2020 Ram 1500: won't start

Filed Jun 25, 2026 · Engine, Transmission · TX

I PCSd from Springfield, MO to Fort Bliss Texas. I bought the truck [XXX]. I make it to TX. Driving the first Saturday in TX on [XXX] it just shuts down and put me in a very scary situation. I was stuck in the middle of the high way. It does not drive. The Etorque/generator is bad and is now on order from my local Dodge dealership. It literally shut down my truck and will not start, run, nothing. It’s been in the shop for 40 days with a no ETA on the part ordered. This should definitely be a safety recall as it just stalled me on the highway. INFORMATION REDACTED PURSUANT TO THE FREEDOM OF INFORMATION ACT (FOIA), 5 U.S.C. 552(B)(6)

Filed Apr 22, 2026 · Engine · TX

TIMELINE: 3/2/26: Check engine light and remote start error appeared; no immediate symptoms, planned to have it inspected later. 3/3/26: Truck failed to start after work, leaving me stranded. 3/4/26: Checked for obvious issues (battery, fuses); none found. 3/5/26: Diagnosed and replaced a failed starter; truck started and drove normally. 3/6/26: Vehicle operated normally all day with multiple successful starts. 3/7/26: Truck would not start again. 3/23/26: Vehicle towed to local RAM dealership for inspection. 3/30/26: Dealership determined engine is completely seized and requires replacement. My complaint is that the engine seized abruptly with no warning signs of impending failure. This posed a serious safety risk, as it could have occurred on the highway and caused an accident, injury, or death. The vehicle has approximately 106,000 miles, and all oil changes were performed properly and on schedule. The dealership has refused to inspect the engine to determine the cause unless I pay for their services, and RAM corporate has stated they have no one available to evaluate the issue. This may be due to a defective part that could endanger others and should be investigated to help prevent future incidents. Also during the process of calling RAM corporate, they informed me I had a opem recall for a power train control module, which I had never received any notice of.

Filed Dec 3, 2025 · Driver assistance · CA

While I was driving my vehicle, the power steering warning came on and moments later the steering wheel locked - I could not steer my vehicle. I stopped the vehicle and it started firing all sorts of warnings. It was like all systems went haywire. Service shifter, service power steering, service electronic stability control, acc/fcw unavailable, service required, service airbag system, collision control, check engine, anti-lock breaks. The windshield wipers started without being tuned on, the engine revved up an got very loud like an airplane engine. I turned off the vehicle. When the tow truck arrived, the truck would not start so he walked away to grab the pulley and the truck started on it's own. My biggest concern is that I lost the ability to steer while I was in motion. I was informed of a VB8 recall for power steering but told my vehicle didn't qualify. This is a serious concern! It is currently with the dealership.

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 Aug 27, 2025 · Electrical, Visibility · PA

On June 26, 2025 there was heavy thunderstorms throughout our area. I was driving to my office to pick up an item and all of a sudden my dashboard lit up with numerous error messages. I turned the truck off and could not get it to start again. I had to have it towed to the dealership and they cleaned some electrical connectors and returned it to me. My wife picked it up and on the drive home the windshield wipers went off and she also had numerous error messages on the dashboard so we returned it to the dealership. They replaced some modules as they found rust and returned the truck to me. When I went to the dealership to pick it up the truck would not start. They then said there was some corrosion in the star connectors and some moisture behind the radio. They replaced parts and returned it back to me. Since then I have had the truck back and had three more electrical issues with the vehicle. The service technician does not know what the error is and is having trouble pinpointing the problem. Its an electrical issue that they can't figure out. Tomorrow I am returning my truck for the sixth time for the same issue. I do not trust the truck to drive around and have not been able to use it for over 60 days.

Filed Apr 13, 2025 · Electrical · AL

Suddenly engine light, tps and shifter turned on , I restarted the vehicle and disappeared but later my truck did not start and it is dead

Filed Nov 24, 2024 · Engine, Fuel system · IN

Power Distribution Center/Relay box failure. Contacts in box melted for ASD Relay. Incident occurred while driving on the highway at 65mph. Vehicle without warning had power loss in accelerator, and started downshifting gears. Dash immediately said “park and restart required.” Attempting to start engine, vehicle would crank/no start. After several attempts, vehicle restarted and resumed normal driving until “park and restart required” happened again. After vehicle shut down multiple times on highway, I was able to make it home and diagnose problem. I checked the fuses and relays on the PDC and found ASD relay intact with no burn or scorch marks on contacts. However, the socket is missing contacts within the pdc. I reproduced said problem by moving the ASD relay with vehicle running. There are no warning lamps, messages, or codes to show any kind of failure.

Filed Nov 11, 2024 · Engine, Fuel system · TN

While driving at highway speed (~65-70 mph), the engine shut off unexpectedly (without any warning/bucking). There were no errors displayed on the dashboard. Center screen stated to place vehicle in park before starting. The multimedia console, AC, all other electronic systems in the cab were operating as normal. The truck did not start back up for some time (10-15 mins). The dealer states that there were no codes present in the vehicle's onboard diagnostic system (OBD) that indicate any issues or that the vehicle stalled. This has happened 3 times in less than a month. The truck has about 76,000 miles. It is a 2020 Ram 1500 with 5.7L V8 HEMI MDS VVT eTorque Engine.

Filed Mar 11, 2024 · Electrical · AZ

Truck won't start or move from park new battery was drained in one afternoon. Now vehicle won't start .

Filed Dec 13, 2022 · Electrical · OR

While I was driving my vehicle just completely shutdown. I lost power steering and had to pull over to the side of the road. I pressed the start button and nothing happened. I continued to try pressing it and it finally started back up, and I drove home. A couple days later I tried starting it and it wouldn't start. Finally it started and I drove it about 100 miles. I got in it the following day and it won't start again. I'm concerned that the vehicle could shutdown on me again while driving.

Filed Feb 14, 2022 · Brakes, Electrical · CO

At a speed of 45mph, my truck completely shut down. No power on anything. I was able to pull off the road and come to a stop; power brakes and steering were not operable. Once stopped, the truck would not start. "Push to Start" indicator on dash did come on, but the brake pedal was stiff and the push to start button did nothing. Got out of the truck, exterior door lock button was inoperable and both key fobs did nothing. Had to have the vehicle towed.

Filed Jan 25, 2022 · VA

Rear window crack-leaks water into the floor and damages the auto receiver. The vehicle will not start and keys are not operational. Insurance company will not cover and warranties will not cover damages. Insurance company believes is a design safety issue and needs to be looked into since there are ample of complaints on the internet.