Outside Power Fold Rearview Mirror Noise Or Loose At Pivot. Mirror Contacts Door Window Glass In The Folded Position.
View on NHTSA →2020 RAM 2500 electrical problems
severe 17 complaints filed with NHTSA · avg repair $850 · see electrical across all vehicles →
Complaints
17
Recalls
0
Avg fix
$850
3fires
What stands out
No new NHTSA electrical complaint has been filed on this vehicle in over 3 years — the issue may be aging out of the active population.
Is there a fix? Manufacturer service bulletins
The manufacturer has issued service bulletins covering electrical 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.
Prior to replacing an inoperative passive entry door handle, perform Star Online S2623000040.
View on NHTSA →Passive Entry Exterior Door Handle Inoperative When Touched To Lock And Or Unlock.
View on NHTSA →Outside Power Fold Rearview Mirror Noise Or Loose At Pivot. Mirror Contacts Door Window Glass In The Folded Position.
View on NHTSA →Radio Message "Power Surge On USB Detected" Customers may comment on the following: ● The radio displays the message: “Power surge on USB hub detected” Fig. 1. NOTE: After the message appears, no USB devices function in the hub (no charging, no data). NOTE: Hu
View on NHTSA →Source: NHTSA manufacturer communications. Bring the bulletin number to your dealer or shop.
The failure pattern owners describe
Owners report severe electrical and fuel system problems across 17 complaints. Most alarming are multiple electrical fires originating from the diesel heater grid ground bolt location and behind the radio, with one owner's truck completely engulfed within five minutes. Three separate unplanned engine shutdowns while driving occur with zero warning—the vehicle kills all systems as if the start-stop button were pushed, forcing coasting stops and creating total loss of steering and brake power in traffic.
Fuel system concerns include a high-pressure pump failure at 12,000 miles accompanied by loud knocking and complete shutdown, plus a loose bolt on the diesel intake heater core that can fall into the cylinder. Trailer brake electrical faults generate false disconnect warnings and intermittent brake loss while towing, and a seat heater burns through seat cushion material without warning.
Infotainment blackouts occur repeatedly, with radio and dashboard dark for days at a time. TPMS sensors fail in the first week on new trucks. Emergency braking activates randomly without obstructions, with one dealer refusing the known software fix under warranty. Dealers also refuse loaner vehicles during extended repairs and deny warranty coverage for acknowledged issues. Battery failure, starter failure at 40,500 miles, and traction control false activation on dry pavement round out the complaints.
Same RAM 2500 electrical reports on nearby years: 2017 · 2018 · 2019 · 2021
Failure modes owners describe
Unplanned engine shutdown during operation
Engine cuts off suddenly while driving as if the start-stop button were activated, with no warning lights or symptoms. Vehicle coasts, engages emergency brake at ~3 mph, and switches to Park. Restart occurs normally but shutdowns recur with increasing frequency.
When: Random, occurring with increasing frequency
Symptoms owners cite: sudden engine shutdown while driving; no warning lights present; loss of steering and power brake control; emergency brake self-engages; vehicle coasts to stop
High-pressure fuel pump failure
At low mileage, engine makes loud knocking followed by erratic clanking, then complete shutdown. All vehicle systems go offline with no warning lights, rendering the vehicle undriveable and creating a safety hazard.
When: 12,000 miles
Symptoms owners cite: loud knocking noise; erratic clanking noise; complete engine shutdown; all systems shut down; no warning lights
Repairs/costs cited: High pressure fuel pump failure diagnosed at dealership; parts availability unknown
Electrical fire in engine compartment
Fire originates from the ground bolt location of the diesel heater grid, typically following a heater grid cycle before remote start. Owners report this as a known issue in forums. No warning lights precede the fire.
When: Various mileages reported; incidents at 67,000 miles and others
Symptoms owners cite: visible fire in engine compartment; smoke from vents; fire behind radio area
Repairs/costs cited: Vehicle required fire extinguisher intervention and towing; cause attributed to heater grid ground bolt
Trailer electrical plug malfunction and warning signals
Trailer brake warnings appear on dash despite no trailer being connected. When towing, trailer brake function drops out intermittently, forcing reliance on truck brakes, then jerks back when brakes reengage. Dealer inspection finds no fault. One case reports plug not connected at factory.
When: During towing operation and intermittently when no trailer connected
Symptoms owners cite: false trailer disconnect warning; incompatible trailer warning with no trailer plugged in; trailer brakes cut out intermittently; brake jerk when brakes reengage
Repairs/costs cited: Owner spent $1,200 on new trailer brakes and electrical components; dealership found no truck fault
Traction control false activation
Traction control engages on dry pavement without cause, bogging down the engine and causing abrupt deceleration. Truck will not accelerate back to speed without shutdown and reset. Drive selector knob lights flash then cease functioning.
When: Multiple occasions reported
Symptoms owners cite: traction control activation on dry pavement; abrupt engine bog and deceleration; drive selector knob lights flashing then failure; loss of power
Starter failure at moderate mileage
Vehicle fails to start while parked. Temporary restart achieved by striking starter from underneath. Dealer confirms replacement needed and acknowledges this as a common issue.
