Is the 2020 Ram 1500 reliable?

The 2020 Ram 1500 has 868 complaints filed with NHTSA (0.8x the segment average). Our reliability verdict: average. Most common issue: ENGINE problems.

What are common problems with the 2020 Ram 1500?

Top problems: ENGINE (159 complaints, avg repair $500); ELECTRICAL (153 complaints, avg repair $500); OTHER (108 complaints, avg repair $500). Issues typically appear around 50K miles.

Are there any recalls on the 2020 Ram 1500?

Yes, there are 13 recall(s): VISIBILITY:REARVIEW MIRRORS/DEVICES:EXTERIOR, SEAT BELTS, BACK OVER PREVENTION: SENSING SYSTEM: CAMERA, AIR BAGS, VISIBILITY:WINDSHIELD WIPER/WASHER:LINKAGES, AIR BAGS:SIDE/WINDOW:CURTAIN:INFLATOR, AIR BAGS, VEHICLE SPEED CONTROL:ACCELERATOR PEDAL, BACK OVER PREVENTION:DISPLAY FUNCTION, FUEL SYSTEM, GASOLINE:DELIVERY:FUEL PUMP, STRUCTURE:BODY:TAILGATE:HINGE AND ATTACHMENTS, VISIBILITY:REARVIEW MIRRORS/DEVICES, AIR BAGS. Contact any Ram dealer to verify if recalls have been completed on your specific vehicle.

How much does it cost to fuel a 2020 Ram 1500?

The 2020 Ram 1500 gets 21 MPG combined. At current US average gas prices, driving 12,000 miles per year costs roughly $2286. See the interactive fuel cost calculator on this page for state-specific pricing.

How much does it cost to insure a 2020 Ram 1500?

Estimated US average full-coverage insurance for the 2020 Ram 1500 is approximately $1,916/year (truck-fullsize class). Actual quotes vary heavily by state, driver age, driving record, and credit — see the interactive insurance estimator on this page for state-specific pricing.

2020 Ram 1500

Q: Is the 2020 Ram 1500 often stolen?

The Ram 1500 was the #15 most-stolen vehicle in the United States in 2025 with approximately 6,900 thefts (NICB Hot Wheels data). Theft risk tier: above-avg.

Problems, Recalls & Reliability Report

Average

Quick Summary

The 2020 Ram 1500 has 868 owner complaints filed with NHTSA — that's 0.8x the segment average of 1093. The most common issue is engine problems (18% of all complaints), specifically: 3.0l gen 3 ecodiesel engine has excessive lag and delay in throttle response. while traveling at steady speed in lower gears 3rd, 4th, or 5th and then depressing accelerator pedal to increase speed, engine will not respond until three to four seconds have elapsed. this creates a significant hazard w. There are 13 recalls issued for this model year. ⚠️ 12 fire reports filed.

12 fire reports 9 crash reports 7 injuries

868

Total Complaints

Recalls Issued

—/5

Safety Stars

0.8x

vs Segment Avg

Known Problems(top 5 of 8)

ENGINE

159 complaints

18%

• 3.0L GEN 3 ECODIESEL ENGINE HAS EXCESSIVE LAG AND DELAY IN THROTTLE RESPONSE. WHILE TRAVELING AT STEADY SPEED IN LOWER GEARS 3RD, 4TH, OR 5TH AND THEN DEPRESSING ACCELERATOR PEDAL TO INCREASE SPEED, ENGINE WILL NOT RESPOND UNTIL THREE TO FOUR SECONDS HAVE ELAPSED. THIS CREATES A SIGNIFICANT HAZARD W
• THROTTLE RESPONSE OR ACCELERATION LAG AFTER LETTING OFF THE GAS TO CHANGE LANES OR SLOWING FOR CORNERS ETC. HAS HAPPENED AT END OF EXIT OFF THE INTERSTATE AFTER STOPPING AT STOP SIGN, THEN PROCEEDING TO MAKE A RIGHT TURN INTO THE LANE. UPON PRESSING GAS TRUCK SEEMS TO "COAST" OR WAIT A FEW SECONDS
• 2020 RAM 1500 ECODIESEL HAS A SERIOUS TURBO LAG. WHEN YIELDING AND THEN ACCELERATING, THE ENGINE POWER SEEMS TO JUST DROP OUT, FALLS FLAT. BY THIS TIME VEHICLE COASTS INTO APPROACHING LANES AND THEN IT WILL SUDDENLY ACCELERATE WITH A BURST OF POWER. I FEEL IT IS TURBO LAG BUT MAY ALSO BE THAT TH

