NHTSA // SAFETY RECORD
2021 Ram 3500 Safety Record
The 2021 Ram 3500 has not been crash-tested by NHTSA, so it carries no Safety Index. Its federal safety record shows 9 recalls and 61 owner complaints on file.
Updated Oct 1, 2026 from NHTSA data · Reviewed by Ivanna Verstliar
CRASH
DATANot crash-tested
The 2021 Ram 3500 enters the market without federal crash-test ratings, as NHTSA has not evaluated this model. Despite the absence of star ratings or a computed Safety Index, its record reveals a Heavy burden band for both recalls and owner complaints. Nine recalls have been issued, with two specifically advising owners to park their vehicles outdoors due to fire risk. Compounding this, 61 owner complaints have been registered. This pattern necessitates careful consideration from prospective buyers, even in the absence of crash-performance data.
The 2021 Ram 3500 was not crash-tested by NHTSA, carries a Heavy recall and complaint burden band, and is subject to nine recalls according to NHTSA data at nhtsa.gov.
MotorCaliber Safety Desk // NHTSA data, verified Oct 1, 2026
- shoppers who want the full federal safety picture in one place
| NHTSA crash test | Not crash-tested |
|---|---|
| Recall and complaint burden | Heavy |
| Recalls on file | 9 (includes park-outside) |
| Owner complaints | 61 (unverified allegations) |
| Data verified | Oct 1, 2026 |
ANALYSISHow safe is the 2021 Ram 3500?
For the 2021 Ram 3500, two urgent "park outside" recalls mark its safety record. An electrical wiring recall affecting 2021-2023 Ram heavy-duty trucks prompted a directive for owners to avoid garaging the vehicle. Separately, a frontal airbag recall impacts a wide range of 2021-2022 Ram trucks, including this model. An automatic transmission recall, specific to 2020-2022 Ram 3500 trucks, addresses potential pressure and heat accumulation within the transmission. These three campaigns contribute significantly to the model's nine total recalls. The truck also accrued 61 owner complaints. Consistent with the recall activity, owner complaints for this model year are concentrated in the Electrical System and Power Train categories. No NHTSA crash-test data is available for this specific model year or its siblings, preventing a comparative assessment of its structural safety performance.
NHTSA // RECALLSDoes the 2021 Ram 3500 have any recalls?
The 2021 Ram 3500 carries nine recalls covering frontal air bags, electrical wiring relays and solenoids, tailgate hinge and latch hardware, automatic transmission pressure and heat buildup, and the antilock and traction-control module. Two of those campaigns, including the electrical wiring recall, carry park-outside instructions, meaning owners were directed not to store the vehicle in an enclosed space until the remedy was applied.
AIR BAGS:FRONTAL25V765000
Risk: A driver's side air bag that does not deploy as intended increases the risk of injury in a crash.
Remedy: Dealers will replace the steering column control module, free of charge. Owner notification letters were mailed beginning December 11, 2025. Owners may contact Chrysler customer service at 800-853-1403. Chrysler's number for this recall is 14C. Vehicle Identification Numbers (VINs) involved in this recall became searchable on NHTSA.gov beginning November 13, 2025.
Reported 2025-11-06
ELECTRICAL SYSTEM:WIRING:RELAYS/SOLENOIDS23V060000
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 include 2023 model year vehicles. FCA US will notify dealers on or about 3/23/2023 and begin notifying owners on or about 4/5/2023. Phase 2 will include 2022 model year vehicles and Phase 3 will include 2021 mo
Reported 2023-02-09
STRUCTURE:BODY:TAILGATE:HINGE AND ATTACHMENTS22V904000
Risk: An unintended tailgate opening while driving may result in a loss of unsecured cargo, possibly creating a road hazard and increasing the risk of a crash.
Remedy: Dealers will inspect the tailgate striker alignment to the box latch and adjust, if necessary, free of charge. Owner notification letters were mailed December 22, 2022. Owners may contact FCA US, LLC customer service at 1-800-853-1403. FCA US, LLC's number for this recall is ZB8.
Reported 2022-12-08
POWER TRAIN:AUTOMATIC TRANSMISSION22V835000
Risk: Leaking transmission fluid may contact an ignition source within the engine compartment, increasing the risk of a fire.
Remedy: Dealers will replace the transmission dipstick and transmission vent assembly, free of charge. Owner notification letters were mailed December 29, 2022. Owners may contact FCA US, LLC customer service at 1-800-853-1403. Chrysler's number for this recall is ZA3.
Reported 2022-11-10
SERVICE BRAKES, HYDRAULIC:ANTILOCK/TRACTION CONTROL/ELECTRONIC LIMITED SLIP:CONTROL UNIT/MODULE22V140000
Risk: An ESC malfunction indicator light that fails to illuminate during an electronic stability control problem can increase the risk of a crash.
