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2021 RAM 2500 Reliability & Recall Report

Based on 8 NHTSA recalls and 101 owner complaints. All data sourced from the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA) — free, no signup required.

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This is one of the better years for the RAM 2500

The 2021 model year shows below-average complaints compared to other years of this model — a good sign for reliability.

F
23/100

Avoid This Year — 2021 RAM 2500

The 2021 RAM 2500 is among the worst-performing model years for this vehicle. NHTSA data shows high complaint and recall activity. Strongly consider a different model year.

8
NHTSA Recalls
8 recalls on record
101
Owner Complaints
Filed with NHTSA
6
Crashes + Injuries
8 fire reports

Own or buying a 2021 RAM 2500?

Check your specific VIN for open recalls, market value, full specs, and a free AI buyer summary.

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NHTSA Recalls — 2021 RAM 2500 (8)

All recalls listed below must be repaired by an authorized RAM dealer at no charge to the owner.

🔧 Unknown Component
NHTSA #21V798000
🔧 Unknown Component
NHTSA #21V925000
🔧 Unknown Component
NHTSA #21V163000
🔧 Unknown Component
NHTSA #22V140000
🔧 Unknown Component
NHTSA #22V835000
🔧 Unknown Component
NHTSA #22V904000
🔧 Unknown Component
NHTSA #23V060000
🔧 Unknown Component
NHTSA #25V765000
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Most Common Problems — 2021 RAM 2500

Based on 101 owner complaints filed with NHTSA. Bars show relative complaint frequency.

Power Train
21
Electrical System
20
Engine
12
Structure
8
Service Brakes
7
Unknown Or Other
6
Steering
5
Air Bags
4
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RAM 2500 — Complaints by Year

Spike in a year = known problem year. The 2021 model year is highlighted.

2015 211 complaints 2016 253 complaints 2017 662 complaints 2018 2,451 complaints 2019 186 complaints 2020 158 complaints 2021 101 complaints 2022 0 complaints 2023 0 complaints 2024 0 complaints 2025 0 complaints

⚠ Years to avoid: 2017, 2018 — These model years show significantly elevated complaint activity.

✅ Best model years: 2020, 2021, 2022 — Lowest complaint rates for this model.

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Frequently Asked Questions — 2021 RAM 2500

Is the 2021 RAM 2500 reliable?
Based on NHTSA data, the 2021 RAM 2500 has 8 recalls and 101 owner complaints. This model year shows elevated issues — consider alternatives or a thorough pre-purchase inspection.
How many recalls does the 2021 RAM 2500 have?
The 2021 RAM 2500 has 8 NHTSA recalls. Affected systems include: see recall details above. All recalls are repaired free at authorized dealers.
What are the most common problems with the 2021 RAM 2500?
The most commonly reported problems for the 2021 RAM 2500 are: Power Train, Electrical System, Engine, Structure. See the complaint breakdown above for full details.
Is the 2021 RAM 2500 safe to buy?
The 2021 RAM 2500 has some safety and reliability items to review before buying. Ensure all 8 recalls are completed at a dealer. A pre-purchase inspection by an independent mechanic is strongly recommended.
What year RAM 2500 should I buy?
Based on NHTSA complaint data, the best years for the RAM 2500 are: 2020, 2021, 2022. These show the lowest complaint rates. Years to avoid: 2017, 2018.
Data source: All recall and complaint data is sourced directly from the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA) public API. Data is cached and refreshed every 7 days. Recall and complaint counts reflect data available at the time of last cache update. For the most current recall status on a specific vehicle, enter the VIN above or visit NHTSA.gov/recalls.