Complaints about the 2021 Ram 2500 peaked in 2023, with 44 filed
Owner complaints about this model year, by the year they were filed with NHTSA.
Pickup, diesel, 4WD/4-Wheel Drive/4x4, built in Mexico. Owner complaints on file from Apr 7, 2021 to Sep 24, 2026.
Owner complaints about this model year, by the year they were filed with NHTSA.
Owner complaints by component. Hover or focus a bar for the crash, fire, injury or death count.
Check a specific vehicle by VIN on NHTSA's site: a campaign may cover only part of a model year's production.
| Campaign | Filed | Subject | Component | Vehicles | Remedy |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 25V-765 | Nov 6, 2025 | Steering column control module may cause the driver's side air bag not to deploy as intended | Airbags | 532 | Part replacement |
| 23V-060 | Feb 9, 2023 | Electrical short may occur in the heater grid relay with the ignition on or offPark outside | Electrical system | 302,067 | Part replacement |
| 22V-904 | Dec 8, 2022 | Tailgate may not latch properly due to misaligned tailgate strikers, which could result in the tailgate opening while driving | Structure | 1,224,078 | Repair or modification |
| 22V-835 | Nov 10, 2022 | Build-up of pressure and heat inside the transmission may result in a transmission fluid leak from the dipstick tube | Powertrain | 250,079 | Part replacement |
| 22V-140 | Mar 10, 2022 | As such, these vehicles fail to comply with the requirements of Federal Motor Vehicle Safety Standard number 126, "Electronic Stability Control… | Stability and traction control | 370,437 | Software update |
| 21V-925 | Nov 24, 2021 | Side air bag inflatable curtain (SABIC) assemblies may have been manufactured with the incorrect amount of compressed gas, which can result in an… | Airbags | 376 | Part replacement |
| 21V-798 | Oct 14, 2021 | Electrical short in the relay may cause a vehicle fire with the ignition on or offPark outside | Electrical system | 131,177 | Part replacement |
| 21V-163 | Mar 11, 2021 | Electrical short may occur in the Solid State Intake Heater Grid Relay, which could result in a vehicle fire | Electrical system | 19,214 | Part replacement |
The full text of every complaint filed with NHTSA about this model year, newest first. Complaints are filed by owners and are not verified by NHTSA; NHTSA removes personal details before publishing.
108 complaints on file, page 1 of 6.
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.
NHTSA complaint 11766669I 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 involving the vibration damper and its associated mounting bolts. +++ Vehicle receipt will be attached XXX took vehicle Naples Dodge after large thump and vehicle would not move Per dealership - Finding - Advise it was an after market tune that caused harmonic balancer got loose and sheered the bolts Ongoing the dealership provided video and several reports that it was an after market tune no coralation between the 2024 service and findings today Findings: Cummins Service Technician XXX technician report In XXX Cummins filed a safety recall with the NHTSA (Campaign ID 24V-192) concerning certain engines equipped with vibration dampers are the critical details of the recall:The Issue: The front vibration damper capscrews (mounting bolts) were not torqued to specification during assembly. If left unaddressed, the capscrews could fracture or loosen, potentially causing the vibration damper to separate from the engine. This creates a high risk of personal injury, mechanical failure, or property damage.(Note: If you are looking for Dodge Ram trucks, Cummins also issued a Technical Service Bulletin—TSB210097—addressing fluid degradation and capscrew fractures on viscous vibration dampers for B6.7 engines, though it was handled as a service bulletin rather than a sweeping automotive safety recall). Direct coralation of what occure INFORMATION REDACTED PURSUANT TO THE FREEDOM OF INFORMATION ACT (FOIA), 5 U.S.C. 552(B)(6)
NHTSA complaint 11763494There 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 front and rear lockers to be used indefinitely. This can cause the truck to become stuck during off pavement driving.
NHTSA complaint 11762597The 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 waiting on parts from the manufacturer to repair the vehicle. The vehicle was not repaired. The manufacturer was not made aware of the failure. The contact had not experienced a failure.
NHTSA complaint 11753967The contact owns a 2021 Ram Promaster 2500. The contact stated that while the vehicle was in reverse(R), the rear-view camera displayed a blank screen. The contact received notification of NHTSA Campaign Number: 25V552000 (Back Over Prevention) and associated the failure with the recall. The local dealer was contacted; however, the part to do the recall repair was not yet available. The contact stated that the dealer had exceeded a reasonable amount of time for the recall repair. The manufacturer was not made aware of the failure. The failure mileage was approximately 34,000.
