2020 Ram 1500 Engine

My 2020 Ram 1500 equipped with the 5.7L HEMI eTorque system has experienced repeated failures of the charging system due to the belt starter generator (BSG) / 48-volt hybrid system. The vehicle has shut off unexpectedly while driving in traffic, resulting in sudden loss of engine power and loss of power steering assist. This created a dangerous situation where I had limited ability to control the vehicle and had to coast to the side of the road. The truck has also stalled at low speeds and intersections, requiring a restart while in traffic. When the failure occurs, warning messages related to the charging system or hybrid system may appear, and the vehicle becomes difficult to maneuver due to loss of steering assist. The underlying cause has been identified as failure of the eTorque belt starter generator (BSG) and/or associated 48-volt system components. The vehicle’s 12-volt battery is no longer properly charged, leading to repeated dead battery conditions. I am currently forced to recharge the battery daily to keep the vehicle operational. Replacement parts for this system (Mopar part number 68623194AC or superseding versions) are on national backorder with no estimated availability. My vehicle has been affected for approximately five months, leaving it unreliable and unsafe to operate. This defect creates a serious safety hazard because the vehicle can lose propulsion and steering assist without warning while in motion, increasing the risk of a crash. I am reporting this issue so that NHTSA can investigate potential safety defects in the eTorque hybrid system used in Ram 1500 vehicles.

The contact owns a 2020 Ram 1500. The contact stated that while driving at an undisclosed speed, the vehicle was riding very rough and unexpectedly idled with the check engine warning light illuminated. The contact also stated that while driving at an undisclosed speed, there was an engine misfire, and the vehicle stalled with the check engine warning light illuminated. The vehicle was able to restart. The vehicle was taken to the dealer, where it was diagnosed and determined that the camshaft had failed and needed to be replaced. The vehicle was repaired. The manufacturer was made aware of the failure. The approximate failure mileage was 64,462.

Engine went out before life of loan was up. Truck has always been serviced at dealer it was purchased from and has 140k highway miles on it. No warning or indicator lights prior to valve breaking and engine going out. Was in for oil change a month prior.

The generator bearings are making a wining noise. It was confirmed by an experienced independent mechanic that the E-torque generator needs replacement. The dealer said the generator is not in stock. Further research showed the part is on back order for months, with thousands of others waiting and in the same boat of no parts available.

This engine has failed by the head gaskets, literally all 4, cracking/breaking. This caused coolant to leak into the engine, mix with the oil, depleating the coolant, thereby causing the truck to overheat and break down. With repairs this continues to happen. 3 times to be exact! This cannot be normal for this engine especially when this happened with less than 90K miles on the engine.

The contact owns a 2020 Ram 1500. The contact stated that while the vehicle was parked or while driving, the contact smelled an abnormal exhaust odor, and there was a rattling sound coming from the exhaust manifolds. A dealer was not contacted. The vehicle was not taken to the dealer or an independent mechanic to be diagnosed or repaired. The manufacturer was notified of the failure and informed the contact that the vehicle was out of warranty. The approximate failure mileage was 56,900.

The e-Torque motor generator unit is failing, rendering the truck unsafe to drive. Catastrophic failure of this unit while in operation would likely cause loss of control. Signs of failure primarily have been increasing noise in the unit common to bearing failure. The component was inspected by an independent service center and confirmed to need immediate replacement. The part is currently unavailable from any source, and the manufacturer reports a back order with no known date of availability.

Exhaust manifold is ticking after only hitting 47k miles. Of course the warranty has been out for a month now. The dealership won’t cover it quoting me $3,200 to replace both of them.

I leased this vehicle, brand new. I bought out the lease just over a year ago. The truck has under 113,000 miles. I drove the vehicle to New York for a trip. The motor started, knocking, ticking real bad so I pulled into the shop (Monroe) they looked at the engine and said it's blown. They was no waring/check engine light never came on. Gauges were fine (digital). It cost me 16 grand to put a new motor in and dodge will not cover it. The mechanic also stated, he sees these engine blown (V6) all the time in my RAM and in the Durango's.

The contact's mother owns a 2020 Ram 1500. The contact stated that while driving at an undisclosed speed, there was an abnormal knocking sound coming from the vehicle, and the on/off switch and battery low level warning lights were illuminated. The contact drove the vehicle to a nearby parking lot. The contact stated the engine seized while driving at 5 MPH. The contact stated that the failure was due to a failed motor generator unit. The vehicle was towed to the dealer, where it was diagnosed with a failed motor generator unit. The contact was informed that the motor generator unit needed to be replaced. The vehicle was being repaired. The manufacturer was made aware of the failur,e and a case was filed. The failure mileage was approximately 95,000.

The contact owns a 2020 Ram 1500. The contact became aware of coolant fluid stains on the ground. The contact stated that while driving 40 MPH, there was an abnormal sound coming from the radiator fan. Upon inspection, the contact noticed that coolant fluid had accumulated on the fender under the radiator. The vehicle was taken to the dealer where it was diagnosed that the radiator seal had failed. The contact was advised that the radiator needed to be replaced. The vehicle was not repaired due to the cost. The contact stated that the failure persisted. The manufacturer was notified of the failure, but no assistance was offered. The failure mileage was approximately 60,000.

