Vehicle Data Hub

2021 Ram 2500 problems

Owners have filed 163 complaints with NHTSA about the 2021 Ram 2500. Electrical system is the most reported problem area, at 21% of complaints. Next are engine (17%) and drivetrain & axles (15%).

At a glance

Complaints
163 filed with NHTSA
Most reported
Electrical system 22% of complaints
Crashes and fires
7 and 15
Injuries and deaths
3 and 0
Typical mileage
32,000 miles 22 complaints with mileage

Source: NHTSA owner complaints

Where the complaints are

Share of this model year's complaints by the part of the car involved. One complaint can name more than one part, so the shares can add up to more than 100%.

When problems show up

Complaints by mileage, 2021 Ram 2500 Complaints by odometer reading in 20,000-mile steps. The median is about 32,000 miles. 0k to 20k miles: 8 complaints 20k to 40k miles: 5 complaints 40k to 60k miles: 6 complaints 60k to 80k miles: 3 complaints 80k to 100k miles: 0 complaints 100k to 120k miles: 0 complaints 120k to 140k miles: 0 complaints 140k to 160k miles: 0 complaints 160k to 180k miles: 0 complaints 180k to 200k miles: 0 complaints 200k+ miles: 0 complaints 040k80k120k160k200k miles Typical: 32,000 miles
Based on 22 complaints that include mileage. 86% were reported before 60,000 miles. The amber marker shows the median: half of these complaints happened before that mileage.
View the numbers
MileageComplaints
0k to 20k miles8
20k to 40k miles5
40k to 60k miles6
60k to 80k miles3
80k to 100k miles0
100k to 120k miles0
120k to 140k miles0
140k to 160k miles0
160k to 180k miles0
180k to 200k miles0
200k+ miles0

What the data shows

Of the 22 complaints that include odometer readings, half describe a problem before roughly 32,000 miles.

Safety-related details: 7 complaints mention a crash; 15 complaints mention a fire; 3 injuries reported.

Looking only at complaints filed within five years of the model year (so older and newer years are comparable), the 2021 ranks 10th most-complained-about out of 14 model years of the Ram 2500 with enough data (163 complaints in that window). It is also covered by 8 safety recall campaigns.

What owners wrote

A few complaints as filed, shortened and with personal details removed. The first ones are among the most serious reports for this model year; the rest are typical.

I was driving my 2021 ram 2500 west at approximately 35mph when a oncoming vehicle a 2008 Dodge Nitro failed to navigate a curve in the road crossing center line of road hitting me head on at a estimated 50-6- mph. (Driver was ticket for to fast for conditions) It was a clear , dry day. The Ram trucks air bag and seatbelt restraint system did not deploy/lockup . There were no warning lights , messages, or symptoms making me aware of any problems.

August 2021 CrashInjury

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.

September 2021 CrashInjury

The contact owns a 2021 Ram 2500. The contact stated that the check engine warning light was illuminated. The contact also stated that the remote start was inoperable. The contact received notification of NHTSA Campaign Number: 23V060000 (Electrical System) however, the part to do the recall repair was not yet available. The local dealer was contacted. The contact stated that the manufacturer had exceeded a reasonable amount of time for the recall repair. The manufacturer was made aware of the issue.

Reported at 48,000 miles, May 2023

The 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.

Reported at 34,000 miles, July 2024

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