2021 RAM 3500 Problems, Complaints & Recalls
- Compared with other 3500 years
- Fewer complaints than other years 10th of 20 for complaints
- Safety recalls
- 9 recalls: check your VIN
- NHTSA crash rating
- Not rated
Owners have filed 62 complaints with NHTSA about the 2021 RAM 3500. That ranks 10th out of 20 3500 model years for complaints. The most reported problem area is electrical system (17 complaints, 27%), typically at around 25,000 miles. Complaints mention 4 fires. There are 9 safety recalls covering this model year. NHTSA has opened 1 defect investigation involving it.
- 62owner complaints
- 9safety recalls
- 1NHTSA investigations
- 0complaints mentioning a crash
Complaints are unverified owner reports and are not adjusted for sales volume.
Most common 2021 RAM 3500 problems
Complaints grouped by the part of the car owners reported, with the median mileage when the problem happened.
| Problem area | Complaints | Share | Median miles | Owners mention most | Typical repair cost |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Electrical System | 17 | 27% | 25,000 | — | — |
| Power Train | 11 | 18% | 62,000 | — | — |
| Engine | 10 | 16% | 99,000 | — | — |
| Unknown or Other | 9 | 15% | 70 | — | — |
| Wheels | 7 | 11% | 58,000 | — | — |
| Service Brakes | 5 | 8% | — | — | — |
| Structure | 5 | 8% | — | — | — |
| Fuel/propulsion System | 4 | 6% | 70 | — | — |
| Back Over Prevention | 3 | 5% | — | — | — |
| Engine and Engine Cooling | 3 | 5% | 190,000 | — | — |
| Exterior Lighting | 3 | 5% | 6,000 | — | — |
| Tires | 3 | 5% | — | — | — |
| Suspension | 2 | 3% | — | — | — |
| Forward Collision Avoidance | 1 | 2% | — | — | — |
| Fuel System, Diesel | 1 | 2% | 77,000 | — | — |
| Seat Belts | 1 | 2% | — | — | — |
| Seats | 1 | 2% | — | — | — |
| Service Brakes, Air | 1 | 2% | 30,000 | — | — |
| Steering | 1 | 2% | — | — | — |
| Vehicle Speed Control | 1 | 2% | — | — | — |
| Visibility/wiper | 1 | 2% | — | — | — |
One complaint can list several problem areas, so shares can add up to more than 100%.
Complaints by year received
2021 RAM 3500 recalls (9)
Tap a recall to see the problem, the risk and the fix.
Air bags:frontal; steering:steering control module
Problem: Chrysler (FCA US, LLC) is recalling certain 2021-2022 Ram 1500, Ram 2500, Ram 3500, Ram 4500, and Ram 5500 vehicles. The steering column control module may cause the driver's side air bag not to deploy as intended. As such, these vehicles fail to comply with the requirements of Federal Motor Vehicle Safety Standard number 208, "Occupant Crash Protection."
Risk: A driver's side air bag that does not deploy as intended increases the risk of injury in a crash.
Fix: Dealers will replace the steering column control module, free of charge. Owner notification letters were mailed beginning December 11, 2025. Owners may contact Chrysler customer service at 800-853-1403. Chrysler's number for this recall is 14C. Vehicle Identification Numbers (VINs) involved in this recall became searchable on NHTSA.gov beginning November 13, 2025.
Electrical system:wiring:relays/solenoidsPark outside
Problem: Chrysler (FCA US, LLC) is recalling certain 2021-2023 Ram 2500, 3500, 3500 Cab Chassis, and 4500, 5500 Cab Chassis vehicles equipped with a Cummins 6.7L Turbo Diesel engine. An electrical short may occur in the heater grid relay with the ignition on or off.
Risk: An electrical short in the relay can result in an engine compartment fire with the ignition on or off, increasing the risk of injury.
Fix: Owners are advised to park outside and away from structures until the recall repair is complete. Dealers will replace the relay, free of charge. This will be a Phased campaign. Phase 1 will include 2023 model year vehicles. FCA US will notify dealers on or about 3/23/2023 and begin notifying owners on or about 4/5/2023. Phase 2 will include 2022 model year vehicles and Phase 3 will include 2021 model year vehicles. FCA US will notify dealers and owners on or about 4/27/2023 for Phase 2 and 5/11/2023 for Phase 3. Interim owner notification letters informing owners of the safety risk were mailed March 28, 2023. Owner notification letters are expected to be mailed April 5, 2023. Owners may contact FCA US, LLC customer service at 1-800-853-1403. FCA US, LLC's number for this recall is 13A. This recall is an expansion of and supersedes recall number 21V-798.
