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KLUNK
KLUNK

2021 Ram 2500

The Verdict

73 Solid Pick

The 2021 Ram 2500 has 102 owner complaints filed with NHTSA. The most reported issues are engine (30 complaints) and body (25 complaints). With a Klunk Score of 73/100, it earns a "Solid Pick" rating.

This is the cleanest year on record. Nice pick.

73

Klunk Score: Solid Pick

Fewer complaints than most vehicles. Generally dependable, but check the top problems below.

How is this calculated?

The Klunk Score ranks this vehicle year against all others in our database based on total owner complaints filed with NHTSA. 100 = fewest complaints (top tier), 0 = most complained-about. Scores above 60 are better than average; below 40 means more problems than most.

Recalls 3

Active safety recalls from NHTSA for this vehicle year.

21V798000 ELECTRICAL SYSTEM:WIRING:RELAYS/SOLENOIDS

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...

Risk

A vehicle fire increases the risk of injury.

Remedy

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 Sol...

Reported Apr 11, 2026

23V060000 ELECTRICAL SYSTEM:WIRING:RELAYS/SOLENOIDS

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 ma...

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.

Remedy

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 incl...

Reported Sep 2, 2023

21V163000 ELECTRICAL SYSTEM

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 th...

Risk

A vehicle fire increases the risk of injury.

Remedy

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 ...

Reported Nov 3, 2021

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Under the Hood

Each number is a complaint. Darker = bigger problem.

YearBodyBrakesElectricalEngineTransmission
2013646365814
201414618438446
20158516284437
20168432296444
201787473265229
20181202174664562
20195312237820
20204211128411
2021256193022

By Category

Engine
30
Body
25
Transmission
22
Electrical
19
Brakes
6

By Severity

1
52
2
36
4
14

Worst Problems

Complaints

Body 2

There was a tailgate recall for the tailgate falling down potentially spilling cargo onto the road. The dealership Autonation Dodge in [XXX] tried fixing the recall multiple times but the tailgate kept falling down after they tried to fix it 2 or 3 times. Now they're trying to make me sign a service fee authorization which I don't agree with because either the recall isn't fixed, or there are other issues that can cause the tailgate to fall down which should be included in this recall because they can potentially cause the same dangerous situation which caused the recall. INFORMATION REDACTED PURSUANT TO THE FREEDOM OF INFORMATION ACT (FOIA), 5 U.S.C. 552(B)(6)

1mo ago
Transmission 1

The 68RFE automatic transmission in this 2021 Ram 2500 6.7L Cummins fails to engage reverse when the transmission reaches operating temperature. When the gear selector is placed in reverse and the accelerator is applied, the engine revs but the truck does not move. The defect is intermittent and temperature-dependent, which means it cannot be predicted or avoided by the driver. The vehicle is used to tow an enclosed cargo trailer weighing approximately 7,000 pounds.The safety risk: inability to engage reverse on demand creates a hazard in any situation requiring reverse motion, including backing away from a stopped vehicle, reversing out of a fuel station, backing a loaded trailer at a campground or boat ramp, or executing an evasive reverse maneuver. With a trailer attached, loss of reverse function can leave the truck and trailer stranded in active traffic lanes or at intersections.The defect was first reported to a dealer in August 2023 with diagnostic trouble code P2701 stored (Friction Element B implausible pressure, internal transmission fault). The code was logged but not addressed at that visit. Over the following 32 months the same defect was reported to the same dealer four additional times. On the fourth visit the dealer replaced the complete transmission and torque converter under warranty and certified the repair complete after a documented 77 mile dealer test drive. The same defect returned approximately 4 customer miles after the truck was returned to me. The truck is currently at the dealer for the fifth repair attempt, with the dealer's own write-up confirming that the vehicle will not move while in reverse at operating temperature.The defect has been confirmed by the dealer service department through their own diagnostic process, has been documented across five repair orders, and has resulted in a complete factory transmission and torque converter replacement that failed to resolve the issue.Warning indicators: a P2701 diagnostic trouble code was s

