2021 Ram 2500 Problems, Recalls & Reliability
Verdict
BestComplaint Index
17/100
#11 most-complained of 13 2500 years
The 2021 Ram 2500 ranks 11th of 13 model years with a Complaint Index of 17 and a 'Best' verdict relative to other Ram 2500 years. NHTSA lists 108 complaints, 8 recalls, and 8 fires, with electrical system issues the top problem area at 33% of complaints.
- Complaints
- 108
- Recalls
- 8
- Crashes / fires
- 6 / 8
- Injuries / deaths
- 2 / 0
- NHTSA overall rating
- 4 / 5 ★
- EPA combined MPG
- —
Top 2021 Ram 2500 problems
NHTSA owner complaints by component group. Groups with 15+ complaints have their own page.
- Electrical System36 (33%)
- Engine29 (27%)
- Transmission & Powertrain25 (23%)
- Structure & Body14 (13%)
- Brakes11 (10%)
- Fuel System11 (10%)
- Other9 (8%)
- Steering5 (5%)
- Airbags4 (4%)
- Seat Belts4 (4%)
What owners report
- Owners report engine bay fires starting near the passenger wheel well and battery area, with smoke turning black quickly.
- Drivers describe frontal or head-on crashes where the airbags and seatbelt lockup failed to deploy despite significant impact speed.
- Some owners report the truck starting on fire after a remote fob start attempt, tied to the electrical system recall.
- One owner described the transmission slipping out of park while running, causing the truck to roll away unattended.
- Owners report wiring shorts in heated seats and rear window defroster harnesses leading to interior fires.
- A brake pedal reportedly failed to engage during stop-and-go traffic, resulting in a rear-end collision.
2021 Ram 2500 recalls
8 NHTSA recall campaigns list this model year.
- NHTSA 25V765000Nov 6, 2025Steering532 vehicles
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."
Risk: 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.
- NHTSA 23V060000Feb 9, 2023Electrical System302,067 vehiclesPark Outside
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.
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.
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.
- NHTSA 22V904000Dec 8, 2022Structure & Body1,224,078 vehicles
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.
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.
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.
2021 compared with other 2500 years
Frequently asked questions
- Is the 2021 Ram 2500 reliable?
- Relative to other Ram 2500 model years, the 2021 ranks well, placing 11th worst out of 13 years with a Complaint Index of 17 and a 'Best' verdict. NHTSA still lists 108 complaints and 8 recalls for the year.
- What are the most common problems with the 2021 Ram 2500?
- Electrical system issues make up 33% of complaints, followed by engine problems at 27% and transmission/powertrain issues at 23%. Electrical complaints show a median failure mileage of 48,000 miles.
- Does the 2021 Ram 2500 have recalls?
- NHTSA lists 8 recalls for the 2021 Ram 2500, covering steering, electrical shorts in the Cummins diesel heater grid relay, tailgate latching, transmission dipstick leaks, ABS software, and airbag curtain assemblies. None are do-not-drive recalls.
- Are there fire risks with the 2021 Ram 2500?
- NHTSA lists 8 fire-related complaints for the 2021 Ram 2500, several tied to electrical shorts under the hood or in heated seat wiring, and two recalls advise owners to park outside due to shock risk.
- How does the 2021 Ram 2500 compare to other years?
- The 2021 Ram 2500 has a Complaint Index of 17, far lower than the 2018 model's index of 100 or the 2017 model's 92, both rated 'Avoid'. Among Ram 2500 years, 2021 is one of the better-performing years.