Problems owners report
Complaints filed with NHTSA about the 2021 Ram 3500, by the system named in each complaint. One complaint can name several.
- Electrical system17
- Power train11
- Engine10
- Unknown or other9
- Wheels7
- Structure5
- Service brakes5
- Fuel/propulsion system4
- Back over prevention3
- Exterior lighting3
NHTSA ODI complaints (public domain) · updated 23 Oct 2026 · 0 injuries and 0 deaths reported
Compared with other years
NHTSA ODI complaints by model year
Fatal crashes in the US
From 2020 to 2023, 43 2021 3500 vehicles were involved in crashes on US public roads in which someone died; 14 people died inside them, and 7 of the vehicles rolled over. This is a count, not a crash rate: it grows with the number of cars on the road.
NHTSA Fatality Analysis Reporting System (FARS), crash years 2020–2023 (public domain)
Recalls in Canada
9 Transport Canada recalls for the 2021 Ram 3500.
| 2025613 6 Nov 2025 | Airbag Issue: On a small number of vehicles, the steering column control module may not have been manufactured properly. As a result, the driver-front airbag may not… |
| 2024548 15 Aug 2024 | Label Issue: On certain vehicles, the tire and loading information label does not list that there is no spare tire in both official languages. The label reads as "N… |
| 2023026 9 Feb 2023 | Electrical Issue: On certain trucks and chassis-cabs equipped with a 6.7 L Cummins diesel engine, the intake air heater relay could short circuit. This could happen even… |
| 2022644 10 Nov 2022 | Powertrain Issue: On certain trucks, a buildup of heat and pressure inside the transmission could cause fluid to leak from the transmission dipstick tube. Note: This r… |
| 2022108 11 Mar 2022 | Brakes Issue: On certain vehicles, the warning lamp for the electronic stability control (ESC) system may not turn on when there is a problem with the ESC system. … |
| 2021722 24 Nov 2021 | Airbag Issue: On certain trucks, there may be a problem with the side airbag curtain inflators. As a result, the side airbag curtains may not inflate properly in a c… |
| 2021629 14 Oct 2021 | Electrical Issue: On certain trucks or chassis-cabs equipped with a 6.7 L Cummins diesel engine, the intake air heater relay could short circuit. This could happen even … |
| 2021336 28 May 2021 | Wheels Issue: On certain pickup and chassis-cab trucks, the owner's manual and service manual list the wrong torque specification for the wheel nuts. As a result, so… |
| 2021138 11 Mar 2021 | Electrical This recall was replaced by Transport Canada Recall No. 2021-629. Issue: On certain trucks or chassis-cabs equipped with a 6.7 L Cummins diesel engine, th… |
Transport Canada Vehicle Recalls Database · Contains information licensed under the Open Government Licence – Canada
Recalls
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."
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.
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.
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.
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."
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.
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.
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.
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.
Whether a recall was fixed on a particular car is known only to the manufacturer: check the VIN at nhtsa.gov/recalls.
NHTSA recalls · summaries in NHTSA's own words
Service bulletins
What Ram told its dealers about the 2021 Ram 3500: known faults, fixes and updates.
| Bulletin | Summary |
|---|---|
| 11011774 | Backup Camera Poor Image Quality Inspection |
| 11011716 | "Brake Warning Lamp Illumination Over Rumble Strips Customers may experience a Malfunction Indicator Lamp (MIL) illumination. Upon further investigation the technician may find that one or more of the following Diagnostic Trouble Codes (DTCs) have been set: C003A-2F - Right Rear Wheel Speed Sensor - Signal Erratic. C0037-2F - Left Rear Wheel Speed Sensor - Signal Erratic. Customers may also comment on the following: Automatic Brake System (ABS) lamp and Electronic Stability Control (ESC) lamp turn on when driving over rumble strips. This bulletin involves replacing one or both rear wheel sp |
| 11011155 | CONVERTER - CATALYTIC |
| 11011146 | CONVERTER - CATALYTIC |
| 11010636 | "Flash: Diesel Exhaust Fluid (DEF) Dosing Control Unit (DCU) Update Customers must experience a Malfunction Indicator Lamp (MIL) illumination and the vehicle must exhibit/set the following Diagnostic Trouble Code (DTC): P21C4-00 - Reductant Line Heater Relay Control Circuit High. U11C1-00 - Reductant Control Module Received Implausible Data From ECM/PCM. These DTCs will occur after installation of service DCU 68458603AB. This bulletin involves reprogramming the DCU with the latest available software." |
