2021 RAM 2500

What owners reported to NHTSA, ranked by how often and how seriously.

This is complaint data, not a random sample.

It only includes owners who chose to file a federal complaint, so it over-represents dramatic and safety-related problems and under-represents minor issues an owner just had fixed without reporting. Read this as what NHTSA complainants report most, not as this vehicle's true failure rate. Full methodology.

Component ranking

  1. #1

    other

    6 unsafe, 8 annoyance

    14
    incidents

    Mileage: suppressed (fewer than 10 mileage-bearing reports; n=3)

    • "The contact owns a 2021 Ram 2500 hauling a 2019 Keystone Avalanche 395 with a B&W Companion Slider fifth-wheel trailer hitch. The contact stated that while driving at an undisclosed speed, the trailer was wobbling. Upon inspection, the contact's husband notice…"~22,000 mi, complaint #1818411
  2. #2

    transmission automatic

    2 stranded, 5 unsafe, 1 annoyance

    8
    incidents

    Mileage: suppressed (fewer than 10 mileage-bearing reports; n=1)

    • "The contact owns a 2021 Ram 2500. The contact stated that after the vehicle was repaired under NHTSA Campaign Number: 22V835000 (Power Train) he became aware that the replacement dipstick was 15-inches long instead the previous 44-inches in length. Additionall…"~42,000 mi, complaint #1882081
  3. #3

    engine internal

    7 unsafe

    7
    incidents

    Mileage: suppressed (fewer than 10 mileage-bearing reports; n=0)

    • "A high percentage of Ram owners with the 6.7 Cummins Engine are removing the Grid Heater due to a weak bolt that, over time becomes weak and falls down into the intake of the engine. The bolt will go directly into the engine block and cause catastrophic damage…"complaint #1872335
    • "3 months ago at around 23,000 miles, my truck had a P0302 Cylinder 2 misfire code, dealership “reset” the vehicle and code didn’t return. 3 weeks ago, cylinder 2 started having a loud tapping noise after the vehicle was fully warmed up. Vehicle has been at the…"complaint #1968512
    • "The engine cam and lifters are bad. Engine started knocking with only 30,000 miles. Had to have lifters and cam replaced"complaint #2050610
    • "The engine has had camshaft and lifter failure multiple times. The dealership has replaced the camshaft and lifters twice already , and now they have failed a 3rd time which has lead to metal in oil lubrication system. This has caused further damage to the eng…"complaint #2063334
    • "Imminent lifter failure. Has a very loud tick. This is a very common and almost always catastrophic failure. This is on the 6.7L Cummins engine"complaint #2087379
  4. #4

    wiring harness

    7 unsafe

    7
    incidents

    Mileage: suppressed (fewer than 10 mileage-bearing reports; n=2)

    • "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 sta…"~10,200 mi, complaint #1779323
  5. #5

    trunk or liftgate

    5 unsafe, 1 broken

    6
    incidents

    Mileage: suppressed (fewer than 10 mileage-bearing reports; n=0)

    • "Electronic tailgate has unlatched itself and fallen open while driving 5 times now twice now resulting in damage and things falling out of rear of truck onto highway "complaint #1774363
    • "The tailgate unlocked and dropped, hitting the trailer jack and damaging the tailgate. The tailgate was locked and shut, this was confirmed before we left the house. The tailgate dropped sometime while driving to another location. The truck is available for…"complaint #1815484
    • "Safety Recall ZB8. had recall work done, which according to the instructions, does not address the latching of tailgate. tailgate had unintended opening yesterday, resulting in a $4000 tool falling out of vehicle. dealership said to call Ram, Ram says deale…"complaint #1931857
    • "Tailgate was repaired in February 2025 for issue under 22V-904 and then after the repairs were completed my tailgate dropped again resulting in damage to my tailgate. "complaint #2088582
    • "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…"complaint #2142237
  6. #6

    airbag system

    4 unsafe

    4
    incidents

    Mileage: suppressed (fewer than 10 mileage-bearing reports; n=1)

    • "The contact owned a 2021 Ram 2500. The contact stated that while driving 55-60 MPH, the vehicle crashed into a cow, causing the front bumpers to bend 2 ft. inward. The air bags failed to deploy. The contact sustained bruises on the left arm, on the shoulder, o…"~70,500 mi, complaint #1992303
  7. #7

    backup camera

    2 unsafe, 2 annoyance

    4
    incidents

    Mileage: suppressed (fewer than 10 mileage-bearing reports; n=1)

