VehicleVerdict

2021 Ram 2500 problems

Verdict · NHTSA data

Worth extra scrutiny

The 2021 Ram 2500 is a recall-heavy year with an otherwise ordinary complaint record: 8 NHTSA recall campaigns apply, yet its 154 owner complaints run below the 2500 median. The recalls matter more than the complaint count here — verify every campaign was completed before buying.

No single system dominates the record — complaints spread across electrical system (37), engine (26), and transmission (23), which usually points to general build quality rather than one defect. In government crash testing it earned 4 of 5 NCAP stars overall.

154

NHTSA complaints

8

Recalls

0

Investigations

7

Crash-involved

15

Fires reported

3

Injuries

0

Deaths

4

NCAP overall · of 5 stars

How does 2021 compare to other 2500 years?

See all 2500 years to avoid →

What are the most common 2021 Ram 2500 problems?

ComponentComplaintsShare
Electrical System3724%
Engine2617%
Transmission2315%
Body & Structure128%
Fuel System117%
Brakes96%
Other85%
Steering53%
Visibility & Wipers43%
Seat Belts43%
Tires & Wheels43%
Airbags43%
Driver Assistance21%
Lighting11%
Latches & Locks11%
Suspension11%
Seats11%
Speed Control11%

Does the 2021 Ram 2500 have recalls?

8 NHTSA recall campaigns on file. Recall repairs are free at franchised dealers.

25V765000SteeringNovember 6, 2025 · 532 units

Defect

Chrysler (FCA US, LLC) is recalling certain 2021-2022 Ram 1500, Ram 2500, Ram 3500, Ram 4500, and Ram 5500 vehicles. The steering column control module may cause the driver's side air bag not to deploy as intended. As such, these vehicles fail to comply with the requirements of Federal Motor Vehicle Safety Standard number 208, "Occupant Crash Protection."

Consequence

A driver's side air bag that does not deploy as intended increases the risk of injury in a crash.

Remedy

Dealers will replace the steering column control module, free of charge. Owner notification letters were mailed beginning December 11, 2025. Owners may contact Chrysler customer service at 800-853-1403. Chrysler's number for this recall is 14C. Vehicle Identification Numbers (VINs) involved in this recall became searchable on NHTSA.gov beginning November 13, 2025.

23V060000Electrical SystemFebruary 9, 2023 · 302,067 units

Defect

Chrysler (FCA US, LLC) is recalling certain 2021-2023 Ram 2500, 3500, 3500 Cab Chassis, and 4500, 5500 Cab Chassis vehicles equipped with a Cummins 6.7L Turbo Diesel engine. An electrical short may occur in the heater grid relay with the ignition on or off.

Consequence

An electrical short in the relay can result in an engine compartment fire with the ignition on or off, increasing the risk of injury.

Remedy

Owners are advised to park outside and away from structures until the recall repair is complete. Dealers will replace the relay, free of charge. This will be a Phased campaign. Phase 1 will include 2023 model year vehicles. FCA US will notify dealers on or about 3/23/2023 and begin notifying owners on or about 4/5/2023. Phase 2 will include 2022 model year vehicles and Phase 3 will include 2021 model year vehicles. FCA US will notify dealers and owners on or about 4/27/2023 for Phase 2 and 5/11/2023 for Phase 3. Interim owner notification letters informing owners of the safety risk were mailed March 28, 2023. Owner notification letters are expected to be mailed April 5, 2023. Owners may contact FCA US, LLC customer service at 1-800-853-1403. FCA US, LLC's number for this recall is 13A. This recall is an expansion of and supersedes recall number 21V-798.

22V904000Body & StructureDecember 8, 2022 · 1,224,078 units

Defect

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.

Consequence

An unintended tailgate opening while driving may result in a loss of unsecured cargo, possibly creating a road hazard and increasing the risk of a crash.

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.

22V835000TransmissionNovember 10, 2022 · 250,079 units

Defect

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.

Consequence

Leaking transmission fluid may contact an ignition source within the engine compartment, increasing the risk of a fire.

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.

22V140000Electrical SystemMarch 10, 2022 · 370,437 units

Defect

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."

Consequence

An ESC malfunction indicator light that fails to illuminate during an electronic stability control problem can increase the risk of a crash.

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.

21V925000AirbagsNovember 24, 2021 · 376 units

Defect

Chrysler (FCA US, LLC) is recalling certain 2021-2022 Ram 2500, Ram 3500, and 2021 Ram 1500 Classic pickup trucks. The side air bag inflatable curtain (SABIC) assemblies may have been manufactured with the incorrect amount of compressed gas, which can result in an improper air bag deployment.

Consequence

An air bag that deploys improperly can increase the risk of injury in a crash.

Remedy

Dealers will replace the SABIC assemblies, free of charge. Owner notification letters were mailed January 17, 2022. Owners may contact FCA US, LLC customer service at 1-800-853-1403. FCA US, LLC's number for this recall is Y99.

