2020 Ram 3500 Engine Problems

The contact owns a 2020 Ram 3500. The contact stated while driving approximately 50 MPH, the engine overheated. There was no warning light illuminated. The vehicle was towed to the dealer, where it was diagnosed and determined that the cooling fan module had failed, and the engine needed to be replaced. The vehicle was repaired. The manufacturer was made aware of the failure and referred the contact to the NHTSA Hotline to report the failure. The approximate failure mileage was 97,000.

The contact owns a 2020 Ram 3500. The contact stated while the vehicle was parked, he noticed that coolant was leaking underneath the vehicle. The EGR warning light was illuminated. The contact stated that upon adding coolant to the EGR valve, the contact noticed that coolant was still leaking. The vehicle was taken to the dealer, where it was diagnosed that the EGR valve had failed and needed to be replaced. The vehicle was not repaired. The manufacturer was not made aware of the failure. The approximate failure mileage was 115,000.

Reoccurring messages regarding DEF, Exhaust Regeneration, and DPF, causing more and more frequent ReGen for longer and longer. Numerous trips to various Ram dealerships resulting in codes being cleared and then being told it was a software issue. After 2 years of this intermittently happening, we experienced an extended Regen that lasted hours and did not clear out the error code. Ram dealer in Utah charged $280 to do a stationary regeneration and once again clear out codes. Less than 6 months later with more and more Regens, a failed regen sent truck into Low Power Mode (losing the ability to tow or excelerate quickly). We ended up having to take it to a Ram dealer over 2 hours away in S. Atlanta to have them take it apart and tell us that the factory installed wiring harness rubbed a hole in the charged air cooler boot which was then causing failed regeneration of the diesel particulates causing the filter to fill. Dealer clearly stated that had any other dealer done a visual inspection of the physical components they would have seen this occurring. We filed a claim and opened a case with Ram for the $4500 repair and waited 8 days with no response to 9 phone calls. The same day we authorized the work, we receive the coveted return call to start the process, but once the customer service rep found out we had already authorized the work we were advised that case would be closed and we would have to open another case for reimbursement. So we started the whole process again, submitted all of the documentation and paid receipts and have been denied. All attempts to contact a supervisor or manager go nowhere and Ram customer service is rude and unhelpful and went as far as to tell us that our mistake was having the vehicle repaired (as if we are just going to let an $80k vehicle sit indefinitely in an unusable state).

Codes: P2002, P242F, P2463, P1451 Failures: DPF, Charge air cooler leak, PM sensors, EGR internally cracked, Catalytic Convertor, Pink tinged oil, strong diesel odor in oil - post failures. Erratic def gauge readings, unstable idling, clunking downshift when exhaust brake decelerates, warm up stumbling. Power reduced, see dealer (over and over and over and over). Limp Mode (5 MPH). Permanent ticks/taps from front left motor, front passenger wheel well, passenger side mid-truck. Extremely loose gear shifter plus an occasional “Vehicle Not in Part” message on the dash display. Manufacturers Service Center (local and ONLY Ram dealership) has reproduced the issue. Independent Diesel Mechanic shop also reproduced. Service center and Independent shop both inspected. The safety issues of a 5 MPH limp mode and risk of sudden engine stalls while driving in traffic, especially on an interstate should be fairly self explanatory… As is a constant “Power Reduced See Dealer” problem, when your truck is used to do what it’s designed to do… Tow large loads. As is an extremely loose gear shifter that doesn’t always properly register as “in Park”. The date listed below is simply the date of the very first occurrence. It’s not a representation of every date after. The most recent date was just last week.

I am attempting to get recall 21V-880 done. This is a safety recall where failure of the engine could result in a crash. I contacted my local dealer and they state repair parts are only available in limited quantities. They put me on a waiting list and stated there are 105 vehicles ahead of me and they don’t think they will have the parts to repair the safety recall until late 2023. This is completely unacceptable for a major safety recall.

