10.0

really awful
Crashes / Fires:
0 / 1
Injuries / Deaths:
0 / 0
Average Mileage:
4,178 miles

About These NHTSA Complaints:

This data is from the NHTSA — the US gov't agency tasked with vehicle safety. Complaints are spread across multiple & redundant categories, & are not organized by problem.

So how do you find out what problems are occurring? For this NHTSA complaint data, the only way is to read through the comments below. Any duplicates or errors? It's not us.

2020 Ram 1500 electrical problems

electrical problem

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2020 Ram 1500 Owner Comments (Page 2 of 4)

« Read the previous 20 complaints

problem #50

Dec 012023

1500

  • miles

A D V E R T I S E M E N T S

My RAM 1500 experienced some random electronic related issues (ie. warning lights showing when nothing was wrong and then going away). This was an annoyance, but would fix itself so I never reported it. Then I had similar issues and all of a sudden it kept dying on me and I had to jump the car. RAM came back telling me the back window had leaked and it destroyed the eTorque battery and RFhub. The estimate was absurd, so I started researching. Turns out that the back window leak is a we-??ll know. common issue with RAM 1500s. So much so they extended the manufacture warranty on the back window and center mounted light. Unfortunately, my truck is not on that list. Beyond the cost of this repair, the safety issue occurs when RAM placed an eTorque LITHIUM BATTERY in the back seat directly under a window that has historically had issues with leaking. It is a common known fact that water and Lithium Batteries is not a good mix and could cause corrosion, short circuits, electrolyte leakage, and gas release. This can cause damage, overheating, fires, or explosions. This is the same seat that I have had my children in car seats. If the windows are known to have issues with leaking and RAM put a battery in a space that is directly under this window, would this not pose a significant risk?

- Longwood, FL, USA

problem #49

Nov 252023

1500

  • miles
While trying to accelerate from a stop, the vehicle electrical system turned off the vehicle and turned back on. When turning back on, it flashed through a series of error messages. One time was while in stop and go traffic and I was able to coast onto the shoulder and restart the vehicle. A second incident was in the middle of a busy intersection. Having had this shut down before, I was able to quickly turn on my hazards and restart the truck to then clear the intersection safely. I have personally had Dodge look at the vehicle under my ownership (bought it used from a dealer). In speaking with the service advisor, he mentioned it had 13 error codes reported on the DTC from loss of communication with PCM. There were no warning signs prior to the two events I have experienced. I have scheduled to take it back to the dealership for examination. The first event I experienced was on 11/25/2023 with about 35,450 miles. The second event was on 12/15/23 with 36,100 miles. I am aware of the recall on this vehicle but the shortage of parts has not allowed Dodge to service it for the recall yet.

- Fairfield, CA, USA

problem #48

Nov 012023

1500 8-cyl

  • miles
Frequent and expensive starter failure and replacement rate for Hemi V8 equipped trucks.

- Warminster, PA, USA

problem #47

Nov 162023

1500

  • miles

A D V E R T I S E M E N T S

On Thursday 16NOV2024 I noticed the rear sliding window on my 20' Ram had shattered on the drivers side section. The sticker on the back was damaged and appeared burnt. The weather that morning had been 35 degrees and partly cloudy. When I remote started the vehicle at 0700HRS, the rear defrost came on automatically. I drove about 10-15 minutes to work and parked. I returned to my vehicle approximately 10 minutes later and noticed a burning odor but thought it was due to a woodstove used nearby. Later in the day coworkers noticed the sticker was burned. I thought it may be intentional or due to the rear defrost system since the part that is wired and transitions to the heating grid is right under the sticker. We reviewed security footage from when I parked to when it was discovered and noone went near the vehicle. I suspected the defroster had an issue. I stopped at the dealer, my warranty was expired and I have glass coverage but I wanted to make them aware of the issue. The dealer glass rep took photos and said she'd never seen anything like it but would talk to engineers about it. The following day I received a call saying that she showed engineers the damage and was told that the system doesn't have enough voltage or heat to cause that damage and they wouldn't help. I wasn't looking for money, I have full glass/no deductible. I had the glass replaced the following Monday and asked them to save the parts I suspected of failing. I have photos of the part that appears to have failed and overheated causing the damage. I have a concern that worst case, if something had been behind the headrest up against it and the vehicle was in a structure that a fire could have occurred. I followed up with my photos and concerns but never heard back from the dealer. Noone has expressed an interest in seeing the failed part in question and I still have them in my posssesion.

