2020 Ram 1500: sudden loss of power

Filed Sep 22, 2026 · Steering · TX

As I was driving the cooling fans started roaring. About 30 seconds later the Service power steering light flashed and I lost all power steering. As I was trying to pull over the steering came back intermittently. This almost made me wreck because I would be tugging on the wheel to turn and then all of a sudden have almost no resistance and violently turn.

Filed Aug 16, 2026 · Electrical, Engine · NY

Twice in the past two years, the eTorque system had failed will driving on the highest. When the unit fails, you lose all power asks if you're battery is low, you can pose the ability to even steer. The first time, I was on the i87 going north, and barely made it off the road. I was nearly hit by several semi trucks because this was on a blind turn with very little shoulder and I basically had to hide in the woods for safety. Just this past week, less than two years after the replacement, the same issue happened again. This incident was on route 11, which is very busy and I was unable to get my vehicle of the road. An officer came to shield me until the tow truck came, but it was very sketchy. This total cost is over 3000$, and no support from Ram as to why this is happening. This past time the bearings went and there was a lot of smoke coming from the engine area. The smell of burning electronics was choking in the cab; at that point I had to get out of the truck due to the toxic fumes. I did file a complaint with them. With this being such a safety concern, why is there no recall? I can't be the only person having had to deal with this. From what the dealership says, this is happening a lot and there is currently an 8 month wait for the part. Just thought you should be aware of this very serious issue.

Filed Apr 6, 2026 · Steering · FL

Loss power steering while driving the vehicle, on the Highway and in a parking lot. The Turck as now at the dealer as it is nit safe to drive

Filed Apr 1, 2026 · Engine, Fuel system · TX

Driving and tried to pass a truck loss of power (dash lit up and no top-end) went to limp mode, Hard start upon starting and limp mode continues, code P0336 (crank sensor/reluctor wheel), on dash codes = service electric throttle control & service electronic stability control. Mileage = 110,000, Required service and maintenance completed at recommended intervals, regarding current codes cleaned all related sensors and throttle body, filters and no changes. symptoms are identical to 2019 model complaints. calling dealer regarding fuel system recall and this problem. (this is an estimated $2500 + repair by certified repair mechanic who states repair may fix for a year or less, but it is a continued issue once it starts)

Filed Mar 26, 2026 · Electrical · ME

While driving my Ram Rebel 2020, the eTorque alternator failed, causing the vehicle to lose electrical power and forcing me to be towed. This posed a serious safety risk, including potential loss of power assist for steering and braking. The issue was addressed only by purchasing a replacement eTorque alternator part through eBay at approximately four times the normal price, because Ram is currently not producing the part. Ram Certified Dealer could not help. Stellantis / Ram customer service has been unhelpful and refused to provide a goodwill reimbursement or solution. I believe this represents a safety defect, as sudden alternator failure can cause stalling and reduce essential safety functions while driving. I am reporting this so that the federal safety agency can investigate the reliability of the eTorque alternator system and prevent future incidents.

Filed Feb 25, 2026 · Electrical · PA

While entering highway- at highway speeds- truck completely lost power luckily we were able to get the burm. Only hazards worked. Truck was not able to be locked or restarted or anything. Truck was towed to dealer and diagnosis is Radio Frequency Hub.

Filed Feb 24, 2026 · Electrical, Engine · OH

While driving 55mph my vehicle suddenly lost power, causing traffic behind me to blow their horn, then pass me. Thank god the people behind me didnt crash into me. I drove straight to Mechanics. This happened in mid October 2025. I was told its the e torque generator that needed replaced. My mechanic has ordered it several times just for it to refund him due to being out of stock. I have been in contact with ram over this issue since October. One supervisor even said my part was being expedited to mechanic, just to be told by my mechanic no one has reached out to them. This is now February 2026 and I still have no eta on part. Supervisors are not taking my calls nor returning them. Ram needs held responsible. I am still making monthly payments on a vehicle that I can not drive. It almost seems like a fraud situation with over 3,000 people waiting on a single part with no etas.

Filed Feb 19, 2026 · Engine · TX

My 2020 Ram 1500 equipped with the 5.7L HEMI eTorque system has experienced repeated failures of the charging system due to the belt starter generator (BSG) / 48-volt hybrid system. The vehicle has shut off unexpectedly while driving in traffic, resulting in sudden loss of engine power and loss of power steering assist. This created a dangerous situation where I had limited ability to control the vehicle and had to coast to the side of the road. The truck has also stalled at low speeds and intersections, requiring a restart while in traffic. When the failure occurs, warning messages related to the charging system or hybrid system may appear, and the vehicle becomes difficult to maneuver due to loss of steering assist. The underlying cause has been identified as failure of the eTorque belt starter generator (BSG) and/or associated 48-volt system components. The vehicle’s 12-volt battery is no longer properly charged, leading to repeated dead battery conditions. I am currently forced to recharge the battery daily to keep the vehicle operational. Replacement parts for this system (Mopar part number 68623194AC or superseding versions) are on national backorder with no estimated availability. My vehicle has been affected for approximately five months, leaving it unreliable and unsafe to operate. This defect creates a serious safety hazard because the vehicle can lose propulsion and steering assist without warning while in motion, increasing the risk of a crash. I am reporting this issue so that the federal safety agency can investigate potential safety defects in the eTorque hybrid system used in Ram 1500 vehicles.

