,ENGINE 9 0 0 0 0
Seat Belts NHTSA category: SEAT BELTS 8 0 0 0 0
Service Brakes NHTSA category: SERVICE BRAKES 8 2 0 0 0
Suspension NHTSA category: SUSPENSION 8 0 0 0 0
Air Bags NHTSA category: AIR BAGS 7 6 0 6 0
UNKNOWN OR OTHER,VISIBILITY/WIPER 7 0 0 0 0
Visibility / Glass NHTSA category: VISIBILITY 7 0 0 0 0
ELECTRICAL SYSTEM,EXTERIOR LIGHTING 6 0 1 0 0
Fuel System NHTSA category: FUEL SYSTEM, GASOLINE 6 0 0 0 0
POWER TRAIN,ELECTRICAL SYSTEM 6 0 0 0 0
STEERING,ELECTRICAL SYSTEM 6 0 0 0 0
ELECTRICAL SYSTEM,SERVICE BRAKES,ENGINE 5 0 0 0 0
ELECTRICAL SYSTEM,UNKNOWN OR OTHER 5 0 0 0 0
ELECTRICAL SYSTEM,UNKNOWN OR OTHER,ENGINE 5 0 0 0 0
EXTERIOR LIGHTING 5 0 0 0 0
Forward Collision Avoidance NHTSA category: FORWARD COLLISION AVOIDANCE 5 1 0 1 0
Vehicle Speed Control NHTSA category: VEHICLE SPEED CONTROL 5 2 0 0 0
ELECTRICAL SYSTEM,ENGINE,FUEL/PROPULSION SYSTEM 4 0 2 0 0
ELECTRICAL SYSTEM,VISIBILITY/WIPER 4 0 0 0 0
Back Over Prevention / Camera NHTSA category: BACK OVER PREVENTION 3 0 0 0 0
SERVICE BRAKES,FORWARD COLLISION AVOIDANCE 3 1 0 0 0
STRUCTURE,UNKNOWN OR OTHER 3 0 0 0 0
UNKNOWN OR OTHER,ENGINE 3 0 1 0 0
UNKNOWN OR OTHER,ENGINE,FUEL/PROPULSION SYSTEM 3 0 0 0 0
AIR BAGS,UNKNOWN OR OTHER 2 0 0 0 0
ELECTRICAL SYSTEM,EXTERIOR LIGHTING,SERVICE BRAKES 2 0 0 0 0
ELECTRICAL SYSTEM,SERVICE BRAKES,FORWARD COLLISION AVOIDANCE 2 0 0 0 0
ELECTRICAL SYSTEM,STRUCTURE 2 0 0 0 0
ENGINE,FUEL/PROPULSION SYSTEM 2 0 0 0 0
FUEL SYSTEM, DIESEL 2 0 0 0 0
LANE DEPARTURE,BACK OVER PREVENTION 2 0 0 0 0
Doors, Latches & Locks NHTSA category: LATCHES/LOCKS/LINKAGES 2 0 0 0 0
SERVICE BRAKES,ENGINE 2 0 0 0 0
STEERING,ELECTRICAL SYSTEM,ENGINE 2 0 0 0 0
STEERING,ELECTRICAL SYSTEM,SERVICE BRAKES 2 0 0 0 0
SUSPENSION,POWER TRAIN,WHEELS 2 1 0 0 0
AIR BAGS,SEAT BELTS,SEATS 1 0 0 0 0
AIR BAGS,SERVICE BRAKES 1 1 0 0 0
AIR BAGS,STRUCTURE,SEATS 1 0 0 0 0
AIR BAGS,UNKNOWN OR OTHER,VISIBILITY/WIPER 1 0 0 0 0
AIR BAGS,VEHICLE SPEED CONTROL,SERVICE BRAKES 1 1 0 0 0
ELECTRICAL SYSTEM,AIR BAGS 1 0 0 0 0
ELECTRICAL SYSTEM,EXTERIOR LIGHTING,STRUCTURE 1 0 0 0 0
ELECTRICAL SYSTEM,EXTERIOR LIGHTING,UNKNOWN OR OTHER 1 0 0 0 0
ELECTRICAL SYSTEM,EXTERIOR LIGHTING,VISIBILITY/WIPER 1 0 0 0 0
ELECTRICAL SYSTEM,LANE DEPARTURE 1 0 0 0 0
ELECTRICAL SYSTEM,LANE DEPARTURE,BACK OVER PREVENTION 1 0 0 0 0
ELECTRICAL SYSTEM,LANE DEPARTURE,FORWARD COLLISION AVOIDANCE 1 0 0 0 0
ELECTRICAL SYSTEM,LATCHES/LOCKS/LINKAGES 1 0 0 0 0
ELECTRICAL SYSTEM,SERVICE BRAKES 1 0 0 0 0
