2020 Ram 3500 engine problems

Related recalls

• Recall 21V439000Jun 10, 202132,002 vehicles
  ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING:ENGINE:OIL/LUBRICATION

  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.

  Risk: 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.

• Recall 20V511000Aug 27, 202032,318 vehicles
  ELECTRICAL SYSTEM:SOFTWARE · ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING:ENGINE:OIL/LUBRICATION

  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.

  Risk: 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.

What owners say

1. Filed Sep 8, 2026INFireEngineTransmission & Drivetrain

   We were pulling camper to Nashville TN. We pulled off I24 toward I65 North. I noticed the engine was raving and it felt like I was missing gears on the transmission. I was roughly 4 miles from my destination when I noticed smoke coming from under the hood on passenger side and flames coming from under hood on passenger side of the hood. I stopped the truck/ camper. Three of us had extinguishers trying to put fire out. The entire engingine compartment burned and fire intruded…

   NHTSA complaint #11762938 · source
2. Filed Aug 27, 2026300,000 miTXTowedEngineFuel, Hybrid & EV Propulsion

   The contact owns a 2020 Ram 3500. The contact stated that while driving at 65 MPH, the vehicle suddenly experienced reduced speed and hesitation, and there was a rattling noise coming from the engine as the RPMs increased above 1,500. The vehicle was driven slowly to a local dealer, where the contact was informed that the high-pressure fuel pump (HPFP) had likely failed. The exact cause of the failure had not yet been determined, and the vehicle was not repaired. The contact…

   NHTSA complaint #11759916 · source
3. Filed Feb 26, 202697,000 miAZTowedEngine

   The contact owns a 2020 Ram 3500. The contact stated while driving approximately 50 MPH, the engine overheated. There was no warning light illuminated. The vehicle was towed to the dealer, where it was diagnosed and determined that the cooling fan module had failed, and the engine needed to be replaced. The vehicle was repaired. The manufacturer was made aware of the failure and referred the contact to the NHTSA Hotline to report the failure. The approximate failure mileage…

   NHTSA complaint #11720681 · source
4. Filed Feb 21, 2025IDEngineFuel, Hybrid & EV Propulsion

   Codes: P2002, P242F, P2463, P1451 Failures: DPF, Charge air cooler leak, PM sensors, EGR internally cracked, Catalytic Convertor, Pink tinged oil, strong diesel odor in oil - post failures. Erratic def gauge readings, unstable idling, clunking downshift when exhaust brake decelerates, warm up stumbling. Power reduced, see dealer (over and over and over and over). Limp Mode (5 MPH). Permanent ticks/taps from front left motor, front passenger wheel well, passenger side…

   NHTSA complaint #11644228 · source
5. Filed Nov 29, 2024115,000 miIAEngine

   The contact owns a 2020 Ram 3500. The contact stated while the vehicle was parked, he noticed that coolant was leaking underneath the vehicle. The EGR warning light was illuminated. The contact stated that upon adding coolant to the EGR valve, the contact noticed that coolant was still leaking. The vehicle was taken to the dealer, where it was diagnosed that the EGR valve had failed and needed to be replaced. The vehicle was not repaired. The manufacturer was not made aware…

   NHTSA complaint #11627960 · source
6. Filed Sep 10, 2024FLEngine

   Reoccurring messages regarding DEF, Exhaust Regeneration, and DPF, causing more and more frequent ReGen for longer and longer. Numerous trips to various Ram dealerships resulting in codes being cleared and then being told it was a software issue. After 2 years of this intermittently happening, we experienced an extended Regen that lasted hours and did not clear out the error code. Ram dealer in Utah charged $280 to do a stationary regeneration and once again clear out codes.…

   NHTSA complaint #11613771 · source
7. Filed Dec 6, 2023WAFireElectrical SystemEngine

   On 12/4/23, at 6:37 am PST, we initiated remote start via the key fob. At 6:40 am pst, a flash and fire erupted from under the hood of the truck. We immediately worked to control the fire using extinguishers and garden hoses until the fire department arrived a few minutes later. They worked to put the fire out that engulfed the engine compartment and then worked to get the hood open to finish putting the fire out. The fire didn’t fully go out until the battery cables were…

   NHTSA complaint #11558743 · source
8. Filed Jul 8, 2023ORElectrical SystemEngineFuel, Hybrid & EV Propulsion

   While driving Down a paved roadway on 6/30/23 @ 5pm doing approximately 20 miles per hour the vehicle died and the dash lite up with every single message possible such as 4WD inactive, oil change due, fuel filter service required and etc. Attempted to restart the vehicle for about 25 minutes when another citizen noticed we were having issues with the vehicle so they stopped to assist us. The citizen towed my vehicle to location we were staying at for the weekend and upon…

   NHTSA complaint #11531042 · source
9. Filed Jun 23, 2023IDEngineFuel, Hybrid & EV PropulsionTransmission & Drivetrain

   My high pressure fuel pump went out while I was towing the 43 ft enclosed trailer causing the engine to shut down. I was able to get it home and onto a car hauling trailer took it to a dealership and confirmed the high pressure fuel pump was the culprit they informed me that they would not perform the safety recall because of a modification to the vehicle which has no bearing on the safety issues at hand I contacted FCA they encouraged me to take it to a different dealership…

   NHTSA complaint #11528487 · source
10. Filed Jan 4, 2023FLEngineFuel, Hybrid & EV PropulsionWheels & Tires

    As of today, manufacturer/dealers have failed to comply with repairs based on national recalls. On several appointments, the parts are never received. Manufacturer and dealers are not complying with mandated recalls. Please take action!

    NHTSA complaint #11500137 · source
11. Filed Oct 4, 2022135,000 miARTowedElectrical SystemEngine

    The contact owns a 2020 Ram 3500. The contact stated that after his son started the vehicle, there was a metal-on-metal sound coming from the engine. The contact stated that his son was not aware of any warning lights being illuminated. The contact had not taken the vehicle to a local dealer or independent mechanic. The vehicle was towed to an independent mechanic but was not diagnosed or repaired. The manufacturer had not been informed of the failure. The contact researched…

    NHTSA complaint #11487812 · source
12. Filed Aug 3, 2022OREngine

    I am attempting to get recall 21V-880 done. This is a safety recall where failure of the engine could result in a crash. I contacted my local dealer and they state repair parts are only available in limited quantities. They put me on a waiting list and stated there are 105 vehicles ahead of me and they don’t think they will have the parts to repair the safety recall until late 2023. This is completely unacceptable for a major safety recall.

    NHTSA complaint #11477420 · source

Source: U.S. National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA) Office of Defects Investigation public data. Complaints are submitted by owners and are not verified by NHTSA or by us; a complaint does not prove a defect exists. View this vehicle on NHTSA.gov Methodology