What Owners Report NHTSA ODI · 2,175,102 complaints · MY1998–2026

2021 RAM 2500

Typical pattern

6.2% of complaints about the 2021 RAM 2500 came in the first year, which is unremarkable for a 2021 vehicle — around the middle of the 159 model-years on record. The median complaint arrives at 2.8 yr in service. The most-reported system is electrical system (35 complaints), typically at 2.5 yr or about 48,000 miles.

Complaints
162
Median age at failure
2.8 yr
Median mileage
34,000 n=22
Crash / fire / tow
14.2% of reports
Safety recalls
8 2 do not drive

When each system is reported — middle 50% of complaints

System
0y2y4y6y8y10y12y14y
Electrical system
35 reports · 48,000 mi
2.5 yr
14.3%
Engine
26 reports · 48,000 mi
3.3 yr
19.2%
Power train
25 reports
2.8 yr
4%

Safety recalls — NHTSA campaigns

23V060000 2023-02-09 Do not drive
Electrical system:wiring:relays/solenoids

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.

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

21V798000 2021-10-14 Do not drive
Electrical system:wiring:relays/solenoids

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.

A vehicle fire increases the risk of injury.

25V765000 2025-11-06
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."

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

22V904000 2022-12-08
Structure:body:tailgate:hinge and attachments

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.

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.

22V835000 2022-11-10
Power train:automatic transmission

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.

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

22V140000 2022-03-10
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."

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

21V925000 2021-11-24
Air bags:side/window:curtain

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.

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

21V163000 2021-03-11
Electrical system

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.

A vehicle fire increases the risk of injury.

In owners’ own words

Electrical system mileage not reported 1.2 yr in service
My vehicle has a 12" screen in the dash. While Operating the Vehicle, weather notifications keep popping up. I've looked for ways to disable this "feature", even gone as far as cancelling the Sirius connected feature(by calling Sirius).These Pop-ups still persist and are distracting me from paying attention to the road. There is not way to turn these off.
Electrical system mileage not reported 1.2 yr in service
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.
Electrical system mileage not reported 2.4 yr in service
A high percentage of Ram owners with the 6.7 Cummins Engine are removing the Grid Heater due to a weak bolt that, over time becomes weak and falls down into the intake of the engine. The bolt will go directly into the engine block and cause catastrophic damage. There is an aftermarket fix which is a heater element installed into the intake horn itself instead of directly on top of the flat intake surface.
Engine mileage not reported 1.2 yr in service
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.

Other 2500 model years

20252022202120202019201820172016201520142013

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