2020 Ram 3500: Reliability Data
Source: NHTSA — 154 complaints
154
Total Complaints
24,000mi
Median Mileage
Fuel/Propulsion System
Top Issue
8
Crash Reports
When Do Complaints Happen?
Distribution of NHTSA complaints by vehicle mileage at time of report.
5,900
25th Percentile
24,000
Median Mileage
61,589
75th Percentile
What Fails?
Most reported component issues from NHTSA complaints.
Fuel/Propulsion System
32
Engine
25
Fuel System, Diesel
20
Power Train
10
Electrical System
7
Service Brakes
7
Steering
7
Unknown Or Other
6
Wheels
6
Engine And Engine Cooling
3
Severity Assessment
8
Crashes
10
Fires
8
Injuries
0
Deaths
Sample Complaint Reports
"NEW RAM SHUT DOWN & WONT RUN. DIAGNOSIS DONE BY DEALER TO CONCLUSION OF FUEL SYSTEM FAILURE. DEALER SAID NO PARTS AVAILABLE TO FIX TRUCK. 3RD TRUCK SINCE LATE JUNE. 2019 RAM 2500 WITH DIESEL ENGINE FAIL 30000MI 2020 RAM 3500 WITH SAME ENGINE 9600MI 2020 RAM 3500 4400MI WHICH TURN OUT TO HAVE CON..."
"I PURCHASED A KNEW 20 RAM 3500 AND ALL THOUGH I HAVEN'T HAD THE ISSUE HAPPEN TO ME YET, I'M A NERVOUS WRECK THAT IT WILL AND MY FAMILY AND I WILL BE STRANDED. THERE ARE HUNDREDS IF NOT THOUSANDS OF PEOPLE HAVING EXPERIENCED A CATASTROPHIC FAILURE OF THE FAIRLY NEW CP4 FUEL PUMP. WHEN THIS GOES, I..."
"TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2020 RAM 3500. THE CONTACT STATED WHILE DRIVING 65 MPH AND TOWING A GENERATOR UP A HILL, THE VEHICLE STALLED WITH THE DIESEL EXHAUST AND ENGINE STABILITY CONTROL WARNING LIGHTS ILLUMINATED. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT DRIVABLE. THE VEHICLE TOWED TO PLATINUM CHRYSLER DODGE RAM JEEP LOC..."
Source: NHTSA ODI Complaints Database. Names and identifying details omitted.
When Were Complaints Filed?
Number of complaints by the year the issue occurred.
When Does Each Component Fail?
Median mileage at complaint for top components.
Fuel/Propulsion System
32 complaints
25th: 3,875 mi
Median: 6,350 mi
75th: 25,614 mi
Engine
25 complaints
25th: 14,592 mi
Median: 27,000 mi
75th: 31,950 mi
Fuel System, Diesel
20 complaints
25th: 17,018 mi
Median: 24,000 mi
75th: 31,296 mi
Where Are Complaints Coming From?
Top states by complaint count.
CA: 27
TX: 24
FL: 15
OR: 9
AZ: 8
NC: 7
WA: 7
UT: 6
ID: 5
OK: 5
Who Files Complaints?
2.6%
Original Owners
97.4%
Second+ Owners
Ram 3500 — Other Years
See how this model compares across different model years.
Active Recalls (11)
Federal safety recalls issued for this vehicle.
Oil/Lubrication
Campaign 21V439000 | 10/06/2021
Low oil can damage the engine, causing an oil leak or a punctured engine block, increasing the risk of a fire.
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.
Linkages
Campaign 22V035000 | 27/01/2022
Reduced visibility increases the risk of a crash.
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.
Camera
Campaign 20V191000 | 10/09/2020
The lingering rearview image can distract the driver, increasing the risk of a crash.
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 ser
Automatic Transmission
Campaign 20V043000 | 24/01/2020
The leaking transmission fluid may contact the turbocharger or another ignition source within the engine compartment, increasing the risk of a fire.
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.
Fuel Pump
Campaign 21V880000 | 12/11/2021
An engine stall increases the risk of a crash.
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 le
Structure
Campaign 20V207000 | 09/04/2020
A bed step that unexpectedly fails while in use increases the risk of injury to the user.
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
Lugs/Nuts/Bolts/Studs
Campaign 21V398000 | 27/05/2021
Wheel separation can cause a vehicle crash.
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
Oil/Lubrication
Campaign 20V511000 | 27/08/2020
A damaged engine block may leak oil, which can contact hot engine or exhaust components, increasing the risk of a fire.
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.
Control Unit/Module
Campaign 22V140000 | 10/03/2022
An ESC malfunction indicator light that fails to illuminate during an electronic stability control problem can increase the risk of a crash.
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.
Automatic Transmission
Campaign 22V835000 | 10/11/2022
Leaking transmission fluid may contact an ignition source within the engine compartment, increasing the risk of a fire.
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.
Hinge And Attachments
Campaign 22V904000 | 08/12/2022
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.
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.
Protect Your Fuel System
Based on the most common issues reported for this vehicle.
- Use the octane rating specified in your owner's manual
- Don't let the tank run below 1/4 full — the fuel pump uses fuel for cooling
- Replace the fuel filter at manufacturer intervals
- If the car sits for weeks, use a fuel stabilizer
- Address hesitation or rough idle early — fuel injector issues worsen quickly
Vehicle Rankings
Looking for a replacement?
Based on the data above, here are relevant options.
Affiliate link
Data source: View this vehicle on NHTSA.gov | NHTSA ODI Complaints Database. Public domain.
Methodology: Complaint counts and mileage distributions are computed directly from consumer-reported NHTSA complaints. This data represents reported issues, not failure rates — vehicles without complaints are not represented. Full methodology.
Data through: 2026-03-28