2020 Ram 3500 Transmission and drivetrain Problems
- Complaints
- 12about this part
- Share
- 10%of 116 total for the year
- Median mileage
- 112,500miles
- Trend
- Not enough dataFewer than 15 complaints, too few for a reliable trend.
NHTSA recorded 12 complaints about the transmission and drivetrain of the 2020 Ram 3500, 10% of the 116 complaints for this model year. Where a mileage was given, the median is 112,500 miles. 1 of these say a crash was involved and 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.
“We were pulling camper to Nashville TN. We pulled off I24 toward I65 North. I noticed the engine was raving and it felt like I was missing gears on the transmission. I was roughly 4 miles from my destination when I noticed smoke coming from under the hood on passenger side and flames coming from under hood on passenger side of the hood. I stopped the truck/ camper. Three of us had extinguishers trying to put fire out. The entire engingine compartment burned and fire intruded into driver compartment.”
NHTSA complaint #11762938, filed 2026-09“Truck was with high pressure pump issues, spent $2600 in rental truck, $400 i. Towing truck and about one month with no truck, Chrysler still doesn't want to pay me back, this is my second truck with same issue, previous truck was a 2019 3500 ram having the same problem when truck was with only 4,000 miles on it. Now they repaired my truck but now i feel like my truck lose already torque, is using more diesel and more DEF.”
NHTSA complaint #11438155, filed 2021-10“My high pressure fuel pump went out while I was towing the 43 ft enclosed trailer causing the engine to shut down. I was able to get it home and onto a car hauling trailer took it to a dealership and confirmed the high pressure fuel pump was the culprit they informed me that they would not perform the safety recall because of a modification to the vehicle which has no bearing on the safety issues at hand I contacted FCA they encouraged me to take it to a different dealership which I did. …”
NHTSA complaint #11528487, filed 2023-06“We where driving down the highway and the drive shaft fell out the car. This took out my brake lines and my transmission harness. This caused major damage to my car and it almost killed my drivers because they were unable to stop with no brakes they had to go into a ditch to avoid hitting someone. I have spoken with some other owners and they had some of the same issues. My truck was taken care of and just left the shop the previous week. We did not hit anything it just appears that some of th bolts came apart. …”
NHTSA complaint #11515758, filed 2023-04“Vehicle will not go into park and shut off. I could not turn the engine off. Not having the ability to turn the motor off is a safety concern. This has progressed to where it says vehicle is not in park while vehicle is in drive and moving. The problem is intermittent and I have documented it with multiple pictures and videos and witness accounts but the dealer has not been able to reproduce the malfunction. The service representative has been helpful but has not been able to. The vehicle has not been inspected by the police or other independent representatives. …”
NHTSA complaint #11565787, filed 2024-01Related recalls
- 22V835000Nov 10, 2022FCA US, LLC (Chrysler) is recalling certain 2020-2023 Ram 2500 and 2020-2022 Ram 3500 vehicles. A build-up of pressure and heat inside the transmission may…Covers: Ram 3500 2020–2022, 2500 2020–2023
- 20V043000Jan 24, 2020Chrysler (FCA US LLC) is recalling certain 2019-2020 Ram 2500 and 3500 Pickup vehicles equipped with six-speed automatic (68RFE) transmissions. A build up of…Covers: Ram 3500 2019–2020, 2500 2019–2020
Related service bulletins
- 11032827May 8, 2026Replace K1 Clutch / Input Shaft Assembly Customers must experience a Malfunction Indicator Lamp (MIL) illumination and the vehicle must exhibit/set the following Diagnostic…
- 11032650May 8, 2026Replace K1 Clutch / Input Shaft Assembly Customers must experience a Malfunction Indicator Lamp (MIL) illumination and the vehicle must exhibit/set the following Diagnostic…
- 11030138Mar 9, 2026The vehicle will exhibit a service transmission/check engine warning indicator for the following transmission models: 845RE, 8HP45, 850RE, 8HP50, 8HP70, 8HP75, 8HP75-PHEV…
- 11024577Oct 24, 2025Driveline Vibration. Prop Shaft Diagnostic Information.
- 11021844Aug 7, 2025When customer complaint is related to inoperative 4 Wheel Drive shifter, loss of 4WD function and/or 4WD related MIL please reference SOL Case #S2508000062 prior to replacement…
- 11014369Feb 11, 2025"Clicking Noise While In 4WD Customers may experience the following: ● Ratcheting, click, or clicking noise in 4WD while turning. This bulletin involves replacing the front…
- 11014157Feb 7, 2025"Clicking Noise While In 4WD ustomers may experience the following: ● Ratcheting, click, or clicking noise in 4WD while turning. his bulletin involves replacing the front…
- 11013489Jan 31, 2025TRANSFER CASE BW 44-46 If fluid leak is present between the transfer case and the rear driveshaft on a 4WD vehicle the Output Shaft Seal should be considered in lieu of entire…
- 11012318Dec 19, 2024Seal - output shaft
- 11012314Dec 19, 2024Seal - output shaft
Transmission and drivetrain: other model years
| Year | Complaints | Share of year |
|---|---|---|
| 2026 | 5 | 18% |
| 2025 | 8 | 19% |
| 2024 | 6 | 13% |
| 2023 | 1 | 6% |
| 2022 | 114 | 60% |
| 2021 | 11 | 18% |
| 2020 | 12 | 10% |
| 2019 | 18 | 13% |
| 2018 | 23 | 3% |
| 2017 | 27 | 9% |
| 2016 | 19 | 14% |
| 2015 | 32 | 23% |
| 2014 | 39 | 19% |
| 2013 | 12 | 10% |
Other parts of the 2020 Ram 3500
57 complaintsEngine
27 complaintsElectrical system
9 complaintsBrakes
8 complaintsSteering
7 complaintsWheels
7 complaintsOther or unknown
6 complaintsTires
5 complaintsEngine cooling
4 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 30, 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