Is the 2020 Ram 2500 a bad year?
162 owner complaints to NHTSA. Engine and transmission complaints are in line with other 2500 years.
Keep it
Engine and transmission complaints for the 2020 Ram 2500 are in line with other 2500 years. Fuel system stands out for this year: see below.
The verdict moves with mileage: the same car reads differently at 30,000 and at 150,000 miles.
What 2020 2500 owners report, by mileage
Each system owners named in five or more complaints, with the mileage range where the middle half of those complaints were filed. Read at 16,000 miles.
| SYSTEM | COMPLAINTS | MIDDLE HALF FILED AT | TYPICAL US REPAIR BILLS |
|---|---|---|---|
| Fuel systemSTANDS OUT | 70 (43%) | 7k–48k miles · around this mileage | Fuel pump replacement $220–$1,500 · Fuel injector replacement (one injector) $300–$1,200 |
| Engine | 34 (21%) | 6k–47k miles · around this mileage | Valve cover gasket replacement $110–$500 · Timing chain replacement $1,000–$4,000 |
| Electrical system | 20 (12%) | 5k–39k miles · around this mileage | 12-volt battery replacement $100–$400 · Starter motor replacement $350–$1,200 |
| Body structure | 11 (7%) | 5k–24k miles · around this mileage | — |
| Transmission and drivetrain | 20 (12%) | too few with a mileage | — |
| Brakes | 14 (9%) | too few with a mileage | — |
| Steering | 10 (6%) | too few with a mileage | — |
| Wheels | 8 (5%) | too few with a mileage | — |
| Visibility and wipers | 6 (4%) | too few with a mileage | — |
Bills are typical US ranges from the sources named in the tool (J.D. Power, Kelley Blue Book, CarParts.com and others), printed only for systems that stand out or sit at or ahead of 16,000 miles. Not a quote.
What owners reported alongside their complaints
Of 162 complaints: 5 mention a crash · 4 mention a fire · 4 report an injury · 8 say the car was towed.
11 complaints were filed in the last 12 months, the newest in Aug 2026.
Counts of what owners wrote in their complaints, not verified by anyone.
Recalls for the 2020 Ram 2500: 10
The right and left side curtain air bag inflators may rupture due to a manufacturing defect. An inflator rupture may result in sharp metal fragments striking occupants, resulting in injury.
The tailgate may not latch properly due to misaligned tailgate strikers, which could result in the tailgate opening while driving. An unintended tailgate opening while driving may result in a loss of unsecured cargo, possibly creating a road hazard and increasing the risk of a crash.
A build-up of pressure and heat inside the transmission may result in a transmission fluid leak from the dipstick tube. Leaking transmission fluid may contact an ignition source within the engine compartment, increasing the risk of a fire.
The ABS control module software may prevent the electronic stability control (ESC) malfunction indicator light from illuminating during certain conditions. An ESC malfunction indicator light that fails to illuminate during an electronic stability control problem can increase the risk of a crash.
The windshield wiper arms may loosen, possibly causing the wipers to function improperly and reduce the driver's visibility in certain weather conditions. Reduced visibility increases the risk of a crash.
The High Pressure Fuel Pump (HPFP) may fail, resulting in a sudden engine stall without warning. An engine stall increases the risk of a crash.
The driver side mirror glass can detach from the backing plate and no longer provide a reflective surface. Missing driver side mirror glass reduces visibility and increases the risk of a crash.
A software error can cause the rearview camera image to remain displayed after the vehicle has been shifted out of reverse. The lingering rearview image can distract the driver, increasing the risk of a crash.
In certain side loading conditions, the bed step may unexpectedly fail while in use. A bed step that unexpectedly fails while in use increases the risk of injury to the user.
A build up of pressure and heat inside the transmission may result in a transmission fluid leak from the dipstick tube. The leaking transmission fluid may contact the turbocharger or another ignition source within the engine compartment, increasing the risk of a fire.
A recall may cover only some cars of a model year; the campaign size counts every model and year it lists. Enter your VIN at nhtsa.gov/recalls: dealers fix open recalls free.
Service bulletins from Ram: 376
Repair instructions Ram sent its dealers for symptoms seen in the shop on the 2020 Ram 2500. Ask a dealer or mechanic for a bulletin by its number.
On Cummins diesel applications that are for 2019 and newer the bpro part 1BP00507AB can on occasions create a check engine light
Diagnostic Trouble Code (DTC) P2459-00 Particulate Filter Regeneration Too Frequent Setting in the Powertrain Control Module…
Powertrain Control Module (PCM) Updates Customers must experience a Malfunction Indicator Lamp…
The vehicle will exhibit a service transmission/check engine warning indicator for the following transmission
NHTSA defect investigations: 2
High pressure fuel pump failure
High pressure fuel pump failure
Neighbouring years
2019 2500: 194 complaints, keep it · 2021 2500: 108 complaints, keep it.
Every Ram 2500 year
2000 · 2001 · 2002 · 2003 · 2004 · 2005 · 2006 · 2007 · 2008 · 2009 · 2010 · 2011 · 2012 · 2013 · 2014 · 2015 · 2016 · 2017 · 2018 · 2019 · 2020 · 2021 · 2022 · 2023 · 2024 · 2025 · 2026 · All 2500 years side by side
Other Ram models: Ram 1500 · Ram 3500 · Ram 5500 · Ram Promaster. All makes and models.
Questions
Is the 2020 Ram 2500 a bad year?
162 owner complaints to NHTSA. Engine and transmission complaints are in line with other 2500 years. At 16,000 miles the tool says: Keep it.
What are the most common problems with the 2020 Ram 2500?
By owner complaints to NHTSA: fuel system (70), engine (34), electrical system (20), body structure (11), transmission and drivetrain (20).
How many recalls does the 2020 Ram 2500 have?
10 recall campaigns list this model year: Air bags (NHTSA 25V-010), Body structure (NHTSA 22V-904), Transmission and drivetrain (NHTSA 22V-835), Brakes (NHTSA 22V-140) and more. A recall may cover only some cars; check by VIN at nhtsa.gov/recalls.
Method: counts of unverified owner complaints filed with NHTSA, compared only with other years of the same model (sales volumes are unknown, so no failure rate is computed). A system stands out at 40+ complaints and at least twice the model's quiet (lower-quartile) year, or twice the share across every vehicle of that model year. The mileage range is the 25th to 75th percentile of the mileages owners reported. Data received by NHTSA through November 5, 2026. Repair prices are typical US ranges from named sources, not quotes. Not a diagnosis and not financial advice. PulsCar is not affiliated with NHTSA. Check this car at your own mileage.