2021 Ram 2500: raw data

Every record we hold for this vehicle, as plain tables, with nothing added. The consumer page shows the same records with the maintenance schedule, price ranges and nearby shops around them.

vehicle2021 / ram / 2500
known issues8 clusters (reviewed 2026-07-20)
complaints107 on file (2021-04-07 → 2026-09-10)
recalls8
investigations0
fars79 occupant deaths, crash years 2010-2024 (legacy-code)
indexedyes
licenseCC BY 4.0 (derived)

Known Issues clusters all years →

Tailgate unlatching after recall repairSTRUCTURE6 complaints2021-10 → 2026-06ram-2500-2021-tailgate-unlatch
  • 11437427 Electronic tailgate has unlatched itself and fallen open while driving 5 times now twice now resulting in damage and things falling out of rear of truck onto highway
  • 11695035 My vehicle was repaired for a known recall related to the tailgate unlatching issue. NHTSA ID Number: 22V904000 This repair was completed, and then my tailgate continued to open unexpectedly. I have taken it back to the dealership after damage was caused to my tailgate when it…
Camshaft and lifter failure, 6.7L CumminsENGINE5 complaints2024-02 → 2026-01ram-2500-2021-lifter-camshaft-failure
  • 11641149 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…
  • 11632320 The engine cam and lifters are bad. Engine started knocking with only 30,000 miles. Had to have lifters and cam replaced
Automatic transmission failurePOWER TRAIN7 complaints2022-08 → 2026-04ram-2500-2021-transmission-failure
  • 11734218 The 68RFE automatic transmission in this 2021 Ram 2500 6.7L Cummins fails to engage reverse when the transmission reaches operating temperature. When the gear selector is placed in reverse and the accelerator is applied, the engine revs but the truck does not move. The defect is…
  • 11478386 In June 2021, this vehicle literally drove away while in the park gear. It was running and accelerated across a state highway, down an embankment and 200 feet into a cornfield while pulling a trailer. I immediately called Ram and they did perform an investigation. They…
Seat belt retractor fails to releaseSEAT BELTS3 complaints2024-06 → 2026-01ram-2500-2021-seatbelt-retractor-lock
  • 11708827 The rear right seat belt became stuck and would not release, trapping my [XXX] son. Although the buckle was unlatched, he was entangled in the seat belt, and the retraction system would not loosen. The vehicle was stationary at the time of the incident. Due to the inability to…
  • 11597312 The passenger side seat belt retractor failed on this truck a couple of months ago. We had the parts replaced by the local dealer and did not think anything about it until our second truck also had the same issue and seriously hurt my mother. Report number 11597310. As the same…
Recall repair delayed by unavailable partsPOWER TRAIN, ELECTRICAL SYSTEM29 complaints2022-04 → 2024-06ram-2500-2021-recall-parts-unavailable
  • 11528915 Multiple critical recalls - 22V-904, 23V-060, 22V-140, and 22V-835. Two of these represent fire hazards! For the last several months they either didn't have the parts or availability to service. I tried multiple dealerships in my area. Getting these serviced has become extremely…
  • 11541283 On February 9 2023 Ram issued a recall on my vehicle Ram 2500. In that recall it was noted “ An electrical short in the relay can potentially lead to a vehicle fire with the ignition on or off” further owners were advised to park their vehicles outside and away from buildings.…
Electrical system fire under hoodELECTRICAL SYSTEM8 complaints2021-08 → 2026-03ram-2500-2021-electrical-fire
  • 11429824 At a stop light after 10 min of normal driving on country and city roads my truck started smoking from front passenger wheel well. Smoke intensified and quickly turned black. Immediately pulled over and found flames burning through front passenger wheel liner and from around…
  • 11441016 The contact owned a 2021 Ram 2500. The contact received notification of NHTSA Campaign Number: 21V798000 (Electrical System). The contact stated that while attempting to start the vehicle with a fob key from inside his residence, he did not hear the engine start. The contact…
Air bag non-deployment in frontal crashAIR BAGS3 complaints2021-08 → 2024-05ram-2500-2021-airbag-non-deployment
  • 11438830 There was a severe head on collision and airbags did not deploy. The dealership says there was no deceleration however, the crash was severe enough that they should have deployed, the driver also tried to stop and the trucks airbag system did not detect the sudden brake. This is…
  • 11589293 The contact owned a 2021 Ram 2500. The contact stated that while driving 55-60 MPH, the vehicle crashed into a cow, causing the front bumpers to bend 2 ft. inward. The air bags failed to deploy. The contact sustained bruises on the left arm, on the shoulder, on the chest, on the…
Service brake failure to stop vehicleSERVICE BRAKES5 complaints2022-11 → 2025-06ram-2500-2021-brake-failure
  • 11588347 While driving in stop & go traffic traveling at speeds less than 15mph, when I stepped on the brake pedal to slow / stop my RAM, the brake pedal failed to activate the brakes and the vehicle continue in a forward motion causing my RAM to collide with the vehicle traveling in…
  • 11507667 The contact owns a 2021 Ram 2500. The contact stated while driving approximately 30 MPH, the vehicle lost ABS functionality. The contact stated that while depressing the brake pedal, the vehicle failed to slow as needed, causing the vehicle to rear-end another vehicle. The…

