What 112 owners told NHTSA about the 2020 Ram 3500

The contact owns a 2020 Ram 3500. The contact stated that while the vehicle was parked and the engine was turned off, the gear shifter shifted into the drive position when the contact's minor [XXX] child entered the vehicle to retrieve an item using the steering wheel and gear shifter to enter, causing the vehicle to roll down a hill and collide with a tree. The impact resulted in significant damage to the passenger side door, bumper, and truck bed. Although a child was inside the vehicle at the time of the incident, no injuries were reported following the collision. No air bags deployed. The vehicle was towed to a dealer where it had notyet been inspected. The vehicle was not repaired. The manufacturer was notified of the failure. The failure mileage was 150,000. INFORMATION REDACTED PURSUANT TO THE FREEDOM OF INFORMATION ACT (FOIA), 5 U.S.C. 552(B)(6)

NHTSA ODI 11718937

After normal operation, I shut off the vehicle, and within seconds it caught fire without any external cause. Our insurance company and Look Larson Dodge investigated the incident over approximately 3½ weeks but could not determine a definitive cause of the fire.

NHTSA ODI 11698464

On 12/4/23, at 6:37 am PST, we initiated remote start via the key fob. At 6:40 am pst, a flash and fire erupted from under the hood of the truck. We immediately worked to control the fire using extinguishers and garden hoses until the fire department arrived a few minutes later. They worked to put the fire out that engulfed the engine compartment and then worked to get the hood open to finish putting the fire out. The fire didn’t fully go out until the battery cables were cut.

NHTSA ODI 11558743

As I was driving the vehicle caught fire and I lost brakes. The vehicle had to be put into a retention pond to stop it.

NHTSA ODI 11558565

On 6/28/2022 I was involved in an off-set not-at-fault head on collision at 45+ MPH. My vehicle then careened off the initial collision causing a side impact with a large light standard. My vehicle continued until it collided head on with a building and came to a stop. The front impact and side impact airbags did not deploy at any time. My vehicle and the other vehicle were deemed a total loss.

NHTSA ODI 11473841

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. The manufacturer was not made aware of the failure. Upon investigation, the contact related the failure to NHTSA Campaign Number: 20V511000 (Engine and Engine Cooling, Electrical System) however, the VIN was not included in the recall. The failure mileage was approximately 213,000. The oil light did not come on until after the engine had started knocking rapidly. The engine oil also ran out quickly as well. Consumer immediately refilled the oil and drove for 5 minutes and the engine stopped knocking for a few seconds before there was louder knocking, smoke and spewing oil. Consumer had previously reported to the customer care FCA group 2 times last August about metal shavings on the fuel filter. The fuel pump continued to produce metal shavings in the filter every time the filter was change.

NHTSA ODI 11447086

This Laramie trim level truck has an electronic drop tailgate with a button to drop the tailgate on the overhead console and one on the key fob. The tailgate on my truck was closed during my pre-trip and entering the vehicle. I had a trailer hooked to the receiver hitch and drove ten miles before realizing the tailgate was now in the down position and caused significant damage to the tailgate because the tailgate made contact with the trailer. With the electronic release tailgate on this particular year truck there is not a warning message alerting the driver that the tailgate is ajar. There is such an alert on newer models (2021-2022) I went to a local dealership to check. I’m sure the tailgate drop button somehow was pressed on the key fob while in my pocket entering the truck. But I did not receive any alert on the instrument cluster or even hear the tailgate open because the tailgate has a soft open feature. I see this being a serious safety concern to possibly lose cargo and cause a more serious accident.

NHTSA ODI 11445680

As I was preparing to travel for the holidays comíng up, I was traveling to Texas to see family. I was driving around 65 mph when suddenly the truck started jerking and slowing down when the gas pedal would not give it power. The car behind slammed the brakes and in order to avoid hitting me had to went the the side of the highway. Before coming to a complete stop the truck a 2020 ram 3500 shut off and will not come off. The tow truck was able to scan the truck and the codes are for low fuel pressure and fuel pump. This was a very scary situation because I’m with all my family and not only did I put them in danger by this truck failing with out a notice of any kind but also put others like the vehicle behind in danger because the truck failed. I have look up and this seems to be a common issue with all the “new ram trucks” not sure why there is no recall yet. Hoping this gets looked at and something can be done for the safety of others

NHTSA ODI 11440397

I was on my way home from the local RAM Dealer last night, where I wanted to sell my truck (after inspecting it, they offered me $82K for it), when, spontaneously, my truck started to smoke from under the hood and literally burst into flames! I had to pull over and jump out to avoid being burned alive! I am so traumatized. I'm attempting to tow what's left of this truck to the dealer this morning. I hope FCA will take responsibility for this!

NHTSA ODI 11440305

TRUCK CAUGHT FIRE IN ENGINE COMPARTMENT. I HAD JUST GOTTEN ON THE FREEWAY AND REACHED 70MPH WHEN I COULD SEE SMOKE COMING FROM THE ENGINE. PULLED OVER AND IT QUICKLY BECAME ENGULFED IN FLAMES. STATE FARM CLAIM 28-18Q6-12R ELIZABETH ANDERSON, CLAIM SPECIALIST, 844-292-8615X2539126712

NHTSA ODI 11408537