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

2021 RAM 3500

Typical pattern

12.1% of complaints about the 2021 RAM 3500 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 3.1 yr in service. The most-reported system is electrical system (17 complaints), typically at 3.0 yr or about 25,000 miles.

Complaints
91
Median age at failure
3.1 yr
Median mileage
30,000 n=14
Crash / fire / tow
9.9% of reports
Safety recalls
9 2 do not drive

When each system is reported — middle 50% of complaints

System
0y2y4y6y8y10y12y14y
Electrical system
17 reports · 25,000 mi
3.0 yr
5.9%

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.

21V398000 2021-05-27
Wheels:lugs/nuts/bolts/studs

Chrysler (FCA US, LLC) is recalling certain 2012-2021 RAM 3500, 3500 Cab Chassis, 4500 Cab Chassis, and 5500 Cab Chassis vehicles. Incorrect information in the Service and Owner's Manuals may cause the flanged lug nuts to be over-tightened, which could result in a broken wheel stud and possible wheel separation.

Wheel separation can cause a vehicle 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 1.9 yr in service
The Auto lights sensor turns lights on/off at random during dark/night driving. The high beam auto sensor keeps the high beams on, so you do not notice losing driving lights. I found this out by accident, when I started losing my trailer lights at night. Quick fix, turn the light switch to on, instead of auto. NOTE - Cost me over 1000.00 to find that out. Re-wire the trailer, replace the 7-way plug.
Electrical system mileage not reported 2.6 yr in service
The contact owns a 2021 Ram 3500. The contact received notification of NHTSA Campaign Number: 23V060000 (Electrical System) however, the part to do the recall repair was not yet available. An unknown local dealer was contacted. The contact stated that the manufacturer had exceeded a reasonable amount of time for the recall repair. The manufacturer was not made aware of the issue. The contact had not experienced a failure. VIN tool confirms parts not available.
Electrical system mileage not reported 2.2 yr in service
The contact owns a 2021 Ram 3500. The contact received notification of NHTSA Campaign Number: 22V835000 (Power Train) and 23V060000 (Electrical System) however, the parts to do the recall repairs were unavailable. The contact stated that the manufacturer had exceeded a reasonable amount of time for the recall repairs. The manufacturer was not made aware of the issue. The contact had not experienced a failure. VIN tool confirms parts not available.

Other 3500 model years

202620252022202120202019201820172016201520142013

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