Remedy: Dealers will update the ABS control module software, free of charge. Owner notification letters were mailed March 29, 2022. Owners may contact FCA US, LLC customer service at 1-800-853-1403. FCA US, LLC's number for this recall is Z20.
Reported 2022-03-10
AIR BAGS:SIDE/WINDOW:CURTAIN21V925000
Risk: An air bag that deploys improperly can increase the risk of injury in a crash.
Remedy: Dealers will replace the SABIC assemblies, free of charge. Owner notification letters were mailed January 17, 2022. Owners may contact FCA US, LLC customer service at 1-800-853-1403. FCA US, LLC's number for this recall is Y99.
Reported 2021-11-24
ELECTRICAL SYSTEM:WIRING:RELAYS/SOLENOIDS21V798000
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 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 to the Relay after inspection. Owner notification letters w
Reported 2021-10-14
WHEELS:LUGS/NUTS/BOLTS/STUDS21V398000
Risk: Wheel separation can cause a vehicle crash.
Remedy: Dealers will update the torque specification in the owner's manual and other published service documents. Dealers will also inspect the vehicle's wheel studs, replacing them if necessary, free of charge. Owner notification letters were mailed on November 30, 2021. Campaign Y36 owner notification letters were mailed on November 30, 2021. Campaign Y26 owner notification letters were mailed on Decemb
Reported 2021-05-27
ELECTRICAL SYSTEM21V163000
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 to the Relay after inspection. Customers are advised to not park these vehicles inside of buildings or structures, or near other vehicles until the vehicle has the final repair completed. Owner notificat
Reported 2021-03-11
NHTSA // COMPLAINTSWhat do owners report about the 2021 Ram 3500?
Sixty-one complaints have been reported to NHTSA for the 2021 Ram 3500. The top components alleged are the Electrical System with 16 reports, Power Train with 11, Engine with 10, an Unknown or Other category with 9, Wheels with 7, and Service Brakes with 6. Four of those reports allege fire. All complaints are unverified consumer allegations, not established facts.
61 owner complaints on file. These are unverified allegations reported to NHTSA.
USED BUYERWhat should used buyers know about the 2021 Ram 3500?
The 2021 Ram 3500 carries a substantial recall burden, with nine separate campaigns issued by NHTSA. Prospective buyers must verify that all applicable recalls have been addressed for any specific vehicle before purchase.
- Two of the nine recalls for the 2021 Ram 3500 carry park-outside instructions, including an electrical wiring recall affecting certain 2021-2023 Ram heavy-duty trucks, meaning affected owners were directed not to store the vehicle in an enclosed structure until repaired.
- A separate frontal air bag recall covers certain 2021-2022 Ram 1500, 2500, 3500, 4500, and 5500 vehicles due to a steering column concern, making it one of the broader campaigns in this model year's record.
- The automatic transmission recall, specific to 2020-2022 Ram 3500 trucks, involves pressure and heat buildup inside the transmission and represents a distinct powertrain safety concern tied to this generation.
- Of the 61 unverified complaints reported to NHTSA for this model year, four allege fire, and the Electrical System alone accounts for 16 of the total reports, the single largest complaint category in the record.
RANKINGSWhere the 2021 Ram 3500 places
The 2021 Ram 3500 qualifies for these MotorCaliber safety rankings:
FAQ2021 Ram 3500 safety questions
Was the 2021 Ram 3500 crash-tested by NHTSA?
No. NHTSA has not run a New Car Assessment Program crash test on this configuration, so it carries no Safety Index. Its safety record here is built from 9 recalls and 61 owner complaints on file.
How many recalls does the 2021 Ram 3500 have?
According to NHTSA recall data, 9 vehicle recalls are on file for the 2021 Ram 3500, including a park-outside or do-not-drive campaign, which is the most serious class of recall. Confirm your VIN at nhtsa.gov to see which apply to your car.
How many complaints have owners filed about the 2021 Ram 3500?
According to NHTSA's complaint database, 61 owner complaints are on file for the 2021 Ram 3500. These are unverified allegations submitted by owners, not confirmed defects, and include reports involving a fire.
Cross-check this record against independent expert reviews and the live NHTSA database before you buy.
- DATA Pulled directly from NHTSA: the recallsByVehicle and complaintsByVehicle records for the Ram 3500 2021.
- SCORE This configuration was not crash-tested by NHTSA, so it carries no Safety Index. We report its recall and complaint record only.
- EDITED Written by the MotorCaliber Safety Desk and reviewed for accuracy and plain-language clarity by Ivanna Verstliar, Editor, against the source figures on this page.
- VERIFIED Data last synced Oct 1, 2026. Recalls change; confirm your VIN at nhtsa.gov/recalls. See our corrections policy and disclosure.