2021 Ram 2500 recalls, problems & safety ratings
NHTSA lists 8 recalls for the 2021 Ram 2500 and 108 owner complaints. The most-reported problem areas are electrical system (35), engine (26), power train (25). It earned a 4-star overall NHTSA safety rating. 2 recalls carry a Park It or Park Outside warning.
The 2021 ranks #4 of 14 2500 model years for fewest complaints (2012–2025), with fewer complaints than the average year (386). It has 8 recalls vs. an average of 10.6 per model year.
Recalls 8
Every recall NHTSA lists for the 2021 Ram 2500. Not every recall applies to every vehicle, so check your VIN. Recall repairs are free at a franchised dealer.
Air bags · frontal
Problem: 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.
Fix: 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.
Electrical system · wiring · relays/solenoids
Problem: 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.
Fix: 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.
Structure · body · tailgate · hinge and attachments
Problem: 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.
Fix: 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.
Power train · automatic transmission
Problem: FCA US, LLC (Chrysler) is recalling certain 2020-2023 Ram 2500 and 2020-2022 Ram 3500 vehicles. A build-up of pressure and heat inside the transmission may result in a transmission fluid leak from the dipstick tube.
Risk: Leaking transmission fluid may contact an ignition source within the engine compartment, increasing the risk of a fire.
Fix: Dealers will replace the transmission dipstick and transmission vent assembly, free of charge. Owner notification letters were mailed December 29, 2022. Owners may contact FCA US, LLC customer service at 1-800-853-1403. Chrysler's number for this recall is ZA3.
Service brakes, hydraulic · antilock/traction control/electronic limited slip · control unit/module
Problem: Chrysler (FCA US, LLC) is recalling certain 2019-2022 Ram 2500 and 2021-2022 Dodge Durango vehicles, and 2019-2022 3500 cab chassis with GVWR less than 10,000 lbs. The ABS control module software may prevent the electronic stability control (ESC) malfunction indicator light from illuminating during certain conditions. As such, these vehicles fail to comply with the requirements of Federal Motor Vehicle Safety Standard number 126, "Electronic Stability Control Systems."
Risk: An ESC malfunction indicator light that fails to illuminate during an electronic stability control problem can increase the risk of a crash.
Fix: Dealers will update the ABS control module software, free of charge. Owner notification letters were mailed March 29, 2022. Owners may contact FCA US, LLC customer service at 1-800-853-1403. FCA US, LLC's number for this recall is Z20.
Air bags · side/window · curtain
Problem: Chrysler (FCA US, LLC) is recalling certain 2021-2022 Ram 2500, Ram 3500, and 2021 Ram 1500 Classic pickup trucks. The side air bag inflatable curtain (SABIC) assemblies may have been manufactured with the incorrect amount of compressed gas, which can result in an improper air bag deployment.
Risk: An air bag that deploys improperly can increase the risk of injury in a crash.
Fix: Dealers will replace the SABIC assemblies, free of charge. Owner notification letters were mailed January 17, 2022. Owners may contact FCA US, LLC customer service at 1-800-853-1403. FCA US, LLC's number for this recall is Y99.
Electrical system · wiring · relays/solenoids
Problem: 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.
Fix: 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.
Electrical system
Problem: 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.
Fix: 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.
Common problems
From complaints owners filed with NHTSA. Complaints aren't verified, but patterns across hundreds of owners point to known weak spots.
Most-reported problem areas
By the numbers
Recent owner reports
ABS/Forward Collision/Traction Control/4WD/Cruise Control warning lights on. Braking is inconsistent. Sometimes hard to brake, sometimes brake pedal is real spongy and will go almost to floor.
I am writing to formally follow up regarding complaint/case number 97989810 through Dodge and to request that this matter be elevated for a complete technical review concerning my 2021 Ram 2500 6.7L Cummins, VIN [XXX]. Time - Line PRIOR FACTORY-WARRANTY REPAIR The XXX factory-warranty repair is an important part of this vehicle's mechanical history. That repair involved the t…
There is a known issue with the Ram Power Wagon locking differential system where the electronic locking differential wiring harness will fault one of three ways. The first being that the wiring harness is two short so when the rear axle articulates there isn't enough slack therefore causing the plug in the diff housing to fail. The second is that sensor inside the housing faul…
Safety ratings
2021 Ram 2500 Mega PU/EC 4WD
2021 Ram 2500 Crew PU/CC 4WD
2021 Ram 2500 Regular PU/RC 4WD
Fuel economy
The EPA doesn't publish fuel economy ratings for heavy-duty pickups like the Ram 2500.
Other model years
Questions
How many recalls does the 2021 Ram 2500 have?
NHTSA lists 8 recalls for the 2021 Ram 2500, most recently for air bags · frontal (11/06/2025). Recall repairs are free at a franchised dealer. Enter your VIN to check whether a recall applies to your vehicle.
What are the most common problems with the 2021 Ram 2500?
Based on 108 owner complaints filed with NHTSA, the most-reported areas are electrical system (35), engine (26), power train (25).
Is the 2021 Ram 2500 safe?
The 2021 Ram 2500 earned a 4-star overall rating in NHTSA's 5-star safety ratings. It has 2 recalls with a Park It or Park Outside warning, so check your VIN.
Is the 2021 a good year for the Ram 2500?
The 2021 ranks #4 of 14 2500 model years for fewest complaints (2012–2025), with fewer complaints than the average year (386). It has 8 recalls vs. an average of 10.6 per model year.
Own a 2021 Ram 2500 in South Carolina?
Our mobile mechanics diagnose and fix the problems above at your home, office or fleet lot in Lexington, Columbia and the Midlands, with dealer-grade scan tools.
Related vehicles
Sources: NHTSA recalls, complaints and 5-Star Safety Ratings APIs; EPA fueleconomy.gov. Data retrieved October 21, 2026. NHTSA model names used: 2500.