2mo ago
Electrical 1

THE VEHICLE HAS UNEVEN RESPONSE WHEN TURNING OR DRIVING DOWN THE ROAD TURN SIGNALS DO NOT CANCEL PROPERLY AND IT HAS A PERSISTENT CLICKING SOUND COMING FROM THE STEERING COLUMN. MY SAFETY IS AT RISK AS THE STEERING ISNT CONSISTENT WHILE DRIVING. VEHICLE WAS INSPECTED BUT THEIR TECHNICIANS WERE UNABLE TO FIND ANY OF THE ONGOING PROBLEMS WITH THIS VEHICLE INCLUDING WORN SUSPENSION COMPONENTS.THIS PERSISTENT PROBLEM WITH THE STEERING AND CLICKING SOUND HAS BEEN ONGOING SINCE BEFORE I PURCHASED THE VEHICLE BACK IN DECEMBER WITH MULTIPLE CLUES AFTER VISUAL EXAMINATION OF A PRIOR ACCIDENT.

3mo ago
Engine 4

Vehicle caught fire while engine was running, vehicle idling. Vehicle is a total loss. Prior NHTSA complaints regarding these vehicles causing fire from electrical components under the hood. Unknown if fire was due to electrical or leaking fuel issues under the hood. Major safety risk to occupants, especially children in car seats. Fire became out of control and burned the interior of the vehicle to bare metal. There were no injuries in this incident. This report being submitted by Law Enforcement on owners behalf. Full report from Law Enforcement included in this complaint.

3mo ago
Engine 2

Ram is refusing to repair and item on my truck egr cooler is cracked, leaking and burning coolant. They have recalled every year model but mine. All have same issue, all have same part and part number. Dealership suggested I contact NTSB to see if I could get it recalled. It is said to cause ifres in some trucks

4mo ago
Body 2

Front right wheel detached while driving on the highway - going about 45mph due to snow on roadway. We are glad no one was injured. All the lugs had come off the wheel. Now need wheel and rim replacement, and new hub assembly and lugs. It will be repaired at the dealer where we bought the vehicle new, Ed Tomko in Avon, OH. The service dept there has looked at it and gave the diagnosis. No warning indicators. Reporting because we saw a similar issue as recall for different lines of the same year Ram trucks. Wondering if the 2500 is also in that situation.

5mo ago
Body 1

The rear right seat belt became stuck and would not release, trapping my [XXX] son. Although the buckle was unlatched, he was entangled in the seat belt, and the retraction system would not loosen. The vehicle was stationary at the time of the incident. Due to the inability to safely release the seat belt, emergency services were contacted. Police and fire department personnel responded to the scene and conducted an assessment. Based on their evaluation, they determined that the safest and most appropriate course of action was to cut the seat belt in order to free my son. This type of malfunction has never occurred previously with this vehicle. At no point before or during the incident were any warning lights, alerts, or messages displayed indicating a restraint system fault. INFORMATION REDACTED PURSUANT TO THE FREEDOM OF INFORMATION ACT (FOIA), 5 U.S.C. 552(B)(6)

6mo ago
Engine 2

The lifters failed at 64,000 miles they where replaced under warranty. but now the lifters are making noise again with 71,000 miles since replaced. it’s a bad design that could be fixed permanently with the right parts! No warning lights just failure.

