The Used Car Index

2020 Ram 4500 problems

NHTSA lists 4 complaints for the 2020 Ram 4500, 0 of them mention a crash and 0 mention a fire. 0 complaints mention an injury, with 0 injuries and 0 deaths reported.

Data build 2026-10-07.

NHTSA lists this vehicle as RAM 4500.

At a glance

Complaints
4
With crash
0
With fire
0
With injury (complaints)
0
Injuries
0
Deaths
0
Recalls
9
Do not drive recalls
0
Park outside recalls
0
Recall potential units (maximum)
447,985
Investigations
2
Open investigations
1
Manufacturer communications
568

Complaints per 100k sold unavailable. No sales source is available for this record.

Where the complaints are

Top systems
SystemComplaintsShare of this vehicle's complaints
VISIBILITY250.0%
FUEL SYSTEM, DIESEL125.0%
FUEL/PROPULSION SYSTEM125.0%
UNKNOWN OR OTHER125.0%
Top subsystems
SystemSubsystemComplaints

One complaint can name several systems, so shares can add to more than 100 percent.

Model-generated complaint tags

These labels are model-generated, not NHTSA data.

Failure modes
LabelCountShare of taggedMean confidence
electrical electronic125.0%1.00
mechanical failure125.0%0.89
unclear125.0%0.97
visibility or lighting125.0%0.99
Severities
LabelCountShare of taggedMean confidence
low250.0%0.67
moderate250.0%0.98

Model: typesafe/jev-1.13-20260917; schema version: tag-v1. 4 tagged complaints of 4 complaints (100.0%).

Confidence is the model's own probability for the label it chose (0 to 1), not accuracy.

Model-generated labels on tagged complaints only. Model years 2013 and newer are tagged in full; 2012 in part (see tagged_share); earlier model years have no tags. NHTSA's own flags remain separate in the complaints block.

Recalls

See new recalls and investigations this week.

9 recalls.

22V759000

Date: 2022-10-11. Systems: SERVICE BRAKES, HYDRAULIC.

Defect: Chrysler (FCA US, LLC) is recalling certain 2019-2020 Ram 4500 and 5500 Cab Chassis vehicles. The rear brake hose inside diameter may be too small, which could cause the hose to rupture. As such, these vehicles fail to comply with the requirements of Federal Motor Vehicle Safety Standard number 106, "Brake Hoses."

Consequence: A brake hose rupture can cause a loss of braking ability, increasing the risk of a crash.

Remedy: Dealers will replace the rear brake hoses, free of charge. Owner notification letters were mailed April 27, 2023. Owners may contact FCA US, LLC customer service at 1-800-853-1403. FCA US, LLC's number for this recall is ZA5.

Do not drive: No. Park outside: No.

22V035000

Date: 2022-01-27. Systems: VISIBILITY.

Defect: Chrysler (FCA US, LLC) is recalling certain 2019-2020 Ram 2500 and Ram 3500 vehicles, Ram 3500 Cab Chassis, 4500 Cab Chassis, 5500 Cab Chassis and 3500 Cab Chassis with a gross vehicle weight rating (GVWR) of less than 10,000 lbs. The windshield wiper arms may loosen, possibly causing the wipers to function improperly and reduce the driver's visibility in certain weather conditions.

Consequence: Reduced visibility increases the risk of a crash.

Remedy: Dealers will tighten the wiper nuts, free of charge. Owner notification letters were mailed February 15, 2022. This recall is an expansion of recall number 20V-208. Owners may contact FCA US, LLC customer service at 1-800-853-1403. FCA US, LLC's number for this recall is Z08.

Do not drive: No. Park outside: No.

21V880000

Date: 2021-11-12. Systems: FUEL SYSTEM, DIESEL.

Defect: Chrysler (FCA US, LLC) is recalling certain 2019-2020 Ram 2500, 3500 pickup trucks, and Ram 3500, 4500, and 5500 cab chassis vehicles equipped with Cummins 6.7L Turbo Diesel engines. The High Pressure Fuel Pump (HPFP) may fail, resulting in a sudden engine stall without warning. (excerpt)

Consequence: An engine stall increases the risk of a crash. (excerpt)

Remedy: Dealers will replace the HPFP, update the Powertrain Control Module (PCM) software, and inspect and replace additional fuel system components as necessary, free of charge. Interim owner notification letters to inform owners of the safety recall were mailed on January 4, 2022. Owner notification letters were mailed on May 17, 2022. Phase 2 owner notification letters are expected to be mailed on (excerpt)

Do not drive: No. Park outside: No.

21V439000

Date: 2021-06-10. Systems: ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING.

