Vehicle Guide

2020 RAM 3500 Problems, Reliability & Owner's Guide

Common problems with the 2020 RAM 3500, reliability ratings, maintenance tips, and owner reviews. Get your complete owner's guide.

Overview

The 2020 RAM 3500 is a heavy-duty full-size pickup built for serious towing, hauling, and commercial-grade work, while still offering an upscale cabin in higher trims. It’s ideal for owners who need high payload and fifth-wheel capability, such as contractors, RV haulers, and fleet buyers who want strong torque and available diesel power. This model sits near the top of the HD truck market, competing with Ford Super Duty and Chevrolet Silverado HD on towing tech and powertrain strength. The 2020 model is part of the refreshed heavy-duty generation introduced for 2019, carrying over the modernized interior, chassis updates, and advanced towing features.

Key Features

1) Engine options for different jobs: a 6.4L HEMI V8 gasoline engine is standard on many trims, while the available 6.7L Cummins turbo-diesel inline-six is the go-to for maximum low-end torque and towing confidence. Buyers could also find the High-Output 6.7L Cummins on certain configurations for even more torque aimed at heavy fifth-wheel loads. 2) Towing-focused hardware and tech: available trailer tire-pressure monitoring, integrated trailer brake controller, trailer reverse guidance (where equipped), and multiple camera views help line up and manage large trailers more easily. 3) Payload and chassis capability: the RAM 3500 is designed around high payload ratings, especially in dual-rear-wheel (DRW) form, with suspension and axle choices aimed at stability under load. 4) Interior comfort and infotainment: higher trims offer a quiet, well-finished cabin, available large touchscreen infotainment, and thoughtful storage—features that make long workdays and tow trips less tiring. 5) Trim and configuration variety: multiple cab sizes, bed lengths, single- or dual-rear-wheel setups, and work-to-luxury trims let buyers tailor the truck to fleets, ranch use, or premium towing.

Common Issues & Reliability

Shoppers often search “2020 RAM 3500 problems,” “2020 RAM 3500 reliability,” and “2020 RAM 3500 common issues” because heavy-duty trucks see hard use, and small issues can become expensive when towing. Overall reliability is often considered solid for the class when maintained, but these are some commonly reported concerns: 1) Diesel emissions system faults (DEF/SCR/EGR): On 6.7L Cummins-equipped trucks, owners sometimes report warning lights, reduced power messages, or check-engine codes related to the NOx sensors, DEF quality sensors, EGR components, or SCR/DPF operation. These problems may appear anywhere from 20,000 to 80,000 miles depending on duty cycle, idle time, and short-trip use. 2) Steering and front-end wear (especially under load): Some owners report steering wander, loose feel, or accelerated tire wear. Contributing factors can include alignment, worn steering components, or heavy front-axle loading. Symptoms can show up around 30,000–70,000 miles, particularly with aggressive tires or frequent towing. 3) Electrical/infotainment glitches: Complaints can include intermittent screen freezing, camera issues, Bluetooth pairing problems, or sensor-related warnings. Many issues are software-related and improve with updates, though some owners have required module replacement. 4) Transmission and driveline concerns under heavy use: While many trucks perform well, a subset of owners report harsh shifting, delayed engagement, or driveline clunks that may be more noticeable when towing or in stop-and-go conditions. Fluid condition, updates, and proper towing setup can make a big difference.

Frequently Asked Questions

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