Reliable Auto DB

2020 Ram 3500 reliability

Is it reliable?

The 2020 Ram 3500 has 116 complaints with NHTSA after 7 years, or 24 per year. That is more complaints per year than most 3500 years here — over the median of the other years, which is 17. NHTSA has 11 recalls on file, including Hinge, Automatic transmission, and Brake control module.

2012 Ram 3500
Photo by MercurySable99, resized from the original. Wikimedia Commons CC BY-SA 4.0
Complaints

116

Per year

24

Recalls

11

Years on the road

7

What owners report

The complaints owners file most often name Fuel and propulsion system (33 of 116), then Engine (27) and Diesel fuel system (23). Those filings include 6 that report a crash, 7 that report a fire, and 2 that report an injury.

Next to 2019 and 2021

The 2019 3500 has 135 complaints, 17 per year, and the 2021 has 62 complaints, 10 per year. The 2020 has more complaints per year than the 2019. The 2020 has more complaints per year than the 2021.

The complaint rate is complaints filed in this year’s first 3 years on the road, divided by however many of those years have passed. Recalls are a separate count. The numbers are for the US-market 2020 Ram 3500. How we count. Data as of .

Recalls (11)

Recall structure, body, tailgate, hinge 2022-12-08 · NHTSA campaign 22V904000
Summary 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.
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.
Recall powertrain, automatic transmission 2022-11-10 · NHTSA campaign 22V835000
Summary 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.
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.
Recall Brake control module 2022-03-10 · NHTSA campaign 22V140000
Summary 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."
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.
Recall visibility, windshield wiper, linkages 2022-01-27 · NHTSA campaign 22V035000
Summary 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.
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.
Recall diesel fuel system, delivery, fuel pump 2021-11-12 · NHTSA campaign 21V880000
Summary 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.
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.
Recall engine and cooling, engine, oil and lubrication 2021-06-10 · NHTSA campaign 21V439000
Summary 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.
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 wheels, lug nuts 2021-05-27 · NHTSA campaign 21V398000
Summary 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.
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.
Recall back-over prevention, sensing system, camera 2020-09-10 · NHTSA campaign 20V191000
Summary 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."
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.
Recall engine and cooling, engine, oil and lubrication 2020-08-27 · NHTSA campaign 20V511000
Summary 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.
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.
Recall Structure 2020-04-09 · NHTSA campaign 20V207000
Summary 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.
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.
Recall powertrain, automatic transmission 2020-01-24 · NHTSA campaign 20V043000
Summary 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.
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.

Complaints by component (116 total)

Fuel and propulsion system
33
Engine
27
Diesel fuel system
23
Powertrain
12
Electrical system
9
Service brakes
7
Steering
7
Wheels
7
Tires
5
Engine and engine cooling
4
Structure
4
Speed control
3
Air bags
2
Back-over prevention
2
Forward collision avoidance
2
Visibility and wipers
2
Fuel system, gasoline
1
Hydraulic brakes
1
Lane departure
1
Show 11 more Show less
Crash-flagged

6

Fire-flagged

7

Injury reports

2

Death reports

0

Complaints filed per year

82020372021272022212023920246202582026
Excerpts from recent NHTSA complaint filings
  • "High pressure fuel pump recall failed and put my life in danger ️ Terrible experience not only for me but it put in danger a Semi truck driver and others almost got killed"
    Fuel and propulsion system · filed 2026-09-10
  • "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…"
    Powertrain, Engine · filed 2026-09-08
  • "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…"
    diesel fuel system, Engine · filed 2026-08-27
  • "I was in a single-vehicle accident on July 20th, 2026 and hit an oak tree head-on center and my airbags didn't deploy. I have a fractured neck and whiplash, not to mention other minor injuries. I am now able to type in…"
    Air bags · filed 2026-08-25
  • "The contact owns a 2020 Ram Promaster 3500. The contact received notification of NHTSA Campaign Number: 25V552000 (Back Over Prevention); however, the part to do the recall repair was not yet available. The contact…"
    Back-over prevention · filed 2026-04-13

Specs and fitment

Fifth-generation HD, 2019–present
Body styles Pickup
Oil Diesel oil per Cummins CES / API CK-4 (see manual by climate) , 12 qt capacity
Tire size 275/70R18, 285/60R20 (SRW); 235/80R17 (DRW)

Known issues for this generation

2019–2020 Ram 3500 (and sibling 2500/4500/5500) trucks with the 6.7L Cummins are covered by NHTSA campaign 21V-880 (FCA Y78): the Bosch CP4.2 high-pressure fuel pump may fail prematurely, send metal debris through the fuel system, and cause fuel starvation or loss of motive power. The remedy inspects/replaces the HPFP (dealers move affected trucks to a more durable CP3-style pump arrangement) and cleans contaminated fuel systems as needed. Later fifth-gen years leave that CP4 window; still verify 21V-880 completion on any 2019–2020 VIN and watch open emissions and software campaigns that continue on current HD trucks.

Compare

Previous year 2019 Ram 3500 Next year 2021 Ram 3500 See every Ram 3500 model year →

Frequently asked questions

Is the 2020 Ram 3500 reliable?

The 2020 Ram 3500 has 116 complaints with NHTSA after 7 years, or 24 per year. That is more complaints per year than most 3500 years here — over the median of the other years, which is 17. NHTSA has 11 recalls on file, including Hinge, Automatic transmission, and Brake control module.

What are common problems with a 2020 Ram 3500?

The complaints owners file most often name Fuel and propulsion system (33 of 116), then Engine (27) and Diesel fuel system (23). Those filings include 6 that report a crash, 7 that report a fire, and 2 that report an injury.

Is the 2020 Ram 3500 more reliable than the years next to it?

The 2019 3500 has 135 complaints, 17 per year, and the 2021 has 62 complaints, 10 per year. The 2020 has more complaints per year than the 2019. The 2020 has more complaints per year than the 2021.

Has the 2020 Ram 3500 been recalled?

The 2020 Ram 3500 has 11 recalls on file with NHTSA. See the recalls table on this page for dates, components, and remedies.

How many complaints have owners filed about the 2020 Ram 3500?

Owners have filed 116 complaints about the 2020 Ram 3500 with NHTSA.

What oil does a Ram 3500 Cummins take?

Diesel oil per Cummins CES / API CK-4 (see manual by climate)

What does NHTSA recall 21V-880 cover on the Ram 3500?

2019–2020 Ram 3500 (and sibling 2500/4500/5500) trucks with the 6.7L Cummins are covered by NHTSA campaign 21V-880 (FCA Y78): the Bosch CP4.2 high-pressure fuel pump may fail prematurely, send metal debris through the fuel system, and cause fuel starvation or loss of motive…

What generation is the 2013 Ram 3500?

Fourth-generation HD (2012-2018).