NHTSA (USA)High Risk
At a glance
This page covers 16 recalls, 592 owner complaints, NHTSA crash-test ratings and EPA fuel economy for the 2020 Ram 1500.
17–24 mpg combined
9.8–13.8 L/100km
Standard Pickup Trucks 4WD
Fuel economy data from fueleconomy.gov (EPA / U.S. Dept. of Energy). Annual cost based on 15,000 mi/yr at 55% city driving and current fuel prices. MPG is U.S. gallons; L/100km converted. Ranges reflect the 4 tested variants for this model year.
4/5 Overall
NHTSA 5-Star Safety Rating
Engine and electrical complaints dominate owner reports for the 2020 Ram 1500. On the engine side, owners frequently describe check engine lights appearing alongside starting failures, trucks that crank without starting or leave drivers stranded, sometimes following a remote start error. The electrical system draws a steady stream of reports as well, with owners describing the heated steering wheel overheating to the point of burning fingers at contact points, particularly around the 9 o'clock position. Separate electrical complaints touch on tailgates unlatching and falling open on their own despite being secured. A recurring cosmetic issue also shows up across multiple reports: dashboard delamination and bubbling on both the driver and passenger sides, typically noticed around 40,000 miles. Fuel fill complaints appear as well, with owners reporting gas spilling back during refueling due to what they describe as improper tank venting behavior.
592
Total Complaints
23
Crash-Related
6
Fire-Related
12
With Injuries
By System
The 2020 RAM 1500 has 16 recalls, the most serious involving curtain airbag inflators that can rupture or shed their end caps, sending metal fragments into the cabin.
Several other recalls also affect occupant safety. A software glitch can corrupt the restraint control module and disable all airbags and seatbelt pretensioners at once. The driver's side airbag may not be properly connected and can fail to deploy in a crash. A side curtain airbag diffuser can detach from the inflator during deployment, leaving the bag underinflated. Front seatbelt retractors on certain trucks may not properly slow occupant movement in a crash. On 3.0L diesel models, the high-pressure fuel pump can fail and stall the engine, and a radio software reset on these same trucks can prevent the rearview camera from appearing when reversing. Trucks with adjustable pedals have a separate concern: the floormats can trap the accelerator and prevent it from returning to idle. A software fault in the ABS control module can knock out electronic stability control. Visibility problems round out the list: wiper arms can loosen and fail to clear the windshield, the rearview camera image can linger after shifting out of reverse or fail to appear at all on certain radio displays, the driver's side mirror glass can detach from its backing plate, and on trucks with heated trailer tow mirrors, that mirror glass can also fall off while driving. The tailgate may not latch fully and can swing open, dropping unsecured cargo onto the road.
At a glance
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Driver Assistance
Ratings from NHTSA's New Car Assessment Program (NCAP). Based on 4 tested variants; worst-case ratings shown.
Complaints are owner-reported and reflect individual experiences, not confirmed defects. They are distinct from recalls. Data sourced from the national vehicle safety complaint database. See trending complaints →
What can fail
The driver's side air bag connector may not be secured properly, preventing the air bag from deploying during a crash.
What the fix does
Dealers secured the air bag connectors. This repair has been completed on all recalled vehicles at no cost.
Summarized — see the official notice for exact wording, dates, and contacts.
At a glance
What can fail
The glass on the driver's side heated trailer tow mirror can detach, reducing rear visibility.
What the fix does
Dealers will replace the mirror glass at no cost.
Summarized — see the official notice for exact wording, dates, and contacts.
At a glance
What can fail
The driver's side mirror glass may not be properly attached and could fall off on certain trucks with heated trailer tow mirrors.
What the fix does
The dealership will replace the driver's side mirror glass.
Summarized — see the official notice for exact wording, dates, and contacts.
At a glance
What can fail
A software problem in the anti-lock brake system control module may turn off the electronic stability control system, reducing your vehicle's braking and handling control.
What the fix does
Dealers will update the anti-lock brake system control module software at no cost to restore electronic stability control function.
Summarized — see the official notice for exact wording, dates, and contacts.
At a glance
What can fail
The tailgate striker may be misaligned with the box latch, preventing the tailgate from latching properly and allowing it to open while driving.
What the fix does
Dealers will inspect the tailgate striker alignment and adjust it as needed at no cost.
Summarized — see the official notice for exact wording, dates, and contacts.
At a glance
What can fail
The high pressure fuel pump may fail, causing the engine to stall without warning.
What the fix does
Dealers will replace the high pressure fuel pump and inspect and replace other fuel system parts as needed.
Summarized — see the official notice for exact wording, dates, and contacts.
At a glance
What can fail
A radio software error may prevent the rearview camera image from displaying on the infotainment screen, affecting rear visibility.
What the fix does
Dealers will update the radio software at no cost to restore rearview image display.
Summarized — see the official notice for exact wording, dates, and contacts.
At a glance
What can fail
A software issue in the radio may cause it to reset. If you shift into reverse during a reset, the rearview camera image won't display on screen, violating Canadian requirements for reverse camera visibility.
What the fix does
FCA Canada will mail you instructions to visit a dealership, where technicians will update the radio software.
Summarized — see the official notice for exact wording, dates, and contacts.
At a glance
What can fail
The side air bag inflatable curtain inflator may have a detached end cap or a ruptured sidewall, potentially preventing proper air bag deployment.
What the fix does
Dealers will inspect and replace the side air bag inflatable curtain assemblies at no cost.
Summarized — see the official notice for exact wording, dates, and contacts.
At a glance
What can fail
The driver side mirror glass can separate from its backing plate, eliminating the reflective surface and preventing proper rear visibility.
What the fix does
Dealers will replace the driver side mirror glass at no cost to you.
Summarized — see the official notice for exact wording, dates, and contacts.
At a glance
What can fail
During a crash, the front seat belt retractor may fail to properly slow the occupant's forward movement after locking, reducing protection.
What the fix does
Dealers will replace the front seat belt retractors at no cost.
Summarized — see the official notice for exact wording, dates, and contacts.
At a glance
What can fail
A software error in the 8.4" or 12" radio display can cause the rearview camera image to stay on screen after shifting out of reverse, blocking your view.
What the fix does
Dealers will update the radio display software for free. You can also download the update yourself via Over-The-Air update starting May 1, 2020.
Summarized — see the official notice for exact wording, dates, and contacts.
At a glance
What can fail
The driver's floormat may interfere with the accelerator pedal in certain positions, preventing it from returning to idle.
What the fix does
Dealers will modify the driver's floormat to eliminate the interference with the accelerator pedal.
Summarized — see the official notice for exact wording, dates, and contacts.
At a glance
What can fail
The side curtain airbag diffuser may be improperly crimped to the inflator, causing it to detach when the airbag deploys.
What the fix does
Dealers will replace the side curtain airbag assemblies at no cost.
Summarized — see the official notice for exact wording, dates, and contacts.
At a glance
What can fail
The windshield wiper arm may loosen, causing the wipers to stop working properly and reducing visibility in wet weather.
What the fix does
Dealers will tighten the wiper nuts at no cost to you.
Summarized — see the official notice for exact wording, dates, and contacts.
At a glance
What can fail
The Occupant Restraint Controller's memory may become corrupted, which can disable the air bags and seat belt pretensioners.
What the fix does
Dealers will reprogram or replace the Occupant Restraint Controller at no cost.
Summarized — see the official notice for exact wording, dates, and contacts.
