2020 RAM 1500

My RAM 1500 experienced some random electronic related issues (ie. warning lights showing when nothing was wrong and then going away). This was an annoyance, but would fix itself so I never reported it. Then I had similar issues and all of a sudden it kept dying on me and I had to jump the car. RAM came back telling me the back window had leaked and it destroyed the eTorque battery and RFhub. The estimate was absurd, so I started researching. Turns out that the back window leak is a we’ll know. common issue with RAM 1500s. So much so they extended the manufacture warranty on the back window and center mounted light. Unfortunately, my truck is not on that list. Beyond the cost of this repair, the safety issue occurs when RAM placed an eTorque LITHIUM BATTERY in the back seat directly under a window that has historically had issues with leaking. It is a common known fact that water and Lithium Batteries is not a good mix and could cause corrosion, short circuits, electrolyte leakage, and gas release. This can cause damage, overheating, fires, or explosions. This is the same seat that I have had my children in car seats. If the windows are known to have issues with leaking and RAM put a battery in a space that is directly under this window, would this not pose a significant risk?

While trying to accelerate from a stop, the vehicle electrical system turned off the vehicle and turned back on. When turning back on, it flashed through a series of error messages. One time was while in stop and go traffic and I was able to coast onto the shoulder and restart the vehicle. A second incident was in the middle of a busy intersection. Having had this shut down before, I was able to quickly turn on my hazards and restart the truck to then clear the intersection safely. I have personally had Dodge look at the vehicle under my ownership (bought it used from a dealer). In speaking with the service advisor, he mentioned it had 13 error codes reported on the DTC from loss of communication with PCM. There were no warning signs prior to the two events I have experienced. I have scheduled to take it back to the dealership for examination. The first event I experienced was on 11/25/2023 with about 35,450 miles. The second event was on 12/15/23 with 36,100 miles. I am aware of the recall on this vehicle but the shortage of parts has not allowed Dodge to service it for the recall yet.

On Thursday 16NOV2024 I noticed the rear sliding window on my 20' Ram had shattered on the drivers side section. The sticker on the back was damaged and appeared burnt. The weather that morning had been 35 degrees and partly cloudy. When I remote started the vehicle at 0700HRS, the rear defrost came on automatically. I drove about 10-15 minutes to work and parked. I returned to my vehicle approximately 10 minutes later and noticed a burning odor but thought it was due to a woodstove used nearby. Later in the day coworkers noticed the sticker was burned. I thought it may be intentional or due to the rear defrost system since the part that is wired and transitions to the heating grid is right under the sticker. We reviewed security footage from when I parked to when it was discovered and noone went near the vehicle. I suspected the defroster had an issue. I stopped at the dealer, my warranty was expired and I have glass coverage but I wanted to make them aware of the issue. The dealer glass rep took photos and said she'd never seen anything like it but would talk to engineers about it. The following day I received a call saying that she showed engineers the damage and was told that the system doesn't have enough voltage or heat to cause that damage and they wouldn't help. I wasn't looking for money, I have full glass/no deductible. I had the glass replaced the following Monday and asked them to save the parts I suspected of failing. I have photos of the part that appears to have failed and overheated causing the damage. I have a concern that worst case, if something had been behind the headrest up against it and the vehicle was in a structure that a fire could have occurred. I followed up with my photos and concerns but never heard back from the dealer. Noone has expressed an interest in seeing the failed part in question and I still have them in my posssesion.

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.

BACK OVER PREVENTION: DISPLAY FUNCTION. Rear backup camera failed, requiring the replacement of the radio unit. A rearview camera that does not display an image reduces the driver's rear view, increasing the risk of a crash. Specific to 2020 Ram 1500, but potentially similar to the recent recall of newer year 2022-2024 Ram 1500 / 2500 trucks [XXX] ). INFORMATION REDACTED PURSUANT TO THE FREEDOM OF INFORMATION ACT (FOIA), 5 U.S.C. 552(B)(6)

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.

The start/stop feature on the truck has been malfunctioning and the light has repeatedly came on. The truck has stalled on me while driving on two different occasions. I was in the middle of driving on a busy road and also a highway and the truck stalled on me which could of caused any vehicle to the side of me, or behind me to hit my vehicle causing an accident especially when I have both my kids in the car. The dealer allegedly fixed the problem but clearly it is NOT fixed. The problem has been diagnosed by the dealer at their establishment. They say nothing shows the truck stalling in the computer but I have proof. The truck shook, the start/stop light came on along with the check engine light and then stalled out on me both times. I opened a case with ram care and they dont seem to be of any help nor is the dealer. The dealer refused both times to check the “e-torque” battery that controls the start/stop feature for any failures or malfunctions and gave the excuse that theirs nothing indicating its the battery yet that battery specifically controls that feature. Ram has also recalled 131k trucks and wranglers for stalling. Ive brought the truck to them 2 times this month alone and they refuse to check that battery which 2 other dealers said was the problem. I would of brought it to the other 2 dealers but ram care advised to bring it to the dealer where I purchased the truck from. This is seriously unreal and if something happens or my kids get hurt due to an accident this is gonna be a major lawsuit. I need your help.

The contact owns a 2020 Ram 1500. The contact stated that upon a cold start of the vehicle, the vehicle stalled while depressing the accelerator pedal. In addition, the contact stated that the vehicle intermittently stalled while driving at various speeds. The contact stated that the shift to park message was flashing on the instrument panel during the failure. The dealer was notified of the failure, but the mechanic was unable to determine the cause of the failure. The manufacturer was not notified of the failure. The vehicle was not diagnosed or repaired. The failure mileage was approximately 35,000.