2020 Ram 1500 Engine
Owner-reported problems and safety issues filed with NHTSA. Review common failures, severity levels, and complaint trends over time.
Complaint Timeline
Chronological view of owner reports
Manifold leaking which could affect the components around possibly causing the engine to completely shut down. Is the the dodge dealership now. Apparently there are no recalls at this time. We do have an extended warranty on the vehicle thank goodness. All maintenance is up to date on this vehicle. The vehicle is at the dealership now and parts will not be in until October 24. It is not driveable at this time.
Driver and passenger manifolds Have cracked now 3 times on the passenger side and 1 time in the drivers side. Inhale had the last passenger side replaced under warranty and now they will not honor the warranty on the replaced manifold.
The contact owns a 2020 Ram 1500. The contact stated while driving at unknown speeds, there was an abnormally loud exhaust sound. There were no warning lights illuminated. The vehicle was taken to the local dealer, where it was diagnosed that the exhaust manifold was cracked. The vehicle was repaired. The manufacturer was not contacted. The failure mileage was approximately 51,000.
The contact owns a 2020 Ram 1500. The contact stated that while driving at 45-50 MPH, the check engine warning light illuminated. There was an abnormally loud sound coming from the exhaust. The local dealer was not contacted. The vehicle was not diagnosed or repaired. The manufacturer was not contacted. The failure mileage was approximately 48,000.
The contact owns a 2020 Ram 1500. The contact stated while driving 35 MPH, the low oil pressure warning light was illuminated. The contact pulled to the side of the road. The vehicle was towed to the dealer, where it was diagnosed that the oil filter was cracked, causing oil to leak inside the engine compartment. The dealer wiped off the oil, and the oil filter was replaced. The vehicle was repaired. The manufacturer was not notified of the failure. The failure mileage was approximately 31,124.
The contact owns a 2020 Ram 1500. The contact stated that while driving at an undisclosed speed, there was an abnormal sound coming from the engine compartment. The vehicle then returned to normal functionality, but the failure became a regular occurrence. No warning lights were illuminated. The vehicle was not taken to the dealer or an independent mechanic. The vehicle was not repaired. The manufacturer was not notified of the failure. The failure mileage was 69,000.
Component Failure: Around 45,000 miles, my vehicle equipped with the 5.7L HEMI E-torque V8 had both exhaust manifolds cracked with large exhaust leaks pre-catalytic convertor Safety Risk: My vehicle equipped with the 5.7L HEMI E-torque V8 was idling in a parking lot for around 1 hour while I waited inside the vehicle. Cold ambient temperature with windows up and heater on. I noted having a slight headache and started smelling what seemed to be pre-catalytic convertor exhaust fumes (rich fuel smell). I stepped out of the vehicle and smelled the exhaust at the rear of the vehicle, which did not match. I attributed the smell to a nearby vehicle. One week later, the same event occurred with no other vehicles parked around me. The exhaust leak was large enough to pull exhaust fumes into the cabin through the HVAC system. High risk of carbon monoxide poisoning if the vehicle was to sit long enough, risking both myself and my child's safety while we sat in the vehicle. Problem Reproduced: Yes, brought the vehicle CJDR dealer who diagnosed the vehicle with "both exhaust manifolds cracked" and replaced both exhaust manifolds under warranty. Has component been inspected: Unknown. Parts were removed from vehicle as covered under warranty at dealer and replaced with new parts. Any Warnings: No warning lights on dashboard or DTCs for catalytic convertor performance, lean/rich banks, or other exhaust/emissions related. Exhaust seemed slightly louder on cold start. Smelling of unburnt/pre-cat exhaust fumes that prompted dealer visit.
