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2021 RAM 2500

Owner reports · Recalls · Investigations

Similar to other model years

Owner complaints for the 2021 RAM 2500 do not stand out strongly from the model-year median of 134.5.

About this comparison →

When problems were reported

Mileage at the reported incident

Limited mileage data: 15 of 107 reports include usable mileage. There isn’t enough coverage to show a useful chart.

NHTSA’s mileage field refers to the reported incident, not necessarily the filing date. This shows report counts, not the likelihood of a failure.

What to inspect

Issues worth paying extra attention to based on owner reports.

  • Electrical System. Review the 35 owner reports in this category and discuss these concerns during a pre-purchase inspection. Read reports →
  • Engine. Review the 26 owner reports in this category and discuss these concerns during a pre-purchase inspection. Read reports →
  • Power Train. Review the 25 owner reports in this category and discuss these concerns during a pre-purchase inspection. Read reports →

NHTSA owner reports · September 18, 2026 snapshot.

6 crash reports8 fire reports2 injury reports

Fuel/propulsion System complaints

8 reports
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Mileage unknown · Mar 21, 2026
EngineFuel/propulsion SystemUnknown Or OtherFire

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, especially children in car s…

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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, especially children in car seats. Fire became out of control and burned the interior of the vehicle to bare metal. There were no injuries in this incident. This report being submitted by Law Enforcement on owners behalf. Full report from Law Enforcement included in this complaint.

NHTSA ODI #11726100

Mileage unknown · Dec 15, 2024
EngineFuel/propulsion System

August of 2023 I took my truck in for a check engine light. The dealership diagnosed it and said my def tank senor is turning on the check engine light. They repaired it, when I picked up the truck they told me that "it was burnt out" and replaced the part. Now 14 months later it's having the same issue. Wondering if other ram 2…

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August of 2023 I took my truck in for a check engine light. The dealership diagnosed it and said my def tank senor is turning on the check engine light. They repaired it, when I picked up the truck they told me that "it was burnt out" and replaced the part. Now 14 months later it's having the same issue. Wondering if other ram 2500 owners are having this same issue and if it is a repetitive issue. The repair cost me over $963.00 dollars.

NHTSA ODI #11630801

Mileage unknown · Apr 2, 2024
Electrical SystemEngineFuel/propulsion SystemFire

My 2021 Ram 2500 6.7 truck quit on me driving down the road. When I raised the hood I could smell burned wires and see smoke. Luckily, it was raining or I think my truck would have burned up. I noticed melted plastic and burned wires on the drivers side of the truck. This particular truck had an Electrical system recall and sho…

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My 2021 Ram 2500 6.7 truck quit on me driving down the road. When I raised the hood I could smell burned wires and see smoke. Luckily, it was raining or I think my truck would have burned up. I noticed melted plastic and burned wires on the drivers side of the truck. This particular truck had an Electrical system recall and shows to have been completed. (Safety Recall 13A/NHTSA 23V-060) If this recall was completed, maybe something else needs to be checked out. The truck is currently at a dealership to be repaired, but I will still be scared of it catching on fire because the dealership cannot tell me why or how the fire started. 03

NHTSA ODI #11580670

Mileage unknown · Oct 28, 2023
EngineFuel/propulsion SystemUnknown Or Other

The flexible section of the exhaust coming from the engine that connects to the rigid sections of exhaust that contains the DPF components developed a hole in it. I reported that exhaust was smelled inside my cab and that sooty smoke could be seen coming up by my passenger side front window for almost a month. The Ram dealership…

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The flexible section of the exhaust coming from the engine that connects to the rigid sections of exhaust that contains the DPF components developed a hole in it. I reported that exhaust was smelled inside my cab and that sooty smoke could be seen coming up by my passenger side front window for almost a month. The Ram dealership told me the first two times I took it there that it was normal for regens to create smokey conditions. It was not til the third trip to the dealer, after being treated for bronchitis, GI problems, and extreme fatigue with elevated levels of CO in my blood that they finally lifted the truck and found an exhaust leak. I am concerned that the excessive regens caused by the faulty PM sensor that they just fixed caused the section of exhaust to fail. And if it is a widespread issue, others may also be exposed to dangerous levels of diesel exhaust.

