RoadVitals

2021 RAM 2500

Recalls, owner-reported complaints, investigations and safety data

Data refreshed

NHTSA has issued a “park outside” advisory affecting this model year.

Campaign 23V060000. Confirm whether your specific vehicle is covered using its VIN before acting on this.

Check your VIN on NHTSA.gov
Owner complaintsComplaints are reports submitted to NHTSA by owners and drivers. NHTSA does not verify most reports before publishing them, and a complaint does not establish that a defect exists. Volume is influenced by how many of a vehicle were sold, how long it has been on the road, and how much attention an issue has received.
105
+3 complaints in 30 days
Safety recallsA safety recall is issued when a manufacturer or NHTSA determines that a vehicle has a safety-related defect or does not comply with a federal motor vehicle safety standard. Recall repairs are free. Whether a specific vehicle is covered depends on its VIN — a recall listed for a model year does not necessarily apply to every vehicle of that year.
8
Latest Nov 6, 2025
InvestigationsNHTSA opens an investigation to examine whether a safety defect may exist. An open investigation is not a determination that a defect exists, and many investigations close without a recall. Investigations can, however, lead to one.
0
Crash or fire reportedComplaints whose submitter recorded that a crash or a fire occurred. These are the reporter's own answers on the NHTSA form, not verified findings.
14
2 injuries, 0 deaths reported

Overview

Our database contains 105 NHTSA owner-reported complaints for the 2021 RAM 2500, most frequently naming the electrical, engine and powertrain (other) categories. 8 safety recalls have been issued covering this model year; and 553 manufacturer communications are on file.

Complaints are reports submitted by owners and drivers to NHTSA. They are not verified and do not establish that a defect exists.

What owners report

Complaints grouped by the component NHTSA recorded

Percentages are of component mentions. A single complaint can name more than one component, so these do not sum to the total complaint count.

Safety recalls

8 campaigns cover this model year

View all 8

Recalls apply to specific vehicles, not to every vehicle of a model year. Check your VIN with NHTSA or your manufacturer's dealer to confirm whether a recall affects your vehicle.

Check a VIN on NHTSA.gov
25V765000

AIR BAGS:FRONTAL; STEERING:STEERING CONTROL MODULE

Nov 6, 2025
532 units potentially affected
The defect: 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."
The risk: A driver's side air bag that does not deploy as intended increases the risk of injury in a crash.
The 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.
Chrysler (FCA US, LLC)Manufacturer number 14CView on NHTSA.gov
23V060000NHTSA advisory: park outside

ELECTRICAL SYSTEM:WIRING:RELAYS/SOLENOIDS

Feb 9, 2023
302,067 units potentially affected
The defect: 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.
The 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.
The 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.
Chrysler (FCA US, LLC)Manufacturer number 13AView on NHTSA.gov
22V904000

STRUCTURE:BODY:TAILGATE:HINGE AND ATTACHMENTS

Dec 8, 2022
1,224,078 units potentially affected
The defect: 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.
The 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.
The 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.
Chrysler (FCA US, LLC)Manufacturer number ZB8View on NHTSA.gov

Recent owner complaints

Reports submitted to NHTSA, shown in the owner's own words

View all 105
Driver assistanceEngine
Filed Jul 31, 2026

The contact owns a 2021 Ram ProMaster 2500. The contact received notifications of NHTSA Campaign Numbers: 25V552000 (Back Over Prevention) and 25V720000 (Engine and Engine Cooling); 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 repair. The vehicle was taken to the dealer, and the contact was informed that the repair might take 2 or 3 days to be completed. The dealer was only able to pay for a rental vehicle for two days. The contact stated that 5 days later, the dealer was still waiting on parts from the manufacturer to repair the vehicle. The vehicle was not repaired. The manufacturer was not made aware of the failure. The contact had not experienced a failure.

NHTSA ID
11753967
Incident
Aug 26, 2025
Driver assistance
Filed Jul 27, 2026

The contact owns a 2021 Ram Promaster 2500. The contact stated that while the vehicle was in reverse(R), the rear-view camera displayed a blank screen. The contact received notification of NHTSA Campaign Number: 25V552000 (Back Over Prevention) and associated the failure with the recall. The local dealer was contacted; however, the part to do the recall repair was not yet available. The contact stated that the dealer had exceeded a reasonable amount of time for the recall repair. The manufacturer was not made aware of the failure. The failure mileage was approximately 34,000.

NHTSA ID
11753071
Incident
Jul 1, 2024
Mileage
34,000 mi
Brakes
Filed Jul 21, 2026

This problem first occurred on a state highway in [XXX] in 2023 and again in 2026 (this incident.) While driving south on XXX, there was an undulation/slight bump in the interstate while in a mild right hand curve. My vehicles brakes engaged without my input and slowed me down from 70mph to 35mph with traffic behind me. My gas accelerator and brake pedal were unresponsive from user input. At no point was my vehicle out of control to trigger such aggressive braking from my ESC, ERM, or ABS. The concern here is that thankfully this was on dry roads and traffic was far enough behind me to avoid a collision. My concern is this happening in winter weather/icy/wet roads, or with significant traffic behind me causing a possible high speed rear-end vehicle accident. There was a safety recall for ESC/ABS a few years ago on my vehicle that I dealt with through the dealer. INFORMATION REDACTED PURSUANT TO THE FREEDOM OF INFORMATION ACT (FOIA), 5 U.S.C. 552(B)(6)