The contact owns a 2020 Ram 1500. The contact stated while starting the vehicle, the vehicle made an abnormal clunking sound. There was no warning light illuminated. The vehicle was taken to the dealer, but the cause of the failure could not be determined. The contact stated that the failure recurred increasingly. The vehicle was taken to an independent mechanic, where it was diagnosed that the intake manifold was fractured. The vehicle not repaired. The contact related the failure to an unknown Chrysler Campaign Number. The manufacturer was notified of the failure, but no assistance was provided. The contact was referred to the NHTSA Hotline for assistance. The failure mileage was unknown. The VIN was not available.
The contact owns a 2020 Ram 1500. The contact stated that while starting the vehicle, there was an abnormal sound coming from the exhaust on the passenger's side of the vehicle, and there was an abnormal ticking sound coming from the engine compartment. The contact became aware there was exhaust fumes inside the cabin of the vehicle. The vehicle was taken to the local dealer, where it was diagnosed that the exhaust manifolds were fractured. The manifolds were replaced. The vehicle was repaired. The manufacturer was notified of the failure, but no assistance was provided. The failure mileage was 60,000. The VIN was not available.
The contact owns a 2020 Ram 1500. The contact stated while driving at various speeds, the vehicle suddenly stalled. The contact stated that the failure had gotten worse, and the vehicle was almost rear-ended on the highway. The vehicle was taken to a local dealer however, the failure could not be duplicated. The contact related the failure to an unknown recall; however, the vehicle was not included in the recall. The vehicle was not repaired. The manufacturer was made aware of the failure; however, no assistance was provided. The failure mileage was approximately 97,000.
The contact's son owns a 2020 Ram 1500. The contact stated that while his son was driving at an undisclosed speed, the vehicle made an abnormally loud sound. The vehicle was taken to an unknown dealer, where it was diagnosed that the exhaust manifold needed to be replaced. The vehicle was not repaired. The manufacturer was made aware of the failure but confirmed that there was no recall associated with the VIN. The failure mileage was 91,189. The VIN was unavailable.
Broken exhaust manifold bolt. Allows exhaust gas to enter engine compartment.
Exhaust Manifolds have cracked twice on the right and once on the left side in the first 45K miles of the vehicles life. Both times replaced under warranty, there appears to be a design defect here that should be resolved. Leaking exhaust manifold in California will violate CARB emission standards.
Both exhaust manifolds cracked creating an exhaust allowing exhaust gases/fumes into the vehicles cabin causing an obvious safety issue. No warnings lights of any sort, the components were inspected by the dealership and confirmed that they were cracked. This is a recurring problem as a quick search about ram exhaust manifolds will provide a never ending list of stories and the dealer themselves stated they are constantly replacing cracked exhaust manifolds everyday and the parts are hard to get due to the issue being so common.
Exhaust manifolds leaking at cylinder heads due to broken manifold bolts.
Truck engine has shut off when coming to a stop or slowing down making a turn. Yes vehicle is available for inspection. Vehicle has stopped in the middle of roadway Problem has happened multiple times, has not been confirmed Vehicle has not been inspected No warning lamps or messages.
Since the vehicle was purchased new in 2020, the check engine light has come on and the service throttle body message has been displayed 12 times. It only happens when I am towing a 5,500 pound travel trailer. When the anomalies happens, I loose engine power. Say I am traveling at 65 MPH. When the anomalies happens and the CEL and warning messages appear, my speed drops to 32 MPH. Most Interstate freeway systems have a 45 MPH lower limit. I am forced to quickly pull over to the emergency lane to avoid a crash situation. If I shut off the engine and restart it, my power comes back but the CEL is still on. The selling dealership has tried to fix this several times. The engine code that is always present is a P00AF (turbo boost control “A” module performance, I think over boost) and at one time a P0299 (turbo under boost). The latter occurred after I heard a loud “whoosh” . The turbo air hose blew off. So far the Dealer has flash programmed the engine control module, replace the turbo hose and lastly replaced the turbo itself. Not all of the anomalies have been documented by the dealer, as I am always traveling around the country when it happens and have called dealers in the city nearest me at the time and have gotten every excuse as to why they cannot look as it now. I am almost always able to resume my travels by shutting off and restarting the engine. When I arrive back home and take it in to be looked at, I’m told there is no codes and no history of a code. It can be several thousand miles after the anomalies when the dealer finally gets to look at it. FCA (Chrysler corp) is aware of the situation and has opened 4 cases for my concern. Case # 77583210 which they immediately closed, # 78338328, #79796818 and just on 06-9-2023 case # 86383024. The vehicle now has 21,726 miles on it and most of them are towing miles. The vehicle specifications state this vehicle can tow 12,000 lbs. I bought this vehicle for vacations and towing. THIS VEHICLE IS UNSAFE!