Structure:body:tailgate:hinge and attachments
Problem: Chrysler (FCA US, LLC) is recalling certain 2019-2022 Ram 1500, 2500, and 3500 pickup trucks. The tailgate may not latch properly due to misaligned tailgate strikers, which could result in the tailgate opening while driving.
Risk: An unintended tailgate opening while driving may result in a loss of unsecured cargo, possibly creating a road hazard and increasing the risk of a crash.
Fix: Dealers will inspect the tailgate striker alignment to the box latch and adjust, if necessary, free of charge. Owner notification letters were mailed December 22, 2022. Owners may contact FCA US, LLC customer service at 1-800-853-1403. FCA US, LLC's number for this recall is ZB8.
Power train:automatic transmission
Problem: FCA US, LLC (Chrysler) is recalling certain 2020-2023 Ram 2500 and 2020-2022 Ram 3500 vehicles. A build-up of pressure and heat inside the transmission may result in a transmission fluid leak from the dipstick tube.
Risk: Leaking transmission fluid may contact an ignition source within the engine compartment, increasing the risk of a fire.
Fix: Dealers will replace the transmission dipstick and transmission vent assembly, free of charge. Owner notification letters were mailed December 29, 2022. Owners may contact FCA US, LLC customer service at 1-800-853-1403. Chrysler's number for this recall is ZA3.
Electronic stability control (esc); service brakes, hydraulic:antilock/traction control/electronic limited slip:control unit/module
Problem: Chrysler (FCA US, LLC) is recalling certain 2019-2022 Ram 2500 and 2021-2022 Dodge Durango vehicles, and 2019-2022 3500 cab chassis with GVWR less than 10,000 lbs. The ABS control module software may prevent the electronic stability control (ESC) malfunction indicator light from illuminating during certain conditions. As such, these vehicles fail to comply with the requirements of Federal Motor Vehicle Safety Standard number 126, "Electronic Stability Control Systems."
Risk: An ESC malfunction indicator light that fails to illuminate during an electronic stability control problem can increase the risk of a crash.
Fix: Dealers will update the ABS control module software, free of charge. Owner notification letters were mailed March 29, 2022. Owners may contact FCA US, LLC customer service at 1-800-853-1403. FCA US, LLC's number for this recall is Z20.
Air bags:side/window:curtain
Problem: Chrysler (FCA US, LLC) is recalling certain 2021-2022 Ram 2500, Ram 3500, and 2021 Ram 1500 Classic pickup trucks. The side air bag inflatable curtain (SABIC) assemblies may have been manufactured with the incorrect amount of compressed gas, which can result in an improper air bag deployment.
Risk: An air bag that deploys improperly can increase the risk of injury in a crash.
Fix: Dealers will replace the SABIC assemblies, free of charge. Owner notification letters were mailed January 17, 2022. Owners may contact FCA US, LLC customer service at 1-800-853-1403. FCA US, LLC's number for this recall is Y99.
Electrical system:wiring:relays/solenoidsPark outside
Problem: Chrysler (FCA US, LLC) is recalling certain 2021-2022 Ram 3500, 2500 pickup trucks, and Ram 3500, 4500, and 5500 cab chassis vehicles equipped with Cummins 6.7L Turbo Diesel engines. An electrical short in the relay may cause a vehicle fire with the ignition on or off.
Risk: A vehicle fire increases the risk of injury.
Fix: Owners are advised to park these vehicles outside of buildings or structures, and not near other vehicles, until the vehicle has been remedied. Dealers will inspect and, if needed, replace the Solid State Intake Heater Grid Relay ("Relay"); if FCA US Recall ID Y08 (NHTSA Recall ID 21V-163) is open, then insulating material will be applied to the Relay after inspection. Owner notification letters were mailed November 10, 2021. Owners may contact FCA US, LLC customer service at 1-800-853-1403. FCA US, LLC's number for this recall is Y76. This recall has been superseded by 23V060.
Wheels:lugs/nuts/bolts/studs
Problem: Chrysler (FCA US, LLC) is recalling certain 2012-2021 RAM 3500, 3500 Cab Chassis, 4500 Cab Chassis, and 5500 Cab Chassis vehicles. Incorrect information in the Service and Owner's Manuals may cause the flanged lug nuts to be over-tightened, which could result in a broken wheel stud and possible wheel separation.
Risk: Wheel separation can cause a vehicle crash.
Fix: Dealers will update the torque specification in the owner's manual and other published service documents. Dealers will also inspect the vehicle's wheel studs, replacing them if necessary, free of charge. Owner notification letters were mailed on November 30, 2021. Campaign Y36 owner notification letters were mailed on November 30, 2021. Campaign Y26 owner notification letters were mailed on December 1, 2021. Owners may contact FCA US customer service at 1-800-853-1403. FCA US's numbers for this recall are Y26 and Y36.