- Penfield, NY, USA

problem #46

Oct 132023

1500

  • miles
Driving on highway at 70mph. Truck shut completely off and lost all power. Almost caused major accident which could-??ve resulted in serious injury.

- Troy, MO, USA

problem #45

Oct 022023

1500

  • miles
On Monday, October 10, 2023, I started my truck in the morning when the temperature was 60-65 degrees. The truck turned the rear defroster on and after 10 minutes I put my two boys in the backseat and smelt a burning smell. There was nothing smoking, so I told myself I would look at it once I got back from dropping them off. I pulled out of my driveway and within a minute my back window shattered above my 3 month old. I took it to the Dodge/Ram dealership and they said based on their inspection the third brake light was leaking and water got into/on the window and when the rear defroster turned on it shattered the window. They said it is not covered under warranty even though the main cause was a manufacture defect with the the third brake light leaking water into the vehicle. So this repair is going to cost me $1,500 because of the leak. This is a major safety violation with windows breaking above kids or people in the back seat and electrical getting wet because of the leak in the third break light.

- Marietta, GA, USA

problem #44

Oct 042023

1500

  • miles

A D V E R T I S E M E N T S

BACK OVER PREVENTION: DISPLAY FUNCTION. Rear backup camera failed, requiring the replacement of the radio unit. A rearview camera that does not display an image reduces the driver's rear view, increasing the risk of a crash. Specific to 2020 Ram 1500, but potentially similar to the recent recall of newer year 2022-2024 Ram 1500 / 2500 trucks [XXX] ). INFORMATION REDACTED PURSUANT TO THE FREEDOM OF INFORMATION ACT (FOIA), 5 U.S.C. 552(B)(6)

- Midlothian, VA, USA

problem #43

Jun 272023

1500

  • miles
The frame of the back window is cracking causing water to leak into the cab. After talking to the dealership they are saying this is happening with RAM Trucks that has not been recalled. He stated that the control module is located under the rear seat which is getting wet and causing problems to the turn signals, starting of the truck and lighting to malfunction which could cause an accident. There is also airbags located on the rear roof that could cause them not to go off. This repair is going to be between 2000 and 5000 bucks depending on the damage. I believe this should be a safety recall due to the chance of someone's life being lost.

- Bolivar, OH, USA

problem #42

Jun 172023

1500

  • miles
The start/stop feature on the truck has been malfunctioning and the light has repeatedly came on. The truck has stalled on me while driving on two different occasions. I was in the middle of driving on a busy road and also a highway and the truck stalled on me which could of caused any vehicle to the side of me, or behind me to hit my vehicle causing an accident especially when I have both my kids in the car. The dealer allegedly fixed the problem but clearly it is NOT fixed. The problem has been diagnosed by the dealer at their establishment. They say nothing shows the truck stalling in the computer but I have proof. The truck shook, the start/stop light came on along with the check engine light and then stalled out on me both times. I opened a case with ram care and they dont seem to be of any help nor is the dealer. The dealer refused both times to check the -??e-torque-?? battery that controls the start/stop feature for any failures or malfunctions and gave the excuse that theirs nothing indicating its the battery yet that battery specifically controls that feature. Ram has also recalled 131k trucks and wranglers for stalling. Ive brought the truck to them 2 times this month alone and they refuse to check that battery which 2 other dealers said was the problem. I would of brought it to the other 2 dealers but ram care advised to bring it to the dealer where I purchased the truck from. This is seriously unreal and if something happens or my kids get hurt due to an accident this is gonna be a major lawsuit. I need your help.

- East Islip, NY, USA

problem #41

Sep 012020

1500

  • 35,000 miles
The contact owns a 2020 Ram 1500. The contact stated that upon a cold start of the vehicle, the vehicle stalled while depressing the accelerator pedal. In addition, the contact stated that the vehicle intermittently stalled while driving at various speeds. The contact stated that the shift to park message was flashing on the instrument panel during the failure. The dealer was notified of the failure, but the mechanic was unable to determine the cause of the failure. The manufacturer was not notified of the failure. The vehicle was not diagnosed or repaired. The failure mileage was approximately 35,000.

