2020 Ram 2500 maintenance schedule

The 2020 2500 is part of the 5th Gen (DJ/D2) (2019-2026). Below: its service intervals with the source behind each one, the fluids it takes, the problems owners report for this year, and the NHTSA recalls issued for it.

Service schedule

What the 2020 2500 needs, and when

All 12 of these items come from Ram's own published schedule. Manufacturer rows link to Ram's own schedule, Independent rows to a service shop or parts retailer's published guide.

ServiceIntervalSource
Engine oil and filter

15,000 miles for 6.7L Cummins Diesel or 6 months.

10,000 mi / 1 yearManufacturer
Engine air filter

15,000 miles for Cummins Diesel.

30,000 mi / 3 yearsManufacturer
Cabin air filter

Replace more frequently in dusty conditions.

20,000 mi / 2 yearsManufacturer
Tire rotation

Rotate at first sign of irregular wear.

10,000 mi / 1 yearManufacturer
Brake fluid

Mileage intervals do not apply.

2 yearsManufacturer
Engine coolant

Flush and replace at 10 years or 150,000 miles.

150,000 mi / 10 yearsManufacturer
Transmission fluid

60,000 miles for severe duty (police, taxi, towing).

120,000 mi / 12 yearsManufacturer
Spark plugs (6.4L)

Mileage-based only; yearly intervals do not apply.

100,000 miManufacturer
Serpentine belt

Inspect accessory drive belt tensioner and pulley at 100k.

150,000 mi / 15 yearsManufacturer
Differential and transfer case fluid (4x4)

30,000 miles for severe duty or frequent towing.

60,000 mi / 6 yearsManufacturer
PCV valve (6.4L)

Inspect and replace if necessary.

100,000 mi / 10 yearsManufacturer
12V battery

Inspect at every oil change.

Inspect, replace as neededManufacturer

Intervals are for normal driving; towing, short trips, extreme heat or dust shorten them.

Fluids and engines

What goes in it

Engine oil
0W-40 (6.4L) / 5W-40 or 15W-40 (6.7L)
Coolant
Mopar OAT 10-Year/150k
Transmission fluid
ZF 8-Speed ATF / ATF+4 (68RFE)

Powertrains in this generation

  • 6.4L 8-cyl (ESB), 410 hp, 8-Speed Automatic, RWD/4x4
  • 6.7L 6-cyl diesel (ETL / ETM), 370 hp, 6-Speed Automatic, RWD/4x4

Confirm the exact spec against the owner's manual or the label under the hood; capacities vary by engine and drivetrain.

Known problems

What 2020 2500 owners run into

Problems reported for this model year, with the mileage they tend to show up at. Buying past a window is not automatically a pass - it just needs to be priced in.

CP4 High-Pressure Fuel Pump Failure

high severity

Sudden engine stall, metal shavings in fuel lines

Source: m.carcomplaints.com

Valve Spring Failure (6.4L HEMI)

high severity

$700-$5,000 to fix

Misfire, catastrophic engine failure under high load

Source: au7o.io

Safety recalls

10 NHTSA recalls for the 2020 Ram 2500

From NHTSA's recall database, matched by model and year. Recall repairs are free at Ram dealers, and a given car may already be fixed or fall outside a campaign, so check the VIN at nhtsa.gov/recalls before you buy.

January 2025

Chrysler (FCA US, LLC) is recalling certain 2016-2019 Ram 3500, Ram 1500, 2016-2020 Ram 2500, and 2016 Ram 3500 Cab Chassis vehicles. The right and left side curtain air bag inflators may rupture due to a manufacturing defect.

Remedy: Dealers will replace one or both side curtain air bags, as necessary, free of charge. Owner notification letters were mailed February 13, 2025. Owners may contact FCA customer service at 1-800-853-1403. FCA's numbers for this recall are 05C, 09C, and 10C.

December 2022

Chrysler (FCA US, LLC) is recalling certain 2019-2022 Ram 1500, 2500, and 3500 pickup trucks. The tailgate may not latch properly due to misaligned tailgate strikers, which could result in the tailgate opening while driving.

Remedy: Dealers will inspect the tailgate striker alignment to the box latch and adjust, if necessary, free of charge. Owner notification letters were mailed December 22, 2022. Owners may contact FCA US, LLC customer service at 1-800-853-1403. FCA US, LLC's number for this recall is ZB8.

Power train

NHTSA 22V835000

November 2022

FCA US, LLC (Chrysler) is recalling certain 2020-2023 Ram 2500 and 2020-2022 Ram 3500 vehicles. A build-up of pressure and heat inside the transmission may result in a transmission fluid leak from the dipstick tube.

Remedy: Dealers will replace the transmission dipstick and transmission vent assembly, free of charge. Owner notification letters were mailed December 29, 2022. Owners may contact FCA US, LLC customer service at 1-800-853-1403. Chrysler's number for this recall is ZA3.

Electronic stability control (ESC)

NHTSA 22V140000

March 2022

Chrysler (FCA US, LLC) is recalling certain 2019-2022 Ram 2500 and 2021-2022 Dodge Durango vehicles, and 2019-2022 3500 cab chassis with GVWR less than 10,000 lbs. The ABS control module software may prevent the electronic stability control (ESC) malfunction indicator light from illuminating during certain conditions. As such, these vehicles fail to comply with the requirements of Federal Motor Vehicle Safety Standard number 126, "Electronic Stability Control Systems."