Electrical system
Problem: Chrysler (FCA US, LLC) is recalling certain 2021 Ram 2500, 3500, and 3500, 4500, and 5500 Cab Chassis vehicles equipped with a Cummins 6.7L Turbo Diesel engine. An electrical short may occur in the Solid State Intake Heater Grid Relay, which could result in a vehicle fire.
Risk: A vehicle fire increases the risk of injury.
Fix: Dealers will inspect and, if needed, replace the Solid State Intake Heater Grid Relay ("Relay"); if FCA US Recall ID Y08 (NHTSA Recall ID 21V-163) is open, then insulating material will be applied to the Relay after inspection. Customers are advised to not park these vehicles inside of buildings or structures, or near other vehicles until the vehicle has the final repair completed. Owner notification letters were mailed November 10, 2021. Owners may contact FCA US, LLC customer service at 1-800-853-1403. FCA US, LLC's number for this recall is Y76. Owners may contact FCA US LLC customer service at 1-800-853-1403. FCA US LLC's number for this recall is Y08. This recall has been superseded by recall number 21V-798.
To see whether a specific car still has an open recall, enter its VIN on NHTSA's official recall lookup. You can also decode a VIN here.
NHTSA defect investigations
- High pressure fuel pump failure (EA23001) — opened Mar 17, 2023, still open, led to recall 24V957.
Recent owner reports
Short excerpts of the latest complaints filed with NHTSA, with personal details removed. Full reports can be searched on NHTSA.gov.
The contact owns a 2021 Ram 3500. The contact stated that while driving at various speeds, occasionally while activating the left turn signal to make a turn, the rear driverâs side turn signal failed to operate as intended. The message related to the brake light and turn signal was displayed on…
The contact owns a 2021 Ram 3500 . The contact received notification of NHTSA Campaign Numbers: 25V720000 (Engine and Engine Cooling) and 25V552000 (Back Over Prevention) however, the part to do the recall repair was not yet available. The dealer was contacted. The vehicle was not diagnosed or…
The contact owns a 2021 RAM 3500. The contact stated that while driving at 40 mph, the vehicle stalled and could not be restarted. The vehicle was towed to a dealer, where it was diagnosed that the entire fuel system needed to be replaced due to the high-pressure fuel pump exploding after metal…
The contact owns a 2021 Ram 3500. The contact received notification of NHTSA Campaign Number: 25V552000 (Back Over Prevention) and 25V720000 (Engine and Engine Cooling); however, the part to do the recall repair was not yet available. The local dealer was contacted. The contact stated that the…
The contact owns a 2021 Ram 3500. While the contact's husband was driving at 55 MPH, the driver's rear wheel detached. The contact stated that the failure had occurred while a pickup box trailer was hitched to the vehicle. The vehicle was towed to an independent mechanic where it was determined…
Other RAM 3500 years
| Year | Complaints | Recalls |
|---|---|---|
| 2026 3500 | 27 | 4 |
| 2025 3500 | 43 | 5 |
| 2024 3500 | 45 | 2 |
| 2023 3500 | 17 | 5 |
| 2022 3500 | 190 | 12 |
| 2021 | 62 | 9 |
| 2020 3500 | 116 | 11 |
| 2019 3500 | 137 | 14 |
| 2018 3500 | 805 | 10 |
| 2017 3500 | 313 | 12 |
| 2016 3500 | 134 | 14 |
| 2015 3500 | 137 | 14 |
| 2014 3500 | 202 | 15 |
| 2013 3500 | 115 | 16 |
| 2012 3500 | 0 | 0 |
| 2011 3500 | 0 | 0 |
| 2010 3500 | 0 | 0 |
| 2009 3500 | 3 | 2 |
| 2008 3500 | 4 | 1 |
| 2007 3500 | 6 | 1 |
See all RAM 3500 problems by year, every RAM model, or the RAM VIN decoder.
Similar RAM models
Embed this 2021 RAM 3500 badge on your site
Copy this code into your blog or forum post. It shows live complaint and recall counts and links back here.
Frequently asked questions
What are the most common problems with the 2021 RAM 3500?
Owners most often report electrical system, power train, engine problems. The top one, electrical system, accounts for 17 complaints.
Was there a recall on the 2021 RAM 3500?
Yes, 9 safety recalls. Enter your VIN at NHTSA.gov to check whether the repairs were done on your car.
Was the 2021 RAM 3500 a good year?
Complaint data can't fully answer that, because counts aren't adjusted for sales. Compared with other 3500 model years, the 2021 has fewer complaints than most years. Always get a pre-purchase inspection and check the VIN for open recalls.