NHTSA complaint 11753071This problem first occurred on a state highway in [XXX] in 2023 and again in 2026 (this incident.) While driving south on XXX, there was an undulation/slight bump in the interstate while in a mild right hand curve. My vehicles brakes engaged without my input and slowed me down from 70mph to 35mph with traffic behind me. My gas accelerator and brake pedal were unresponsive from user input. At no point was my vehicle out of control to trigger such aggressive braking from my ESC, ERM, or ABS. The concern here is that thankfully this was on dry roads and traffic was far enough behind me to avoid a collision. My concern is this happening in winter weather/icy/wet roads, or with significant traffic behind me causing a possible high speed rear-end vehicle accident. There was a safety recall for ESC/ABS a few years ago on my vehicle that I dealt with through the dealer. INFORMATION REDACTED PURSUANT TO THE FREEDOM OF INFORMATION ACT (FOIA), 5 U.S.C. 552(B)(6)
NHTSA complaint 11751811There was a tailgate recall for the tailgate falling down potentially spilling cargo onto the road. The dealership Autonation Dodge in [XXX] tried fixing the recall multiple times but the tailgate kept falling down after they tried to fix it 2 or 3 times. Now they're trying to make me sign a service fee authorization which I don't agree with because either the recall isn't fixed, or there are other issues that can cause the tailgate to fall down which should be included in this recall because they can potentially cause the same dangerous situation which caused the recall. INFORMATION REDACTED PURSUANT TO THE FREEDOM OF INFORMATION ACT (FOIA), 5 U.S.C. 552(B)(6)
NHTSA complaint 11744491The 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 intermittent and temperature-dependent, which means it cannot be predicted or avoided by the driver. The vehicle is used to tow an enclosed cargo trailer weighing approximately 7,000 pounds.The safety risk: inability to engage reverse on demand creates a hazard in any situation requiring reverse motion, including backing away from a stopped vehicle, reversing out of a fuel station, backing a loaded trailer at a campground or boat ramp, or executing an evasive reverse maneuver. With a trailer attached, loss of reverse function can leave the truck and trailer stranded in active traffic lanes or at intersections.The defect was first reported to a dealer in August 2023 with diagnostic trouble code P2701 stored (Friction Element B implausible pressure, internal transmission fault). The code was logged but not addressed at that visit. Over the following 32 months the same defect was reported to the same dealer four additional times. On the fourth visit the dealer replaced the complete transmission and torque converter under warranty and certified the repair complete after a documented 77 mile dealer test drive. The same defect returned approximately 4 customer miles after the truck was returned to me. The truck is currently at the dealer for the fifth repair attempt, with the dealer's own write-up confirming that the vehicle will not move while in reverse at operating temperature.The defect has been confirmed by the dealer service department through their own diagnostic process, has been documented across five repair orders, and has resulted in a complete factory transmission and torque converter replacement that failed to resolve the issue.Warning indicators: a P2701 diagnostic trouble code was s
NHTSA complaint 11734218THE VEHICLE HAS UNEVEN RESPONSE WHEN TURNING OR DRIVING DOWN THE ROAD TURN SIGNALS DO NOT CANCEL PROPERLY AND IT HAS A PERSISTENT CLICKING SOUND COMING FROM THE STEERING COLUMN. MY SAFETY IS AT RISK AS THE STEERING ISNT CONSISTENT WHILE DRIVING. VEHICLE WAS INSPECTED BUT THEIR TECHNICIANS WERE UNABLE TO FIND ANY OF THE ONGOING PROBLEMS WITH THIS VEHICLE INCLUDING WORN SUSPENSION COMPONENTS.THIS PERSISTENT PROBLEM WITH THE STEERING AND CLICKING SOUND HAS BEEN ONGOING SINCE BEFORE I PURCHASED THE VEHICLE BACK IN DECEMBER WITH MULTIPLE CLUES AFTER VISUAL EXAMINATION OF A PRIOR ACCIDENT.
