10.0

really awful
Crashes / Fires:
0 / 2
Injuries / Deaths:
0 / 0
Average Mileage:
11,784 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 engine problems

engine problem

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2020 Ram 1500 Owner Comments (Page 5 of 5)

« Read the previous 20 complaints

problem #15

Jun 012020

1500

  • 2,000 miles

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

Vehicle emits a strong vibration in 1800-2000 RPM at every gear and speed when the engine is under load. The vehicle does not vibrate at this RPM range in park or neutral. Vehicle emits vibration through driver steering wheel, gas pedal, floor, and seat. Vibration also felt in passenger floor. Vibration causes booming, sounds in the cabin that are uncomfortable. Vibration is increased when in 4WD auto vs 2wd and 4WD high. Vibration is at its loudest at cruising speeds on highway when in the affected RPM range. Fca is unwilling to address the vibrations of the vehicle and refuses to diagnose and repair. Vehicle is described as "operating as designed" and this is a "characteristic of the vehicle" from fca customer service representatives and technicians/engineers. Vibrations causing headaches and nausea due to general discomfort of the cabin vibration. Issue did not exist upon purchase of vehicle, but rather developed after roughly 2000 miles.

- Mount Pleasant, MI, USA

problem #14

Aug 202020

1500

  • 9,450 miles
High levels of copper in the oil. Veh. Has 20,400 miles on it. Three consecutive oil changes with oil analysis performed. Bearing failure occurring, oil pressure has dropped 4 psi.while driving freeway speeds. Psi as low as 28 at idle....

- Bullhead City, AZ, USA

problem #13

Dec 082020

1500

  • 5,000 miles
While driving my 2020 Ram 1500 laramie with only 5K miles on the odometer, I stopped behind a school bus. The truck's start/stop feature activated as it normally does and the engine shut off. I pressed the dashboard button to de-activate the start/stop feature for the remainder of the trip. When I did this, a loud electrical spark sound occurred and the truck completely died in the roadway. All power was lost, I could not even activate the hazard lights. There was a strong odor of something burning in the cabin. No smoke was visible, though. I had the truck towed to my dealer to be diagnosed and I am awaiting their phone call with that info.

- Marshfield Hills, MA, USA

problem #12

Nov 142020

1500

  • 14,000 miles

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

The contact owns a 2020 Ram 1500. The contact stated that while driving with the driver's and the passenger's side rear windows rolled down, the vehicle shook violently as if the tires were off the ground. The contact stated that with passenger's side rear windows rolled up, the shaking stopped. The contact pulled over and inspected the wheels but found no visual failures. The contact stated that the failure recurred after resuming driving. The contact mentioned that his step-dad had the same vehicle and experienced similar failures with the rear windows rolled down. The contact stated that there was an error in the dynamic design flow with similar 2020 Ram 1500's. neither the dealer nor the manufacturer were notified of the failure. The failure mileage was approximately 14,000. The VIN was not available.

- Port Huron, MI, USA

problem #11

Sep 012020

1500

  • 10,587 miles
Truck fails to properly accelerate creating dangerous moments when attempting to pull into traffic.problem seems to occur more frequent in warmer weather but is occurring more frequently as mileage accumulates. This issue did not occur in the first 3-4000 miles. But now occurs quite frequently. When it happens the accelerator is fully depressed with extremely slow engine acceleration. The first experience with issue a service electronic throttle warning displayed. The cel set at that time cleared by itself. Dealer has been unable to determine cause. This problem seems like it is engine & boost management related.

- Simpsonville, SC, USA

problem #10

Sep 192020

1500

  • 1,950 miles
While backing up an inclined driveway onto a busy road the rear braking assist activated without cause, shutting off the engine, leaving me exposed to oncoming traffic. We were able to restart and pull back into the driveway so there was not an accident but it was a very dangerous situation.

- Essexville, MI, USA

problem #9

Mar 012020

1500

  • 8,000 miles

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

The contact owns a 2020 Ram 1500. The contact stated the vehicle failed to start intermittently. The contact stated that several days later, the vehicle started as designed. The contact took the vehicle to bay Chrysler Dodge Jeep Ram (636 15th St, panama city, fl 32401, (850) 785-1591) who were unable to identify the cause of the failure. The failure persisted. The manufacturer was made aware of the failure and a case was filed. The approximate failure mileage was 8,000.

- Rosemary Beach, FL, USA

problem #8

Sep 012020

1500

  • 966 miles
Vehicle has consistent throttle input response lag. When applying throttle from a standstill there is a 1 to 1.5 second lag before the engine revs. The same lag occurs when but can last up to 3 seconds when attempting to increase acceleration from any given rolling speed. This is incredibly dangerous as it makes the simple and frequent challenge of crossing an intersection and/or overcoming slower traffic impossibly difficult to accomplish safely and without drama/stress. Delays in response cause the drivers to second guess their decisions and actions. The result will either be to lift off of the throttle (at which point the vehicle may decide to accelerate partially) or to take their eyes off of the road/traffic and check the instrument panel (at which point the vehicle may then decide to accelerate). If there is oncoming traffic, pedestrians or other obstacles, this can result in a major accident, injury and/or death.

