Free. Instant. No signup. Pulls recalls and complaints for your exact vehicle.

Couldn't find that VIN. Check the digits and try again.

ProblemsByVin Index / 2021-RAM-2500 / COMPLAINTS
Full complaint record · NHTSA

2021 RAM 2500 owner complaints

101 complaints filed with NHTSA on this vehicle , including 2 reporting a crash, fire, injury, or fatality. Showing the 300 most recent — grouped by category for scanning.

engine 3 complaints shown

13 total in this category · severe · avg repair $3,100 · see engine cluster analysis →
12/25/2024 ODI #11632320.0

The engine cam and lifters are bad. Engine started knocking with only 30,000 miles. Had to have lifters and cam replaced

12/15/2024 ODI #11630801.0

August of 2023 I took my truck in for a check engine light. The dealership diagnosed it and said my def tank senor is turning on the check engine light. They repaired it, when I picked up the truck they told me that "it was burnt out" and replaced the part. Now 14 months later it's having the same issue. Wondering if other ram 2500 owners are having this same issue and if it is a repetitive issue. The repair cost me over $963.00 dollars.

11/20/2023 ODI #11555957.0

I recently bought this truck used from a Ford dealership. The next day when I was taking my wife for a short drive. I noticed the engine light was on the dash display. I the same time the truck started accelerating Like it was on cruise control and returning to a higher speed. The cruse control was not set when I tried to access the cruse control I would get the message that it was unavailable at this time. I had to stop the truck and turn the truck off. When I restarted the engine light was still on, but the acceleration stopped. I drove to the dealership to see if they had any information or recalls but by the time, I got there the engine light was off and their computer did not tell them anything. This has now happened two times. The dealership says I must bring the Truck in while this

other 3 complaints shown

12/16/2023 ODI #11560461.0

I have been on a waiting list for more than 6 months at Christopher’s dodge world in golden Colorado for completion of mandatory safety recalls on my vehicle. The parts are available and these critical safety recalls have not been performed. I receive automated messages from FCA informing me that these recalls are required yet never have received a call from the dealer to actually schedule them. I have been told the parts are unavailable when I call and that I am deep down a waiting list and “I will be contacted when my number comes up”. I have contacted “ram cares” via automotive forums and they are no help either. The recalls keep piling up on vehicle vin [XXX] They are a fire risk and safety risk and FCA acknowledges this yet over a year and a half later my vehicle has never been

11/08/2023 ODI #11554105.0

Back up camera glitch’s I have a video, and I tried to submit photos but it kept say they were to large

10/28/2023 ODI #11552373.0

The flexible section of the exhaust coming from the engine that connects to the rigid sections of exhaust that contains the DPF components developed a hole in it. I reported that exhaust was smelled inside my cab and that sooty smoke could be seen coming up by my passenger side front window for almost a month. The Ram dealership told me the first two times I took it there that it was normal for regens to create smokey conditions. It was not til the third trip to the dealer, after being treated for bronchitis, GI problems, and extreme fatigue with elevated levels of CO in my blood that they finally lifted the truck and found an exhaust leak. I am concerned that the excessive regens caused by the faulty PM sensor that they just fixed caused the section of exhaust to fail. And if it is a wide

electrical 3 complaints shown

20 total in this category · severe · avg repair $850 · see electrical cluster analysis →
12/02/2021 ODI #11442452.0

Driving highway speed and truck shut off completely. Took to dealer, no issues found. 800 miles later driving highway speed truck shut off again. Took to dealer, no issues found so far. Complete loss of power, power steering, power brakes, etc. Display read, "Press brake and push button to start" while coasting in neutral both times.

11/22/2021 ODI #11441336.0

My vehicle has a 12" screen in the dash. While Operating the Vehicle, weather notifications keep popping up. I've looked for ways to disable this "feature", even gone as far as cancelling the Sirius connected feature(by calling Sirius).These Pop-ups still persist and are distracting me from paying attention to the road. There is not way to turn these off.

