VinCanary

Reliability report · 2020 Ram 1500 · Updated July 2026

The year the redesigned Ram settles down — less than half the complaints of 2019, with no single runaway problem, just the leaks and engine risks to check.

2020 is where the fifth-generation Ram 1500 finds its footing. Complaints fall to 605 from 2019's 1,444, the recall count drops to a normal level, and — importantly — no single issue dominates the recent file the way steering did in 2019. Instead it's a spread of moderate items: lingering rear-window and third-brake-light water leaks (still covered by the XL1 and XG1 warranty extensions), some electrical and battery-drain reports, and the beginnings of the engine story that grows in 2021.

That balance is why 2020 lands at Chirping: a good year of a good truck, with the work being ordinary diligence rather than damage control. Check for active leaks and confirm the extensions, cold-start the engine for a Hemi tick, note whether it's an eTorque truck (the 48-volt mild-hybrid adds a failure point), and verify the recalls are closed. Do that and 2020 is one of the safer fifth-generation buys.

Evidence: 605 NHTSA complaints · 13 recall campaigns · 3 mechanic & forum sources

Canary status

Chirping

What that means: 605 federal complaints — under half of 2019 — and a balanced file with no dominant failure: some steering, some electrical, some water leaks, some engine. The first-year fires are out. What's left is a normal used-truck checklist: confirm the leak extensions, listen to the engine, and verify the recalls.

CalmChirpingSquawkingFainted

605

Federal complaints

13

Recalls (all populations)

Known issues

Ranked by the cost of ignoring them. Every claim carries its source.

Rear-window and third-brake-light water leaks

moderate

The early fifth-generation leak issue carries into 2020: water enters through a cracked rear-window (backlite) frame or the center high-mounted stop lamp, wetting the headliner and the back of the cab. Chrysler's XL1 (back glass) and XG1 (CHMSL) warranty extensions reseal or replace the affected part. Inspect the rear headliner, the area behind the seats, and the cab corners for staining and a musty smell, and confirm whether either extension was performed. (Confirm the coverage window in the bulletin.)

What to check

Pink and cleanServiced. Proceed.

Dark brownDamage underway.

Sources: NHTSA complaint database, 2020 Ram 1500 · NHTSA recall database and manufacturer communications (warranty extensions XL1, XG1; CSN U21; recalls 20V622, 24V653)

5.7L Hemi cam-and-lifter tickmajor

The Hemi's valvetrain risk is a constant across the generation: a worn lifter and cam lobe tick and eventually misfire. Independent mechanics quote a cam-and-lifter repair at a minimum around $4,500, with full engine replacement often recommended once metal appears in the oil. A cold-start listen is the single most valuable check. A serpentine-belt-tensioner Customer Satisfaction Notification (U21) also applies to some 2020 trucks — worth a VIN check. Pentastar V6 trucks avoid the Hemi-specific risk.

Sources: NHTSA complaint database, 2020 Ram 1500 · Independent mechanic channel transcripts (5.7 Hemi cam/lifter; eTorque MGU teardown)

~$4,500

Cam + lifter repair (mechanic-quoted minimum)

higher

Engine replacement (often recommended)

eTorque 48-volt mild-hybrid riskmoderate

If the truck has eTorque, the 48-volt system runs off a belt-driven motor-generator unit (MGU) that independent mechanics describe as a known failure point, plus a 48-volt battery pack that can throw 'service required' and stop/start faults. Symptoms include power-loss hesitation and abrupt stop/start behavior. It's not universal, but on an eTorque 2020 it's worth confirming the system is fault-free and factoring the MGU into the price (see the 2021 report for detail). A non-eTorque Hemi or the V6 avoids it.

Sources: NHTSA complaint database, 2020 Ram 1500 · Independent mechanic channel transcripts (5.7 Hemi cam/lifter; eTorque MGU teardown)

Electrical and battery drainmoderate

The recent file carries a steady thread of electrical complaints — battery drain and no-starts (the body-control module waking overnight), plus rearview-camera and radio glitches that drew their own software recalls (22V638). Usually a nuisance rather than a stranding, but a dead battery from parasitic drain is real. Confirm the truck starts reliably after sitting, exercise the electronics, and check the camera-software recall by VIN.

Sources: NHTSA complaint database, 2020 Ram 1500 · NHTSA recall database and manufacturer communications (warranty extensions XL1, XG1; CSN U21; recalls 20V622, 24V653)

Safety recalls to confirmminor

2020 carries a manageable recall set to verify by VIN: a driver-side mirror whose glass can detach (20V622), a side-curtain airbag diffuser crimp (20V374), an occupant-restraint-controller airbag issue shared with 2019 (19V407), a floormat that can trap the accelerator on adjustable-pedal trucks (20V513), and the ABS/ESC software item (24V653). All are free fixes; just confirm completion.

Sources: NHTSA recall database and manufacturer communications (warranty extensions XL1, XG1; CSN U21; recalls 20V622, 24V653)

Rear-window and third-brake-light leaks are still around on 2020 — Chrysler covers both with warranty extensions if you catch them.
3 mechanic & owner sources

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Open recalls

Free fixes at any Ram dealer. Run the VIN — “completed” isn’t always completed.

  1. 20V622Driver-side mirror glass can detach and lose the reflective surface (2020); mirror glass replaced free.open
  2. 20V374Side-curtain airbag diffuser may be improperly crimped and detach on deployment (2020); airbag assemblies replaced free.open
  3. 19V407Occupant-restraint-controller memory can corrupt and disable airbags/pretensioners (2019–2020); ORC reprogrammed/replaced free.open
  4. 20V513Floormat can trap the accelerator pedal on adjustable-pedal trucks (2019–2020); floormat modified free.open
  5. 22V638Radio software may prevent the rearview image from displaying (2020–2021); software updated free.open
  6. 24V653ABS module software can disable electronic stability control (2019, 2021–2024 — with 2020 populations); software updated free.open
  7. 22V767Diesel-only: high-pressure fuel pump can fail and stall the engine (2020–2022 diesel); pump replaced free.open

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