2021 RAM 2500 Engine Problems

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

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

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

The lifters failed at 64,000 miles they where replaced under warranty. but now the lifters are making noise again with 71,000 miles since replaced. it’s a bad design that could be fixed permanently with the right parts! No warning lights just failure.

NHTSA ID

11708630

Incident

Jan 2, 2026

After starting the vehicle, fire smell came into the cab. After exiting the vehicle smoke was coming from the engine. The engine caught on fire and car was totaled within 10 minutes.

NHTSA ID

11689556

Incident

Sep 19, 2025

TRANSMISSON MAKES A WHINING NOISE WHEN SHIFTING GEARS WHEN EXCELERATING. I HAVE TAKEN IT TO THE LOCAL RAM DEALERSHIP 4X NOW. FCA DID APPROVE A SMALL TRANSMISSION PART REPAIR, BUT UNFORTUNALTY IT DID NOT FIX THE PROBLEM.

NHTSA ID

11667678

Incident

Jun 1, 2024

Imminent lifter failure. Has a very loud tick. This is a very common and almost always catastrophic failure. This is on the 6.7L Cummins engine

NHTSA ID

11657727

Incident

Apr 30, 2025

The engine has had camshaft and lifter failure multiple times. The dealership has replaced the camshaft and lifters twice already , and now they have failed a 3rd time which has lead to metal in oil lubrication system. This has caused further damage to the engine crankshaft bearings, in my case the engine was still running with a tapping/knocking noise. However, this can result in engine locking up and causing vehicle to no longer operate. In the event of engine failure this heavy duty truck will have no power steering or power brakes, leading to a high likely hood of collision. This issue is widespread for all 2019+ RAM 2500 with the 6.7L Cummins engine. Ram has done nothing to address the faulty parts , and continue to replace with same flawed parts, and not correctly addressing the damage done to the engine after a lifter failure. Ram HD 2500,3500,4500,5500 are still being sold currently with these faulty parts.

NHTSA ID

11641149

Incident

Nov 13, 2024

Heater quit working on driver side only. Still heats on passenger side. Took it into an ASE mechanic and they said they have seen multiple RAM trucks with this same problem. It isn't the heater or heater core. It is the Cooling system - gaskets failed, and coolant sprays across intake.

NHTSA ID

11639083

Incident

Dec 2, 2024

The engine cam and lifters are bad. Engine started knocking with only 30,000 miles. Had to have lifters and cam replaced

NHTSA ID

11632320

Incident

Nov 15, 2024

August of 2023 I took my truck in for a check engine light. The dealership diagnosed it and said my def tank senor is turning on the check engine light. They repaired it, when I picked up the truck they told me that "it was burnt out" and replaced the part. Now 14 months later it's having the same issue. Wondering if other ram 2500 owners are having this same issue and if it is a repetitive issue. The repair cost me over $963.00 dollars.

NHTSA ID

11630801

Incident

Dec 11, 2024

When placing the truck in first gear to control speeds on steep declines both on and off road the vehicle's RPMS will climb significantly and the truck will accelerate abruptly under it's own power until it reaches 21-25mph. At which point the RPM's come down and truck begins to slow as expected. Once truck reaches a speed of 11mph the RPM's begin to climb again and the truck accelerates(Not due to gravity, but accelerates under it's own power) aggressively. It will continue to do this pattern until you either reach flat ground or switch gears. Safety is at risk due to uncontrolled descent down steep mountain passes. Constantly having to apply breaks to prevent the truck from going off the road. This safety liability is exacerbated when towing a trailer. I have reported the issue to the dealer multiple times with their claim that the vehicle is behaving as expected. I have not experienced this with any other vehicle. This is not common vehicle behavior. No warning Lamps, Messages or Other symptoms. Reproducible on any hill with steep enough descent.

