The Lemon Index2020 Ram 1500.
The 2020 Ram 1500 is about average by owner complaints: 507 complaints in its first 3 years and a Lemon Index of 96, where 100 is the average car. Owners complain most about engine, it has 21 recalls, and it gets 17 to 26 mpg combined. The best Ram 1500 year is 2000.
Covers the whole Ram pickup line (1500, 2500 and 3500): Ram reports their sales together.
Before you buy. What matters most for this car.
How serious. Out of 917 owner complaints, owners reported:
Every Ram 1500 year. 2020 is highlighted. Lower is better.
What owners complain about most. From owner complaints to the government.
Share of this year's owner complaints filed with NHTSA, not the share of cars that break. One complaint can name more than one area.
When owners reported problems. From owner complaints to the government.
Most owners who filed a complaint with NHTSA had 4K to 60K miles on the car (283 complaints listed the miles). This shows when people who had a problem reported it, not the odds that your car will have it.
- engine complaints mostly came at 6K–71K miles
- electrical complaints mostly came at 1K–80K miles
- fuel or ev drive system complaints mostly came at 4K–13K miles
Recalls 21
- seat belts 2026
The second-row center and left-side seat belt buckle anchors may have been improperly installed.
- airbags 2025
The driver's side air bag may not be connected properly, which can cause the air bag not to deploy as intended.
- airbags 2025
The right and left side curtain air bag inflators may rupture due to a manufacturing defect.
Show all 21 recalls
- visibility 2024
The mirror glass may detach from the driver's side heated trailer tow rearview mirror.
- body structure 2022
The tailgate may not latch properly due to misaligned tailgate strikers, which could result in the tailgate opening while driving.
- transmission & drivetrain 2022
A build-up of pressure and heat inside the transmission may result in a transmission fluid leak from the dipstick tube.
- fuel system, gasoline 2022
The high pressure fuel pump (HPFP) may fail, causing an engine stall.
- back over prevention 2022
A radio software error may prevent the rearview image from displaying.
- brakes 2022
The ABS control module software may prevent the electronic stability control (ESC) malfunction indicator light from illuminating during certain conditions.
- visibility 2022
The windshield wiper arms may loosen, possibly causing the wipers to function improperly and reduce the driver's visibility in certain weather conditions.
- fuel system, diesel 2021
The High Pressure Fuel Pump (HPFP) may fail, resulting in a sudden engine stall without warning.
- airbags 2021
The side air bag inflatable curtain (SABIC) inflator end cap may detach from the inflator, or the inflator sidewall may rupture.
- visibility 2020
The driver side mirror glass can detach from the backing plate and no longer provide a reflective surface.
- seat belts 2020
In the event of a crash, a front seat belt retractor may not properly slow the occupant's forward movement after locking.
- back over prevention 2020
A software error can cause the rearview camera image to remain displayed after the vehicle has been shifted out of reverse.
- speed control 2020
In certain accelerator pedal positions, the floormats may prevent the pedal from returning to the normal resting (idle) position.
- airbags 2020
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.
- visibility 2020
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.
- body structure 2020
In certain side loading conditions, the bed step may unexpectedly fail while in use.
- transmission & drivetrain 2020
A build up of pressure and heat inside the transmission may result in a transmission fluid leak from the dipstick tube.
- airbags 2019
The flash memory of the Occupant Restraint Controller (ORC) may become corrupted, disabling the vehicle's air bags and seat belt pretensioners.
Recall repairs are free at any dealer. A recall only matters if it's still open on that exact car, so check its VIN.
Problems Ram told dealers about
Ram sent dealers 1671 repair notes for this car. The ones about its biggest problems:
- ADAPTER, Engine Oil Filter (Pentastar V6) Engineering is seeking information regarding OFA leaks
- SEAL, Input If looking to replace stubshaft due to ATX fluid leaking, do not replace PTU seals
- Intelligent Battery Sensor-IBS Installation, Battery Charging Message, Start Stop Charging…
Ask a seller or mechanic if these were done. Some are free under warranty or a special program.
