2021 RAM 2500 Problems

Below Average Complaints

Real NHTSA owner complaints for the 2021 RAM 2500.

20202022
Complaints
152
Crashes
7
Fires
15
Injuries
3
Fatalities
Recalls
8

Worst 2021 RAM 2500 Problems

Top 3 most-reported issues with average mileage at failure.

#135 complaints

Electrical Faults

Avg mileage:13,356 mi
Fires:5
#225 complaints

Engine Problems

Avg mileage:38,500 mi
Fires:5
#322 complaints

Transmission / Drivetrain

Crash-related:1
Considering a 2021 RAM 2500?

Check the actual VIN — every car is different.

This page shows the model year's reputation. The VIN tells you about this specific car — accidents, title issues, odometer rollbacks. Full report just $4.99 (vs. Carfax $44.99).

Check VIN Free

All Problems by Category

Every NHTSA complaint category for the 2021 RAM 2500.

Electrical Faults
35
complaints
Crashes
Fires
5
Avg Miles
13,356
Engine Problems
25
complaints
Crashes
Fires
5
Avg Miles
38,500
Transmission / Drivetrain
22
complaints
Crashes
1
Fires
Avg Miles
Fuel System
8
complaints
Crashes
Fires
2
Avg Miles
19,000
Body Structure
7
complaints
Crashes
1
Fires
Avg Miles
Brakes
6
complaints
Crashes
1
Fires
Avg Miles
45,000
Steering Defects
5
complaints
Crashes
Fires
1
Avg Miles
Airbags
4
complaints
Crashes
3
Fires
Avg Miles
Seat Belt Issues
4
complaints
Crashes
1
Fires
Avg Miles
Structural Problems
4
complaints
Crashes
Fires
Avg Miles
Wipers & Visibility
4
complaints
Crashes
Fires
Avg Miles
Electronic Stability Control
2
complaints
Crashes
Fires
Avg Miles
Diesel Fuel System
2
complaints
Crashes
Fires
Avg Miles
Hydraulic Brakes
2
complaints
Crashes
Fires
Avg Miles
Engine And Engine Cooling:Engine:Engine Control Module (Ecu/Ecm)
1
complaints
Crashes
Fires
Avg Miles
Other Equipment
1
complaints
Crashes
Fires
Avg Miles
Headlight/Taillight Failures
1
complaints
Crashes
Fires
Avg Miles
Forward Collision Avoidance: Adaptive Cruise Control
1
complaints
Crashes
Fires
Avg Miles
Gasoline Fuel System
1
complaints
Crashes
Fires
Avg Miles
Lane Departure: Blind Spot Detection
1
complaints
Crashes
Fires
Avg Miles
Latches/Locks/Linkages:Doors:Latch
1
complaints
Crashes
Fires
Avg Miles
Seat-Related Issues
1
complaints
Crashes
Fires
1
Avg Miles
Service Brakes, Air:Antilock:Abs Warning Light
1
complaints
Crashes
Fires
Avg Miles
Suspension Failures
1
complaints
Crashes
Fires
Avg Miles
Tire Defects
1
complaints
Crashes
Fires
Avg Miles
Unintended Acceleration
1
complaints
Crashes
Fires
Avg Miles
Wheel Issues
1
complaints
Crashes
Fires
Avg Miles
Wheels:Hubcap/Cover
1
complaints
Crashes
Fires
Avg Miles
Wheels:Rim
1
complaints
Crashes
Fires
Avg Miles

Search Owner Complaints

Read what owners actually reported to NHTSA for the 2021 RAM 2500. Type a keyword (e.g. “transmission”, “stalling”, “brakes”) to filter.

Recalls for 2021 RAM 2500

8 NHTSA recall campaigns affecting ~2,297,960 vehicles.

25V765000Steering:steering Control Module · Air Bags:frontal
~532 affected

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."

23V060000Electrical System:wiring:relays/solenoids
~302,067 affected

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.

22V904000Structure:body:tailgate:hinge And Attachments
~1,224,078 affected

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.

22V835000Automatic Transmission
~250,079 affected

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.

22V140000Electronic Stability Control · Service Brakes, Hydraulic:antilock/traction Control/electronic Limited Slip:control Unit/module
~370,437 affected

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."

21V925000Air Bags:side/window:curtain
~376 affected

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.

21V798000Electrical System:wiring:relays/solenoids
~131,177 affected

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.

21V163000Electrical System
~19,214 affected

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.

Other RAM 2500 Years

2021 RAM 2500 — FAQ

Answers based on real NHTSA complaint and recall data for this specific model year.

Is the 2021 RAM 2500 reliable?
Verdict: Below Average Complaints. The 2021 RAM 2500 has 152 NHTSA complaints, 7 crash-related, and 8 recall campaigns. The most common issue is Electrical Faults with 35 complaints. Source: NHTSA via VinItel.
What are common problems with the 2021 RAM 2500?
Top reported problems: Electrical Faults (35 complaints, avg 13,356 mi); Engine Problems (25 complaints, avg 38,500 mi); Transmission / Drivetrain (22 complaints). Every complaint is filed by an owner with NHTSA — this is raw reported data, not editorial opinion.
At what mileage do problems start on the 2021 RAM 2500?
The weighted average mileage at time of complaint is about 25,026 miles. Some components fail earlier, some later — check the "All Problems by Category" table above for per-issue averages.
How safe is the 2021 RAM 2500?
NHTSA complaints for the 2021 RAM 2500 include 7 crash-related reports, 15 fire reports, 3 injuries, and 0 fatalities. These are owner-reported incidents, not official crash-test ratings — a complaint being filed doesn't confirm a defect, but clusters around specific components are worth investigating.
Does the 2021 RAM 2500 have any recalls?
Yes — 8 NHTSA recall campaigns affecting an estimated 2,297,960 vehicles. Recalls are free to fix at the dealer. Always verify by VIN whether the specific car you're looking at has had its recalls addressed.
Should I buy a 2021 RAM 2500?
Fewer complaints than typical for this model. That's a good sign, but every individual car is different — the VIN still tells you what happened to this specific one.

Source: NHTSA (National Highway Traffic Safety Administration) complaint and recall databases, aggregated by VinItel.

Wider context: See the full RAM 2500 reliability report with year-by-year comparison and generation analysis.

Check Your Specific 2021 RAM 2500

Real owner complaints tell you about the model. The VIN tells you about your specific car — accidents, title issues, odometer fraud.

Check Any VIN — $4.99