2021 Ram 3500

Problems, Recalls & Reliability Report

Average

Quick Summary

The 2021 Ram 3500 has 89 owner complaints filed with NHTSA — that's 1.1x the segment average of 80. The most common issue is electrical problems (18% of all complaints), specifically: our vehicle was involved in a total loss fire from the engine compartment while driving. we were driving the unit and noticed smoke, when we were merging to pull of the road flames started coming up and we immediately exited the vehicle and had to run, because it started popping. we were lucky to es. ⚠️ 5 fire reports filed.

5 fire reports

Total Complaints

Recalls Issued

—/5

Safety Stars

1.1x

vs Segment Avg

Known Problems

ELECTRICAL

16 complaints

18%

• Our vehicle was involved in a total loss fire from the engine compartment while driving. We were driving the unit and noticed smoke, when we were merging to pull of the road flames started coming up and we immediately exited the vehicle and had to run, because it started popping. We were lucky to es
• The contact owns a 2021 Ram 3500. The contact stated while driving 60 MPH, the check engine, cruise control, 4WD, stability control, the ABS and trailer brake warning lights were illuminated. The contact called the local dealer and made them aware of the failure. The dealer informed the contact to t
• The Auto lights sensor turns lights on/off at random during dark/night driving. The high beam auto sensor keeps the high beams on, so you do not notice losing driving lights. I found this out by accident, when I started losing my trailer lights at night. Quick fix, turn the light switch to on, inst

Typical onset: 50K miles Est. repair: $500🔥 1 fire reports

“Our vehicle was involved in a total loss fire from the engine compartment while driving. We were driving the unit and noticed smoke, when we were merging to pull of the road flames started coming up and we immediately exited the vehicle and had to run, because it started popping. We were lucky to es”

— NHTSA complaint filing

ENGINE

13 complaints

15%

• Our vehicle was involved in a total loss fire from the engine compartment while driving. We were driving the unit and noticed smoke, when we were merging to pull of the road flames started coming up and we immediately exited the vehicle and had to run, because it started popping. We were lucky to es
• When coming to a complete stop and the brake fully pressed down, the truck will lunge forward and almost hit the car in front of me. Then the trucks idle will reduce and it will start to shake. Several people have reported this issue on this year vehicle. Many people have stated that it is due to
• See attached document from complainant

Typical onset: 50K miles Est. repair: $500🔥 2 fire reports

— NHTSA complaint filing

TRANSMISSION

11 complaints

12%

• Brand new truck (226 miles) STOPPED RUNNING on Interstate 90 in Montana. Very dangerous situation, although was able to pull to side of interstate and was able to tow truck to Butte Montana and no one was injured. Nonetheless, had this occurred in rural area, snowy mountain passes, pulling livesto
• The transmission’s light came on saying that it was heated. I parked as soon as possible and that’s when the flames were coming out of the hood. I did burned my hands trying to put out the fire with 3 fire extinguishers. I did not want my truck to burn. Now, the dealer is trying to say that they can
• The contact owns a 2021 Ram 3500. The contact received notification of NHTSA Campaign Number: 22V835000 (Power Train) and 23V060000 (Electrical System) however, the parts to do the recall repairs were unavailable. The contact stated that the manufacturer had exceeded a reasonable amount of time for

Typical onset: 50K miles Est. repair: $500🔥 1 fire reports

“Brand new truck (226 miles) STOPPED RUNNING on Interstate 90 in Montana. Very dangerous situation, although was able to pull to side of interstate and was able to tow truck to Butte Montana and no one was injured. Nonetheless, had this occurred in rural area, snowy mountain passes, pulling livesto”

— NHTSA complaint filing

OTHER

9 complaints

10%

• MY BRAND NEW 2021 RAM 3500 LIMITED LONGHORN, SUDDENLY STOPPED RUNNING AT AROUND 70 MILES. THIS HAPPENED ON I-84 BETWEEN CALDWELL, ID AND BAKER CITY, OR ON 19 JAN 2021 AROUND 9:00PM. ROADSIDE FAILED TWICE AT GETTING US TOWED TO SAFETY. THE 1ST TOWING COMPANY CALLED TO SAY HE DECLINED THE SERVICE AND
• On 1 Jan 2022 after driving from Washougal WA to Vancouver WA, I noticed after stopping for food that my front driver-side tire was near completely flat. Upon checking the dash information screen and cycling to the tire pressure screen, it reflected that my front drivers side tire was at 15 PSI, wh
• I’ve replaced turbo twice, computer once, now I’ve been told by multiple dealerships that I need to replace the def system and or fuel pump I hadn’t even got a 100k on the truck yet. The last incident I was driving and it kept saying in so many miles it would only allow me to go 5 mph see dealershi