ELECTRICAL SYSTEM,STRUCTURE,VISIBILITY/WIPER 1 0 0 0 0
ELECTRICAL SYSTEM,UNKNOWN OR OTHER,SERVICE BRAKES 1 0 0 0 0
ELECTRICAL SYSTEM,UNKNOWN OR OTHER,VISIBILITY/WIPER 1 0 0 0 0
ELECTRICAL SYSTEM,VEHICLE SPEED CONTROL,SERVICE BRAKES 1 0 0 0 0
ELECTRICAL SYSTEM,VISIBILITY 1 0 0 0 0
ENGINE,ELECTRICAL SYSTEM 1 0 1 0 0
ENGINE,FUEL SYSTEM, GASOLINE 1 0 0 0 0
EXTERIOR LIGHTING,SERVICE BRAKES,FORWARD COLLISION AVOIDANCE 1 0 0 0 0
EXTERIOR LIGHTING,STRUCTURE 1 0 0 0 0
FUEL SYSTEM, GASOLINE,AIR BAGS 1 0 0 0 0
Fuel System NHTSA category: FUEL SYSTEM, OTHER 1 0 0 0 0
POWER TRAIN,AIR BAGS 1 0 0 0 0
POWER TRAIN,AIR BAGS,ENGINE 1 0 0 0 0
POWER TRAIN,ELECTRICAL SYSTEM,SERVICE BRAKES 1 0 0 0 0
POWER TRAIN,ELECTRICAL SYSTEM,UNKNOWN OR OTHER 1 0 0 0 0
POWER TRAIN,ENGINE,FUEL/PROPULSION SYSTEM 1 0 0 0 0
POWER TRAIN,SERVICE BRAKES 1 0 0 0 0
POWER TRAIN,UNKNOWN OR OTHER,FUEL/PROPULSION SYSTEM 1 0 0 0 0
POWER TRAIN,UNKNOWN OR OTHER,LANE DEPARTURE 1 0 0 0 0
POWER TRAIN,VEHICLE SPEED CONTROL 1 0 0 0 0
POWER TRAIN,VEHICLE SPEED CONTROL,UNKNOWN OR OTHER 1 0 0 0 0
POWER TRAIN,VISIBILITY,ENGINE 1 0 0 0 0
Service Brakes NHTSA category: SERVICE BRAKES, HYDRAULIC 1 0 0 0 0
SERVICE BRAKES, HYDRAULIC,ELECTRONIC STABILITY CONTROL (ESC),ENGINE 1 0 0 0 0
SERVICE BRAKES,BACK OVER PREVENTION,FORWARD COLLISION AVOIDANCE 1 1 0 0 0
SERVICE BRAKES,LANE DEPARTURE,FORWARD COLLISION AVOIDANCE 1 0 0 0 0
STEERING,AIR BAGS 1 0 0 0 0
STEERING,AIR BAGS,SERVICE BRAKES 1 0 0 0 0
STEERING,ELECTRICAL SYSTEM,EXTERIOR LIGHTING 1 0 0 0 0
STEERING,ELECTRICAL SYSTEM,STRUCTURE 1 0 0 0 0
STEERING,ELECTRICAL SYSTEM,UNKNOWN OR OTHER 1 0 0 0 0
STEERING,ENGINE 1 0 0 0 0
STEERING,LANE DEPARTURE 1 0 0 0 0
STEERING,SERVICE BRAKES 1 0 0 0 0
STEERING,SUSPENSION 1 0 0 0 0
STEERING,VEHICLE SPEED CONTROL,SERVICE BRAKES 1 1 0 3 0
STRUCTURE,SERVICE BRAKES 1 1 0 0 0
STRUCTURE,VISIBILITY/WIPER 1 0 0 0 0
SUSPENSION,ELECTRICAL SYSTEM,ENGINE 1 0 0 0 0
SUSPENSION,ELECTRICAL SYSTEM,VEHICLE SPEED CONTROL 1 0 0 0 0
SUSPENSION,TIRES,ENGINE 1 0 0 0 0
Tires NHTSA category: TIRES 1 0 0 0 0
UNKNOWN OR OTHER,BACK OVER PREVENTION 1 0 0 0 0
UNKNOWN OR OTHER,BACK OVER PREVENTION,FORWARD COLLISION AVOIDANCE 1 0 0 0 0
UNKNOWN OR OTHER,FORWARD COLLISION AVOIDANCE 1 0 0 0 0
UNKNOWN OR OTHER,SERVICE BRAKES 1 0 0 0 0
VEHICLE SPEED CONTROL,UNKNOWN OR OTHER,SERVICE BRAKES 1 0 0 0 0
VISIBILITY,ENGINE 1 0 0 0 0
VISIBILITY/WIPER,BACK OVER PREVENTION 1 0 0 0 0
Wheels & Hubs NHTSA category: WHEELS 1 0 0 0 0
Search Intelligence