Government investigations
- OpenHigh pressure fuel pump failure2023
- ClosedHigh pressure fuel pump failure2021–2023
NHTSA looks into a problem when enough owners report it. Many end in a recall.
Safety
Crash test details
| Version | Overall | Front | Side | Rollover |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Ram 1500 Crew PU/CC 4WD | ★★★★★ | ★★★★☆ | ★★★★★ | ★★★★☆ |
| Ram 1500 Quad PU/EC 4WD | ★★★★☆ | ★★★★☆ | ★★★★★ | ★★★★☆ |
| Ram 1500 Crew PU/CC 2WD | ★★★★★ | ★★★★☆ | ★★★★★ | ★★★★☆ |
| Ram 1500 Quad PU/EC 2WD | ★★★★☆ | ★★★★☆ | ★★★★★ | ★★★★☆ |
| Ram 1500 Classic Crew PU/CC 4WD | ★★★★☆ | ★★★★☆ | ★★★★★ | ★★★☆☆ |
| Ram 1500 Classic Quad PU/EC 4WD | ★★★★☆ | ★★★★☆ | ★★★★★ | ★★★☆☆ |
Fuel cost and engines
About $2900–4350 a year in fuel (EPA estimate). Engines: 3.0L 6-cyl, 3.6L 6-cyl, 5.7L 8-cyl.
In owners' words
The fuel filler line isn't working properly. The pump shuts off continuously when trying to fill the tank. It only fills a couple of seconds then shuts off. It can take 15 - 20 minutes to fill a tank of gas.
2020 Ram 1500 owner · NHTSA complaint 11397027
More owner reports
Truck lost power and died while driving on the interstate. Truck would not crank again after it lost power. Fuel injector pump exploded sending metal throughout the entire fuel system.
NHTSA complaint 11365426
Losing power while driving down the road. Losing power when pushing on gas pedal. Makes awful noise when starting. Almost sounds like a bad starter
NHTSA complaint 11388629
Quick answers
Is the 2020 Ram 1500 reliable?
About average by government complaints. It drew about the average number of complaints filed with NHTSA in its first 3 years, per car sold (Lemon Index 96; 100 is average, lower is better). The best Ram 1500 year by this measure since 2010 is 2023.
What are the most common 2020 Ram 1500 problems?
In owner complaints to the government, the parts named most are engine (21%), fuel or ev drive system (16%) and electrical (14%). That is the share of complaints, not the share of cars that break.
How many recalls does the 2020 Ram 1500 have?
21 safety recalls (latest: seat belts). Recall repairs are free at any dealer; check a specific car's VIN at nhtsa.gov/recalls.
What gas mileage does the 2020 Ram 1500 get?
17 to 26 mpg combined, depending on the engine (EPA estimate).
Is the 2020 Ram 1500 safe?
NHTSA gave it 5 out of 5 stars overall in its best tested version. Ratings differ by body style, and the full table is on the advanced page.
At what mileage do 2020 Ram 1500 problems start?
Half of the owners who gave a mileage reported the problem between 4,600 and 60,000 miles. The middle report was at 22,000 miles, from 283 complaints.
Does the 2020 Ram 1500 have transmission problems?
Transmission and drivetrain issues make up 10% of its owner complaints.
How much does the 2020 Ram 1500 cost in fuel a year?
About $2900 to $4350 a year, by the EPA's current estimate.
What engines does the 2020 Ram 1500 have?
3.0L 6-cyl, 3.6L 6-cyl, 5.7L 8-cyl.
What Ram 1500 year is better than the 2020?
By owner complaints per car sold, the best recent years are 2018, 2017 and 2013.
Lemon Index = safety complaints filed with the U.S. government (NHTSA) in a car's first 3 years, per car sold, against the average car of the same model year. 100 is average; lower is better. A complaint is an owner's report, not a confirmed defect. How it works