2020 RAM 2500 Brakes Problems

The contact owns a 2020 Ram 2500. The contact stated while driving 75 MPH, traffic started to slow down, and the vehicle failed to stop as intended while depressing the brake pedal. The contact depressed the brake pedal again, and the vehicle abruptly stopped and veered to the left. The contact was able regain control of the vehicle and pulled over to the shoulder. Several unknown warning lights were illuminated. The contact stated that the ABS, 4x4, and brakes warning lights were illuminated, and other unknown warning lights were illuminated. Additionally, a metallic burning odor was coming from the vehicle. The vehicle was towed to the residence. When the tow truck driver lowered the vehicle, the contact noticed that the front driver’s side wheel seemed bent. The vehicle was not taken to the dealer or an independent mechanic. The vehicle was not repaired. The manufacturer was not made aware of the failure. The failure mileage was approximately 41,000.

NHTSA ID

11703837

Incident

Nov 19, 2025

Mileage

41,000 mi

2500 Truck randomly activates emergency braking for no reason. Occurs a couple times a month. Every occurrence has zero obstructions in front. I took it to the Tate Ram dealer (frederick MD) and they refused to update their software unless I pay them +$285.00. The Ram dealer is even aware of the software issue. I told them this is a life safety issue and not my fault. I requested the fix immediately but refused. I also have an active full MOPAR warranty, and they still said it's not covered. This is insane

NHTSA ID

11694963

Incident

Oct 21, 2025

I pushed my breaks and the hydro booster started spraying fluid inside the cab I lost my breaks I was backing up down my sister's drive way hit a telephone pole with the back of the truck it made a little dent

NHTSA ID

11683879

Incident

Aug 20, 2025

The parking brake will not operate. Upon inspection the teeth on the gear are broken causing it to lock at top position. Dealership would not warranty safety part at 30,059 miles on vehicle so now I am left with no parking brake to protect vehicle from rolling on hill. Keep in mind vehicle is always used for towing 12,000 pounds or more.

NHTSA ID

11671827

Incident

Jun 26, 2025

Ram and it's parent company know there is an issue with the brake systems on their 3/4 ton pickup trucks. The 2500's. There is excessive travel in the brake petal and not enough pressure builds up in the system to activate the brakes correctly and adequately. It's all over the ram 2500 online forums. Many people are experiencing this issue with new trucks. Ram and its parent company Stellantis are unwilling to do anything about it.

NHTSA ID

11671333

Incident

Jul 5, 2025

Too much travel in brake pedal. Feels spongy. Weak brakes, hard to stop vehicle. Have to put pedal to the floor. Was told this was OK and normal at the dealership. Has been like this since I bought the vehicle new.

NHTSA ID

11671179

Incident

Jul 3, 2025

The contact owns a 2020 Ram 2500. The contact stated while driving at approximately 45 MPH, the contact swerved to the left to avoid crashing into a deer. The contact stated that when he attempted to return the vehicle to the right lane the vehicle's front end continued to turn to the left as the rear end of the vehicle spun out to the right. The contact stated that the vehicle hit the shoulder of the road on the right side, rolled once, and stopped. The vehicle had rolled onto the passenger side of the vehicle. The contact stated that no air bags inflated. The contact stated that the right side of the vehicle was dented and heavily scratched, and the right front and rear passenger doors were crushed, and the glass of the rear cab window was broken. The contact had not noticed any warning lights. The contact stated that he had bruises on the left side of his forehead and an abrasion on his right ear. The contact was driven to a local ER by a friend and had a CT scan performed and was released. The contact stated that a state trooper had written a report and issued a citation. The contact had the vehicle towed to his residence. The vehicle had not been diagnosed and was not repaired. The contact had researched online and related the failure to NHTSA Campaign Number: 22V140000 (Service Brakes, Hydraulic, Electronic Stability Control). The manufacturer was informed of the failure. The failure mileage was approximately 115,000.

NHTSA ID

11579705

Incident

Mar 24, 2024

Mileage

115,000 mi

The contact owns a 2020 Ram 2500. The contact stated that on multiple occasions while the brake pedal was depressed, the vehicle failed to engage the connecting trailer as designed. The contact stated that several unknown warning lights were illuminated. The vehicle was taken to the dealer where it was diagnosed that the rear passenger’s side wheel speed sensor failed and needed to be replaced. The vehicle was repaired; however, the failure recurred. The vehicle was not repaired. The manufacturer was notified of the failure and the contact was informed that the issue was currently being developed and the contact was provided a case number. The failure mileage was approximately 24,000.