The contact owns a 2020 Ram 3500. The contact stated that after his son started the vehicle, there was a metal-on-metal sound coming from the engine. The contact stated that his son was not aware of any warning lights being illuminated. The contact had not taken the vehicle to a local dealer or independent mechanic. The vehicle was towed to an independent mechanic but was not diagnosed or repaired. The manufacturer had not been informed of the failure. The contact researched online and related the failure to NHTSA Campaign Number: 20V511000 (Engine and Engine Cooling, Electrical System). The failure mileage was approximately 135,000.

The contact owns a 2020 Ram 3500. The contact stated while driving 5 MPH, the oil pressure warning light illuminated. The contact then drove back to his residence. Upon opening the hood to check the oil pressure, the contact noticed that the oil consistency was like jelly. The vehicle was towed to the dealer where it was diagnosed that lack of engine oil, caused engine to cease and the engine needed to be replaced. The vehicle was not repaired. The manufacturer was notified of the failure and a case was opened. The manufacturer then followed up with the dealer who provided an estimate for the repair. The manufacturer informed the contact that the engine replacement would not be covered under the warranty however, a vehicle buy back would be considered. The failure mileage was approximately 140,867.

0N 4/4/2022 while traveling on interstate 64 E in WV ,towing an R V camper , no warning signals on the dash screen, my truck started losing power and went completely dead,just missed by a tractor trailer rear ending me, as I rolled off to the side of the road. Iwas towed to the nearest Dodge dealership. When I arrived at the dealership a mechanic came and open the hood, he found diesel leaking and a metal rod of the camshaft sitting on top of the engine, which he stated shot through the engine block. Warranty company doesn't want to tear down engine after I gave approval to investigate issue. This is my work truck and source of income. Four weeks later, I am not getting help from dealership that sold me the truck and warranty. Warranty company is trying to use loop hole to get out of paying. I found similar complaints, reported to the NHTSA, engines falling apart while driving down the road. I had to pay for my truck to tow from WV to Charlotte NC to my driveway. I have a case# with the Dodge Customer Care Department and they are just informing me that the truck has recalls, but parts are not avaible at this time.

The contact owns a 2020 Ram 3500. The contact stated while driving 55 MPH, the Diesel Exhaust Fluid (DEF) warning light illuminated. The contact was able to continue driving to his residence. The vehicle was taken to the dealer on three separate occasions to be repaired; however, the repair failed to correct the failure. The manufacturer was notified of the failure. The approximate failure mileage was 27,000.

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.

I was towing a light trailer (4000 lbs) on I-5 in Oregon on 10/22 when I slowed from ~58 mph to about 45 mph to allow a hasty SUV to merge from the right. When I tried to resume speed the truck seemed "stuck" at 45mph for quite some time. I gave it full throttle and it didn't accelerate. I tapped the brakes, turned off cruise control and it felt like there was no power at all, like it was freewheeling. Finally the motor 'caught' and it accelerated to highway speed. I looked for the problem online and believe this may be related to the CP4 fuel pump issues. Is it safe to continue driving or should I take the truck to a dealer or what? There is no recall yet and I hear the dealership people are telling owners that it is from bad fuel and not covering it! I only have 12128 miles on the truck, please advise!

My truck like all 2019-2020 trucks have the plagued CP4 pump that could fail without showing any symptoms. FCA has failed to step up and have ownership and integrity on this issue. I have asked multiple times to RAM Cares and all I have received is cookie cutter answers from them. I do not know if mine will be next to go or ever will go but FCA has a solution in the 2021 HD Ram trucks and that is the CP-ISB21 fuel pump which looks like the old reliable CP3 fuel pump. Companies out have a solution and that is the CP3 swap but it voids the warranty on the vehicle. The warranty is what is holding me back from having the CP3 pump swap done. Can you please pressure FCA to step up have integrity to replace the plagued CP4 fuel pump with the CP-ISB21 pump. I have challenged FCA on their integrity and ask them if they have it because of the cookie cutter answers I have received from them. I have even asked them to look up what integrity is and to follow the integrity example from the Naval Nuclear Power Program because that program is built on integrity. That program has safely steamed on Nuclear Power for over 60 years. Please again force FCA’s hand on this because this is unsat of them. Look at the forums online and you will see people posting their trucks that have a failed CP4 pump. With that failure FCA is just replacing it another CP4 pump. Also people’s HD rams are down for weeks up to months waiting on the repair. I have also talked to dealership service managers about this issue and they are stumped on why FCA has not issued a recall. Thank you.