Typical onset: 50K miles Est. repair: $500🔥 4 fire reports💥 1 crashes

“3.0L GEN 3 ECODIESEL ENGINE HAS EXCESSIVE LAG AND DELAY IN THROTTLE RESPONSE. WHILE TRAVELING AT STEADY SPEED IN LOWER GEARS 3RD, 4TH, OR 5TH AND THEN DEPRESSING ACCELERATOR PEDAL TO INCREASE SPEED, ENGINE WILL NOT RESPOND UNTIL THREE TO FOUR SECONDS HAVE ELAPSED. THIS CREATES A SIGNIFICANT HAZARD W”

— NHTSA complaint filing

When Problems Appear on the 2020 Ram 1500

Based on 249 owner complaints that included an odometer reading. Median mileage at time of complaint: 20K miles. Most complaints cluster in the 0-30K miles range.

Overall complaint distribution by mileage

0-30K

139

30-60K

60-100K

100-150K

150-200K

200K+

ENGINE

In line with typicalmedian 48K mi · 55 reports

0-30K

30-60K

60-100K

100-150K

150-200K

200K+

ELECTRICAL

In line with typicalmedian 30K mi · 33 reports

0-30K

30-60K

60-100K

100-150K

150-200K

200K+

TRANSMISSION

In line with typicalmedian 22K mi · 23 reports

0-30K

30-60K

60-100K

100-150K

150-200K

200K+

BRAKES

In line with typicalmedian 3K mi · 18 reports

0-30K

30-60K

60-100K

100-150K

150-200K

200K+

FUEL SYSTEM

In line with typicalmedian 34K mi · 18 reports

0-30K

30-60K

60-100K

100-150K

150-200K

200K+

VISIBILITY

In line with typicalmedian 20K mi · 17 reports

0-30K

30-60K

60-100K

100-150K

150-200K

200K+

Mileage figures are self-reported by owners in NHTSA complaint filings. Peak bucket = the mileage range with the most complaints for that component; it reflects when owners noticed and reported problems, not necessarily when the fault first occurred.

Recalls (13)

VISIBILITY:REARVIEW MIRRORS/DEVICES:EXTERIOR08/10/2020

Chrysler (FCA US LLC) is recalling certain 2020 Ram 2500 and 1500 vehicles. The driver side mirror glass can detach from the backing plate and no longer provide a reflective surface. As such, these vehicles fail to comply with the requirements of Federal Motor Vehicle Safety Standard (FMVSS) number 111, "Rear Visibility."

Risk: Missing driver side mirror glass reduces visibility and increases the risk of a crash.

Fix: Chrysler will notify owners, and dealers will replace the driver side mirror glass, free of charge. The recall began November 5, 2020. Owners may contact FCA US customer service at 1-800-853-1403. Chrysler's number for this recall is W70.

Above-average theft risk

#15 most stolen in 2025

The Ram 1500 was the #15 most-stolen vehicle in the United States in 2025, with approximately 6,900 thefts reported to law enforcement.

Notes: Full-size truck; catalytic converters

Source: NICB Hot Wheels 2025 report + HLDI theft loss studies. Model-year ranking; not all years of this model have identical risk.

Fuel Cost Calculator for 2020 Ram 1500

Live EIA prices

Annual miles driven: 12,000

Your state (affects local gasoline price)

Per year

$2,286

Per month

$191

Per mile

19.1¢

MPG

City driving (worst-case MPG)

$3,201/yr

Highway driving (best-case MPG)

$1,500/yr

Based on EPA fuel-economy ratings and EIA weekly retail prices (2026-07-20). Real-world cost varies with driving style, trim/engine, terrain, and traffic.

5-Year Gas Price History

EIA weekly retail data · 2021 → today

Show:

Current

$4.00

5-year low

$2.78

5-year high

$5.01

Since 2021

+27%

Source: US Energy Information Administration weekly retail gasoline prices.

Estimated Insurance Cost for 2020 Ram 1500

Estimate only, not a quote. Modeled from NAIC + HLDI averages for a hypothetical 35-year-old driver with clean record + full coverage. Your actual quote depends heavily on your age, driving history, credit, ZIP code, and insurer.

Your state (affects local premium average)

Full coverage / year

$1,916

Full coverage / month

$160

Liability only / year

$648

vs US avg

+14%

How this estimate is calculated

US base full-coverage premium$1674

× state (US)1.00x

× vehicle class (truck-fullsize)1.08x

× theft risk1.06x

× safety rating1.00x

× vehicle age1.00x

= Full coverage estimate$1916

Coverage assumed: 100/300/100 liability + comprehensive/collision, $500 deductibles. Data sources: NAIC 2024 + HLDI loss studies.

