2020 RAM 1500 Exterior lighting Problems

The tail lights keep going out on both sides. The tail light harness does not fit the female adapter properly. You have to hold it pushed in to get the light to come on but when you let go it turns back off. I have already replaced the sockets with Mopar OEM parts and am still having the problem. After researching I found that this is a common issue with this vehicle. It is a safety concern because without tail lights keep other drivers may not be able to see my vehicle at night or when I am braking.

NHTSA ID

11751007

Incident

Apr 1, 2026

I am submitting a report regarding the hacking of my vehicle that has persisted over the past five years. I have previously stated that my scammer, [XXX] , along with her associates, continues to remotely manipulate the gear of my vehicle while I am driving. Furthermore, they are targeting the lighting and dome lights in my vehicle in an attempt to jeopardize my safety. Additionally, the manufacturer experienced a data breach in September 2025. Please feel free to contact me at [XXX] . INFORMATION REDACTED PURSUANT TO THE FREEDOM OF INFORMATION ACT (FOIA), 5 U.S.C. 552(B)(6)

NHTSA ID

11707429

Incident

Jun 3, 2024

The low beam headlights and high beam headlights do not function properly. I thought that when one of the low beam lights went out that I needed a new bulb. Before I got to changing the bulb out, the other one went out while driving at night. I tried to make it home with my high beams on, but only one was working at the time. While driving, one of the low beams that I thought needed a bulb came back on. It seems as though all four headlights have a short somewhere and the lights work at random or not at all.

NHTSA ID

11701755

Incident

Nov 13, 2025

There is an issue with the turn signal and apparently all models 2021-beyond have this recall. The right turn signal will not turn on at all, and the left is always on when in neutral. This issue has come and gone but it’s been the case for the last few weeks again.

NHTSA ID

11689381

Incident

Sep 1, 2025

The contact owns a 2020 Ram 1500 Promaster. The contact stated that after parking and turning the vehicle off, he left it for approximately 10 minutes. The vehicle spontaneously caught fire. The contact was alerted that his vehicle was on fire. The contact noticed that the passenger-side headlight had smoke and flames four feet high. There were no warning lights illuminated prior to the failure. The contact and a bystander extinguished the fire. There were no reported injuries. A call was made to 911 emergency services regarding the incident. The fire and police departments were on the scene. The vehicle was towed to an independent mechanic who determined the failure was due to the wire harness and headlight assembly. A claim was submitted to the insurance company. The local dealer was not contacted. The vehicle was not diagnosed or repaired. The manufacturer was contacted regarding the failure and left 7 voicemails along with emails but no response as of yet. The failure mileage was approximately 67,168.

NHTSA ID

11677316

Incident

Jul 10, 2025

Mileage

67,178 mi

Installed trailer brake assist. When we shut the truck off, the brake lights came on and stayed on. Assured by B&B trailer of St Augustine, Fl that it was an issue with the truck and not the part. Other issues have come up- dash lights also come on when turned off, backup camera, remote start, rear defrost, cig lighter plug, rear speakers, and A/C stopped working. Took it to Daytona Dodge on 1/29/25 where they diagnosed the ABS module had failed. They did a system reset and everything was ok until we had to disconnect the battery again- had to install a switch on the battery so lights staying on doesn’t kill the battery. Was told they’d let us know when a new part came in- mid February. Called Ram HQ on 2/17- case # [XXX] and that was no help. Referenced recall 85B and she said it was for a 2d row seating issue and said no ETA on new parts being made. My truck was mfg 2/2020 so how the software update recall doesn’t apply makes no sense. Would it have prevented this, who knows. Then called the dealer up and spoke to Stephen, a svc mgr, who recommended buying a used one ( he said aftermarket but I don’t think there is such a thing) and they would put it in. Got one from eBay and went on [XXX]. After I sat there all morning, I was told they couldn’t override the Vin that’s already on a used part. I have tried calling and emailing the service management team for follow up since then with no response. This is an abomination of customer care and needs attention. I’m hoping these parts are coming soon and that people like me are reimbursed and compensated for time lost and diagnostic fees and parts and labor. Also hoping this recall is expanded/redone to include my truck as there’s no reason it shouldn’t. INFORMATION REDACTED PURSUANT TO THE FREEDOM OF INFORMATION ACT (FOIA), 5 U.S.C. 552(B)(6)