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

WE WERE DRIVING OUR 2020 RAM 3500 DIESEL WITH A 2000-POUND TRUCK CAMPER IN THE BED ON A CITY STREET ATTEMPTING TO MAKE A RIGHT TURN THROUGH A YIELD SIGN WHEN THE ENGINE SUDDENLY STOPPED COMPLETELY WITHOUT THE ABILITY TO RESTART IT. THIS RESULTED IN SUDDEN LOSS OF ACCELERATION, POWER STEERING, AND POWER BREAKS, LEADING TO A NEAR COLLISION WITH A LARGE POLE AND POSSIBLY OTHER VEHICLES IN THE IN THE INTERSECTION. ALTHOUGH WE MISSED THE POLE AND OTHER VEHICLES, IT WAS EXTREMELY DIFFICULT TO AVOID DUE TO LOSS OF POWER STEERING AND BRAKING. HAD OUR SPEED BEEN SLIGHTLY HIGHER, A COLLISION WOULD HAVE BEEN UNAVOIDABLE. AFTER HAVING OUR TRUCK INSPECTED BY THE DEALERSHIP, IT WAS DETERMINED THAT THE CAUSE OF THE ENGINE BREAKDOWN WAS THE BOSCH CP4.2 INJECTION PUMP CATASTROPHICALLY FAILING (OR "GRENADE-ING" OR "IMPLODING" AS THE DEALERSHIP PUT IT) RESULTING IN THE COMPLETE DESTRUCTION OF THE ENTIRE FUEL SYSTEM, STOPPING ALL FUEL FLOW TO THE ENGINE. AFTER THIS HAPPENED TO US, WE DID SOME RESEARCH AND FOUND THAT THE BOSCH CP4.2 INJECTION PUMP HAS BEEN DETERMINED TO BE INCOMPATIBLE WITH DIESEL FUEL FOUND IN THE USA DUE TO LACK OF LUBRICITY, AND HAS OTHER FUNDAMENTAL DESIGN DEFECTS THAT TOGETHER MAKE CATASTROPHIC FAILURE ALMOST INEVITABLE IN VEHICLES DRIVEN IN THE USA. MOST PREVIOUS RAM 3500'S USED A RELIABLE BOSCH CP3 INJECTION PUMP, BUT STARTING IN 2019 MODEL YEARS SWITCHED TO THE LESS EXPENSIVE CP4.2 EVEN THOUGH THIS ISSUE HAS BEEN KNOWN TO RAM AND CUMMINS DUE TO THE COUNTLESS INCIDENTS OF CATASTROPHIC FAILURE IN OTHER VEHICLES USING THE SAME PUMP FOR MANY YEARS. HAD WE KNOWN THIS PRIOR TO PURCHASING OUR TRUCK, WE WOULD NOT HAVE PURCHASED IT. WE WERE SURPRISED AND DISAPPOINTED TO FIND OUT THAT VEHICLES USING THIS DANGEROUS INJECTION PUMP HAVE NOT BEEN RECALLED.