11/19/2021 10,200 mi Fire ODI #11441016.0

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 looked outside when he noticed there were flames coming from underneath the hood. The fire department extinguished the fire. A fire department report was filed. The vehicle remained in the contact's driveway, not yet deemed totaled by the insurance company. Prior to the failure, the vehicle was taken to the dealer for the recall however, the dealer did not perform the recall repair. The manufacturer was made aware of the failure and a case was opened. The manufacturer informed the contact that they would be in touch vi

body 2 complaints shown

8 total in this category · severe · avg repair $1,500 · see body cluster analysis →
12/20/2022 ODI #11498185.0

This truck was sold with a snow plow prep pack but after installing a snow plow the frame of the truck bent due to the pressure. Ram has redesigned their frame as of this model year 2021 and it is not capable of handling a plow. I know of three trucks in my local area that this has happened to and ram wont admit the problem now these trucks are being traded. people out there will be buying trucks with bent frames not knowing it.

10/22/2025 ODI #11695035.0

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 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.

lighting 1 complaint shown

12/16/2023 ODI #11560458.0

The rear camera displayed in the 12” display goes full blast bright when reverse is selected at night. It blows out your night vision and makes it extremely difficult to see outside the vehicle via the mirrors. There is no dimming option available. The problem has been reported to FCA via “ram cares” and there has been no resolution over the last year.

powertrain 1 complaint shown

21 total in this category · moderate · avg repair $2,500 · see powertrain cluster analysis →
12/11/2023 ODI #11559593.0

I have attempted to get 2 recalls that require parts completed at my local Ram dealer who has called me both times saying that the parts were in, and they were ready to schedule the appointment to complete the recalls. The first appointment was on September 25th, 2023, and when the vehicle was checked in, I was informed they had no parts to complete 2 of the 3 recalls that existed at that time. They completed the recall that required no parts and said I was put back on the list for the ones that required parts with no answer of why the parts were not available (I had been put on the list for the parts in June). I received another call in the middle of November that the parts were in and scheduled an appointment for the 18th of December. I called the dealer today to confirm (11th of Decembe

steering 1 complaint shown

5 total in this category · severe · avg repair $700 · see steering cluster analysis →
12/04/2025 ODI #11703074.0

I 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

fuel system 1 complaint shown

12/02/2022 ODI #11495769.0

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 dealer and the diesel injectors were replaced; however, the failure reoccurred. The diesel injectors were replaced several times, but the failure continued. The manufacturer was contacted and a case was filed. The failure mileage was 700.

visibility 1 complaint shown

11/27/2021 ODI #11441790.0

There is inadequate airflow in the front defrosters. It barely defrosts my windshield and makes it very hard to see. The vents just don't seem to produce enough air to defrost the windshield. The first incident happened in the late spring on a chilly wet day. It was ok during the warm summer weather.

brakes 1 complaint shown

7 total in this category · severe · avg repair $450 · see brakes cluster analysis →
11/17/2022 60,000 mi ODI #11493974.0

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 vehicle failed to stop as designed. The contact started downshifting and used the parking brake to stop the vehicle. The vehicle was not drivable. The contact towed the vehicle to his residence and had an independent mechanic inspect the vehicle. The contact was informed that the front passenger wheel bearing hub assembly needed to be replaced. The contact called the local dealer and made them aware of the failure. The vehicle was not diagnosed or repaired. The manufacturer ha

airbags 1 complaint shown

4 total in this category · severe · avg repair $1,100 · see airbags cluster analysis →
11/01/2021 Crash ODI #11438830.0

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 a 2021 truck that has a sudden brake sensor, that combined with the collision should have caused the airbags to deploy.

suspension 1 complaint shown

10/27/2021 ODI #11438423.0

Right rear shock failure which lead to shock oil leaking onto brake system. Local dealer states parts are not available due to current allotment met for the month. Took truck into Olathe Dodge for warranty repair on Monday 10/25/2021, two hours of waiting to be told part would not be available until end of November. No warning lamps etc displayed. Oil was found all over the rear end including wheel and tire. Creates a safety hazard with any fluid leaking onto braking system. Confirmed by dealer.

Showing 300 of 101 total complaints. The full federal record is available at nhtsa.gov/vehicle/2021/RAM/2500#complaints.
Source: National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA) owner complaint database. Last synced 2026-06-14. Complaints are owner-submitted and unverified — the existence of a complaint is not proof of a defect, but a pattern of complaints around the same component is a signal worth weighing. Verify any specific filing at nhtsa.gov.
Get a free warranty quote →
Sponsored — we earn a commission if you complete a quote. Disclosure.