This Laramie trim level truck has an electronic drop tailgate with a button to drop the tailgate on the overhead console and one on the key fob. The tailgate on my truck was closed during my pre-trip and entering the vehicle. I had a trailer hooked to the receiver hitch and drove ten miles before realizing the tailgate was now in the down position and caused significant damage to the tailgate…
2020 RAM 3500 electrical problems
severe 7 complaints filed with NHTSA · avg repair $850 · see electrical across all vehicles →
Complaints
7
Recalls
0
Avg fix
$850
1crash
1fire
When does it fail?
Of the 7 electrical complaints filed for the 2020 RAM 3500, here's the actual mileage breakdown — failures cluster heaviest at 0-25,000 mi.
0-25k
25-50k
50-75k
75-100k
100-125k
125-150k
150k+
Each bar shows the share of total complaints filed at that mileage range. Peak failure window highlighted. Some owners report problems earlier; some make it well past 150,000 miles symptom-free. Maintenance habits and driving conditions shift the curve as much as mileage alone.
What stands out
No new NHTSA electrical complaint has been filed on this vehicle in over 4 years — the issue may be aging out of the active population.
What owners are reporting 4 most recent
Check engine light turned on in my 2020 dodge ram 3500, I took the truck back to the dealership. According to them the Grid Heater Relay needs to be replaced & the truck could have caught on fire if we would have kept driving like that. I have done some research and saw that there has been a recall on that same part for the 2021-2023. Could it be possible the 2020 were defective also, this is a…
On 12/4/23, at 6:37 am PST, we initiated remote start via the key fob. At 6:40 am pst, a flash and fire erupted from under the hood of the truck. We immediately worked to control the fire using extinguishers and garden hoses until the fire department arrived a few minutes later. They worked to put the fire out that engulfed the engine compartment and then worked to get the hood open to finish…
The contact owns a 2020 Ram 3500. The contact stated that she locked the vehicle with the key fob, and the auto start system started the vehicle. The vehicle was not taken to the dealer. The manufacturer was contacted and suggested that the manufacturer of the battery be contacted. The manufacturer provided no additional assistance. The failure mileage was 16,000.
Had electrical trouble with your 2020 RAM 3500?
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 3500?
It's a meaningful issue. 7 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 7 complaints filed, electrical issues most often appear around 43,000 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/3500.
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.