Quick Answers: Common Problems & Reliability Questions for the 2020 Ram 1500

Direct, deterministic answers synthesized from verified United States government databases for the 2020 Ram 1500

What are the most common reported problems with the 2020 Ram 1500?

In official NHTSA consumer records, the most frequently cited issue area for the 2020 Ram 1500 is Electrical System, appearing in 159 records (25.6% of submitted filings).

Secondary reported categories include Engine & Cooling (134) and Fuel & Propulsion System (74).

Source: NHTSA Office of Defects Investigation (ODI)

Is the 2020 Ram 1500 a reliable vehicle?

AutoUtility does not issue subjective reliability scores or commercial ratings. In official United States government records, NHTSA tracks 621 consumer defect complaints and 14 safety recall campaigns for the 2020 Ram 1500.

Reviewing documented component complaint distributions, recall remedy notices, and active federal investigations provides an objective, evidence-based view of the vehicle's historical safety and defect record.

Source: NHTSA ODI & Safety Recalls Databases

Are there crash, fire, or injury reports associated with the 2020 Ram 1500?

Among consumer complaint records on file with NHTSA for the 2020 Ram 1500, 24 filings cite a crash, 6 cite smoke or fire, and 11 report one or more injuries.

Incident entries represent consumer descriptions at the time of submission to federal authorities and do not establish mechanical causation or legal liability.

Source: NHTSA Office of Defects Investigation Consumer Logs

Has NHTSA formally investigated defects on the 2020 Ram 1500?

NHTSA ODI records list 1 formal defect investigation involving the 2020 Ram 1500 (1 currently open).

Federal defect investigations are formal engineering evaluations opened when safety defect trends emerge, and do not by themselves establish a confirmed defect or mandatory recall.

Source: NHTSA Office of Defects Investigation Registry
Official US Government Data Provenance

The complaint records on this page are retrieved directly from the NHTSA Office of Defects Investigation (ODI) public database under 49 CFR Part 576.

Local Production Store Compiled: August 2026 • Deterministic Audited Dataset • Zero Dynamic External API Runtime Latency.