2020 Ram 1500: jerking or lurching

Filed Jul 2, 2026 · Brakes, Electrical · FL

The electronic gear selector on my 2020 Ram 1500 intermittently displays a "Shift to Park" warning while the vehicle is in motion, specifically during downshifting or braking. Each occurrence is accompanied by a physical jerk or lurch, consistent with the vehicle momentarily engaging an unintended gear. The warning clears without driver input. These events occur during active deceleration and represent a loss of predictable vehicle behavior, creating a serious risk of rear-end collision or loss of control. The problem has not been resolved. A dealership inspected the vehicle and recommended a Transmission Control Module (TCM) software update referencing TSB 21-019-24, to be performed at the owner's expense. No root-cause diagnosis was provided. The underlying hardware cause, most likely the gear selector position sensor or transmission range sensor, was not confirmed or ruled out. The dealer is insisting the owner pay for the software update without establishing whether the bulletin covers the reported symptom or whether the vehicle VIN falls within its scope. No warning lamps preceded the first occurrence. The symptom appeared without prior indication and has recurred across multiple drive cycles.

Filed Dec 1, 2025 · Fuel system · TX

Entered vehicle and notice strong smell of gasoline, driving my young kids to daycare and preschool they complained of the smell and we had to lower windows. Upon dropping them off, went to mechanic who confirmed it was a fuel system issue, fixed a valve. Following few days the truck has issues starting and is stalling and jerking at lights. I return to the mechanic who advises it is the same issue and relates to the fuel pump system failing and they have ordered the part that is on a 45 day backlog. Problem persists and make my trucks unsafe to drive and I am unable to drive it. I have spoken with RAM who advised my truck model is not included in the recall AND is freshly out of warranty. This is extremely frustrating I have to spend thousands to replace this and am unable to drive my truck for approximately 2 months IF the part arrives on time.

Filed Apr 30, 2025 · Electrical · KS

There was a griding under the hood and may lights went out. The dealer said my ETORQUE/alternator needed to be replace. That was done approximately 4/10/25 under an extended MO PAR warranty. Since getting the truck back, it has stalled on me 3 separate times, all at red lights. Twice when the 'auto stop' was engaged and then the car lurched forward after the stall had occurred for about 2 seconds, the third time the 'auto stop' was off, and the stall occurred for about 4 seconds, the car rolled backwards even though it was in drive and then it lurched forward and went. Dealership can't replicate the issue so they are telling me can't fix anything. I am very worried that the car will stall on me at another light or on the highway and something very terrible will happen.

Filed Apr 18, 2025 · Electrical, Steering · IL

Steering became sluggish, jerky and erratic. Started sounding like the power steering pump was struggling/straining. I put it in the shop and they claim it’s the eps and rack and pinion gone bad. It is being replaced. How unsafe is this at low or highway speed? How many other complaints are there on this same subject and part? 2019 eps was recalled. How do I find out if I have 2019 parts in my 2020. I know sometimes they are interchangeable. I look forward to hearing from you.

Filed Sep 7, 2024 · Electrical, Lights · KY

UNKNOWN GOT IN THE TRUCK, started it and it idled for about one minute, then every single light or electronic started flashing, with the pace of the hazard lights, which the hazard lights stayed on, no matter how many times I pushed the hazard buttons, and the horn was blowing lightly also, about 2 minutes of this , I turned the truck off, came out the next day and it was completely dead, no electricity at all! Charged battery( which is new by the way) and it fired right up! But now it’s extremely sluggish, missing and jerking, the electronics in these are garbage! Looks great but who wants something that is advertised Wi-Fi available!! Ha not on the 2020 models!!! I’ve got the big screen! Call att, they say there’s an issue with ram, so I’m not happy! And this the only vehicle I have to transport my family

Filed Apr 24, 2024 · Airbags, Engine · FL

The contact owns a 2020 Ram 1500. The contact stated while driving 40-45 MPH and depressing the accelerator pedal, the vehicle failed to respond, jerked and stalled. The contact was able to pull to the side of the road. The contact stated that the vehicle was able to restart, but sputtered. The contact stated that he turned off and restarted the vehicle, and continued driving; however, the vehicle failed to exceed 40 MPH. The vehicle was taken to the dealer, where it was determined that the turbocharger had failed. The dealer informed the contact that the vehicle was repaired; however, the failure recurred while driving. The vehicle was taken back to the dealer, where the turbocharger and the harness were replaced. Additionally, the contact stated while driving and depressing the accelerator pedal, the vehicle hesitated to respond. The check engine warning light and other unknown warning lights were illuminated. The vehicle was taken to the dealer, where it was diagnosed that the Occupant Classification System (OCS) sensor and the electronic throttle body had failed. An unknown repair was performed; however, the failure persisted. The vehicle was taken back to the dealer, where the OCS sensor and the electronic throttle body were replaced. Additionally, there was water leaking inside the vehicle through the third brake light, and the dealer repaired the third brake light. The contact stated that the check engine warning light later illuminated. The vehicle was taken back to the dealer, where it was determined that the Ram air dam system had failed. The dealer cleared the codes; however, the failure persisted. The vehicle was not repaired. The manufacturer was notified of the failure and a case was opened; however, no further assistance was provided. The failure mileage was approximately 34,115.