Typical onset: 50K miles Est. repair: $500🔥 1 fire reports

“MY BRAND NEW 2021 RAM 3500 LIMITED LONGHORN, SUDDENLY STOPPED RUNNING AT AROUND 70 MILES. THIS HAPPENED ON I-84 BETWEEN CALDWELL, ID AND BAKER CITY, OR ON 19 JAN 2021 AROUND 9:00PM. ROADSIDE FAILED TWICE AT GETTING US TOWED TO SAFETY. THE 1ST TOWING COMPANY CALLED TO SAY HE DECLINED THE SERVICE AND ”

— NHTSA complaint filing

WHEELS

7 complaints

• The contact owns a 2021 Ram 3500. The contact received notification of NHTSA Campaign Number: 21V398000 (Wheels) however, the part to do the recall repair was unavailable. The contact took the vehicle to the local dealer and it was confirmed that the part was not yet available. The contact stated th
• The truck comes with a factory installed TPMS. The system to constantly reporting an error where one or more tires is not reading correctly. I spoke to a tire shop who said the RAM is notorious for this but there is no know fix. Yesterday while towing an rv down the highway, as usual the TPMS sys
• We had the left driver side rear tire crack in two different places on the outside while driving from AL to OK with a load of cattle. No air tire pressure warning from truck when tire deflated. Tire happened to quickly deflate right as we stopped for gas due to the cracks in sidewall. This tire woul

Typical onset: 50K miles Est. repair: $500

“The contact owns a 2021 Ram 3500. The contact received notification of NHTSA Campaign Number: 21V398000 (Wheels) however, the part to do the recall repair was unavailable. The contact took the vehicle to the local dealer and it was confirmed that the part was not yet available. The contact stated th”

— NHTSA complaint filing

Estimated Repair Costs

ELECTRICAL(~50K mi)

$500

ENGINE(~50K mi)

$500

TRANSMISSION(~50K mi)

$500

OTHER(~50K mi)

$500

WHEELS(~50K mi)

$500

Estimates based on average reported repair costs. Actual costs vary by location, shop, and severity.

🔍 Pre-Purchase Inspection Checklist

Based on 89 owner complaints for this specific year, here's what to check or ask about:

☐
ELECTRICAL: Our vehicle was involved in a total loss fire from the engine compartment while driving. We were driving the unit and noticed smoke, when we were merging to pull of the road flames started coming up and we immediately exited the vehicle and had to run, because it started popping. We were lucky to es
Typically appears around 50K miles. Repair cost ~$500
☐
ENGINE: Our vehicle was involved in a total loss fire from the engine compartment while driving. We were driving the unit and noticed smoke, when we were merging to pull of the road flames started coming up and we immediately exited the vehicle and had to run, because it started popping. We were lucky to es
Typically appears around 50K miles. Repair cost ~$500
☐
TRANSMISSION: Brand new truck (226 miles) STOPPED RUNNING on Interstate 90 in Montana. Very dangerous situation, although was able to pull to side of interstate and was able to tow truck to Butte Montana and no one was injured. Nonetheless, had this occurred in rural area, snowy mountain passes, pulling livesto
Typically appears around 50K miles. Repair cost ~$500
☐
OTHER: MY BRAND NEW 2021 RAM 3500 LIMITED LONGHORN, SUDDENLY STOPPED RUNNING AT AROUND 70 MILES. THIS HAPPENED ON I-84 BETWEEN CALDWELL, ID AND BAKER CITY, OR ON 19 JAN 2021 AROUND 9:00PM. ROADSIDE FAILED TWICE AT GETTING US TOWED TO SAFETY. THE 1ST TOWING COMPANY CALLED TO SAY HE DECLINED THE SERVICE AND
Typically appears around 50K miles. Repair cost ~$500
☐
General: Get a pre-purchase inspection from an independent mechanic ($100-$200)