2020 Ram 1500 · symptom sheet
Battery dies or the car will not start
- 41owner reports
- 61,000median miles
- 0involved a crash
Newest report Aug 16, 2026 · checked Oct 2, 2026
162 of the 631 complaints on this car are about the electrical system. 41 of those describe dead battery.
Tick what matches of 41 reports
Dead battery on other 1500 years
Report counts are for each model year on its own, so a newer car has had less time to collect them. Model years with too few reports of it for a sheet: 2014, 2015, 2016, 2017, 2018, 2023, 2024, 2026.
What this problem usually is
These owners walk out to a car that's dead. Some find it drained after sitting only a day or two, some need a jump start every week, and some have had the battery replaced more than once without the problem going away. A good number describe the dealer testing the battery, calling it fine, and sending them home.
What got replaced
Owners who name the part that was replaced mention the battery (34 reports), the alternator (8 reports) and the module (6 reports).
Recalls and investigations
No recall on the electrical system covers the 2020 model year as of Oct 2, 2026.
NHTSA investigations into the electrical system on the 1500
Engine stall with intermittent restart. Open.
Software security vulnerability. Closed jan 5, 2016, led to recall 15V-508.
Totally integrated power module failure. Closed jul 24, 2015.
None of these investigations covers the 2020 model year.
When it happens
The middle half of failures fell between 1,900 and 87,000 miles, from the 12 reports that gave a mileage.
Is this a known problem?
The manufacturer has sent NHTSA 22 service bulletins or notices for the 2020 Ram 1500 that deal with this problem. Newest first.
Federal rules make a manufacturer send NHTSA a copy of any notice about a defect that goes to more than one dealer or owner. Most of these are service bulletins, the repair instructions manufacturers send to dealers. NHTSA generally leaves safety recall bulletins out of this file, and recalls are listed separately.
Start Stop Charging Warning Lamp Illuminated On, Intelligent Battery Sensor (IBS) State of Charge (SOC) Inaccurate, Battery Charging Message, Presence of IBS related Diagnostic Trouble Codes (DTCs), or Battery Warning Lamp On
Battery Drain Suspected or "Identified" From USB or Media Hub
Battery Pack Control Module (BPCM) Software Update Customers may experience a Malfunction Indicator Lamp (MIL) illumination.
Ambient Air Temperature Missing, Malfunction Indicator Lamp (MIL) Lamp On, Diagnostic Trouble Code (DTC) P0070-15 Ambient Air Temperature Sensor Circuit-Circuit Short to Battery or Open, P0073 Ambient Air Temperature Sensor Circuit High
18 more on the 2020 Ram 1500 page.
What owners wrote
“The vehicle had 2 leaks; 1 at the rear cabin window and 1 at the rear brake light. Both of these areas are part of a TSB/class action lawsuit. Water was getting in and caused the module to go bad. The module not working in turn caused the battery to die and because of all the failed attempts and overloading the starter, the starter ended up going out after they started fixing the module.”
Filed Nov 26, 2025
“The mgu/generator went out and left me stranded due to battery failure. I had no steering or power brakes. Everything electrical failed. Have been waiting for new mgu for 2 months.”
Filed Oct 21, 2025
“The Engine Generator Kit - Mopar part# (68623194AB) failed which drained the battery and when I stopped at a red light it put me in park and I couldnât get into gear to move the truck, a tractor trailer almost hit me while sitting in the roadway. If I order this part which is on back order for over a month I will be the 4,601 person this has happened to. I feel this is a recall safety concern. Thank you.”
Filed Sep 8, 2025
“My truck would engage the emergency braking without any objects near. Battery needed to be replaced due to not charging. The etorque is making noise and vibrating.”
Filed Jun 2, 2025
Should you keep driving it?
This page can't tell you that. 0 of 41 reports involved a crash. Owners who file are the ones who had a bad experience, and nobody checks their reports. If the problem affects steering, braking, power or a fire risk, treat it as a safety fault and have it inspected before a long or high-speed drive.
File your own report with NHTSA. Complaint counts are how a problem gets an investigation. How reports land on this sheet.
Guide Taking it to a shop? How to describe this problem so it gets found
Other problems on this car
- Engine stalls or loses power while driving 89 reports
- Infotainment, screen or backup camera fails 52 reports
- Power steering cuts out or goes heavy 43 reports
- Brakes grind, pulse or wear early 42 reports
- Check engine light or misfire 32 reports