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2021 Ram 2500

Heavy-duty pickup
0 EPA-rated configurations
Data refreshed 2026-09-11
F
Safety Signal
35 / 100 from the NHTSA recall record
Recalls4 critical8
Complaintsowner reports to NHTSA106
Crash ratingNHTSA overall4★
20262025202420232022202120202019201820172016
Active NHTSA advisory: park outside and away from structures until repaired. Check your VIN at nhtsa.gov/recalls and see the recall details below.

The 2021 Ram 2500 is a heavy-duty pickup; vehicles over 8,500 lb GVWR are not certified for fuel economy by the EPA, so this page is built from NHTSA's recall, complaint and investigation records. NHTSA lists 8 recall campaigns for this model year, 4 rated critical, which gives it a Safety Signal grade of F. Owners have filed 106 complaints, most often about the electrical system. NHTSA crash-tested it at 4 stars overall.

Specs & fuel economy

Source: EPA fueleconomy.gov

No EPA fuel-economy record: the EPA does not certify vehicles over 8,500 lb GVWR. Recall, complaint and investigation data below come from NHTSA.

Factory warranty running out?

The 2021 Ram 2500 is in the years where transmission, electronics and drivetrain repairs land on the owner. Compare extended-coverage quotes in about two minutes.

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Recalls (8)

Source: NHTSA recall database
▲high

Air Bags

14C
532 vehicles
ProblemChrysler (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."RiskA driver's side air bag that does not deploy as intended increases the risk of injury in a crash.FixDealers 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.
NHTSA campaign 25V765000reported Nov 6, 2025Chrysler (FCA US, LLC)
!critical

Electrical System

13A
Park outside302,067 vehicles
ProblemChrysler (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.RiskAn electrical short in the relay can result in an engine compartment fire with the ignition on or off, increasing the risk of injury.FixOwners 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
NHTSA campaign 23V060000reported Feb 9, 2023Chrysler (FCA US, LLC)
▲high

Structure

ZB8
1,224,078 vehicles
ProblemChrysler (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.RiskAn 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.FixDealers 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.
NHTSA campaign 22V904000reported Dec 8, 2022Chrysler (FCA US, LLC)
!critical

Power Train

ZA3
250,079 vehicles
ProblemFCA 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.RiskLeaking transmission fluid may contact an ignition source within the engine compartment, increasing the risk of a fire.FixDealers 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.
NHTSA campaign 22V835000reported Nov 10, 2022Chrysler (FCA US, LLC)
▲high

Service Brakes, Hydraulic

Z20
370,437 vehicles
ProblemChrysler (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."RiskAn ESC malfunction indicator light that fails to illuminate during an electronic stability control problem can increase the risk of a crash.FixDealers 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.
NHTSA campaign 22V140000reported Mar 10, 2022Chrysler (FCA US, LLC)
▲high

Air Bags

Y99
376 vehicles
ProblemChrysler (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.RiskAn air bag that deploys improperly can increase the risk of injury in a crash.FixDealers 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.
NHTSA campaign 21V925000reported Nov 24, 2021Chrysler (FCA US, LLC)
!critical

Electrical System

Y76
Park outside131,177 vehicles
ProblemChrysler (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.RiskA vehicle fire increases the risk of injury.FixOwners 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.
NHTSA campaign 21V798000reported Oct 14, 2021Chrysler (FCA US, LLC)
!critical

Electrical System

Y08
19,214 vehicles
ProblemChrysler (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.RiskA vehicle fire increases the risk of injury.FixDealers 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 1-80
NHTSA campaign 21V163000reported Mar 11, 2021Chrysler (FCA US, LLC)

Owner complaints

Source: NHTSA complaint database
106complaints filed

6 involved a crash · 8 a fire · 2 injuries · 0 deaths reported

Filed per year: 2021: 11 · 2022: 9 · 2023: 44 · 2024: 15 · 2025: 15 · 2026: 12

Most-cited components

Electrical System35
Engine25
Power Train24
Structure12
Fuel/Propulsion System8
Unspecified7

What owners describe

“The contact owns a 2021 Ram 2500. The contact stated while driving 60 MPH, the warning message stated that 5 MPH maximum at 1500 miles service DEF system, see dealer. The check engine warning light was illuminated. The contact stated that the vehicle went into LIMP Mode and decelerated. The vehicle was taken to the dea…”Dec 2, 2022 · Fuel System, Diesel · NHTSA owner report
“The contact owns a 2021 Ram 2500. The contact stated while driving 60 MPH, he heard an abnormal noise from the front passenger’s side of the vehicle. The contact stated the brake control warning light was illuminated. The contact was attempting to park on the side of the road but while depressing the brake pedal, the…”Nov 17, 2022 · Service Brakes · NHTSA owner report
“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 subsequently offered to buy the vehicle back, whic…”Aug 9, 2022 · Power Train · NHTSA owner report

Complaint counts are raw owner reports to NHTSA, not verified defects, and scale with how many were sold. Use them to spot patterns, not to rank.

Crash ratings

Source: NHTSA NCAP
ConfigurationOverallFrontalSideRolloverRollover risk
PU/CC 2WD★★★★☆★★★★☆★★★★★★★★★☆20%
PU/CC 4WD★★★★☆★★★★☆★★★★★★★★☆☆29%
PU/EC 4WDnot ratednot ratednot rated★★★☆☆29%
PU/RC 2WDnot ratednot ratednot rated★★★★☆20%
PU/RC 4WDnot ratednot ratednot rated★★★☆☆29%

NHTSA New Car Assessment Program.

Compare the 2021 2500 with

2021 Chevrolet Silverado 2500HD →2021 Chevrolet Silverado 3500HD →

Other 2500 model years

F

2026 Ram 2500

7 recalls · 23 complaints

F

2025 Ram 2500

6 recalls · 61 complaints

C

2024 Ram 2500

5 recalls · 57 complaints

F

2023 Ram 2500

8 recalls · 48 complaints

F

2022 Ram 2500

12 recalls · 179 complaints

F

2020 Ram 2500

10 recalls · 162 complaints

F

2019 Ram 2500

12 recalls · 192 complaints

F

2018 Ram 2500

9 recalls · 2,565 complaints

F

2017 Ram 2500

11 recalls · 690 complaints

F

2016 Ram 2500

12 recalls · 258 complaints

Sources & method

Safety Signal starts every model-year at 100 and subtracts points per open NHTSA recall campaign by severity: critical 15 (fire risk, park-outside or do-not-drive advisories), high 8 (brakes, steering, airbags, loss of drive power, structure, battery), moderate 6, minor 3 (software, labels, lighting fixed by an update). Floor 35. A ≥ 90, B ≥ 80, C ≥ 70, D ≥ 60, otherwise F. Complaint counts and NHTSA crash ratings are shown separately and are not blended into the grade.

EPA figures come from fueleconomy.gov vehicle records. Recalls, complaints, investigations and crash ratings come from NHTSA's public flat files, refreshed weekly.

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