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moderate Owners of the 2020 RAM 1500 have filed 43 NHTSA complaints about the visibility, typically surfacing around 25,000 miles at roughly $350 to repair (U.S. federal records, as of July 2026). Source: NHTSA Office of Defects Investigation. See visibility across all vehicles →
| Model year | visibility complaints |
|---|---|
| 2016 1500 | 5 |
| 2017 1500 | 6 |
| 2018 1500 | 4 |
| 2019 1500 | 49 |
| 2020 1500 (this page) | 43 |
| 2021 1500 | 13 |
Among the 10 model years of RAM 1500 in our records for visibility problems, this one ranks #2 by owner-complaint volume.
Missing driver side mirror glass reduces visibility and increases the risk of a crash.
The manufacturer has issued service bulletins covering visibility on this vehicle — documented repair instructions, service campaigns, or warranty extensions sent to dealers. A TSB isn't a recall (it's not a free safety remedy), but it's the manufacturer acknowledging the issue and how to fix it.
Warranty Bulletin D-23-17 (XL1) Backlite Select 2019 - 2021 RAM 1500 Pickup (DT)
full bulletin at NHTSA ↗FCA Caribbean Warranty Bulletin ID-23-21 (XL1) Backlite Select 2019 - 2021 RAM 1500 Pickup (DT)
full bulletin at NHTSA ↗Back Glass Water Leak Warranty Extension XL1 The customer may experience one or more of the following: ? A cracked backlite frame Fig. 1 resulting in an interior water leak (crack is visible to the customer). ? Water leak from at top of the backlite. This bulletin involves replacing the backlite.
full bulletin at NHTSA ↗Wind Whistle Noise From Dash A Pillar Area While Driving
full bulletin at NHTSA ↗Duct Assy Charge Air Cooler In If the seal is missing from inside a Henn connector, please search for the missing seal. It could have been pulled out while removal of the hose from the spigot if it was partially stuck to the spigot. It could have been blown into the hose or CAC. If that is the only concern with the CAC Hose Assembly, then replace the seal with a new replacement seal instead of replacing the entire hose assembly.
full bulletin at NHTSA ↗Source: NHTSA manufacturer communications. Bring the bulletin number to your dealer or shop.
The dominant visibility problem across 43 complaints is sun visor failure. Owners report that plastic hinges, swivel latches, clips, and support brackets break without warning, causing the visor to drop completely into the driver's view. This happens during normal operation—pulling the visor down, sliding it sideways, or sometimes spontaneously while driving. Both driver and passenger side visors fail; some trucks see repeated failures. Multiple owners describe nearly hitting other vehicles or almost losing control when the visor suddenly blocked their forward vision. Dealers acknowledge this as a "common issue," but warranty coverage is inconsistent: some owners got early replacements covered, later owners face $300–$500 repair bills. No recall has been issued despite the frequency of reports.
Beyond visors, owners report rear windows shattering or cracking without apparent cause, rear-view cameras displaying black screens that recur after dealer repair, and windshield fogging caused by improper HVAC sealing. One owner's windshield wiper splines stripped in winter conditions, and another's washer fluid sprays onto the hood instead of the windshield. Owners describe these failures as isolated incidents, while some—like the visor problem—appear endemic to the 2020 model year across multiple vehicle forums.
Same RAM 1500 visibility reports on nearby years: 2019 · 2021
Plastic hinge, swivel latch, support clip, or bracket holding the sun visor to the roof breaks or fails without warning, causing the visor to drop into the driver's line of sight and obstruct forward visibility. The plastic components are described as undersized or made of inferior material. Both driver and passenger side visors fail, sometimes repeatedly.
When: Occurs during normal operation: pulling visor down, sliding it sideways, or sometimes spontaneously while driving. Failures reported from 13,000 to 63,619 miles; some occur within warranty period, others after. Owners report this as a widespread problem across multiple model years (2019–2025).
Symptoms owners cite: Visor drops suddenly into driver's vision without warning; Visor will not stay up or in locked position; Visor swings freely from driver side window to windshield with no tension; Visor hangs by electrical wires after support fails; Broken plastic shaft, hinge, or swivel clip visible upon inspection
Repairs/costs cited: Dealer replacement required. Some owners report $300–$500+ repair costs (parts and labor). Dealers have acknowledged this as a 'common issue' but often refuse warranty coverage after initial period. Owner reports that passenger side visor on same vehicle was replaced under warranty, but manufacturer later denied driver side coverage.
