2020 Ram 3500 Engine cooling Problems
- Complaints
- 4about this part
- Share
- 3%of 116 total for the year
- Median mileage
- 125,000miles
- Trend
- Not enough dataFewer than 15 complaints, too few for a reliable trend.
NHTSA recorded 4 complaints about the engine cooling of the 2020 Ram 3500, 3% of the 116 complaints for this model year. Where a mileage was given, the median is 125,000 miles. 1 a fire, according to the filers. 2 recall campaigns on record are filed under a similar system.
Fewer than 15 complaints name this part, so treat the figures as a rough indication only.
Example complaints
Selected from NHTSA records; personal details are removed. They are consumer reports, not findings.
“The contact owns a 2020 Ram 3500. The contact stated while driving approximately 50 MPH, the engine overheated. There was no warning light illuminated. The vehicle was towed to the dealer, where it was diagnosed and determined that the cooling fan module had failed, and the engine needed to be replaced. The vehicle was repaired. The manufacturer was made aware of the failure and referred the contact to the NHTSA Hotline to report the failure. The approximate failure mileage was 97,000.”
NHTSA complaint #11720681, filed 2026-02, 97,000 miles“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 be replaced. The vehicle was not repaired. The manufacturer was not made aware of the failure. The approximate failure mileage was 115,000.”
NHTSA complaint #11627960, filed 2024-11, 115,000 miles“The contact owns a 2020 RAM 3500. The contact stated that while driving at 15 MPH, the oil warning light was illuminated, and the vehicle made abnormal sounds. Additionally, there was smoke coming from under the hood of the vehicle. The contact pulled over and refilled the oil reservoir; however, the failure recurred with oil leaking from the vehicle. The vehicle was towed to the dealer and diagnosed with engine damage and connecting rod failure, which punctured the engine block. The engine needed to be replaced. The vehicle was not repaired and remained at the dealer. …”
NHTSA complaint #11447086, filed 2022-01, 213,000 miles“The contact owns a 2020 Ram 3500. The contact stated that after his son started the vehicle, there was a metal-on-metal sound coming from the engine. The contact stated that his son was not aware of any warning lights being illuminated. The contact had not taken the vehicle to a local dealer or independent mechanic. The vehicle was towed to an independent mechanic but was not diagnosed or repaired. The manufacturer had not been informed of the failure. The contact researched online and related the failure to NHTSA Campaign Number: 20V511000 (Engine and Engine Cooling, Electrical System). …”
NHTSA complaint #11487812, filed 2022-10, 135,000 milesRelated recalls
- 21V439000Jun 10, 2021Chrysler (FCA US, LLC) is recalling certain 2019-2020 Ram 3500, 4500, and 5500 cab chassis vehicles equipped with a Cummins 6.7L High Output engine. The…Covers: Ram 3500 2019–2020, 5500 2019–2020, 4500 2019–2020
- 20V511000Aug 27, 2020Chrysler (FCA US LLC) is recalling certain 2019-2020 Ram 3500, 4500 and 5500 cab chassis built with a Cummins 6.7L High Output engine. Inadequate warmup…Covers: Ram 3500 2019–2020, 5500 2019–2020, 4500 2019–2020
Related service bulletins
- 10251873Jan 25, 2024Flash: Powertrain Control Module (PCM) Updates Customers may experience a Malfunction Indicator Lamp (MIL) illumination. Upon further investigation the technician may find one or…
- 10248594Sep 12, 2023Emissions Recall 06A - Vehicle Emission Control Information Label
- 10244433Sep 12, 2023Emissions Recall 06A - Vehicle Emission Control Information Label
- 10242765Jul 26, 2023Squeak, Chirp, Or Tick Noise From The Serpentine Belt Area. Additional Diagnostics.
- 10242795Jul 12, 20236.7L New Oil Usage Information Incorrect oil used. This bulletin provides information regarding the correct oil grade to use on the 6.7L Cummins used in the 2023 to 2013 HD…
- 10239957May 18, 2023Water Quality When Mixed With Engine Coolant
- 10236933Apr 15, 2023wiTECH Small Leak Verification Test (SLVT) - P0456-EVAP SYSTEM SMALL LEAK
Engine cooling: other model years
| Year | Complaints | Share of year |
|---|---|---|
| 2023 | 1 | 6% |
| 2022 | 2 | 1% |
| 2021 | 3 | 5% |
| 2020 | 4 | 3% |
| 2019 | 5 | 4% |
| 2018 | 3 | 0% |
| 2017 | 4 | 1% |
| 2016 | 4 | 3% |
| 2015 | 3 | 2% |
| 2014 | 5 | 2% |
| 2013 | 2 | 2% |
Other parts of the 2020 Ram 3500
57 complaintsEngine
27 complaintsTransmission and drivetrain
12 complaintsElectrical system
9 complaintsBrakes
8 complaintsSteering
7 complaintsWheels
7 complaintsOther or unknown
6 complaintsTires
5 complaintsBody and structure
4 complaintsVehicle speed control
3 complaintsAir bags
2 complaints
← All problems reported for the 2020 Ram 3500
About this data. Data from NHTSA (ODI) complaints, recalls, TSBs and investigations, updated Oct 27, 2026. Complaints are unverified consumer reports and may be duplicated or inaccurate.
To check a specific vehicle for open recalls, use its VIN at nhtsa.gov/recalls. Methodology