2021 RAM 2500 Fuel system Problems

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

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

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 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

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 upon driving several miles and refueling the vehicle, he noticed that the Diesel Exhaust Fluid (DEF) additive gauge remained stuck in the same position. There was no warning light illuminated. The dealer was notified of the failure and informed the contact that it was a known failure and that the failure would persist even after the repair. Upon investigating the failure, the contact discovered that the failure mainly occurred in cold weather due to the DEF additive crystallization in cold temperatures, causing the additive gauge to be stuck in the same position. A message indicating to add a DEF additive in the vehicle for safety was displayed. The vehicle was not repaired. Additionally, the contact stated that the tailgate latch had fractured due to cold weather and had been replaced three times by the dealer. The vehicle was not repaired. The manufacturer was not notified of the failure. The failure mileage was approximately 8,000.

NHTSA ID

11502369

Incident

Nov 18, 2021

Mileage

8,000 mi

The contact owns a 2021 Ram 2500. The contact stated while driving 60 MPH, the warning message stated that 5 MPH maximum at 1500 miles service DEF system, see dealer. The check engine warning light was illuminated. The contact stated that the vehicle went into LIMP Mode and decelerated. The vehicle was taken to the dealer and the diesel injectors were replaced; however, the failure reoccurred. The diesel injectors were replaced several times, but the failure continued. The manufacturer was contacted and a case was filed. The failure mileage was 700.

NHTSA ID

11495769

Incident

Dec 2, 2021

Mileage

700 mi

Driving highway speed and truck shut off completely. Took to dealer, no issues found. 800 miles later driving highway speed truck shut off again. Took to dealer, no issues found so far. Complete loss of power, power steering, power brakes, etc. Display read, "Press brake and push button to start" while coasting in neutral both times.

NHTSA ID

11442452

Incident

Nov 19, 2021

Lost control of pedal no acceleration this has happened multiple times taken to dealership on multiple occasions. They can’t find a code for issue. Uconect reports the issue when it happens. It is a intermittent problem that occurs in some heavy traffic at times.

NHTSA ID

11435457

Incident

May 10, 2021

2020 RAM 2500 DIESEL 1900 MILES BEGAN TO LOSE POWER WHILE TRAVELING 70MPH ON THE EXPRESSWAY. I ATTEMPTED TO ACCELERATE TO NO AVAIL. I WAS TRAVELING IN THE FAST LANE AND CAUSED SERVAL VEHICLES TO ABRUPTLY CHANGE LANES AS TO NOT MAKE CONTACT WITH THE TRUCK. I ATTEMPTED TO EXIT THE ROAD, CHANGING MULTIPLY LANES, THE VEHICLE CONTINUED TO LOSE POWER BECOMING A HAZARD TO MOVING TRAFFIC. I WAS ABLE TO MANEUVER THE VEHICLE OFF THE ROAD. THE TRUCK WAS SHAKING AND SPUTTERING. I TURNED OFF THE TRUCK AND ATTEMPTED TO RESTART. THE TRUCK WOULD TURN OVER BUT NOT START. A TOW TRUCK WAS DISPATCHED TO MY LOCATION AND THE TRUCK TOWED TO LOCAL DEALERSHIP. I WAS TOLD THE FUEL PUMP CP4 HAD FAILED AND METAL SHAVINGS WERE IN MY FUEL SYSTEM.

NHTSA ID

11406962

Incident

Mar 24, 2021

Mileage

19,000 mi