Recalls/TSBs owners mention: No official recall identified in narratives. Some owners report dealer-level acknowledgment of 'known issue,' but warranty coverage is inconsistent. One owner (narrative #1) reports extended warranty denial. No TSBs or formal manufacturer response documented in these narratives.
Driver side wiper arm splines strip without apparent external cause, rendering the wiper inoperable. Owner used remote start in winter conditions (snow/ice); upon attempting to drive, visor was discovered to be stripped. The owner believes the splines were damaged during remote start warm-up, possibly due to ice or snow on the arm.
When: Winter driving conditions (snow/ice). Remote start used to warm vehicle before driving.
Symptoms owners cite: Wiper arm will not move or sweep despite motor running; Splines on wiper motor spindle stripped
Repairs/costs cited: No repair attempted or cost cited. Owner expressed frustration that dealership refused to help and would not cover repair.
Recalls/TSBs owners mention: Dealership refused to address, stating 'tough luck'—no warranty coverage offered.
Rear sliding windows and rear windshield spontaneously crack, shatter, or develop seal failures without visible impact. Plastic seals crack from inside, allowing water to leak into the vehicle interior during rain. One owner reported complete shattering while driving on the interstate; another reported outward shattering while parked.
When: Can occur during parked or driving conditions. Failures reported at 20,000, 25,000, and 51,300 miles. One failure occurred in wet conditions during rain.
Symptoms owners cite: Rear windshield cracks or shatters spontaneously; Rear sliding window cracks or shatters; Water leaking from rear window/windshield into vehicle interior; Rear windshield plastic seal cracked from inside
Repairs/costs cited: One owner: rear windshield replaced by dealer after diagnosis of internal seal cracking. Other owners reported the need for replacement but did not pursue repair.
Recalls/TSBs owners mention: Manufacturer denied recall eligibility (NHTSA Campaign 20V622000 mentioned but not applicable). No other recall or TSB response documented.
Sunroof or panoramic roof section explodes or shatters violently while vehicle is in motion on the interstate, without any apparent impact or external cause. Owner reported a loud noise similar to a shotgun blast followed by glass and wind noise.
When: While driving at highway speed (60 mph). Failure at approximately 40,000 miles.
Symptoms owners cite: Sunroof glass suddenly shatters or explodes inward; Loud blast-like noise; Broken glass and wind noise enter cabin; Only sliding portion of panoramic sunroof damaged (not fixed frame)
Repairs/costs cited: No repair attempted. Vehicle not diagnosed by dealer or mechanic.
Recalls/TSBs owners mention: Manufacturer was notified but provided no assistance.
Rear-view camera displays a black screen instead of the camera image when in reverse. Dealer has 'fixed' the issue multiple times, but the black screen problem recurs after a period of time.
When: Occurs intermittently during reverse operation. Fails repeatedly despite prior dealer repairs.
Symptoms owners cite: Black screen displayed instead of rear camera feed; Unable to see behind vehicle when backing up; Problem recurs after repair
Repairs/costs cited: Dealer has performed repairs multiple times; nature of repair not specified.
Recalls/TSBs owners mention: Dealer repairs offered but have not resolved the recurring issue.
Windshield washer fluid does not spray onto the windshield; instead, it flows to the passenger side of the front hood and drains directly onto the ground. Dealer reported that multiple other 2020 Ram 1500 vehicles came in with the same issue.
When: During normal operation of wiper fluid spray system.
Symptoms owners cite: Wiper fluid pumps but does not reach windshield; Fluid sprays onto passenger side hood instead; Fluid drains to ground
Repairs/costs cited: Dealer acknowledged issue and stated it would be addressed, but repair had not occurred as of complaint date.
Recalls/TSBs owners mention: No formal manufacturer response; dealer only.
HVAC does not properly seal, causing constant cold air to flow through the defroster vents. This causes the windshield to fog with condensation, limiting forward visibility. One owner also reported that A/C blows cold air on windshield regardless of mode, causing exterior fogging.
When: Occurs more frequently at night and in the morning but can happen throughout the day regardless of outside conditions. Happens during humid conditions and rain.
Symptoms owners cite: Windshield fogs with condensation; Forward visibility limited; Cold air constantly flowing through defroster vents; A/C blows cold on windshield in all modes
Repairs/costs cited: No repairs documented in narratives.
