2020 Ram 2500: sudden loss of power

Filed Aug 7, 2025 · Engine, Fuel system · CA

Subject: Fuel System Failure Resulting in Engine Damage – 2020 RAM 2500 Pickup VIN: [XXX] Complaint Summary: I am submitting this complaint to formally report a dangerous and costly fuel system defect in my 2020 Dodge Ram 2500 Pickup (VIN: [XXX] ) that has resulted in catastrophic engine damage. Although Chrysler has issued a recall for the high-pressure fuel pump (HPFP) in many 2020 Ram trucks equipped with the 6.7L Cummins engine, I was told that my vehicle was not included in the recall—even though it exhibits all the classic symptoms of HPFP failure. This is a safety hazard and a potential emissions violation. Details of the Incident: In June 2025, I brought my truck to Tracy Chrysler Dodge Jeep RAM after experiencing engine misfires, loss of power, and a knocking noise. The dealership diagnosed a P0303 cylinder misfire and noted a fuel smell in the engine oil, as documented in repair order #[XXX]. Despite extensive diagnostic work—including compression tests, leak-down, and injector swaps—the misfire remained unresolved, and a tapping noise persisted. The technician explicitly noted fuel contamination in the oil and suspected internal engine damage due to a fuel system issue. To further investigate, I submitted an oil sample to Blackstone Laboratories. The lab confirmed the engine oil was heavily diluted with diesel fuel—over 10% fuel contamination, which reduced the viscosity from 5W40 to the equivalent of 5W20. This is consistent with HPFP failure leaking fuel into the crankcase. The oil report also noted excessive steel wear and recommended immediate oil change and fuel system inspection. At no time was a check engine light present, nor was there a clear diagnostic code for HPFP failure. Chrysler continues to deny responsibility even though the evidence clearly points to a failed HPFP—a well-documented issue for this engine model and year. The cost of diagnosis and parts alone has exceeded $4,000, and the engine is likely destroy INFORMATION REDACTED PURSUANT TO THE FREEDOM OF INFORMATION ACT (FOIA

Filed May 5, 2025 · Electrical, Engine · WI

Vehicle randomly shuts off during normal operation. Same as if the Start / Stop button were activated. Vehicle coasts until it self applies the emergency brake at about 3mph causing a sudden, jerky complete stop. Switches itself to Park. Dash indicates “sterp on brake to restart”. Vehicle restarts normally but may randomly shut down again. Safety risk is loss of steering, loss of power brake control, and total loss of power in traffic. Taking it to dealer today. Vehicle has not been inspected by anyone yet. No messages or warning lights display. This is a recent problem but recurring with increasing frequency.

Filed Aug 29, 2023 · Fuel system · 35,000 miles · AL

The contact owns a 2020 Ram 2500. The contact stated that after refueling, the vehicle experienced reduced power and sputtering before the vehicle stalled. The vehicle was towed to the local dealer and was diagnosed with a faulty fuel injector. The fuel injector was replaced but the failure eventually recurred. The vehicle was taken back to the dealer who discovered metal shavings in the fuel pump and advised that the fuel pump needed to be replaced. The vehicle was not yet repaired. The manufacturer was notified of the failure, but no assistance was provided. The contact was informed that the VIN was not included in the federal safety agency Campaign Number: 21V880000 (Fuel System, Diesel). The contact stated that the vehicle had experienced that failure listed in the recall. The failure mileage was 35,000.

Filed May 24, 2023 · Steering · WI

On 5/22/23 I started my vehicle and started to back out of the parking spot, I then received a power steering malfunction service required warning on the dash and lost power steering functionality. The increased steering effort almost resulted in a collision with another vehicle. I took the vehicle in for service and it was diagnosed with a faulty electric assist system on the vehicle and this is being replaced. The vehicle had about 45,000 miles on it at the time of the incident. The first warning light came on when the power steering failed to operate. If this had failed while on the road the results could have been much worse. This is a dangerous defect from early failure of a safety component.