| 11010511 | Tire Pressure Monitor (TPM) Service Information. TPM Lamp On. |
| 11010205 | Plate - Planetary |
| 11010147 | TRANSMISSION KIT - WITH TORQUE CONVERTER |
| 11010145 | TRANSMISSION KIT - WITH TORQUE CONVERTER |
| 11009613 | TRANSMISSION KIT - WITH TORQUE CONVERTER |
| 11009608 | TRANSMISSION KIT - WITH TORQUE CONVERTER |
| 11009597 | MODULE - ENGINE CONTROLLER |
| 11009561 | SWITCH - HEADLAMP |
| 11008917 | "Flash: Anti-Lock Brake System (ABS) Module Updates **Customers must experience a Malfunction Indicator Lamp (MIL) illumination and the vehicle must exhibit/set one or more of the following Diagnostic Trouble Codes (DTCs):** **C2200-47 - Anti-Lock Brake Module Internal - Watchdog / Safety Auc Failure.** C006A-49 - Multi-Axis Acceleration Sensor - Internal Electronic Failure. Customers may also comment on one or more of the following: **Anti-lock Brake System (ABS) indicator light illuminated in the Instrument Panel Cluster (IPC). Electronic Stability Control (ESC) indicator light illuminat |
| 11008900 | Trailer Tire Pressure Monitor (TTPM) Programming Tips And Operation Information. |
| 11008890 | Transfer case BW44-47 If fluid leak is present between the transfer case and the rear driveshaft on a 4WD vehicle the Output Shaft Seal - sub component parts should be considered in lieu of entire transfer case or driveshaft replacement. In the case of major damage to components, contact StarCenter and/or proceed with replacements as necessary. |
| 11008746 | "Diesel Exhaust Fluid (DEF) Fluid Freezing Warranty Extension XR1 Customers must experience a Malfunction Indicator Lamp (MIL) illumination and the vehicle must exhibit/set the following Diagnostic Trouble Code (DTC): P203E-00 - Reductant Level Sensor 1 Circuit Intermittent-Erratic. Customers may also experience one or more of the following: Repeated freeze/thaw cycles of the urea tank to cause solid DEF crystals to form and settle on the focus tube, blocking the level sensor signal. Rapid temperature swings from below freezing to above freezing causing an incomplete thaw of the DEF tank. W |
| 11008745 | "Diesel Exhaust Fluid (DEF) Fluid Freezing Customers must experience a Malfunction Indicator Lamp (MIL) illumination and the vehicle must exhibit/set the following Diagnostic Trouble Code (DTC): P203E-00 - Reductant Level Sensor 1 Circuit Intermittent-Erratic. Customers may also experience one or more of the following: Repeated freeze/thaw cycles of the urea tank to cause solid DEF crystals to form and settle on the focus tube, blocking the level sensor signal. Rapid temperature swings from below freezing to above freezing causing an incomplete thaw of the DEF tank. When the vehicle is powe |
| 11008707 | SWITCH - HEADLAMP |
| 11008436 | Dome Lamp LED And Incandescent Bulb Servicing. |
| 11008221 | "Replace K1 Clutch / Input Shaft Assembly Customers must experience a Malfunction Indicator Lamp (MIL) illumination and the vehicle must exhibit/set the following Diagnostic Trouble Code (DTC): P0731-00 - Gear 1 Shift Incorrect Ratio (This DTC will set during a key cycle and shifting into Drive). Customers may also comment on the following: The transmission will not shift into or out of 1st - 4th gears. 5th and reverse gears are still available. **This bulletin involves replacing the K1 clutch and possibly the K1 input shaft drum sub-assembly. These repairs are to be performed only if the ve |
| 11008196 | "Diesel Exhaust Fluid (DEF) Fluid Freezing Warranty Extension XR1 Customers must experience a Malfunction Indicator Lamp (MIL) illumination and the vehicle must exhibit/set the following Diagnostic Trouble Code (DTC): P203E-00 - Reductant Level Sensor 1 Circuit Intermittent-Erratic. Customers may also experience one or more of the following: Repeated freeze/thaw cycles of the urea tank to cause solid DEF crystals to form and settle on the focus tube, blocking the level sensor signal. Rapid temperature swings from below freezing to above freezing causing an incomplete thaw of the DEF tank. W |
| 11008149 | Warranty Bulletin D-24-16 (XR1) Urea Delivery Module Select 2019 - 2022 RAM Trucks (DJ/D2/DD/DP) |
| 11008071 | Tire Pressure Lamp Flashing, No Tire Pressures Displayed, Tire Pressure Module (TPM) System Unavailable Message Displayed on Cluster |
| 11007994 | FCA Caribbean Warranty Bulletin ID-24-16Rev. Announces the addition of the Rear AxleAssembly replacementfor 2019 - 2024 RAM 3500 Cab Chassis (DD), RAM 4500/ 5500 Cab Chassis (DP), RAM 3500 Pickup (D2), RAM 2500 Pickup (DJ), RAM 1500 Pickup (DS) and RAM 1500 Pickup (DT)vehicles to the Powertrain Pre-Authorization program to ensure proper repair of Rear AxleAssembly failures and to assist in quality improvements. REV.A |
NHTSA manufacturer communications (public domain)
NHTSA investigations
High pressure fuel pump failure
NHTSA Office of Defects Investigation