2021 Ram 3500 Problems, Recalls & Reliability
Verdict
BestComplaint Index
8/100
#12 most-complained of 13 3500 years
Based on NHTSA complaints per model-year, not a reliability rating. Methodology
The 2021 Ram 3500 has a complaint index of 8, the lowest of all 13 model years, ranking it 12th out of 13 (Best). It has 62 complaints and 9 recalls, with electrical system issues (29% of complaints) being the top concern.
- Complaints
- 62
- Recalls
- 9
- Crashes / fires
- 0 / 4
- Injuries / deaths
- 0 / 0
- NHTSA overall rating
- Not rated
- EPA combined MPG
- —
Top 2021 Ram 3500 problems
NHTSA owner complaints by component group. Groups with 15+ complaints have their own page.
- Electrical System18 (29%)
- Engine14 (23%)
- Suspension, Wheels & Tires11 (18%)
- Transmission & Powertrain11 (18%)
- Other9 (15%)
- Brakes6 (10%)
- Structure & Body6 (10%)
- Fuel System5 (8%)
- Collision Avoidance & Cameras4 (6%)
- Seat Belts1 (2%)
What owners report
- Owners report engine bay fires starting while driving, in some cases with no warning lights illuminated before flames appeared.
- Some describe the transmission overheating warning light coming on followed by flames from under the hood.
- Owners report the power steering intermittently cutting out, with long waits for replacement parts.
- Some describe multiple warning lights (check engine, ABS, stability control, 4WD) illuminating together at once, requiring the dealer to reset the computer.
- Owners report the tailgate opening unexpectedly while towing, triggering stability control warnings.
- Some describe persistent false TPMS tire-pressure warnings even when tires later fail.
2021 Ram 3500 recalls
9 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 3500 years
Frequently asked questions
- Is the 2021 Ram 3500 reliable?
- Among Ram 3500 model years, 2021 has the lowest complaint index at 8 and ranks 12th out of 13 years, earning a 'Best' verdict relative to other 3,500 years.
- What problems does the 2021 Ram 3500 have?
- NHTSA complaints for the 2021 Ram 3500 are led by the electrical system (29% of complaints), followed by engine issues (23%) and suspension/wheel problems (18%). Four fires were reported.
- Does the 2021 Ram 3500 have any recalls?
- NHTSA lists 9 recalls for the 2021 Ram 3500, covering steering, electrical (heater grid short with a park-outside advisory), structure/body, transmission, brakes, airbags, and suspension components.
- How does the 2021 Ram 3500 compare to other years?
- The 2021 model's complaint index of 8 is far lower than the 2018 model's index of 100 and the 2017 model's 83, both rated Avoid, making 2021 one of the better years for the 3500.