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2021 RAM 2500 reliability record

NHTSA consumer complaints and recall campaigns for the 2021 RAM 2500 from the dataset labeled 2026. The source file does not provide an exact snapshot date. Use the reported issues to guide further checks; these counts do not establish failure rates or repair costs.

NHTSA source snapshot · 2026Consumer reports are not verified defects Official source
NHTSA complaints
154
Dataset year: 2026; snapshot day not provided
Top problem area
ELECTRICAL SYSTEM
35 complaints
Recalls on record
8
see below
Reported harm
7 reported crashes · 3 injuries · 15 fires

How this record compares

raw NHTSA counts, not defect rates

Counts are not adjusted for vehicles sold, time in service or reporting frequency. A larger count does not establish a higher chance of failure, and these comparisons do not set the maintenance budget in our calculator.

Complaint rank

#3,145

of 4,194 vehicle records

Vs RAM median

-156

median 310 across 37 RAM records

Vs 2019-2023

-85

median 240 complaints in 444 records

Top component share

23%

Electrical System: 35 complaints

What owners report fails — 2021 RAM 2500

  • ELECTRICAL SYSTEM 35
  • ENGINE 25
  • POWER TRAIN 23
  • FUEL/PROPULSION SYSTEM 8
  • STRUCTURE:BODY 8

8 recalls on record for the 2021 RAM 2500

  • NHTSA 25V765000 · 2025 · STEERING:STEERING CONTROL MODULE A driver's side air bag that does not deploy as intended increases the risk of injury in a crash.
  • NHTSA 23V060000 · 2023 · ELECTRICAL SYSTEM:WIRING:RELAYS/SOLENOID An electrical short in the relay can result in an engine compartment fire with the ignition on or off, increasing the ri
  • NHTSA 21V925000 · 2022 · AIR BAGS:SIDE/WINDOW:CURTAIN An air bag that deploys improperly can increase the risk of injury in a crash.
  • NHTSA 22V904000 · 2022 · STRUCTURE:BODY:TAILGATE:HINGE AND ATTACH An unintended tailgate opening while driving may result in a loss of unsecured cargo, possibly creating a road hazard an
  • NHTSA 22V835000 · 2022 · POWER TRAIN:AUTOMATIC TRANSMISSION Leaking transmission fluid may contact an ignition source within the engine compartment, increasing the risk of a fire.
Look up these campaign numbers at NHTSA.gov →

Estimate the 5-year cost to own a 2021 RAM 2500

Build a separate budget with your purchase price, insurance quote, mileage and maintenance estimate. Complaint counts do not enter that calculation. Unknown local taxes and fees stay listed as costs to confirm.

Open TCO calculator

These are unverified consumer reports and manufacturer recalls filed with the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration — not validated defect rates, and not adjusted for how many 2021 RAM 2500 units were produced or sold. High-volume and older vehicles naturally accumulate more complaints. Use this as one research signal, not a verdict on any individual vehicle. Dataset year: 2026; exact snapshot day not supplied. Source: NHTSA Office of Defects Investigation (public domain).

Frequently asked questions

Is the 2021 RAM 2500 reliable?

NHTSA has 154 consumer complaints on record for the 2021 RAM 2500 and 8 recalls. The most-reported problem area is electrical system (35 reports). These are unverified consumer reports filed with the government, not validated failure rates, and are not adjusted for how many 2021 RAM 2500 units were produced — popular vehicles naturally accumulate more reports.

What are the most common problems with the 2021 RAM 2500?

Owners most often report problems with: electrical system (35), engine (25), power train (23), fuel/propulsion system (8). Each figure is the number of complaints filed with NHTSA for this exact model year.

How much does it cost to own a 2021 RAM 2500?

This complaint dataset does not measure repair prices or predict a maintenance budget for the 2021 RAM 2500. Use your purchase price, insurance quotes, fuel use and a maintenance estimate in the separate five-year cost calculator. It does not convert complaint counts into repair costs, and any unknown taxes remain excluded and clearly listed.

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