BEARING - CRANKSHAFT THRUST and KIT
full bulletin at NHTSA ↗2021 RAM 3500 engine problems
severe Owners of the 2021 RAM 3500 have filed 9 NHTSA complaints about the engine at roughly $3,100 to repair (U.S. federal records, as of August 2026). Source: NHTSA Office of Defects Investigation. See engine across all vehicles →
Complaints
9
Recalls
0
Avg fix
$3,100
| Model year | engine complaints |
|---|---|
| 2017 3500 | 19 |
| 2018 3500 | 7 |
| 2019 3500 | 18 |
| 2020 3500 | 19 |
| 2021 3500 (this page) | 9 |
| 2022 3500 | 13 |
| 2024 3500 | 3 |
1fire
When does it fail?
Of the 9 engine complaints filed for the 2021 RAM 3500, here's the actual mileage breakdown — failures cluster heaviest at 75,000-100,000 mi.
0-25k
25-50k
50-75k
75-100k
100-125k
125-150k
150k+
Each bar shows the share of total complaints filed at that mileage range. Peak failure window highlighted. Some owners report problems earlier; some make it well past 150,000 miles symptom-free. Maintenance habits and driving conditions shift the curve as much as mileage alone.
Is there a fix? Manufacturer service bulletins
The manufacturer has issued service bulletins covering engine on this vehicle — documented repair instructions, service campaigns, or warranty extensions sent to dealers. A TSB isn't a recall (it's not a free safety remedy), but it's the manufacturer acknowledging the issue and how to fix it.
BEARING - CRANKSHAFT THRUST and KIT
full bulletin at NHTSA ↗RADIATOR - ENGINE COOLING
full bulletin at NHTSA ↗On Cummins diesel applications that are for 2019 and newer the bpro part 1BP00507AB can on occasions create a check engine light. In these situations, it is recommended to use the appropriate Mopar air filter originally installed on the vehicle. The "AC" level of the part is in development to resolve this issue. 1BP00507AB should still be usable for 2018 and older Model year Cummins engines.
full bulletin at NHTSA ↗Light Random Tick Noise From The Engine.
full bulletin at NHTSA ↗Source: NHTSA manufacturer communications. Bring the bulletin number to your dealer or shop.
What owners are reporting 3 most recent
Hydraulic roller lifter failure.
The contact filed the complaint on behalf of the customer, who was the owner of a 2021 Ram 3500. The contact stated that while the owner was driving at an undisclosed speed, the vehicle caught on fire. No warning lights were illuminated. The owner informed the contact that the fire came from the engine bay. The fire department arrived and extinguished the fire. A police report was filed. The…
See attached document from complainant
Had engine trouble with your 2021 RAM 3500?
File a complaint with NHTSA → It's free, official, and how every report above got here — owner filings are the federal safety record this page is built on.
Common questions
How serious is the engine problem on the 2021 RAM 3500?
It's a meaningful issue. 9 complaints have been filed and the failure mode causes operational problems for owners. Repairs average $3,100.
At what mileage does the engine typically fail?
Based on the 9 complaints filed, engine issues most often appear around 144,500 miles. Some report problems earlier; some make it well past 150,000 with no symptoms. Maintenance habits matter — vehicles that received timely fluid services and were not regularly overworked tend to last longer.
What does it cost to fix?
Independent shops typically charge around $3,100 for engine repairs on this vehicle. Dealer pricing tends to run 20-40% higher. The exact figure depends on the specific failure mode, parts availability, and your local labor rates. If you're outside factory warranty, an extended service contract often covers this category.
Are there any recalls related to engine?
No active recalls currently cover engine issues on this vehicle. The complaints filed represent owner-reported failures that haven't risen to the level of a manufacturer-issued recall — but they're still worth knowing about before you buy or budget for repairs.
Related
Complaint and recall data sourced from the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA)
public records database. Verify the raw federal record at
nhtsa.gov/vehicle/2021/RAM/3500.
Severity ratings are derived from reported crashes, fires, injuries, and fatalities. Repair cost estimates are
independent-shop national averages and may differ in your area. Some links on this page are affiliate links.