Buying a used 2021 RAM 3500? Check these 9 recalls first
The 2021 Ram 3500 has 9 recalls in this group, with diesel fire risks and a transmission fluid leak prominent in the record. Two relay fire campaigns carry park-outside instructions for affected vehicles. Wheel studs and both curtain and driver airbag defects also warrant attention; tailgate retention and stability warning indication round out the list. The 62 unverified owner complaints include 17 electrical, 11 power train, and 10 engine reports, with 4 fires reported.
Before you buy
- Get the 17-character VIN from the seller and run it at nhtsa.gov/recalls. It shows which recalls are still unrepaired on that exact car.
- Verify relay recall repairs and any outstanding VIN-specific park-outside instructions.
- Confirm curtain airbag, driver airbag, and wheel-stud recall completion.
- Ask for transmission leak repairs and electrical fault history.
- Open recalls are repaired free at any RAM dealer, whoever owns the car — an open recall is a to-do item, not a bill.
Recalls covering the 2021 RAM 3500
| Recall | Area | Severity |
|---|---|---|
| Ram Diesel Trucks Recalled Over Fire Risk | Electrical System | critical |
| Ram Diesel Trucks Relay Fire Risk · park outside | Electrical System | critical |
| Ram 2500 and 3500 Transmission Fluid Leak | Power Train | critical |
| Ram Diesel Trucks Heater Relay Fire Risk · park outside | Electrical System | critical |
| Ram Truck Wheel Studs May Break | Wheels | high |
| Ram Pickup Side Airbag Curtain Defect | AIR Bags | high |
| Ram Trucks: Driver's Air Bag May Not Deploy | AIR Bags | high |
| Ram and Durango Stability Warning Light May Fail | Service Brakes, Hydraulic | medium |
| Ram pickup tailgates may open while driving | Structure | medium |
What owners have reported to NHTSA
62 complaints filed for this model year, including 0 mentioning a crash, 4 a fire and 0 injuries. Complaints are unverified owner reports, and popular models collect more of them simply because more are on the road.
| Problem area | Complaints | Recall in this area? |
|---|---|---|
| Electrical System | 17 | Yes |
| Power Train | 11 | Yes |
| Engine | 10 | None found |
| Wheels | 7 | Yes |
| Brakes | 6 | Yes |
| Structure | 5 | Yes |