2020 Ram 4500 reliability

Is it reliable?

Owners have filed 4 complaints with NHTSA about the 2020 Ram 4500 over 7 years — 1 per year. That is more complaints per year than most 4500 years here — over the median of the other years, which is 0. NHTSA has 10 recalls on file, including Hoses and fittings, Linkages, and Fuel pump.

2013 Ram 4500 — Photo by Florian Pépellin, resized from the original. Wikimedia Commons CC BY-SA 4.0

Complaints

Per year

Recalls

Years on the road

What owners report

The complaints owners file most often name Visibility (2 of 4), then Diesel fuel system (1) and Fuel and propulsion system (1).

Next to 2019 and 2021

The 2019 4500 has 6 complaints, 1 per year, and the 2021 has 0 complaints, 0 per year. The 2020 has fewer 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 4500. How we count. Data as of 2026-10-16.

Recalls (10)

Recall hydraulic brakes, foundation components, hoses and fittings 2022-10-11 · NHTSA campaign 22V759000

Summary Chrysler (FCA US, LLC) is recalling certain 2019-2020 Ram 4500 and 5500 Cab Chassis vehicles. The rear brake hose inside diameter may be too small, which could cause the hose to rupture. As such, these vehicles fail to comply with the requirements of Federal Motor Vehicle Safety Standard number 106, "Brake Hoses."

Remedy Dealers will replace the rear brake hoses, free of charge. Owner notification letters were mailed April 27, 2023. Owners may contact FCA US, LLC customer service at 1-800-853-1403. FCA US, LLC's number for this recall is ZA5.

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 hydraulic brakes, foundation components, hoses and fittings 2021-01-26 · NHTSA campaign 21V023000

Summary Excellance, Inc (Excellance) is recalling certain 2019-2020 Excellance-modified RAM 4500/5500 vehicles to be equipped with CLASS Suspension Systems. In the affected suspension systems, the rear brake caliper flexible line may have been routed so that it contacts a suspension component, possibly causing excessive wear and a loss of rear brakes.

Remedy Excellance will notify owners, and dealers will install a kit to remedy any damage and to prevent any future damage, free of charge. The manufacturer has not yet provided a schedule for recall notification. Owners may contact Excellance customer service at 1-800-882-9799.

Recall suspension, rear 2021-01-20 · NHTSA campaign 21V016000

Summary Custom Truck And Body Works is recalling certain 2020 Dodge 4500 and 5500 vehicles. In the affected suspension systems, the rear brake caliper flexible line may have been routed so that it contacts a suspension component, possibly causing excessive wear and a loss of rear brakes.

Remedy Custom Truck And Body Works will notify owners, and dealers will repair the affected suspension systems, and rear brake caliper flexible line, free of charge. Owners may contact Custom Truck And Body Works customer service at 1-706-553-9178. Custom Truck And Body Works number for this recall is 20E-031.

Recall hydraulic brakes, power assist, vacuum, hoses and fittings 2021-01-13 · NHTSA campaign 21V008000

Summary Braun Northwest (Braun Northwest) is recalling certain 2019-2020 RAM 4500/5500 vehicles equipped with Liquid Spring rear suspension systems. In the affected suspension systems, the rear brake caliper flexible line may have been routed so that it contacts a suspension component, possibly causing excessive wear and a loss of rear brakes.

Remedy Braun Northwest will notify owners, and dealers will install a repair kit to each rear caliper and modify the rear brake caliper flexible line mounting. Any worn rear brake caliper flexible lines will be replaced as needed, free of charge. The recall began June 8, 2020. Owners may contact Braun Northwest customer service at 1-360-748-0195.