Defect: Chrysler (FCA US, LLC) is recalling certain 2019-2020 Ram 3500, 4500, and 5500 cab chassis vehicles equipped with a Cummins 6.7L High Output engine. The engine calibration software may not warn about low oil volume.

Consequence: Low oil can damage the engine, causing an oil leak or a punctured engine block, increasing the risk of a fire.

Remedy: Dealers will update the engine calibration software, free of charge. Owner notification letters were mailed June 25, 2021. Owners may contact FCA US LLC customer service at 1-800-853-1403. FCA US LLC's number for this recall is Y21.

Do not drive: No. Park outside: No.

21V398000

Date: 2021-05-27. Systems: WHEELS.

Defect: Chrysler (FCA US, LLC) is recalling certain 2012-2021 RAM 3500, 3500 Cab Chassis, 4500 Cab Chassis, and 5500 Cab Chassis vehicles. Incorrect information in the Service and Owner's Manuals may cause the flanged lug nuts to be over-tightened, which could result in a broken wheel stud and possible wheel separation. (excerpt)

Consequence: Wheel separation can cause a vehicle crash. (excerpt)

Remedy: Dealers will update the torque specification in the owner's manual and other published service documents. Dealers will also inspect the vehicle's wheel studs, replacing them if necessary, free of charge. Owner notification letters were mailed on November 30, 2021. Campaign Y36 owner notification letters were mailed on November 30, 2021. Campaign Y26 owner notification letters were mailed on De (excerpt)

Do not drive: No. Park outside: No.

21V023000

Date: 2021-01-26. Systems: SERVICE BRAKES, HYDRAULIC.

Defect: Excellance, Inc (Excellance) is recalling certain 2019-2020 Excellance-modified RAM 4500/5500 vehicles to be equipped with CLASS Suspension Systems. In the affected suspension systems, the rear brake caliper flexible line may have been routed so that it contacts a suspension component, possibly causing excessive wear and a loss of rear brakes.

Consequence: A worn rear brake caliper flexible line may cause brake fluid leakage which may result in a partial or complete loss of the rear brakes, increasing the risk of a crash.

Remedy: Excellance will notify owners, and dealers will install a kit to remedy any damage and to prevent any future damage, free of charge. The manufacturer has not yet provided a schedule for recall notification. Owners may contact Excellance customer service at 1-800-882-9799.

Do not drive: No. Park outside: No.

21V016000

Date: 2021-01-20. Systems: SERVICE BRAKES, SERVICE BRAKES, HYDRAULIC, SUSPENSION.

Defect: Custom Truck And Body Works is recalling certain 2020 Dodge 4500 and 5500 vehicles. In the affected suspension systems, the rear brake caliper flexible line may have been routed so that it contacts a suspension component, possibly causing excessive wear and a loss of rear brakes.

Consequence: A worn rear brake caliper flexible line may cause brake fluid leakage, which may result in a partial or complete loss of the rear brakes, increasing the risk of a crash.

Remedy: Custom Truck And Body Works will notify owners, and dealers will repair the affected suspension systems, and rear brake caliper flexible line, free of charge. Owners may contact Custom Truck And Body Works customer service at 1-706-553-9178. Custom Truck And Body Works number for this recall is 20E-031.

Do not drive: No. Park outside: No.

21V008000

Date: 2021-01-13. Systems: SERVICE BRAKES, HYDRAULIC.

Defect: Braun Northwest (Braun Northwest) is recalling certain 2019-2020 RAM 4500/5500 vehicles equipped with Liquid Spring rear suspension systems. In the affected suspension systems, the rear brake caliper flexible line may have been routed so that it contacts a suspension component, possibly causing excessive wear and a loss of rear brakes.

Consequence: A worn rear brake line may leak fluid, resulting in a partial or complete loss of the rear brakes, increasing the risk of a crash.

Remedy: Braun Northwest will notify owners, and dealers will install a repair kit to each rear caliper and modify the rear brake caliper flexible line mounting. Any worn rear brake caliper flexible lines will be replaced as needed, free of charge. The recall began June 8, 2020. Owners may contact Braun Northwest customer service at 1-360-748-0195.

Do not drive: No. Park outside: No.

20V511000

Date: 2020-08-27. Systems: ELECTRICAL SYSTEM, ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING.

Defect: Chrysler (FCA US LLC) is recalling certain 2019-2020 Ram 3500, 4500 and 5500 cab chassis built with a Cummins 6.7L High Output engine. Inadequate warmup protection can cause a lack of oil film on the engine connecting rod bearings while the engine is reaching operating temperature. This can result in engine damage and connecting rod failure, which could potentially puncture the engine block.