    • "Back up camera glitch’s I have a video, and I tried to submit photos but it kept say they were to large"complaint #1941598
    • "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 prob…"complaint #1950736
    • "Backup camera fails to activate when vehicle is put in reverse gear"complaint #2096595
  8. #8

    brake hydraulics

    3 unsafe

    3
    incidents

    Mileage: suppressed (fewer than 10 mileage-bearing reports; n=0)

    • "While driving in stop & go traffic traveling at speeds less than 15mph, when I stepped on the brake pedal to slow / stop my RAM, the brake pedal failed to activate the brakes and the vehicle continue in a forward motion causing my RAM to collide with the vehic…"complaint #1990983
    • "The integrated brake controller fails to provide braking to my travel trailer when attempting to stop. Multiple times this has pushed my truck into an intersection. There are no warning lights or failure messages. The brake controller is configured correctl…"complaint #2006191
    • "I have a seized brake caliper that is a direct result of a faulty brake hose. The brakes were looked at by a brake specialist business and I was told the brake hoses had to be replaced as well as the calipers, rotors and pads on the front. I took it to the Lak…"complaint #2100447
  9. #9

    engine stall or no start

    3 unsafe

    3
    incidents

    Mileage: suppressed (fewer than 10 mileage-bearing reports; n=3)

    • "The contact owns a 2021 Ram 2500. The contact stated while approaching a stop sign or stop light, the vehicle stalled. The vehicle had to be placed in park and restarted. While driving at an undetermined speed, the vehicle stalled. There were no warning lights…"~50,000 mi, complaint #1863669
  10. #10

    seatbelt and pretensioner

    3 unsafe

    3
    incidents

    Mileage: suppressed (fewer than 10 mileage-bearing reports; n=0)

    • "Passenger side seatbelt locked in place and would not release. It continued to retract but would not release. We had to use the emergency release mechanism at the base to get the passenger free from the seatbelt. This was super scary. The seatbelt is in p…"complaint #2003232
    • "The passenger side seat belt retractor failed on this truck a couple of months ago. We had the parts replaced by the local dealer and did not think anything about it until our second truck also had the same issue and seriously hurt my mother. Report number 11…"complaint #2003234
    • "The 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…"complaint #2163119
  11. #11

    abs module

    2 unsafe

    2
    incidents

    Mileage: suppressed (fewer than 10 mileage-bearing reports; n=2)

    • "The contact owns a 2021 Ram 2500. The contact stated while driving approximately 30 MPH, the vehicle lost ABS functionality. The contact stated that while depressing the brake pedal, the vehicle failed to slow as needed, causing the vehicle to rear-end another…"~30,000 mi, complaint #1873966
  12. #12

    engine cooling

    2 unsafe

    2
    incidents

    Mileage: suppressed (fewer than 10 mileage-bearing reports; n=0)

    • "Heater quit working on driver side only. Still heats on passenger side. Took it into an ASE mechanic and they said they have seen multiple RAM trucks with this same problem. It isn't the heater or heater core. It is the Cooling system - gaskets failed, and…"complaint #2060386
    • "Ram 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…"complaint #2187791
  13. #13

    fuel pump

    2 unsafe

    2
    incidents

    Mileage: suppressed (fewer than 10 mileage-bearing reports; n=4)

    • "The contact owns a 2021 Ram 2500. The contact stated that on multiple occasions while driving at various speeds, the vehicle started to decelerate inadvertently while the accelerator pedal was depressed. The vehicle then lost motive power. The contact stated t…"~14,000 mi, complaint #1889199
    • "2020 RAM 2500 DIESEL 1900 MILES BEGAN TO LOSE POWER WHILE TRAVELING 70MPH ON THE EXPRESSWAY. I ATTEMPTED TO ACCELERATE TO NO AVAIL. I WAS TRAVELING IN THE FAST LANE AND CAUSED SERVAL VEHICLES TO ABRUPTLY CHANGE LANES AS TO NOT MAKE CONTACT WITH THE TRUCK. I…"~19,000 mi, complaint #1739478
  14. #14

    steering column

    1 unsafe, 1 annoyance

    2
    incidents

    Mileage: suppressed (fewer than 10 mileage-bearing reports; n=0)

