2020 Ram 1500 · symptom sheet

Brakes grind, pulse or wear early

42owner reports
3,100median miles
8involved a crash

Newest report Jul 2, 2026 · checked Oct 2, 2026

42 of the 631 complaints on this car describe brake wear.

No recall on this systemas of Oct 2, 2026

8 crashesin 42 reports

3 people hurtin these reports

Tick what matches of 42 reports

grinding or squealing

pulsing or shaking when braking

pedal goes soft or to the floor

a brake warning light

the car did not stop in time

Brake wear on other 1500 years

2014176 reports 2015154 reports 2016278 reports 2017100 reports 201846 reports 2019133 reports 202042 reports 202173 reports 202270 reports 202336 reports 202543 reports

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: 2024, 2026.

What this problem usually is

Brake reports cover a wide spread of symptoms. Grinding or squealing is common, and so is a pulsing pedal or a shake through the car when stopping. Others describe pads and rotors worn out long before they expected, a brake warning light, or a pedal that goes soft or sinks toward the floor. The most serious ones say the car didn't stop in time.

Read the full explainer · Which cars report it most

What got replaced

Owners who name the part that was replaced mention the ABS module (14 reports).

Recalls and investigations

No recall on the brakes covers the 2020 model year as of Oct 2, 2026.

When it happens

The middle half of failures fell between 737 and 8,200 miles, from the 17 reports that gave a mileage.

Is this a known problem?

The manufacturer has sent NHTSA 9 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.

Service bulletinS2505000003Dec 10, 2025
Diagnostic Trouble Code (DTC) C0050-00-Brake System Hydraulic Leak Set After Recent Repair.
Service bulletinS2523000091Dec 10, 2025
Antilock Brake (ABS) Light On. Intermittent Or Implausible Wheel Speed Sensor Signal Diagnostic Trouble Codes (DTCs)
Service bulletinS1805000006 REV.BNov 3, 2025
ESC Light Illuminated. DTC C1252-92 VACUUM PUMP CONTROL CIRCUIT And Or P258B ELECTRONIC VACUUM PUMP PERFORMANCE
Service bulletinS2523000005Jan 18, 2025
Squeak Noise From Brake Pedal When Pressed And Or Released.

5 more on the 2020 Ram 1500 page.

What owners wrote

“Brake warning lamp is on for low fluid but fluid is okay. Electronic stability control not functioning.”
Filed Dec 12, 2024

“Electronic stabilitac light is on and 4 wheel drive light is on as well. matches the recalls for 2019 and 2021-2024”
Filed Sep 29, 2024

“ABS & service electronic brake system constantly going off. Known issues with faulty ABS module on braking system which at times can malfunction while braking or driving.”
Filed Jul 16, 2024

“Abs and tracking control lights come on and âservice electronic brake systemâ when on, cruise control not functional and traction control off very dangerous as I did more research it is a very common occurrence for Dodge Ram truck 2017-2021 please help us”
Filed Jan 14, 2024

Should you keep driving it?

This page can't tell you that. 8 of 42 reports involved a crash and 3 people were hurt. 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