Free. Instant. No signup. Pulls recalls and complaints for your exact vehicle.
Couldn't find that VIN. Check the digits and try again.
severe 19 complaints filed with NHTSA · avg repair $3,100 · see engine across all vehicles →
Of the 19 engine complaints filed for the 2020 RAM 3500, here's the actual mileage breakdown — failures cluster heaviest at 25,000-50,000 mi.
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.
Of the 11 model years of RAM 3500 we track for engine problems, this one carries the most owner complaints on file — 19.
All 2 active engine recalls on this vehicle land at critical or severe — none classified moderate.
Low oil can damage the engine, causing an oil leak or a punctured engine block, increasing the risk of a fire.
A damaged engine block may leak oil, which can contact hot engine or exhaust components, increasing the risk of a fire.
Buyer takeaway: 2019-2020 RAM 3500 diesel engines have documented fuel pump failures that can cause sudden engine shutdown at highway speeds, creating serious crash risk and $8K-$20K repair bills. Owners report 30-90 day repair delays, and RAM has not recalled these model years despite switching to a safer pump design for 2021.
The 2020 RAM 3500 diesel has multiple serious engine issues. Most critical is the Bosch CP4.2 fuel injection pump, which owners report fails suddenly without warning—stopping the engine completely while driving. At highway speeds, owners lose power steering and braking, creating immediate crash risk. One owner nearly hit a pole when the engine died mid-turn at 15 MPH; another lost power while towing on the interstate and was nearly rear-ended. Owners cite failures as early as 16,684 miles, with repairs running $8K to $20K. The pump is reportedly incompatible with U.S. diesel fuel's low lubricity. RAM revised the pump in July 2020, but failures continued. For 2021, RAM switched to a CP3-based design, yet 2019-2020 owners remain unrecalled. Parts are scarce—shops report wait lists of 100+ vehicles stretching into late 2023.
Beyond the pump, owners report connecting rods punching through engine blocks, internal sludging, EGR failures, cooling fan module failures, and one engine fire at 70 MPH. One owner experienced a wiring harness rubbing a hole in the charged air cooler, causing cascading DPF failures and limp mode—the truck got stuck at 5 MPH. RAM customer service denied his $4,500 reimbursement claim. Repair delays are lengthy; one owner's truck sits with an engine rod sitting on top of the block four weeks later, with warranty denials and no rental vehicle provided.
Same RAM 3500 engine reports on nearby years: 2017 · 2019 · 2022
Pump fails suddenly without warning, stopping all fuel flow to the engine and causing complete engine shutdown. Failures occur at various speeds and driving conditions. The pump is incompatible with low-lubricity U.S. diesel fuel and has fundamental design defects. Upon failure, the pump destroys itself and damages the entire fuel system.
When: 2019-2020 model years. Failures reported as early as 16,684 miles. One owner reported failure at 30,000 miles after 35 miles of driving on Thanksgiving morning.
Symptoms owners cite: Sudden engine stall without warning; Complete loss of power, acceleration, power steering, and power brakes; Loss of fuel mileage earlier in day before catastrophic failure; Diesel leaking from engine; Engine unable to restart after stall
Codes mentioned: P2002, P242F, P2463, P1451
Repairs/costs cited: Complete fuel system replacement required. Owner reports cite $8,000 to $20,000 in repair costs. Replacement pumps and repairs have 30-90 day wait periods. RAM has not issued a recall for 2019-2020 model years despite changing to a CP3-based pump design for 2021 model year. Many dealers replace failed CP4.2 with another CP4.2 pump. Independent shops offer CP3 swap, but this voids warranty.
Recalls/TSBs owners mention: RAM issued pump revision in July 2020 which did not solve the problem. For 2021 model year, RAM switched to CP-ISB21 pump (CP3-based design). No public announcements made about 2020 revision or 2021 change. Recall 21V-880 exists but parts are in extremely limited supply with wait lists of 100+ vehicles into late 2023. No recalls issued for 2019-2020 model years.
Engine experiences internal mechanical failure where connecting rods or camshaft components fail and puncture through the engine block. Failures occur while driving under normal and towing conditions. Metal debris and shavings are expelled from engine.
When: At various mileages: 97,000 miles, 135,000 miles, 140,867 miles, 213,000 miles. One failure at highway speed while towing. One failure while driving at 15 MPH.
Symptoms owners cite: Metal-on-metal clanking or rapid knocking sound from engine; Oil warning light illumination; Smoke and steam from engine compartment; Abnormal metal-on-metal noise; Oil leaking from engine block; Oil consistency like jelly (sludged); Metal shavings visible in fuel filter (prior to major failure in at least one case)
Repairs/costs cited: Engines require complete replacement. One owner reported $4,500 repair cost for related wiring harness-caused damage. Another owner cited engine replacement as needed. Metal shavings found in fuel filter prior to catastrophic failure in at least one case, reported to RAM customer care twice before failure occurred.
Recalls/TSBs owners mention: One case referenced NHTSA Campaign 20V511000 but owner's VIN was not included. RAM engineering department held up dealer repairs and could not provide timeframe for completion. RAM customer service initially denied reimbursement claim for wiring harness damage ($4,500), citing customer error for authorizing work before case approval. After customer resubmitted documentation, claim was denied. No recall or service bulletin mentioned for these failures.