NHTSA ID

11506675

Incident

Feb 10, 2023

Mileage

24,000 mi

The contact owns a 2020 Ram 2500. The contact received notification of NHTSA Campaign Number: 21V880000 (Fuel System, Diesel) however, the part to do the recall repair was not yet available. The contact stated that while in a turning lane, another vehicle crashed into the contact's front driver's side. The traction stability control warning light illuminated. Additionally, the turn signals failed to operate as needed. The air bags failed to deploy. The contact suffered injuries to his head, lower back, right shoulder, left hand, fractured left rib cage, and knee replacement injuries. Medical attention was received. A police report was filed. The vehicle was taken to a dealer, where it was diagnosed that the drag link was severely bent, and the steering wheel was only able to make 90-degree turns. The vehicle was then taken to Secret City Chrysler Dodge Jeep RAM (1005 Oak Ridge Turnpike, Oak Ridge, TN 37830) for the guard rail to be replaced; however, no repair was performed due to not having the correct replacement parts size. Additionally, the dealer was unable to duplicate the failure of an abnormal odor detected while the vehicle was turned on. The vehicle was not repaired. The manufacturer was made aware of the failure. The approximate failure mileage was 21,000.

NHTSA ID

11503467

Incident

Apr 8, 2020

Mileage

21,000 mi

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/NHTSA 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.

NHTSA ID

11459532

Incident

Mar 13, 2022

2nd visit to dodge dealership, While towing a trailer with the trailer electrical plug in use, the trailer breaks keep going out, I am driving down the road and the dash warning comes on saying the trailer breaks are disconnected. When trying to stop, at first I will not have trailer breaks, so I have to bare down on the truck brakes to stop the trailer, then the trailer brakes start working and jerks the truck back. Also, when not towing a trailer the dash warning comes on saying incompatible trailer?? No trailer is plugged in. At the dealership all day, they are telling me nothing is wrong. It is NOT the 5th wheel trailer, I spent $1,200 on new brakes, electrical and plug for trailer. It is the truck.

NHTSA ID

11442899

Incident

Nov 20, 2021

The trailer electrical plug located on the sidewall in the bed of the truck was not connected at the factory. I could have experienced a complete trailer braking system failing when towing my 5th wheel. Yes, vehicle was inspected by Harper Dodge in Alcoa TN, The trailer electrical plug was connected to the electrical system.

NHTSA ID

11442896

Incident

Aug 14, 2021

My driver was driving 25mph when the whole dash and interior lights started flashing and the dash said electric steering was unavailable and 4wd disabled and braking disabled , the truck could not be steered or braked , my driver had to use the emergency brake to stop the truck and gooseneck trailer attached . The electrical disabled all electrical braking including trailer brakes and steering and 4wd . The transmission is also randomly doing a hard downshift into 4th gear and slamming him into the dash and will be stuck in that gear .

NHTSA ID

11438554

Incident

Oct 27, 2021

THE SERVICE ANTI-LOCK BRAKE MESSAGE COMES ON FOLLOWED BY THE SERVICE ELECTRONIC STABILITY CONTROL. SOMETIMES THE FORWARD COLLISION WARNING ALSO FLASHES UNAVAILABLE. WHEN THIS HAPPENS, IF I TRY TO USE THE CRUISE CONTROL I GET ANOTHER MESSAGE THAT SAYS CRUISE CONTROL UNAVAILABLE. THIS BEGAN HAPPENING THE WEEK I PICKED UP THE TRUCK IN MARCH AND WAS INTERMITTENT, HAPPENING EVERY 2ND OR 3RD DAY. NOW IT HAPPENS ALMOST EVERY TIME I START THE TRUCK. I DID NOT TAKE THE TRUCK BACK TO THE DEALER UNTIL 3 JUNE 2020 BECAUSE OF THE CORONAVIRUS. *TR

NHTSA ID

11328098

Incident

Mar 10, 2020

Mileage

62 mi