When: 40,500 miles
Symptoms owners cite: no-start condition while parked; intermittent start capability
Repairs/costs cited: Starter replacement required; dealer confirmed common issue
Rear seat heater overtemperature and seat burn-through
Right rear seat heater becomes extremely hot without warning, burning a hole completely through the seat cushion material. No warning messages or symptoms precede the event; risk of interior cabin fire.
When: No specific mileage or timing given
Symptoms owners cite: seat heater excessive heat; no warning messages; seat material burn-through
Infotainment system failures (Radio/Uconnect)
Radio and dashboard display black out and refuse to power on. Restart occurs only after days pass. System intermittently loses power throughout ownership. Also associated with loss of backup alert and blind spot alert functions.
When: Intermittent throughout ownership
Symptoms owners cite: radio and dashboard completely dark; no power to infotainment system; screeching noise from under hood; backup alert non-functional; blind spot alert non-functional
TPMS sensor failure
Three tire pressure monitoring sensors fail within the first week of ownership, rendering them non-functional.
When: First week of ownership on new vehicle
Symptoms owners cite: TPMS sensors non-functional; multiple sensor failures
Intermittent electrical shorts affecting multiple circuits
Vague underlying electrical issue causing cascading failures across unrelated systems. Passenger seatbelt light and audible alert flicker; horn fails after heated steering wheel repair attempt; cruise control operates erratically. Clock spring replacement ordered but back-ordered.
When: Since new
Symptoms owners cite: passenger seatbelt warning light flicker; seatbelt chime intermittent; horn non-functional; cruise control malfunction; heated steering wheel failure
Repairs/costs cited: Clock spring back-ordered; heated steering wheel resolved spontaneously but horn and cruise control remain failed
Emergency braking activation without cause
Vehicle randomly activates emergency braking a couple times per month with zero obstructions in front. Dealer aware of software issue but refuses update without additional $285 fee, citing it as non-warranty even with active MOPAR coverage.
When: Occurs couple times monthly
Symptoms owners cite: random emergency brake activation; no obstructions present; safety hazard in traffic
Recalls/TSBs owners mention: Dealer refused software update claiming not covered under full MOPAR warranty; software update available but requires $285 fee
DEF system and fuel system component failures
DEF tank replacement required in 2021 and again needs replacement at unknown mileage. Heating element on oil pan plug defective and sparks, creating fire risk.
When: DEF tank failure at some point; spark issue timing not specified
Symptoms owners cite: DEF tank function loss; oil pan heater plug sparking
Repairs/costs cited: DEF tank replaced in 2021; requires replacement again
Transmission shift lock and park engagement issues
Truck sometimes won't shift into Park or release from current gear for shutdown. Intermittent electrical issue with shift control.
When: Intermittent
Symptoms owners cite: unable to shift into park; unable to shift out of current gear
Diesel intake heater core bolt loosening
Bolt on diesel intake heater core loosens from inside the manifold and can fall into cylinder, causing catastrophic engine failure.
Symptoms owners cite: bolt loosening inside intake manifold; potential cylinder intrusion
Synthesized from 17 NHTSA owner complaints — unverified consumer allegations, summarized for patterns. The verbatim filings appear below.
What owners are reporting 3 most recent
Right Rear seat Heater got so hot it burnt a hole in the seat. This happened without any warnings. Seat cushion material was burnt badly enough that an interior fire may have resulted. There were no warnings/messages. Nor symptoms of problems prior to the incident.
The trailer electrical plug located on the sidewall in the bed of the truck was not connected at the factory. I could have experienced a complete trailer braking system failing when towing my 5th wheel. Yes, vehicle was inspected by Harper Dodge in Alcoa TN, The trailer electrical plug was connected to the electrical system.
2nd visit to dodge dealership, While towing a trailer with the trailer electrical plug in use, the trailer breaks keep going out, I am driving down the road and the dash warning comes on saying the trailer breaks are disconnected. When trying to stop, at first I will not have trailer breaks, so I have to bare down on the truck brakes to stop the trailer, then the trailer brakes start working…
Had electrical trouble with your 2020 RAM 2500?
File a complaint with NHTSA → It's free, official, and how every report above got here — owner filings are the federal safety record this page is built on.
Common questions
How serious is the electrical problem on the 2020 RAM 2500?
It's a meaningful issue. 17 complaints have been filed and the failure mode causes operational problems for owners. Repairs average $850.
At what mileage does the electrical typically fail?
Based on the 17 complaints filed, electrical issues most often appear around 39,500 miles. Some report problems earlier; some make it well past 150,000 with no symptoms. Maintenance habits matter — vehicles that received timely fluid services and were not regularly overworked tend to last longer.
What does it cost to fix?
Independent shops typically charge around $850 for electrical 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.
Are there any recalls related to electrical?
No active recalls currently cover electrical issues on this vehicle. The complaints filed represent owner-reported failures that haven't risen to the level of a manufacturer-issued recall — but they're still worth knowing about before you buy or budget for repairs.
Related
Complaint and recall data sourced from the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA)
public records database. Verify the raw federal record at
nhtsa.gov/vehicle/2020/RAM/2500.
Severity ratings are derived from reported crashes, fires, injuries, and fatalities. Repair cost estimates are
independent-shop national averages and may differ in your area. Some links on this page are affiliate links.