NHTSA complaints (summary) all years →

countearliest_datelatest_datecrash_flaggedfire_flaggedtop_components
1072021-04-072026-09-1068ELECTRICAL SYSTEM:35; ENGINE:26; POWER TRAIN:25; STRUCTURE:12; SERVICE BRAKES:10

Recalls all years →

campaign_numberreport_received_datecomponentsummaryconsequenceremedy
21V79800014/10/2021ELECTRICAL SYSTEM:WIRING:RELAYS/SOLENOIDSChrysler (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.A vehicle fire increases the risk of injury.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.
21V92500024/11/2021AIR BAGS:SIDE/WINDOW:CURTAINChrysler (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.An air bag that deploys improperly can increase the risk of injury in a crash.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.
21V16300011/03/2021ELECTRICAL SYSTEMChrysler (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.A vehicle fire increases the risk of injury.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.
22V14000010/03/2022SERVICE BRAKES, HYDRAULIC:ANTILOCK/TRACTION CONTROL/ELECTRONIC LIMITED SLIP:CONTROL UNIT/MODULEChrysler (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."An ESC malfunction indicator light that fails to illuminate during an electronic stability control problem can increase the risk of a crash.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.
22V83500010/11/2022POWER TRAIN:AUTOMATIC TRANSMISSIONFCA 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.Leaking transmission fluid may contact an ignition source within the engine compartment, increasing the risk of a fire.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.
22V90400008/12/2022STRUCTURE:BODY:TAILGATE:HINGE AND ATTACHMENTSChrysler (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.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.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.
23V06000009/02/2023ELECTRICAL SYSTEM:WIRING:RELAYS/SOLENOIDSChrysler (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.An electrical short in the relay can result in an engine compartment fire with the ignition on or off, increasing the risk of injury.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.
25V76500006/11/2025AIR BAGS:FRONTALChrysler (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."A driver's side air bag that does not deploy as intended increases the risk of injury in a crash.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.

Investigations all years →

none listed

FARS occupant deaths all years →

crash_yearsoccupant_deathsmatch_typevpic_recovered
2010-202479legacy-code0

FARS counts every occupant death in a fatal crash, whatever the cause — it does not mean the vehicle was at fault or defective. Counts are not adjusted for how many of each vehicle are on the road.

Cite this

Derived data is CC BY 4.0. Link back to the page you used. Text and BibTeX below.

Wrench.Pro (2026). 2021 Ram 2500 vehicle data [dataset]. https://www.wrench.pro/data/vehicles/2021/ram/2500
@misc{wrenchpro_2021_ram_2500_2026,
  author = {Wrench.Pro},
  title = {Wrench.Pro vehicle data: 2021 Ram 2500},
  year = {2026},
  howpublished = {\url{https://www.wrench.pro/data/vehicles/2021/ram/2500}},
  note = {Derived from NHTSA public records. CC BY 4.0.}
}

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