Recurring failed regeneration events causing DPF to fill and trigger limp mode. Factory wiring harness rubbed hole in charged air cooler boot, causing air leak and failed regeneration. Multiple sensor and emission control system failures occur, creating cascading problems. Strong diesel odor and pink-tinged oil reported post-failure.
When: Failures began intermittently and worsened over 2+ years. Extended regen episode lasted hours without clearing code. Failed regen event sent truck into limp mode.
Symptoms owners cite: Recurring DEF (diesel exhaust fluid) warning messages; Exhaust regeneration messages appearing more frequently and lasting longer; Failed stationary regeneration; Truck entering limp mode with 5 MPH speed limit; Power reduced warning ('Power Reduced, See Dealer') appearing repeatedly; Inability to tow or accelerate quickly; Erratic DEF gauge readings; Unstable idling; Strong diesel odor in oil; Pink-tinged oil; Clunking downshift when exhaust brake decelerates; Warm-up stumbling
Codes mentioned: P2002, P242F, P2463, P1451
Repairs/costs cited: One owner paid $280 for stationary regeneration at RAM dealer. Root cause was factory wiring harness rubbing hole in charged air cooler boot, requiring $4,500 repair after discovery at distant RAM dealer. Owner was denied reimbursement by RAM customer service. Multiple trips to RAM dealerships resulted in code clearing with software issue diagnosis, but visual inspection of wiring harness was not performed during these visits.
Recalls/TSBs owners mention: RAM dealer advised that claim would be closed if customer authorized work before case approval, forcing customer to restart process. Resubmitted claim was denied. RAM customer service characterized repairs as customer's mistake and indicated case would not be reconsidered.
EGR valve fails and causes coolant to leak. EGR warning light illuminates. Coolant continues to leak even after being refilled.
When: At approximately 115,000 miles
Symptoms owners cite: Coolant leaking underneath vehicle; EGR warning light illumination; Coolant leak continues after refilling
Repairs/costs cited: EGR valve replacement required. Vehicle not repaired at time of complaint submission.
Cooling fan module fails without warning, causing engine to overheat while driving at normal highway speed. No warning light illuminates prior to overheating.
When: At approximately 97,000 miles
Symptoms owners cite: Engine overheating while driving at 50 MPH; No warning light illumination prior to overheating
Repairs/costs cited: Engine replacement required. Vehicle was repaired.
Recalls/TSBs owners mention: Manufacturer was notified and referred contact to NHTSA Hotline.
Engine compartment catches fire while vehicle is at highway speed with no prior warning. Fire spreads rapidly and engulfs engine area.
When: Immediately upon reaching 70 MPH on freeway after getting on highway
Symptoms owners cite: Smoke visible from engine compartment at 70 MPH; Engine compartment quickly engulfed in flames
Repairs/costs cited: Vehicle caught fire. State Farm insurance claim filed.
DEF warning light illuminates and persists despite multiple dealer repair attempts. Same failure recurs repeatedly after each repair visit.
When: At approximately 27,000 miles
Symptoms owners cite: DEF warning light illumination; Persistent warning light after multiple repairs
Repairs/costs cited: Vehicle taken to dealer three separate times for repair; all three repair attempts failed to correct the failure.
Recalls/TSBs owners mention: Manufacturer was notified of the failure.
Vehicle loses power and cannot accelerate during highway driving without apparent warning. Power loss is temporary but severe enough to prevent normal speed maintenance while towing light loads.
When: During highway driving on I-5 Oregon at approximately 12,128 miles
Symptoms owners cite: Truck stuck at 45 MPH despite full throttle input; No power response to throttle input; Feels like freewheeling with no engine power; Power eventually returns after delay
Repairs/costs cited: Vehicle not yet serviced at time of complaint. Owner concerned about CP4 fuel pump compatibility issues.
Synthesized from 19 NHTSA owner complaints — unverified consumer allegations, summarized for patterns. The verbatim filings appear below.
I bought my truck in tampa, fl in august with 23k miles truck has 30k now I was driving thanksgiving morning after filling tank off in a trusted gas station that I fill all my 3 trucks 2016, 2018, 2020 Ram 3500. I drove about 35 miles and truck started to decelerate lost power within 2 miles and engine shut down and never started again I took to the arrigo Dodge tamarac dealer and after 6 days…
The contact owns a 2020 Ram 3500. The contact stated while the vehicle was parked, he noticed that coolant was leaking underneath the vehicle. The EGR warning light was illuminated. The contact stated that upon adding coolant to the EGR valve, the contact noticed that coolant was still leaking. The vehicle was taken to the dealer, where it was diagnosed that the EGR valve had failed and needed to…
It's a meaningful issue. 19 complaints have been filed and the failure mode causes operational problems for owners. Repairs average $3,100.
Across the 13 complaints that reported odometer mileage, most engine failures cluster between 16,684 and 115,000 miles, with the median around 30,900. A quarter of owners report trouble before 16,684; a quarter make it past 115,000. Maintenance history matters more than the odometer alone — this is the reported failure window, not a guarantee.
Independent shops typically charge around $3,100 for engine 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 — 2 active recall(s) cover engine 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.