Research · Standard Pickup Trucks 2WD

2020 Ram 1500 ClassicRecalls, problems, MPG & safety

NHTSA lists 0 safety recalls and 644 owner complaints for the 2020 Ram 1500 Classic. Most complaints involve electrical system (166) and engine (156). The EPA rates it 17–20 mpg combined, and NHTSA gives it 4 stars overall.

Combined MPG
17–20mpg
EPA · 4 versions
NHTSA overall
4of 5 stars
NCAP crash tests
Safety recalls
0campaigns
NHTSA
Owner complaints
644
Top: electrical system
Fuel cost / yr
$3,100est.
EPA estimate, best version
01 —Recalls

Safety recalls

NHTSA campaigns for this model year
0 recalls found in NHTSA data for the 2020 Ram 1500 Classic as of Nov 9, 2026.
Data from NHTSA Recalls API · synced Nov 9, 2026NHTSA vehicle page
02 —Complaints

Owner complaints by component

644 complaints filed with NHTSA · Nov 2019 – Nov 2026
  1. Electrical system166
  2. Engine156
  3. Steering65
  4. Power train63
  5. Visibility/wiper54
  6. Fuel/propulsion system46
  7. Structure44
  8. Service brakes40
  9. Fuel system, gasoline27

Complaints are unverified owner reports to NHTSA and are not normalized for sales volume. One complaint can cite several components.

By model year

Complaints for each 1500 Classic model year we’ve synced.

View as table
Model yearNHTSA complaints
20191,498
2020644
2021687
2022639
Crashes reported
24
Fires reported
7
Injuries reported
15
Deaths reported
1
Data from NHTSA Complaints API · synced Nov 9, 2026 · Full problem breakdownNHTSA vehicle page
03 —Common problems

What owners report most

Verbatim excerpts from NHTSA complaints, by component

Electrical system

166 reports6 fires
“Truck burned down. Reported problems earlier to you with stellantis/ram having issues with the etorque and not helping to resolve, along with not producing parts. Etorque failed in beginning of 2026, replaced OEM for $5,000(5 times the price it should have been) with no help of ram/stellantis. Now, somewhere in the engine caught on fire and burned the whole truck. Insurance has done investigation and I have received the claim. Safety concern:my wife and [XXX] were in the vehicle, started it and it caught fire. Lucky to have gotten out safe. Total loss of vehicle. The ram rebel 2020 and specifically etorque and electrical all should be looked into and proper action be taken with ram/stellantis to its customers.”
Owner complaint to NHTSAFiled Nov 4, 2026Electrical system, EngineFire reportedODI 11775549

Engine

156 reports1 crash5 fires
“I bought this used truck with 60K miles on it in 2024. It is a 2020 truck. At 136K the engine failed.........with the infamous [XXX]. I have an excel summary spread sheet on all maintenance I had done since I owned this truck and I did not pull or haul anything. I heard a tick for about 10 days before I took it to my dealer whom I bought it from and they stated after "scoping" that the # 8 cylinder misfired and cylinder wall scored and the lifter pin bearing failed thus cam shaft damaged and exhaust manifold cracked. They had to replace the engine with a remanufactured engine from [XXX] and replaced intake and exhaust Manifold at a cost of $ 15,021 out of my pocket. I was stuck with no options logically. I do not have a problem with the Dealership - [XXX]. I have a problem with Ram Engineering, Stalantis design. To me there is no excuse to have a big cast iron block v-8 fail at 136K miles. There are many more ram owners who have this same problem I just stated that I had. If I knew then what I know now i would have never bought this truck with this 5.7L engine. There were no warnings, messages or anything displayed to alert there was a problem. I expect that…”
Owner complaint to NHTSAFiled Sep 16, 2026EngineODI 11764777

Steering

65 reports2 crashes
“The contact owns a 2020 Ram 1500. The contact stated that while driving at various speeds, the messages “Power Steering Unavailable - Service Required”, “Service Air Suspension Immediately”, and “Blind Spot Unavailable” were displayed. The contact stated that after the messages were displayed, excessive force was needed to steer the vehicle. Additionally, the contact stated that the transmission intermittently surged forward while depressing the brake pedal. The vehicle was taken or towed to the dealer on several occasions. The vehicle was diagnosed with transaxle failure and steering column failures. The battery, transmission, and the radio were replaced on several occasions; however, the failure persisted. The manufacturer was notified of the failure, but no assistance was provided. The failure mileage was 95,959.”
Owner complaint to NHTSAFiled Oct 5, 2026Steering, Power train, Electrical systemODI 11768931
Data from NHTSA Complaints API (owner reports, unverified) · synced Nov 9, 2026
04 —Key specs

Engines, transmissions & drive

4 versions rated by the EPA
EPA class
Standard Pickup Trucks 2WD, Standard Pickup Trucks 4WD
Engines
3.6L 6-cyl · 5.7L 8-cyl
Transmissions
Automatic 8-spd
Drive
Rear-Wheel Drive · 4-Wheel Drive
Fuel
Regular Gasoline · Midgrade Gasoline

Towing, payload and dimensions aren’t in the EPA or NHTSA data, so we don’t list them.

