2021 Ram 3500 Electrical System Problems
NHTSA lists 18 Electrical System complaints for the 2021 Ram 3500, 29% of all complaints for the year, with a median failure mileage of 25,000. Three related recalls exist, all tied to an electrical short risk near the Cummins 6.7L intake heater grid relay, including one fire.
- Electrical System complaints
- 18
- 29% of 62
- Crashes reported
- 0
- Fires reported
- 1
- Injuries reported
- 0
- Median mileage
- 25,000 mi
- Related recalls
- 3
Typical electrical symptoms owners report
- Owners report a vehicle fire starting in the engine compartment while driving, forcing occupants to exit quickly.
- Multiple warning lights, including check engine, cruise control, 4WD, stability control, ABS, and trailer brake, illuminate together at highway speed and require restarting the vehicle's computer.
- The automatic headlight sensor turns lights on and off at random during night driving, and the auto high-beam sensor can mask a loss of driving lights.
- Several owners state they received recall notices for the electrical short campaign but could not get the repair completed because replacement parts were unavailable for extended periods.
- Owners report being told to park outside due to fire risk while waiting on backordered recall parts.
When 2021 Ram 3500 electrical complaints were filed
First complaint Apr 27, 2022, latest Jul 1, 2026.
Electrical System recalls for the 2021 Ram 3500
- 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 3500 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 NHTSA have for the 2021 Ram 3500?
- NHTSA lists 18 Electrical System complaints for the 2021 Ram 3500, which is 29% of the 62 total complaints filed for that model year.
- Is there a recall for the 2021 Ram 3500 electrical system?
- Yes. Three recalls cover the electrical system: 23V060000, 21V798000, and 21V163000, all involving an electrical short risk in or near the Cummins 6.7L intake heater grid relay. Two of the three tell owners to park outside away from structures.
- At what mileage do 2021 Ram 3500 electrical problems usually appear?
- The median mileage at failure for Electrical System complaints on the 2021 Ram 3500 is 25,000 miles.
- Did the 2021 Ram 3500 electrical issue cause any fires?
- NHTSA complaint data for the 2021 Ram 3500 Electrical System category records 1 fire and 0 crashes or injuries.