NHTSA ID

11648040

Incident

Jan 29, 2025

The contact owns a 2020 Ram 1500. The contact stated while driving 10 MPH and approaching a stop, the left turn signal failed to function as needed. There was no warning light illuminated. The contact stated that the vehicle made a loud sound as if the ABS had been activated. The contact stated that while attempting to use the turn signal to the left, the right turn signal was erroneously activated. The vehicle was not taken to be diagnosed. The local dealer was contacted; however, the vehicle was not repaired because the vehicle was not under recall. The manufacturer was not made aware of the failure. The failure mileage was approximately 90,000.

NHTSA ID

11635735

Incident

Jan 12, 2025

Mileage

90,000 mi

My screen is delaminating on a 4 year old vehicle. This should not be happening and was told by my local Dodge dealership that it is not covered under a warranty, nor my extended warranty or a recall. This is poor manufacturing. My vehicle does not sit in direct sunlight.

NHTSA ID

11635600

Incident

Jul 10, 2024

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

NHTSA ID

11613259

Incident

Sep 5, 2024

What component or system failed or malfunctioned, and is it available for inspection upon request? Turn signal indicator has malfunctioned. When the left turn signal indicator is set, it will not reset after making a full left turn (90 degree). Also the left turn signal will not stop after putting the turn signal lever back into the middle position. The only way to disable to turn signal is to put the turn signal lever into the right turn indicator position and in this position the right turn indicator no longer works. After making a right hand turn the turn indicator lever will reset and make the left blinker come on automatically and stay on. How was your safety or the safety of others put at risk? Being unable use my turn signal correctly has caused people to almost crash into me. Has the problem been reproduced or confirmed by a dealer or independent service center? I have not scheduled the vehicle for service with the dealer because its not covered under warranty or recall. Has the vehicle or component been inspected by the manufacturer, police, insurance representatives or others? No Were there any warning lamps, messages or other symptoms of the problem prior to the failure, and when did they first appear? No warning or check engine lights.

NHTSA ID

11581240

Incident

Apr 2, 2024

The inside of my truck has condensation. The inside lights console don’t work. Because water comes in by the rear top headliner.

NHTSA ID

11572529

Incident

Jan 5, 2024

On Monday, October 10, 2023, I started my truck in the morning when the temperature was 60-65 degrees. The truck turned the rear defroster on and after 10 minutes I put my two boys in the backseat and smelt a burning smell. There was nothing smoking, so I told myself I would look at it once I got back from dropping them off. I pulled out of my driveway and within a minute my back window shattered above my 3 month old. I took it to the Dodge/Ram dealership and they said based on their inspection the third brake light was leaking and water got into/on the window and when the rear defroster turned on it shattered the window. They said it is not covered under warranty even though the main cause was a manufacture defect with the the third brake light leaking water into the vehicle. So this repair is going to cost me $1,500 because of the leak. This is a major safety violation with windows breaking above kids or people in the back seat and electrical getting wet because of the leak in the third break light.

NHTSA ID

11549176

Incident

Oct 2, 2023

The frame of the back window is cracking causing water to leak into the cab. After talking to the dealership they are saying this is happening with RAM Trucks that has not been recalled. He stated that the control module is located under the rear seat which is getting wet and causing problems to the trun signals, starting of the truck and lighting to malfunction which could cause an accident. There is also airbags located on the rear roof that could cause them not to go off. This repair is going to be between 2000 and 5000 bucks depending on the damage. I believe this should be a safety recall due to the chance of someone's life being lost.