The contact owns a 2020 Ram 1500. The contact stated that while operating the vehicle, the odor of exhaust fumes was present inside the cabin of the vehicle. Additionally, there was a loud exhaust sound while depressing the accelerator pedal. The local dealer was contacted. The local dealer stated that the failure was due to a crack in the passenger’s side exhaust manifold however, the parts needed to repair the vehicle were on backorder due to a high demand. The manufacturer was notified of the failure, but no assistance was offered. The failure mileage was 43,000
Exhaust manifold bolts snapping at low milage causing exhaust to possibly leak into the cabin. Most people are getting manifolds resurfaced and replacing the bolt's. If you replace manifold with new, it will warp again and break bolts again. Apparently the manifolds were not “Stress Relieved” in the manufacturing process. Lots of people are complaining and Ram dealers are saying it happens a lot. Cost to fix is approx. $1,000.
The exhaust flange bolts are prematurely rusting and breaking on the Exhaust system. This is a truck that has less than 30,000 miles and less than 4 years old. This is a common problem but seems to me RAM is using sub par materials in there bolts and they are failing at an earlier than expected time. These parts should be good for at least 80,000 100,000 Miles. These parts should be covered and a recall should be issued for these bolts as they are failing and braking prematurely. Creating a safety hazard as if the exhaust flange bolts break the pipe would hit the ground and create a safety and or accident hazard.
Manifolds. This is an ongoing problem with ram owners. They blow at early mileage and progressively get worse until the fumes are in the cab. This can be extremely dangerous and could cause unconsciousness or even death if it’s bad enough. If someone where to become unconscious behind the wheel, it could put many people at danger.
I was making a right turn after being stopped at a light and made it approximately 100 feet before the vehicle just shut off. I was able to steer to the side of the street, stop, and restart the vehicle. I didn’t hear or see anything abnormal but it all happened so far. The dealer is looking at it now (in the next 5-7 days). This is a real safety concern.
2020 RAM 1500 HEMI Broken manifold bolts had fixed with 34,000 miles now the truck has 40,000 and DO NOT BOTHER CALLING MOPAR. they can care less. said i needed to take to dealer and then call back to see what they can do so I asked the rep how many ram owners have yall helped when they took the truck into a dealer for diagnostic out of warranty? No response- shocker there. I stated that mopar knows about this ongoing issue for years and will not do anything about it . Only to be told that I have to take the truck to a dealer. Where they want to charge a fortune. Something needs to be done about this.
The contact owns a 2020 Ram 1500. The contact stated while driving 55 MPH, the engine seized. The contact stated the message “Parking Brake not Engage” and the Push to Start warning light was illuminated. The contact was able to park on the side of the road and fully turn off the vehicle. The contact stated after waiting for a while, the vehicle was restarted but was unable to be turned off. The contact stated the vehicle continued to experience the vehicle. The vehicle was not drivable. The contact took the vehicle to the local dealer. The vehicle was not diagnosed or repaired. The manufacturer had not been informed of the failure. The failure mileage was approximately 30,000.
5.7 V8 right rear exhaust manifold leaks exhaust gases due to broken manifold bolts. Weight of the exhaust header appears to fracture the header bolts causing the leak. Seems to be a common issue for the vehicle.
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Quick Summary
The 2020 Ram 1500 has 63 Engine complaints on file. 1 crashes have been reported. Review the timeline above for detailed owner experiences.