- Winter Haven, FL, USA

problem #40

Apr 062023

1500

  • miles

A D V E R T I S E M E N T S

The dash lights flicker on and off cluctser goes out speed o doesn't work and if u come to a complete stop or go under 5 miles an hour the truck will put itself in part and shut completely done no matter where u r at highway city in rush hour traffic it almost had my wife hit and could of gotten killed

- Luther, OK, USA

problem #39

Dec 132022

1500

  • miles
Engine shuts down on stop. Normal. But sometimes when I take my foot off the pedal, the starter grinds unusually long and when the engine does restart the vehicle lunges forward. As my foot is instinctively on the accelerator, this sometimes could cause a rear end collision with another vehicle. This scenario has twice caused the engine light to come on. No related codes detected by dealer. The issue did present itself during a test drive with a dealer mechanic. He reset the codes to out the light. No code or solution suggested.

- Loma, MT, USA

problem #38

Jan 202023

1500

  • miles
Rear window and 3rd brake light leaking multiple times. Rear window replaced multiple times. rear window leaked this time causing an electrical short draining my battery and cause certain electronic parts of the truck not to work properly. Cracks it rear window are extremely prevalent on this vehicle and it is a known issue yet there hasn't been permanent adequate fix by the manufacturer and isn't covered once warranty runs out. the problem is a composite frame to the window that is going to crack no matter what due to temperature changes and flex in the body of the vehicle.

- Chino Valley, AZ, USA

problem #37

Oct 262022

1500

  • miles
2020 RAM 1500 with etorque. Truck 12v battery goes dead every 2-3 days. This was caused by a leak in the rear window allowing water to gather behind the rear seat resulting multiple issues including loss of control of navigation system, heater and radio. Dealer states water caused electrical shorts in canbus resulting in multiple system failures.

- Raleigh, NC, USA

problem #36

Jan 182023

1500

  • miles
I was driving my car west on Sunnyside Ave just before Se 132nd ave at approximately 40 MPH. My truck then abruptly turned off and I lost all power. I coasted safely into the left turn lane and kept the brake on. The truck was completely unresponsive to restarting and there was no function of the start button. There was power in the battery but the engine and dash computer were non functioning. The truck needed to be towed to the dealership where it is located currently at Ron Tonkin Dodge/ram/keep service center at 16800 SE McLoughlin Blvd, Milwaukie, OR 97267. Currently no diagnosis as of 1136 on Friday January 20th.

- Clackamas, OR, USA

problem #35

Dec 102022

1500

  • miles
While I was driving my vehicle just completely shutdown. I lost power steering and had to pull over to the side of the road. I pressed the start button and nothing happened. I continued to try pressing it and it finally started back up, and I drove home. A couple days later I tried starting it and it wouldn't start. Finally it started and I drove it about 100 miles. I got in it the following day and it won't start again. I'm concerned that the vehicle could shutdown on me again while driving.

- Newberg, OR, USA

problem #34

Jan 012021

1500

  • miles
Constant problems with the 12-?? screen and radio since day 1.LOTS of discussions online about all the problems with the screen locking up when searching for a SiriusXM signal. This become a safety issue because I can-??t turn down or up volume for warnings or traffic data etc. I-??ve gone to dealership multiple times and they-??ve even replaced the radio without success. I-??ve spends at least 60 hours over the course of 2 years taking to dozens of people at at least four different companies or groups. Depending on who you talk to you will get different information. This needs to be a forced recall because it is. It an isolated incident and is widespread.

- Broken Arrow, OK, USA

problem #33

Aug 282022

1500

  • miles
Electric power steering failure at 36,000 miles. Warranty ended at 35,000

- Franklin, KY, USA

problem #32

Feb 172021

1500

  • miles
Brakes grind at random and brake pedal when pressed goes to the floor resulting in having to let off brake pedal and pump it back up which has caused me to nearly hit vehicles at stop signs, stop lights or heavy traffic. Information center also keeps going out and when that happens my power steering has also went out causing issues with steering.

- Petoskey, MI, USA

problem #31

May 162022

1500

  • miles
The BSM service notice triggered a shut down of all controls associated with front windows and climate control. The UConnect system shuts down completely and the climate system defaults to defrost with fans going to max and the heat turned up to Maximum temp. With front windows control disabled you are unable to lower or raise windows and with Uconnect shut off there is no way to turn off the heat. This takes place while driving. You are literally cooking inside the vehicle The BSM service light came on to indicate service needed on a sensor located in the tail light assembly. That notification triggered the electrical malfunctions of the other systems. After sitting for 12 hours the truck systems would reset. As soon as I started driving the same sequence of events would take place again. I repeated this every day for 4 days while waiting to turn this into a dealer for investigation and repair.

- Victor, NY, USA

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