2021 Ram 2500 Electrical System Problems
NHTSA lists 36 Electrical System complaints for the 2021 Ram 2500, making up 33% of all complaints for that year — a much higher share than in most other model years. Five of those complaints involve fires, and three separate recalls cover electrical shorts tied to the Cummins 6.7L intake heater grid relay.
- Electrical System complaints
- 36
- 33% of 108
- Crashes reported
- 0
- Fires reported
- 5
- Injuries reported
- 0
- Median mileage
- 48,000 mi
- Related recalls
- 3
Typical electrical symptoms owners report
- Engine bay fires reported near the passenger side battery and intake filter area, sometimes with smoke turning black before flames appear.
- Vehicles catch fire or smoke while parked, plugged in, or being started remotely, without any prior warning light.
- Trucks lose all power while driving at highway speed, cutting steering and brake assist, with the display showing a prompt to press the brake and push the start button.
- Wiring harness connections, such as at the rear window defroster, short out and require repeated replacement of electrical components like the PCM.
- Owners waiting on recall repairs for the electrical system report dealers lacking parts, delaying fixes beyond a reasonable time.
- A 12-inch dash screen repeatedly shows weather notification pop-ups that owners could not disable, describing it as a driving distraction.
When 2021 Ram 2500 electrical complaints were filed
First complaint Aug 20, 2021, latest Apr 16, 2026.
Electrical System recalls for the 2021 Ram 2500
- 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 21V798000Oct 14, 2021Electrical System131,177 vehiclesPark Outside
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.
Risk: 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.
- NHTSA 21V163000Mar 11, 2021Electrical System19,214 vehicles
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.
Risk: 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.
Electrical System complaints by 2500 model year
Raw complaint counts per model year; newer years have had less time to accumulate complaints.
Frequently asked questions
- How many electrical complaints does the 2021 Ram 2500 have?
- NHTSA lists 36 Electrical System complaints for the 2021 Ram 2500, which is 33% of all 108 complaints filed for that model year.
- Is there a recall for the 2021 Ram 2500 electrical system?
- Yes. Three recalls apply: 21V163000, 21V798000, and 23V060000, all covering an electrical short risk in the Cummins 6.7L Turbo Diesel intake heater grid relay. Two of the three recalls advise owners to park outside until repaired.
- Have there been fires linked to the 2021 Ram 2500 electrical system?
- NHTSA data shows 5 fires among the 36 Electrical System complaints for the 2021 Ram 2500, with no crashes or injuries reported.
- At what mileage do electrical problems show up on the 2021 Ram 2500?
- The median mileage at failure across the reported Electrical System complaints is 48,000 miles.