NHTSA // CRASH-TESTED
2020 Ram 2500
Federal crash-test performance, recalls, and complaints, scored into one NHTSA Safety Index.
The Ram 2500 is a heavy-duty pickup truck aimed at buyers who need serious towing and hauling capability beyond what a half-ton can offer. Competing in one of the most demanding segments on the market, it attracts contractors, fleet operators, and truck enthusiasts who prioritize work capacity. Understanding its safety record is essential before committing to a vehicle this size and cost.
The 2020 Ram 2500 earns an NHTSA Safety Index of 66 out of 100, an below average result driven by its federal crash-test stars and its recall record. It has 10 recalls on record, reflected in the score.
- urban drivers exposed to side-impact risk
Reviewers generally regard the Ram 2500 as one of the more refined and comfortable entries in the heavy-duty truck segment, praising its ride quality and interior execution relative to its class. Most acknowledge that it competes strongly on capability and driver experience, though professional assessments tend to note that heavy-duty trucks as a category involve tradeoffs in agility and crash-test performance compared to lighter vehicles.
NCAP // CRASH TESTCrash-test breakdown
Source: NHTSA NCAP, VehicleId 14283
Index breakdown
NCAP // CRASH IMAGESCrash-test images
Crash-test images are US federal government works (NHTSA / NCAP), public domain.
NHTSA // RECALLSRecall record
AIR BAGS:SIDE/WINDOW:CURTAIN:INFLATOR25V010000
Risk: An inflator rupture may result in sharp metal fragments striking occupants, resulting in injury.
Remedy: Dealers will replace one or both side curtain air bags, as necessary, free of charge. Owner notification letters were mailed February 13, 2025. Owners may contact FCA customer service at 1-800-853-1403. FCA's numbers for this recall are 05C, 09C, and 10C.
Reported 2025-01-16
STRUCTURE:BODY:TAILGATE:HINGE AND ATTACHMENTS22V904000
Risk: An unintended tailgate opening while driving may result in a loss of unsecured cargo, possibly creating a road hazard and increasing the risk of a crash.
Remedy: Dealers will inspect the tailgate striker alignment to the box latch and adjust, if necessary, free of charge. Owner notification letters were mailed December 22, 2022. Owners may contact FCA US, LLC customer service at 1-800-853-1403. FCA US, LLC's number for this recall is ZB8.
Reported 2022-12-08
POWER TRAIN:AUTOMATIC TRANSMISSION22V835000
Risk: Leaking transmission fluid may contact an ignition source within the engine compartment, increasing the risk of a fire.
Remedy: Dealers will replace the transmission dipstick and transmission vent assembly, free of charge. Owner notification letters were mailed December 29, 2022. Owners may contact FCA US, LLC customer service at 1-800-853-1403. Chrysler's number for this recall is ZA3.
Reported 2022-11-10
SERVICE BRAKES, HYDRAULIC:ANTILOCK/TRACTION CONTROL/ELECTRONIC LIMITED SLIP:CONTROL UNIT/MODULE22V140000
Risk: An ESC malfunction indicator light that fails to illuminate during an electronic stability control problem can increase the risk of a crash.
Remedy: Dealers will update the ABS control module software, free of charge. Owner notification letters were mailed March 29, 2022. Owners may contact FCA US, LLC customer service at 1-800-853-1403. FCA US, LLC's number for this recall is Z20.
Reported 2022-03-10
VISIBILITY:WINDSHIELD WIPER/WASHER:LINKAGES22V035000
Risk: Reduced visibility increases the risk of a crash.
Remedy: Dealers will tighten the wiper nuts, free of charge. Owner notification letters were mailed February 15, 2022. This recall is an expansion of recall number 20V-208. Owners may contact FCA US, LLC customer service at 1-800-853-1403. FCA US, LLC's number for this recall is Z08.
Reported 2022-01-27
FUEL SYSTEM, DIESEL:DELIVERY:FUEL PUMP21V880000
Risk: An engine stall increases the risk of a crash.
Remedy: Dealers will replace the HPFP, update the Powertrain Control Module (PCM) software, and inspect and replace additional fuel system components as necessary, free of charge. Interim owner notification letters to inform owners of the safety recall were mailed on January 4, 2022. Owner notification letters were mailed on May 17, 2022. Phase 2 owner notification letters are expected to be mailed on Mar
Reported 2021-11-12
VISIBILITY:REARVIEW MIRRORS/DEVICES:EXTERIOR20V622000
Risk: Missing driver side mirror glass reduces visibility and increases the risk of a crash.
Remedy: Chrysler will notify owners, and dealers will replace the driver side mirror glass, free of charge. The recall began November 5, 2020. Owners may contact FCA US customer service at 1-800-853-1403. Chrysler's number for this recall is W70.
Reported 2020-10-08
BACK OVER PREVENTION: SENSING SYSTEM: CAMERA20V191000
Risk: The lingering rearview image can distract the driver, increasing the risk of a crash.
Remedy: Chrysler has notified owners, and dealers will update the radio display software, free of charge. Optionally, owners can choose to remotely update their software via an Over-The-Air (OTA) update available as of May 1, 2020. The recall began April 27, 2020. Owners may contact Chrysler customer service at 1-800-853-1403. Chrysler's number for this recall is W30-W37.
Reported 2020-09-10
STRUCTURE20V207000
Risk: A bed step that unexpectedly fails while in use increases the risk of injury to the user.
Remedy: Chrysler will notify owners, and dealers will replace the bed step support brace, free of charge. The recall began on July 9, 2020 (RAM 2500) and began on October 6, 2020 (Ram 3500). Owners may contact Chrysler customer service at 1-800-853-1403. Chrysler's numbers for this recall are W24 and W44.
Reported 2020-04-09
POWER TRAIN:AUTOMATIC TRANSMISSION20V043000
Risk: The leaking transmission fluid may contact the turbocharger or another ignition source within the engine compartment, increasing the risk of a fire.
Remedy: Chrysler will notify owners, and dealers will replace the transmission valve body separator plate and reprogram the powertrain control module. The recall began March 2, 2020. Owners may contact Chrysler customer service at 1-800-853-1403. Chrysler's number for this recall is W03.
Reported 2020-01-24
NHTSA // COMPLAINTSOwner complaints
159 owner complaints on file. These are unverified allegations reported to NHTSA.