21V798000Electrical SystemOctober 14, 2021 · 131,177 units

Defect

Chrysler (FCA US, LLC) is recalling certain 2021-2022 Ram 3500, 2500 pickup trucks, and Ram 3500, 4500, and 5500 cab chassis vehicles equipped with Cummins 6.7L Turbo Diesel engines. An electrical short in the relay may cause a vehicle fire with the ignition on or off.

Consequence

A vehicle fire increases the risk of injury.

Remedy

Owners are advised to park these vehicles outside of buildings or structures, and not near other vehicles, until the vehicle has been remedied. Dealers will inspect and, if needed, replace the Solid State Intake Heater Grid Relay ("Relay"); if FCA US Recall ID Y08 (NHTSA Recall ID 21V-163) is open, then insulating material will be applied to the Relay after inspection. Owner notification letters were mailed November 10, 2021. Owners may contact FCA US, LLC customer service at 1-800-853-1403. FCA US, LLC's number for this recall is Y76. This recall has been superseded by 23V060.

21V163000Electrical SystemMarch 11, 2021 · 19,214 units

Defect

Chrysler (FCA US, LLC) is recalling certain 2021 Ram 2500, 3500, and 3500, 4500, and 5500 Cab Chassis vehicles equipped with a Cummins 6.7L Turbo Diesel engine. An electrical short may occur in the Solid State Intake Heater Grid Relay, which could result in a vehicle fire.

Consequence

A vehicle fire increases the risk of injury.

Remedy

Dealers will inspect and, if needed, replace the Solid State Intake Heater Grid Relay ("Relay"); if FCA US Recall ID Y08 (NHTSA Recall ID 21V-163) is open, then insulating material will be applied to the Relay after inspection. Customers are advised to not park these vehicles inside of buildings or structures, or near other vehicles until the vehicle has the final repair completed. Owner notification letters were mailed November 10, 2021. Owners may contact FCA US, LLC customer service at 1-800-853-1403. FCA US, LLC's number for this recall is Y76. Owners may contact FCA US LLC customer service at 1-800-853-1403. FCA US LLC's number for this recall is Y08. This recall has been superseded by recall number 21V-798.

Consumer complaints filed with NHTSA

Representative excerpts, cleaned of personal information. These are consumer statements, not verified defects.

Fire on sliding portion of read window. Short on connection point of wiring harness for defroster. Dealer verified and confirmed. All has been documented. Also has had PCM and other electrical components real places two times now, along with other electrical issues that are still ongoing since time…

Complaint filed with NHTSA · Electrical System · December 15, 2021 · fire

After starting the vehicle, fire smell came into the cab. After exiting the vehicle smoke was coming from the engine. The engine caught on fire and car was totaled within 10 minutes.

Complaint filed with NHTSA · Engine · September 19, 2025 · fire

In June 2021, this vehicle literally drove away while in the park gear. It was running and accelerated across a state highway, down an embankment and 200 feet into a cornfield while pulling a trailer. I immediately called Ram and they did perform an investigation. They subsequently offered to buy…

Complaint filed with NHTSA · Transmission · June 29, 2022 · crash

Tailgate was repaired in February 2025 for issue under 22V-904 and then after the repairs were completed my tailgate dropped again resulting in damage to my tailgate.

Complaint filed with NHTSA · Body & Structure · April 17, 2025 · crash

Vehicle caught fire while engine was running, vehicle idling. Vehicle is a total loss. Prior NHTSA complaints regarding these vehicles causing fire from electrical components under the hood. Unknown if fire was due to electrical or leaking fuel issues under the hood. Major safety risk to occupants,…

Complaint filed with NHTSA · Fuel System · March 20, 2026 · fire

2021 Ram 2500 — common questions

Is the 2021 Ram 2500 reliable?

It is close to typical for the 2500: 154 NHTSA complaints, 8 recalls, and no investigations on file.

What are the most common 2021 2500 problems?

According to NHTSA complaint data, the leading problem areas are electrical system (37 complaints), engine (26 complaints), transmission (23 complaints).

Does the 2021 Ram 2500 have recalls?

Yes — NHTSA lists 8 recall campaigns affecting the 2021 Ram 2500. Recall repairs are free at franchised dealers; check the VIN at nhtsa.gov/recalls to confirm the work was done.

Which Ram 2500 years should you avoid?

Based on complaint rates and open investigations, the 2500 years to avoid are 2018, 2017, 2014, 2016, 2015, 2013, 2019, 2020, 2009. The cleanest record among 2500 years belongs to 2012.

How safe is the 2021 Ram 2500?

In NHTSA's NCAP crash testing, the 2021 Ram 2500 earned an overall rating of 4 out of 5 stars.

Related

Based on NHTSA ODI data through June 2026. Complaints are consumer-reported and unverified. Updated July 5, 2026.