Remedy: Dealers will update the ABS control module software, free of charge. Owner notification letters were mailed March 29, 2022. Owners may contact FCA US, LLC customer service at 1-800-853-1403. FCA US, LLC's number for this recall is Z20.

Visibility

NHTSA 22V035000

January 2022

Chrysler (FCA US, LLC) is recalling certain 2019-2020 Ram 2500 and Ram 3500 vehicles, Ram 3500 Cab Chassis, 4500 Cab Chassis, 5500 Cab Chassis and 3500 Cab Chassis with a gross vehicle weight rating (GVWR) of less than 10,000 lbs. The windshield wiper arms may loosen, possibly causing the wipers to function improperly and reduce the driver's visibility in certain weather conditions.

Remedy: Dealers will tighten the wiper nuts, free of charge. Owner notification letters were mailed February 15, 2022. This recall is an expansion of recall number 20V-208. Owners may contact FCA US, LLC customer service at 1-800-853-1403. FCA US, LLC's number for this recall is Z08.

Fuel system, diesel

NHTSA 21V880000

November 2021

Chrysler (FCA US, LLC) is recalling certain 2019-2020 Ram 2500, 3500 pickup trucks, and Ram 3500, 4500, and 5500 cab chassis vehicles equipped with Cummins 6.7L Turbo Diesel engines. The High Pressure Fuel Pump (HPFP) may fail, resulting in a sudden engine stall without warning.

Remedy: Dealers will replace the HPFP, update the Powertrain Control Module (PCM) software, and inspect and replace additional fuel system components as necessary, free of charge. Interim owner notification letters to inform owners of the safety recall were mailed on January 4, 2022. Owner notification letters were mailed on May 17, 2022. Phase 2 owner notification letters are expected to be mailed on March 2, 2023. Owners may contact FCA US, LLC customer service at 1-800-853-1403. FCA US, LLC's number for this recall is Y78.

Visibility

NHTSA 20V622000

October 2020

Chrysler (FCA US LLC) is recalling certain 2020 Ram 2500 and 1500 vehicles. The driver side mirror glass can detach from the backing plate and no longer provide a reflective surface. As such, these vehicles fail to comply with the requirements of Federal Motor Vehicle Safety Standard (FMVSS) number 111, "Rear Visibility."

Remedy: Chrysler will notify owners, and dealers will replace the driver side mirror glass, free of charge. The recall began November 5, 2020. Owners may contact FCA US customer service at 1-800-853-1403. Chrysler's number for this recall is W70.

Back over prevention

NHTSA 20V191000

September 2020

Chrysler (FCA US LLC) is recalling certain 2020 Jeep Gladiator and Jeep Cherokee, 2019-2020 Ram 1500 Pickup, Ram 2500 Pickup, Ram 3500 Pickup, Chrysler Pacifica, Dodge Durango, Jeep Grand Cherokee, Jeep Wrangler, and Jeep Renegade and 2019 Dodge Challenger vehicles equipped with 8.4" or 12" radio displays. A software error can cause the rearview camera image to remain displayed after the vehicle has been shifted out of reverse. As such, these vehicles fail to comply with the requirements of Federal Motor Vehicle Safety Standard (FMVSS) number 111, "Rearview Mirrors."

Remedy: Chrysler has notified owners, and dealers will update the radio display software, free of charge. Optionally, owners can choose to remotely update their software via an Over-The-Air (OTA) update available as of May 1, 2020. The recall began April 27, 2020. Owners may contact Chrysler customer service at 1-800-853-1403. Chrysler's number for this recall is W30-W37.

April 2020

Chrysler (FCA US LLC) is recalling certain 2019-2020 Ram 2500 and Ram 3500 Pick-up trucks equipped with an accessory bed step. In certain side loading conditions, the bed step may unexpectedly fail while in use.

Remedy: Chrysler will notify owners, and dealers will replace the bed step support brace, free of charge. The recall began on July 9, 2020 (RAM 2500) and began on October 6, 2020 (Ram 3500). Owners may contact Chrysler customer service at 1-800-853-1403. Chrysler's numbers for this recall are W24 and W44.

Power train

NHTSA 20V043000

January 2020

Chrysler (FCA US LLC) is recalling certain 2019-2020 Ram 2500 and 3500 Pickup vehicles equipped with six-speed automatic (68RFE) transmissions. A build up of pressure and heat inside the transmission may result in a transmission fluid leak from the dipstick tube.

Remedy: Chrysler will notify owners, and dealers will replace the transmission valve body separator plate and reprogram the powertrain control module. The recall began March 2, 2020. Owners may contact Chrysler customer service at 1-800-853-1403. Chrysler's number for this recall is W03.

Running costs

What maintenance typically costs

A typical year of maintenance
$936

Typical US independent-shop estimates for this generation; they vary by region and condition.

Other 2500 model years

5th Gen (DJ/D2) (2019-2026)

4th Gen (DJ) (2014-2018)

Shopping new? The Ram 2500 guide covers the current model, with what it costs to keep for 1 to 15 years.

Sources

Researched 2026-09-21. Modeling, not mechanic advice - always confirm against your car's owner's manual and service records.

Running a 2500 for income?

Carlyle scores the exact listing on cost per remaining mile and projected Turo income, so you know what a 2020 2500 earns before you buy it.

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