2020 Ram 1500 engine problems
165 of the 631 complaints owners filed with NHTSA about the 2020 Ram 1500 name the engine (NHTSA’s “Engine” heading — the engine and its cooling system). Filed under the same heading: 191 manufacturer bulletins. Every figure below is a document in a federal file, linked; none is a failure rate, and none is a verdict on any one car.
What owners filed about the engine
Source: NHTSA complaint database1 of the 165 reports a crash · 4 a fire · 0 injuries. Self-reported, unverified.
Filed per year: 2020: 13 · 2021: 8 · 2022: 11 · 2023: 37 · 2024: 30 · 2025: 49 · 2026: 17
Half of the 54 owners who gave an odometer reading reported the engine problem between 9,000 and 75,000 miles. A median of reports, not the life of a part.
631 complaints in all about the 2020 Ram 1500, 17 filed in 2026. The whole picture, every system →
Counts are owner reports to NHTSA, not verified defects, and scale with how many of these were sold; nothing here is a rate. NHTSA groups complaints coarsely, so “Engine” means the same area of the vehicle, not one fault.
Across model years: Ram 1500 engine problems, every year on file →
In owners’ own words
Source: NHTSA complaint databaseFiled with NHTSA by the people who own these cars, about the engine. Quoted as written, with anything identifying removed; unverified reports — what was said, not a finding that it was true.
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.
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
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.
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 failure persisted. The manufacturer was made aware of the failure and a case was filed. The approximate failure mileage was 8,000
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.
What is on file about the engine
Source: NHTSA recalls, investigations and manufacturer communications191 manufacturer bulletins filed under this heading
- 9100898 Service bulletinSep 8, 2026
- Engine PNs: MY 24-26 WD/DT (5.7L) Code P00B is being misdiagnosed and incorrect parts are being installed causing over repair. Refer to SOL S2609000006 The IAFM Foam Engine Valley Cover (PN 53013735AB) does not provide sufficient clearance for proper routing of the MDS solenoid jumper harness (PN 05148163AE). As a result, the harness may become compressed by the foam cover. To prevent unnecessary
The 1 newest are listed; every one is on the model year’s page. Quote the document number at a service desk — it is a diagnosis the maker has already written down.
Trouble codes named on this system
P208B P20E8 P0407 P0408 C1403 P0403 P057B P26FB
Codes a bulletin or an owner’s complaint about the 2020 Ram 1500 names on this model year; a code with a record of its own links it.
Other systems with a record on the 2020 Ram 1500
Source: the same files- electrical problems 162 complaints
- fuel system problems 76 complaints
- visibility and wiper problems 63 complaints
- transmission and drivetrain problems 62 complaints
Common questions
Source: NHTSA complaint database, recalls and manufacturer communicationsAre engine problems common on the 2020 Ram 1500?
They are documented: NHTSA holds 165 owner complaints naming the engine on this model year (26% of everything owners filed about it), and 191 manufacturer bulletins are filed under the same heading. Whether it is a problem on one particular car is a diagnosis, not a count, and a count says nothing about how many were sold.
Is there a recall for the engine on the 2020 Ram 1500?
No recall campaign is filed under this heading for this model year (there are 14 filed under other headings). A bulletin is not a recall: it carries no federal duty to repair for free.
When do engine problems show up on the 2020 Ram 1500?
Owners who gave an odometer reading reported it at a median of 48,000 miles; half of them between 9,000 and 75,000. That is when reports cluster, not the life of a part.
What does NHTSA's "Engine" heading cover?
The engine and its cooling system. Owners choose the heading when they file, so it says which area of the vehicle the complaint is about, not which part failed.