WHILE DRIVING AT HIGHWAY SPEED A ROD CAME THROUGH THE ENGINE BLOCK. I WAS FORTUNATE I WAS ABLE TO COAST TO THE SHOULDER OF THE HIGHWAY BEFORE COMING TO A COMPLETE STOP. I WAS TOWING A TRAILER. THE ENGINE GAVE NO INDICATION ANYTHING WAS WRONG. THE ONLY NOTABLE THING WAS THE LOST OF FUEL MILEAGE THAT BEGIN TO DECREASE EARLIER IN THE DAY. THE RAM ENGINEERING DEPARTMENT IS HOLDING UP THE DEALER FROM REPAIRING THE ENGINE. THEY ALSO HAVE ANOTHER THERE WITH A SIMILAR ISSUE. THEY CAN'T PROVIDE A TIMEFRAME ON WHEN THE REPAIR WILL BE DONE. NO RENTAL OR LOANER VEHICLE IS GIVEN. THIS IS MY WORK TRUCK AND NO INCOME WHILE THE TRUCK IS DOWN.

THE 2019 TO 2020 MODEL YEAR RAM 2500 HEAVY DUTY EQUIPPED WITH A 6.7L CUMMINS DIESEL ENGINE HAS A MAJOR SAFETY ISSUE THAT COULD CAUSE A STALL AND INCREASE THE RISK OF A CRASH. THE BOSCH CP4.2 FUEL INJECTION PUMP HAS A VERY HIGH RATE OF SUDDEN FAILURE LEADING TO IMMEDIATE STOPPAGE ON THE ENGINE AND ENGINE BRAKING SYSTEM. THE PUMP DESTROYS ITSELF AND TAKES OUT THE REST OF THE ENTIRE FUEL SYSTEM LEADING TO REPAIRS IN THE $20,000 USD RANGE. FCA & RAM HAVE ATTEMPTED TO REVISE THE PUMP IN LATE (JULY) 2020 TO SOLVE THE ISSUE BUT THE FAILURES KEEP OCCURRING. FOR THE 2021 MODEL YEAR, FCA & RAM HAVE CHANGED THE PUMP ENTIRELY AND REVERTED BACK TO USING AN OLDER, SAFER, MORE RELIABLE DESIGN. NO PUBLIC ANNOUNCEMENTS OF NEITHER THE PUMP REVISION IN 2020, NOR THE PUMP CHANGE IN 2021 HAVE BEEN MADE. THE ISSUE IS SO PREVALENT THAT THE REPLACEMENT PUMPS AND REPAIRS GENERALLY HAVE A 30-90 DAY WAIT PERIOD WHERE THE CUSTOMER IS WITHOUT THE PRIMARY VEHICLE. THIS PROBLEM IS A SUBSTANTIATED SAFETY RISK. ACCORDING TO A TEXAS JUDGE IN A BOSCH CP4.2 LAWSUIT, WHEN ANOTHER AUTOMAKER, GM TRIED TO DISMISS THE CASE SAYING THE PUMP FAILURE IS NOT A SAFETY ISSUE, THE COURT RESPONDED: "THE WORST CASE SCENARIO OF A TRUCK SPONTANEOUSLY STALLING AT HIGH SPEEDS IS NOT A MERE INCONVENIENCE. NOR IS IT A MERE INCONVENIENCE TO SPEND BETWEEN $8,000 TO $20,000 ON REPAIRS TO MAKE THE TRUCKS FIT FOR THEIR ORDINARY PURPOSE. THE COURT REJECTS GM'S SUGGESTION THAT THE RISK OF SPONTANEOUS ENGINE FAILURE WHILE DRIVING IS NOT, AS A MATTER OF LAW, UNREASONABLY DANGEROUS, DEPRIVING THE VEHICLES OF FITNESS FOR THEIR PURPOSE OF TRANSPORTATION.". TOYOTA AGREES: "IF A VEHICLE STALL OCCURS WHILE DRIVING AT HIGHER SPEEDS, THIS COULD INCREASE THE RISK OF A CRASH". FCA & RAM HAVE REMEDIED THE SITUATION FOR THE 2021 MODEL YEAR HOWEVER, THE 2019 AND 2020 OWNERS ARE STILL AT RISK. THE NHTSA NEEDS TO FORCE FCA TO RECALL THESE TRUCKS.

