Ram1500 Classic2020Overview/ram/1500-classic/2020/base/

2020 Ram 1500 Classic

Factory specifications, fluid capacities, torque values, EPA fuel economy and the federal safety record for the 2020 1500 Classic.

The 2020 Ram 1500 Classic is documented here with 610 total owner complaints and 13 recalls, a drop from the 1,450 complaints recorded in 2019. Its 2020 complaint count of 612 represents the lowest figure in the 2019‑2021 span, indicating a modest improvement in reliability for that model year. The data, concentrated in the “Unknown Or Other” complaint category, provides a concrete snapshot of the vehicle’s recent ownership experience.

Model year20242023202220212020

Fitment & sizes

Replacement part sizes and factory part numbers — battery, bulbs, filters and belts.

From the factory this vehicle uses OE oil filter 04892339BE. Each part links to every other vehicle that shares it, so a part you already stock may fit more of your fleet than you'd expect.

OE service part numbers OEM · verified

Engine oil filter04892339BE alt 68191349AC
Engine air filter68441763AA
Spark plugSP143877AB alt SP149125AF
BatteryBBH8A001AA alt BBH7F001AA
Front wiper blades55277446AC
Thermostat52028898AJ alt 04893865AC
Cabin air filter68535623AA

Full specifications

Engine, drivetrain, dimensions and economy.

Dimensions & weight NHTSA vPIC

Overall length226 in
Overall width79.1 in
Overall height76.8 in
Wheelbase140.6 in
Curb weight4949 lb
Track (front / rear)68.1 / 67.7 in
Weight distribution (front / rear)57/43

Service quick specs OEM factory data

Capacities, torques and tune-up values from the factory service manual.

Engine torques

Camshaft Bearing/Carrier Cap Bolts or Studs89.0 inch lbs. ft-lbs
Camshaft Bearing/Carrier Cap Bolts or StudsThrust Plate Bolts: 115.0 inch lbs. ft-lbs
Connecting Rod (Large End) BearingsUse new fasteners only.
Engine Flywheel Bolts70.0 ft-lbs
Oil Pump to Cylinder BLock Bolts/Studs106.0 inch lbs. ft-lbs
Oil Pump to Cylinder BLock Bolts/Studs21.0 ft-lbs

Multi-step torque procedures OEM · verified

Connecting Rod (Large End) Bearings — tightening sequence 1 stages
115.0 ft. lbs., Step 2: 90°15 ft. lbs

Factory maintenance schedule OEM · verified

Normal service, condensed from the factory interval matrix.

Under the factory schedule, replace the spark plugs every 100,000 mi; coolant at 150,000 mi. The big-interval services (at 150,000 mi for coolant, and the transmission fluid) are the ones owners most often skip — on a lower-mileage example, assume the original fluids are still in it and check them first.

Every 10,000 miBattery (inspect) · Brake System (inspect) · CV Joint Boot (inspect) · Driveshaft U-Joint (inspect) · Engine Coolant System (inspect fluid level) · Engine Coolant System Hoses (inspect)
Every 20,000 miBrake Linings (inspect) · Cabin Air Filter (replace) · Parking Brake System (inspect) · Suspension System (inspect) · Tie Rod (inspect)
Every 30,000 miDrive Axle Assembly (inspect) · Engine Air Filter Element (replace) · Transfer Case Assembly (inspect fluid level)
Every 100,000 miPCV Valve (inspect) · Spark Plugs (replace)
At 150,000 miEngine Coolant System (drain, flush & refill)

Owner how-tos

Condensed service procedures for routine maintenance. Procedures that require dealer diagnostic equipment are identified and summarized only.

Common procedures

Key fob — remote (RKE) programming programming new fob buttons Dealer tool OEM · verified
Tool requiredDRBIII scan tool (dealer / locksmith)
WhyTransmitter codes are written into the receiver in the passenger door module
Anti-theft (SKIS) — module initialization after immobilizer module replacement Dealer tool OEM · verified
When neededAfter Sentry Key Immobilizer Module (SKIM) replacement
Tool requiredDRBIII scan tool
Also requiredThe vehicle's four-digit PIN code

Reliability & federal safety record

Owner-reported issues, recalls, investigations and service bulletins on record with NHTSA — an unfiltered look at what owners actually experience.

The 2020 Ram 1500 Classic shows a notable decline in complaints compared with the 2019 model, dropping from 1,450 to 612, while recalls fall from 29 to 13. The 2020 model’s recall count is the lowest of the three‑year span, and investigations remain steady at one each year, indicating no escalation in regulatory scrutiny. Top complaint areas for 2020—“Unknown Or Other” (68), “Engine” (56), “Electrical System” (51), and “Steering” (37)—suggest that the remaining issues are relatively minor and not linked to safety‑critical components, with crash complaints at 24 and fire complaints at six. Compared to 2019’s higher complaint volume and 2021’s slight rebound in complaints, 2020 sits at the bottom of the trend curve, implying a more reliable driving experience for that generation. Given the lower recall and complaint numbers, 2020 is a strong candidate year for a used purchase, provided the vehicle’s service history aligns with these figures.

13
Open recalls
NHTSA campaigns
1219
Service bulletins
Manufacturer communications
1
ODI investigations
Office of Defects Investigation
610
Owner complaints
24 involved a crash · 6 a fire
NHTSA crash-test rating federal NCAP · out of 5 stars
Overall★★★★
Frontal★★★★
Side★★★★★
Rollover★★★★★
Owner complaints by model year NHTSA · this generation & adjacent

Owner complaints filed with NHTSA, by component

All 610 complaints on record, top 8 components.

Unknown Or Other68
Engine56
Electrical System51
Steering37
Visibility/Wiper35
Fuel/Propulsion System32
Structure31
Power Train25

Source: NHTSA Office of Defects Investigation complaint database.

Recalls NHTSA · verified

No recall campaigns on record with NHTSA for this vehicle as of the last data refresh.

Technical service bulletins NHTSA · verified

Showing 5 of 1219 bulletins on record with NHTSA.

BulletinDateComponentSummary
1130702026-06-29Electrical SystemSWITCH – HEADLAMP
1130692026-06-29Electrical SystemSWITCH – HEADLAMP
S2208000045 REV.D2026-06-26StructureBackup Camera Poor Image Quality Inspection
1130652026-06-25Unknown Or OtherOUTLET - AIR CONDITIONING & HEATER
1130662026-06-25Unknown Or OtherOUTLET - AIR CONDITIONING & HEATER

Common OBD-II trouble codes

The most common OBD-II codes for this vehicle's emissions system. These are standardized SAE J2012 definitions, not vehicle-specific fault reports.

P0420
Catalyst system efficiency below threshold — Bank 1
P0300
Random / multiple cylinder misfire detected
P0171
System too lean — Bank 1
P0455
Evaporative emission system leak detected — large leak
P0128
Coolant thermostat below regulating temperature
P0442
Evaporative emission system leak detected — small leak

VIN tools

Decode factory build data for a specific vehicle by VIN.

VIN
Decode a VIN to confirm the transmission and build data for a specific 1500 Classic. OEM
Build data
Plant, GVWR class, engine and body data for any 17-character VIN.
Recalls
Check open recall campaigns against a specific vehicle by VIN.

Vehicles with shared specs

Find every vehicle that shares this one's battery, bulbs, oil capacity, platform or parts.

Reference guides

Cross-vehicle references for the kinds of data on this page.

Frequently asked

Does the 2020 1500 Classic have open recalls?

NHTSA lists 13 recall campaign(s) for this model year. Check your specific vehicle by VIN.