Filed Feb 14, 2023 · Fuel system · SC

* Feb. 6, 2023, both vehicle batteries went dead and had to be jumped by our USAA Insurance roadside assistance person in the home parking lot. When batteries were checked at a local auto store, they confirmed both batteries were dead due to an excessive draw to both batteries of 13.5 volts without any explanation as to why. We had to replace both batteries and reported this to the cerified dealership and was told they would not pay for the batteries to be replaced. Feb. 8, 2023, the vehicle starting losing power during normal driving, engine started skipping and engine light in dash came on. * Vehicle slows down and will not accelerate therefore, vehicle is undriveable and unsafe to drive. * No, this issue has not been confirmed by a dealer because no certified dealers within 100 mile radius of our zip code (29407) have technicians available for service. There is a month+ backlog of recall service work ahead of us at these dealers. * USAA Insurance (our auto insurance co.) towed in vehicle to the closest certified dealer to us (approx 4 miles away from our house). We were provided a 8-10 day period before diagnosis can be performed (and price given of $149.00 for diagnosis) and also dealer cannot perform recall before March 8, 2023. * No warning lamps, messages or other symptoms appeared before this and was even at the certified dealership in Dec. 2022 for oil change without any other symptoms.

Filed Nov 8, 2022 · Fuel system · WA

This complaint is regarding the federal safety agency Recall #21V‑880, or Manufacturers recall # Y78 safety recall regarding main fuel pump replacement on my 2020 Dodge Ram truck with a Cummins diesel engine. I brought this recall to the attention of my servicing dealer in Feb of 2022. They advised due to Covid manufacturing delays, it would be a long time before my truck would be repaired. I spoke with them yesterday, Nov 7-22, they advised I am still number 40 on the list and that they are only allowed to order one pump per week. This process is unacceptable. I have not been driving the truck due to the potential safety concern of a failed pump causing loss of power and potential accident in traffic. I have found out thru dealer sources that there are 371 of these pumps in parts depot in Portland Oregon, 2 hrs from my house. So it doesn't seem there is a shortage of these parts, as there are several parts depots across the nation with these stocked. This is a consumer safety issue that should be addressed in a timely manner. It seems that it is being treated as a convenience issue. Please advise, thank you.

Filed Oct 14, 2022 · Transmission · TX

Unknown-transmission, available for inspection. Truck lost power getting onto interstate and would not go over 65. After stopping and starting again, truck would not shift out of 2nd, until it jerked.. once stopped again, transmission would not shift from park to drive until vehicle was turned off and restarted and bucked and jerked to side of road. Truck will be taken to dealer 10/14/22 to ram service center in Clyde Tx. Truck was inspected by auto nation waco Tx service center 9/17-9-24 with nothing found. There was a buck, then vehicle traveled for about 3 miles then lost allforward power and would go 50mph at 3000 rpm and trans temp rose to 227. Truck was parked and will have to be towed to service center in Clyde Tx

Filed Jun 10, 2022 · Engine, Fuel system · NV

See dealer exhaust system exhaust required was on the display. This happened with me , wife, 2 year old and 6 year old in the truck. It just felt and sounded as if the truck dropped gears and slowed down in the middle of high traffic with big rigs on a busy interstate. I put on hazard immediately to warn the trucks behind me. Do to immediate loss of power and limp acceleration. As I tried to assess the situation safely and quickly as possible , I nearly got rear ended by several big rigs as they tried one by one to avoid me at the last second. Me and my family are safe but I am in shock still as we managed to get out of the way regained my composure to get my family safely off to the next ramp when traffic slowed to avoid having my family in high traffic danger. This issue is a severe danger to the general public and anyone in the road with this type of malfunction. I as so many other families who were in the same situation,stranded and barely avoided serious and substantial injuries and death. If this was due to the cp4 system, I would have these rigs of the road asap. I also had the dealership ,before, I left Nevada,to go and get my new concession trailer in Georgia had the fuel filters changed. The oil and filters changed, an update for the truck and asked and arranged for the new cpu unit to be installed. I also asked the dealership mechanic if it was advisable to drive out to Georgia to get my food truck and he said yes. I’m not sure if this is the issue, but my research point to this direction. There are forum on this. With stories like mine and the outrageous safety hazards this has caused. It is a defect that needs immediate action. This defect does not trump my family’s life or any other innocent lives. This puts me and my family out of a truck to get to Georgia to pull my concession trailer back home. We are literally stuck and stranded in Missouri. This defect has put me and my family in a vulnerable position which could be a serious hazard to us thanx