Filed Apr 16, 2024 · Steering · 49,000 miles · AK · crash

The contact owns a 2020 Ram 1500. The contact stated that while driving at an undisclosed speed, the service power steering soon warning light illuminated and the steering wheel jerked in the opposite direction. The contact almost struck a moose due to the failure of the power steering. The vehicle was driven to the residence. The following day when the vehicle was started, the power steering warning light illuminated again. The vehicle was taken to the independent mechanic and diagnosed with a failed power steering rack. The contact stated that the power steering rack needed to be replaced. The vehicle was not repaired. The manufacturer was not made aware of the failure. The failure mileage was approximately 49,000. The VIN was not available. I was involved in an accident The contact stated due to power steering going out he hit a moose and damaged the front end of the vehicle and now the vehicle has $6500.00+ worth of damages done to the front end of the vehicle.

Filed Oct 29, 2023 · Transmission · IL

Transfer case has failed per dealer inspection and diagnostics. Several lights turned on. Burning smell in/outside of vehicle. Vehicle will jerk from time to time. Parts are apparently on back order for several weeks and I have been told the vehicle is drivable even though transfer case issues / failures can be a serious safety issue.

Filed Aug 29, 2023 · Airbags, Steering · 93,000 miles · OH

The contact owns a 2020 Ram 1500. The contact stated while driving at an undisclosed speed, the vehicle drove over a pothole and made a loud popping sound. The steering wheel became stiff, and the contact jerked the steering wheel to prevent a crash. The steering wheel then inadvertently spun, and the contact slammed on the brake pedal and applied the parking brake to stop the vehicle. The power steering assist, brakes, and several other unknown warning lights illuminated. The vehicle was towed to the dealer, where it was diagnosed that the steering column and clockspring needed to be replaced. The vehicle was not repaired. The manufacturer was not made aware of the failure. The failure mileage was approximately 93,000. The VIN was unavailable.

Filed Nov 15, 2022 · Engine, Fuel system · CO

When accelerating from a stop the truck loses power and fails to respond. The engine is working but the transmission fails to engage and the truck just coasts until all-of-a-sudden it jerks back into motion. The vehicle will also lunge forward when coming to a stop as if the transmission catches and decides to accelerate momentarily. This is a serious safety issue when pulling out into traffic and has almost caused me to be involved in two accidents.

Filed Apr 27, 2021 · Suspension · 36,000 miles · CA

Tl* the contact owns a 2020 ram 1500. The contact stated that while driving and turning the vehicle in either direction, the spindle would hit the lower control arms on the driver's and passenger's side. The contact stated that both control arms were damaged from repeatedly coming into contact with each other. Additionally, the vehicle would jerk without warning while downshifting. The contact had taken the vehicle to gill chrysler dodge jeep ram (1100 s. Madera ave, madera, ca 93637) however, the mechanic found no fault with the vehicle. The manufacturer was notified of the issue and informed the contact the issue was normal driving operation. The contact then took the vehicle to razzari chrysler dodge jeep ram (1605 auto center dr, merced, ca 95340) where he was given the same information as the other dealer about the control arms. The contact stated that a software update was performed on the vehicle for the transmission however, the failure persisted. The vehicle was not repaired. The failure mileage was approximately 36,000.

Filed Jun 22, 2020 · Engine, Transmission · 3,800 miles · KY

On two separate occasions in the past week, the throttle pedal in this gen 3 ecodiesel engine has failed to respond upon pressing it to make a turn after driving the truck for a few minutes. I will drive a few miles, then stop in a turning lane awaiting a chance to complete the left hand turn across traffic, and when I apply pressure to the throttle pedal nothing happens. It's as if the pedal has been unplugged. As I continue to hold pressure on the pedal, several seconds will go by and then immediately there will be a harsh jerk and the truck will immediately apply power. This is a separate issue from the terrible lag in throttle response that has been present since the truck was brand new. This loss of all pedal response only began to happen this past week, with approximately 3,800 miles on the odometer.