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EnginePart report

2021 Ram 2500 Engine Problems

Complaints
26about this part
Share
24%of 108 total for the year
Median mileage
45,000miles
Trend
RisingComplaints filed in the last 3 full calendar years are at least 25% higher than in the 3 years before.

NHTSA recorded 26 complaints about the engine of the 2021 Ram 2500, 24% of the 108 complaints for this model year. Where a mileage was given, the median is 45,000 miles. 5 a fire, according to the filers.

Example complaints

Selected from NHTSA records; personal details are removed. They are consumer reports, not findings.

“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”

NHTSA complaint #11725303, filed 2026-03

“August of 2023 I took my truck in for a check engine light. The dealership diagnosed it and said my def tank senor is turning on the check engine light. They repaired it, when I picked up the truck they told me that it was burnt out and replaced the part. Now 14 months later it's having the same issue. Wondering if other ram 2500 owners are having this same issue and if it is a repetitive issue. The repair cost me over $963.00 dollars.”

NHTSA complaint #11630801, filed 2024-12

“The flexible section of the exhaust coming from the engine that connects to the rigid sections of exhaust that contains the DPF components developed a hole in it. I reported that exhaust was smelled inside my cab and that sooty smoke could be seen coming up by my passenger side front window for almost a month. The Ram dealership told me the first two times I took it there that it was normal for regens to create smokey conditions. …”

NHTSA complaint #11552373, filed 2023-10

“I was at a stop light. When I went to go, Truck Stalled for No reason and I lost All control. No steering, No brakes, and it would NOT start until I came to a full stop after almost getting side swiped by oncoming cars in opposite lane, of which I rolled into”

NHTSA complaint #11527847, filed 2023-06

“My 2021 Ram 2500 6.7 truck quit on me driving down the road. When I raised the hood I could smell burned wires and see smoke. Luckily, it was raining or I think my truck would have burned up. I noticed melted plastic and burned wires on the drivers side of the truck. This particular truck had an Electrical system recall and shows to have been completed. (Safety Recall 13A/NHTSA 23V-060) If this recall was completed, maybe something else needs to be checked out. …”

NHTSA complaint #11580670, filed 2024-04

Related service bulletins

Engine: other model years

YearComplaintsShare of year
2026414%
2025914%
2024915%
20231122%
20223017%
20212624%
20203320%
20193217%
2018371%
2017396%
20165320%
20153416%
20146218%
20134324%
2009120%

Other parts of the 2021 Ram 2500

Electrical system
35 complaints
Transmission and drivetrain
25 complaints
Body and structure
12 complaints
Fuel system
11 complaints
Brakes
10 complaints
Other or unknown
8 complaints
Steering
5 complaints
Air bags
4 complaints
Seat belts
4 complaints
Visibility (wipers, defrost, mirrors)
4 complaints
Back-over prevention (rear camera)
2 complaints
Electronic stability control
2 complaints

← All problems reported for the 2021 Ram 2500

About this data. Data from NHTSA (ODI) complaints, recalls, TSBs and investigations, updated Oct 27, 2026. Complaints are unverified consumer reports and may be duplicated or inaccurate.

To check a specific vehicle for open recalls, use its VIN at nhtsa.gov/recalls. Methodology