KnownCarProblems2021 Ram 2500 Problems and Recalls
Owners filed 108 complaints with NHTSA about the 2021 Ram 2500, most often about the electrical (32% of complaints). It is 10th of 15 2500 model years by number of complaints and has 8 recalls.
⚠ Safety advisory2 recalls for this car came with a park-outside warning. See below and check your VIN at nhtsa.gov/recalls.
Most common 2021 Ram 2500 problems
Electrical
35 complaints · 32%The contact owned a 2021 Ram 2500. The contact received notification of NHTSA campaign number: 21v798000 (electrical system). The contact stated that while attempting to start the vehicle with a fob key from inside his residence, he did not hear the engine start. The contact looked outside when he noticed there were…
The contact owns a 2021 Ram 2500. The contact stated that the check engine warning light was illuminated. The contact also stated that the remote start was inoperable. The contact received notification of NHTSA campaign number: 23v060000 (electrical system) however, the part to do the recall repair was not yet…
Engine
28 complaints · 26%Half of these problems showed up before 42,000 miles. Parts named most often: engine.
The contact owns a 2021 Ram 2500. The contact stated that after the vehicle was repaired under NHTSA campaign number: 22v835000 (power train) he became aware that the replacement dipstick was 15-inches long instead the previous 44-inches in length. Additionally, the dipstick stated that it was not intended to check…
The contact owns a 2021 Ram 2500. The contact stated that while driving at various speeds, on several occasions, the vehicle lost motive power. The vehicle was taken to a dealer where it was diagnosed that the ECM needed to be updated. The ECM was updated but the failure persisted. The manufacturer was notified of the…
Transmission
25 complaints · 23%Body and structure
12 complaints · 11%Parts named most often: body.
Fuel system
11 complaints · 10%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…
The contact owns a 2021 Ram 2500. The contact stated that upon driving several miles and refueling the vehicle, he noticed that the diesel exhaust fluid (DEF) additive gauge remained stuck in the same position. There was no warning light illuminated. The dealer was notified of the failure and informed the contact that…
Brakes
10 complaints · 9%Parts named most often: antilock.
The contact owns a 2021 Ram 2500. The contact stated while driving 60 MPH, he heard an abnormal noise from the front passengerâs side of the vehicle. The contact stated the brake control warning light was illuminated. The contact was attempting to park on the side of the road but while depressing the brake pedal…
The contact owns a 2021 Ram 2500. The contact stated while driving approximately 30 MPH, the vehicle lost ABS functionality. The contact stated that while depressing the brake pedal, the vehicle failed to slow as needed, causing the vehicle to rear-end another vehicle. The contacted stated that the driver of the other…
Other or unspecified
8 complaints · 7%Steering
5 complaints · 5%
Complaints are owner reports to NHTSA, not verified defects. One complaint can name several components, so shares add up to more than 100%.
2021 Ram 2500 recalls
Steering: steering control module
Risk: A driver's side air bag that does not deploy as intended increases the risk of injury in a crash.
Fix: 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.
Full defect summary
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."
Electrical: relays/solenoids
Risk: An electrical short in the relay can result in an engine compartment fire with the ignition on or off, increasing the risk of injury.
Fix: 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
Full defect summary
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.
Body and structure: hinge and attachments
Risk: 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.
Fix: 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.
Full defect summary
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.
Transmission: automatic transmission
Risk: Leaking transmission fluid may contact an ignition source within the engine compartment, increasing the risk of a fire.
Fix: 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.
Full defect summary
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.
Stability control: electronic stability control (esc)
Risk: An ESC malfunction indicator light that fails to illuminate during an electronic stability control problem can increase the risk of a crash.
Fix: 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.
Full defect summary
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."
Air bags: curtain
Risk: An air bag that deploys improperly can increase the risk of injury in a crash.
Fix: 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.
Full defect summary
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.
Electrical: relays/solenoids
Risk: A vehicle fire increases the risk of injury.
Fix: 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.
Full defect summary
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.
Electrical: electrical system
Risk: A vehicle fire increases the risk of injury.
Fix: 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 servic
Full defect summary
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.
Recall repairs are free at any franchised dealer. Enter your VIN at nhtsa.gov/recalls to see which recalls are still open on your car.
Questions about the 2021 Ram 2500
- What are the most common problems with the 2021 Ram 2500?
- By NHTSA owner complaints: electrical (35 complaints); engine (28 complaints, typically around 42,000 miles); transmission (25 complaints).
- How many recalls does the 2021 Ram 2500 have?
- 8 recalls listed by NHTSA, the latest from November 6, 2025 (steering). Check your VIN at nhtsa.gov/recalls to see which ones are still open on your car.
- Is the 2021 a bad year for the Ram 2500?
- It is 10th of 15 2500 model years by number of complaints, with 108 complaints. Complaint counts are not adjusted for how many cars were sold, so popular years collect more of them, and the newest years have had less time to.