NHTSA ODI #11552373

Mileage unknown · Jun 20, 2023
Electrical SystemEngineFuel/propulsion System

I was at a stop light. When I went to go, Truck Stalled for No reason and I lost All control. No steering, No brakes, and it would NOT start until I came to a full stop after almost getting side swiped by oncoming cars in opposite lane, of which I rolled into

NHTSA ODI #11527847

Mileage unknown · Dec 2, 2021
Electrical SystemEngineFuel/propulsion System

Driving highway speed and truck shut off completely. Took to dealer, no issues found. 800 miles later driving highway speed truck shut off again. Took to dealer, no issues found so far. Complete loss of power, power steering, power brakes, etc. Display read, "Press brake and push button to start" while coasting in neutral both t…

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Driving highway speed and truck shut off completely. Took to dealer, no issues found. 800 miles later driving highway speed truck shut off again. Took to dealer, no issues found so far. Complete loss of power, power steering, power brakes, etc. Display read, "Press brake and push button to start" while coasting in neutral both times.

NHTSA ODI #11442452

Mileage unknown · Oct 4, 2021
Fuel/propulsion System

Lost control of pedal no acceleration this has happened multiple times taken to dealership on multiple occasions. They can’t find a code for issue. Uconect reports the issue when it happens. It is a intermittent problem that occurs in some heavy traffic at times.

NHTSA ODI #11435457

19,000 miles · Apr 7, 2021
Fuel/propulsion System

2020 RAM 2500 DIESEL 1900 MILES BEGAN TO LOSE POWER WHILE TRAVELING 70MPH ON THE EXPRESSWAY. I ATTEMPTED TO ACCELERATE TO NO AVAIL. I WAS TRAVELING IN THE FAST LANE AND CAUSED SERVAL VEHICLES TO ABRUPTLY CHANGE LANES AS TO NOT MAKE CONTACT WITH THE TRUCK. I ATTEMPTED TO EXIT THE ROAD, CHANGING MULTIPLY LANES, THE VEHICLE CO…

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2020 RAM 2500 DIESEL 1900 MILES BEGAN TO LOSE POWER WHILE TRAVELING 70MPH ON THE EXPRESSWAY. I ATTEMPTED TO ACCELERATE TO NO AVAIL. I WAS TRAVELING IN THE FAST LANE AND CAUSED SERVAL VEHICLES TO ABRUPTLY CHANGE LANES AS TO NOT MAKE CONTACT WITH THE TRUCK. I ATTEMPTED TO EXIT THE ROAD, CHANGING MULTIPLY LANES, THE VEHICLE CONTINUED TO LOSE POWER BECOMING A HAZARD TO MOVING TRAFFIC. I WAS ABLE TO MANEUVER THE VEHICLE OFF THE ROAD. THE TRUCK WAS SHAKING AND SPUTTERING. I TURNED OFF THE TRUCK AND ATTEMPTED TO RESTART. THE TRUCK WOULD TURN OVER BUT NOT START. A TOW TRUCK WAS DISPATCHED TO MY LOCATION AND THE TRUCK TOWED TO LOCAL DEALERSHIP. I WAS TOLD THE FUEL PUMP CP4 HAD FAILED AND METAL SHAVINGS WERE IN MY FUEL SYSTEM.

NHTSA ODI #11406962

Official recalls

8

25V765000 · Air Bags:frontal; Steering:steering Control Module

Nov 6, 2025

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 & remedy

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.

Additional source detail variants (2)

Steering:steering Control Module

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.

Air Bags:frontal

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.

23V060000 · Electrical System:wiring:relays/solenoids

Feb 9, 2023

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 & remedy

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.

22V904000 · Structure:body:tailgate:hinge And Attachments

Dec 8, 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.

Consequence & remedy

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.

22V835000 · Power Train:automatic Transmission

Nov 10, 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.

Consequence & remedy

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.

22V140000 · Electronic Stability Control (esc); Service Brakes, Hydraulic:antilock/traction Control/electronic Limited Slip:control Unit/module

Mar 10, 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."

Consequence & remedy

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.

Additional source detail variants (2)

Electronic Stability Control (esc)

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.

Service Brakes, Hydraulic:antilock/traction Control/electronic Limited Slip:control Unit/module

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.

21V925000 · Air Bags:side/window:curtain

Nov 24, 2021

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 & remedy

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.

21V798000 · Electrical System:wiring:relays/solenoids

Oct 14, 2021

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 & remedy

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.

21V163000 · Electrical System

Mar 11, 2021

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 & remedy

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.

Model-level recall history does not show whether a particular VIN is affected or has received a repair. Check a VIN with NHTSA ↗

NHTSA investigations

0

No exact-year investigations in this snapshot.