NHTSA ID

11593628

Incident

Jun 1, 2022

My 2021 Ram 2500 6.7 truck quit on me driving down the road. When I raised the hood I could smell burned wires and see smoke. Luckily, it was raining or I think my truck would have burned up. I noticed melted plastic and burned wires on the drivers side of the truck. This particular truck had an Electrical system recall and shows to have been completed. (Safety Recall 13A/NHTSA 23V-060) If this recall was completed, maybe something else needs to be checked out. The truck is currently at a dealership to be repaired, but I will still be scared of it catching on fire because the dealership cannot tell me why or how the fire started. 03

NHTSA ID

11580670

Incident

Mar 1, 2024

The contact owns a 2021 Ram 2500. The contact stated that while driving at various speeds, on several occasions, the vehicle lost motive power. The vehicle was taken to a dealer where it was diagnosed that the ECM needed to be updated. The ECM was updated but the failure persisted. The manufacturer was notified of the failure. The failure mileage was 37,510.

NHTSA ID

11578857

Incident

Mar 5, 2024

Mileage

37,510 mi

3 months ago at around 23,000 miles, my truck had a P0302 Cylinder 2 misfire code, dealership “reset” the vehicle and code didn’t return. 3 weeks ago, cylinder 2 started having a loud tapping noise after the vehicle was fully warmed up. Vehicle has been at the dealership for 1 week with zero communication from the dealership or from the RAM caseworker. No rental car has been offered.

NHTSA ID

11572681

Incident

Jan 30, 2024

I recently bought this truck used from a Ford dealership. The next day when I was taking my wife for a short drive. I noticed the engine light was on the dash display. I the same time the truck started accelerating Like it was on cruise control and returning to a higher speed. The cruse control was not set when I tried to access the cruse control I would get the message that it was unavailable at this time. I had to stop the truck and turn the truck off. When I restarted the engine light was still on, but the acceleration stopped. I drove to the dealership to see if they had any information or recalls but by the time, I got there the engine light was off and their computer did not tell them anything. This has now happened two times. The dealership says I must bring the Truck in while this is happening. for them to get a reading. This is not my primary vehicle, and I don't drive it all the time and it is 45 minutes from any dealership. The uncontrolled acieration is a safety issue. The problem has not been reproduced Dealer thay had no idea what was happening. The warning lamp engine and the cruse control not available message., I am wondering if anyone else has had the problem?

NHTSA ID

11555957

Incident

Nov 10, 2023

The flexible section of the exhaust coming from the engine that connects to the rigid sections of exhaust that contains the DPF components developed a hole in it. I reported that exhaust was smelled inside my cab and that sooty smoke could be seen coming up by my passenger side front window for almost a month. The Ram dealership told me the first two times I took it there that it was normal for regens to create smokey conditions. It was not til the third trip to the dealer, after being treated for bronchitis, GI problems, and extreme fatigue with elevated levels of CO in my blood that they finally lifted the truck and found an exhaust leak. I am concerned that the excessive regens caused by the faulty PM sensor that they just fixed caused the section of exhaust to fail. And if it is a widespread issue, others may also be exposed to dangerous levels of diesel exhaust.

NHTSA ID

11552373

Incident

Oct 19, 2023

I was at a stop light. When I went to go, Truck Stalled for No reason and I lost All control. No steering, No brakes, and it would NOT start until I came to a full stop after almost getting side swiped by oncoming cars in opposite lane, of which I rolled into

NHTSA ID

11527847

Incident

Jun 16, 2023

Fire on sliding portion of read window. Short on connection point of wiring harness for defroster. Dealer verified and confirmed. All has been documented. Also has had PCM and other electrical components real places two times now, along with other electrical issues that are still ongoing since time of purchase back in March of 2021. John L. Sullivan of Yuba City refuses to do work or rectify this issue. Ryan Triebess, the service manager, has a personal attachment to online reviews and refuses work to any paying customer that voices their dissatisfaction leaving me with a truck that to this day is a fire risk.

NHTSA ID

11526286

Incident

Dec 15, 2021

The contact owns a 2021 Ram 2500. The contact stated that the check engine warning light was illuminated. The contact also stated that the remote start was inoperable. The contact received notification of NHTSA Campaign Number: 23V060000 (Electrical System) however, the part to do the recall repair was not yet available. The local dealer was contacted. The contact stated that the manufacturer had exceeded a reasonable amount of time for the recall repair. The manufacturer was made aware of the issue. The failure mileage was approximately 48,000. Parts distribution disconnect.