Filed Dec 30, 2025 · Electrical, Steering · TX

Sudden Loss of power steering after radiator fan shut off. Causing me to have to pull over and use all bodily force to turn the wheel

Filed Dec 4, 2025 · Electrical · LA

The alternator failed on my vehicle leaving the vehicle without any power in the middle of the interstate roadway having to manually pushed to the side of a very busy highway then towed to a repair shop afterwards. Simply put, my truck just killed in the middle of a interstate very shortly after having a low battery light come on. Speaking with the repair people at the Ram dealership there is no way to repair the alternator and they currently have over 5,000 of these on backorder from them going out in other vehicles with the same alternator. Warning lamps came on the dashboard but only about 30 minutes before the vehicle lost power and was unable to move.

Filed Oct 18, 2025 · Engine, Fuel system · WV

I took my 2020 Ram 1500 EcoDiese to a Chrysler-Dodge-Ram dealership on 9/23/25 for the High Pressure Fuel Pump (HPFP) safety recall. I was told a part had to be ordered to complete the recall and gave me a rental vehicle. After a few days I contacted the dealership about my repair. They said the wrong part was ordered and the new one was in route. After about a week, I called the dealership again and I was told "the truck won't start and they were working with Stellantis to figure out why." Several more days passed, I called again, they stated that after the new pump was installed and the truck was started it "blew a rod," but they had fixed it, test drove it, and it would be ready for pick up the next day. I picked up the truck on 10/16/25 and drove less than 50 miles (first trip home from the dealership.) While traveling at highway speed on interstate 77 at night, the truck suddenly lost all engine power, a “throttle” warning message appeared, I noticed a strong odor of burnt oil, and I was only able to get from the left passing lane across to the right truck lane, only getting 2 tires on the shoulder (see pic). The truck would not start again, it just made a click-click-click sound. I jumped out of the truck as there was a truck in that lane coming toward me and ran into the woods to escape. I and the truck were nearly struck by traffic.This was a life-threatening situation. Luckily, a Courtesy Patrol saw me and blocked the lane with road flares. Eventually the truck was towed (had to be dragged on to the flatbed). At that time I noticed engine oil was splashed all over the underside of truck. It was towed to the same dealership.This catastrophic failure occurred hours after I was told it was safe to drive.This incident placed my life and the lives of other motorists at extreme risk. A recall intended to improve safety appears to have introduced a new, severe safety hazard. The truck has been at the dealership since 10/17/25 and I have not been updated since.

Filed Sep 24, 2025 · Electrical, Engine · MD

I purchased a brand new 2020 Ram 1500 with 5.7-liter hemi ETORQUE engine in 2020. The vehicle had been making a squealing noise since before 40k miles. Dealership was unable to identify issue on numerous occasions. On 4/8/2024, with vehicle mileage at 74k miles, the noise worsened to a point where the vehicle was not drivable. They identified the "Alternator" (MGU) to the etorque needed to be replaced. The part was on back order and did not arrive until 6/24/2025. At which the dealership replaced the part and expedited the return of the vehicle without proper assurance that the replaced part, fixed the vehicles problem. Less than 375 miles later, a system battery saver came up on the dash. Turning off all electronics in the vehicle including but not limited to A/C and radio. Temps were more than 100 at this time. Within less than 550 miles, the vehicle lost all power and shut off while in the middle of an interstate. I lost my power steering and luckily was able to move onto a narrow shoulder but was left in a very dangerous situation with my family on the side of a high-speed interstate, awaiting a tow truck for hours, without rear end protection. There were a lot of close calls and no urgency from RamCare Stellantis. I was told that the vehicle can only be seen by a certified ram technician. The only certified Ram Dealership that was willing to help was more than 30 minutes away, where the vehicle still sits today. Now the vehicle has been at a dealership since that break down on 7/3/2025. Awaiting another back ordered part, with no estimated eta. This time it is awaiting a 48V Power Pack, related to 8yr/80k mile warranty. I am having to pay out of pocket for a rental, while still paying on a car loan and insurance on a vehicle I have not been able to use since April. Customer service has been horrific handling my case. Leaving myself with no certainty that I will ever see my vehicle again or if the long awaited back ordered part will in fact fix the issue.