NHTSA complaint 11731733Vehicle caught fire while engine was running, vehicle idling. Vehicle is a total loss. Prior NHTSA complaints regarding these vehicles causing fire from electrical components under the hood. Unknown if fire was due to electrical or leaking fuel issues under the hood. Major safety risk to occupants, especially children in car seats. Fire became out of control and burned the interior of the vehicle to bare metal. There were no injuries in this incident. This report being submitted by Law Enforcement on owners behalf. Full report from Law Enforcement included in this complaint.
NHTSA complaint 11726100Ram is refusing to repair and item on my truck egr cooler is cracked, leaking and burning coolant. They have recalled every year model but mine. All have same issue, all have same part and part number. Dealership suggested I contact NTSB to see if I could get it recalled. It is said to cause ifres in some trucks
NHTSA complaint 11725303Front right wheel detached while driving on the highway - going about 45mph due to snow on roadway. We are glad no one was injured. All the lugs had come off the wheel. Now need wheel and rim replacement, and new hub assembly and lugs. It will be repaired at the dealer where we bought the vehicle new, Ed Tomko in Avon, OH. The service dept there has looked at it and gave the diagnosis. No warning indicators. Reporting because we saw a similar issue as recall for different lines of the same year Ram trucks. Wondering if the 2500 is also in that situation.
NHTSA complaint 11713474The 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 safely release the seat belt, emergency services were contacted. Police and fire department personnel responded to the scene and conducted an assessment. Based on their evaluation, they determined that the safest and most appropriate course of action was to cut the seat belt in order to free my son. This type of malfunction has never occurred previously with this vehicle. At no point before or during the incident were any warning lights, alerts, or messages displayed indicating a restraint system fault. INFORMATION REDACTED PURSUANT TO THE FREEDOM OF INFORMATION ACT (FOIA), 5 U.S.C. 552(B)(6)
NHTSA complaint 11708827The lifters failed at 64,000 miles they where replaced under warranty. but now the lifters are making noise again with 71,000 miles since replaced. it’s a bad design that could be fixed permanently with the right parts! No warning lights just failure.
NHTSA complaint 11708630I am reporting a serious safety issue with my 2021 Ram 2500 (VIN: [XXX] ). The truck has experienced three separate transmission failures within a few months. Each time the transmission was replaced, the vehicle failed again shortly afterward. At one point, the dealership returned the truck to me without transmission fluid, causing additional internal damage and creating an extreme safety risk. I have also had steering issues since the truck was new, which continue today despite multiple service attempts. Shortly after purchase, the truck developed severe mold and water intrusion after the roof stop lamp was removed or stolen while the vehicle was at the dealership for service. This caused water to leak into the interior and contaminate the carpet. The dealership replaced the carpet but the issues continued. The repeated transmission failures, steering defects, and water intrusion have made this truck unsafe to drive. The vehicle has lost significant value, and the dealership and manufacturer have been unable to correct the defects after numerous attempts. I am requesting an NHTSA investigation into these issues, including: •Repeated transmission failures •Ongoing steering defects •Improper repair practices •Water intrusion and mold exposure •Dealer negligence These failures represent a serious safety hazard to both myself and others on the road. INFORMATION REDACTED PURSUANT TO THE FREEDOM OF INFORMATION ACT (FOIA), 5 U.S.C. 552(B)(6)
NHTSA complaint 11703074My 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 fell while I was driving. They have denied my claim and continue to advise that it was repaired when, in fact, I have still been experiencing issues with it. I would like to have my tailgate damage repaired and realgind properly.
NHTSA complaint 11695035After starting the vehicle, fire smell came into the cab. After exiting the vehicle smoke was coming from the engine. The engine caught on fire and car was totaled within 10 minutes.
NHTSA complaint 11689556Leather dash is delaminating and shrinking starting at the defrost vents. This appears to impact the passenger airbag deployment. Chrysler/Stellantis is aware of the issue, but considers the dash to be an accessory and refuses to correct if not under warranty.
NHTSA complaint 11684649The Transmision went out at 80k miles leaving me stranded. They did correct the issue. However, thought that I would report this because I was in traffic causing and almost wrecked
NHTSA complaint 11675291Been driving over 2 months and zero issues. On a Thursday headed to store and transmission would not get out of first gear.made it to a shop 1.5 miles away and they said transmission was gone.
NHTSA complaint 11668436Technical service bulletins and other notices the manufacturer sent to dealers. A bulletin is not a recall; the 60 most recent are listed.