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 suspension, rear 2020-05-13 · NHTSA campaign 20E031000

Summary LiquidSpring LLC (LiquidSpring) is recalling certain Compressible Liquid Adaptive Suspension Systems (C.L.A.S.S.), part numbers DS135RS3A, DS135RS3AF, DS135RS3-DM, sold for use with 2019-2020 RAM 4500 and 5500 vehicles. In the affected suspension systems, the rear brake caliper flexible line may have been routed so that it contacts a suspension component, possibly causing excessive wear and a loss of rear brakes. As such, these parts fail to comply with Federal Motor Vehicle Safety Standard (FMVSS) number 105, "Hydraulic and Electric Brake Systems."

Remedy LiquidSpring has notified the purchasers, and the affected vehicle manufacturers will file recalls to have their dealers inspect the rear brake caliper flexible lines for wear and install a kit to modify the rear brake caliper flexible line mounting, and if necessary, a kit to replace worn brake lines, free of charge. The recall May 13, 2020. Owners may contact LiquidSpring customer service at 1-765-474-7816, extension 1.

Complaints by component (4 total)

Visibility

Diesel fuel system

Fuel and propulsion system

Crash-flagged

Fire-flagged

Injury reports

Death reports

Complaints filed per year

Excerpts from recent NHTSA complaint filings

"We purchased this vehicle as a cab and chassis and took it to a professional outfitter to have a service Knapheide box added. The box was equipped with incorporated locks. We had an issue with a check engine light and…"
Unknown or other · filed 2026-09-11
"The contact owns a 2020 Ram 4500. The contact stated that while driving approximately 65 MPH during a rainstorm, the windshield wipers were activated; however, the windshield wipers failed to engage as needed. The…"
Visibility · filed 2025-10-03
"The contact owns a 2020 Ram 4500. The contact received notification of NHTSA Campaign Number: 21V880000 (Fuel System, Diesel) and 22V035000 (Visibility) however, the parts to do the recall repairs were not yet…"
diesel fuel system, Visibility · filed 2022-06-01
"Truck turned off while driving and died. Would not turn back on. Was towing a 40ft gooseneck trailer with a load on it. Truck was stopped blocking multiple lanes of traffic. Truck and trailer had to be towed to nearest…"
Fuel and propulsion system · filed 2021-10-22

Specs and fitment

Fifth-generation cab chassis, 2019–present

Body styles Cab chassis

Oil 0W-40 or 5W-40 (6.4L gas common; diesel may differ) , 7 qt capacity

Tire size LT225/70R19.5, LT225/80R17.5, LT245/70R19.5 (trim/chassis dependent)

Known issues for this generation

Recall 21V-398 covers certain 2012-2021 Ram 4500 cab chassis vehicles: incorrect information in the service and owner's manuals may cause flanged lug nuts to be undertorqued, which can allow a wheel to loosen or detach and increase crash risk. Dealers update the torque specification in the owner's manual and published service documents, and inspect the vehicle's wheel studs.

Compare

Previous year 2019 Ram 4500 See every Ram 4500 model year →

Frequently asked questions

Is the 2020 Ram 4500 reliable?

What are common problems with a 2020 Ram 4500?

The complaints owners file most often name Visibility (2 of 4), then Diesel fuel system (1) and Fuel and propulsion system (1).

Is the 2020 Ram 4500 more reliable than the years next to it?

The 2019 4500 has 6 complaints, 1 per year, and the 2021 has 0 complaints, 0 per year. The 2020 has fewer complaints per year than the 2019. The 2020 has more complaints per year than the 2021.

Has the 2020 Ram 4500 been recalled?

The 2020 Ram 4500 has 10 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 4500?

Owners have filed 4 complaints about the 2020 Ram 4500 with NHTSA.

What engine oil does a US Ram 4500 use?

0W-40 or 5W-40 (6.4L gas common; diesel may differ)

What NHTSA recalls affect the US Ram 4500?

Where should I confirm Ram 4500 maintenance specs?

Use the US owner manual and under-hood labels for oil grade, capacities, and tire pressures; this page summarizes common US fitments but does not replace the manual.