NHTSA vehicle safety data
2021 Ram 2500 Recalls, Ratings & Complaints
The 2021 Ram 2500 has 8 NHTSA recall campaigns and 109 owner complaints on file as of November 3, 2026. Recall repairs are usually free at an authorized Ram dealer.
NHTSA recall and complaint data for the 2021 Ram 2500, plus NCAP crash-test ratings. Recall data is refreshed daily from NHTSA.
2021 Ram 2500 owner complaints
Owners have filed 109 complaints with NHTSA about the 2021 Ram 2500, describing incidents dated March 24, 2021 to September 11, 2026.
Most-cited components
- Electrical System 35 complaints
- Engine 28 complaints
- Power Train 25 complaints
- Structure 12 complaints
- Fuel/Propulsion System 11 complaints
- Service Brakes 10 complaints
Of the 109 complaints on file, 6 report a crash and 8 a fire; across all 109 complaints, owners report 2 injuries (owner-reported, not verified by NHTSA).
Newest complaints
ODI #11774197 · Filed
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…
ODI #11766669 · Filed
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.
ODI #11763494 · Filed
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…
Driver's Air Bag May Not Deploy/FMVSS 208
NHTSA #25V765000 · Air Bags — Frontal · NHTSA notice
Reported November 6, 2025 · Chrysler (FCA US, LLC)
Potentially affected: 532 vehicles
Repair completion: 35.45% (latest rate the manufacturer reported to NHTSA; dataset updated November 3, 2026)
Manufacturer campaign 14C · Owners notified December 11, 2025
Defect description
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."
Safety consequence
A driver's side air bag that does not deploy as intended increases the risk of injury in a crash.
Manufacturer remedy
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.
Engine Compartment Fire
NHTSA #23V060000 · Electrical System — Wiring — Relays/Solenoids · NHTSA notice
Reported February 9, 2023 · Chrysler (FCA US, LLC)
Potentially affected: 302,067 vehicles
Repair completion: 82.58% (latest rate the manufacturer reported to NHTSA; dataset updated November 3, 2026)
Manufacturer campaign 13A · Owners notified April 4, 2023
Defect description
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.
Safety consequence
An electrical short in the relay can result in an engine compartment fire with the ignition on or off, increasing the risk of injury.
Manufacturer remedy
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.
Notes
Owners may also contact the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration Vehicle Safety Hotline at 1-888-327-4236 (TTY 1-800-424-9153), or go to www.nhtsa.gov.
Tailgate May Open While Driving
NHTSA #22V904000 · Structure — Body — Tailgate — Hinge and Attachments · NHTSA notice
Reported December 8, 2022 · Chrysler (FCA US, LLC)
Potentially affected: 1,224,078 vehicles
Repair completion: 83.75% (latest rate the manufacturer reported to NHTSA; dataset updated November 3, 2026)
Manufacturer campaign ZB8 · Owners notified December 22, 2022
Defect description
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.
Safety consequence
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.
Manufacturer remedy
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.
Notes
Owners may also contact the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration Vehicle Safety Hotline at 1-888-327-4236 (TTY 1-800-424-9153), or go to www.nhtsa.gov.
Transmission Fluid Leak May Cause Fire
NHTSA #22V835000 · Power Train — Automatic Transmission · NHTSA notice
Reported November 10, 2022 · Chrysler (FCA US, LLC)
Potentially affected: 250,079 vehicles
Repair completion: 85.58% (latest rate the manufacturer reported to NHTSA; dataset updated November 3, 2026)
Manufacturer campaign ZA3 · Owners notified December 29, 2022
Defect description
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.
Safety consequence
Leaking transmission fluid may contact an ignition source within the engine compartment, increasing the risk of a fire.
Manufacturer remedy
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.
Notes
Owners may also contact the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration Vehicle Safety Hotline at 1-888-327-4236 (TTY 1-800-424-9153), or go to www.nhtsa.gov.
ESC Light May Not Indicate Malfunction/FMVSS 126
NHTSA #22V140000 · Service Brakes, Hydraulic — Antilock/Traction Control/Electronic Limited Slip — Control Unit/Module · NHTSA notice
Reported March 10, 2022 · Chrysler (FCA US, LLC)
Potentially affected: 370,437 vehicles
Repair completion: 87.33% (latest rate the manufacturer reported to NHTSA; dataset updated November 3, 2026)
Manufacturer campaign Z20 · Owners notified March 29, 2022
Defect description
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."
Safety consequence
An ESC malfunction indicator light that fails to illuminate during an electronic stability control problem can increase the risk of a crash.
Manufacturer remedy
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.
Notes
Owners may also contact the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration Vehicle Safety Hotline at 1-888-327-4236 (TTY 1-800-424-9153), or go to www.nhtsa.gov.
Side Curtain Air Bag May Deploy Improperly
NHTSA #21V925000 · Air Bags — Side/Window — Curtain · NHTSA notice
Reported November 24, 2021 · Chrysler (FCA US, LLC)
Potentially affected: 376 vehicles
Repair completion: 88.03% (latest rate the manufacturer reported to NHTSA; dataset updated November 3, 2026)
Manufacturer campaign Y99 · Owners notified January 17, 2022
Defect description
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.
Safety consequence
An air bag that deploys improperly can increase the risk of injury in a crash.
Manufacturer remedy
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.
Notes
Owners may also contact the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration Vehicle Safety Hotline at 1-888-327-4236 (TTY 1-800-424-9153), or go to www.nhtsa.gov.
Electrical Short in Relay May Cause Fire
NHTSA #21V798000 · Electrical System — Wiring — Relays/Solenoids · NHTSA notice
Reported October 14, 2021 · Chrysler (FCA US, LLC)
Potentially affected: 131,177 vehicles
Manufacturer campaign Y76 · Owners notified November 10, 2021
Defect description
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.
Safety consequence
A vehicle fire increases the risk of injury.
Manufacturer remedy
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.
Notes
Owners may also contact the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration Vehicle Safety Hotline at 1-888-327-4236 (TTY 1-800-424-9153), or go to www.nhtsa.gov.
Relay May Short and Cause Fire
NHTSA #21V163000 · Electrical System · NHTSA notice
Reported March 11, 2021 · Chrysler (FCA US, LLC)
Potentially affected: 19,214 vehicles
Manufacturer campaign Y08 · Owners notified May 3, 2021
Defect description
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.
Safety consequence
A vehicle fire increases the risk of injury.
Manufacturer remedy
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.
Notes
Owners may also contact the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration Vehicle Safety Hotline at 1-888-327-4236 (TTY 1-800-424-9153), or go to www.safercar.gov.
Other Ram 2500 model years
Check your 2021 Ram 2500 VIN
Not every recall applies to every VIN in a given year. Enter the 17-character VIN from your Ram 2500 at nhtsa.gov/recalls to see whether your specific vehicle has an unrepaired recall.
Check a Ram VIN