Driver's side mirror exhibits warping or waving in the reflective surface.
When: No specific timing or mileage provided.
Symptoms owners cite: Mirror surface wavy or distorted; Reduced mirror reflectivity or image quality
Recalls/TSBs owners mention: No recall found.
Driver and passenger side mirrors that tilt down when vehicle is in reverse tilt down too far, moving the mirror completely out of the owner's line of sight. The feature becomes unusable for the owner's intended purpose (backing into tight spaces like a garage or boat dock).
When: When vehicle is placed in reverse.
Symptoms owners cite: Mirrors tilt down beyond normal operating range; Mirrors tilt out of driver's view; Cannot see curb or sides of vehicle when backing into tight spaces
Recalls/TSBs owners mention: Salesman acknowledged this as 'a known problem in the Ram community on these new 2020 vehicles.'
Plastic frame at the top of the rear window develops a crack, and moisture begins to seep through the crack into the vehicle interior.
When: Occurred within first 13,000 miles of ownership; noticed after rain while vehicle was parked in driveway.
Symptoms owners cite: Crack in plastic frame at top of rear window; Moisture/water seeping through crack; Water entry into vehicle interior
Water enters the vehicle through the top of the front windshield frame, and condensation builds up on the windshield, reducing visibility.
When: Occurs during wet weather and accumulates over time.
Symptoms owners cite: Water seeping in from top of windshield; Condensation/fogging on windshield; Reduced visibility
Windsor shade flaps on one side fail, with the driver's side flap falling out of its slot and obscuring the driver's field of view. The malfunction has also interfered with garage door opener functionality, suggesting electrical component involvement.
When: Failure during normal operation.
Symptoms owners cite: Shade flap falls out of mounting slot; Shade flap obstructs driver vision; Garage door opener functionality impaired
Repairs/costs cited: Owner had to pull over and manually reinsert flap.
Vehicle shakes violently (as if tires are off the ground) when both driver and passenger side rear windows are rolled down. Shaking stops immediately when passenger side rear window is rolled up. No visible damage to wheels or suspension. Owner reports same issue occurs on step-father's 2020 Ram 1500. Issue attributed to dynamic design flow error.
When: Only occurs with rear windows rolled down; stops when windows are rolled up.
Symptoms owners cite: Severe vehicle shaking/vibration; Feels as if tires are off the ground; Shaking ceases when rear windows are raised; No visual damage to wheels or suspension
Repairs/costs cited: No repair attempted.
Recalls/TSBs owners mention: Neither dealer nor manufacturer was notified. Owner attributes to 'error in the dynamic design flow.'
Passenger side windshield wiper became inoperable.
When: At approximately 46,000 miles.
Symptoms owners cite: Passenger side wiper does not function
Repairs/costs cited: No diagnosis or repair performed.
Recalls/TSBs owners mention: Manufacturer not notified; no dealer interaction.
Synthesized from 43 NHTSA owner complaints — unverified consumer allegations, summarized for patterns. The verbatim filings appear below.
water is coming thru the top of front windshield and condensation build up
The driver's side windshield wiper is not working because the wiper arm attachment (at the spindle) is stripped. The motor spindle rotates but the wiper does not wipe the windshield. Visibility during rain, snow or other dirt or mud being splattered on windshield during driving. No dealer interaction yet, just noticed today while out driving. No inspection by 3rd party. No warning indicators,…
It's a documented issue but not catastrophic. 43 complaints have been filed. Repairs average $350 and most owners catch it before it causes a breakdown.
Across the 10 complaints that reported odometer mileage, most visibility failures cluster between 13,000 and 46,000 miles, with the median around 25,000. A quarter of owners report trouble before 13,000; a quarter make it past 46,000. Maintenance history matters more than the odometer alone — this is the reported failure window, not a guarantee.
Independent shops typically charge around $350 for visibility repairs on this vehicle. Dealer pricing tends to run 20-40% higher. The exact figure depends on the specific failure mode, parts availability, and your local labor rates. If you're outside factory warranty, an extended service contract often covers this category.
Yes — 1 active recall(s) cover visibility issues on this vehicle. Recall fixes are always free regardless of mileage or warranty status. Use the VIN decoder at the top of the page to check if your specific vehicle is affected.