NHTSA ID

11525880

Incident

May 10, 2023

Mileage

48,000 mi

My local Ram Dealership in Del Rio, Texas (Ram Country), has refused to repair my open recalls on my 2021 Ram 2500 Diesel. This includes the heater relay recall and the transmission dipstick recall. I have visited the dealership on at least 5 occassions and each time I am put on a new "waiting list". Ram Country has informed me that they get parts weekly and will call me to schedule needed repairs, however they never do. What can I do to get my recalls fixed, and finally closed. I get FCA recall notifications warning me to get my recalls completed, however again, my local Ram Dealer refuses to schedule a repair, and continues putting my on a waiting list, and has recommended that maybe I should get a new vehicle. For your information........I paid $75,000.00 for my truck 22 months ago, and I cant buy a new truck everytime the manufacturer refuses to make a diligent effort for recall remediation. I need help please..........

NHTSA ID

11524720

Incident

Aug 3, 2021

The contact owns a 2021 Ram 2500. The contact stated that on multiple occasions while driving at various speeds, the vehicle started to decelerate inadvertently while the accelerator pedal was depressed. The vehicle then lost motive power. The contact stated that the vehicle failed to exceed 10 MPH. The contact then stated that a message appeared on the instrument panel, indicating to “See Dealer - Exhaust Filter Clogged”. The check engine warning light was illuminated. The vehicle was taken to the dealer where it was diagnosed that the fuel pump failed and needed to be replaced. The vehicle was repaired; however, the failure recurred. The vehicle was taken back to the dealer where it was diagnosed, and the fuel pump was replaced; however, the failure recurred. The contact stated that the vehicle was taken back to the dealer where it was diagnosed that the low fuel pressure, filter housing, time fuel line, and TIPM module needed to be replaced. The vehicle was repaired; however, the failure recurred. The vehicle was taken back to the dealer where the vehicle remained. The manufacturer was notified of the failure and the contact was provided a case number. The failure mileage was approximately 14,000.

NHTSA ID

11518082

Incident

Mar 2, 2023

Mileage

14,000 mi

The contact owns a 2021 Ram 2500. The contact stated that after the vehicle was repaired under NHTSA Campaign Number: 22V835000 (Power Train) he became aware that the replacement dipstick was 15-inches long instead the previous 44-inches in length. Additionally, the dipstick stated that it was not intended to check the transmission fluid level. The manufacturer was notified of the issue and advised the contact to take the vehicle to dealer to have the fluid level checked. The contact was not provided information for the change in the dipstick. The failure mileage was approximately 42,000.

NHTSA ID

11513207

Incident

Mar 19, 2023

Mileage

42,000 mi

A high percentage of Ram owners with the 6.7 Cummins Engine are removing the Grid Heater due to a weak bolt that, over time becomes weak and falls down into the intake of the engine. The bolt will go directly into the engine block and cause catastrophic damage. There is an aftermarket fix which is a heater element installed into the intake horn itself instead of directly on top of the flat intake surface.

NHTSA ID

11506551

Incident

Feb 10, 2023

The contact owns a 2021 Ram 2500. The contact stated while approaching a stop sign or stop light, the vehicle stalled. The vehicle had to be placed in park and restarted. While driving at an undetermined speed, the vehicle stalled. There were no warning lights illuminated. Additionally, the rim cover had detached from the wheel. The vehicle was taken to the local dealer however, the mechanic was unable to retrieve any fault codes. The vehicle was not repaired. The dealer was informed that the rim covers were not replaceable, and that the rim needed to be replaced. The vehicle was taken to another local dealer, Allen Samuels Jeep RAM (2201 University Ave, Oxford, MS 38655) however, the mechanic was unable to duplicate the failure. The vehicle was not repaired. The manufacturer was contacted but no additional assistance was provided. The failure mileage was approximately 50,000.

NHTSA ID

11500473

Incident

Jan 1, 2022

Mileage

50,000 mi