6mo ago
Transmission 1

I am reporting a serious safety issue with my 2021 Ram 2500 (VIN: [XXX] ). The truck has experienced three separate transmission failures within a few months. Each time the transmission was replaced, the vehicle failed again shortly afterward. At one point, the dealership returned the truck to me without transmission fluid, causing additional internal damage and creating an extreme safety risk. I have also had steering issues since the truck was new, which continue today despite multiple service attempts. Shortly after purchase, the truck developed severe mold and water intrusion after the roof stop lamp was removed or stolen while the vehicle was at the dealership for service. This caused water to leak into the interior and contaminate the carpet. The dealership replaced the carpet but the issues continued. The repeated transmission failures, steering defects, and water intrusion have made this truck unsafe to drive. The vehicle has lost significant value, and the dealership and manufacturer have been unable to correct the defects after numerous attempts. I am requesting an NHTSA investigation into these issues, including: •Repeated transmission failures •Ongoing steering defects •Improper repair practices •Water intrusion and mold exposure •Dealer negligence These failures represent a serious safety hazard to both myself and others on the road. INFORMATION REDACTED PURSUANT TO THE FREEDOM OF INFORMATION ACT (FOIA), 5 U.S.C. 552(B)(6)

7mo ago
Body 1

My vehicle was repaired for a known recall related to the tailgate unlatching issue. NHTSA ID Number: 22V904000 This repair was completed, and then my tailgate continued to open unexpectedly. I have taken it back to the dealership after damage was caused to my tailgate when it fell while I was driving. They have denied my claim and continue to advise that it was repaired when, in fact, I have still been experiencing issues with it. I would like to have my tailgate damage repaired and realgind properly.

8mo ago
Engine 4

After starting the vehicle, fire smell came into the cab. After exiting the vehicle smoke was coming from the engine. The engine caught on fire and car was totaled within 10 minutes.

9mo ago
Electrical 2

Leather dash is delaminating and shrinking starting at the defrost vents. This appears to impact the passenger airbag deployment. Chrysler/Stellantis is aware of the issue, but considers the dash to be an accessory and refuses to correct if not under warranty.

10mo ago
Body 1

The Transmision went out at 80k miles leaving me stranded. They did correct the issue. However, thought that I would report this because I was in traffic causing and almost wrecked

12mo ago
Transmission 1

Been driving over 2 months and zero issues. On a Thursday headed to store and transmission would not get out of first gear.made it to a shop 1.5 miles away and they said transmission was gone.

13mo ago
Engine 1

TRANSMISSON MAKES A WHINING NOISE WHEN SHIFTING GEARS WHEN EXCELERATING. I HAVE TAKEN IT TO THE LOCAL RAM DEALERSHIP 4X NOW. FCA DID APPROVE A SMALL TRANSMISSION PART REPAIR, BUT UNFORTUNALTY IT DID NOT FIX THE PROBLEM.

13mo ago
Brakes 1

I have a seized brake caliper that is a direct result of a faulty brake hose. The brakes were looked at by a brake specialist business and I was told the brake hoses had to be replaced as well as the calipers, rotors and pads on the front. I took it to the Lake City, Florida dealer looking for a recall after reading online that some 2021 Ram 2500 trucks had brake hose recalls. They told me there was no recall on my particular truck for brake issues. However, when they quoted me there price and reason they needed to repair is that it had a seized brake caliper and all components are now no good. They also told me the brake hoses need to be replaced due to the passenger side brake hose having collapsed internally but they want me to pay $3500 to repair. This issue is a direct result of a faulty brake hose that they said collapsed. There are other trucks that have recalls for the same failure. Why is mine not covered under a recall with the safety issue that has developed? I need these parts covered as well as all the parts that have to be replaced due to the faulty hose. Please let me know what to do.

13mo ago
Electrical 1

Backup camera fails to activate when vehicle is put in reverse gear

13mo ago
Body 4

Tailgate was repaired in February 2025 for issue under 22V-904 and then after the repairs were completed my tailgate dropped again resulting in damage to my tailgate.

14mo ago
Engine 1

Imminent lifter failure. Has a very loud tick. This is a very common and almost always catastrophic failure. This is on the 6.7L Cummins engine

14mo ago
Body 1

Steering wheel started to make a snap noise when being turn either to the left or right. Didn't happen every turn but would come and go and became more frequent. Took to dealer for diagnosis and they said it's the same noise the 1500s have when the clock spring failed or broke. He tried to see if we had that recall since it was on some 1500s and some 2500s but ours wasnt so we had to pay out of pocket.

16mo ago

102 total

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