NHTSA ID
11751811
Incident
Jul 19, 2026
Body & structure
Filed Jun 16, 2026

There was a tailgate recall for the tailgate falling down potentially spilling cargo onto the road. The dealership Autonation Dodge in [XXX] tried fixing the recall multiple times but the tailgate kept falling down after they tried to fix it 2 or 3 times. Now they're trying to make me sign a service fee authorization which I don't agree with because either the recall isn't fixed, or there are other issues that can cause the tailgate to fall down which should be included in this recall because they can potentially cause the same dangerous situation which caused the recall. INFORMATION REDACTED PURSUANT TO THE FREEDOM OF INFORMATION ACT (FOIA), 5 U.S.C. 552(B)(6)

NHTSA ID
11744491
Incident
Feb 13, 2026
Powertrain (other)
Filed Apr 28, 2026

The 68RFE automatic transmission in this 2021 Ram 2500 6.7L Cummins fails to engage reverse when the transmission reaches operating temperature. When the gear selector is placed in reverse and the accelerator is applied, the engine revs but the truck does not move. The defect is intermittent and temperature-dependent, which means it cannot be predicted or avoided by the driver. The vehicle is used to tow an enclosed cargo trailer weighing approximately 7,000 pounds.The safety risk: inability to engage reverse on demand creates a hazard in any situation requiring reverse motion, including backing away from a stopped vehicle, reversing out of a fuel station, backing a loaded trailer at a campground or boat ramp, or executing an evasive reverse maneuver. With a trailer attached, loss of reverse function can leave the truck and trailer stranded in active traffic lanes or at intersections.The defect was first reported to a dealer in August 2023 with diagnostic trouble code P2701 stored (Friction Element B implausible pressure, internal transmission fault). The code was logged but not addressed at that visit. Over the following 32 months the same defect was reported to the same dealer four additional times. On the fourth visit the dealer replaced the complete transmission and torque converter under warranty and certified the repair complete after a documented 77 mile dealer test drive. The same defect returned approximately 4 customer miles after the truck was returned to me. The truck is currently at the dealer for the fifth repair attempt, with the dealer's own write-up confirming that the vehicle will not move while in reverse at operating temperature.The defect has been confirmed by the dealer service department through their own diagnostic process, has been documented across five repair orders, and has resulted in a complete factory transmission and torque converter replacement that failed to resolve the issue.Warning indicators: a P2701 diagnostic trouble code was s

NHTSA ID
11734218
Incident
Apr 28, 2026
ElectricalSteering
Filed Apr 16, 2026

THE VEHICLE HAS UNEVEN RESPONSE WHEN TURNING OR DRIVING DOWN THE ROAD TURN SIGNALS DO NOT CANCEL PROPERLY AND IT HAS A PERSISTENT CLICKING SOUND COMING FROM THE STEERING COLUMN. MY SAFETY IS AT RISK AS THE STEERING ISNT CONSISTENT WHILE DRIVING. VEHICLE WAS INSPECTED BUT THEIR TECHNICIANS WERE UNABLE TO FIND ANY OF THE ONGOING PROBLEMS WITH THIS VEHICLE INCLUDING WORN SUSPENSION COMPONENTS.THIS PERSISTENT PROBLEM WITH THE STEERING AND CLICKING SOUND HAS BEEN ONGOING SINCE BEFORE I PURCHASED THE VEHICLE BACK IN DECEMBER WITH MULTIPLE CLUES AFTER VISUAL EXAMINATION OF A PRIOR ACCIDENT.

NHTSA ID
11731733
Incident
Dec 26, 2025
EngineFuel system
Filed Mar 21, 2026
Fire reported

Vehicle caught fire while engine was running, vehicle idling. Vehicle is a total loss. Prior NHTSA complaints regarding these vehicles causing fire from electrical components under the hood. Unknown if fire was due to electrical or leaking fuel issues under the hood. Major safety risk to occupants, especially children in car seats. Fire became out of control and burned the interior of the vehicle to bare metal. There were no injuries in this incident. This report being submitted by Law Enforcement on owners behalf. Full report from Law Enforcement included in this complaint.

NHTSA ID
11726100
Incident
Mar 20, 2026
Engine
Filed Mar 18, 2026

Ram is refusing to repair and item on my truck egr cooler is cracked, leaking and burning coolant. They have recalled every year model but mine. All have same issue, all have same part and part number. Dealership suggested I contact NTSB to see if I could get it recalled. It is said to cause ifres in some trucks

NHTSA ID
11725303
Incident
Mar 2, 2026

Manufacturer communications

A bulletin sent by a manufacturer to its dealers. Not a recall, and repairs are not necessarily free.

113742

ELECTRICAL SYSTEM; ENGINE

SENSOR - TURBOCHARGER SPEED

113744

ELECTRICAL SYSTEM; ENGINE

SENSOR - TURBOCHARGER SPEED

113276

CORE – HEATER

113277

CORE – HEATER

113070

ELECTRICAL SYSTEM; STRUCTURE:BODY

SWITCH – HEADLAMP

113069

ELECTRICAL SYSTEM; STRUCTURE:BODY

SWITCH – HEADLAMP

Manufacturers file copies of the bulletins they send to dealers with NHTSA. These often describe diagnostic or repair procedures for a known condition. They are not recalls: repairs described in a bulletin are usually only free if the vehicle is still under warranty or the manufacturer has extended coverage.

Compare model years

Complaint and recall counts across every year of this model

RAM 2500 by model year
YearComplaintsRecallsInvestigationsIssue Index
2027000—
2026226052.6
2025606056.6
2024545065.0
2023478059.0
202217412058.4
2021Viewing1058060.8
202016210261.6
201918912265.2
20182,53410468.2
201768012466.7
201625614363.8
201521215461.0
201434116459.8
201317816361.4
2012002—
2011002—
2010003—
2009511—
2008000—
2007000—
2006000—
2005000—
2004000—
2003000—

Higher-selling and older vehicles accumulate more reports. Counts are not failure rates and are not directly comparable between vehicles that sold in very different numbers. Older model years have had longer for reports to accumulate.