Consequence: A damaged engine block may leak oil, which can contact hot engine or exhaust components, increasing the risk of a fire.

Remedy: Chrysler will notify owners, and dealers will flash the engine calibration software to enhance the engine warm up protection, free of charge. The recall began September 10, 2020. Owners may contact Chrysler customer service at 1-800-853-1403. Chrysler's number for this recall is W57.

Do not drive: No. Park outside: No.

Investigations

2 investigations; 1 open.

EA23001

Opened: 2023-03-17. Closed: Not listed.

High pressure fuel pump failure

The Office of Defects Investigation (ODI) opened PE21-021 on October 14, 2021, to investigate incidents alleging a stall/loss of motive power as a result of high-pressure fuel pump failures in certain model year (MY) 2019-2020 Ram 2500, 3500, 4500, and 5500 heavy duty trucks equipped with 6.7L Cummins turbodiesel engines. During the investigation, ODI sought to determine if the related defect alle

Systems: FUEL SYSTEM, DIESEL.

Linked campaign numbers: 24V957.

PE21021

Opened: 2021-10-14. Closed: 2023-04-14.

High pressure fuel pump failure

The Office of Defects Investigation (ODI) opened PE21-021 on October 14, 2021 to investigate allegations of stall/loss of motive power as a result of high pressure fuel pump failures in certain model year (MY) 2019-2020 RAM 2500, 3500, 4500, and 5500 heavy duty trucks equipped with 6.7L Cummins turbodiesel engines.On November 12, 2021, FCA filed vehicle recall 21V-880 and equipment recall 21E-094

Systems: FUEL SYSTEM, DIESEL.

Linked campaign numbers: None listed.

Manufacturer communications

568 manufacturer communications.

Communications by system
SystemCount
ELECTRICAL SYSTEM156
EQUIPMENT145
ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING56
POWER TRAIN51
FUEL SYSTEM, GASOLINE42
BACK OVER PREVENTION34
ENGINE31
VISIBILITY27

11036753

Date: 2026-08-26. Type: Service Bulletin/Repair Instructions. Systems: ENGINE.

RADIATOR - ENGINE COOLING

11036754

Date: 2026-08-26. Type: Service Bulletin/Repair Instructions. Systems: ENGINE.

RADIATOR - ENGINE COOLING

11035980

Date: 2026-07-29. Type: Service Bulletin/Repair Instructions. Systems: ELECTRICAL SYSTEM, ENGINE.

SENSOR - TURBOCHARGER SPEED

11035981

Date: 2026-07-29. Type: Service Bulletin/Repair Instructions. Systems: ELECTRICAL SYSTEM, ENGINE.

SENSOR - TURBOCHARGER SPEED

11035074

Date: 2026-07-06. Type: Service Bulletin/Repair Instructions. Systems: UNKNOWN OR OTHER.

CORE a HEATER

11034909

Date: 2026-06-29. Type: Service Bulletin/Repair Instructions. Systems: ELECTRICAL SYSTEM, STRUCTURE.

SWITCH a HEADLAMP

11034910

Date: 2026-06-29. Type: Service Bulletin/Repair Instructions. Systems: ELECTRICAL SYSTEM, STRUCTURE.

SWITCH a HEADLAMP

11034385

Date: 2026-06-26. Type: Service Bulletin/Repair Instructions. Systems: STRUCTURE.

Backup Camera Poor Image Quality Inspection

11034375

Date: 2026-06-25. Type: Service Bulletin/Repair Instructions. Systems: UNKNOWN OR OTHER.

OUTLET - AIR CONDITIONING & HEATER

11034376

Date: 2026-06-25. Type: Service Bulletin/Repair Instructions. Systems: UNKNOWN OR OTHER.

OUTLET - AIR CONDITIONING & HEATER

Notes on this record

  • Complaints from the API and bulk file are merged and deduplicated by ODI number; the API alone misses records.
  • System and subsystem counts are numbers of distinct complaints, recalls or communications that name them. One record can name several systems, so shares across systems can add to more than 100 percent; a single share never exceeds 100 percent.
  • Recalls are counted once per campaign, investigations once per action and manufacturer communications once per NHTSA id, even when NHTSA lists several model names for the same record.
  • A sales denominator is a calendar-year proxy, not the population of vehicles still in use. Rates are copied from verified pipeline output.

Other names NHTSA uses

None listed.

Matched NHTSA models

Matched labels and complaints
NHTSA model labelComplaints
45004

Same model, other years

All model years | All Ram models

Other Ram models, 2020

Sources

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