Filed Apr 4, 2022 · Brakes, Engine · PA · crash

While driving up snow covered inclined driveway. Truck started to spin and stopped going forward. Starting to slide backwards the engine shut off and I lost power steering and power brakes. Managed to re-start while sliding backwards but the engine shut off again resulting in a sideways crash into a tree. Thus causing $5000.00 truck damage but no bodily injury. My insurance covers damage but I am out a $500.00 deductible. The engine shutting off happened the year before but I was able to stop the slide in time. I just received a recall ("Z20/the federal safety agency 22-140") and I'm not sure if that problem is a cause of my incident. I did not notice any warning indications during or before the incident. I have not contacted FCA or my dealer yet.

Filed Oct 29, 2021 · Fuel system · CA

On 10/23/21, I was driving my 2020 Ram 2500, Diesel Cummins Pick Up/Crew Cab LIMITED, I purchased brand new in July, 2020, my vehicle has approximately 27,000 miles, this past weekend on the freeway during my return home, the truck slowed completely, no power to the engine. I received a message one the screen "Exhaust System Service Required See Dealer." Complete loss of power for no reason. Again, because the truck had no power. I called a towing service and had the truck towed to the Dodge / Ram dealership where the truck was purchased. Later on 10/28/21, I learned that the federal safety agency had opened an investigation to the Ram 2500 regarding the fuel propulsion system and the dealership said no recalls were listed on my truck. the federal safety agency officially noted their investigation of the 2018-2020 Ram trucks, including this model with the 6.7-liter Cummins diesel engine on their website. According the federal safety agency website, on 10/29/21, there have been 18 reports of fuel / propulsion systems. Without the fuel pump, specifically the CP4 the fuel pump system, diesel engines do not function in longevity as the should. As of 10/29/21, Dodge /Ram, the dealership who sold and currently has my truck for diagnostic purposes and repairs, has yet to provide documentation as to exactly what happened to make the brand new truck stop running. They have provided minimal communication, nothing in writing. I am under the understanding that regardless, if the repair is made on my truck, this fuel pump system failure issue with Ram was first reported in 2019, Dodge/Ram has allowed for these trucks to be sold with knowing the potential issue existed. These trucks must be repaired or otherwise returned to the dealership/ manufacturer for full purchased price.

Filed Oct 27, 2021 · Fuel system · CA

On 10/21/21, I was driving my 2020 Ram 2500, Diesel Cummins pick up/crew cab Big Horn purchased brand new, this year on the freeway during commute hours and the truck stopped completely, no power to the engine and without warning. Complete loss of power for no reason. I called a towing service and had the truck towed to the Dodge dealership where the truck was purchased. Again, because the truck had no power. Later in the morning of 10/21/21, I learned that the federal safety agency had opened an investigation to the Ram 2500 regarding the fuel propulsion system and the dealership said no recalls were listed on my truck. On 10/14/21, the federal safety agency officially noted their investigation of the 2018-2020 Ram trucks, including this model with the 6.7-liter Cummins diesel engine on their website. According to an announcement by the federal safety agency Oct. 14, there have been 22 reports of pumps failing on the website. Without the fuel propulsion system, diesel engines don't run. As of 10/27/21, McPeek Dodge, the dealership who sold and currently has my truck for diagnostic purposes and repairs, has yet to provide documentation as to exactly what happened to make the brand new truck stop running. They have provided minimal communication, but not in writing. I am under the understanding that regardless of if the repair is made on my truck or this issue, this fuel propulsion system failure issue with Ram was first reported in 2019 and Chrysler allowed for these trucks to be sold, knowingly this potential issue still existed. Not only should these trucks be fixed, but full proof that they are diagnostically fixed, safe and of the same product originally sold should be options for these vehicles, otherwise they should be bought back in full by the manufacturer.

Filed Oct 25, 2021 · Fuel system · AR

I was pulling a 10k lb trailer from California to Arkansas. While passing a semi truck my vehicle lost engine power and left me without power steering or brakes. I was luckily able to make it to the right shoulder, vehicle would not start. Dealership found the Bosch CP4 injection pump to have failed at 15,000 miles. I am lucky to have been traveling in an area of Texas where I did not have too much traffic or this even could have been much worse.