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

THE 2019 TO 2020 MODEL YEAR RAM 2500 HEAVY DUTY EQUIPPED WITH A 6.7L CUMMINS DIESEL ENGINE HAS A SAFETY ISSUE THAT COULD CAUSE A STALL AND INCREASE THE RISK OF A CRASH. THE BOSCH CP4.2 FUEL INJECTION PUMP HAS A VERY HIGH RATE OF SUDDEN FAILURE LEADING TO IMMEDIATE STOPPAGE ON THE ENGINE AND ENGINE BRAKING SYSTEM.THE PUMP DESTROYS ITSELF AND TAKES OUT THE REST OF THE ENTIRE FUEL SYSTEM LEADING TO REPAIRS IN THE $15,000-20,000 USD RANGE. FCA & RAM HAVE ATTEMPTED TO REVISE THE PUMP IN LATE (JULY) 2020 TO SOLVE THE ISSUE BUT THE FAILURES KEEP OCCURRING. FOR THE 2021 MODEL YEAR, FCA & RAM HAVE SWITCHED BACK THE PUMP ENTIRELY AND REVERTED BACK TO USING AN OLDER, SAFER, MORE RELIABLE DESIGN CP3. NO PUBLIC ANNOUNCEMENTS OF NEITHER THE PUMP REVISION IN 2020, NOR THE PUMP CHANGE IN 2021 HAVE BEEN MADE. THE ISSUE IS SO PREVALENT THAT THE REPLACEMENT PUMPS AND REPAIRS GENERALLY HAVE A 30-90 DAY WAIT PERIOD WHERE THE CUSTOMER IS WITHOUT THE PRIMARY VEHICLE. THIS PROBLEM IS A SUBSTANTIATED SAFETY RISK. ACCORDING TO A TEXAS JUDGE IN A BOSCH CP4.2 LAWSUIT, WHEN ANOTHER AUTOMAKER, GM TRIED TO DISMISS THE CASE SAYING THE PUMP FAILURE IS NOT A SAFETY ISSUE, THE COURT RESPONDED: "THE WORST CASE SCENARIO OF A TRUCK SPONTANEOUSLY STALLING AT HIGH SPEEDS IS NOT A MERE INCONVENIENCE. NOR IS IT A MERE INCONVENIENCE TO SPEND BETWEEN $8,000 TO $20,000 ON REPAIRS TO MAKE THE TRUCKS FIT FOR THEIR ORDINARY PURPOSE. THE COURT REJECTS GM'S SUGGESTION THAT THE RISK OF SPONTANEOUS ENGINE FAILURE WHILE DRIVING IS NOT, AS A MATTER OF LAW, UNREASONABLY DANGEROUS, DEPRIVING THE VEHICLES OF FITNESS FOR THEIR PURPOSE OF TRANSPORTATION.". TOYOTA AGREES: "IF A VEHICLE STALL OCCURS WHILE DRIVING AT HIGHER SPEEDS, THIS COULD INCREASE THE RISK OF A CRASH". FCA & RAM HAVE REMEDIED THE SITUATION FOR THE 2021 MODEL YEAR HOWEVER, THE 2019 AND 2020 OWNERS ARE STILL AT RISK.

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2020 RAM 3500. THE CONTACT STATED WHILE DRIVING 65 MPH AND TOWING A GENERATOR UP A HILL, THE VEHICLE STALLED WITH THE DIESEL EXHAUST AND ENGINE STABILITY CONTROL WARNING LIGHTS ILLUMINATED. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT DRIVABLE. THE VEHICLE TOWED TO PLATINUM CHRYSLER DODGE RAM JEEP LOCATED AT 65 TX-557 SPUR, TERRELL, TX 75160, (469) 249-9407, WHERE IT WAS DIAGNOSED WITH NEEDING THE FUEL PUMP TO BE REPLACED. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT YET REPAIRED. THE MANUFACTURER HAD BEEN INFORMED OF FAILURE. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS APPROXIMATELY 16,684.