Ram 3500 fuel system problems, 2016–2026
127 of the 1,885 complaints owners filed with NHTSA about the Ram 3500 2016–2026 name the fuel system (NHTSA’s “Fuel/Propulsion System” heading — fuel tanks, lines, pumps and injection — and on an EV, the propulsion battery and motors). The loudest years: 2020 (57), 2019 (50), 2022 (14). Filed under the same heading across these years: 2 recall campaigns, 2 NHTSA investigations. Every figure is a linked federal record; none is a failure rate, none a repair cost, and none a verdict on one car.
Ram 3500 fuel system problems by model year
Source: NHTSA complaints, recalls, investigations and manufacturer communicationsOne row per model year on file, newest first. A year marked in depth has its own page: the complaints, the owners’ words and every document under this heading for that year.
| Model year | Complaints naming the fuel system | Share of the year’s | Typically at | On file under the heading | |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2026 | 0 | — | — | — | the year → |
| 2025 | 0 | — | — | — | the year → |
| 2024 | 0 | — | — | — | the year → |
| 2023 | 1 | 6% | — | — | the year → |
| 2022 | 14 | 7% | — | — | the year → |
| 2021 | 5 | 8% | — | 48 TSBs · 1 investigation | the year → |
| 2020 in depth | 57 | 49% | 22k | 85 TSBs · 1 recall · 2 investigations | the record → |
| 2019 in depth | 50 | 37% | 41k | 81 TSBs · 2 recalls · 2 investigations | the record → |
| 2018 | 0 | — | — | — | the year → |
| 2017 | 0 | — | — | 33 TSBs | the year → |
| 2016 | 0 | — | — | 44 TSBs | the year → |
Two things the counts carry that are not the car: how many of each year were sold, and how long each has been on the road — an older year out-counts a newer one before anything is wrong with it. The share column is the honest comparison across years: what part of that year’s complaints named the fuel system. Nothing here is a rate.
When the fuel system complaints were filed, and at what mileage
Source: NHTSA complaint databaseFiled per calendar year, every model year together: 2020: 9 · 2021: 35 · 2022: 43 · 2023: 16 · 2024: 11 · 2025: 6 · 2026: 7
Across the model years, half of the 55 owners who gave an odometer reading reported the fuel system problem between 13,000 and 57,000 miles. A median of reports, not the life of a part.
In owners’ own words
Source: NHTSA complaint databaseFiled with NHTSA by the people who own these cars, about the fuel system, from the model years with the most to say. Quoted as written, with anything identifying removed; unverified reports — what was said, not a finding that it was true.
The contact owns a 2020 Ram 3500. The contact stated while driving 45 MPH, the vehicle lost motive power. The vehicle was restarted and the functionality returned however, the failure recurred after several seconds. There was no warning light illuminated. The vehicle was towed from the scene.
My 2020 Ram 3500 cummins 6.7 lost the injector pump (cp4.2) and i'm told it's about 15k to fix and will take 2 months to fix due to back ordered parts
The contact owns a 2019 Ram 3500. The contact received notification of NHTSA Campaign Number: 21V880000 (Fuel System, Diesel) and 21V398000 (Wheels) however, the part to do the recall repairs was unavailable. The local dealer was contacted and it was confirmed that parts were not yet available.
The contact owns a 2019 Ram 3500. The contact stated that while driving approximately 60-62 MPH, the vehicle stalled. On another occasion, while driving 70 MPH, the vehicle stalled. The “exhaust system service required to see dealer” message was displayed.
I own this truck and have had issues with the exhaust regeneration process for about 6 months. I have taken it to the dealer 3 times and they have done diagnostics and replaced the diesel particulate filter, but the issue continues to happen.
What is on file about the fuel system, across the years
Source: NHTSA recalls, investigations and manufacturer communicationsRecall campaigns filed under this heading, any model year
- 21V880000 HighNov 12, 2021 · 222,410 vehicles
- Chrysler (FCA US, LLC) is recalling certain 2019-2020 Ram 2500, 3500 pickup trucks, and Ram 3500, 4500, and 5500 cab chassis vehicles equipped with Cummins 6.7L Turbo Diesel engines. The High Pressure Fuel Pump (HPFP) may fail, resulting in a sudden engine stall without warning.
- 19V498000 HighJun 27, 2019 · 499 vehicles
- Chrysler (FCA US LLC) is recalling certain 2019 Ram 2500 and 3500 trucks, and 3500, 4500, and 5500 Cab Chassis vehicles equipped with diesel engines. The fuel lines may leak fuel into the engine compartment.
NHTSA investigations
- EA23001 High pressure fuel pump failureopened Mar 17, 2023 · open
- The Office of Defects Investigation (ODI) opened PE21-021 on October 14, 2021, to investigate incidents alleging a stall/loss of motive power as a result of high-pressure fuel pump failures in certain model year (MY) 2019-2020 Ram 2500, 3500, 4500, and 5500 heavy duty trucks equipped with 6.7L Cummins turbodiesel engines. During the investigation, ODI sought to determine if the related defect alle…
- PE21021 High pressure fuel pump failureopened Oct 14, 2021 · closed Apr 14, 2023
- The Office of Defects Investigation (ODI) opened PE21-021 on October 14, 2021 to investigate allegations of stall/loss of motive power as a result of high pressure fuel pump failures in certain model year (MY) 2019-2020 RAM 2500, 3500, 4500, and 5500 heavy duty trucks equipped with 6.7L Cummins turbodiesel engines. On November 12, 2021, FCA filed vehicle recall 21V-880 and equipment recall 21E-094…
Other systems with a record on the Ram 3500
Source: the same filesCommon questions
Source: NHTSA complaint database, recalls and manufacturer communicationsWhich Ram 3500 years have the most fuel system complaints?
2020, 57; 2019, 50; 2022, 14. Raw counts, and an older year has had longer to collect them; by share of each year's own complaints the loudest is the 2020 (49%).
Is there a recall for the fuel system on the Ram 3500?
Yes — 2 campaigns are filed under this heading across these model years: 21V880000 (2020), 19V498000 (2019). A recall is matched by VIN, and applies to specific years; check yours at nhtsa.gov/recalls.
When do fuel system problems show up on the Ram 3500?
Owners who gave an odometer reading reported it at a median of 25,700 miles across the model years; half of them between 13,000 and 57,000. That is when reports cluster, not the life of a part.
What does NHTSA's "Fuel/Propulsion System" heading cover?
Fuel tanks, lines, pumps and injection — and on an EV, the propulsion battery and motors. Owners choose the heading when they file, so it says which area of the vehicle the complaint is about, not which part failed.