- Warminster, PA, USA

problem #7

Aug 062020

1500

  • 850 miles
The contact owns a 2020 Ram 1500. The contact stated that while driving, she saw indicator lights on the instrument panel which stated that the auto stop and start torque systems were unavailable. The engine and battery warning lights were illuminated. The electrical system failed and truck shut-off. The contact pulled the vehicle over to the side of the roadway. The contact had the vehicle towed to stone's Chrysler Dodge Jeep Ram (615 S yellowstone hwy, rexburg, id 83440 208-497-5121). The contact was informed that the part of the motor generator unit to fix the vehicle was on backorder and there was no eta on when the vehicle would be repaired. The manufacturer was reviewing the case. The vehicle was not repaired. The failure mileage was 850.

- Nampa, ID, USA

problem #6

Jul 192020

1500

  • 3,483 miles
On Sunday, July 19, 2020, parked and turned on the ac. Start smelling something burning and white smoke started to come out of front and cab vents. Immediately turned off and let truck sit for 30 minutes and drove about ten miles and the white smoke and smell returned. Pulled over on the freeway to check under the hood for smoke. No smoke was coming from the engine compartment. So, we called dealership to see if this was normal for an ecodiesel truck. The smell and smoke gave passengers inside the vehicle headaches. We were made aware that this wasn't normal and needed to bring the truck in. The smoked continued to travel throughout the truck vents even after it was parked at the resident. July 20,2020 contacted roadside services and had the truck towed to the dealership. The dealership diagnostic was the heater core caused these problems. Passengers experienced headache from the smoke and burning smell. This is a safety hazard especially for someone that is unable to smell, especially if all the windows are up. The truck has less than 3,500 miles. This was a brand new 2020 vehicle and is still at the dealership being repaired.

- San Diego, CA, USA

problem #5

Jun 212020

1500 6-cyl

  • 3,800 miles

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

On two separate occasions in the past week, the throttle pedal in this gen 3 ecodiesel engine has failed to respond upon pressing it to make a turn after driving the truck for a few minutes. I will drive a few miles, then stop in a turning lane awaiting a chance to complete the left hand turn across traffic, and when I apply pressure to the throttle pedal nothing happens. It's as if the pedal has been unplugged. As I continue to hold pressure on the pedal, several seconds will go by and then immediately there will be a harsh jerk and the truck will immediately apply power. This is a separate issue from the terrible lag in throttle response that has been present since the truck was brand new. This loss of all pedal response only began to happen this past week, with approximately 3,800 miles on the odometer.

- Lawrenceburg, KY, USA

problem #4

May 062020

1500 8-cyl

  • 300 miles
Check engine light came on at around 300 miles. Code P3497. Brought it to the dealer and was told it needs new lifters. Truck was in motion on a city street when light came on.

- Mastic Beach, NY, USA

problem #3

Apr 152020

1500 6-cyl Diesel

  • 1 miles
2020 Ram 1500 ecodiesel has a serious turbo lag. When yielding and then accelerating, the engine power seems to just drop out, falls flat. By this time vehicle coasts into approaching lanes and then it will suddenly accelerate with a burst of power. I feel it is turbo lag but may also be that the transmission is not down shifting in time in addition. I've heard numerous others mention this and it's something that I have to watch for constantly but cannot catch it everytime. This specifically happens every time I go to exit my long driveway onto a 4 lane hwy.

- Robinson, TX, USA

problem #2

Apr 142020

1500 6-cyl Diesel

  • 650 miles
Throttle response or acceleration lag after letting off the gas to change lanes or slowing for corners etc. Has happened at end of exit off the interstate after stopping at stop sign, then proceeding to make a right turn into the lane. Upon pressing gas truck seems to "coast" or wait a few seconds before realizing it's getting gas then will suddenly accelerate. You have to wait and not give it gas for a few seconds for it to catch up.this causes a problem when changing lanes in town in traffic. Appears to happen mainly at slower speeds. Such lag could cause you to get rear ended a lot can happen in 3 to 5 seconds. Have had vehicle to shop, inspected and no signs of anything wrong upon testing. Has happened again, will take to shop again. This has happened 5 or 6 times now in less than 30 days of ownership. Truck now has 1078 miles on it.

- Kilgore, TX, USA

problem #1

Mar 052020

1500

  • 510 miles
3.0L gen 3 ecodiesel engine has excessive lag and delay in throttle response. While traveling at steady speed in lower gears 3rd, 4th, or 5th and then depressing accelerator pedal to increase speed, engine will not respond until three to four seconds have elapsed. This creates a significant hazard when attempting to merge into traffic or cross traffic during a left turn. Prior experience with multiple gasoline and diesel turbo-charged vehicles has not presented this issue to me. The 2020 Ram 1500 ecodiesel has a magnitude of turbo lag and unresponsive throttle that is quite dangerous.

- Lawrenceburg, KY, USA

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