Data from EPA fueleconomy.gov · synced Nov 9, 2026EPA listing
05 —Fuel economy

EPA fuel economy by version

City / highway / combined, annual fuel cost and CO₂
EPA
VersionCityHwyComb.Fuel / yrCO₂ g/mi
1500 Classic 2WD
Auto 8-spd, 6 cyl, 3.6 L · Rear-Wheel Drive
172520$3,100450
1500 Classic 4WD
Auto 8-spd, 6 cyl, 3.6 L · 4-Wheel Drive
162319$3,300475
1500 Classic 2WD
Auto 8-spd, 8 cyl, 5.7 L · Rear-Wheel Drive
152217$4,200513
1500 Classic 4WD
Auto 8-spd, 8 cyl, 5.7 L · 4-Wheel Drive
152117$4,200526
  • 1500 Classic 2WD
    Auto 8-spd, 6 cyl, 3.6 L
    17 city · 25 hwy · $3,100/yr
    20
    mpg comb.
  • 1500 Classic 4WD
    Auto 8-spd, 6 cyl, 3.6 L
    16 city · 23 hwy · $3,300/yr
    19
    mpg comb.
  • 1500 Classic 2WD
    Auto 8-spd, 8 cyl, 5.7 L
    15 city · 22 hwy · $4,200/yr
    17
    mpg comb.
  • 1500 Classic 4WD
    Auto 8-spd, 8 cyl, 5.7 L
    15 city · 21 hwy · $4,200/yr
    17
    mpg comb.
Data from EPA fueleconomy.gov · synced Nov 9, 2026 · Fuel cost is EPA’s annual estimate (15,000 mi, 55% city)
06 —Safety

NHTSA 5-Star Safety Ratings

6 tested variants
Overall rating
4/ 5
4 of 5
Ram 1500 Classic Crew PU/CC 4WD
Frontal crash
4 of 5
Side crash
5 of 5
Side pole
5 of 5
Rollover
3 of 5
Rollover risk
21.9%
Overall
4 / 5
Ram 1500 Classic Quad PU/EC 4WD
Frontal crash
4 of 5
Side crash
5 of 5
Side pole
5 of 5
Rollover
3 of 5
Rollover risk
21.9%
Overall
4 / 5
Ram 1500 Classic Regular PU/RC 4WD
Frontal crash
4 of 5
Side crash
5 of 5
Side pole
5 of 5
Rollover
3 of 5
Rollover risk
21.9%
Overall
4 / 5
Ram 1500 Classic Crew PU/CC 2WD
Frontal crash
4 of 5
Side crash
5 of 5
Side pole
5 of 5
Rollover
4 of 5
Rollover risk
19.8%
Data from NHTSA NCAP Safety Ratings API · synced Nov 9, 2026Vehicle 14279Vehicle 14278Vehicle 14277
07 —Maintenance

Maintenance basics

General guidance, not the OEM schedule. Check your owner’s manual.
General guidance
ItemMilesTimeNote
Engine oil & filter5,000–10,000 mi6–12 monthsFollow the oil-life monitor if fitted
Tire rotation5,000–7,500 miEvery oil changeCheck pressure monthly
Engine air filter15,000–30,000 mi1–2 yearsSooner in dusty areas
Cabin air filter15,000–25,000 mi1–2 years
Brake fluid—2–3 yearsAbsorbs moisture over time
Coolant60,000–100,000 mi5–10 yearsLong-life coolants last longer
Spark plugs60,000–100,000 mi—Iridium/platinum plugs at the long end
12V battery—3–5 yearsHeat shortens battery life
  • Engine oil & filter5,000–10,000 mi
    6–12 months
  • Tire rotation5,000–7,500 mi
    Every oil change
  • Engine air filter15,000–30,000 mi
    1–2 years
  • Cabin air filter15,000–25,000 mi
    1–2 years
  • Brake fluid—
    2–3 years
  • Coolant60,000–100,000 mi
    5–10 years
  • Spark plugs60,000–100,000 mi
    —
  • 12V battery—
    3–5 years
Typical intervals for modern cars. Severe service (towing, short trips, extreme heat or cold) shortens them.
09 —FAQ

2020 1500 Classic questions

How many recalls does the 2020 Ram 1500 Classic have?

0 recalls found in NHTSA data as of Nov 9, 2026.

What are the most common 2020 Ram 1500 Classic problems?

Owners filed 644 complaints with NHTSA. The most-cited components are electrical system (166), engine (156), steering (65). Complaints are unverified owner reports and aren't adjusted for how many cars were sold.

What MPG does the 2020 Ram 1500 Classic get?

The EPA rates the 2020 Ram 1500 Classic at 17–20 mpg combined, depending on engine and drivetrain (4 versions rated).

How safe is the 2020 Ram 1500 Classic?

NHTSA's New Car Assessment Program gives the 2020 Ram 1500 Classic 4 out of 5 stars overall.

Data from NHTSA & EPA · synced Nov 9, 2026