2020 Ram 2500: Problems & Reliability
CAUTION2020 Ram 2500: CAUTION — 162 owner complaints, rated on its recalls: 10 campaigns, 4 for fire or crash risk; top issue: fuel / propulsion system (40 complaints).
CarWhere's verdict score for the 2020 is 1.53, where 1.00 is a typical 2500 year once complaints are weighted for severity and spread over time on the road; caution starts at 1.25 and avoid at 1.60. Severity drives it: 73% of those complaints report a crash, fire or injury or involve a safety-critical system (engine, powertrain, steering, brakes or fuel). Its raw count is below the median year, but it has been on the road only about 6 years, so complaints are arriving faster than for older 2500 years.
Sources: NHTSA owner complaints (ODI), recall campaigns and manufacturer service bulletins, CarWhere verified buyer prices · Model years 2015–2026 compared · Updated 2026-11-07 · By CarWhere Research · Methodology
162
NHTSA complaints
1.53
Verdict score (1.00 = typical 2500 year)
711
Service bulletins
10
Recall campaigns
Most-reported 2020 Ram 2500 problems
Fuel / propulsion system leads a spread-out record, named in 25% of complaints.
| Component | Complaints | Share of 2020 complaints |
|---|---|---|
| Fuel / propulsion system | 40 | 25% |
| Engine | 33 | 20% |
| Fuel system | 30 | 19% |
| Diesel | 30 | 19% |
| Unknown or other | 20 | 12% |
A complaint can name more than one component, so shares can add up to more than 100%.
2020 Ram 2500 recalls
10 recall campaigns on federal record for the 2020, reported between Jan 24, 2020 and Jan 16, 2025.
| NHTSA campaign | Reported | Component |
|---|---|---|
| 25V010000 | Jan 16, 2025 | Air bags › Side/window › Curtain › Inflator |
| 22V904000 | Dec 8, 2022 | Structure › Body › Tailgate › Hinge and attachments |
| 22V835000 | Nov 10, 2022 | Powertrain / transmission › Automatic transmission |
| 22V140000 | Mar 10, 2022 | Service brakes, hydraulic › Antilock/traction control/electronic limited slip › Control unit/module |
| 22V035000 | Jan 27, 2022 | Visibility › Windshield wiper/washer › Linkages |
| 21V880000 | Nov 12, 2021 | Fuel system, diesel › Delivery › Fuel pump |
| 20V622000 | Oct 8, 2020 | Visibility › Rearview mirrors/devices › Exterior |
| 20V191000 | Sep 10, 2020 | Backup camera / back-over prevention › Sensing system › Camera |
| 20V207000 | Apr 9, 2020 | Structure |
| 20V043000 | Jan 24, 2020 | Powertrain / transmission › Automatic transmission |
2020 Ram 2500 service bulletins
The manufacturer has filed 711 technical service bulletins with NHTSA for the 2020 — more than the 440 of the median 2500 year from 2015 to 2026. Coded bulletins most often cover electrical system (212), powertrain / transmission (69), engine & cooling (63). Bulletins are repair instructions for dealer technicians, not recalls.
The 2020 vs. the year before and after
From the 2019 to the 2020, owner complaints fell 16% (194 → 162) — an improvement. The 2021 that followed fell 33% (162 → 109), so the 2021 has the lighter record so far.
| Model year | Verdict | Complaints | Bulletins | Recalls | Avg. buyer-paid |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2019 2500 | CAUTION | 194 | 757 | 12 | — |
| 2020 (this page) | CAUTION | 162 | 711 | 10 | — |
| 2021 2500 | CAUTION | 109 | 535 | 8 | — |
Prices are averages of CarWhere verified buyer transactions (shown when 3+ deals exist for the year). Full year-by-year table: Ram 2500 years to avoid.
What to check on a used 2020 Ram 2500
Fuel / propulsion system (40 complaints on the 2020): smell for fuel around the car, watch for hesitation or stalling, and check for a lit check-engine light.
Engine (33 complaints on the 2020): cold-start it yourself and listen for ticking or knocking; check for oil leaks, low coolant and a lit check-engine light, and ask for oil-change records.
Powertrain / transmission (20 complaints on the 2020): test-drive from cold through every gear and feel for slipping, harsh or delayed shifts and shudder; ask whether the transmission fluid has been serviced.
Recalls: confirm all 10 campaigns above were completed on this VIN.
Nearby 2500 years with a better rating: 2023.
Know what to pay for the right 2020 Ram 2500 — then negotiate it
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FAQ
Is the 2020 Ram 2500 reliable?
2020 Ram 2500: CAUTION — 162 owner complaints, rated on its recalls: 10 campaigns, 4 for fire or crash risk; top issue: fuel / propulsion system (40 complaints). CarWhere's verdict score for the 2020 is 1.53, where 1.00 is a typical 2500 year once complaints are weighted for severity and spread over time on the road; caution starts at 1.25 and avoid at 1.60.
What are the most common 2020 Ram 2500 problems?
By NHTSA owner complaints, the most-reported areas on the 2020 Ram 2500 are fuel / propulsion system (40, 25%), engine (33, 20%), fuel system (30, 19%). The manufacturer has 711 service bulletins on file for this model year.
How many recalls does the 2020 Ram 2500 have?
10 recall campaigns on federal record for the 2020 Ram 2500, most recently 25V010000 (Jan 16, 2025, air bags); 22V904000 (Dec 8, 2022, structure); 22V835000 (Nov 10, 2022, powertrain / transmission). Recall completion is VIN-specific, so check the exact car.
How do I check a specific 2020 Ram 2500 before buying?
Decode the VIN free at carwhere.com/tools/vin-decoder to confirm the build, then run the $9.99 CarWhere Full VIN Report for the exact VIN — recall, complaint, and service-bulletin record for this model year, the original window sticker where the manufacturer publishes one, and a market price check from verified buyers. One-time purchase, no subscription.
Sources & method
Complaint, recall and service-bulletin counts for the 2020 Ram 2500 come from NHTSA's Office of Defects Investigation; the verdict is CarWhere’s severity-weighted, time-on-road-adjusted score compared with the model’s own median year. Complaints are owner allegations, not verified defects. Full methodology.