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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

Seat Belts complaints

4 reports
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Mileage unknown · Jan 5, 2026
Seat Belts

The rear right seat belt became stuck and would not release, trapping my [XXX] son. Although the buckle was unlatched, he was entangled in the seat belt, and the retraction system would not loosen. The vehicle was stationary at the time of the incident. Due to the inability to safely release the seat belt, emergency services w…

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The rear right seat belt became stuck and would not release, trapping my [XXX] son. Although the buckle was unlatched, he was entangled in the seat belt, and the retraction system would not loosen. The vehicle was stationary at the time of the incident. Due to the inability to safely release the seat belt, emergency services were contacted. Police and fire department personnel responded to the scene and conducted an assessment. Based on their evaluation, they determined that the safest and most appropriate course of action was to cut the seat belt in order to free my son. This type of malfunction has never occurred previously with this vehicle. At no point before or during the incident were any warning lights, alerts, or messages displayed indicating a restraint system fault. INFORMATION REDACTED PURSUANT TO THE FREEDOM OF INFORMATION ACT (FOIA), 5 U.S.C. 552(B)(6)

NHTSA ODI #11708827

Mileage unknown · Jun 27, 2024
Seat Belts

The passenger side seat belt retractor failed on this truck a couple of months ago. We had the parts replaced by the local dealer and did not think anything about it until our second truck also had the same issue and seriously hurt my mother. Report number 11597310. As the same part failed on two different trucks in a short pe…

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The passenger side seat belt retractor failed on this truck a couple of months ago. We had the parts replaced by the local dealer and did not think anything about it until our second truck also had the same issue and seriously hurt my mother. Report number 11597310. As the same part failed on two different trucks in a short period of time, we googled the issue and found lots of other RAM truck owners complaining of the same issue. We called RAM and they said there is no recall for the issue and there was nothing they would do. If this part fails, causing the retractor to lock and continue to "rachet" down on the passenger is could cause serious harm to people. My mother was hurt and we had to force the emergency release at the base of the seatbelt to get her out. If a person is alone in the vehicle when this part fails there is no way they could escape and it could cause a fatality.

NHTSA ODI #11597312

Mileage unknown · Jun 27, 2024
Seat Belts

Passenger side seatbelt locked in place and would not release. It continued to retract but would not release. We had to use the emergency release mechanism at the base to get the passenger free from the seatbelt. This was super scary. The seatbelt is in perfect condition, the truck has never been in an accident or had any o…

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Passenger side seatbelt locked in place and would not release. It continued to retract but would not release. We had to use the emergency release mechanism at the base to get the passenger free from the seatbelt. This was super scary. The seatbelt is in perfect condition, the truck has never been in an accident or had any other issues. It has been perfectly maintained. We took the vehicle into the closest dealer and they stated that it was a known issue and charged us $200 to replace a solenoid part. We googled the issue and found thousands of people that had the same issue. We called Chrysler Ram at 800-853-1403 and they said there wasn't a recall for this truck specifically, but it was very similar to several other recalls for seatbelts for the same year and model of truck; however there was nothing that they could do to help.

NHTSA ODI #11597310

Mileage unknown · Aug 12, 2021
Air BagsSeat BeltsCrashInjury

I was driving my 2021 ram 2500 west at approximately 35mph when a oncoming vehicle a 2008 Dodge Nitro failed to navigate a curve in the road crossing center line of road hitting me head on at a estimated 50-6- mph. (Driver was ticket for to fast for conditions) It was a clear , dry day. The Ram trucks air bag and seatbelt restr…

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I was driving my 2021 ram 2500 west at approximately 35mph when a oncoming vehicle a 2008 Dodge Nitro failed to navigate a curve in the road crossing center line of road hitting me head on at a estimated 50-6- mph. (Driver was ticket for to fast for conditions) It was a clear , dry day. The Ram trucks air bag and seatbelt restraint system did not deploy/lockup . There were no warning lights , messages, or symptoms making me aware of any problems. The vehicle was towed from the scene, incapable of moving on its own. Vehicle has only 2000mi. The vehicle was inspected by insurance company and found to need a complete new frame due to the impact. 100s of people from police officers to dealers to service managers for Ram cannot believe that there was no airbag deployment or seatbelt restraint. Ram had a independent person inspect vehicle and and within 48 hours Ram sent me a email saying THE RATE OF DECELERATION NESSARY TO ACTIVATE THE AIRBAG SYSTEM WAS NOT THERE IN THUS ACCIDENT. I really disagree with Ram in this case as does Everyone That has seen the vehicle. When a 8000lb truck gets hit hard enough from a 3000lb car to knock it off the center of road and up over the curb that should have been more than enough impact to make my safety devices in my vehicle work as expected. If this accident did not provide enough acceleration for my safety equipment to work I believe along with many others that something in design is flawed.

NHTSA ODI #11428902

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.