2020 Ram 1500: engine overheating

Filed Aug 28, 2026 · MI

While driving on I 75 steam began coming through our vents while we were 50 miles from home. There was also a very strong smell of coolant, which gave everyone headaches and made them feel nauseous. After taking it to a shop. We found that it was the heater core that had began leaking. after doing some research, I found out that this is a common problem, even with vehicles of low mileage. I understand that mechanical failures happen however with a vehicle that only has 80,000 miles on it. This should not happen. I also believe this is a safety concern due to the fact that it causes the driver to become nauseous and possibly disoriented not to mention if enough coolant leaks, it can cause the vehicle to overheat or catch fire.

Filed Jan 20, 2026 · Engine · MO · crash

This engine has failed by the head gaskets, literally all 4, cracking/breaking. This caused coolant to leak into the engine, mix with the oil, depleating the coolant, thereby causing the truck to overheat and break down. With repairs this continues to happen. 3 times to be exact! This cannot be normal for this engine especially when this happened with less than 90K miles on the engine.

Filed May 19, 2025 · Electrical, Engine · TX

Sitting in traffic, truck started overheating. Gauge was jumping all over. Truck had to be turned off

Filed Apr 3, 2025 · Brakes, Transmission · MI

This is the second time this has happened (03APR25). The first time this occurred, 20JUL25, I had to pay (Bill attached) to have the ABS Module replaced. Today several service lights came on not limited to: Service 4wd, 4wd Trans Case overheat, stabilization system, and the traction control light came on along with the 4wd High light and both the 4wd High and 4wd Low indicator lights were all flashing. When parked the emergency parking brake was automatically set. (break) I have all the documentation from the first occurrence and an additional recall notice (Attached) of which states contact the dealer, whom said that it was not their responsibility. Then I contacted Stellantis recall office, and they said they would get back with me and never have and today most all the sensor faults flashed on the display. The truck locked in 4 high up until I parked it.

Filed Jan 4, 2024 · Electrical · FL

My RAM 1500 experienced some random electronic related issues (ie. warning lights showing when nothing was wrong and then going away). This was an annoyance, but would fix itself so I never reported it. Then I had similar issues and all of a sudden it kept dying on me and I had to jump the car. RAM came back telling me the back window had leaked and it destroyed the eTorque battery and RFhub. The estimate was absurd, so I started researching. Turns out that the back window leak is a we’ll know. common issue with RAM 1500s. So much so they extended the manufacture warranty on the back window and center mounted light. Unfortunately, my truck is not on that list. Beyond the cost of this repair, the safety issue occurs when RAM placed an eTorque LITHIUM BATTERY in the back seat directly under a window that has historically had issues with leaking. It is a common known fact that water and Lithium Batteries is not a good mix and could cause corrosion, short circuits, electrolyte leakage, and gas release. This can cause damage, overheating, fires, or explosions. This is the same seat that I have had my children in car seats. If the windows are known to have issues with leaking and RAM put a battery in a space that is directly under this window, would this not pose a significant risk?

Filed Dec 1, 2023 · Electrical · NY

On Thursday 16NOV2024 I noticed the rear sliding window on my 20' Ram had shattered on the drivers side section. The sticker on the back was damaged and appeared burnt. The weather that morning had been 35 degrees and partly cloudy. When I remote started the vehicle at 0700HRS, the rear defrost came on automatically. I drove about 10-15 minutes to work and parked. I returned to my vehicle approximately 10 minutes later and noticed a burning odor but thought it was due to a woodstove used nearby. Later in the day coworkers noticed the sticker was burned. I thought it may be intentional or due to the rear defrost system since the part that is wired and transitions to the heating grid is right under the sticker. We reviewed security footage from when I parked to when it was discovered and noone went near the vehicle. I suspected the defroster had an issue. I stopped at the dealer, my warranty was expired and I have glass coverage but I wanted to make them aware of the issue. The dealer glass rep took photos and said she'd never seen anything like it but would talk to engineers about it. The following day I received a call saying that she showed engineers the damage and was told that the system doesn't have enough voltage or heat to cause that damage and they wouldn't help. I wasn't looking for money, I have full glass/no deductible. I had the glass replaced the following Monday and asked them to save the parts I suspected of failing. I have photos of the part that appears to have failed and overheated causing the damage. I have a concern that worst case, if something had been behind the headrest up against it and the vehicle was in a structure that a fire could have occurred. I followed up with my photos and concerns but never heard back from the dealer. Noone has expressed an interest in seeing the failed part in question and I still have them in my posssesion.