NHTSA ID

11530500

Incident

Jun 27, 2023

The contact owns a 2020 Ram 1500. The contact stated that he became aware that water had leaked into the interior of the vehicle through the rear windshield. The vehicle was taken to the dealer and diagnosed with a possible brake light or antenna failure. The rear window glass was replaced. The contact stated that the failure reoccurred twice, and the rear window glass was replaced; however, the failure persisted. The vehicle was taken to the same dealer for rear window replacement. The contact stated that the rear window glass had been replaced by two local dealers; however, the failure persisted. The manufacturer was made aware of the failure but provided no assistance other than replacing the glass. The failure mileage was approximately 16,800.

NHTSA ID

11529344

Incident

Jun 25, 2023

Mileage

16,800 mi

My 2020 Ram 1500 truck's dash lights, instrument panel, and radio screen randomly flash bright then dark, over and over. It is very distracting and a potential safety hazard especially when driving at night as the flashing changes quickly by going from bright to dark and back and forth. This lighting or electrical issue is very distracting while driving. This occurs randomly while driving, while stopped, and while driving at different speeds. This issue typically occurs on a daily basis, and happens more often on some days than others. I took the truck into the dealer and they had my truck for a week, but could not determine or fix the problem. There are no vehicle error codes showing in the computer, and I have shown them several video recordings of the flashing lighting that has occurred. For as much as this vehicle costs, this should not happen, and when it does they should be able to fix it.

NHTSA ID

11437605

Incident

Aug 1, 2021

THE DASH LIGHTING AT NIGHT, WHEN HEADLIGHTS COME ON CAUSING A REDUCED BRIGHTNESS TO THE DASH LIGHTS, THE REDUCED BRIGHTNESS MODE IS TOO DIM AT IT'S HIGHEST SETTING FOR NIGHT TIME MODE. WHILE IT IS POSSIBLE TO MOVE THE BRIGHTNESS DIAL TO DAYTIME MODE, BY MOVING THE DIAL PAST THE NIGHT TIME MODE, THAT IS TOO BRIGHT MAKING VIEWING FOWARD DIFFICULT. I FEEL THIS CREATES A HAZZARD FOR NIGHT TIME DRIVING IN THIS VEHCILE.

NHTSA ID

11342781

Incident

Mar 1, 2020

Mileage

100 mi

VEHICLE IS MISSING TAILGATE AJAR WARNING LIGHT. ACCORDING TO BUILD REPORT ITS LISTED UNDER VIN AND IS IN THE 2020 RAM 1500 MANUAL. I NOTICED THIS AFTER I PULLED AWAY WITH TAILGATE OPEN. REALIZED IT SHOULD HAVE A WARNING LIGHT AND BEGAN TO INVESTIGATE. DEALER SAYS I DON'T HAVE THIS, BUT CUSTOMER SERVICE SAYS I HAVE IT AND PLUS ITS IN THE MANUAL. *TR Consumer like to add, he noticed staining to headliner from water leak. This should be a safety recall since it can be effecting the drivability of vehicle and safety of vehicle occupants. Water is possibly penetrating thru roof antenna, rear window and through vehicle third light. Water started leaking through the air bag area, seat belt tensioners, car speakers and coming in contact with electrical components of vehicle. Carpet and insulation is wet caused by this leaking.*JB

