2021 Ram 2500 recalls and problems

The 2021 Ram 2500 has 8 safety recalls and 109 owner complaints filed with NHTSA. Recall repairs are free at any Ram dealer.

Urgent: recall 23V-060, recall 21V-798 carry a "park outside" warning. Contact a dealer before driving.
Recalls
8
Complaints
109
Crashes / fires
6 / 8
Injuries / deaths
2 / 0

Recalls may cover only some 2021 Ram 2500 vehicles. Check your VIN at NHTSA ↗ to see open recalls for your exact car.

2021 Ram 2500 recalls

Recall 25V-765: Steering, Air Bags

Reported Nov 6, 2025 · 532 vehicles affected · Chrysler (FCA US, LLC)

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.

Recall 23V-060: Electrical System

Park outsideReported Feb 9, 2023 · 302,067 vehicles affected · Chrysler (FCA US, LLC)

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.

Recall 22V-904: Structure

Reported Dec 8, 2022 · 1,224,078 vehicles affected · Chrysler (FCA US, LLC)

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.

Recall 22V-835: Power Train

Reported Nov 10, 2022 · 250,079 vehicles affected · Chrysler (FCA US, LLC)

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.

Recall 22V-140: Electronic Stability Control (ESC), Service Brakes, Hydraulic

Reported Mar 10, 2022 · 370,437 vehicles affected · Chrysler (FCA US, LLC)

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.

Recall 21V-925: Air Bags

Reported Nov 24, 2021 · 376 vehicles affected · Chrysler (FCA US, LLC)

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.

Recall 21V-798: Electrical System

Park outsideReported Oct 14, 2021 · 131,177 vehicles affected · Chrysler (FCA US, LLC)

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.

Recall 21V-163: Electrical System

Reported Mar 11, 2021 · 19,214 vehicles affected · Chrysler (FCA US, LLC)

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.

2021 Ram 2500 problems reported by owners

Problem areaReports
Electrical System35
Engine26
Power Train25
Structure12
Fuel/Propulsion System8
Unknown or Other8
Service Brakes8
Steering5
Air Bags4
Seat Belts4
Visibility/Wiper4
Wheels3

Most reported parts

  • Structure › Body — 8
  • Wheels › Hubcap/Cover — 1
  • Wheels › Rim — 1
  • Latches/Locks/Linkages › Doors › Latch — 1
  • Service Brakes, Air › Antilock › Abs Warning Light — 1
  • Lane Departure › Blind Spot Detection — 1
  • Forward Collision Avoidance › Adaptive Cruise Control — 1
  • Engine and Engine Cooling › Engine › Engine Control Module (Ecu/Ecm) — 1

Typical mileage at the time of the problem: 37,510 miles (median of owner reports).

Problems that are not covered by a recall are paid repairs; labor rates follow local mechanic pay — see what auto mechanics earn in each state.

Recent 2021 Ram 2500 complaints

Owner reports filed with NHTSA, as written (personal details removed). Complaints are not verified by NHTSA.

Back Over Prevention · at 70,000 miles · reported Oct 28, 2026
The contact owns a 2021 Ram Promaster 2500. The contact received notification of NHTSA Campaign Number: 25V552000 (Back Over Prevention); however, the part to do the recall repair was not yet available. The contact stated that while reversing, the rear-view camera was inoperable. The dealer was contacted and informed the contact that only three parts could be ordered monthly, and the contact was placed on a waiting list. The contact stated that the manufacturer had exceeded a reasonable amount of time for the recall repair. The failure mileage was approximately 70,000.
Service Brakes · reported Sep 24, 2026
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.
Power Train · reported Sep 10, 2026
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 timing-cover/timing-gear-case area and front crankshaft seal. As part of that repair, the harmonic balancer/vibration damper was removed and reinstalled. Approximately 26,000 miles later, the vehicle experienced a failure…
Power Train · reported Sep 7, 2026
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 faults due to gear oil build up on the sensor. Finally the third if the locker wiring inside the housing wears out causes the locker to fault. Any of these three issues causes a "Service Axle Locker System" and prevents the…
Engine and Engine Cooling · reported 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…

Other Ram 2500 years

Compare all Ram 2500 years · All Ram models

Frequently asked questions

Does the 2021 Ram 2500 have any recalls?

Yes — NHTSA lists 8 recalls for the 2021 Ram 2500: 25V-765 (steering, air bags), 23V-060 (electrical system), 22V-904 (structure), 22V-835 (power train), 22V-140 (electronic stability control (esc), service brakes, hydraulic) and more. Not every vehicle is affected, so check your VIN at nhtsa.gov/recalls.

What is the most common problem with the 2021 Ram 2500?

Owners report electrical system problems most often (35 reports), followed by engine (26). The typical mileage when problems were reported is about 37,510 miles.

Are Ram recall repairs free?

Yes. Safety recall repairs are free at authorized Ram dealers, whether you are the first owner or bought the car used.