Cracked exhaust manifold. I know of three people, besides myself, with the 2020 Ram with 5.7 literally Hemi that have had cracked exhaust manifold. Mopar has a technical service bulletin, but the cost to repair is on me.

Failure of the Motor Generator Unit (MGU). This part is available for inspection and review. The failure of this component can result in complete immobilization of the vehicle which poses a significant safety risk for users and pedestrians alike. The problem has been a wide-spread issue for the Ram 1500 series. This issue was acknowledged by Ram and Stelantis. Ram has reviewed my MGU and confirmed that the component is faulty. The only warning was a whining noise and then the vehicle became completely incapacitated.

Due to the recall Z96/NHTSA 22V-767 my fuel pump failed in 2023, causing my check engine light to come on due to a fuel injector warning. The dealership replaced the fuel pump, but nothing else was replaced or checked. In April 2025, my check engine light came back on for a #4 Glow Plug issue. The truck at this point had 56k miles on it, and was out of warranty. I took it to a local mechanic, who found the glow plug had shrapnel on it, causing it to fail. He believes it is due to the high pressure fuel pump failure the previous year, releasing debris into the fuel system. This is a safety issue due to the loss of engine power, and if multiple cylinders are affected could cause the vehicle to go limp.

The contact owns a 2020 Ram 1500. The contact stated while stopped at a traffic light, there was an abnormal rattling sound coming from the engine. The contact pulled over to the right side and attempted to restart the vehicle; however, the vehicle failed to respond. The contact stated that the vehicle was taken to Town and Country Garage. A dealer was contacted. The vehicle was towed to a dealer where it was diagnosed that the engine had failed and needed to be replaced. The vehicle was repaired. The manufacturer was notified of the failure but offered no assistance. The approximate failure mileage was 61,000.

Smoke leaks into cabin when heat is on. Possibly coolant/heating core. I saw many complaints for the same issue on the internet and figured i would make an official complaint

Smoke, burning smell entering cabin area while driving and using heater. Look up issue, found many people had the same problem involving heater core leaking/failing early.

The Alternator Generator (MGU) failed and I was driving on the road when it happened causing the electronics to start going dark one after the other then dark screen and lost power steering. Thank God I was close to the side of the road and rolled out of traffic's way. The truck was towed to the mechanic who confirmed it is the MGU. The problem is that this part is on back order with no ETA. So I have a 2020 RAM Laramie with 39,000 miles only sitting in the shop. If this happened on the highway, an accident would have been guaranteed. I was simply lucky.

MGU bearing failing, and no stock available, they suspect it may be months before the part is available

The contact owns a 2020 Ram 1500. The contact stated that when the vehicle was started, on several occasions the contact observed an abnormal ticking sound coming from the front of the vehicle. The vehicle was not diagnosed or repaired. The manufacturer was notified of the failure. The failure mileage was 80,000.

I own a 2020 RAM 1500 Big Horn 4WD with the 5.7L HEMI eTorque system. The vehicle began making a whining noise while running. A certified diagnosis confirmed the failure of the engine generator unit, part number 68623194AB, which is required to keep the eTorque system functional. This part has been on nationwide backorder for an extended period with no estimated time of arrival from Mopar or the dealership. The vehicle is currently undriveable and unsafe, and I have not been given a timeline or support for alternative transportation. The unavailability of this critical hybrid powertrain component has made my vehicle unusable for weeks, and I’ve seen numerous reports from other RAM owners experiencing the same issue with no resolution. There is a serious risk to safety and reliability if this continues to be ignored. I am requesting that NHTSA investigate this widespread part shortage and potential manufacturer defect. There should be a recall or mandated parts response for affected vehicles if the manufacturer cannot supply replacement components for a core electrical system.

The contact owns a 2020 Ram 1500. The contact stated several unknown warning lights illuminated on the instrument panel and the vehicle lost motive power and stalled while driving at various speeds. The vehicle was taken to the local dealer where it was diagnosed; however, the failure could not be duplicated. The battery was replaced. The contact stated that the vehicle had been taken to a local dealer on several occasions, but the failure reoccurred. The vehicle was not repaired. The manufacturer was not made aware of the failure. The failure mileage was approximately 49,000.

The contact owns a 2020 Ram 1500. The contact stated while driving 55 MPH, the vehicle began to shake violently, after which, the vehicle lost motive power. The engine stability warning light was illuminated. The vehicle was taken to the dealer, who diagnosed a failure with the oil cooler, resulting in damages to the engine. The contact was informed that the engine needed to be replaced. The vehicle was repaired. The manufacturer was notified of the failure, a case was opened, and the contact was referred to the NHTSA Hotline for assistance. The failure mileage was 131,000.

The manifold bolts on the Ram 1500 pickups will break causing the manifolds to leak. This happens around 50-60k in mileage.

Both exhaust manifolds are cracked. There is a bulletin on some 5.7 Hemi but not mine. Both have to be replaced. The vehicle is at Central Florida Chrysler Dodge Jeep in Orlando. The engine was making a ticking noise. Not sure where it was coming from.