NHTSA ID

11329421

Incident

May 14, 2020

Mileage

4,000 mi

I WAS DRIVING IN THE HIGHWAY AT 65MPH WHILE STEERING POWER SHUT OFF AND WARNING ON DASH CAME ON SAYING POWER STEERING WAS DISENGAGED. I PULLED OFF THE HIGHWAY SHUT VEHICLE OFF CHECKED UNDER HOOD AND NOTHING. GOT BACK ON VEHICLE STARTED IT AND WARNING HAD GONE AWAY AND STEERING WAS OK. DROVE FOR ABOUT 10 MILES AND IT HAPPENED AGAIN. I WAS TOLD TO DRIVE VEHICLE TO DEALER AND THEY SAID IT WAS A PROBLEM WITH THE BATTERY. VEHICLE WAS IN SHOP FOR A DAY. THEY CALLED AND SAID PROBLEM WAS FIXED. I LEFT THE DEALER, DRIVE 40 MILES AND IT HAPPENED AGAIN. TOOK IT BACK. AND NOW THEY DON'T KNOW WHAT THE PROBLEM IS. VERY UNSAFE VEHICLE. POWER STEERING GOES OFF RANDOMLY. IM GLAD I DIDN'T HAVE MY FAMILY WITH ME. TRUCK IS VERY HARD TO CONTROL WITH NO POWER STEERING. I ALSO NOTICED WHILE DRIVING TO THE DEALER THE INSTRUMENT PANEL WOULD GO DIM AND THEN BACK TO NORMAL. *TR

NHTSA ID

11327281

Incident

Jun 1, 2020

Mileage

1,900 mi

ON NOVEMBER 13, 2019 AT 6:00PM PST WHILE TRAVELING 70MPH WESTBOUND ON INTERSTATE 90 AT THE SR18 INTERCHANGE THE VEHICLE EXPERIENCED MULTIPLE SERIOUS SAFETY DEFECTS AND MAJOR SYSTEMS FAILURES DUE TO LOSS OF ELECTRICAL POWER. LIGHT CONDITIONS WERE NIGHTTIME, TRAFFIC WAS LIGHT, WEATHER WAS CLEAR. ELECTRONIC FAILURE MESSAGES BEGAN TO APPEAR ON INSTRUMENTATION PANEL APPROXIMATELY 20 MINUTES PRIOR TO THE TOTAL ELECTRICAL FAILURE: NAVIGATION, STOP/START, CLIMATE CONTROL, UCONNECT, SIRIUS RADIO, ADAPTIVE CRUISE ALL CEASED FUNCTION WITH NO DRIVER ABILITY TO CONTROL THESE SYSTEMS WELL PRIOR TO THE TOTAL SHUTDOWN. AT TOTAL SHUTDOWN, WITH THE VEHICLE STILL TRAVELING AT 70MPH, THE FOLLOWING ADDITIONAL EVENTS SIMULTANEOUSLY OCCURRED: 1.TOTAL FAILURE AND COMPLETE LOSS OF POWER STEERING, 2.TOTAL FAILURE AND COMPLETE LOSS OF POWER BRAKES, 3.TOTAL FAILURE AND COMPLETE LOSS OF HEADLIGHTS, TURN SIGNALS, AND HAZARD LIGHTS 4.TOTAL FAILURE AND COMPLETE LOSS OF ALL DASHBOARD AND U CONNECT INSTRUMENTATION, 5.TOTAL FAILURE AND COMPLETE LOSS OF ALL STEERING COLUMN AND DASHPANEL CONTROLS 6.TOTAL FAILURE AND COMPLETE LOSS OF ADAPTIVE CRUISE CONTROL, 7.TOTAL FAILURE AND COMPLETE LOSS OF ELECTRONIC LANE ASSIST. 8.TOTAL FAILURE AND COMPLETE LOSS OF ELECTRONIC PARKING BRAKE THIS ENDED WITH THE VEHICLE BEING SAFELY PULLED TO THE SHOULDER OF THE FREEWAY. WHEN STATIONARY, THE VEHICLE LOST NEARLY ALL POWER; THERE WAS JUST ENOUGH REMAINING POWER TO RANDOMLY ILLUMINATE DISPLAYS AND UCONNECT IN ARBITRARY FLASHES; GIVING THE DASHPANEL THE APPEARANCE OF A NIGHTCLUB. THE VEHICLE WAS THEN TOWED TO THE SELLING DEALER.

NHTSA ID

11283032

Incident

Nov 13, 2019

Mileage

737 mi