    • "Steering wheel started to make a snap noise when being turn either to the left or right. Didn't happen every turn but would come and go and became more frequent. Took to dealer for diagnosis and they said it's the same noise the 1500s have when the clock sprin…"complaint #2068769
    • "THE 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 IN…"complaint #2197495
  15. #15

    throttle and pedal

    2 unsafe

    2
    incidents

    Mileage: suppressed (fewer than 10 mileage-bearing reports; n=0)

    • "Lost control of pedal no acceleration this has happened multiple times taken to dealership on multiple occasions. They can’t find a code for issue. Uconect reports the issue when it happens. It is a intermittent problem that occurs in some heavy traffic at tim…"complaint #1771716
    • "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 t…"complaint #1944275
  16. #16

    acceleration loss or hesitation

    1 unsafe

    1
    incident

    Mileage: suppressed (fewer than 10 mileage-bearing reports; n=0)

    • "When placing the truck in first gear to control speeds on steep declines both on and off road the vehicle's RPMS will climb significantly and the truck will accelerate abruptly under it's own power until it reaches 21-25mph. At which point the RPM's come down…"complaint #1998475
  17. #17

    control module

    1 unsafe

    1
    incident

    Mileage: suppressed (fewer than 10 mileage-bearing reports; n=1)

    • "The contact owns a 2021 Ram 2500. The contact stated that while driving at various speeds, on several occasions, the vehicle lost motive power. The vehicle was taken to a dealer where it was diagnosed that the ECM needed to be updated. The ECM was updated but…"~37,510 mi, complaint #1977409
  18. #18

    evap system

    1 annoyance

    1
    incident

    Mileage: suppressed (fewer than 10 mileage-bearing reports; n=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. No…"complaint #2048303
  19. #19

    exhaust system

    1 unsafe

    1
    incident

    Mileage: suppressed (fewer than 10 mileage-bearing reports; n=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…"complaint #1939112
  20. #20

    fluid leak unspecified

    1 unsafe

    1
    incident

    Mileage: suppressed (fewer than 10 mileage-bearing reports; n=2)

    • "The contact owns a 2021 Ram 2500. The contact stated that upon driving several miles and refueling the vehicle, he noticed that the Diesel Exhaust Fluid (DEF) additive gauge remained stuck in the same position. There was no warning light illuminated. The deale…"~8,000 mi, complaint #1866414
  21. #21

    fuel injector

    1 unsafe

    1
    incident

    Mileage: suppressed (fewer than 10 mileage-bearing reports; n=1)

    • "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…"~700 mi, complaint #1856949
  22. #22

    heater core and blower

    1 unsafe

    1
    incident

    Mileage: suppressed (fewer than 10 mileage-bearing reports; n=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.…"complaint #1780406
  23. #23

    hv system fault reduced power

    1 stranded

    1
    incident

    Mileage: suppressed (fewer than 10 mileage-bearing reports; n=0)

    • "traveling at slow speeds the motor has abruptly died, loss of steering, acceleration, and brakes were a result. Message came up on dash to shift the truck to park. The parking bake automatically was applied when vehicle slowed to approximately 3 mph leaving t…"complaint #1817051
  24. #24

    infotainment head unit

    1 annoyance

    1
    incident

    Mileage: suppressed (fewer than 10 mileage-bearing reports; n=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 pers…"complaint #1779779
  25. #25

    interior trim

    1 unsafe

    1
    incident

    Mileage: suppressed (fewer than 10 mileage-bearing reports; n=0)

    • "The leather dash cover is peeling/ separating from the dash panel. The way it is peeling I don’t believe the passenger airbag will deploy properly. There are seams that should split when the airbag deploys, but I think with the leather pealing it will just pus…"complaint #2001553
  26. #26

    suspension struts shocks

    1 unsafe

    1
    incident

    Mileage: suppressed (fewer than 10 mileage-bearing reports; n=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…"complaint #1775734
  27. #27

    wheel bearing

    1 unsafe

    1
    incident

    Mileage: suppressed (fewer than 10 mileage-bearing reports; n=1)

    • "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…"~60,000 mi, complaint #1854335
  28. #28

    wheel or rim

    1 unsafe

    1
    incident

    Mileage: suppressed (fewer than 10 mileage-bearing reports; n=0)

    • "Front 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…"complaint #2170135
  29. #29

    wiper and washer

    1 annoyance

    1
    incident

    Mileage: suppressed (fewer than 10 mileage-bearing reports; n=0)

    • "Driver-side windshield does not defrost for a long time while the right side (passenger side) defrosts properly."complaint #1801258

Search NHTSA's own recall and complaint database for RAM 2500 directly.