Maintenance & Warranty

Recommended Ram 1500 Service Intervals

Oil change

8K mi / 12 mo

Tire rotation

8K mi

Brake fluid

36 months

Transmission fluid

60K mi

Engine coolant

100K mi

Spark plugs

100K mi

Cabin air filter

24K mi

Engine air filter

30K mi

Differential (AWD/4WD)

30K mi

5.7L HEMI: 8,000 mile oil intervals; EcoDiesel: shorter intervals for DEF and fuel filter. Towing usage requires severe service intervals.

"Severe service" conditions (heavy towing, extreme temps, city stop-and-go) typically halve these intervals. Always consult your vehicle's owner's manual for the authoritative schedule.

Ram New-Vehicle Warranty Coverage

Bumper-to-bumper (basic)

3 yr / 36K mi

Powertrain

5 yr / 60K mi

Hybrid/EV battery

8 yr / 100K mi

Corrosion (rust perforation)

5 yr / unlimited mi

Roadside assistance

5 yr / 60K mi

These are the terms for a new Ram. If you're buying a used 2020 1500, remaining coverage is usually pro-rated from the vehicle's original in-service date. Not all coverage transfers between owners — check with a Ram dealer for VIN-specific remaining warranty.

Estimated Repair Costs

ENGINE(~50K mi)

$500

ELECTRICAL(~50K mi)

$500

OTHER(~50K mi)

$500

FUEL SYSTEM(~50K mi)

$500

VISIBILITY(~50K mi)

$500

Estimates based on average reported repair costs. Actual costs vary by location, shop, and severity.

🔍 Pre-Purchase Inspection Checklist

Based on 868 owner complaints for this specific year, here's what to check or ask about:

☐
ENGINE: 3.0L GEN 3 ECODIESEL ENGINE HAS EXCESSIVE LAG AND DELAY IN THROTTLE RESPONSE. WHILE TRAVELING AT STEADY SPEED IN LOWER GEARS 3RD, 4TH, OR 5TH AND THEN DEPRESSING ACCELERATOR PEDAL TO INCREASE SPEED, ENGINE WILL NOT RESPOND UNTIL THREE TO FOUR SECONDS HAVE ELAPSED. THIS CREATES A SIGNIFICANT HAZARD W
Typically appears around 50K miles. Repair cost ~$500
☐
ELECTRICAL: ON NOVEMBER 13, 2019 AT 6:00PM PST WHILE TRAVELING 70MPH WESTBOUND ON INTERSTATE 90 AT THE SR18 INTERCHANGE THE VEHICLE EXPERIENCED MULTIPLE SERIOUS SAFETY DEFECTS AND MAJOR SYSTEMS FAILURES DUE TO LOSS OF ELECTRICAL POWER. LIGHT CONDITIONS WERE NIGHTTIME, TRAFFIC WAS LIGHT, WEATHER WAS CLEAR. ELECT
Typically appears around 50K miles. Repair cost ~$500
☐
OTHER: THIS DEFECT HAS THE REAL PROBABILITY OF CAUSING DAMAGE TO BOTH MY VEHICLE AND ANOTHER VEHICLE. TAKING MY NEW TRUCK THROUGH A CAR WASH, I PUT THE VEHICLE IN NEUTRAL AT THE START OF THE WASH. THE CAR WASH HAS ROLLERS THAT DRIVE THE REAR DRIVER'S SIDE WHEEL THROUGH THE CAR WASH. AT THE END, MY VEHIC
Typically appears around 50K miles. Repair cost ~$500
☐
FUEL SYSTEM: VEHICLE THROTTLE MAXIMIZED WHEN I PRESSED THE BRAKE TO STOP. AFTER IMPACT WITH ANOTHER VEHICLE THE THROTTLE WENT BACK TO THE IDLE POSITION. I WAS MERGING IN TRAFFIC ONTO ANOTHER STREET. THE VEHICLE IN FRONT OF ME WAS STOPPED FOR THE MERGER. *LN CASE NUMBER XXXXXXXX ('PARTS OF THIS DOCUMENT
Typically appears around 50K miles. Repair cost ~$500
☐
RECALLS: Verify all 13 recalls have been completed — free at any Ram dealer
☐
General: Get a pre-purchase inspection from an independent mechanic ($100-$200)