2020 Ram 1500: windshield wiper failure

Filed Oct 7, 2026 · Visibility · IA

The HVAC heater core assembly failed internally. The machic mentioned that this componet is "going out" in these vehicals. He refered me to the dealership. This should be a recall. I was put at severe risk because the the vehicle had a sudden, severe loss of forward visibility while in motion. The failure caused an oily, chemical mist of ethylene glycol coolant to spray out of the defroster vents directly onto the windshield. This film could not be cleared by windshield wipers or standard defogging functions or whiping the windshield internally. It smeared across the glass, causing catastrophic blinding glare from oncoming headlights and traffic, creating an immediate and extreme risk of a collision. Simultaneously, the failure flooded the sealed cabin with toxic, atomized antifreeze fumes. Inhaling these chemical vapors caused immediate, acute coughing and dizziness while I was actively driving, physically impairing my ability to safely operate and control the vehicle and drastically increasing the risk of a collision Also, it was raining and I couldn't roll the windows down. Yes, the defect and cabin contamination were diagnosed by Priority One in Waterloo, IA No, the component has not been inspected by the manufacturer, police or insurance. There were no warning sign or dash light indicators.

Filed Dec 23, 2025 · Visibility · FL

The driver's side windshield wiper is not working because the wiper arm attachment (at the spindle) is stripped. The motor spindle rotates but the wiper does not wipe the windshield. Visibility during rain, snow or other dirt or mud being splattered on windshield during driving. No dealer interaction yet, just noticed today while out driving. No inspection by 3rd party. No warning indicators, lamps or messages.

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 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 May 2, 2025 · Visibility · GA

The windshield wiper system is currently pumping wiper fluid but not on the windshield, instead it is somehow sending it to the passenger side of the front hood and draining directly on the ground. I took it to the dealer and was told several other vehicles came in with the exact same issue and was told it would be addressed but as of now it has not

Filed Apr 12, 2024 · Electrical, Engine · FL · fire

The contact owned a 2020 Ram 1500. The contact stated while driving at approximately 45 MPH, the windshield wiper was operating erratically, the lights began flashing, the emergency lights would not work, and the lock was inoperable. The contact observed smoke coming from the vents and underneath the dashboard. The vehicle was maneuvered to the side of the road where the contact observed sparks and flames coming from the dashboard that were approximately 5 feet in height. The Fire Department extinguished the fire. The vehicle was destroyed as a result of the fire. A fire report was filed. The contact was not sure if a Police report was filed. The vehicle was towed to a storage lot. The insurance company was pending a tow. The manufacturer was notified of the failure and a complaint was filed. The failure mileage was unknown. The contact stated the fire started in the dash area and believes it to be an apparent faulty electrical system.

Filed Feb 13, 2024 · Visibility · MI

Hi, we own a 2020 Dodge Ram 1500. Went to drive our truck during a snow storm. The driver's side wiper arm stripped its splines. Dealership says tough luck. You're on your own. A 2020 Dodge Truck. This is ridiculous. We have 2 small kids, and can't drive our new truck when it rains. Never heard of a new vehicle stripping the splines of a wiper arm, because of ice and snow. No one ever touched the wiper arm. We used remote start to warm up the vehicle, only to find out the arm was stripped when we tried to drive it. I've owned many vehicles, never had this happen before. No one I've talked with, has had this happen, even in the worst weather conditions. This is a Major flaw, and a huge safety issue. Thank you. VIN - [XXX] . INFORMATION REDACTED PURSUANT TO THE FREEDOM OF INFORMATION ACT (FOIA), 5 U.S.C. 552(B)(6)

Filed Oct 5, 2022 · Driver assistance, Visibility · 46,000 miles · NJ

The contact owns a 2020 Ram 1500. The contact stated that while starting the vehicle, the passenger's side windshield wiper and the rearview camera were inoperable. The vehicle was not diagnosed nor repaired by an independent mechanic or dealer. The manufacturer was not made aware of the failure. The failure mileage was approximately 46,000.

Filed Dec 20, 2020 · Driver assistance, Electrical · 300 miles · TN

Too bad I can only mark 3 areas when there are many more. Following safety systems and driver aid either don't work or work sporadically: forward collision, rear collision, lane keep, auto high beams, rear cross traffic alert, rain sense wipers, navigation, voice command, parking gear, front and rear camera, memory seat easy entry ( doesn't go back to correct position), hot smell if use awd setting. Infotainment system totally malfunctions. Truck been in 7-8 times for problems, there over 2 weeks on 2 visits, radio replaced. Still having all problems. Been going on since new, over a year ago. Has had numerous ram upgrades at dealer and over air. Never know if safety systems are going to work or not. Have lost all trust in this vehicle. Will being backing up and brakes lock up as if rear sensors have detected something when there is nothing. Rear detectors turn off by themself. Cameras stay on. Nav cursor shows on map 6 miles away from actual location. Basically all electronics work sporadically. Happens in motion and while not in motion. All glitches blamed on electronics in infotainment system according to ram. Put truck in park and continues to roll forward. Opening door is supposed to engage emergency brake. Does sometimes and other times does not. With this many electrical problems I'd hate to be in an accident, probably the air bags don't work. Periodically go to start vehicle and it's dead. No chargers are plugged in it anything that should drain battery. Now carry a jumper box after I waited over 2 hours for ram roadside service.have asked for repair orders but haven't been given them. Have noted every glitch with ram customer service via email. Case is open. Nothing gets done.

Filed Jul 20, 2020 · Electrical · 530 miles · OK

The 2020 ram 1500 experienced while driving a "data bus failure". This failure caused the vehicle to loose power steering, brakes, ramdom instrumentation displays, wipers to come on, headlights to come on and off. Intermitant loss of trottle control. Happened 4 separate time. Had shop on 3 of the 4 times indicate a bad battery, asb modules and PCM module. Currently they are trying to identify a bad transmission control module as the problem. Total mile 530 and only had the vehicle for 50 days. Had to be towed twice to the shop and the other two time it happened with in a mile of the dealer. It spend about 20 days in the shop already.